Israel's Seven Apocalyptic Days, Part 2
Israel’s Seven Apocalyptic Days
Part 2, Pentecost or Feast of Weeks
Chapter 20, Part 2 Preview: Part 1). The apostles never said that the seven Biblical “Feast” Days were dusty archives of events long forgotten! Rather, they are prophetic signs of “things to come”! The modern Israelite nations have almost entirely lost the knowledge of not only their Scriptural heritage but also the truth that we were to have an “everlasting covenant” with God. This chapter explains, via the Biblical “Feast” Days (both mo’ed & chag), why it is that only the Israelite nations will suffer the prophesied “Great Tribulation”. The penalty for not keeping our covenant will be inflicted upon Modern Israel by the hands “of the peoples” who we were supposed to set an example for! (Deuteronomy 4:5-10) The other nations suffer afterward:
After the Sabbath within the Days of Unleavened Bread, we are to count fifty days to arrive at Pentecost. Pentecost is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew “Feast of Weeks”. The only other special significance associated with the number fifty in the Scriptures, numerological speaking, is in reference to the Jubilee year, that comes every fiftieth year. Every fiftieth year was, among other things, a time to “proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants.” How fitting that following the seven year period—the seventh such period in the fifty year cycle—is a year long commemoration of Independence Day, independence from captivity!
I believe that Pentecost, with its countdown of fifty days is an annual reminder of what the Jubilee is all about. Altho the Day of Atonements is mentioned in this scripture as having special significance, we must keep in mind that in the Kingdom of God the Jubilee will be celebrated for an entire year by all of the survivors of Israel, and their descendants.
Leviticus 25:8-10 You shall count off seven Sabbaths of years, seven times seven years; and there shall be to you the days of seven Sabbaths of years, even forty-nine years. 9 Then you shall sound the loud trumpet [ram’s horn] on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement[s] you shall sound the trumpet throughout all your land. 10 You shall make the fiftieth year holy, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee to you; and each of you shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family. WEB
I believe that the reoccupation of the twelve modern nations of Israel of their ancient homeland, following their captivity, will begin on Pentecost and will end on Atonements during the very next Jubilee year. The entire liberation occurs between these special days and will be completed by the Day of Atonements. This period is when everyone “shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family”.
What does Leviticus mean by “return to his own property”? It is a reference to the actual reclaiming of the enlarged land of Israel by the twelve tribes, as prophesied by Ezekiel:
Ezekiel 47:13- 14 Thus says the Lord [Yehovah]: This shall be the border, by which you shall divide the land for inheritance according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions. 14 You shall inherit it, one as well as another; for I swore to give it to your fathers: and this land shall fall to you for inheritance. WEB
The division of the land explanation goes on to emphasize that foreign nationals will apparently be given a one time only opportunity to be grafted into the nation of Israel. Father’s favor toward Israel will become so apparent that in a short period of time virtually the entire world would want to be a part of Israel, if given the opportunity. But it is the “firstfruits” of the non Israelite world who will be given this opportunity—probably by merit—because they will have fought for Israel’s liberation along with the seeming underdogs of a greatly outnumbered and outgunned Israel.
Zechariah 12:3 It will happen in that day, that I’ll make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for everyone. Everyone who burdens themselves with it will be severely wounded, and all of the nations of the earth will be gathered together against it. —The Word of Elohim, Gabriel Version (WE)
Those foreigners who side with Israel in their fight to the death will become honorary Israelites with full citizenry rights:
Ezekiel 47:22-23 It will happen, that you will divide it by lot as an inheritance to you and to the strangers who live among you, who will raise children among you, that they’ll like the native-born among the descendants of Israel; they’ll have an inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel. 23 It will happen, that in whatever tribe the stranger lives, you’ll give him an inheritance there, says Adonay Yehovah. WE
We too have a one time only opportunity to become honorary Israelites with the special privileges of even becoming her spirit born “kings and priests”
Revelation 5:9-10 They sang a new anthem, saying, “You [Yeshua] are worthy to take the book, and to open it’s seals; because You were slain, and have bought us for Yehovah with Your own blood, out of every tribe, language, people, and nation; 10 and You have made them kings and priests for Yehovah; and they will reign on the earth. GV
Firstfruits: Who Or What Are They?
Pentecost is the “day of the firstfruits”. We need to examine who the “firstfruits” are that people assume they already know. Are you a firstfruit?
We’ll see from several scriptures that Pentecost has a great deal to do with the “firstfruits”, but who or what are these “firstfruits”? The original instructions dont mention what is special about the occasion—we’re only told to celebrate it. So we start out with a bit of a mystery!
Numbers 28:26 Also in the day of the firstfruits, when you offer a new meal offering to [Yehovah] in your Feast of Weeks, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no servile work.... WEB
I have always heard that “firstfruits” is a term that describes both Yeshua and His church*). Can we validate this in the Bible?
Here is the verse that people cite to “prove” that both Yeshua and His “Church” are “the firstfruits”. Yet notice that it does not call “those who are the Messiah’s” firstfruits!
1 Corinthians 15:20 & 23 But now the Messiah has risen from the dead, and has become the first person harvested [firstfruits] from the dead. ... 23 but everyone in their order; Messiah, the first person harvested; later, at His coming, those who are the Messiah’s. GV
The word aparche, usually translated as “firstfruits” is a compound word that means “of” and “the first to do (anything)”. Logic tells us that there CANT BE MORE THAN ONE person to be “the first to do (anything)”. A simple reading of these verses shows that the topic concerns being “raised from the dead”. The focus here isnt what a firstfruit is, it’s who it is! Yeshua was the first person to be raised from the dead into a spirit body. He was the first “fruit” —the FIRST to be harvested.
When a Saint dies, our dead bodies are like a seed that is planted. But in due time we will be harvested— “raised a spiritual body”!
1 Corinthians 15:42-44 That is how it is in the resurrection of the dead. What is sown [the body] is perishable, but what is raised will never decay.
The commonality between us and Yeshua is not that we are all firstfruits—the commonality is that we will all be raised from the dead. If the premise being made in this verse were that ‘we are also firstfruits’ then it would indicate by default that we are NOT firstfruits right now. Under that scenario, firstfruits would be “those who are Messiah’s, AT HIS COMING!” If firstfruits were a synonym for a Nazarene (“Christian”), then why would we have to wait for “His coming” to be called firstfruit? In reality we are distant “secondfruits” as far as birth order goes.
When people say,“ We are the firstfruits to the Lord”, they are usurping Yeshua’s prise at the finish line!
Again firstfruit, when applied to a person, meaning the first person to do something.
I used to rely on James’ statement about firstfruits to show that “firstfruits” means the followers of Yeshua, until I remembered that the Book of James was written to all twelve tribes of Israel!
James 1:18 He saw fit, and fathered us by the word of truth; so that we could be the firstborn of His created beings. GV
This simply states that humanity is the pre-eminent, in first place among earthly creatures, and that’s kind of nice to know.
However, as James stated right up front, he was addressing the faithful remnant of the twelve tribes of Israel!
James 1:1 James, a servant of Yehovah, and of our Master Yeshua the Messiah; to the twelve tribes dispersed [Greek: diaspora]; among the nations [1]. Greetings. GV
[1] And you thought that Yehovah lost track of “the lost ten tribes”!
It is easy to demonstrate that Israel, as well as Yeshua, are “kind[s] of firstfruits”:
While you wont find a statement that the “church” is “firstfruits”, you will find that the faithful remnant of Israel had been Father’s “firstfruits”. Israel was meant to be the first exemplary nation—the nation to lead the rest of the world to God!
Jeremiah 2:3 Israel was holiness to [Yehovah], the firstfruits of His increase: all who devour him shall be held guilty; evil shall come on them, says [Yehovah]. WEB
Jeremiah also said that a few Israelites would forsake their evil ways and return to Zion, even if it is only one person of a city.
Jeremiah 3:14-15 Return, backsliding children, announces Yehovah; because I’m to be married to you: and I’ll take one of you from this city, and two from that family, and I’ll bring you to Zion. 15 I’ll give you shepherds who understand Me, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. WE
Paul also stated that “those who are my flesh”, meaning the select of Israel who were not being “cast away” were “firstfruit”.
Romans 11:13-16 It is to those of you of other nations that I’m speaking; since I’m an *envoy to the nations, yet I honor my ministry; 14 so that if by any means I can provoke some of my own race to rivalry, and Rescue some of them. 15 If their rejection has resulted in a reconciliation of the world; then what will their conversion be but Life from the dead? 16 If the firstfruit is dedicated, then the rest of the dough is also; and if the root is dedicated, then the branches are also. GV
(The lump of swelling dough is a correlation to the wave sheaf loaves of Pentecost.)
If we as Believers in Yeshua are also firstfruits, as were the elect of our ancient Israelite predecessors, it is not because we are in “the church” —it is because we have been grafted into the linage of Abraham! We were adopted by God into Abraham’s family. Today we are chosen by grace. Race no longer gives us an edge, as is so very well spelled out in the entire chapter of Romans 11. And while we have more knowledge than the ancients we have an equal destiny.
Interestingly, when Peter spoke on the astonishing day of Pentecost of 31 AD, he was only speaking to Jews—physical firstfruits!
Acts 2:5-6 Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem who revered Yehovah from every nation under the sky.
We see that the firstfruits are directly associated with Pentecost—also known as the “Feast of Weeks” at the time of the “wheat harvest”.
Exodus 34:22 You shall observe the Feast of Weeks with the first fruits of wheat harvest, and the ‘Feast of Harvest’ [Tabernacles] at the year’s end. WEB
The firstfruits include everyone who was a faithful part of the “first covenant” (that is, including “the strangers {non Israelites} who dwell among you”.) Many ancient Israelites will also receive salvation or “life from the dead”. Israelites, the firstfruits, are not castaways! There were many Israelites, even tho a minority, who were truly Father’s people. They were so scattered that even Elijah was not aware that there were 7000 of them during his watch.
During Paul’s watch, “the Israel of God” was still the firstfruits, as well as anyone of any race who wanted to associate with the God of Israel, before Yeshua appeared.
Galatians 6:15-16 In Yeshua the Messiah, circumcision does not empower anyone, nor the lack of circumcision, but a new conversion does.
The word “first” is a clue. They were the first harvest to await the reward of “life from the dead”.
Romans 11:1-4 But I ask, has Yehovah cast off His people? Absolutely not. I am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 Yehovah has not cast off the people who He predestined. Dont you know what the Scriptures say about Elijah? He complained to Yehovah against Israel, and said, 3 “Yehovah, they have killed Your prophets, and have demolished Your altars. I am the only one left; and they are searching for me, demanding my life”. 4 But what was the sacred response? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have never bowed their knees to worship Baal”! GV
Both John the Baptist and Yeshua used wheat symbolically to represent the righteous. We dont often associate wheat with being a fruit in English, only botanists do. Yet during Yeshua’s ministry it was acceptable speech and He made a distinctly human association between wheat and the end time harvest—Judgment Day.
Matthew 3:12 His winnowing shovel is in His hand; and He will completely empty His threshing floor, gathering the wheat into His storehouse; but He will entirely burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. GV
Matthew 13:24-30 He related another analogy to them, “The Kingdom of the Heavens can be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 While everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and then left. 26 When the plants shot up and ripened, the tares also appeared. 27 The servants of the householder came, and asked him, ‘Master, didnt you sow good seed in your field? Why are there tares with it’. 28 He told them, ‘An enemy has done this’. The servants asked him, ‘Would you like us to go and pull them out”? 29 He replied, ‘No, because while you sort out the tares, you’ll also uproot the wheat with them. 30 They must both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time, I will tell the harvesters to gather the tares out first, and bind them in bundles to be burned; but to bring the wheat into my granary’”. GV
Leavened Bread and Firstfruits
While Israel is scattered among the nations they are certainly not one nation. It is common knowledge that Israel became two independent nations before their ancient captivity. But this is an unacceptable state of affairs that God will not allow to exist again in the future:
Ezekiel 37:21-22 Say to them, Thus says [Yehovah]: Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, where they are gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: 22 and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all; and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all.... WEB
As long as Israel is scattered among the nations it remains in a “leavened” (sinful) condition, as they were in Egypt. The following verses conclusively ties leaven to sin.
1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Your boasting isnt good. Dont you know that a little leaven leavens the whole mix of dough? 7 Clean out your old leaven so that you can be a new mix of dough, as you are unleavened. The Messiah, our Passover, was sacrificed in our place. 8 So let’s celebrate the Feast, not with the old leaven, or with the leaven of wickedness and bitterness, but with the unleavened bread of purity and sanctity. GV
What is be the significance of the two wave loaves? Notice that they are both “leavened” and “firstfruits”! What might this seeming contradiction mean? Did the symbolic meaning of leaven do a total turnaround from representing sin to representing purity somewhere between Unleavened Bread and Pentecost? Actually, the leavened House of the tribes of Israel and the House of Judah, will soon be uprooted from their homelands and go into captivity! Israel will begin a literal Exodus from their sins and begin a great reconciliation with God, as illustrated by the two loaves “baked with leaven”. “Messiah our Passover” had to take upon Himself all of the sins of the world and become temporarily leavened to atone for our sins and become our Savior. (As a side note; why do the churches observe the Passover [Communion or the Eucharist] with unleavened bread?)
Leviticus 23:17 You’ll bring out of your houses two loaves of bread for a wave offering made of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour. They’ll be baked with leaven, for firstfruits to Yehovah. WE
It was with great suffering that Yeshua died not only for His own nation but also all of the other children of God. Might the leavened loaves only become acceptable to God at a time after they have been tried in the fire?
John 11:50-52 ... nor do you consider that it is expedient for us, for one Man to die for the people, rather than have the whole nation perish”. 51 However He didnt say this from the prompting of his own mind; but being the high priest that year, he prophesied, that Yeshua was about to die for the people; 52 and not only for the people, but also so that He could gather together the sons of Yehovah who were scattered abroad [diaspora]. GV
It will also be with great suffering and fiery trials that God will purify Israel during the seven trumpet plagues. But reconciliation will ensue on Judgment Day. While billions of people who have died will be judged on Judgment Day, others will be tested “like gold” and be found worthy to keep on living! They will repopulate the earth.
Zechariah 13:8-9 It shall happen that in all the land,” says [Yehovah], “two parts in it will be cut off and die; but the third will be left in it. 9 I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will test them like gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will hear them. I will say, ‘It is My people;’ and they will say, ‘[Yehovah] is my God.’ WEB
Isaiah 10:16 Therefore the Lord, [Yehovah] of Armies, will send among His fat ones leanness; and under His glory a burning will be kindled like the burning of fire. WEB
Luke 3:16 John told them, “Look, I immerse you with water; but after me One mightier than I will come, the strings of whose shoes I’m not worthy to untie; He will immerse you with the sacred spirit OR [1] with fire. GV
[1] The three words usually translated “and with fire” are all one word in Aramaic. The reason I chose “OR with fire” rather than “and with fire”, is because of the context. The very next verse refers to “burn with unquenchable fire”. So it appears to mean that the fire is something you would want to avoid!
Presumably we want the Sacred Spirit rather than the fire.
Pentecost represents the time when the Nations of Israel will again prepare to enter the Promised Land! It will be much like the original occupation of the land. Notice that the Feast of Firstfruits (Pentecost) was not to be celebrated until Israel came into their promised land. It was not celebrated in the wilderness.
Leviticus 23:9-11 [Yehovah] spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you have come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap its the harvest, then you shall bring the sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest: 11 and he shall wave the sheaf before [Yehovah], to be accepted for you. On the next day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. WEB
The entry into the Promised Land, after the great ordeal in the wilderness, was a significant event. Notice the admonitions and importance that God placed on the occasion of the ancient entry into the Promised Land.
Deuteronomy 11:1-12 Therefore you shall love [Yehovah] your God, and keep His instructions, and His statutes, and His ordinances, and His commandments, always. 2 Know this day: for I dont speak with your children who have not known, and who have not seen the chastisement of [Yehovah] your God, His greatness, His mighty hand, and His outstretched arm, 3 and His signs, and His works, which He did in the midst of Egypt to Pharaoh the king of Egypt, and to all his land; 4 and what He did to the army of Egypt, to their horses, and to their chariots; how He made the water of the Red Sea to overflow them as they pursued after you, and how [Yehovah] has destroyed them to this day; 5 and what He did to you in the wilderness, until you came to this place; 6 and what He did to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben; how the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and their tents, and every living thing that followed them, in the midst of all Israel: 7 but your eyes have seen all the great work of [Yehovah] which He did. 8 Therefore you shall keep all the commandment which I command you this day, that you may be strong, and go in and possess the land, where you go over to possess it; 9 and that you may prolong your days in the land, which [Yehovah] swore to your fathers to give to them and to their seed, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 For the land, where you go in to possess it, isnt as the land of Egypt, from whence you came out, where you sowed your seed, and watered it with your foot, as a garden of herbs; 11 but the land, where you go over to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinks water of the rain of the sky, 12 a land which [Yehovah] your God cares for: the eyes of [Yehovah] your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year even to the end of the year. WEB
At this time in history there were only two adult men who had lived thru the Exodus who were part of the faithful remnant of Israel—Caleb and Joshua!
Numbers 14:29-31 ... your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness; and all who were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, who have murmured against me, 30 surely you shall not come into the land, concerning which I swore that I would make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. 31 But your little ones, that you said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which you have rejected. WEB
During the next captivity, some of the more knowledgable Israelites will long to cross over into Israel and begin celebrating Father’s Biblical Feast Days, as was done previously:
Deuteronomy 27:2-9 It shall be on the day when you shall pass over the Jordan to the land which [Yehovah] your God gives you, that you shall set yourself up great stones, and plaster them with plaster: 3 and you shall write on them all the words of this law, when you have passed over; that you may [enter] the land which [Yehovah] your God gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as [Yehovah], the God of your fathers, has promised you.... 9 Moses and the priests the Levites spoke to all Israel, saying, “Keep silence, and listen, Israel: this day you have become the people of [Yehovah] your God. WEB
Undoubtedly, the modern Israelite Nations will experience the same solemnity and awe as the first pioneers take their celebrated steps across the border into the Promised Land!
In Acts we read of the first Feast of Pentecost that was celebrated by the disciples following the sacrifice of Yeshua, in what I believe to be the Jubilee year of 27 AD. Acts 2 is all about the events of that special day.
Acts 2:1 When the days of Pentecost were fully counted, while they were all assembled together, GV
The unmistakable message that Peter delivered that day had to do specifically with the events just prior to the fiery Day of the Lord. Notice that verses 17-21 of Acts are a five verse quotation from Joel 2:28-32, that describes some of the unusual events that will take place during that time. The entire three chapter book of Joel is about the preparations for, and the fulfillment of, the Day of the Lord. To read the book of Joel is to understand what Peter thought was beginning to take place before his eyes. Peter actually believed, on that special Day of Pentecost, that the Day of the Lord was beginning! But were the end time prophecies of Joel really beginning on that special Feast of Pentecost?
Acts 2:17-21 In the last days, it will happen, as Yehovah said, ‘I will pour My spirit on all of mortal humanity, your sons will prophesy, and your daughters and your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams. 18 At that time I will pour My spirit on My servants on both men and women, and they will prophesy. 19 I will display miracles in the sky above, and unusual occurrences on the earth, blood, fire, and pillars of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and awesome Day of Yehovah comes. 21 At that time, whoever calls on the name of Yehovah, will live”! GV
The context of the above verses (again, quoted from the Joel 2) is in preparation for the Day of Atonements—the annual “fast” day described later on in this chapter. Yet this is no ordinary Day of Atonements. Aside from the Feast of Trumpets, the only Feast or Festival with a prescribed blowing of shofars [trumpets] is the Day of Atonements on Jubilee years—once every 50 years! This is not a haphazard event. It is planned to the day and the year!
Joel 2:15-16 15 Blow the shofar in Zion, consecrate the fast, summon the Festival Assembly. 16 Gather the people. Consecrate the assembly. Gather the elders. Gather the children, even the nursing babies. The bridegroom should leave his chamber, and the bride her chuppah. WE
As it turned out, none of the painful prophecies of Joel happened that year, nor have they ever happened—yet. A full explanation of what DID NOT happen on Pentecost of that year is covered in Pentecost is Not Fulfilled!
I believe that the fast of Joel 1 is that of an unavoidable fast day due to famine. Fasting on Pentecost! After all, Peter specifically associated Pentecost to the events of the book of Joel: “But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel”. Joel seemingly emphasizes the events from Pentecost to Atonements just prior to the Everlasting Kingdom:
Joel 1:8-15 Mourn like a virgin dressed in sackcloth for the husband of her youth! 9 The meal offering and the drink offering are cut off from [Yehovah’s] house. The priests, [Yehovah’s] ministers, mourn. 10 The field is laid waste. The land mourns, for the grain is destroyed, the new wine has dried up, and the oil languishes. 11 Be confounded, you farmers! Wail, you vineyard keepers; for the wheat and for the barley; for the harvest of the field has perished. 12 The vine has dried up, and the fig tree withered; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all of the trees of the field are withered; for joy has withered away from the sons of men. 13 Put on sackcloth and mourn, you priests! Wail, you ministers of the altar. Come, lie all night in sackcloth, you ministers of my God, for the meal offering and the drink offering are withheld from your Father’s house. 14 Sanctify a fast. Call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders, and all the inhabitants of the land, to the house of [Yehovah], your God, and cry to [Yehovah]. 15 Alas for the day! For the day of [Yehovah] is at hand, [Judgment Day, Revelation 11:15-18] and it will come as destruction from the Almighty. 16 Isnt the food cut off before our eyes.... WEB
I find it amazing that Peter, after spending many years with Yeshua, knew nothing about a “Church Age”. Even after Yeshua’s death he believed that he was in the “last days”. He probably viewed the Roman occupation as the end time captivity of Israel, as did his countrymen. Whatever his reasoning, he certainly “jumped the gun” thinking that the Feast of Pentecost, particularly that very day of Pentecost, would initiate the Day of the Lord. This is the only account concerning the Day of Pentecost in the Greek Texts, except for references only made in passing. So if we are to gain clues about it’s prophetic significance from the apostles—we need to understand that it was thought to represent the beginning of the end time! Take time to read the three chapter book of Joel to understand what Peter actually thought was beginning to occur right in front of them.
The lesson to be learned is that we should not trust anyones judgment concerning the end time if it does not conform to the inspired prophecies. God will not cut short His plan concerning the “time appointed” but He will cut short Satan’s aspirations!
Father’s original plan was to make an example of Israel for the people of the world. True Nazarenes are only working a little better.
Deuteronomy 4:5-8 Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, even as [Yehovah] my God commanded me, that you should do so in the midst of the land where you go in to possess it. Keep therefore and do them [the statutes and judgments]; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who shall hear all these statutes, and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” 7 For what great nation is there, that has a god so near to them, as [Yehovah] our God is whenever we call on Him? 8 What great nation is there, that has statutes and ordinances so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? WEB
Israel deviated from the Father’s plan, but He is still determined to carry it out! The redemption of Israel is the entire purpose of Scriptural prophecy! Zechariah described the time when Israel will know their God and the rest of the world will be beating a path to the gates of Zion!
Zechariah 8:22-23 Yes, many peoples and strong nations will come to seek [Yehovah] of Armies in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of [Yehovah].” 23 Thus says [Yehovah] of Armies: “In those days, ten men will take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, they will take hold of the skirt of him who is a Jew, saying, ‘We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’” WEB
Israel was to have saved the world, instead Israel needs to be saved. Isaiah described what Yeshua will do to fulfill the role that Israel was originally meant to fulfill prior to their rebellion.
Isaiah 49:5-10 Now says [Yehovah] who formed Me from the womb to be His servant, to bring Jacob again to Him, and that Israel be gathered to Him (for I am honorable in the eyes of [Yehovah], and My God is become My strength); 6 yes, He says, “It is too light a thing that You should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give You for a light to the nations, that You may be My salvation to the end of the earth.” 7 Thus says [Yehovah], the Redeemer of Israel, and His Holy One, to Him whom man despises, to Him whom the nation abhors, to a Servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall worship; because of [Yehovah] who is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen You.” 8 Thus says [Yehovah], “In an acceptable time have I answered You, and in a day of salvation have I helped You; and I will preserve You, and give You for a covenant of the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritage: 9 saying to those who are bound, ‘Come out!’; to those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves!’ “They shall feed in the ways, and on all bare heights shall be their pasture. 10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun strike them: for He who has mercy on them will lead them, even by springs of water He will guide them. WEB
Notice very carefully that Isaiah 49 above and Revelation 7 are both referring to the salvation of the world!
Revelation 7:2-17 I saw another Messenger, and he came up from the direction of the rising sun; he had the seal of the living Aloha; and he called out loudly to the four Messengers who were given the responsibility to harm the land and the sea, saying, 3 “Dont harm the earth, or the sea, or the trees, until we have marked the servants of Yehovah with a seal on their foreheads”. 4 I heard the number of those who were sealed; one hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed from every tribe of Israel. ... 9 After this, I saw an enormous number of people that no one could count, from every nation, and tribe, and language, who stood in front of the throne, and the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes, and had palm branches in their hands. 10 They called out with loud voices, saying, “Eternal Life to Yehovah, to the One who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb”. 11 All the Messengers stood around the throne, and the elders and the four living beings; and they bowed face down before His throne, and worshiped Yehovah, 12 saying, “Aw-mane’. Blessing, and praise, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be to Yehovah, forever and ever; Aw-mane’”. 13 One of the elders turned, and asked me, “Who are these people clothed in white robes, and where did they come from”? 14 I said, “Friend, you know”. He answered, “These are the ones who are coming out of the Great Tribulation; they have washed their clothes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 This is why they are in front of the throne of Yehovah; serving Him day and night in His Temple; and the One who sits on the throne, will protect them. 16 They wont hunger, or thirst any more; nor will they be overcome by the sun, or burning heat. 17 because the Lamb, who was amid the thrones, will feed them; and will lead them to springs of living water; and Yehovah will wipe every tear from their eyes”. GV
Again, as we read from the closing remarks of Peter’s Pentecost address, we should bear in mind that Peter thought that his words were strictly a message to “all the House of Israel” as they were entering the end time Day of the Lord. This will truly be the message that the Two Witnesses will deliver to the 144,000 “sealed” Israelites, and the “great multitude” that follows them “out of Great Tribulation”. What other message could possibly be appropriate as they approach their Independence Day?
Acts 2:36-43 So THE ENTIRE FAMILY OF ISRAEL should know beyond all doubt that Yehovah has made this Yeshua, who you crucified, both Master and Messiah”. 37 When they heard these things, their consciences were pierced; so they asked Simon, and the rest of the envoys, “What should we do”? 38 Simon said, “Amend your ways, and be immersed, every one of you in the name of the Master Yeshua, for the remission of sins; so that you can receive the gift of the sacred spirit, 39 because the promise is to you, and to your children, and to everyone living far away that Yehovah will call”. 40 With many more appeals he admonished them, saying, “Escape from this crooked generation”. 41 Some of them quickly accepted his teaching, and were immersed. That very day, about three thousand living beings were added to the Assembly. 42 They persevered in the doctrine of the envoys; and fellowshipped together in prayer, and in breaking bread. 43 A sense of awe came over everyone; and many signs and wonders were done by the hands of the envoys in Jerusalem. GV
Here is the perfect illustration about how the truth concerning the Messiah will be received. Israel, and the Jewish people in particular, will undoubtedly be “cut to the heart”. Here is proof that Father’s plan of repentance and salvation will come to fruition.
Zechariah 12:6-11 On that day I’ll make the governors of Judah [including a modern day Zerubbabel]like a firepan surrounded by wood, and like a flaming torch among sheaves. They’ll burn up all the surrounding nations to the right and to the left and the people of Jerusalem will once again live on their own properties, even in Jerusalem. 7 Yehovah will save the homes of Judah first, so that the splendor of the house of David and the splendor of the inhabitants of Jerusalem wont be magnified above Judah. 8 On that day Yehovah will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Someone who is feeble among them on that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like Elohim, like the Messenger of Yehovah [the “Angel of the Lord”] before them. 9 It will happen on that day, that I’ll demand the destruction of all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10 I’ll pour on the house of David, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and supplication; and they’ll look to Me who they’ve pierced; and they’ll mourn for Him, as someone mourns for his only son, and will grieve bitterly for Him, as someone grieves for their firstborn. 11 On that day there will be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. WE
Firstfruits are Israelites—the people that God first revealed Himself to! No, “God didnt reject His people, those He foreknew”. But you have to admit that Plan “A” —national salvation—didnt work too well, but ancient Israel was given the opportunity. Plan “B” is God working with an Assembly of chosen individuals rather than a “chosen” nation. Plan “B” is not working too well at this point in time either, but that is prophesied to change. I urge you to become a part of the “moral minority”!
The Feast of Trumpets is Part 3
(To resolve the controversy about Sunday vs the Pharasaical Sivan the 6th, click this link*).
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