Pentecost (Shavuot) stands out as one of the most significant festivals in YAHUAH’s Appointed Times Zadok Priestly Calendar (Lev 23:15-22).
Please NOTE that this is YAHUAH’s appointed time, NOT that of the “Jews” as many teach, even though the Jews, as well as many other Believers celebrate it throughout the world.
It occurred fifty days after First Fruits while in Egypt when the Hebrew people came to Mount Sinai and received the Torah of YAHUAH (first five books of Scripture, written by Mosheh (Moses)).
In Hebrew the word “Shavuot” means “weeks”, and comprises the seven weeks during which the Hebrew people prepared themselves for the giving of the Torah (Teachings of ELohim (Almighty)).
During this time they rid themselves of the scares of bondage, immorality, and became a set-apart nation ready to stand before Yahuah. Many compare this event to a [wedding] between Yahuah and the Hebrew people. Just as a bride today prepares herself to meet her groom, so the Hebrew people got themselves ready to become His set-apart nation and He became their Elohim (Almighty). The Yisraelites camped at Mount Sinai and were instructed by Yahuah on SET-APART living, which entailed all His right-rulings, instructions and commandments in His Torah. These were Yahuah’s gift to His set-apart people, and His direction guiding them to abundant life.
Much of the “modern-day [apostate] church” today does not even acknowledge this gift. The Festival of Harvest is sometimes called “The Feast of Weeks” or “The First fruits of the Wheat Harvest”. It was a joyful occasion celebrating the end of the harvest season and dedicating one’s life anew to Father Yahuah. The festival is also a prophetic symbol of the great harvest of souls that took place when the Qodesh Ruach (Set Apart Spirit) of Yahuah came upon the first-century Believers. This fourth appointed time was to occur precisely on the fiftieth day of First fruits. Therefore, the feast was given the name “Pentecost” in Greek (Act 2:1), which means “fifty.”
It was the second major feast which all able-bodied Hebrew males were required to attend (the other two being Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles). It was celebrated as a Sabbath with REST from ordinary labors (no work) and the calling of a set apart gathering.
The Feast of Weeks is a symbolic festival which pointed to the giving of the Qodesh Ruach or Ruach HaQodesh (Set-Apart Spirit) of Yahuah as part of the Renewed Covenant.
The Son (Yahusha) of Yahuah ascended to the throne on First fruits. He then spent forty days with His taught ones (disciples) in post-resurrection ministry.
The disciples were commanded to wait at Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) until He came (Act 1:4), and they knew exactly how long they would have to wait. The coming of the Ruach HaQodesh (Set-apart Spirit) would occur on the next Hebrew holiday – a festive time when Hebrews from different countries were to be in Yerushalayim to celebrate the completion of the harvest season.
This annual festival was none other than Shavuot or the Feast of Weeks. The disciples waited as they were commanded; however, their wait was not long – only ten days. The Set-Apart Spirit of Yahuah descended on those first-century believers.
Shalom!
Brother Gera’el Toma
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