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Pentecost
June 5, 2022

It was on this feast after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that the Holy Spirit was first given to the early church. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we have forgiveness of sin that also gives us access to eternal life. Prior to this time we would have to travel back in time to the Garden of Eden where in the middle of the garden were two trees, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the tree of life. Life was available to Adam and Eve through the tree of life, and it was when they were deceived by the serpent, Satan the devil, to instead eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that God took action regarding their fate in the Garden of Eden.

It is easy to gloss over the reason for their expulsion from the garden because they had done something they were told not to know. Many believe that they were expelled because they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but that is not what is recorded in Genesis. We are shown that they were removed from the garden because God did not want them to eat of the tree of life and have eternal life knowing both good and evil.

Genesis 3:22-24
And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

The tree of life would have given access to eternal life, and coupled with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, all of mankind would have been at least guaranteed an eternal fate comparable to that of Satan and the demons. Satan and the demons believe and tremble. They know good and evil and have chosen evil. Even in the world today we define good as a comparison to evil. We cannot comprehend good in the absence of evil. We read of the tree of life from the Garden of Eden, and we read passages about what will soon come to the faithful, and while we can intellectually understand the words, and accept what is written through faith, it is as if we are seeing images in a dimly lit room.

We do know that between now and the return of Jesus there will be a time of incredible trouble. We look around the world and see trouble. We see wars and rumors of wars and different diseases popping up. Recently it was COVID-19 and people are still becoming sick with the disease. More recently it’s Monkey Pox. Only God knows what diseases will be part of mankind’s future. During the evil days ahead a mysterious figure will come upon the earth referred to in the Book of Revelation as the beast, and it is those among the faithful who do not worship the beast or the image of the beast, who do not receive the mark upon their foreheads or in their hands, who are part of the first resurrection, who live and reign with Jesus Christ for one thousand years.

Revelation 20:4-5
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

A new heaven and a new earth is also foretold along with a New Jerusalem, a city where God and Jesus Christ will live among Their people where sorrow will no longer exist.

Revelation 21:1-4
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

We have this incredible hope of this future glorious time even though we live in a time of darkness. What Jesus told His disciples thousands of years ago applies to us today. We are the light of the world and the faith that we have cannot be hid. During this world’s darkest days, even a flicker of spiritual light will be seen. Jesus tells us to not hide our faith that is evidenced by our good works. We are told to take this approach not to bring glory to us, but so that when others see what we do, it gives them pause to give glory to God the Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Jesus told the disciples that after His death, His followers would be able to do greater works than the disciples did during His earthly ministry, reminding us to ask God the Father in the name of the son Jesus Christ, keeping the commandments of Jesus Christ so that the Holy Spirit can be part of our life. It is through the Holy Spirit that Jesus and God the Father are part of our life today.

John 14:12-18
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

What Jesus was sharing with the disciples was prophesied by the prophet Joel who showed that the Holy Spirit would be made widely available on earth before the great tribulation and return of Jesus Christ. We don’t know where but the year we are living in right now, fits somewhere on the timeline given to us by Joel.

Joel 2:28-32
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

Pentecost is one of the Holy Days given by God to the children of Israel, and unlike other Holy Days with a fixed calendar date on God’s sacred calendar, Pentecost always occurs the day after the Sabbath, on a Sunday. What tends to be overlooked by many who diligently study the Holy Days is that through Pentecost, the principle of gleaning is mentioned, a Holy Day that mentions the need to consider the needs of poor people, and people traveling through wherever you live.

Leviticus 23:15-22
And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD. Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD. And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto the LORD, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the LORD. Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings. And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest. And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.

Pentecost is also known as the feast of first fruits. James points out that we who are called are a kind of firstfruits of the creation. We are the first among many who will be called.

James 1:17-18
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Those who are Christians who observe the Holy Days as given in the Bible are a tiny minority. We understand that what changed at the death of Jesus Christ is that we now have forgiveness of sin knowing that Jesus died once for all. The Holy Days did not change. Forgiveness of sin that came through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who died once for all, removed any and all need to observe the sacrifices and offerings, because it is through Jesus Christ we are made holy, or sanctified.

Hebrews 10:1-10
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come in the volume of the book it is written of me, to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

We also know because sin is forgiven, there is no more offering for sin.

Hebrews 10:17-18
And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

To be covered by the forgiveness of sin, we cannot turn way from Jesus. We must always remain faithful to Jesus Christ and God the Father. When we abandon Jesus Christ and God the Father, there no longer remains forgiveness of sins.

Hebrews 10:26-27
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Just like there is no need for us to provide offerings for sin, there is no need for us to observe the Holy Days of God after the manner of men. Paul warned the Galatians not to be like others who were not called who when they observed the Holy Days did so through the lens of a judging eye, as if inspecting and evaluating your observance of the Holy Day by standards they established. Through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection we answer to Jesus Christ and God the Father. Other people are not here to evaluate our observance of God’s Holy Days, and similarly, we are not here to evaluate how others observe God’s Holy Days.

Galatians 4:9-11
But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

If you have recently purchased an appliance you might check to see if it has a feature called Sabbath mode. Those who are called who live by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who answer to Jesus and God the Father will observe the Sabbath because we are told to do this in the Bible, but Sabbath mode in an appliance is something that would be on a list used for inspecting and evaluations that we do not need to worry about.

The New Testament has multiple references of the early church keeping the Feast of Pentecost. We know Paul wanted to return to Jerusalem to be there for Pentecost, not because of the Jews who kept Pentecost, but because the early church kept Pentecost.

Acts 20:13-16
And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

The account from Acts is referenced by Paul in his writing to the Corinthians,

1 Corinthians 16:5-9
Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia. And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go. For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit. But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

That pulls us back full circle to that first Pentecost after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The disciples had gathered together on Pentecost when the sound of a mighty rushing wind filled the building where they were gathered. We are told the sound of a rushing mighty wind filled the building. We are not told that a mighty rushing wind filled the building. Imagine how unusual it would be to hear the sound of a rushing mighty wind, but to not have the wind. This sound intensified and filled the building when out of nowhere, something like a split flame of fire could be seen hovering over each person.

All who were called were given the Holy Spirit and the ability to speak in foreign languages. By this time Jerusalem had become a melting pot and many began to recognize these simple backwoods people, Galileans, were speaking in their native language. They heard the early church talk about the wonderful works of God. Some began to question if what they were seeing was a miracle while others dismissed what they saw as too much early day drinking.

Peter who stood as part of the eleven disciples spoke to all who could hear his words and told them that they were observing a miracle, not drunkenness attributed to early day drinking because it was only nine in the morning. Peter shared with them they had observed what had been prophesied by Joel, verses we read today, that the Spirit of God would be poured out on all people.

Peter then told them that whoever would call on the name of Jesus would be saved, because Jesus died so that our sins could be forgiven. The crowd was reminded that David wrote about Jesus and that even though David was dead, that through Jesus they could live, and that this promise would be made to them, to their children, and future generations.

Acts 2:1-39
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

The promise of eternal life was a new concept to the people then. Today as Christians, we understand this hope of eternal life. Jesus also spoke of eternal life during His earthly ministry, and was questioned for it. One time a religious scholar tried to entrap Jesus when it came to what Jesus said about eternal life. Jesus asked this scholar what he thought he needed to do to have eternal life, and he replied by saying to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself, and Jesus agreed. It was then that this scholar saw his opportunity to entrap Jesus and asked who Jesus thought should be considered our neighbor. Jesus then provided an example of a Samaritan who provided assistance to a wounded person after a Levite and priest declined opportunities to help. Jesus used this to show that neighbors show mercy to others, and then told this scholar to also show mercy to others.

Luke 10:25-37
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

To be given the Holy Spirit we are to have fruit worthy of repentance, individual actions we each undertake. Family heritage is insufficient to attain eternal life. The calling may be given to us, our children, and future children, but all must have fruit worthy of repentance to have the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist, who preceded the way for Jesus, fielded many questions and gave specific examples to people. To those who are blessed with more than they need, to share with others that portion they do not need. For those who serve in positions where they take from other people, to not take more than what is expected. In the example given in Luke, tax collectors are mentioned, but the same principal would apply to anyone in a sales capacity as well. To the soldiers, John mentioned that they should never use their position of authority to do violence to others. Today that similar message would apply to all who serve not only in the military, but to law enforcement, and to all who have control over another person, like teachers, and even parents. He also told this group to not bring false accusations against others and to be content with their wages, meaning not to accept bribes or favors in return for special privileges.

Luke 3:7-14
Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

Going back to the Book of James, Christians can consider that we are to not only control what we say, but to practice pure and undefiled religion, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, broadly meaning to not ignore the needs of those who are disenfranchised by society, and to keep ourselves unspotted from this world.

James 1:26-27
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

For those who are observing Pentecost and seek eternal life, we can take to heart the words of Jesus who delineated between the righteous and unrighteous, between those who would be given eternal life with Jesus Christ and those who would not, and like the scholar who challenged Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ again shows that it is those who show mercy to others, who act as neighbors who will have eternal life.

Matthew 25:31-46
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we have forgiveness of sin, and it was on this day shortly after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the early church. Jesus has taught us to be a light to the world and to not hide from the world, to look at the people around us, and to consider that all are our neighbors, and to show mercy to all.

We have been called to the faith at this time. We have not been called to be judgmental. Again and again and again in the Bible we are shown of a dual need to keep the commandments of Jesus, who kept the commandments of God the Father, and to be this light to a world darkened by evil, to care for those who are disenfranchised as we are able to care, and to show mercy to all.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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