Every year about this time, I reconsider studies done in the past, never forgetting the first time I realized the significance of the Jewish festivals. We do not formally observe them as do the Jews, but we certainly note their annual passing, as a parade of God’s master plan for the ages.
This issue of our magazine is entirely devoted to studying the powerful imagery implicit in the biblical festival of Pentecost. This article is one of three studies, each linking Pentecost with the prophetic destiny of the church. Anyone with a basic knowledge of the Bible knows that the church was born on Pentecost. It lies at the center of Israel’s seven feasts, at the pinnacle of the festival cycle. Biblically, culturally and historically, the symbolic power of Pentecost is unrivalled. It is laden with deep meaning and brimming with narratives that speak of God’s love, and His prophetic promises. We believe that there is a natural connection between Pentecost and the rapture of the church.
If you keep up with current news in the world of Christian prophecy studies, you’ve likely heard that the rapture could happen this month … on Pentecost. This year, since its observance happens to arrive on the date of Israel’s 65th birthday, speculation is more fervent than usual. Some have proclaimed that the long-awaited rapture could come during the period that begins on Tuesday evening, May 14th. At that time, they say, the church will be caught up, destabilizing global politics and leading to the tumult of a war in the Middle East. That war, or perhaps the first of a series of battles in that war, will destroy the power of the United States. Or, so goes the theory.
We have long advocated the view that Pentecost is a type of the rapture, not that the rapture must come exactly on any given Pentecost, though this timing is possible, perhaps even likely. We believe that it is of prime importance that we are actively anticipating Christ’s imminent return on any day. In Paul’s epistle to Titus, this position is clearly advocated:
“13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:13,14).
This year, the Jewish festival called Shavuot [Weeks] or Pentecost, falls on Wednesday and Thursday, the 6th and 7th of Sivan, corresponding to the 15th and 16th of May. But since the biblical description of this festival always places it on a Sunday, some would say that the nearest likely date would fall on either the preceding or following Sunday: either May 12th or May 19th. Actually, this uncertainty is quite appropriate, given the fact that Pentecost is called “the festival without a date.” In reality, its appearance, as originally calculated by the new moon, the Passover and a seven-week countdown, is quite flexible.
Pentecost, the harvest festival, falls in the middle of the seven major feasts of the Jewish calendar. They are Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur and Tabernacles.
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