Shavuot/Pentecost

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

The congregation I attend observes Shavuot/Pentecost according to the counting of the omer...

"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 YHVH." - Leviticus 23:15-16

We interpret this to be the morrow after the seventh day Shabbat proceeding Pesach (14th of Nisan). Seven complete Shabbats must pass before Shavuot/Pentecost. Note that on this day the promise of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) was given, and this was also the same day that Torah was given at Mt. Sinai. On this day Torah was both written on the stone tablets, and eventually on our hearts

Hag Sameach!

Reuel

[Angel]

Shalom!
I am hoping that someone can help clarify the difference between Shavuot/Weeks and First Fruits. ;D

I received a newsletter today from a Messianic group in Israel describing 3 Jewish holidays that take place in May: Shavuot (Festival of Weeks/Pentecost) May 25; Lag B'Omer (Counting of the Omer) May 9; and Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) May 19.

My question stems from my confusion from a statement made in the newsletter regarding Shavuot:

"In ancient times, Jewish sages counted fifty days from Passover to celebrate the moment when God gave Moses the great gift of the Law on Mount Sinai, and the spring harvest of first fruits."

My confusion is mainly about this comment regarding "first fruits". I thought First Fruits was fulfilled with Yeshua's resurrection? It was my understanding that there are two "first fruits": the first for the waving of the barley and the second for the waving of the wheat, but I am thoroughly confused why this newsletter would mention "First Fruits" as a part of Shavuot. ??

I know that someone can explain this to me!

Thanks in advance for your help!

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

My confusion is mainly about this comment regarding "first fruits". I thought First Fruits was fulfilled with Yeshua's resurrection? It was my understanding that there are two "first fruits": the first for the waving of the barley and the second for the waving of the wheat, but I am thoroughly confused why this newsletter would mention "First Fruits" as a part of Shavuot. ??

Shalom Psalm122.6!

My guess would be that it takes place between Pesach, and Shavuot, and is directly linked to the counting of the Omer. First fruits is known as "Sfirat HaOmer", or sometimes "Yom HaBikkurim" in Hebrew.

B'Shem Yeshua,

Reuel

[Angel]

Reuel said:

My guess would be that it takes place between Pesach, and Shavuot, and is directly linked to the counting of the Omer.

Shalom Reuel;

Could you please explain the signifcance of the counting of the Omer? Does it have any significance in the life of a Believer of Yeshua, or is it simply a method used for counting the days between Pesach and Shavuot?

Yearning to learn all I am able!!

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

Does it have any significance in the life of a Believer of Yeshua

"Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O G'd." - Hebrews 10:7

I would say that if it has anything to do with Yeshua...it involves us. The counting of the omer as commanded (Lev.23:15-21) is directly connected to First fruits which also is Messianic in nature (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). The 49 days leading up to Shavuot is a time of hopeful expectation, and preperation for Adonai's instruction. Yeshua commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until further instruction from the Spirit during these days...

"And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." - Luke 24:49

We are currently living in a time of hopeful expectation before the second coming of Messiah (the latter firstfruits). Just as Israel waited during this time to recieve The Father's , so the disciples waited to recieve The Father's written on their hearts, and so we wait for the great giver to rule, and reign here on Earth...

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of YHVH's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of YHVH, to the house of the G'd of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the , and the word of YHVH from Jerusalem."
- Isaiah 2:2-3

Baruch haba B'Shem Adonai!

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

Here is something that I recieved from First Fruits of Zion in e-mail in regards to Shavuot....

Commentary:
Redemption and
(An excerpt from Club Volume Five)
Then G'd spoke all these words, saying, “I am YHVH your G'd, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (Exodus 20:1-2)

The Festival of Shavuot (Pentecost) is the anniversary of the giving of the and the giving of the Holy Spirit. As part of the commemoration, the Ten Commandments are read publicly in the Assembly on the Feast of Shavuot.

According to the traditional reckoning, the first commandment is simply, “I am YHVH your G'd who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (Exodus 20:1-2)

The first commandment is to believe in G'd and to accept His claim of ownership over us. Unless we accept the basic premise of G-d’s existence, no number of commandments will have any authority or meaning for us. The need for such a command demonstrates the incongruity of ascribing to morality without believing in a moral authority. If we accept the premise of objective morality, we must accept that there is a higher authority issuing that objective standard.

We also learn from this that redemption must precede commandments. Before we can receive the , we must already be ‘saved.’ Israel’s salvation from Egypt was not accorded to her on the basis of her obedience to the commandments. She was already redeemed (on no merit of her own) before the laws at Sinai were given to her. Thus the first declaration at Sinai is a reminder of their redeemed status. Only BECAUSE they are already saved are they able to receive the commands of G'd.

True legalism continually attempts to reverse this process by claiming that one’s obedience to certain commandments (or all the commandments) is the mechanism by which salvation is earned. The first of the Ten Commandments directly contradicts this notion. Salvation and relationship with G'd precedes the .

Chag Sameach (A Joyous Holiday) from First Fruits of Zion!

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

We just got back from a beautiful celebration of Shavuot with our congregation. We were blessed to be able to be at a wonderful campground, and we feasted, and enjoyed everything that G'd provided for us! Adonai ministered to all of us while we met Him at His appointed time. May we take the grace, and power that He has given to us, and do all His words!

Shalom alecheim,

Reuel

[Digitaria]

Hi All,

I wonder can you answer a question. I do not have a up to date Hebrew calender and I would like to know the exact date for this year for the equivalent pentecost?

Thanks

Lisa

[Rick]

Erev Shavuot Is June 12 (Siven 5/49 L'Omer), Shavuot 1, June 13, Shavuot 2, June 14.

[Digitaria]

Dear Rej1s,

Thanks for that, its just before I awoke from my sleep a couple of weeks ago I heard a voice before I got up. I heard; "You will be given the promised holy spirit which no man has yet seen."

And before that I had a dream where I had been preparing some food and on trying to leave the college establishment I was prevented from leaving by a man who came forward and looked at some notes which he un-ravelled at the front desk; there was gold writing as words on the pages although I did not know what they said. The man said you have not eaten all of the afickoman yet." So I presumed this was why I could not leave, I then woke up. This dream happened just after pesach, also last year during passover I dreamed of seeing un-leavened bread in the bible and also the bible was put into my wardrobe, you know like an ark and inside the wardrobe was a large upright book with the title Hebrews.

I just thought I should give you reason for my question bearing in mind that its nearly pentecost and I was wondering was this promise of holy spirit relating to pentecost. Because I myself thought that holy spirit was the possession of my heavenly fathers love and re-birth into his spiritual family and another way of saying I have a new faith?

What are you all thinking about distribution of converting holy spirit. I mean spirit which is not learned or taught but that which comes upon you from outside of yourselves which can make you at least biblically act as prophets. Obviously letting yourself be taken over by an outside force and letting spirit change your heart within you into another person, the same but a complete servant of the Lord.

Other cases which I have read about is when Moses appointed seventy or so men to take responsibility for the Israelites and they acted as prophets only once, but others within the camp continued to have the spirit remain upon them. Just like King Saul before he was made king when the spirit became operable upon him Or when Paul/Saul had the spirit of Jesus come upon him and he also was changed in his spirit?

Just sounding off, let me know what your thinking/

Lisa

[Rick]

Shabbot Shalom, Digitaria.
We must guard ourselves when it comes to dreams and thoughts or a voice

that which comes upon you from outside of yourselves

.

1Jo 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world.

First and foremost it should NEVER contradict the Word of G-d. Nor should it be contrary to the NATURE of G-d/Yah'shua/the Holy spirit as revealed to us in scripture.

Heb 4:12 For the word of G-d is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

G-d tells us everything we hear should be filtered through the scriptures and reject anything that contradicts scripture. That's why we must listen carefully, the word reveals the innermost intentions of our heart. The word illuminates everything enabling us to discern truth from error. Whatever we hear we must check against G-d's absolute truth, our standard must always be scripture.

2Co 11:14 And no wonder, since HaSatan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

Isa 14:13-14 You said to yourself, "I'll climb to heaven and place my throne above the highest stars. I'll sit there with the gods far away in the north. I'll be above the clouds, just like G-d Most High."

The enemy is a "counterfitter" he will weave and twist just enough truth in order to decieve and lead astray.

Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which the L-RD G-d had made. He said to the woman, "Has G-d really said, 'You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?'"

Gen 2:17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it; for in the day that you eat of it you will surely die."

Gen 3:4 The serpent said to the woman, "You won't "surely die",

1Ti 4:1 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,

No matter how reliable the 'word' or source may seem we should, to quote Ronald Reagan, "Trust but Verify"

Act 17:11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

Rom 2:18 By reading the Scriptures you learn how G-d wants you to behave, and you discover what is right.

Tit 2:1 But say the things which fit sound doctrine,

Because I myself thought that holy spirit was the possession of my heavenly fathers love and re-birth into his spiritual family and another way of saying I have a new faith?

The best analogy I can use is to think of the Holy Spirit as "the earnest" or "downpayment"or evidence of the "promise",( given to us upon conversion/regeneration), of the coming eternal reward.
The indwelling of the spirit is what convicts us, teaches us, makes the Word come alive, opens our "spiritual eyes". It helps us to pray, prays for us when we don't know how or what to pray for. It is the spirit of G-d "bearing witness" with our own spirit.

Rom 8:2 The Holy Spirit will give you life that comes from Yeshua and will set you free from sin and death.

Rom 8:9 You are no longer ruled by your desires, but by G-d's Spirit, who lives in you. People who don't have the Spirit of Christ in them don't belong to him.

Gal 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.
And they that are of Christ Yeshua have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof.
If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.

Also keep in mind not all recieve the same "gifts".

Rom 12:6-8 G-d has also given each of us different gifts to use. If we can prophesy, we should do it according to the amount of faith we have.
If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can teach, we should teach.
If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous. If we are leaders, we should do our best. If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully.

My view here is from my personal experience, and from what the spirit has has shown me in my own quest/walk with Christ.
I'm sure there are others here who are far more eloquent than I and far wiser.

Read the word, study the word, meditate on the word, compare the word against the word, Obey the word.

Let the spirit lead you, let the scriptures interpret themselves, "Line upon line, precept upon precept"



Shalom in Yeshua, Lisa

Rick

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

Erev Shavuot Is June 12 (Siven 5/49 L'Omer), Shavuot 1, June 13, Shavuot 2, June 14.

Ah yes, this is what the calendar for Rabbinic Judaism states. But, is this according to ?...

"And you 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 you number fifty days; and you shall offer a new meat offering unto YHVH."
- Leviticus 23:15-16

Here is the question, Is June 13th fifty days starting from the morrow after the Sabbath? Keep in mind that the Sabbath spoken of here is not a high Sabbath, but it is the weekly sabbath as there is to be seven -complete- Sabbaths (speaking of the weekly Sabbath). I think that one will find that if we start counting Biblical days from the morrow after the weekly Sabbath (after Pesach), we will find that erev Shavuot starts on the 11th of June and Shavuot 1 is June 12th. Furthermore, it is Rabbinic Judaism that adds an extra day to almost all Biblical High Holy Days (except Yom Kippur). But, does command this, or is this tradition?....A few things to search out.

Shalom chaverim,

Reuel

[Chizuk Emunah]

Ah yes, this is what the calendar for Rabbinic Judaism states. But, is this according to ?

All the more reason for the Sanhedrin to restore the moedim according to .

[Mark]

Shavout is a Sabbath. Are there special ways that any has come to celebrate the day? Are there any special customs that you have come to enjoy that help worship Adonai with a clearer understanding of the presence of Ruach haShem?

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

We have a holy convocation where we read the traditional Holyday reading and related passages from Brit Chadashah (New Test.). We also have food, fellowship, prayer, and sing praises to Adonai on this day. We also have traditionally always stayed up late on the evening of erev Shavuot to read and study with those whom are zealous for it.

Shalom chaverim,

Reuel