SHALOM!

 

QUESTIONS TO PONDER UPON:

What is Pentecost?

What does Pentecost mean to YAHUVEH / YAHWEH’S people?

Why are we commanded to celebrate Pentecost?

How are we to celebrate Pentecost?

 

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The following worship song is very powerful and is very much related to Shavu’ot/Weeks/Pentecost:

Song of Solomon 6:3 Names of God Bible (NOG)

³ I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.
    He is the one who grazes his flock among the lilies.

 

Video: Dance With Me oh Lover of My Soul!

 

The following Holy Biblical Scriptures form the foundation of observing YAH’S (a.k.a ELOHIM) Festival of Shavu’ot/Weeks/Pentecost:

 

Beresheit(h)/Genesis 5:23-24 Names of God Bible (NOG)

²³ Enoch lived a total of 365 years. ²⁴ Enoch walked with Elohim; then he was gone because Elohim took him.

 

 

Beresheit(h)/Genesis 9:8-16 Names of God Bible (NOG)

God’s Promise—The Sign of the Rainbow

⁸ Elohim also said to Noah and his sons, ⁹ “I am going to make my promise^[a] to you, your descendants, ¹⁰ and every living being that is with you—birds, domestic animals, and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ship—every living thing on earth. ¹¹ I am making my promise to you. Never again will all life be killed by floodwaters. Never again will there be a flood that destroys the earth.”

¹² Elohim said, “This is the sign of the promise I am giving to you and every living being that is with you for generations to come. ¹³ I will put my rainbow in the clouds to be a sign of my promise to the earth. ¹⁴ Whenever I form clouds over the earth, a rainbow will appear in the clouds. ¹⁵ Then I will remember my promise to you and every living animal. Never again will water become a flood to destroy all life. ¹⁶ Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember my everlasting promise to every living animal on earth.”

 

 

Shemot(h)/Exodus 20 Names of God Bible (NOG)

The Ten Commandments

20 Then Elohim spoke all these words:

² “I am Yahweh your Elohim, who brought you out of slavery in Egypt.

³ “Never have any other god. ⁴ Never make your own carved idols or statues that represent any creature in the sky, on the earth, or in the water. ⁵ Never worship them or serve them, because I, Yahweh your Elohim, am El Kanna. I punish children for their parents’ sins to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me. ⁶ But I show mercy to thousands of generations of those who love me and obey my commandments.

⁷ “Never use the name of Yahweh your Elohim carelessly. Yahweh will make sure that anyone who carelessly uses his name will be punished.

⁸ “Remember the day of worship by observing it as a holy day. ⁹ You have six days to do all your work. ¹⁰ The seventh day is the day of worship dedicated to Yahweh your Elohim. You, your sons, your daughters, your male and female slaves, your cattle, and the foreigners living in your city must never do any work on that day. ¹¹ In six days Yahweh made heaven, earth, and the sea, along with everything in them. He didn’t work on the seventh day. That’s why Yahweh blessed the day he stopped his work and set this day apart as holy.

¹² “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live for a long time in the land Yahweh your Elohim is giving you.

¹³ “Never murder.

¹⁴ “Never commit adultery.

¹⁵ “Never steal.

¹⁶ “Never lie when you testify about your neighbor.

¹⁷ “Never desire to take your neighbor’s household away from him.

“Never desire to take your neighbor’s wife, his male or female slave, his ox, his donkey, or anything else that belongs to him.”

The People’s Reaction

¹⁸ All the people heard the thunder and saw the lightning. They heard the blast of the ram’s horn and saw the mountain covered with smoke. So they shook with fear and stood at a distance. ¹⁹ Then they said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we’ll listen. But don’t let Elohim speak to us, or we’ll die!”

²⁰ Moses answered the people, “Don’t be afraid! Elohim has come only to test you, so that you will be in awe of him and won’t sin.”

²¹ The people kept their distance while Moses went closer to the dark cloud where Elohim was.

General Rules for Worship

²² Yahweh said to Moses, “This is what you must say to the Israelites: You’ve seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven. ²³ Never make any gods of silver or gold for yourselves. Never worship them.

²⁴ “You must build an altar for me made out of dirt. Sacrifice your burnt offerings and your fellowship offerings, your sheep, goats, and cattle on it. Wherever I choose to have my name remembered, I will come to you and bless you. ²⁵ If you build an altar for me made out of stones, never make it with cut stone blocks. If you use a chisel on it, you will make it unacceptable to me. ²⁶ Never use stairs to go up to my altar. Otherwise, people will be able to see under your clothes.”

 

 

 

Video: The Perfect Ten by Kathie Hill

 

 

Video: Let the Weight of Your Glory Fall – by Paul Wilbur.wmv

 

Video: Don Moen- Let your Glory Fall…. (Heartfelt Worship Song)

 

 

Video: Vinesong – I Behold Your Glory (Lyric Video)

 

 

Yo’EL/Joel 2:28-30 King James Version (KJV)

²⁸ And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out MY SPIRIT (RUACH) upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

²⁹ And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

³⁰ And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

 

Video: Bo Ruach Elohim (Come Spirit of God) – Lyrics and Translation

 

 

 

John 14:26 King James Version (KJV)

²⁶ But the COMFORTER, which is the HOLY GHOST (RUACH HA KODESH), whom the FATHER (ABBA/AV) shall send in MY NAME, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

 

Video: Vinesong – Let Your Living Water Flow/Thank You Lord (Original Version w/ Lyrics)

 

 

YAHUchanan/John 14:27 New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁷ PEACE (SHALOM) I leave with you, My PEACE (SHALOM) I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

Gevurot/Acts 1:8 King James Version (KJV)

⁸ But ye shall receive power, after that the HOLY GHOST (a.k.a RUACH HA KODESH) is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Gevurot/Acts 2:1-4 King James Version (KJV)

2 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

² And suddenly there came a SOUND FROM HEAVEN as of a RUSHING MIGHTY WIND, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

³ And there appeared unto them cloven TONGUES like as of FIRE, and it sat upon each of them.

⁴ And they were all filled with the HOLY GHOST (RUACH HA KODESH), and began to speak with OTHER TONGUES, as the SPIRIT gave them utterance.

 

 

Video: Vinesong – Holy Spirit Move Me Now – Live

 

Video: Vinesong – Holy Ghost Fire

 

 

Rut/Ruth 1 Names of God Bible (NOG)

The Move to Moab and Tragedy

1 In the days when the judges were ruling, there was a famine in the land. A man from Bethlehem in Judah went with his wife and two sons to live for a while in the country of Moab. ² The man’s name was Elimelech, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of their two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were descendants of Ephrathah from Bethlehem in the territory of Judah. They went to the country of Moab and lived there.

³ Now, Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, and she was left alone with her two sons. ⁴ Each son married a woman from Moab. One son married a woman named Orpah, and the other son married a woman named Ruth. They lived there for about ten years. ⁵ Then both Mahlon and Chilion died as well. So Naomi was left alone, without her two sons or her husband.

Departure from Moab

⁶ Naomi and her daughters-in-law started on the way back from the country of Moab. (While they were still in Moab she heard that Yahwehhad come to help his people and give them food. ⁷ So she left the place where she had been living, and her two daughters-in-law went with her.) They began to walk back along the road to the territory of Judah.

Naomi’s Appeal to Her Daughters-in-law

⁸ Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back! Each of you should go back to your mother’s home. May Yahweh be as kind to you as you were to me and to our loved ones who have died. ⁹ May Yahwehrepay each of you so that you may find security in a home with a husband.”

When she kissed them goodbye, they began to cry loudly. ¹⁰ They said to her, “We are going back with you to your people.”

¹¹ But Naomi said, “Go back, my daughters. Why should you go with me? Do I have any more sons in my womb who could be your husbands? ¹² Go back, my daughters. Go, because I am too old to get married again. If I said that I still have hope. . . . And if I had a husband tonight. . . . And even if I gave birth to sons, ¹³ would you wait until they grew up and stay single just for them? No, my daughters. My bitterness is much worse than yours because Yahweh has sent me so much trouble.”

¹⁴ They began to cry loudly again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth held on to her tightly. ¹⁵ Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. Go back with your sister-in-law.”

¹⁶ But Ruth answered, “Don’t force me to leave you. Don’t make me turn back from following you. Wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your Elohim will be my Elohim. ¹⁷ Wherever you die, I will die, and I will be buried there with you. May Yahweh strike me down if anything but death separates you and me!”

¹⁸ When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she ended the conversation.

Naomi Arrives in Bethlehem

¹⁹ So both of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they entered Bethlehem, the whole town was excited about them. “This can’t be Naomi, can it?” the women asked.

²⁰ She answered them, “Don’t call me Naomi [Sweet]. Call me Mara [Bitter] because Shadday has made my life very bitter. ²¹ I went away full, but Yahweh has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi when Yahweh has tormented me and Shadday has done evil to me?”

²² When Naomi came back from the country of Moab, Ruth, her Moabite daughter-in-law, came along with her. They happened to enter Bethlehem just when the barley harvest began.

 

Video: Wherever You Go

 

Ruth 1:16-17 Names of God Bible (NOG)

¹⁶ But Ruth answered, “Don’t force me to leave you. Don’t make me turn back from following you. Wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your Elohim will be my Elohim. ¹⁷ Wherever you die, I will die, and I will be buried there with you. May Yahweh strike me down if anything but death separates you and me!”

 

 

Video: Song of Ruth (Wherever you go)

 

Ruth 2 Names of God Bible (NOG)

Ruth Gathers Grain in the Field of Boaz

2 Naomi had a relative. He was from Elimelech’s side of the family. He was a man of outstanding character named Boaz.

² Ruth, who was from Moab, said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field of anyone who will be kind to me. There I will gather the grain left behind by the reapers.”

Naomi told her, “Go, my daughter.”

³ So Ruth went. She entered a field and gathered the grain left behind by the reapers. Now it happened that she ended up in the part of the field that belonged to Boaz, who was from Elimelech’s family.

⁴ Just then, Boaz was coming from Bethlehem, and he said to his reapers, “May Yahweh be with all of you!”

They answered him, “May Yahweh bless you!”

⁵ Boaz asked the young man in charge of his reapers, “Who is this young woman?”

⁶ The young man answered, “She’s a young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. ⁷ She said, ‘Please let me gather grain. I will only gather among the bundles behind the reapers.’ So she came here and has been on her feet from daybreak until now. She just sat down this minute in the shelter.”

Boaz Speaks with Ruth

⁸ Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Don’t go in any other field to gather grain, and don’t even leave this one. Stay here with my young women. ⁹ Watch where my men are reaping, and follow the young women in that field. I have ordered my young men not to touch you. When you’re thirsty, go to the jars and drink some of the water that the young men have drawn.”

¹⁰ Ruth immediately bowed down to the ground and said to him, “Why are you so helpful? Why are you paying attention to me? I’m only a foreigner.”

¹¹ Boaz answered her, “People have told me about everything you have done for your mother-in-law after your husband died. They told me how you left your father and mother and the country where you were born. They also told me how you came to people that you didn’t know before. ¹² May Yahweh reward you for what you have done! May you receive a rich reward from Yahweh Elohim of Israel, under whose protection you have come for shelter.”

¹³ Ruth replied, “Sir, may your kindness to me continue. You have comforted me and reassured me, and I’m not even one of your own servants.”

¹⁴ When it was time to eat, Boaz told her, “Come here. Have some bread, and dip it into the sour wine.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he handed her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over.

¹⁵ When she got up to gather grain, Boaz ordered his servants, “Let her gather grain even among the bundles. Don’t give her any problems. ¹⁶ Even pull some grain out of the bundles and leave it for her to gather. Don’t give her a hard time about it.”

Ruth and Naomi Talk about Boaz

¹⁷ So Ruth gathered grain in the field until evening. Then she separated the grain from its husks. She had about half a bushel of barley. ¹⁸ She picked it up and went into the town, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gathered. Ruth also took out what she had left over from lunch and gave it to Naomi.

¹⁹ Her mother-in-law asked her, “Where did you gather grain today? Just where did you work? May the man who paid attention to you be blessed.”

So Ruth told her mother-in-law about the person with whom she worked. She said, “The man I worked with today is named Boaz.”

²⁰ Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May Yahweh bless him. Yahwehhasn’t stopped being kind to people—living or dead.” Then Naomi told her, “That man is a relative of ours. He is a close relative, one of those responsible for taking care of us.”

²¹ Ruth, who was from Moab, told her, “He also said to me, ‘Stay with my younger workers until they have finished the harvest.’”

²² Naomi told her daughter-in-law Ruth, “It’s a good idea, my daughter, that you go out to the fields with his young women. If you go to someone else’s field, you may be molested.”

²³ So Ruth stayed with the young women who were working for Boaz. She gathered grain until both the barley harvest and the wheat harvest ended. And she continued to live with her mother-in-law.

Ruth 3 Names of God Bible (NOG)

Naomi’s Plan for Ruth’s Marriage

3 Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, said to her, “My daughter, shouldn’t I try to look for a home that would be good for you? ² Isn’t Boaz, whose young women you’ve been working with, our relative? He will be separating the barley from its husks on the threshing floor^[a] tonight. ³ Freshen up, put on some perfume, dress up, and go down to the threshing floor. Don’t let him know that you’re there until he’s finished eating and drinking. ⁴ When he lies down, notice the place where he is lying. Then uncover his feet, and lie down there. He will make it clear what you must do.”

⁵ Ruth answered her, “I will do whatever you say.”

Ruth at the Feet of Boaz

⁶ Ruth went to the threshing floor and did exactly as her mother-in-law had directed her. ⁷ Boaz had eaten and drunk to his heart’s content, so he went and lay at the edge of a pile of grain. Then she went over to him secretly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.

⁸ At midnight the man was shivering. When he turned over, he was surprised to see a woman lying at his feet. ⁹ “Who are you?” he asked.

She answered, “I am Ruth. Spread the corner of your garment over me because you are a close relative who can take care of me.”

¹⁰ Boaz replied, “May Yahweh bless you, my daughter. This last kindness—that you didn’t go after the younger men, whether rich or poor—is better than the first. ¹¹ Don’t be afraid, my daughter. I will do whatever you say. The whole town knows that you are a woman who has strength of character. ¹² It is true that I am a close relative of yours, but there is a relative closer than I. ¹³ Stay here tonight. In the morning if he will agree to take care of you, that is good. He can take care of you. But if he does not wish to take care of you, then, I solemnly swear, as Yahweh lives, I will take care of you myself. Lie down until morning.”

Ruth Returns to Bethlehem

¹⁴ So Ruth lay at his feet until morning. Then she got up early before anyone could be recognized. At that moment Boaz thought to himself, “I hope that no one will ever know that this woman came to the threshing floor.”

¹⁵ Then Boaz told Ruth, “Stretch out the cape you’re wearing and hold it tight.” So she held it tight while he measured out six measures of barley. Then he placed it on her back and went into the town.

¹⁶ When Ruth returned, her mother-in-law Naomi asked, “How did things go, my daughter?”

Ruth told Naomi everything the man had done for her. ¹⁷ She said, “He gave me these six measures of barley and told me not to come back to you empty-handed.”

¹⁸ Naomi replied, “Stay here, my daughter, until you know how it turns out. The man won’t rest unless he settles this matter today.”

Ruth 4 Names of God Bible (NOG)

Boaz Assumes Responsibility for Ruth

4 Boaz went to the city gate and sat there. Just then, the relative about whom he had spoken was passing by. Boaz said, “Please come over here and sit, my friend.” So the man came over and sat down.

² Then Boaz chose ten men who were leaders of that city and said, “Sit here.” So they also sat down.

³ Boaz said to the man, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the field that belonged to our relative Elimelech. ⁴ So I said that I would inform you. Buy it in the presence of these men sitting here and in the presence of the leaders of our people. If you wish to buy back the property, you can buy back the property. But if you do not wish to buy back the property, tell me. Then I will know that I am next in line because there is no other relative except me.”

The man said, “I’ll buy back the property.”

⁵ Boaz continued, “When you buy the field from Naomi, you will also assume responsibility for the Moabite Ruth, the dead man’s widow. This keeps the inheritance in the dead man’s name.”

⁶ The man replied, “In that case I cannot assume responsibility for her. If I did, I would ruin my inheritance. Take all my rights to buy back the property for yourself, because I cannot assume that responsibility.”

⁷ (This is the way it used to be in Israel concerning buying back property and exchanging goods: In order to make every matter legal, a man would take off his sandal and give it to the other man. This was the way a contract was publicly approved in Israel.) ⁸ So when the man said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he took off his sandal.

⁹ Then Boaz said to the leaders and to all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon. ¹⁰ In addition, I have bought as my wife the Moabite Ruth, Mahlon’s widow, to keep the inheritance in the dead man’s name. In this way the dead man’s name will not be cut off from his relatives or from the public records. Today you are witnesses.”

¹¹ All the people who were at the gate, including the leaders, said, “We are witnesses. May Yahweh make this wife, who is coming into your home, like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built our family of Israel. So show your strength of character in Ephrathah and make a name for yourself in Bethlehem. ¹² Also, from the descendant whom Yahweh will give you from this young woman, may your family become like the family of Perez, the son whom Tamar gave birth to for Judah.”

Ruth Gives Birth to David’s Ancestor

¹³ Then Boaz took Ruth home, and she became his wife. He slept with her, and Yahweh gave her the ability to become pregnant. So she gave birth to a son.

¹⁴ The women said to Naomi, “Praise Yahweh, who has remembered today to give you someone who will take care of you. The child’s name will be famous in Israel. ¹⁵ He will bring you a new life and support you in your old age. Your daughter-in-law who loves you is better to you than seven sons, because she has given birth.”

¹⁶ Naomi took the child, held him on her lap, and became his guardian.

¹⁷ The women in the neighborhood said, “Naomi has a son.” So they gave him the name Obed.

He became the father of Jesse, who was the father of David.

The Ancestry of David

¹⁸ This is the account of Perez and his family.

Perez was the father of Hezron.

¹⁹ Hezron was the father of Ram.

Ram was the father of Amminadab.

²⁰ Amminadab was the father of Nahshon.

Nahshon was the father of Salmon.

²¹ Salmon was the father of Boaz.

Boaz was the father of Obed.

²² Obed was the father of Jesse.

Jesse was the father of David.

 

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QUESTIONS TO PONDER UPON:

What is Pentecost?

What does Pentecost mean to YAHUVEH / YAHWEH’S people?

Why are we commanded to celebrate Pentecost?

How are we to celebrate Pentecost?

 

In summary:

What is Shavu’ot?

Shavu’ot (Feast of Weeks) commemorates the revelation of the Torah on Mt. Sinai to the Jewish people, and occurs on the 50th day after the 49 days of counting the Omer. Shavuot is one of the three biblically based pilgrimage holidays known as the shalosh regalim. It is associated with the grain harvest in the TORAH.

How is Shavu’ot celebrated?

Shavu’ot is observed by abstaining from work and attending synagogue / SHUL services. The emphasis the greatness of YAH a.k.a ELOHIM is made; the Book of Ruth is read, because the story highlights one woman’s choice to join the Jewish people and accept the TORAH; and the TEN CCOMMANDMENTS, in honour of the Revelation of the TORAH. It is also customary to study TORAH all night; this practice is called Tikkun Leil Shavu’ot.

What kinds of foods are eaten on Shavu’ot?

Traditional holiday meals on Shavuot center around dairy foods. Milk is considered to be a symbol of the TORAH, which nourishes the people directly, as milk does for a baby. Popular Shavuot foods include cheesecake, blintzes, and kugels. Some Jews make a seven-layered bread called siete cielos (seven heavens), which is supposed to represent Mt. Sinai.

One reason for eating and/or drinking diary products is that Shavu’ot is linked to the Exodus from Egypt into the Promised Land, and it is written “From the misery of Egypt to a country flowing with milk and honey…” (Exodus 3:8-17)

What is the proper greeting for Shavu’ot?

The greeting for Shavu’ot is simply “Chag Sameach!” (Happy Holiday).

When is Shavuot?

Shavu’ot is observed on the 6th to 7th of the Hebrew month of Sivan.

 

Exodus 19 & 20

Acts 2:1-4 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

2 The festival of Shavu‘ot arrived, and the believers all gathered together in one place. ² Suddenly there came a sound from the sky like the roar of a violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire, which separated and came to rest on each one of them. ⁴ They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh and began to talk in different languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

 

Shavu’ot  (Pentecost) celebrates the harvest season in Israel and the anniversary of the giving of the Ten Commandments to the Israelites at Mount Sinai.

It is customary to eat dairy food on Shavu’ot for a number of reasons. One reason is that Shavuot is linked to the Exodus from Egypt into the Promised Land, and it is written “From the misery of Egypt to a country flowing with milk and honey…” (Exodus 3:8-17)

 

HAPPY SHAVU’OT / PENTECOST!

Ephesians 1:13 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

¹³ Furthermore, you who heard the message of the truth, the Good News offering you deliverance, and put your trust in the Messiah were sealed by him with the promised Ruach HaKodesh,

 

Ephesians 4:30 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

³⁰ Don’t cause grief to God’s Ruach HaKodesh, for he has stamped you as his property until the day of final redemption.

 

 

Ephesians 4:30 King James Version (KJV)

³⁰ And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

 

2 Corinthians 1:22 King James Version (KJV)

²² Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

 

PRAISE YAHUSHUA ha MASHIACH!
BLESSED BE THE NAME OF OUR GOD and MESSIAH AND SOON COMING BRIDE GROOM, THE KING OF SALVATION AND KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
FOREVER MORE!
BLESSED BE THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES
YAHUVEH and YAHUSHUA!

Acts 2:14-18 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

¹⁴ Then Kefa stood up with the Eleven and raised his voice to address them: “You Judeans, and all of you staying here in Yerushalayim! Let me tell you what this means! Listen carefully to me!

¹⁵ “These people ar en’t drunk, as you suppose — it’s only nine in the morning. ¹⁶ No, this is what was spoken about through the prophet Yo’el:

 

WHAT IS PENTECOST?

Pentecost/Shavu’ot is a feast that commemorates the descent of the RUACH HA KODESH (HOLY SPIRIT) upon the Apostles and women followers of YAHUSHUA, ten days after Ascension Thursday.

The Jewish feast of Pentecost, or Shavu’ot, is also called:

The Feast of Weeks (Deuteronomy 16: 10)
The Feast of Harvest (Exodus 23: 16)
The day of first-fruits (Numbers 28:26)

Pentecost is the only festival for which no specific date is given in the Bible. Rather, the people were instructed to count seven weeks “…from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf [omer] of the wave offering.

Lev. 23:15 “You shall count seven full weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering.

This holiday occurs in the months of May or June on the Gregorian calendar. It is the successful conclusion of the first wheat-growing season and the anniversary celebration of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.

The most basic understanding of Pentecost is that it is when the firstfruits of the Wheat Harvest are offered unto YAHUVEH. But, more relevent is that Shavu’ot/Pentecost is the feast that commemorates the giving of the “Law” or Torah at Mt Sinai (Exodus) AND this is when YAHUSHUA first baptized with the Holy Spirit and Fire (Acts).

2 Corinthians 3:3-6
3 You show that you are a letter from YAHUSHUA, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living YAHUVEH, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
4 Such confidence as this is ours through YAHUSHUA before YAHUVEH.
5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from YAHUVEH.
6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Sometimes the word “TORAH” is a reference to:
-the entire sum of the Word of YAHUVEH (meaning the “Bible” as well as all prophetic words etc. that are truly from YAHUVEH see Daniel 10:21),
-but most of the time “Torah” is used to describe just the Chumash (from the word meaning five in Hebrew) or Pentateuch (from the word meaning “five” in Greek). The Chumash/Pentateuch is the first five books of the Bible. That is how it is used here.

The TORAH is without parallel. YAHUVEH actually spoke it. It wasn’t through a dream, vision or inspiration. It was dictated to Moses by the audible voice of YAHUVEH. It has special significance.

TORAH is the divine inspired book of revelation from YAHUVEH. He is revealing to you how you need to live as a believer. He is teaching you. Moses wrote it down perfectly, according to scripture, just as he heard it from YAHUVEH.

In John 1 it says that the Law came through Moses, but Grace and Truth came through YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH. Often the word law is used to reference the Torah (also sometimes called Pentatuach). This is what was given to Moses at Sinai for 40 days. (Some people believe that the Oral TORAH was given to Moses with the Written Torah, but never written down). The combination of Misnah and Gemara is today called the Talmud (aka Oral TORAH ). To some it is ranked as more authoritative than the Written Torah (but in truth it is NOT).

We know that for a lengthy amount of time Israel was without the Torah. For a period of time before the reign of Josiah, the Israelites were with out the Torah. When Josiah found it, they immediately kept the Passover. If there had been an Oral Torah they would have been celebrating it. Therefore, we know, the Oral Torah tradition has NO BASIS. This is the traditions of men that YAHUSHUA spoke about. Matthew 15:6 “Thus you nullify the word of YAHUVEH for the sake of your tradition. […] 9They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men”.

Another thing to keep in mind is the Talmud blasphemes YAHUSHUA. Unfortunately some Messianic congregations use the Oral Torah, which is demonic garbage. (Nonetheless, though the Talmud is not divinely inspired, it is a dependable source on various historical matters. For example, it is proof that YAHUSHUA existed, claimed that He and His Father YAHUVEH were ONE and tells us that part of his ministry was the casting out of demons. It also tells us that the Mary, the mother of YAHUSHUA, was the daughter of Heli. This means that the genealogy in Matthew 1 traces the ancestry of Joseph, while the one in Luke 3 traces the ancestry of Mary).

The most important passage in the Bible that describes YAHUSHUA’s relationship to (true) TORAH is Matthew 5 (read it). Here, He makes several points about Torah: -never be abolished (never cease to exist). The Torah is the foundational revelation of YAHUVEH to mankind. -YAHUSHUA came to fulfill it. This means in Hebraic thought that He has absolute, final authority to interpret it.

Scripture is often interpreted by theologians through Greek and Roman philosophy…that is totally wrong. (It should be interpreted always as YAHUSHUA did. Do you remember the popular “WWJD?”…we will have to change that to “What Would YAHUSHUA Do?”). Grace and Truth come through YAHUSHUA. Grace, HE is our Way of Salvation and Truth HE reveals FATHER YAHUVEH.

HE speaks HIS Word and HIS intent does not change (Num 23: 19). YAHUSHUA is the only way to the FATHER (Jn 14:6) and only YAHUSHUA makes YAHUVEH known to us (John 1:19). So, we should interpret the “Law” as YAHUSHUA did and practice it as he did (Mattthew 10:24-25; John 13:15-16; Luke 6:40; Philippians 2:5; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6). He kept the weekly Shabbat as well as High Holy Day Shabbats throughout His entire life (Luke 4:16; Heb 4:15; 1 Jn 3:4) and we will also do so during the Millenium (Isaiah 66:23). The book of Isaiah prophecies that this will be revived in the last days.
You are a member of the house of Israel, because you were grafted in. Read all of Romans chapter 11, especially v16-21. All of the covenants made with Israel are yours through the Blood of YAHUSHUA.

 

WHAT IS COUNTING THE OMER?

Counting the Omer is a special name for determining the date of Weeks – Pentecost/Shavuot

…all of those are different names for the same Holy Day of YAHUVEH found in Lev 23: 15-22 and elsewhere in the Torah. (The Bible doesn’t explicitly tell us when the specific date of Pentecost is. Instead, we have to count off from Passover or Firstfruits).

Passover and Firstfruits are a part of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is the first of three major festivals listed in Exodus 23:14-17 ([1] Unleavened Bread, [2] Pentecost & [3] the Ingathering). All of these have to do with bringing in the Harvests…think Lk 10:2 or John 4:35. These harvests and feasts are all patterns and foreshadows of things that were (and some things that still are still) to come.

People determine the date of Firstfruits (and therefore Pentecost) and generally get 3 contradicting dates. YAHUVEH is NOT the author of chaos. This is actually quite simple. I have to type it up…that on the other hand is tedious. All you have to do is get a Bible, make sure you use it and see if what I write lines up with the Word… sound good?

HOW TO DETERMINE THE DATE OF FIRSTFRUITS (& THEREFORE PENTECOST)

As you read this keep in mind that in the Bible a day is “evening and morning”; days start and end at twilight also called sundown (see Genesis 1)!

The Bible doesn’t directly give us the specific numerical dates for Firstfruits or Pentecost, but instead gives us the date in relation to Passover. Passover’s “Preparation Day” is the 14th of Nisan. The actual Passover Day (begins at sundown Nisan 14, but) is the 15th of Nisan. Passover is the 1st day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (a one week long festival).

The Bible tells us that Firstfruits is “the day after the Shabbat” (read Leviticus 23).

The first day and last day of the Feast of unleavened bread are both {High} Shabbats. (By {High} Shabbat, I mean a Holy Day on which we are commanded to rest. I’m using the word High with Shabbat in order to distinguish it from the weekly, 7th day, Saturday Shabbat).

From the context of the chapter, Firstfruits must be the day after one of 3 different Shabbats:

[1] the weekly, Saturday Shabbat;
[2] Passover Day, a {High} Shabbat;
or [3] the last day of the Feast of unleavened bread, also a {High} Shabbat.

There is a lot of debate over which of these is correct.

The correct day for Firstfruits is the day after Nisan 15; Nisan 15 is the 1st day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Firstfruits is Nisan 16 (the 2nd day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread). How can you know for sure (you say) that Firstfruits is the day after Passover Day?

Well Joshua 5:10-11 has our answer:

It says that on “And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn.” This verse clearly says that on “the morrow after the passover”, emphasizing “that very day” the Israelites ate some roasted grain.

 

 

 

 

 

Leviticus 23:14 talking about the Firstfruits Offering…

14 And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. (KJV)

In Lev 23:14, YAHUVEH prohibits HIS people from eating roasted grain “until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto YAHUVEH”. And in Joshua 5:10-11 we learn that the Israelites kept the Passover seder (diner) as commanded in Leviticus 23:4-8 AND the day following Passover, “in the selfsame day” they ate some roasted grain.

 

Joshua 5:10-11
10  And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
11  And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.

 

Remember Passover starts as 14 Nisan ends (at twilight), but Passover Day (the first day of the Feast of unleavened bread) is 15 Nisan. So the day after Passover is the 2nd day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. That is the correct day for Firstfruits.

 

HOW DO YOU COUNT THE OMER?

Leviticus 23 says the following about “counting the omer”:

15  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: 16  Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto [YAHUVEH].

YAHUVEH is saying is that from the day of Firstfruits count of seven weeks, that day is the date of Pentecost (in verse 15)…OR…from the day of Passover count off seven weeks and then add one day, that day is the date of Pentecost (in verse 16). Doing it the verse 15 way is more simple than verse 16 way.

 

 

WHAT THIS PENTECOST MEANS TO YAHUVEH’S PEOPLE!

BRIDE OF YAHUSHUA…those beloved by Him and your Heavenly Father, Almighty YAHUVEH…more than ever before…EXPECT A GREATER ANOINTING and INFILLING OF THE RUACH HA KODESH!

You can see by worldly events than time is quickly running out and very soon a day of death, destruction and terror will overtake all nations, including America. As the world becomes more evil, the people of YAHUVEH are becoming more HOLY, seeking Him with all their heart, foresaking SIN and endeavoring to walk in complete OBEDIENCE to YAHUVEH’S commandments and statutes.

This may be the LAST PENTECOST celebrated on earth by the Bride of YAHUSHUA. We are believing and praying that YAHUSHUA comes for His Bride this coming Rosh Hashanah. But no matter when He comes, we are to seek HOLINESS in our lives each day, and remain OBEDIENT no matter what!

GIVE THE DEVIL A BLACK EYE EVERY DAY! How? Keep walking in OBEDIENCE to YAHUVEH! The enemy is pulling out all stops trying to distract YAHUVEH’S people from a calling of HOLINESS and OBEDIENCE. Don’t be distracted by worldly concerns or attacks coming against you from friends and loved ones. Stand up for what you know to be right and don’t allow the enemy to use anyone to intimadate you into compromise!

After the ascension of YAHUSHUA, the apostles having retired to a house at Jerusalem, they there waited for the RUACH HA KODESH, which YAHUSHUA had promised.

“The Pentecost” refers to the historical event when, according to YAHUSHUAian belief, the descent of the RUACH HA KODESH —a transformative and profound experience, as described in the Book of Acts 2:1:—occurs:

• 1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
• 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
• 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
• 4 And they were all filled with the HOLY GHOST, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The followers of YAHUSHUA who received the RUACH HA KODESH on the Day of Pentecost constituted the ‘first fruits’ of the redemption paid for in the crucifixion of YAHUSHUA!

Three Physical signs occurred showing the coming of the RUACH HA KODESH.

• A. Sound of Blowing Wind
• B. Vision of tongues of Fire that rested on each of them. The tongues of Fire which descended on the disciples represents a theophany (a visible manifestation of YAHUVEH). It represents the dynastic succession of power from YAHUSHUA to the RUACH HA KODESH who guides the believers.
• C. Spoke to each other in tongues/different languages. This was important in that it was key for the spread of the gospel. The RUACH HA KODESH acted as a translator so that as the preaching occurred everyone there comprehended the message in their own native language.

 

“And it shall come to pass afterward [or in the ‘latter days’] that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams and your young men shall see visions.” (Joel 2:28)

WHY WE ARE COMMANDED TO CELEBRATE PENTECOST!

The Feast of Pentecost was instituted, first, to oblige the Israelites to repair to the temple of the Lord, and there to acknowledge his dominion over their country, and their labors, by offering to him the first-fruits of all their harvests.

Secondly, to commemorate, and to render thanks to YAHUVEH for, the law given from the mount Sinai, on the fiftieth day after their coming out of Egypt.

It was a feast celebrated the fiftieth day after the sixteenth of Nisan, which was the second day of the feast of Passover (Leviticus 23:15,16). The Israelites it the feast of weeks (Exodus 34:22) because it was kept seven weeks after the Passover.

They then offered the first-fruits of their wheat harvest, which at that time was completed (Deuteronomy 16:9,10). These first-fruits consisted in two loaves of unleavened bread, of five pints of meal or 4 pounds each (Leviticus 23:16,17).

HOW WE ARE TO CELEBRATE PENTECOST!

Do no work as is expected for a Shabbot. Pray for and expect a GREATER ANOINTING. Spend more time in YAHUVEH’S WORD. Spend more time PRAISING and WORSHIPPING YAHUVEH. HALLELUYAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

WHAT IS SPEAKING IN TONGUES?

Tongues? What is that?

First of all, “tongue” is an archaic English word used during Elisabeth I and Shakespeare’s time to mean “language”. So basically, these two words are the same, interchangeable. But, the King James Version of the Bible was translated around this time and the word tongue was used instead of language. Today most saints of YAHUSHUA use the word “tongues” when speaking on this gift of the RUACH HaKODESH.

Here’s my definition of tongues, as used in the Bible:

Tongues are utterances, by supernatural means, in a language either earthly or heavenly (1 Corinthians 13:1) that the vocalizer has not learned (i.e. has not been naturally trained in). Tongues can be vocalized in three ways: [1] singing [2] praying or [3] speaking/preaching (1 Corinthians 13:14-15).

Tongues will have either one of two sources: the one, true YAHUVEH or demonic spirits. It’s either a manifestation of the Holy Spirit (RUACH Ha KODESH) or unholy spirits. Satan seeks to counterfeit everything YAHUVEH does…even the anointing of YAHUVEH (1 John 2:27). Ezekiel 28:14 says that Satan was an ANOINTED cherub before Satan fell in that first war in Heaven. Here is the key, demonic manifestations are accompanied by the works of the sinful nature, whereas, manifestations of the RUACH HaKODESH are accompanied by the fruit of the Spirit! (Go read Matthew 7 and Galatians 5 as soon as possible).

For example, folks that practice voodoo can work themselves in to esoteric trances and start speaking in tongues! (This also explains why Angie Ray labeled her ministry as “Pentecostal / Charismatic”). Mantras work in a similar way and are part of Satan’s counterfeit of the genuine tongues. I also knew an unsaved young man who spoke in tongues when he was sick with a high fever. Once I was lying in bed and heard demons using another language. Again, once I was taking the subway and a demonized person yelled at me in tongues and then quickly ran away.

Read Mark 16:17; Matthew 7:16-23 (with 1 Corinthians 13 in mind); James 2.

Lastly, about a year ago I had a related dream. I’ll keep it short and simple: I was in a church building, I got the impression in my spirit that a man wasn’t saved and I go over to him to witness. It turns out that he could pray in tongues! Because of that, I ignored the RUACH and did not witness to the man. Then I hear demons mocking, laughing, saying they FOOLED the man and others (including the saints) into believing the man was born again.

The dream doesn’t need much interpretation because it’s self-explanatory. But clearly, just being able to pray in tongues does NOT even mean you are saved. Also, just because you are in a church building does NOT mean you are in the company of the saints NOR the RUACH HaKODESH. Before this dream, I generally assumed that you were baptized in the RUACH HaKODESH if you could pray in tongues.

Okay that said, don’t “throw the baby out with the bath water”! Tongues is very edifying both to individual members of the Church and the Church at large. For the rest of this, whenever I use the term tongues, I’m referring to “Holy Tongues”…namely, tongues that are accompanied by Holiness and other fruit of the HOLY Spirit.

Many people argue about stupid things like the existence of tongues today. (Because that is such a stupid thing to argue about, I will not even address it in detail). Another thing I’ve heard people argue about are the ideas that you are not saved unless you speak in tongues. Obviously that is NOT true. You are born again the moment you put your trust in YAHUSHUA Ha MASSIACH to save you and you have the witness from the HOLY SPIRIT that you are a child of YAHUVEH.

(Read all of Romans 8 now and pay special attention to verse 16. If you do not feel like you have that witness, do two things. First, remember that we are to walk by faith, not sight or feelings [2 Corinthians 5:7]. And also, I suggest you seek YAHUVEH until you, without a doubt, have that witness and absolute assurance that you KNOW Him).

 

THE GIFT OF DIVERSE TONGUES AND THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF

The gift of diverse tongues is both Heavenly and Earthly languages (1 Cor 13:1; 14:21-22; Rom 8:26). Both the gift of tongues and the interpretation thereof are for the edification of the church (1 Cor 14:5, 9-23). 1 Cor 14:28 says “If there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to YAHUVEH”. The gift of tongues can be a sign to unbelievers (1 Cor 14:22), BUT only if the unbeliever understands the language (1 Cor 14: 11; 14:23). For example, read what happened on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:11.

How does the gift of diverse tongues and their interpretation work?

You need to have at least two saints. One person would speak in tongues and the other person would be given the interpretation in the Spirit.

There are nine “spiritual gifts” listed in first Corinthians twelve: [1] words of wisdom; [2] words of knowledge; [3] extreme faith; [4] the gift of healing; [5] the working of miracles [6] prophecy; [7] discerning of different spirits; [8] speaking in different languages; & [9] the interpretation of unknown languages. (For more about this see page 4 of http://amightywind.com/teachings/understanding.htm).

Tongues is similar to the gift of prophecy. It is subject to the speaker. I’ve often heard it said that “YAHUVEH is a gentleman”. He won’t shove words down your throat. You are in control of your mouth when you speak or pray in tongues…its not chaotic like demon possession.

1 Corinthians 13:32-33
32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33For YAHUVEH is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

I would like to make a further distinction about tongues. There is [1] the gift of the interpretation of tongues, [2] the gift of diverse tongues, & [3] the prayer language. The gift of tongues and the gift of the interpretation of tongues are the last of the 9 spiritual gifts listen in 1 Cor 12. BUT, I believe the prayer language is available to everyone who is born again. A common simile is that the prayer language is like a gift that YAHUVEH has already given you, but you haven’t bothered to either open it or even look at the box.

The prayer language is mainly for self edification (1 Cor 14:4). It stirs up the anointing during worship (1 Cor 14:14-16; Ephesians 5:18-20) and aids in prayer (Romans 8:26-27). In 1 Corinthians 14: 19 the Apostle Paul says, “in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue”. But, it is perfectly acceptable to pray in tongues during ministry because tongues stirs up the anointing to aid in ministry (1 Cor 14:6-8), to bring a revelation, a word of knowledge, a word of wisdom, a prophecy or a word of instruction, (1 Cor 14:6).

As far as I know, the prayer language is usually in a heavenly language (1 Cor 13:1; 14:2; Rom 8:26). Also, the Holy Spirit often tells you what you are praying about or gives you the interpretation of what you are saying (1 Cor 14:13).

PRAYER LANGUAGE

Acts 2: 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our YAHUVEH shall call

The prayer language is an evidence and manifestation of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. The reason I believe YAHUVEH chose this to be evidence is because of what it says throughout Proverbs and James 3 that no MAN can tame the tongue. Acts 2: 39 talks about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit: ” the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our YAHUVEH shall call”.

In the Bible, EVERYTIME someone is Baptized in the Holy Spirit they receive the prayer language. Romans 1 says the gospel goes first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. In Acts 2:4 you can read about the Jews speaking in new languages as the Spirit gave them utterance. In Acts 8:9-25 you can read about the Samaritans; (tongues is not EXPLICITLY mentioned here, but in verse 18 it says that Simon the Sorcerer*** saw that the RUACH HaKODESH was given and wanted to buy this power. Obviously, unless there was a physical manifestation like in Acts 2, Simon must have seen these believers praying in tongues). In Acts 10: 44-46 you can read about the Gentiles speaking in new tongues.

(***By the way, Simon the Sorcerer was later given over to seducing spirits. Historical sources tell us that he believed he could fly. In an attempt to do so, he jumped off a cliff to his death).

In Acts 9: 17 when Apostle Paul is baptized, the Bible doesn’t mention tongues, BUT in 1 Corinthians 14:18, Paul says “I thank YAHUVEH that I speak in tongues more than all of you”. When another group is baptized in the Holy Spirit, in Acts 19:6 it says “they spoke in tongues and prophesied”. This phrase is repeated all throughout the book of Acts.

I don’t make a distinction between being born again and the initial baptism of the Holy Spirit. Some people do, but I don’t think it’s a big issue. Technically, the first apostles received the Holy Spirit the first time when YAHUSHUA breathed on them in John 20:22 and were then baptized in the Holy Spirit’s fire in Acts 2:3-4.

(Remember baptism means to immerse, to bathe, to wash. Once you have been baptized in the HOLY SPIRIT he can refill you or fill you to overflow). Once you have been born again, the power of the HOLY SPIRIT is available to you and it is just a matter of humility and willingness to seek YAHUVEHs Face.

1 Cor 12 says YAHUVEH is the giver of the gifts. The best gift of all is ETERNAL LIFE, to KNOW YAHUVEH (John17:3). And Acts 2: 39 talks about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (which I believe includes the gift of the prayer language): ” the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our YAHUVEH shall call”.

     

(Courtesy: YAHUVEH / YAHWEH GOD’S Amightywind Ministry)