- HOME
- MESSAGE MENU #1
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MESSAGE MENU #2
- OVERLOOKING THE SOURCE OF OUR STRENGTH AND SALVATION
- FALSE PROPHETS OR SERVANTS OF YAHWEH?
- BOOK OF MATTHEW WRITTEN IN HEBREW OR IN GREEK?
- CONCERNING BABYLON AND CURRENT EVENTS
- THE FIRSTFRUITS OF YAHWEH/YAHWSHUA
- WHAT DID YAHWSHUA MEAN WHEN HE SAID "TOUCH ME NOT"?
- WHERE WAS YAHWEH'S SHEKINAH GLORY AT THE TIME OF YAWHSHUA?
- THE WAVE-SHEAF CEREMONY
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MESSAGE MENU #3
- THE FIRST VISIBLE LUNAR CRESCENT
- TITHING CHART BASED ON WEEKLY INCOME
- HOW TO TITHE BASED ON YOUR ANNUAL SALARY
- MAP OF ANCIENT KHAZARIA
- MAP OF EPHRAYIM AND MANNASAH, ACCORDING TO THE ANGLO-SAXONS
- THE NEW COVENANT IS CONDITIONAL
- BARACK OBAMA: A PROPHET OF ISLAM
- TIMELINE CHART OF YAHSHUA'S DEATH AND RESURRECTION
- THE SACRED NAMES IN ANCIENT PALEO-HEBREW
- ZECHARYAH 12:9
- THE 24 ELDERS ARE ALREADY IN THRONES IN HEAVEN
- THE INFAMOUS "AN EYE FOR AN EYE" LAW: ABOLISHED OR IN EFFECT?
- RE LOST TEN TRIBES
The significance of the feast of first fruits
1. First the term “firstfruits” speak of the resurrection of our Messiah Yahushua. Yahushua’s resurrection is a type of harvest. It marked the beginning of our Fathers harvest season. In the book of Revelations Yahushua is referred to as the first born from the dead. “And from Jesus Christ, (Yahushua) the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.” Revelations 1:5 Saul in many of his writing also referred to Yahushua as the firstborn. Refer to Romans 8:29,23
1 Corinthians 15:20,23 and Colossians 1:18.
2. Second the feast of firstfruits represents the dead who were raised shortly after the resurrection. They are also firstfruits. We read of this in Mathew 27:52-53 “and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.” This resurrection is depicted in the barley harvest that was bound together as presented as sheaves.
3. Third it represents Yahushua as being the first born of ALL things. He is first in every way. He is given first place in everything because everything thing is summed up in Him. This is the message of Ephesians 1:10-11,23. But interestingly in many other Scriptures we see this pattern.
· The firstborn of the Father Hebrews 1:6
· The firstborn of every creature Colossians 1:15
· The firstborn of Mary Mathew 1:23-25
· The firstborn from the dead Revelations 1:5
· The firstborn of many brethren Romans 8:28
· He is also the Alpha and the Omega Revelations 1:8
· The first and the last Isaiah 44:6
· The Beginning and the end Revelations 21:6
· He is also the head of the body Colossians 1:18-20
In a sense this feast speaks about new beginnings because it officially marked the beginning of the Hebrew year.
4. Fourth the feast of firstfruits speaks of the best fruits of the harvest. The first batch of the harvest was always considered to be the best. That is why YAHWEH commanded that the first born of a man and beast belongs to Him Exodus 13:2, 11-13, 22:29. Some of the first fruits were presented to the priest and Levites Leviticus 19:23-25, Nehemiah 10:34-39. All the first fruits were to be offered with thanksgiving and praise.
5. Fifth the picture of the priest standing alone and waving a sheaf before YAHWEH speaks of our Messiah Yahushua. Who is our priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 7:17 He alone represents us before our Father. He alone is our advocate or representative in heaven. The angels or Moses does not represent us in heaven only Yahushua being our high priest represents us.
6. Sixth the feast of firstfruits represents the spirit of giving. The firstfruits of the harvest was given to YAHWEH and His priests and it was not sold. Also part of the barley harvest of first fruits was set aside for the poor. This is in accordance with the Command of YAHWEH in Leviticus 19:9,22 Deuteronomy 24:19-22. Israel was commanded to leave the occasional forgotten sheaf and the gleanings of the harvest in the corners of their fields so that they could be used to feed the stranger, the fatherless, the widow and poor.
Again we see that all aspects of this feast is fulfilled in our Messiah Yahushua. Therefore, we keep this feast in the light of this understanding.
Some facts that we need to know and understand about Shavout
1. Shavout was always celebrated in the temple. The traditional belief that Ruach Hakodesh fell in the upper room is a misunderstanding of the Greek word “oikos”
which also means temple. It would not have been possible for Shavout to be celebrated in any other place other than temple because it would be against Torah. Deuteronomy 16:10-11 commands that this feast be celebrated on Mt Moriah where the Temple is located and frankly it is impossible for three thousand people to fit into an upper room scenario.
2. Shavout is the birthday of YAHWEH’s renewed Kehela or Ecclesia (Assembly)
Yahushua said that He would build a renewed Kehela. See Mathew 16:18 The Church claims that they are this renewed Entity and that Israel has now been replaced. It not possible that two assemblies were born on this day, it would be a violation of Scripture if YAHWEH would form a new entity during this feast. Basically this would mean that YAHWEH would have two brides and two chosen people, one called Israel and the other called the Church. This would clearly mean that YAHWEH is practicing spiritual adultery and He would be violating His own Word because there is only one chosen people and one bride.
3. Shavout is the place where YAHWEH renewed the great commission. The great commission of Mathew 28:19-20 was renewed during the feast of Shavout. In the Shavout of Sinai, Israel was given a divine mandate to take the Torah to all of mankind but they fell short of this task because of disobedience. Hence why YAHWEH then dispersed them but instead of fulfilling their task, they planted religion and legalism where they went. Thus, when Yahushua came He specifically instructed His disciples that they were to preach and teach the message of the Kingdom of YAHWEH Matthew 4:23, 9:35, 24:14, Luke 4:43 A mandate that has not been completed to this day.
4. Shavout is not about the first coming of Ruach Hakodesh. The Spirit of YAHWEH has always been on the Earth from the beginning, we see His presence in Genesis, (Genesis 1:2) over the prophets and during Israel’s journeys. His presence on Earth did not begin another dispensation but it merely marked the turning of the Ruach from one house to both houses of Israel including the gentiles. The Spirit was given to so that the work of re-gathering Israel and the remnant could be accelerated to the four corners of the globe where YAHWEH had scattered His people and His remnant.
The essence of the commission is the reuniting of these Israel into ONE kingdom.
5. Shavout is not about speaking in tongues. Tongues was given as a sign that the Ruach Hakodesh had descended upon His people but the feast itself is not about speaking in Tongues. We know from Scripture that during this feast many Israelites and gentiles from all over the nations had converged upon Jerusalem (Acts 2:5-9), so when the Rauch came they heard them speak supernaturally in their native tongues, signifying that the Ruach would mend the disunity among mankind that had come from the division of towel of Babel, when YAHWEH had confused mans tongue. It is interesting that the same tongues of fire that was manifested at the 33 AD Shavout was also present at the Sinai Shavout Deuteronomy 4:36.
6. Shavout is not about the giving of the Torah. We know that only the Ten Commandments was given during this feast and that the five Books of the Torah was given much later and it was placed along side the Ark of the Covenant, whereas the Tablets of the Ten Commandments were placed inside the Ark. Deuteronomy 31:26-27 The Commandments are the actual terms of the marriage contract and is summed up in the two commandments that Yahushua gave us, which is to love YAHWEH with all of your heart and to love your neighbor as your self. Thus, if we love in this manner we also fulfill this feast.
What then is the significance of the feast of Weeks? 1. First the two lambs and two leavened bread represent the two entities of Israel. The number two is especially associated in Scripture with the two fold division that occurred in Israel after the reign of Solomon 921 B.C where King David’s kingdom was split into two divisions. After that division we see throughout the Scripture the following representations:
- Two Houses of Israel. Isaiah 8:14, Jeremiah 31:31-33, Hebrews 8:8-10
- Two Nations Ezekiel 35:10
- Two Chosen Families Jeremiah 33:24
- Two sinful sisters Ezekiel 23:2-4
- Two Olive Branches Zechariah 4:11-14. Jeremiah 11:10
- Two Sticks Ezekiel 37:15-28
- Two Witnesses Revelations 11:3-4
- Two Lamp stands Revelations 11:3-4
- Two Silver trumpets Numbers 10:2-3
- Two Leavened loaves Hebrews 9:28
- Two Lambs Leviticus 23:16-21
3. Third the seven lambs that were sacrificed is a prophetic picture of a harvest of souls that would occur during this feast. In the feast of Passover a single lamb was sacrificed of which represented our Messiah Yahushua but in this feast seven lambs were sacrificed which represents the harvest of soul that would occur during Shavout after Yahushua had died. Yahshua said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” John 12:24 The Scripture tells us that on the day of Shavout three thousand souls were added to the Kehela or Ecclesia (Assembly) because of Yahushua’s sacrifice.
4. Fourth the feast itself is a representation of the marriage contract that was originally made at Sinai. The first celebration of the feast of Shavout for Israel as a nation was at Mt Sinai. What happened at Sinai was preceded by a covenantal relationship between YAHWEH and Israel, a mutual commitment by the two parties pledging eternal faithfulness, in the form of a marriage contract, in which Israel is depicted as the bride and YAHWEH as the bride groom. That Marriage that took place at Mount Sinai between the children of Israel and YAHWEH was sealed with words, “we will do and we will hear.” Exodus 19:8 These words committed Israel to keep YAHWEH’s commandments, Statutes, Ordinances and regulations forever and to all generations. This particular feast resulted in the death of three thousand Israelites, of which is symbolic of following the law without the Spirit.
5. Fifth the feast also speaks of the renewing of the marriage covenant that was made at Sinai. Scripture records that Israel broke the Sinai marriage covenant many times but YAHWEH promised that He would not forsake His bride and that He would forgive them and renew His covenant with them. This renewing occurred during the feast of Shavout at 33 AD. At Sinai the terms of marriage contract, the Commandments was written on two tablets of stone by YAHWEH and the ceremony was officiated by the priest Moses. At Shavout 33 AD the Ruach (Spirit) came upon Israel and the law was written on the hearts of Israel by the Spirit of YAHWEH in fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:33-34. At this feast Peter the Apostle was the priest that presided over the ceremony.
6. Sixth the first fruits of the wheat harvest that was presented during this feast represents the first and the best of the harvest. Proverbs 3:9 &10 commands all Israel to honor YAHWEH with their substance and the first fruit of their increase. The feast marks the time when Israelites brought the whole tithe into YAHWEH’s storehouse, that there might be meat (physical and spiritual food) in His store house. Malachi 3:10 Therefore, He promised them that He would rebuke the devourer for their sake and pour out such a blessing that they would not be able to contain it. Malachi 3:10-11 The condition was that they would bring Him the best and the first of their harvest, the rest they did with as they pleased.
Many of the representation shown above were fulfilled on the day of Shavout or Pentecost. Thus, it is no longer necessary for us to celebrate this feast in the manner of which the ancients Israelites observed this feast. Many of the requirements, the offerings and sacrifices shown in this feast were done in the temple and by the Levitical priesthood of which were discontinued with the destruction of the temple.
However, some of the patterns observed in this feast have been adapted by both the Jewish and Israelite movement. These traditions are again purely mandatory and must be lead by Ruach Hakodesh. In the Israelite movement the waving of the two leavened loaves is performed by a leader or rabbi and an offering is collected on this day. Many of principals used in this feast, like the principle of first fruits and the principle of harvest are now practiced by Church.
Before I finish I would like to now briefly explain some of the controversies regarding certain understandings of what happened during this feast.
Some facts that we need to know and understand about Shavout
1. Shavout was always celebrated in the temple. The traditional belief that Ruach Hakodesh fell in the upper room is a misunderstanding of the Greek word “oikos”
which also means temple. It would not have been possible for Shavout to be celebrated in any other place other than temple because it would be against Torah. Deuteronomy 16:10-11 commands that this feast be celebrated on Mt Moriah where the Temple is located and frankly it is impossible for three thousand people to fit into an upper room scenario.
2. Shavout is the birthday of YAHWEH’s renewed Kehela or Ecclesia (Assembly)
Yahushua said that He would build a renewed Kehela. See Mathew 16:18 The Church claims that they are this renewed Entity and that Israel has now been replaced. It not possible that two assemblies were born on this day, it would be a violation of Scripture if YAHWEH would form a new entity during this feast. Basically this would mean that YAHWEH would have two brides and two chosen people, one called Israel and the other called the Church. This would clearly mean that YAHWEH is practicing spiritual adultery and He would be violating His own Word because there is only one chosen people and one bride.
3. Shavout is the place where YAHWEH renewed the great commission. The great commission of Mathew 28:19-20 was renewed during the feast of Shavout. In the Shavout of Sinai, Israel was given a divine mandate to take the Torah to all of mankind but they fell short of this task because of disobedience. Hence why YAHWEH then dispersed them but instead of fulfilling their task, they planted religion and legalism where they went. Thus, when Yahushua came He specifically instructed His disciples that they were to preach and teach the message of the Kingdom of YAHWEH Matthew 4:23, 9:35, 24:14, Luke 4:43 A mandate that has not been completed to this day.
4. Shavout is not about the first coming of Ruach Hakodesh. The Spirit of YAHWEH has always been on the Earth from the beginning, we see His presence in Genesis, (Genesis 1:2) over the prophets and during Israel’s journeys. His presence on Earth did not begin another dispensation but it merely marked the turning of the Ruach from one house to both houses of Israel including the gentiles. The Spirit was given to so that the work of re-gathering Israel and the remnant could be accelerated to the four corners of the globe where YAHWEH had scattered His people and His remnant.
The essence of the commission is the reuniting of these Israel into ONE kingdom.
5. Shavout is not about speaking in tongues. Tongues was given as a sign that the Ruach Hakodesh had descended upon His people but the feast itself is not about speaking in Tongues. We know from Scripture that during this feast many Israelites and gentiles from all over the nations had converged upon Jerusalem (Acts 2:5-9), so when the Rauch came they heard them speak supernaturally in their native tongues, signifying that the Ruach would mend the disunity among mankind that had come from the division of towel of Babel, when YAHWEH had confused mans tongue. It is interesting that the same tongues of fire that was manifested at the 33 AD Shavout was also present at the Sinai Shavout Deuteronomy 4:36.
6. Shavout is not about the giving of the Torah. We know that only the Ten Commandments was given during this feast and that the five Books of the Torah was given much later and it was placed along side the Ark of the Covenant, whereas the Tablets of the Ten Commandments were placed inside the Ark. Deuteronomy 31:26-27 The Commandments are the actual terms of the marriage contract and is summed up in the two commandments that Yahushua gave us, which is to love YAHWEH with all of your heart and to love your neighbor as your self. Thus, if we love in this manner we also fulfill this feast.