THE PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF PENTECOST ?

The partial fulfillment of Pentecost?

Notice I put a ? after the title of this article.

The first three feast days were fulfilled by Jesus Christ Himself (Passover, Unleavened Bread and Firstfruits). The forth feast day (Pentecost) was not fulfilled by Jesus Christ. It was fulfilled by the Third Person of the Trinity (The Holy Spirit).

This subject is a more complicated than I thought because I never talked to anyone that has a total grasp on the 7 feast days for Israel. It even becomes more difficult when I look into how they (were) or (are) going to be fulfilled.
He went on to say that according to Jeremiah 5:24 God is going to cause the Jewish people to fulfill their own Holy days so they will turn to Jesus Christ. Some were fulfilled (Israel) and others remain for a future fulfillment (Israel). This verse says, "Neither say they in their heart, let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in His season: He reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest."

The Holy Spirit was referring to Israel but what about the Church (body of Christ; Christians)? If most Christians that understand biblical prophecy believe that Israel and the Church have different prophetic programs than why wouldn't we believe that God will fulfill the feast days for His Church and then accomplish them for Israel? Some Christians may be asking, "Why would this be important for me?"

The purpose of this summary is not to talk about this particular aspect of the future fulfillments for Israel regarding the feast days. In this article that I am writing, only the fulfillments for the Church will be explored, so we can get more of a grasp on the purpose for Pentecost. What does this particular feast day (Pentecost) mean for Christians around the world regarding the birth of the Church (Acts chapter 2) and their possible resurrection rapture?
I would rather focus on our own salvation and resurrection since I believe we are so close to the rapture of the Church. I will be using the word possible and perhaps quite a bit because I don't want to come across dogmatic.

What I liked about this writing is th author had the courage to really look into the Scriptures and say something different that I believe is the truth. He answered a question about a year ago. I even lost the printout but I remember the main points.

I believe the Church started on Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. Why? Jesus Christ did not fulfill the birth of the Church on Pentecost. The Holy Spirit fulfilled this feast day (Pentecost) for a possible complete future fulfillment ultimately to be accomplished by Jesus Christ Himself!

This fulfillment may not take place until the rapture of the Church. For example, if one looks at the biblical meaning of the number 14, salvation is always in connection with the rapture and resurrection of our bodies.

(1) Passover was fulfilled at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ----------Fulfillment by Jesus Christ Himself.

(2) Unleavened Bread was fulfilled when Jesus Christ was buried for 3 days----------Fulfillment by Jesus Christ Himself.

(3) Firstfruits was fulfilled when Jesus Christ rose from the dead----------Fulfillment by Jesus Christ Himself.

(4) Pentecost was fulfilled in Acts chapter 2 when the Holy Spirit came down upon the newly born Church----------Fulfillment by the Holy Spirit Himself.

(5) Rosh Ha-Shannah was fulfilled when Jesus Christ was born on Rosh Ha-Shannah. In Luke 2:8-14 the angels started to sing----------Fulfillment by Jesus Christ Himself.

(6) Yom Kippur or the day of atonement was fulfilled because in Hebrews chapters 9 and 10 our High Priest who is Jesus Christ entered into,"The holiest of all" for our sins through His blood----------Fulfillment by Jesus Christ Himself.

(7) The feast of Tabernacles was fulfilled because Jesus Christ tabernacled with people for 33 years when He walked on the earth."And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us"...John 1:14."And dwelt among us"(Tabernacled) is a fulfillment of Tabernacles----------Fulfillment by Jesus Christ Himself.

Jesus Christ did not fulfill all the feast days through His Church. The Holy Spirit fulfilled Pentecost. This is where the Bible gets really interesting because it involves our rapture and resurrection.

The Bible says,"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only He who now letteth will let, until He be taken out of the way." 2nd Thes. 2:7. This verse is explaining and describing the rapture."He" is the Holy Spirit."He" (the Holy Spirit) indwells the body of Christ; Church. When Jesus Christ raptures His Church this is exactly what will happen.

(1) The newly born Church started on Pentecost in Acts chapter 2----------Pentecost.

(2) The Church age (dispensation of grace) will end when the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way. 2nd Thes. 2:7-----------Pentecost? Notice I put a ?

(3) Jesus Christ will rapture His Church. This ends the Church age and happens in connection with the Holy Spirit being taken away--------Pentecost? Once again I used a ?

Notice this whole transaction is THREE FOLD. Remember I used the example of the biblical number and meaning of 14. The number 14 (Salvation) and 3 (Rapture and Resurrection) are always used in connection with one another. What good is salvation without the rapture and resurrection of our bodies? This is why I called this article,"The partial fulfillment of Pentecost?" These three fulfillments might have to take place around this general area of Pentecost.This feast day could be THREE FOLD (Salvation,Rapture and Resurrection). Jesus Christ has yet to fulfill this feast day for His Church! Only time will tell if He will.

This feast day could be in reserve for the end of the Church Age. Remember the rapture and resurrection completes our salvation. The original birth of the Church on Pentecost represented salvation but this might have to be completed through our rapture and resurrection around or at a future Pentecost. When do you suppose Jesus Christ will culminate His plan for His Church?

I can not tell you that the rapture will happen on Pentecost this year. I can not be dogmatic that the rapture will happen on a future Pentecost because end time biblical prophecy is not an exact science. God always seems to leave a little room for doubt but look at the clues and evidence. While we are at it take a look at the possibilities for a 2009 rapture.

Jesus Christ "might" still have to fulfill Pentecost. I believe the Bible is showing us a model that it will have to be in connection with the Holy Spirit being taken out of the way which is the rapture of the Church.

I still believe that nobody knows when the true Pentecost takes place. I have another article in connection with this article called, "Twenty little known facts about Pentecost." I explain why it is difficult to pinpoint an exact day for Pentecost. I don't even mention the 24 time zones around the world. If Jesus Christ were to come tonight would you go up in the rapture? I believe we are very close to our blessed hope!

Bob D.