Hi E.S.T.,

What a terrific posting! Jesus is the 'FIRSTFRUITS OF THE DEAD', the Bride/Church is the 'FIRSTFRUITS OF THE SPIRIT', and after the tribulation THOSE WHO ARE CHRIST'S AT HIS SECOND COMING. Each in his own order. He is "coming" next to rapture His Bride/Church BEFORE the tribulation, and then later He is "coming" at the end of the tribulation for those who are His.

1 Corinthians 15:20
"But now Christ is risen from the dead, and HAS BECOME THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP." (This is Jesus)

Romans 8:23
"Not only that, but WE ALSO WHO HAVE THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption (rapture) of our body." (this is the Bride/Church)

1 Corinthians 15:23
"But EACH IN HIS OWN ORDER: Christ THE FIRSTFRUITS, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming."


The 'three harvests'  each year are 'first' the barley, 'secondly' the wheat, and 'thirdly' the grapes. Each in its own order.

The 'three Feasts' of the Lord which are the 'holy convocations' each year are 'first' Passover/Unleavened Bread/Firstfruits, 'secondly' Pentecost/Feast of Weeks, and 'thirdly' Feast of Trumpets/Day of Atonement/Feast of Tabernacles. Each in its own order.

The 'barley' harvest is associated with the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The 'firstfruits of the barley' grain harvest is baked into bread WITHOUT leaven (leaven is yeast which represents sin). Jesus, who is the FIRSTFRUITS OF THE DEAD, is the ONLY ONE who is without sin. Jesus fed the multitude with 'barley' loaves and had twelve baskets left-over. Jesus is the 'single-loaf of barley' (without sin) Bread of Life .

The 'wheat' harvest is associated with the Feast of Weeks/Pentecost. The 'firstfruits of the new grain' wheat harvest is baked into bread WITH leaven which represents sin. The Bride/Church, who is the FIRSTFRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, were with sin before they became 'born-again of the Spirit' to become the FIRSTFRUITS OF THE SPIRIT. The 'two-loaves of wheat bread' represent the 'dead in Christ' and the 'living in Christ' who together are the Bride/Church to be raptured on Pentecost.

The 'grape' harvest is associated with Feast of Trumpets/Day of Atonement/Feast of Tabernacles. There is no mention of 'firstfruits' of any kind as part of this holy convocation.

According to Your Word, come Lord Jesus!

Bruce Warner