The partial fulfillment of Pentecost
 
Sometimes when somebody points one little truth out in the Bible another person will be able to build upon that principle. On June 6th Rick pointed out from the Scriptures
something that I never saw before in the Bible. The article was called,"About the fulfillment of Pentecost."
 
He pointed out that 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). Thank you for pointing this out!
 
I did not agree with everything in the article because he said that the last three feasts will be fulfilled at the second coming of Jesus Christ (Rosh Ha-Shannah, Yom Kippur and the feast of Tabernacles). After reading,"The Holy Days and the Church" by Pastor F.M Riley, I believe that is a partially truthful statement. I used to believe the whole statement but of course I will explain what I mean. This subject is a little harder than I thought because I have never spoken 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.
 
I don't know if,"The Holy Days and the Church" ever actually got printed on fivedoves but the essence of the article was Jesus Christ fulfilled all the feast days for His Church.I agree with this statement but there would be one small exception that I disagree with regarding the feast day of Pentecost. 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).
 
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 and what it means for Christians around the world regarding their salvation and resurrection. If you desire to look into this subject on how God is going to cause Israel to fulfill their own Holy Days then perhaps, "The Holy Days and the Church" by F.M.Riley would be a start but other books and articles have been written about this subject. I would rather focus on our own salvation and resurrection since I believe we are so close to the rapture of the Church.
 
What I liked about this writing is F.M Riley had the courage to really look into the Scriptures and say something different that I believe is the truth. It should be noted that I did not agree with his rendition as to when the Church started. If I read his interpretation correctly he had the Church starting a little before Acts chapter 2 (Pentecost) when Jesus Christ was still alive.
 
I still believe the Church started on Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. Why? Jesus Christ did not fulfill the birth of the Church at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit partially fulfilled this feast day (Pentecost) for a complete future fulfillment ultimately to be accomplished by Jesus Christ Himself! This fulfillment does 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 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"(Tabernaced) 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. I don't have the time to explain this but 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 on Pentecost.This feast day is THREE FOLD (Salvation,Rapture and Resurrection). Jesus Christ has yet to fulfill this feast day for His Church!
 
This feast day seems to 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 must be completed through our rapture and resurrection. 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 of this year. I can not be dogmatic that the rapture will happen on a future Pentecost because end time Bible prophecy is not an exact science. God always seems to leave a little room for doubt but look at the clues and evidence. While you are at it take a look at the evidence for a 2008 rapture.
 
Jesus Christ still has to fulfill Pentecost and 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.
 
I still believe that nobody knows when the true Pentecost takes place and I am not even mentioning the 24 time zones around the world. If Jesus Christ were to come tonight would you go up in the rapture?If you have not done so just pray a simple prayer and ask Jesus Christ into your heart. We must be very close!
 
Bob D.