Dear Doves,
      In The Book of Revelation we read in Revelation 1 about seven golden lampstands. In Chapter 1:12 the man given the vision turns to hear the voice and sees the seven golden lampstands.  In Chapter 1:13 he sees one like the son of man standing in the midst of the lampstands. What would be in the midst? Would it be between number three and four lampstands? Are the lampstands free standing each of seven, or part of a menorah design? The difference would be a count of seven or seven times seven of forty nine. A traditional menorah has a base with seven lamps on it as a candlabrum, a large branched candlestick. In Revelation 1:20 we are told that the seven lampstands are the seven congregations in Asia Minor, which is now called Turkey. The Omer Count extends for seven weeks, seven days times seven weeks. Day fifty is the conclusion day of Shavuot (Pentecost). Could that be part of the reason for the counting up of seven times seven, The Counting of the Omer,  for the period before The Blessed Hope?
      In terms of the Feasts of the Lord, there are seven. Some people start with the weekly Sabbath, the Shabbat of day seven of each week. Some people dispense with it and replace with the Feast of First Fruits. However it is done, the Feast of the Lord number four, the midst of the menorah or lampstands is always reckoned as the Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost). Have we had a clues all along in The Book of Revelation combined with The Counting of the Omer that Pentecost is the time and season of The Blessed Hope? The model or prototype for an earthly seven pronged menorah was the original in the throne room of Heaven. There is a warning for each of the seven congregations in Asia Minor, given about 95 AD. Revelation 2:5 states it clearly. "Remember therefore from whence you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent." The congregation at Ephesus is told in Revelation 2:1 that one like the son of man walks among the seven congregations yet He stands eventually in the midst. That is candlestick four. It symbolizes Pentecost within either seven lampstands or the seven pronged menorah. Perhaps seven menorahs? Shavuot begins at sunset for Israel on 5-26-2012. The month of Sivan, month six of the Scriptural Year will be at sunset for Israel on 5-21. Pentecost will be Sivan six, month six and day six. The next day of seven is the number for completion. Israel celebrates Shavuot (Pentecost) for one day, yet it is celebrated for two days for those outside Israel, in exile called diaspora. Come quickly, Lord...
 
With Love and Shalom,
Jean