The Harvest and The Wedding

Those who have been awakened by the Holy Spirit to know events are converging for the Resurrection/Rapture and are fervently watching have seen great evidence of a possible Pentecost Rapture. At first, speculating on this date did not make sense to me (see The Rapture Mystery for my musings).

The timing of His Appearing could still be on a day that is otherwise uneventful; however, I could not pass by these recent discoveries related to Shavuot (or Pentecost) without sharing them:

The 100 Day Count

The folks at the Rev12Daily blogspot brought my attention to the very real possibility that the fullness of Pentecost is a 100-day count (check out the Comments under Prepping for Pentecost).

Then today I watched THE GOOD NEWS!!! by Brother John at Watchman for that Great Day Youtube Channel. He also brought up the 100-day count saying this is what was referred to in Acts as “when the day of Pentecost was fully come”.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. - Acts 2:1 KJV

This got me digging and I found some very compelling information at worldslastchance.com. Here’s a partial synopsis from their section titled, “Evidence Favoring: 7 Complete Weeks + 50 Days”:

Proof #1—The Fourth Month

A study of John's narration indicates that Yahushua likely said this around the time of the Passover (i.e. the First Month). This means that Yahushua believed that the wheat would not be ready to harvest until about the middle of Summer. No one argued with Him!

In order to maintain that the 9th day of the third lunation is the correct date for observing Pentecost, we must believe that the scene at the well here (John 4) took place in winter. This does not seem reasonable, as the chronology of John's narrative as well as the context of Yahushua's conversation with the woman at the well strongly suggests that a pilgrimage feast was at hand.

It is worth noting Fenton's literal translation of the Greek text. Fenton suggests that Yahushua actually stated plainly that the wheat harvest took place in the "fourth month."

"Do you not say, 'The harvest comes with the fourth month'? See! Look up, I tell you, and survey the fields; for they are already white for harvesting." (John 4:35, Fenton) [Excerpt from worldslastchance.com]

(NOTE: To look this up go to: Digital Fenton Translation.)

Unlike today's method, in early times the grain harvest had to begin before the grain was fully ripe so that it would not fall out of the husk prematurely, for instance, while it was being cut. Even though it was harvested earlier, the grain was sufficiently developed to ripen on its own, but the important element to note is that the husk still held the grain securely until it dried, hardened, and was ready to go through a process known as threshing.

Christ provides a clue as to when it was the best time to cut the grain in John 4:35: . . . His statement gives us information about when the harvest began in those days: The cutting, no doubt, began when the crop was "white." This is the transition color between the green of immature grain and the golden brown of fully ripe grain. At this stage, when the grain is still white, a reaper, using a very sharp sickle, cut down the standing grain. bibletools.org

Proof #2—Moses at Mount Sinai

According to the Scriptures, Moses and the children of Israel arrived at Mt. Sinai on the 50^th Day since The Feast of Firstfruits:

In Exodus 19:1, we read: "In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai." From this we learn, that Israel arrived at Mt. Sinai on the 15^th day of the Third Month. We can know this because Moses tells us that they arrived on the same day of the month that they had left Egypt, which was the 15^th (Num. 33:3). This means that Israel arrived at Mt. Sinai exactly 7 days after the "seventh complete Sabbath," which is always the 8^th day of the Third Month. . .

If we continue reading, we see that the Israelites were commanded by Moses to consecrate themselves and wash their clothes for they were to meet with Yahuwah - in 3 days. "For on the third day, Yahuwah will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people" (Ex 19:10-11). By this we can conclude that Yahuwah descended on Mt Sinai in the sight of all the people exactly 10 days after the "seventh complete Sabbath" (8^th day of Third Month + 7 days + 3 days). 

In Exodus 20:18-21, we read that the Israelites were terrified at the presence of Yahuwah, so they ask Moses to speak to Yahuwah for them. Moses then ascends the mountain, where he remains for "forty days and forty nights" (Ex. 24:18). After 40 days, Moses descends Mt. Sinai with the Ten Commandments Law of Yahuwah (Deut. 9:9-12). From this, we can conclude with certainty that Moses descended Mt. Sinai with the Commandments EXACTLY 50 days after the "seventh complete Sabbath" (8^th day of Third Month + 7 days + 3 days + 40 days). Amazing!

. . . It is worth noting also that Aaron (the high priest), one day earlier, somehow knew to proclaim a "feast to Yahuwah" on this very day - EXACTLY 50 days after the "seventh complete Sabbath."

"And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, Tomorrow is a feast [Strong's H2282] to Yahuwah." (Ex 32:5)

• "feast" = Strong's H2282 [khag]; Khag is consistently used throughout Scripture to denote a pilgrimage feast. . .  Note: Yahuwah does not reprimand His high priest [Aaron] for proclaiming a feast on the wrong day; rather Yahuwah cites idolatry as the reason for His anger. (Ex. 32:7-9; Deut.9:16, 20)

Moses descended the mountain with the Ten Commandments Law of Yahuwah on the same day that Aaron (the high priest) somehow knew to proclaim a "feast [khag] to Yahuwah." This took place EXACTLY 50 DAYS AFTER THE "SEVENTH COMPLETE SABBATH"! [Excerpt from worldslastchance.com]

Proof #3—The New Wine

Brother John pointed out that the mockers referred to “new wine” when the disciples spoke in tongues on the day of Pentecost:

Here is what worldslastchance.com wrote:

Scripture continually associates the wheat harvest with the grape harvest, both taking place in the Summer. The "new wine" spoken of in Acts Chapter 2 would not have been available in the Third Month (Spring).

"And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. . . . [Some] mocking said, ‘These men are full of new wine. [Strong's G1098]’" (Acts 2:3-4, 13)

·         "new wine" = Strong's G1098 = denotes sweet "new wine" (The New Strong's Dictionary of Bible Words)

[This ends my excerpts from worldslastchance.com, but if you are interested they give additional evidence to proclaim that the count to the Feast of Weeks is 7 Sabbaths Complete + 50 days.]

In the account of Ruth and Boaz, we see that the barley harvest overlapped into the beginning of the wheat harvest.

So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law. - Ruth 2:23 KJV

This is true of the fruit harvest as well. The mention of new wine at Pentecost is pointing to early to mid-Summer when the wheat harvest would be concluding and the grape harvest beginning. New wine is only available at the beginning of the grape harvest!

Pentecost and Joel 2 Prophecy

Stephanie Dawn made important observations in her article: Pentecost--The Feast That Ties Everything Together For the Church the first of which was how Pentecost marks a dispensational change:

Note how Pentecost/Shavuot seems to introduce new dispensations – first, the Dispensation of Law (Mosaic covenant), then the Dispensation of Grace (Spirit of the Law).  Will it also introduce the interim dispensation of wrath (the Day of the Lord, commonly called the “Tribulation”, which seems to involve both Law and Grace)?

In Part 3 of her article, Stephanie writes, “Peter affirms that the Holy Spirit coming at Pentecost was a partial fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy”. How astute of her to notice this!

The end of the Holy Spirit’s sealing ministry in the church will be marked by wonders in the heavens, signs on the earth, blood, fire, vapor of smoke, darkened sun, and a blood red moon.  These events clearly did not occur on the first Pentecost, so why would Peter mention them in his sermon – on Pentecost?  Could it be that he is announcing the future fulfillment of the remainder of Joel’s prophecy on some future Pentecost?

The Wedding of Ruth

The account of Ruth and Boaz is a prophetic picture of the wedding of the mostly-Gentile Church Bride and our Kinsman Redeemer Jesus. In the above video, Brother John shared that Boaz and Ruth were married after the grain harvest was completed!

So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law. - Ruth 2:23 KJV

That means late Spring or early Summer!

Six Measures of Barley

Also notice that Boaz accepted Ruth’s request for marriage and gave her six measures of barley:

And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor. Also he said, Bring the vail that [thou hast] upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six [measures] of barley, and laid [it] on her: and she went into the city. - Ruth 3:14-15 KJV

And she said, These six [measures] of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law. - Ruth 3:17 KJV

The Bible specifically gives the number, even though it doesn’t tell the size of the measure. What is it about the number six and what is it about barley rather than wheat that the Bible is trying to tell us? The number six, according to EW Bullinger, “…has to do with man; it is the number of imperfection; the human number; the number of MAN as destitute of God, without God, without Christ.” As he says, “it is certain that man was created on the sixth day, and thus he has the number six impressed upon him. Moreover, six days were appointed to him for his labour; while one day is associated in sovereignty with the Lord God, as His rest.”

Insightful as ever, Bullinger rightly tied the number six in with labors and that at the end of the labors there is the anticipation of “the Lord God, and His rest.” It is exactly what Naomi was seeking for Ruth, and thus implicitly, for herself through Ruth.” One cannot enter rest until the work is done. . .

In an astute observation, Lange gives us these words to consider concerning what this is showing us – “Naomi receives what she may take as an intimation that the time has come, when after long labor she must let Ruth go out free. The day of rest is at hand.”

. . . That explains the number six, but why barley? The reason for specifying barley is because of what barley pictures. First, it is a picture of the resurrection of Christ because barley was what was presented at the Feast of Firstfruits. [Excerpt from a 2014 article by Charlie Garrett  superiorword.org]

As Mr. Garrett pointed out: Bullinger rightly tied the number six in with labors and that at the end of the labors there is the anticipation of “the Lord God, and His rest”.

This, of course, brings to mind how 6 days is 6,000 years that man will toil and have dominion over the earth (2 Peter 3:8). Seven years before the completion of the 6,000 years, Jesus has promised to come and whisk the Church Bride away to a place He has prepared for us and to our wondrous wedding!

Naomi assures Ruth that because of all that Boaz said and did Ruth need not fear because it meant he promised to see it to completion!

Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day. - Ruth 3:18 KJV

Matthew Henry in his Commentary writes:

Naomi believes that Ruth has won his heart, and that therefore he will not be easy till he knows whether she be his or no. This she gives as a reason why Ruth should sit still and not perplex herself about it, that Boaz had undertaken it, and he would be sure to manage it well. blb.org

How much more should be our confidence then, Brethren! Our Kinsman Redeemer Jesus Christ has sealed us with His Spirit as a promise of our Redemption and Wedding Day—He will see our marriage to its completion! Our Day of Rest is at hand!

On April 28, 2020, Stephanie Dawn posted a related article at unsealed.org: Another Feast Of "Unknown Day And Hour"? (Pentecost Study Part 3). Here is an excerpt:

Summary: Possible Dates for Pentecost 2020

For those of you who prefer a summary:

Sadduccees: May 31, 2020 (8 Sivan)
The Sadduccees begin the countdown of the Feast of Weeks on the first Sunday after Passover.  This Sunday always falls within the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Pharisees: May 29, 2020 (6 Sivan)
The Pharisees begin the countdown of the Feast of Weeks on the day after Passover.  Since Passover occurs on Nisan 15, a fixed date of Sivan 6 is used for Shavuot (Pentecost).  

Essenes: June 7, 2020 (15 Sivan) 
The Essenes begin the countdown of the Feast of Weeks on the Sunday after the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  Thus, it always falls a week after the date calculated by the Sadduccees.

Karaites: May 31, 2020 (8 Sivan) 
The Karaites based their countdown of the Feast of Weeks on the ripeness of the first sheaves of barley.  Once barley ripeness was established, the Firstfruits offering could be made during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, on the day after the weekly Sabbath.  The Feast of Weeks countdown began at this Feast of Firstfruits.  In general, their method coincides with the Sadduccees.


It seems we may not clearly be able to know the Day of Pentecost, unless you can determine which view is correct!  I would suggest that this places Pentecost as a contender in the "feast that no one knows the day/hour" category; what do you think?

 

 

Updated 9/3/22