Pentecost symbolizes a major key to spiritual understanding. On this day, God sent His Holy Spirit to His church, empowering Christ's disciples to carry out the church's work. This event, marking the regeneration by the Holy Spirit, opens our understanding of God's spiritual principles and His plan for humanity. Pentecost occurs in late spring and symbolizes the first spiritual harvest, indicating that this is not the only day of salvation. Those called by God now are a pilot group, selected to be His firstfruits. This day also commemorates the beginning of God's church, marking the start of His master plan to call people out of the world to develop His holy, spiritual character. Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Weeks, is observed by counting 50 days from the day the wavesheaf was offered, which is why it is called Pentecost, meaning "count fifty." It always falls on the first day of the week, Sunday. On Pentecost in the Old Testament, God commanded the offering of two loaves of bread as firstfruits, representing the Old and New Testament churches. The members of God's church are regarded as firstfruits, and Pentecost represents the first part of God's spiritual harvest. The fifty days between the wavesheaf offering and Pentecost symbolize the time from the founding of the church to the end of the age when the small harvest of the firstfruits occurs. Christ's disciples observed Pentecost, and on this day, exactly fifty days after Christ ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit was given to them, fulfilling Jesus' promise. This marked the beginning of the church of God, with the Holy Spirit dwelling within the disciples, as it had been in Christ. The early church continued to keep Pentecost, as evidenced by Paul's efforts to be in Jerusalem for the feast about 25 years after Christ's ascension. The true church of God continues to observe Pentecost as a reminder of its role in God's plan of salvation.

The Pentecost offering contains the idea of difference, while the New Testament Pentecost in Acts 2 shows differences being divinely overcome in the church. In Acts 2:1, the apostles were all of one accord and in one place. They were different people but one in purpose. Because God accepted them, He gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit. His gift included the gift of languages, which overcame the language barrier and reversed in the church the confusion and scattering of Babel. God's Spirit also gives unity to those who are led by it. In Acts 2:41, three thousand people became reconciled to God in a single day. In Acts 2:44-47, members of the young church freely gave to those in need. They continued daily with one accord, breaking bread from house to house, eating with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God.

Pentecost underscores the meaning of generous devotion to others, as seen in Leviticus 23:22, which instructs not to wholly reap the corners of the field nor gather any gleanings from the harvest, but to leave them for the poor and the stranger. This instruction aligns with the grain offering's symbolism of giving humanity its due with what God has provided. Additionally, Exodus 23:16 describes Pentecost as the Feast of Harvest, emphasizing the firstfruits of labors sown in the field. Leviticus 23:17 refers to the two leavened loaves offered on Pentecost as firstfruits, symbolizing an early, abundant sample of the harvest, which signifies the start and the best part of the harvest.

The unique offering on the Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost, serves as a parable that teaches about the Messiah. The centerpiece of this offering consists of two loaves baked with leaven, which raises a significant question since leaven universally symbolizes corruption in Scripture, yet it appears in a holy day offering. This introduces a tension that must be resolved to understand the offering. The mystery deepens with the presence of two loaves, suggesting a difference, as the number two biblically signifies that there is another, often implying division or opposition. The priest presents these two leavened loaves, symbolically marked by corruption, to the holy God, posing the question of how such an offering could be accepted.

In addressing the Jew/Gentile divide, the themes of the Pentecost offering are echoed in the two leavened loaves, representing converted Jews and Gentiles with significant differences. Yet, from the beginning, God's intent was to bless all the families of the earth through Abraham and his Seed, justifying those who belong to Christ through faith rather than blood. The Pentecost offering teaches that, despite doctrinal differences within the church, such as when to start the count to Pentecost, Jesus Christ must open our eyes in His own time. While laboring under differences in understanding, the Pentecost offerings accompanying the leavened loaves guide us to focus on devotion to God, as seen in the substantial burnt offering of ten animals, mirroring Christ's drive to please the Father. Emulating this devotion fosters unity among those similarly motivated, even where understanding is not uniform. Pentecost's sin offering reminds us that without Christ's sacrifice, we would all be under condemnation, approaching the Father solely through His acceptance of Christ's blood, tempering our evaluation of others with gratitude for atonement. The peace offering on Pentecost further highlights the fellowship with the Father that Christ makes available, bringing abundance and contentment, urging us to preserve this rare peace by seeking truth and repenting if wrong, valuing peace with God over personal pride. Thus, Pentecost serves as a living parable showing how our leavened works are acceptable to God and teaching us to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. As a memorial of God and His gracious works, Pentecost's two leavened loaves remind us of the corruption that remains in us even after baptism, affecting all our works, yet God's acceptance of our imperfect efforts highlights the greater, perfect work of Jesus Christ.

In 1974, the Worldwide Church of God made a significant but unannounced change in how to count to Pentecost, particularly in years when Passover occurs on a Sabbath. This change mandated that the day of the Wavesheaf offering must always fall within the Feast of Unleavened Bread, differing from the earlier practice of using the weekly Sabbath within Unleavened Bread as the anchor, with the count beginning the following day, even if it was after Unleavened Bread. Prior to 1974, the church followed what is referred to as the Sadducean method, identifying the weekly Sabbath within Unleavened Bread and starting the count on the next day, which was understood as the first day of the week. However, the 1974 adjustment, influenced by interpretations like those of the Karaite Jews from a later historical period, shifted the focus to ensure the Wavesheaf day remained within Unleavened Bread, sometimes aligning it with a high holy day, which raises concerns about harvesting on a Sabbath. This change was not publicly acknowledged or thoroughly explained at the time, unlike the well-documented shift from a Monday to a Sunday Pentecost in the same year. Historical records and internal church documents from 1974 reveal that the decision to alter the Wavesheaf counting was made quietly, with limited discussion in official materials, and it quickly became the norm through inertia. The Sadducean method, supported by the context of Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16, ties the Wavesheaf offering to the harvest and begins the count from the day after the weekly Sabbath within Unleavened Bread, avoiding conflict with holy time. In contrast, the 1974 change sometimes results in the Wavesheaf day coinciding with an annual Sabbath, which contradicts the principle of not harvesting on holy days, a practice upheld by early followers of Christ as seen in their prioritization of rest over work during sacred times.

Tomorrow marks the Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost, following the seventh Sabbath since the day of the Wavesheaf. In preparation for this holy day, we delve into the Scriptures to uncover its profound lessons. Pentecost is a feast to the LORD, where He is to be the central focus of our minds, glorifying Him above all symbols and themes associated with the day. From Deuteronomy 16, we learn key elements of Pentecost. One instruction is to remember our former slavery and God's deliverance, a theme echoed in all festival seasons and the weekly Sabbath, reminding us of the liberty we now have in Him. Pentecost mirrors a mini-Jubilee, with its count of seven weeks of seven days leading to the Feast, akin to the Jubilee's seven weeks of seven years, both culminating in a proclamation of liberty. The day is a celebration of freedom in the present, rooted in the memory of where we came from and what He has done in separating us from this world. In Leviticus 23, the unique offering of Pentecost features two loaves baked with leaven, presenting a parable rich with meaning for our lives today. These loaves, made from fine flour of the first part of the wheat harvest, are identified as a grain offering, symbolizing the fruit of our labors dedicated to God and man. Despite the leaven, which typically represents corruption in Scripture, these loaves are waved before the LORD by the priest, though not placed on His altar, indicating a separation due to the leavening. This offering raises questions about how God accepts something characterized by carnality, yet it is presented alongside substantial burnt, sin, and peace offerings, suggesting that acceptance hinges on these accompanying acts of devotion, cleansing, and fellowship. Pentecost also emphasizes generous devotion to others, as seen in the instruction to leave gleanings for the poor and stranger, fitting seamlessly with the theme of the grain offering. The loaves, identified as firstfruits, represent the early part of the harvest, underscoring that a portion has reached maturity to be given to God, reflecting various metaphorical applications of firstfruits in His work. The drama of the two loaves, symbolizing difference and potential division due to corruption, finds resolution through the perfect work of Jesus Christ, our High Priest. His flawless burnt offering, sin offering, and peace offering make our imperfect, leavened works acceptable to the Father. Pentecost truly remains a Feast to the LORD, highlighting His glory through the acceptance of our service, despite its inherent flaws, because of Christ's intercession.

Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Harvest or the Feast of Weeks, is first mentioned as a harvest festival, emphasizing the gathering of firstfruits. It marks a period of fifty days from the wave sheaf offering during Unleavened Bread, culminating in a celebration of the harvest. This day serves as a memorial to God's work in bringing in the harvest and His active role in blessing the efforts of His people. The period from the wave sheaf to Pentecost focuses on the firstfruits, beginning with the acceptance of Jesus Christ as the first of the Firstborn and ending with the acceptance of God's called ones into His Kingdom, symbolized by the waving of leavened bread loaves. The instructions for Pentecost highlight the labor of God's people, both individually and as a body, in sowing, cultivating, and reaping. While the human effort is visible, God remains in the background, providing essential support such as rain, sun, and fertile soil, ensuring the success of the harvest. This joint effort between God and His people produces the new grain, representing a new creation. In the context of the book of Ruth, Pentecost is significant as the events of the story unfold during the fifty days leading up to this feast, from the barley harvest at the wave sheaf offering to the wheat harvest at Pentecost. Ruth and Naomi return from Moab around the time of the wave sheaf, and the narrative progresses through Ruth's encounters with Boaz, culminating in redemption and marriage by the end of the harvest season. This timing underscores the theme of harvest and God's provision during this sacred period.

There is much confusion within the Church of God regarding the subject of Pentecost, especially in years like 2005 when Passover falls on a weekly Sabbath, leading to disputes over the proper counting method. This disagreement results in various groups observing Pentecost one week apart. Pentecost does not have a specific date assigned in Leviticus 23, unlike other festivals such as Passover or the Feast of Tabernacles, and must be counted each year. The count to Pentecost begins the day after the weekly Sabbath that falls within the Days of Unleavened Bread, as instructed in Leviticus 23:15-16, narrowing the relevant Sabbath to one during this period. The weekly Sabbath within the Days of Unleavened Bread is key to determining Wavesheaf Day, the starting point for the count to Pentecost. The date of this Sabbath varies depending on the day Passover falls, which can be a Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday according to Hebrew calendar rules. For instance, if Passover is on a Monday, the weekly Sabbath falls on the 19th of Nisan, making Wavesheaf Day the 20th, and Pentecost occurs on Sivan 10. If Passover is on a Wednesday, the Sabbath is on the 17th, Wavesheaf Day on the 18th, and Pentecost on Sivan 8. When Passover falls on a Friday, the weekly Sabbath coincides with the first day of Unleavened Bread on the 15th, so Wavesheaf Day is the 16th, and Pentecost falls on Sivan 6. If Passover is on a Saturday, the weekly Sabbath aligns with the last day of Unleavened Bread on the 21st, making Wavesheaf Day the 22nd, and Pentecost falls on Sivan 12. The method of counting also affects the day Pentecost is observed. Using the Hebrew inclusive counting method, which begins with the current day, the count from Wavesheaf Day, always a Sunday, ends on a Sunday, the correct day for Pentecost. In contrast, an English exclusive counting method would result in Pentecost falling on a Monday. Counting must be done each year because the starting date changes based on Passover's day, ensuring the command to count is followed annually. Wavesheaf Day and Pentecost are directly tied as harvest celebrations, with Wavesheaf Day marking the beginning of the harvest and Pentecost completing it. The count to Pentecost must always begin the day after the weekly Sabbath within the Days of Unleavened Bread, and violating this rule results in observing Pentecost on the wrong day. There is no scriptural authority to alter this counting method, even when Passover falls on a weekly Sabbath, as God warns against adding to or taking away from His word.

Today is Pentecost, a day that commemorates the harvest of the firstfruits, which will happen at the time that same Son of God returns. In Israel, this harvest in early summer was a smaller harvest, particularly of wheat, which in biblical symbolism stands for the righteous, the saints. So, Pentecost reminds us of God's called-out ones, the wheat being harvested. All the elements combine to bring us to spiritual maturity, providing hope as we wait for the Consolation of Israel and our entrance into the Kingdom of God. These elements not only offer hope but are keys to achieving spiritual maturity.

The day of Pentecost is marked by extraordinary signs and wonders. When the Holy Spirit was given, as recorded in Acts 2:1-11, the display of power amazed all who were present. A sound like a mighty rushing wind filled the air, fire appeared to rest on the apostles, and they spoke in such a way that every person heard the message in his own language and dialect. Before this event, Jesus Christ, in His final words before ascending to the Father, emphasized that His disciples would receive power through the Holy Spirit, enabling them to be witnesses of Him. Through the giving of the Holy Spirit, Christ's disciples gained the necessary means to be lights to the world and to demonstrate a way of life that glorified God. Under the New Covenant, with access to the Holy Spirit, the quality of this witness must be far greater than what was expected of physical Israel. God gives His Spirit only to those who obey Him, as stated in Acts 5:32, and if we maintain a close relationship with its Giver, we have the means to be the true and faithful witnesses that God desires and commands His people to be. We will obey the laws rehearsed to Israel on Pentecost and be led by the Holy Spirit endued to His people on another Pentecost, ultimately uniting with the firstfruits of God's spiritual harvest.

Tomorrow marks one of God's appointed times, a moment to set aside normal activities and glorify Him. Among the feasts commanded in Exodus 23:14-16, Pentecost, referred to as the Feast of Harvest, holds a significant place. This feast, tied to the agricultural cycle, brings the focus back to God's works and providence, reminding His people of their dependence on Him for a good harvest. It is a time when the firstfruits of labors sown in the field are brought before Him, symbolizing not just physical yield but also a metaphorical evaluation of one's efforts and behaviors. In Deuteronomy 16:9-10, the Feast of Weeks, as Pentecost is also called, involves counting seven weeks from the start of the grain harvest and offering a freewill tribute to the LORD as He blesses. This feast is kept to Him, emphasizing that it is not merely a celebration but a time set apart to remember His centrality. Verse 12 urges remembrance of former slavery in Egypt, reinforcing the theme of God's deliverance, a motif shared across all festival seasons alongside an agricultural focus on His providence and natural law. Leviticus 23:15-17 details the counting of fifty days from the day after the Sabbath within Unleavened Bread to the day after the seventh Sabbath, culminating in a new grain offering to the LORD. This includes two wave loaves of fine flour, baked with leaven, presented as firstfruits. These loaves, part of a grain offering, represent the fruit of labors rather than individuals or groups, acknowledging that even in service to fellow man, corruption remains. Yet, through other offerings, these imperfect labors are held up for God's examination and potential acceptance, underscoring His place as the focus of the feast. Pentecost's uniqueness lies in its emphasis on time, being the only holy day arrived at by counting, named the Feast of Weeks in Hebrew Scriptures and meaning "count fifty" in Greek. Jeremiah 5:24 speaks of the appointed weeks of the harvest as ordained by God, a divine statute ensuring a consistent span for growth and evaluation. This appointed time, whether in agriculture or metaphorically in life, signifies that God allots sufficient duration for fruit to be produced, though the exact length remains known only to Him. The pattern of seven sevens, symbolizing divine perfection, parallels the counting to the Jubilee in Leviticus 25:8-12, where seven sabbaths of years lead to a year of liberty and providence. Similarly, Pentecost, as a mini-Jubilee, culminates after a perfect span of time, both marking the fiftieth day and initiating a new cycle, maintaining the unbroken rhythm of divine perfection. In II Kings 19:29-31, God's sign to Hezekiah of two consecutive years of land rest mirrors a land Sabbath and Jubilee, resulting in liberty for Judah from Assyrian oppression. This deliverance, following an appointed span of evaluation over decades, shows that even amidst reaping past sins, God's intervention can mitigate the harvest when His ways are followed. The journey from Egypt to Sinai, spanning seven weeks as noted in Exodus 19:1-2, culminates in a momentous event at Mount Sinai. After a period of sanctification, God's presence is manifest, and a covenant is ratified on what may be the feast day, marking a profound conclusion to the perfect span of time. This event, where the elders saw God and feasted in His presence, underscores the gravity of the seven sevens as a time of labor, cultivation, and evaluation leading to divine encounter. Thus, the Feast of Harvest, or Pentecost, consistently draws attention away from self and back to God. It is a feast to Him, a day to glorify Him with the spiritual fruit produced through what He provides, reminding His people that their works, though imperfect, are held up for His inspection, and through His grace, can be used as He becomes all in all.

The day of Pentecost holds a significant place in God's great plan, reflecting His meticulous orchestration of Creation. It pictures the harvest of the first fruits, marking a pivotal moment in the unfolding of His purpose. Through the giving of the Holy Spirit on this day, the next part of God's eternal plan begins, uniting those called now to serve with Jesus Christ. The count to Pentecost, starting from the wave sheaf offered the day after the Sabbath during the Days of Unleavened Bread, involves counting fifty days and seven Sabbaths, which serve as God's signposts of His sovereignty and redemptive work. Each Sabbath in this count represents stages of His plan, culminating in the fiftieth day, a type of jubilee, where Jesus Christ presents the completed offering of all things to the Father, signifying a new beginning. This ultimate vision of Pentecost reveals the joyous completion of Christ's work and the privilege of those called as first fruits to praise His name now, as part of God's family being trained for eternal service.

The Day of Pentecost carries a profound message that resonates through time. On that day in AD 31, as recorded in Acts 2:1-4, when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, the disciples were gathered in one accord in one place. Suddenly, a sound from heaven, like a rushing mighty wind, filled the house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared and sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, beginning to speak in other tongues as the Spirit inspired them. These dramatic signs—the sound of a violent wind storm, the visual of tongues of fire, and the tactile sensation of the event—served multiple purposes. They attracted attention, drawing a crowd who were confused and amazed to hear the disciples speak in their own languages. These signs also confirmed God's Word spoken through His servants, giving instant credibility to the apostles as God attested to their message through miracles, wonders, and signs. Moreover, the auditory and visual elements symbolized the Holy Spirit, with an overtone of violence and destruction, hinting at the dichotomy of good and evil, blessing and curse, as Peter perceived in them a call to choose between life and death. Peter's sermon on that Pentecost day, as detailed in Acts 2, addressed the crowd with urgency and clarity. He explained the events as the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy, stating that God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh, leading to prophecy, visions, and dreams, but also warning of wonders and signs of destruction before the great and notable day of the Lord. He emphasized that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved, presenting a choice between salvation and judgment. Peter further declared Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah, attested by God through miracles and signs, crucified by lawless hands but raised up by God, unable to be held by death. He asserted that Jesus, now exalted to the right hand of God, had poured out the Holy Spirit, explaining the signs witnessed that day. Peter concluded by urging the house of Israel to know assuredly that God made Jesus, whom they crucified, both Lord and Christ, pressing them to choose between facing Him as Judge or Savior. The response to Peter's sermon was immediate and profound. The crowd, cut to the heart, asked what they should do. Peter instructed them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, promising the gift of the Holy Spirit to them, their children, and all whom the Lord would call. He exhorted them with many words to be saved from their perverse generation. The result was a mass conversion, with about three thousand souls added that day, uniting the church in fervent love, sharing of goods, and giving glory to God. This unity of spirit marked a high point for the church on the very day it was founded. The message of Pentecost, as delivered by Peter, remains relevant. It calls for a daily choice to follow Christ or return to the world, underscoring that judgment begins with the house of God. As the firstfruits of God's harvest, the choice on Pentecost is to call upon the name of the Lord for salvation or face His wrath before the great and notable day. The urgency to choose to follow our Lord and Christ every day echoes through the ages.

Pentecost holds a unique and radiant significance among the holy days, likened by some to a brilliant flash of light on a gloomy day. It is seen as the central figure among the three holy day seasons, walking in the middle of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Tabernacles, symbolizing spiritual freedom in contrast to the political and economic freedoms represented by the others. The counting commanded for Pentecost underscores its importance, being long enough to be meaningful yet manageable to maintain focus. It is compared in tradition to a king promising liberation and a future union, prompting eager anticipation through counting the days, much like Israel awaited the giving of God's law after being freed from Egypt. On the day of Pentecost, a remarkable event unfolded with the sound of a mighty rushing wind from heaven filling the house, likely the Temple, where the followers were gathered for a holy day service. This sound, contained within the house, drew attention from those nearby, further suggesting the location's significance. Flames of fire appeared on those receiving God's Holy Spirit, marking a visible sanctification and distinguishing them from others present. Those filled with the Spirit spoke in languages familiar to the diverse, foreign-born inhabitants of Jerusalem, who were living there permanently and were witnesses to the ministry of Jesus Christ. This event, accompanied by Peter's sermon, led to a profound impact, with many repenting and being baptized as God opened their minds through His Spirit. The giving of God's Holy Spirit on Pentecost signifies a transformative power, initiating a new creation within individuals, moving them from confusion and destruction to order and purity. This Spirit serves as the channel through which God's creative energy flows, enabling spiritual growth and the shaping of individuals into His image. It empowers hope, fosters love, and provides essential truths about relationships with God and fellow man, preparing them for His Kingdom. God's Spirit is given not for personal control or self-exaltation, but for His creative purpose, the benefit of the church, and individual spiritual well-being, ensuring that it is used to glorify Him.

The day of Pentecost, as described in Acts 2, marks a significant moment when the counting of fifty days reaches its fulfillment. The term Pentecost, derived from the Greek word "pentekostos," means fiftieth, indicating an ordinal sequence. This name reflects the process of counting fifty days, a practice understood by all to determine the day of the feast. On this fiftieth day, the counting concludes, and the day of Pentecost is fully observed. In the Old Testament, as found in Leviticus 23, Pentecost is referred to as the feast of weeks or the feast of harvest. God provides two methods for counting to this day: either by seven weeks, or seven Sabbaths, followed by the next day, or by counting fifty days directly. Both methods lead to the same day, emphasizing the importance of the counting process. This act of counting is central to Pentecost, underscoring that it cannot be a fixed date, as God instructs a yearly count rather than assigning a specific calendar day. The significance of counting fifty days to Pentecost is highlighted by God's deliberate instruction. If a fixed date were intended, such as Sivan 6 as some observe, there would be no need for counting. Instead, God emphasizes the process, suggesting a deeper purpose in the act of counting seven weeks or fifty days. This process varies, as the day can fall on different dates depending on the starting point, reinforcing that counting holds a lesson for us. The number fifty itself raises questions about its importance. Why did God choose fifty days rather than another number? This period of counting to Pentecost, whether by days or weeks, seems to carry a significance beyond mere numbering, pointing to a broader purpose in God's design for this festival.