Playlist:

playlist Go to the 50 Years (topic) playlist

Filter by Categories

When Is the Year of Release (Shemitah)?

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

Regarding the concept of '50 Years,' the Jubilee year, as outlined in Leviticus 25, marks the fiftieth year following seven Sabbatical cycles, totaling 49 years. This significant year is proclaimed on the Day of Atonement, Tishri 10, with the blowing of trumpets throughout the land, signifying the start of a period of liberty where everyone returns to their family possessions. The Jubilee year not only serves as the 50th year but also overlaps as the first year of the next seven-year cycle, embodying a new beginning. It carries a profound purpose of resetting societal imbalances, ensuring that no family remains perpetually destitute by releasing larger debts and protecting inheritances. God emphasizes warnings against oppression during this time, highlighting His intent to safeguard His people from enduring hardship. The agricultural focus of the Jubilee aligns with the fall start on Atonement, reflecting the cycles of sowing and reaping, and underscores God's care for His people's welfare through these designated times of release and renewal.

Why Count Fifty Days?

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The significance of the number 50 is deeply tied to the day of Pentecost, which is derived from the Greek word "pentekostos," meaning fiftieth. This number represents a period of counting, as God instructs us to count fifty days or seven weeks to arrive at this holy day, emphasizing a process of evaluation and judgment. The number 50 is not arbitrary; it carries a profound meaning in the context of our spiritual journey. In the broader framework of life, 50 years represents the average period of adult accountability, calculated as the span from age 20 to 70, the typical lifespan described by Moses. This period symbolizes the time of our conversion, during which God calls, converts, and prepares us for inclusion into His Family. It is a finite window—often around 50 years—for us to prove our worthiness, to grow in grace and knowledge, and to develop the character of God while He evaluates our progress. This concept of 50 years ties directly to the counting of 50 days to Pentecost, reflecting the time between our calling and our ultimate salvation. Just as we count 50 days to the feast of harvest, which signifies the reaping at the end of a period of growth, the 50 years of conversion remind us of the limited time we have to mature spiritually. This counting is a sobering reminder that our day of salvation is not endless; it may end sooner than expected, as not everyone is granted the full 50 years. God has us count these 50 days annually to instill the importance of numbering our days, recognizing the brevity of our time to display His character in our actions and to make necessary changes without delay.

The Wavesheaf Offering

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

In His wisdom, God has us annually take stock of our procession through time so that we will devote ourselves to making the most of it. In doing so, we can gauge our progress toward God's Kingdom. The counting to Pentecost, which begins with the wavesheaf offering, serves as a reminder of this spiritual journey. This count, spanning 50 days, marks the period from the initial harvest symbolized by the wavesheaf to the culmination of the early harvest at Pentecost, reflecting the ongoing work of harvesting human souls for eternal life.

The Endurance of the Firstfruits (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The seven Sabbaths in the count to Pentecost represent the process of the firstfruits becoming spiritually complete, that is, perfect and blameless.

Numbering Our Days

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We must allow God to show us how to carefully number our days in order to gain a heart of wisdom and develop a godly perspective upon our remaining time.

Understanding Shemitah and Jubilee Cycles

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

People have speculated that Jesus Christ will return at the beginning of a Jubilee year, on the 120th year of Jubilees following 6,000 years.

Pentecost and Time

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Because of our 'time-bound' state, unless we sync with God's timetable, we are squandering our God-given time to become members of His family.

Are We Redeeming the Time?

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Time is fleeting; any of us could perish tomorrow. Procrastination in matters of godliness can be fatal, as the parable of the rich fool teaches.

Christ's Mission Statement

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Luke 4:16-21 and Mark 1:14-15, statements from Christ made at approximately the same time, constitute the composite mission statement directed at His disciples.

The Appointed Weeks of Pentecost

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

Each day in the count is a reminder to consider what we are sowing and what we are cultivating because it will assuredly come to fruition and then evaluation.

Themes of Ruth (Part One): Naomi

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Naomi's attractive personality, selflessness, godly conviction and common sense characterize her relationship with her Gentile daughters-in-law.

Psalms: Book Two (Part Three)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Book II of the Psalms was written largely by David and shows how he reacts to some gruesome trials by surrendering to God's redemption.

Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Ten): Cultivating the Fruit of Self Control

Sermon by David F. Maas

It is impossible to cultivate self-control unless one uses God's Spirit to reprogram the desires of the heart from self-centeredness to submission to God.

Abraham's Sacrifice (Part One): Faith Perfected

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Scriptures place a paramount importance on sacrifice. Abraham's 'sacrifice' of Isaac confirmed him to the position of father of the faithful.