The Best Commentary On The Bible Is The Bible Itself

	The Reflections Newsletter Monday, May 24, 2010 **In This Issue** The Feast of Pentecost What Does the Bible Say About...?  Welcome to the Reflections Newsletter from Reflect His Glory.  RHG is a co-ministry with Creation Science Ministries.  Feel free to send this to your relatives and friends.   The Feast of Pentecost This past Wednesday, May 19th, was the 6th of Sivan on the Hebrew calendar, and Jewish people all over the world celebrated Hag Ha Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks or as we know it, the Feast of Pentecost. The Torah, which is comprised of the five books of Moses, details seven feasts during the Hebrew calendar.  The first three feasts are in the spring, in the month of Nisan: Passover The Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of First Fruits. These feasts are predictive of the First Coming of Christ Jesus. In between the spring and fall feasts, fifty days after the Feast of First Fruits, there is the Feast of Pentecost.  This feast was celebrated last week, and it is also associated with the Church. The Birth of the Church appears to be a fulfillment of the Feast of Pentecost.  What is of interest is that this is the only feast, of the seven, in which leavened bread is ordained. The last three feasts are in the fall, in the month of Tishri: The Feast of Trumpets The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) The Feast of Tabernacles. These three are associated with the Second Coming of Christ Jesus. The timing of the Feast of Pentecost is based on Leviticus 23:16 which points to "the morrow after the seventh sabbath" (fifty days) after the Feast of First Fruits.  The Greek word Pentecost means "the fiftieth day."  Since the Passover was on the 14th of Nisan, and there were three days to the Red Sea crossing, then 46 days into the wilderness, and three days of Moses' preparation, this is deemed to correspond to the 49 day interval between the Feast of First Fruits, the 17th of Nisan, and the Feast of Pentecost, the 6th of Sivan. The Feast of Pentecost is associated with the birth of Israel and the giving of the Law in Exodus 19.  It is also called the Feast of Revelation. Another name for the Feast of Pentecost is Hag Ha Kazir, The Feast of Harvest, since it is celebrated at the time of the "first harvest." A study of the Feast of Pentecost is not complete without a review of the Book of Ruth. The Jewish observance of the Feast of Weeks has always included the reading of this particular book.  It is challenging to note the interesting parallels relating to the Church. This elegant love story exemplifies the role of the goel, or kinsman-redeemer.  As we examine Boaz's role, we notice that he, in many ways, pre-figures our own kinsman-redeemer, Christ Jesus.  Through his act of redemption, Boaz returns Naomi, a type of Israel, to her land, and also takes Ruth, a Gentile, as his wife. This suggests a parallel with the Church as the Gentile bride of the kinsman-redeemer. The Feasts of Israel, set by God, are not only commemorative, in a historical context, but are also prophetic of our Lord an d Savior.     What Does the Bible Say About...?   In this section of the Reflections Newsletter we answer questions that have been asked.  If you have a question that you would like ask, and do not mind having it printed in the newsletter, (your name will not be mentioned), feel free to send your question in an email to me at biblequestions@reflecthisglory.org.  Of course, you may call me anytime by phone at 801.302 -1111. The question for this issue is, "Could you discuss the church at Sardis, mentioned in the Book of Revelation?" Sardis was a commercial and industrial city known for textiles and jewelry.  It was an inland city in the ancient kingdom of Lydia, which is now the western-most section of the Asian portion of the modern nation of Turkey.  Croesus, the ruler of Lydia, is said to have minted the world's first coins in Sardis.  Lydia fell to Cyrus the Great of Persia in 546 BC.  Like much of the Middle East, it then progressed through the hands of the Greeks, and finally to the Romans, under whose control it was when John wrote the Book of Revelation. Sardis had lost most of its earlier notoriety by the early days of the Christian church.  An earthquake had destroyed the city in AD 17, but it was quickly rebuilt.  Remains have been found in Sardis of temples to the Greek gods Artemis and Zeus, and also of a Christian church that is said to have been constructed before the fourth century AD. In Revelation 3:1-6, the Lord Jesus criticized the church at Sardis for being "dead", dull, lifeless, and empty.  Without the energy and spiritual vision necessary to grow, any church would stagnate and eventually die.  However, the Lord recognized that there was still a remnant of strength in the church at Sardis.  He enjoined them to "strengthen the things that remain, that are ready to die" (Revelation 3:2).  He did not want them to be unprepared for Him when He returned (Revelation 3:3, also see 1 John 2:28).  Christ Jesus offered them a three-point plan for achieving this worthy goal: Remember how they were first transformed to Christ Jesus, and get back to the basics of New Testament Christianity. Hold fast the truth, the only anchor for the soul in changing times. Repent of apathy, become vigilant and diligent in walking with God. The Lord speaks here to the Godly remnant of the church, still present among the unbelievers who had crept in and become the dominant force, thus leading to the churches dormancy.  For those who overcome, God promised them "white raiment," the symbol of righteousness given to the children of God.  This theme is repeated in the description of the Marriage of the Lamb, found in Revelation 19:7-9.   **MEMORY VERSE OF THE MONTH** The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. Psalm 118:14  KJV ER   We solicit your prayers and support of this ministry. God Bless. If you received this email from a friend, you can get a FREE subscription by signing up at enews@reflecthisglory.org. You received this newsletter by request from Reflect His Glory, a co-ministry with Creation Science Ministries. 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"Then Jesus said to those Jews which believed on him,
"If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed;
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

John 8:31-32