Pt 10    ROME’S VATICAN: Papal Ascent to International Fame & Rule

The Papacy Calls the Nations to Pagan Practices During His Three & One-Half Years of Rule

Horns in the Hebrew prophecies symbolize both countries and political leaders.  Daniel 7:8 says, “While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it.” Daniel then wrote the “little horn” took on human qualities—the “eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully.”  Prophecy is saying “take notice”; a very “little country” will produce a boastful and very powerful leader.  The little horn will rise to power among ten larger horns (Western European Union—Point 7) and will emerge simultaneously as three European countries are shattered by immeasurable holocaust.

In Daniel 7:5, the prophet had just introduced the political Bear, which we have identified as Russia (Point 5).  The Bear is raised up in battle mode and is told to “get up and eat your fill of [human] flesh.” The “three ribs between its teeth” suggests Russia has consumed the flesh of three nations to the bone, indicating the launch of a massive attack on Western Europe.  Although three countries will experience holocaust, the remaining nations will unite for survival.  In the heart of Europe, the Holy See of Rome, Italy, the smallest of nations, will emerge as the unifying force on the heels of catastrophe and supernatural miracles.

All eyes will look to Rome to bring stability out of chaos.  Gifted with intelligence and wisdom, the papal leader will be the peacemaker in the midst of global turmoil.  Christianity will rule the day, but it will be a counterfeit religion of pagan origins, containing a mixture of fact and fiction.

Daniel’s curiosity was evident.  He wrote, “then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast [Western European Union], which was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze claws—the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head [ten prominent nations of the WEU] and about the other horn that came up [Vatican], before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully. As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom. He [the angel] gave me [Daniel] this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. The ten horns are ten kings [of the Western European Union—WEU] who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise [Antichrist], different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time [1,260 days]. But the Court [in Heaven] will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever,” (Daniel 7:19-26).

Several hundred years ago, great heroes of the Reformation challenged Catholicism, the official religion of the Roman Empire during the Dark Ages; they exposed her false teachings.  All the Reformers from Luther and Calvin to Knox and the rest of their contemporaries were convinced the errors of the Roman Catholic Church represented the great apostasy foretold in the prophecies.  However, today Protestant leaders have forgotten the great struggle to break free from Rome’s fallacious rule.  A spirit of compromise has swept through Christianity as Protestants unite with Catholics against abortion and other societal ills.  This cooperation has increased in recent decades, involving some evangelical denominations that once warned against Rome’s creeds.  However, the traditions of Catholicism, which the Pope heads today, are far from the biblical teachings of the disciples, the early church and martyrs of the faith.  Instead, the ancient paganism of Rome survives under the guise of Christian terminology and religious rite.  The Good News that Jesus Christ offers is not salvation by church association or the Eucharist.  “It is by grace you have been saved—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not of works, so that no one can boast,” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Lust for Power

On July 10, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI ignited controversy around the world by approving a document, Responses, saying non-Catholic Christian communities are either defective or not true churches, and the Roman Catholic Church provides the only true path to salvation.  “Christ ‘established here on earth’ only one church,” said the document, reasserting the primacy of Catholicism. 

The document confirmed that other Christian communities such as Protestants “cannot be called ‘churches’ in the proper sense” since they don’t have what’s known as apostolic succession—that is, the ability to trace their bishops back to the original 12 apostles of Jesus.[1]  

Samuele Bacchiocchi, Ph. D., wrote in his monthly publication, “The origin of this traditional Catholic view is traced back to Pope Boniface VIII. In his Bull, Unam Sanctam (A.D. 1302) Boniface declared: “There is one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, and that outside this Church there is neither salvation nor remission of sins… The only conclusion that can be drawn is that he [Pope Benedict XVI] has no interest in pursuing ecumenism.  The ongoing dialogue that he is promoting with all the major denominations… is designed to persuade other Christians to become Roman Catholics.  Evidently this is the Pope’s approach to other Churches, which is not ecumenism, but proselytism… Times Online, a leading British news source, wrote: “Protestants at the extreme evangelical end of the Anglican spectrum accused Rome of a ‘lust for power,’ while welcoming the honesty of the document [Response].”  “Indeed, credit must be given to Benedict XVI for clearly stating in two major documents, Dominus Iesus and Responses, his exclusivistic view of the Catholic Church as the only true church that offers the means of salvation. Such preposterous claim is clearly negated by Scripture that teaches us that salvation is not a dispensation of the church, but a disposition of the believer… This is the challenge that Protestants face today, namely, to stop being politically correct by trying to make the Catholic Church appear as a legitimate Christian Church, and to start exposing the unbiblical, heretical, and pagan origin of most Catholic beliefs and practices. This is a formidable challenge for many Protestant Churches that have stopped protesting, because they have become victim of religious relativism. Benedict XVI has been honest in stating his exclusivistic view of the Catholic church. This calls for an honest response, by telling the pope that he is the embodiment of arrogance and intolerance, lusting for power, rather than for an understanding of Bible truths.”[2]

The Eucharist is the focus of the Roman Catholic faith and is the central component of the Mass—the sacrament of sacraments. The Church of Rome regards the doctrine of the Eucharist and Christ’s real body and blood in the bread and wine to be of utmost importance. Failure to acknowledge this truth is considered grave sacrilege by Rome. The official Catechism of the Catholic Church leaves no doubt on this point.

“The Eucharist is the ‘source and summit of the Christian life.’ The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and oriented toward it.”[3] “The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice.”[4]  “For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist.  Sacrilege is a grave sin especially when committed against the Eucharist, for in this sacrament the true Body of Christ is made substantially present for us.”[5]  This mystical view cannot be substantiated in the Word of God, but is a mere tradition of the church.

Added to Rome’s abominations is the practice of idolatry.  Idolatry is often compared to spiritual adultery in the Scriptures.  Bowing down to idols and the worship of any gods except the Creator, who made heaven and earth, is the gravest of sins.  Jeremiah’s condemnation of the Israelites for having “committed adultery with stone and wood [idols]” (Jeremiah 3:9) reveals God’s hatred of this pagan practice.  Roman Catholicism has ignored the second commandment forbidding idolatry (Exodus 20:4-6).  The worship of the “Virgin Mary” by kissing and bowing down before her womanly images has become a dominant practice in the Catholic faith.  Marian worship and prayers to Mary will become a prevailing theme of the last days, rising to worldwide prominence.  Catholic art and literature often depict Jesus as a helpless child in the arms of Mary, Mother of God. 

At Fatima, Portugal, in the middle of the 1920’s, several visions of the supposed “Mother of God” appeared to three small children; these visions would later have a great influence upon the lifework of Pope John Paul II.  On several occasions the apparition of Mary had the “child Jesus” by her side.  Mary asked for devotion to her immaculate heart, and promised if people would do what she told them, many souls would be saved, and there would be peace.  Similar Marian apparitions continue to this day around the globe. These are the work of demonic powers teaching falsehoods.  These seducing spirits will show themselves with increased activity during the final days of earth’s history.

Certainly Rome is reviving as a geo-political powerhouse.  Today, all the major nations of the world, including the United States, have ambassadors and diplomatic exchange with the Holy See of Italy.  Why this attention to such a small religious nation?  The heads of state recognize the Pope exerts a powerful influence, in many ways greater than their own.  Catholicism’s 900 million subjects and enormous wealth bring the nations to her doorstep.  Catholics are found in nearly every country, and they comprise an international network that reaches into the inner circles of the world’s great power brokers.   If a Vatican leader rules the nations, what will the last Pope of human history be like?  Will he wield his power as infallible and absolute, to which no dissension is allowed?  What happens when one man is released from all the restraint of publicity and unrestricted by the formalities of law?  Will his intentions ultimately be for good or evil?  The Bible says for evil.

Indeed, over the course of many centuries, the Church of Rome has produced just and virtuous Popes.  Nevertheless, one prophecy writer states, “Even Catholic historians admit that many of the Popes were among the most inhuman monsters to walk this earth.  In Vicars of Christ, Jesuit Peter de Rosa reminds us that Pope after Pope engaged in mayhem and murder, pillage, rape, incest, sodomy, and corruption of the worst sort. Their evil lives are a blot upon the pages of history.  It is a travesty to refer to such shameless perverts and master criminals as “His Holiness” or “Vicar of Christ,” as they all are in official Roman Catholic dogma and documents.”[6]

The Inquisition, under the direction of Pope Paul III in 1542, is the name of the spiritual court of the Roman Catholic Church for the detection and punishment of those whose opinions differed from the doctrines of the Church.  The death penalty was enforced against heretics of the Church.  Countless individuals who opposed the infallible Papal power were tortured, chained and burned at the stake.  It has been noted that in Spain, France and Holland alone, the Catholic Inquisition, under the direction of Rome, brought the death of nearly a million individuals. 

Daniel points out the little horn (Vatican) will rise to power at the end of time.  The fourth beast (Western European Union), from which the little horn emerges geographically, will spread terror and tread heavily upon God’s people.  The little horn is specifically cited for its persecution and killing of the saints.  The Pope will also “try to change the set times [Festival days] and the laws, including Hebrew rites and ceremonies.  The saints will be handed over to him [for mistreatment and death] for a time, times and half,” meaning 1,260 days (Daniel 7:25). 

Daniel was told the little horn will grow in strength to the south and east from Rome, Italy. Therefore, most, if not all, of three European countries the Russian Bear will destroy may sit south and east from Rome, i.e. France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece. Eventually Palestine, the Beautiful Land, will be in Antichrist’s grasp[7].  Nevertheless, the Court in Heaven will sit in session with the evidence before them and will come to the conclusion that Papal power over Planet Earth must be stripped away and completely destroyed forever.    

Daniel 8:23-25 states that Antichrist will be seen as a “stern-faced” [determined] ruler and a “master of intrigue,” indicating a high level of intelligence with powerful communication and language skills.  His strong leadership and spell-binding character will help rally this chaotic planet to renewed team-work.  His spiritual savvy will quell the fear of continued disaster.  Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, and even some elements of Islam and other world religions will fall in line behind his dynamic leadership.  But with him the great errors of paganism will come, which include Papal infallibility, purgatory, the Eucharist, the rosary, the worship of the dead and the worship of Mary, to name a few.  Near the end of the appointed schedule, the Papacy will make a covenant with Israel, but will quickly break his agreement by putting an end to the religious rites and daily worship at the Temple Mount area.  His plans will include setting up the abomination which will bring idolatry to Jerusalem (Daniel 9:27).

Daniel 11:21-45 gives chilling details of the Papal plans.  As the ruler of the North, he will position himself to move into Israel for complete control with international armies.  Even though a man of Jewish descent, he will be “against the Holy Covenant.”  He will show favor to those who forsake God’s commandments. 

“One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound [nuclear attack from Russia], but the fatal wound had been healed [through demonic miracles]. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. Men worshiped the dragon [Satan] because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?” (Revelation 13:3-8). The beast was given a mouth [by Satan] to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for 42 months [1,260 days]… He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb [Messiah ben Joseph] that was slain from the creation of the world.”  Lucifer will give Antichrist and his political stronghold “his power and his throne and great authority” through many deceitful miracles.  Men, women and children will feel compelled to worship him.  His supernatural awakening and rise to power will be an overwhelming temptation to the masses: “They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness,” (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).

Jesus said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18).  Lucifer is the “prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2, KJV) and is “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4) who influences heads of state and leaders of false religions.  He is “the accuser of our brothers” (Revelation 12:10) who “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour,” (1 Peter 5:8).

Through his ordained agents, Satan will erect a statue of worship[8] on behalf of the worldwide community; then the False Prophet, through demonic power, will champion a terrible hoax.  He will “give breath to the image [that is, cause the stone to seemingly come to life]… so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed,” (Revelation 13:18).  Apparitions (ghosts) and demonic spirits already cause statues to bleed, weep tears and exude oil.  Soon they will purportedly see, hear and walk.  This will charm the masses and create an overpowering religious trap in the last days. Although warned against this idolatrous worship, sinners still would “not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood

idols that cannot see or hear or walk,” (Revelation 9:20).  Miraculous manifestations from statues are not signs from God, but demonic trickery.  We would do well to heed the candid testimony from Jesus to repent of such activities and beliefs.  We cannot be safe in the presence of religious idols.

Mystery Code 666

Revelation offers a fascinating number riddle associated with Antichrist (meaning, “opposing-messiah”), the number of his name—666, which we are admonished (or more literally “challenged”) to calculate. Revelation 13:18 says, “This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666.”  The King James reads, “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”  

This one mysterious verse exposing the 666 code has captured the mind and imagination of Bible students, scholars and teachers throughout the centuries.  When YHVH hides the meaning, no man can know it.  But when His hand is removed, all men can see it, if they so desire.  Jesus has revealed a vital warning through His prophet John.  God is “declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done” (Isaiah 46:10).  

English is one of the most widely used and globally taught languages today.  At the writing of Revelation, the English dialect and its alphabetic symbols were yet to be formed; nevertheless, today more Scriptures have been printed and distributed in English than in any other tongue.  It seems as though God’s prophetic warnings, “the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1-2) and the gospel of the kingdom, will reach around the globe during the last days through this common form of communication.  Antichrist’s name will certainly hold the secret that may be unsealed through a code of numbers in this widely used language.

The key is skillfully masked in the final number “666.”  To break the code, multiples of 6 valuations are assigned to the 26 letters of the English alphabet (A to Z), which values increase with each letter; therefore, A=1X6, B=2X6, C=3X6, and so forth.  Below are the complete alphabetical values.

The last name of “Lustiger” is offered as an example in which the letters add up to the mysterious number 666.

                      L-72 + U-126 + S-114 + T-120 + I-54 + G-42 + E-30 + R-108 = 666

Antichrist’s name will add up to 666.  However, many names equal this number, so this test is not sufficient in and of itself.  Antichrist must also meet the collective characteristics of the Biblical predictions, and in the box below are identifying traits of the man of sin.

Lucifer employs men cloaked in virtue, wisdom and religious garments to fool the masses: “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness,” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). 

Antichrist will soon be miraculously propelled to the forefront of human affairs. A religious leader from western shores of Western Europe matches the Bible criteria.  The numerical value of the eight letters of his last name equals 666.  Although the connection between name, letters and values has been made, a full disclosure is premature.  When the appointed time comes and Antichrist is given breath to speak blasphemous words, he will be revealed as the religious impostor of prophecy.

Paul wrote, “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith… and have not love, I am nothing,” (1 Corinthians 13:2).  Love ought to always be our motivation. The day will come when voices must be raised against Antichrist so as many as possible can be rescued from his delusions and spiritual deceptions.  Until that day, let peace and reason reign.  When the true Antichrist comes to power, we will join others in stating his full name and his wrong-doing.  The appointed time spoken of by the prophets will break upon us, and Antichrist will take his notable place on the world scene.  This mysterious man will become a household name, and earth’s population will bow in reverence to his rule[9].  May God help us to see him for what he is—the counterfeit messiah.

In the book, The Keys Of This Blood, published in1990, by Dr. Malachi Martin, theologian, former Jesuit and professor at the Vatican’s Pontificate Biblical Institute and devote Catholic, the author wrote that Pope John Paul II foresaw great disaster looming on the horizon, and that Russia would be the primary instigator of tragedy.  He recorded the papacy “is waiting... for an event that will fission human history, splitting the immediate past from the oncoming future.  It will be an event on public view in the skies, in the oceans, and on the continental landmasses of this planet. It will particularly involve our human sun, which every day lights up and shines upon the valleys, the mountains and the plains of this earth for our eyes.  But on the day of this event, it will not appear merely as the master star of our so-called solar system.  Rather, it will be seen as the circumambient glory of the Woman [Catholicism interprets this to be the Virgin Mary] whom the apostle describes as ‘clothed with the sun’ and giving birth to ‘a child who will rule the nations with a scepter of iron’... his ministry as the Servant of the Grand Design will then begin... he claim[s] the authority and the duty to advise, admonish and exhort all men, regardless of creed, race or ideology, on their duties to God and their due place in God’s Grand Design for the society of nations,” pages 639, 641.

Dr. Martin continues, “The Fatima message... predicts that a catastrophic change will shortly shatter any plans or designs that men may have established.  This is the era of the Fatima... God must first intervene, before John Paul’s ministry to all men can start. In [his] outlook, therefore, the Grand Design of which he is the nominated Servant is the design of divine providence to recall men to the values that derive on from belief, from religion and from divine revelation.  His is an unpleasant message and, for the moment, a thankless job.  He has to warn his contemporaries of his conviction that human catastrophe on a world scale—according to his information—is impending,” pages 656-657.

It can be said that Pope John Paul’s relentless pursuit in worldwide travel and public addresses, and his outspoken devotion to Mary, brought the Papacy and Marian worship to the forefront of minds everywhere.  As a government, the Holy See has gained greater world influence through John Paul’s untiring efforts—a cause he believed was worthy of his busy travel schedule.  

However, it is regretful that any human being—pope, priest, minister or rabbi—would take to himself the Scriptural identity of the “child” in Revelation 12, who could be no other than the divine Jesus Christ, the true Savior and ruler of mankind.

Although John Paul believed he was to be the “child who [would] rule the nations” and lead the society of nations, he died and did not fulfill his vision as the moral and spiritual leader of mankind.  This work will be given to another Papal leader through demonic intervention, and with him the gross errors of Catholicism.  

Indeed, disaster on a worldwide scale is impending[10] and the Russian Bear will be one of the key instigators of human tragedy, destroying three countries in Western Europe[11].  However, these predictions were penned over 2,000 years ago in the prophecies of Daniel, and again indicated in the book of Revelation, and are not new or divine divinations received from the Virgin Mary.  

The Papal Antichrist, highly intelligent and artful in words and conversation[12], will surely call for a return to conservative values.  Many individuals long for the preservation of unborn children, and nations of people who live by Christian ideals and standards.  However, Antichrist’s heart will be against the “Holy Covenant” (Ten Commandments), says Daniel,[13] as proclaimed at Mt. Sinai and written in stone, and Sunday laws will be enacted that will require first day observance as the Sabbath.  Protestant America may be among the first to join in this crusade of change, stretching arms across the ocean to clasp hands with Rome.

No matter the terrible state of affairs on Planet Earth, Christianity cannot be legislated or demanded of others, but must of necessity be voluntary.  The great commission says to teach, not demand.  Jesus did not use government to promote the Kingdom of God, but government used and abused Jesus.  Today, church and government must not be used to establish a worldwide religion or preside over religious conviction.  The Dark Ages attest to the evils of Christianity backed by a power-hungry church, legislation of edicts and the policing power of the state. 

It is interesting to note that in Jewish literature the legendary name given to Antichrist is Armilus.  The Encyclopedia Judaica says, “This Armilus will deceive the whole world into believing he is God and will reign over the whole world. He will come with ten kings and together they will fight over Jerusalem... Armilus will banish Israel ‘to the wilderness’ and it will be a time of unprecedented distress for Israel; there will be increasing famine, and the Gentiles will expel the Jews from their lands, and they will hide in caves and towers... God will war against the host of Armilus... and there will be a great deliverance for Israel and the kingdom of Heaven will spread over all the earth.”

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Pt. 11     SHAVUOT (Pentecost)

The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit Will Empower the Saints to Keep the Moral Law of God & Proclaim the Kingdom Message

There are many names for Pentecost. In the Scriptures the Festival is referred to as the Feast of Weeks (Exodus 34:22) and the Feast of Harvest (Exodus 23:16). The Hebrew name is Shavuot (pronounced “sha-voo-ote”). The Greek name “Pentecost” (Acts 2:1) is only found in the New Testament (Brit Hadashah).

Pentecost is a major Festival and has a dual significance, both historical and agricultural, just as Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles. In ages past, Shavuot marked the end of the barley harvest and the beginning of the wheat harvest. Today, this holiday occurs in the months of May or June, depending on the year; it is also the anniversary celebration of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.

Shavuot is the only Festival for which no specific date is given in the Bible. Rather, the Israelites were instructed to count seven weeks: “from the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks,” (Leviticus 23:15).  Counting the days from Passover to Shavuot is called the “Counting of the Omer.”  The cutting of the omer of the new barley marked the beginning of the 49-day counting period, and on the fiftieth day, Pentecost was observed.  Pentecost means fiftieth, the first day of the eighth week.

Shavuot is considered to be the closing Festival of the Passover season (Exodus 34:22; Leviticus. 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:9-10). This day is further referred to as “latter firstfruits” of the spring harvest. The “early firstfruits” (barley) were waved before the LORD during the Feast of Firstfruits at Passover.  The “latter firstfruits” (wheat) were offered to the LORD during the Feast of Weeks on the Day of the Assembly (Deuteronomy 18:16).

Pentecost is a celebration to reawaken and strengthen a personal relationship with God by rededication to the observance and study of God’s Word.  YHVH, through the Messenger of the Covenant (Yeshua), revealed Himself on Mount Sinai.  The Israelites heard His voice proclaiming the Ten Commandments, and they pledged their allegiance to Almighty by saying, “We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey” (Exodus 24:7).

The book of Ruth, traditionally read on Shavuot, contains the story of Naomi, a Jewish woman whose husband and two sons die, leaving her with two Gentile daughters-in-law.  Naomi tells her sons’ widows to return to their families. One takes her advice while the other, Ruth, in a profound moment that would change her life forever, declares to her mother-in-law: “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.  May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me,” (Ruth 1:16-17).

The story takes place during the harvest season, which is often cited in Judaism as the reason for linking it to Shavuot.  Shavuot, usually translated as “weeks,” can also mean “vows,” reminding the faithful of Ruth’s vow to Naomi to live her life as a follower of God, which captures the essence of this Festival.  Ruth’s words also linked her with the ancient children of Abraham who vowed to follow the Ten Commandments.  Shavuot is then the Festival on which we may reassert our vows to God, to live a life pleasing to Him in dutiful service to our coming Savior.

Jesus proclaimed the gospel message will reach around the globe before the Day of the LORD arrives.  “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come,” (Matthew 24:14).  Therefore, amid great worldwide apostasy, God’s Spirit will be poured out so the righteous seekers will be enabled to teach the gospel of the kingdom and the testimony of Jesus—the guidance found in Revelation, the book of last events.  Zechariah affirms that God’s plan will not be accomplished by famous men of power or position, but by humble messengers of faith filled by the power of the Most High God that His Name might be glorified: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD,” (4:6).

The same divine power found in the early church after Pentecost, by which the salvation message was dispersed with speed, the last-day saints will be infused and propelled by the Holy Spirit.  As the visual evidence of deceptive demonic powers mounts during the last days, so will God’s Spirit be manifest with ever-increasing signs and miracles. 

The Spirit of truth will guide the faithful, who prepare in fasting and prayer for His indwelling power, to know Him intimately and to face the final trial with the hope of His soon return.  “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning," (Joel 2:12).  “When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.  He will bring glory to Me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is Mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is Mine and make it known to you," (John 16:13-15).  God’s people will be known by their spirit-filled actions: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control," (Galatians 5:22-23).

Satan, the Dragon of prophecy, will be angry with those who keep the Moral Law and follow the end-time warnings.  As it is written: “Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God’s Commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus," (Revelation 12:17).

Pentecost, ending a period of learning in order to reach the point of understanding, falls on the fiftieth day after the Passover Shabbat. This feast is a reminder and guarantee of God’s power to produce spiritual fruit in the field of human salvation. The literal first fruits of the soil are merely the physical types or expressions of the real first fruits of the Holy Spirit.  The first fruits of the Spirit are the true believers won to the God of Abraham by His Son the firstborn (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23; James 1:18; Revelation 14:4).

The ancient ceremony of presenting to Almighty the firstfruits of the earth (Deuteronomy 26:1-11) with two oven-baked loaves, representing both Jews and Gentiles, in which the leaven had been deactivated (Leviticus 23:15-17), was a figure, a type, a shadow of the spiritual harvest of human souls in whom the yeast of sin will one day cease to exist. There is coming a day when the power of sin will be rendered inoperative in believers just as the power of leaven is neutralized in an oven baked loaf.

The breathtaking experience recorded in Acts 2 of God’s wonder-working power displayed in tongues of fire represented an early harvest, a kind of “firstfruits” of an even greater out-pouring of divine influence scheduled to fall upon the believers in the near future when the main harvest, the great multitude of all nations, is to be gathered in, Jew and Gentile alike.  For the LORD has said, “I… am about to come and gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see My glory. ‘I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations… They will proclaim My glory among the nations.  And they will bring all your brothers, from all the nations, to My holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the LORD… And I will select some of them also to be priests and Levites,’ says the LORD,” (Isaiah 66:18-21).

The Feast of Harvest, in short, guarantees and commemorates the early harvest, the first fruits of human souls.  For those who reap its benefits, it is a culmination of wisdom, understanding and knowledge, by making good use of the seven weeks leading up to Shavuot.  The sin that separates us from the King must be willingly repented of and given up.  Those who prepare in fasting and prayer declares their willingness to be part of that large multitude of spiritual grain, which will one day be gathered up and presented to Almighty God by His Son.