For an explanation of how to calculate Pentecost/Feast of Weeks on the luni-solar calendar, click
here.
- "You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath that you bring the Wave-sheaf, seven Sabbaths. They must be complete. Then after the seventh Sabbath, you shall count fifty days, when you shall present a new offering to the EVER-LIVING Yahuwah. Then there shall be a holy proclamation to the public on that day; it shall be Holy of Holies to you. You shall not do any labouring work. This is an everlasting Institution, in all your dwellings, for your posterity." (Leviticus 23:15, 16 & 21, Fenton Translation)
In ancient Palestine, there were two rainy seasons. The "early rain" in the fall was for the springing up of the newly planted seed. The "latter rain" (spanning the last and first months of the year) was for ripening the harvest. This was used in scripture as a metaphor for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in special power.
Joel contains a prophecy of this special outpouring of divine power in the Holy Spirit:
- Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in Yahuwah your Elohim: for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. . . . And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My spirit. (Joel 2:23, 28, 29)
The first outpouring of the Holy Spirit, or the "early rain," occurred on Pentecost, after Yahushua's ascension back into Heaven. The night before His death, the Saviour encouraged His disciples by promising to send them the Holy Spirit which He called the "Comforter":
- And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth . . . for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. . . . The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. . . . When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me. (John 14:16, 26; 15:26)
Yahushua was thrilled at the prospect of being able to give such an immense gift to His followers. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, or Holy Breath (Strong's, #4151), the Saviour could be closer to each individual than when He was present with them! He urged, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart I will send Him unto you." (John 16:7)
After Yahushua returned to heaven, He kept His promise: He did send the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
- And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. . . . And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1, 2, 4)
The disciples recognized in this event that the promised Comforter was the "early rain" foretold by the prophet, Joel.
- But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and heartken to my words: . . . this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith Elohim, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy. (Acts 2:14, 16-18)
The power of Peter's sermon, uttered after he had received the "early rain" of the Holy Spirit was such that "the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:41)
This is but a faint representation of the power of the "latter rain" when the Holy Spirit is again poured out before the close of probationary time to prepare a people for the Second Coming. At that time the whole earth will be lightened with the knowledge of the glory (character) of Elohim. (See Revelation 18:1.)
