The Shadows of Pentecost and Teruah
(their meaning and fulfillment)
God didn’t provide us with crystal clear pictures of things to come through the holy days. We could ask why would that be? They were given to us in a way that is compared to “shadows” that are not clear or well defined. In addition, many of us have learned certain ideas that minimize the shadow that does exist.
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Col 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
As a result of their hazy nature, even though we have repeatedly reviewed them, their messages have been given different interpretations.
One thing we all do know is that they represent specific essential components required to potentially bring every single person into sonship with God.
Rom 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Knowing that they are a “shadow” we look for their future specific fulfillments. Repentance, baptism, reception of the Spirit of God, and the rulership of Jesus Christ and his wife have been represented by a specific holy day. Holy days represent the principle steps resulting in the salvation of mankind. The first holy day represents the day that Israel left Egypt (a type of sin), which was a type of repentance. We have seen “repentance” in the people of God’s Church. The second holy day represents Israel going through the reed sea, which was a type of baptism. We have seen “baptisms” of people in God’s Church. On Pentecost, in the New Testament, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was in part fulfilling the third holy day. We have seen the Holy Spirit dwelling in the people of God’s Church. The feast of tabernacles, the sixth holy day, typifies the future when Jesus Christ’s will dwell with and rule over mankind. We will see Jesus Christ ruling on the earth.
It hasn’t been too difficult to recognize the meaning of those holy days. Those “shadows” were relatively well defined. The first three holy days are the foundation of salvation after one acknowledges and accepts the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Many believe that the third holy day was completely fulfilled on the Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus. And I was one of those for decades. What we received was the firstfruits of the Spirit.
Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
But when we closely examine the Old Testament verses we find no reference, representing a shadow of the indwelling of God’s Spirit in man. What we can see is that Pentecost is a feast, in the Old Testament, dedicated to “firstfruits”. But what kind of “firstfruits”? It’s the “firstfruits” of a grain harvest.
Considering these things, we will look at some of the vital details of two of the holy days or “feasts of God”. Namely “Pentecost and Teruah (commonly called feast of Trumpets).
PENTECOST
Some time ago, I was challenged to evaluate the meaning of what God revealed to us concerning Pentecost. In times past I read right over the words relating to the “Feast of Weeks”, better know as “Pentecost”. I didn’t recognize and believe the clear shadow that these words provided. Yes, in the final analysis it comes down to the element of belief. Do we believe the Word of God.
Lev 23:15 And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:
Lev 23:16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
Lev 23:17 Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.
This feast was first introduced to us in the book of Exodus.
Exo 34:22 And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end.
Considering the fact that this is a “shadow”, the outline of this shadow is fairly well defined. It is communicating to us a harvest of the first fruits. A harvest of the “first fruits” that occurs on the day of Pentecost.
We are shown in the Old Testament that there are two “first fruits” related to “grain” harvests. The the first fruit of the barley harvest which takes place on “wave-sheaf” Sunday and the wheat harvest that takes place on Pentecost
I believe that it would be appropriate to consider the barley harvest being the first grain harvest. We know that a sheaf of this harvest was a type of Jesus Christ.
Exo 23:19 The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God.
Lev 23:10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:
Lev 23:11 And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.
1Cor 15:23 speaks of Jesus being the firstfruit of a harvest. It is well known that harvest was the barley harvest. In addition it speaks of the resurrection of the saints.
1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
We know that Jesus is not the only one referred to as a first fruit. Those of the Church of God are also referred to as firstfruit.
Jam 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Jam 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
We are told that we should be a kind of first fruits. Of what harvest are we the first fruits of? Exodus 34:22 is in reference to the firstfruit of the wheat harvest that is commemorated on the day of Pentecost. Revelation 14:4 is explicit in identifying who the firstfruits are.
Rev 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
There is more that leads us to understanding. The shadow, in Old Testament, on Pentecost, is referring to a future grain harvest. The New Testament has something to say about the actual harvest of these firstfruits”.
Rev 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
Jesus himself will come in the clouds to do the reaping (gathering) as he sits on the cloud. It is very clear that Jesus in not riding on a white horse at this time.
Rev 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
Rev 14:16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
It is a grain harvest occurring prior to the prophesied “wrath of God”. This harvest is in contrast with the gathering of the grapes for the wine press.
Rev 14:18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
Rev 14:19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
An angel gathers the “grapes”.
The grain harvest, reaped by Jesus Christ is in reference to a people. Which people? The answer is the saints, whether alive or in their graves. They will be “harvested” prior to the gathering of the people that will be thrown into the wine press.
Lev 23:17 and Ex 34:22 has shown us that the two loaves of the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, on Pentecost, is really the only thing that can represent a shadow of things to come. And we have seen that there is a harvest of firstfruits in the future. We can conclude that this harvest pictures the resurrection of the saints and that it occurs on the day of Pentecost.
A very important related factor is that this understanding sets aside the idea that the resurrection of the saints occurs on the 1st day of the 7th month or as it is called by many “the feast of trumpets”. So then what can the shadow of the 1st day of the 7th month reveal to us.
TERUAH
It is time to look at look at Lev 23:24-25
Lev 23:24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.
Lev 23:25 Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
It would be difficult for the shadow for that day to be any more obscure. Especially when the words “blowing of trumpets” is a devastating mistranslation. The following is Gesenius’ definition for this singularly important word.
blowing of trumpets,8643
H8643 terû‛âh ter-oo-aw' (1) prop. Tumult, loud noise, specially—(a) joyful noise, rejoicing – (b) a warlike cry, cry for battle (2) the sound of a trumpet, Lev.25:9 (on the day of jubilee)
The word “teruah” was used 38 times. Silver trumpets were mentioned twice in connection with teruah,to announce the relocation of the camp of Israel. One verse speaks of a shofar that is used to signal (teruah sound) the year of jubilee. There are two times that "teruah" is associated exclusively with a sound of a trumpet as an alarm. The rest of the time that it is used, it refers to a shout either directly or indirectly.
Of the 38 times when the word “teruah” is used there is never a time that explicitly connects its use to the sound of a trumpet except for the five times that have been mentioned. A teruah may be accompanied with a trumpet sound, as the example will show, but NEVER as the unequivocal sound of a trumpet except for those five times.
1Ch 15:28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting (teruah), and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.
There are those that may recognize the name of Nehemia Gordon as one of today’s better known Hebrew scholars. He simply states that the Torah commands us to observe the holy day of Yom Teruah which means “Day of Shouting” in his paper titled Yom Teruah.
The instruction for the 1st day of the 7th month only mentions that it is a memorial a day of teruah (shouting) and that an offering “made by fire”, a burnt offering, is sacrificed. No mention of it being a day of harvesting.
The shouting in the use of “teruah” in the Bible comes in three forms;
(1) going into battle (2) in exuberance (3) in joyfulness
The fact that it is a “memorial” is of great help to us. This is the only annual holy day that is specifically named as a memorial. Because of this, the following verses will show that the use of teruah, as being a loud cry going into battle, could having nothing to do with the fulfillment of this holy day.
Isa 2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Following verses in the 43rd chapter of Isaiah provide an inspiring picture of the end time and some instruction concerning Israel’s turbulent history.
Verses 5 & 6 describes Israel’s gathering and return to their own land after their time of trouble.
Verse 10 speaks about those who “actually” know and believe Jesus. By the end of the time of tribulation, those will include the “remnant” and, of course, the saints.
Verses 16&17 reflects on a part of that troublesome history (Pharaoh and his army).
Verses 18&19 give some clear instruction and some blessings to be given to Israel.
The gathering
Isa 43:5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;
Isa 43:6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
Those of understanding
Isa 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
Some history.
Isa 43:16 Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and
a path in the mighty waters;
Isa 43:17 Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow (a wick).
Instruction for the future.
Isa 43:18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Isa 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
The context of things that are not to remembered are the military related tribulations of Israel (including Pharos aggression). This includes the use of the chariot and horse and the army and the power against Israel. In other words, the reference is to warfare. If Israel is not to remember these things then how can they be memorialized? This limits the shadow of the day to represent either exuberant or joyful shouting. This disqualifies war cries as something to be memorialized.
It is so interesting that there is instruction, relating to the “former things of old”, that is elsewhere mentioned. This time the instruction for those former things is that it is something to be remembered.
Isa 46:6 They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.
Isa 46:7 They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
Isa 46:8 Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.
Isa 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Eze 20:42 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers.
Eze 20:43 And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.
Eze 20:44 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
I have included the verses that instructs the millennial Israel to “remember her sinning ways” to point up the fact that there are parts of Israel’s history that God specifically wants them to remember or not to remember. There is no mention that Israel is to memorialize her sinning ways, simply remember them.
We have seen that a battle cry that is associated to warfare is not to be remembered. If it is not to be remembered how can it be memorialized? Yet the Day of Teruah is a day that is a memorial.
What then is left of the ways teruah is used? Exuberant shouts and shouts of joy remain.
There is only one time in the future that the shadow of the Day of Teruah is revealed in the New Testament. At this time the meaning of teruah is perfectly fulfilled. Not just perfectly fulfilled, but fulfilled in a way that exceeds the power of all the other instances of its use in the entire Bible. The shadow of this day reveals that it is to be memorialized. It is reasonable to consider that this day will be remembered in perpetuity. Particularly when the significance of the responsibility of the “wife” of Jesus Christ is understood.
Rev 19:5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
Rev 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
For a much more in depth study please go to:
From Pentecost to Teruah The Day Of “Teruah”
The Bride of Christ Her Abode and Her Destiny