SABBATH THOUGHT 2022-06-04—VISION OF PENTECOST
May God bless you on His Sabbath day!
Understanding the timing and purpose of Pentecost in God’s plan is important. In addition to the primary portrayal, there are always several facets (think “here a little, there a little”—Isaiah 28:10, 13) that are always inspirational. A good friend of mine would call them “golden nuggets.” But Pentecost, above all other holydays, is unique because there were two primary historical fulfillments as well as a future one. On that day, the ancient Israelites received the Law of God at Mount Sinai and, later, He baptized the first century Church with His Holy Spirit. The third fulfillment takes place at the seventh trumpet of God when Jesus Christ returns and the saints are resurrected.
However, if we only see this day from an intellectual perspective then we are missing the vision of the greatest event yet to happen in mankind’s history. Aside from Passover, it is a day that is most personal. The holydays are a timeline of God’s plan of salvation, but the sequence of events focus on Jesus Christ and the firstfruits in modern times. Only after the coming fulfillment of Pentecost will worldwide events shift to focus on the final, worldwide salvation of mankind. Think about it. Passover has been fulfilled with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Wavesheaf Offering has been fulfilled as well:
DANIEL 7:13-14 I [Daniel] saw visions in the night and, behold, One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days [God the Father], and they brought Him near before Him [on the Wavesheaf Offering]. 14 And dominion and glory was given to Him, and a kingdom, that all people, nations and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Today we cycle through the annual keeping of the Passover and the holydays anticipating the next fulfillment—the Day of Trumpets. It is the next event because the Holy Spirit was given on Pentecost in 30 A.D. However, once the first six trumpet plagues are accomplished beginning on the future Day of Trumpets, Pentecost returns to the forefront of prophecy. It is the day when the seventh and last trumpet is sounded:
REVELATION 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, and He shall reign into the ages of eternity.”
The seventh trumpet of God is blown by the angel to announce the return of the King to this earth along with His angels:
MATTHEW 26:64 Jesus said to him, “You have said it. Moreover, I say to you, in the future you shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”
MATTHEW 24:31 And He [Jesus Christ] shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet; and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Can you see this with your mind’s eye? The Son of the “Ancient of Days” appears in the sky above on clouds of heaven. (These are not earthly clouds!) It will happen! It is not a fictional tale or story to entertain children. The Lamb Himself will appear for all the world to see! We have “eternity in our hearts” (Ecc. 3:11) so our desire above all else is to see that day. Who can read the scriptures describing the events to come without a heartfelt longing and zeal?
Those who are alive at that time will be captivated by the sight in the sky. Looking up, they see Jesus Christ sitting upon a magnificent white horse and “His eyes [are] like a flame of fire, and on His head [are] many crowns. He [is] clothed with a garment dipped in blood and His name is The Word of God. Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword.” (Rev. 19:11-15 paraphrased). Many in the world will be overcome with fear and terror, but those who love God will be amazed and rejoice. No words could ever prepare someone for such a sight.
What occurs next happens “in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye” when “the dead [are] raised incorruptible.” (1 Cor. 15:52). Imagine it if you can! The next moment of your life, you are standing next to an angelic being who is shining with the glory of a spirit body. As you look around, you see thousands upon thousands of angels and saints in white robes—every one of them in radiant glory! As your bewilderment turns to joy, you realize that you are now an eternal, spirit being. No more pain or fear or worry, only a feeling of joy beyond words!
The next thing you know, the angel beside you guides your first steps as you lift off this earth, rising slowly at first, toward the cloud above that is brilliantly lit by the glory of our Savior. As you step onto it, you find yourself standing (on a cloud!) before our great and mighty King of all kings who is sitting on a beautiful white horse. I imagine that, without a word, all kneel and shout “Hallelujah” (praise Jehovah!) in unison. Who can think upon these things and not be overcome with tears of rejoicing. Salvation has come! But there is more; much more:
HEBREWS 12:22-23 But you have come to Mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem; and to an innumerable company of angels; 23 To the joyous festival gathering; and to the church of the firstborn, registered in the book of life in heaven; and to God, the Judge of all; and to the spirits of the just who have been perfected;
Traveling without the limits of space and time, the multitude of saints and angels are led by Jesus Christ to the city of our God atop the true Mount Zion, somewhere in the heavens. There, Jesus Christ will “bring [us] into the presence of [God the Father’s] own glory” (Jude 1:24).
REVELATION 14:1-2 And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb standing on Mount Sion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 Then I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of great thunder;
There, the Father of us all is sitting upon a throne in the heavenly temple, having an “appearance like a jasper stone and a sardius stone; and a rainbow was around the throne, like an emerald in its appearance” (Rev. 4:3). In front of His throne are the twenty four elders sitting upon thrones and we watch in awe and silence as they cast their crowns before the Great King and proclaim together, “Worthy are You, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power.” (Rev. 4:11). Seeing God the Father in all His glory would be a terrifying sight if we were flesh but, for the firstborn saints, it is one of incredible wonder, delight, and “exceeding joy” (Jude 1:24). Such joy cannot be put into words—it is something that only our hearts will be able to describe.
Who can imagine the reality of our arrival in the third heaven? As we look out from the top of Mount Zion, we are surrounded by the incredible vista of the vast universe of stars, galaxies of all shapes, exploding supernovae, and planets of all sizes and colors:
PSALMS 19:1-3 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech, and night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.
All of us long for the moment that we hear God speak for the first time and we will never forget it when it happens. His voice, sounding like many rushing waters and thunder all mixed together, will bring joy and peace and comfort. His words will be like a blanket of love and kindness that comforts each of His children who endured this evil world.
At some point after arriving, our loving Father personally seals each one of us by writing His name on our foreheads! From that moment on through eternity, we are the children of the Most High God. If someone were to ask who our father is, we can now say, “the high and lofty everlasting Creator God!” I can think of no greater honor than to be a son (or daughter) of God. Not just called a son of God, but to actually be His son in the spirit.
But then the time comes when our Lord Jesus Christ, standing next to His Father, calls us one by one to approach Their throne. As we stand before the throne, Jesus personally presents to each one of us a gift from both of Them—a pure, white stone with our new name written upon it in beautiful gold lettering (Rev. 2:17)! After receiving it, we look up and see the faces of God the Father and Jesus Christ shining upon us. God the Father then speaks the words our hearts longed to hear the most, “Well done, my child!” Perhaps we will exchange a holy kiss of love (1 Thes. 5:26, et al; 1 Pet. 5:14). After all have received their new names, the sound of music falls upon our ears and the words of a song appear in our minds:
REVELATION 14:2 … and I heard the sound of lyre players playing their lyres. 3 And they were singing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. And no one was able to learn the song except the hundred and forty-four thousand, who were redeemed from the earth.
What will we sing? No except Jesus Christ knows. He has reserved those words only for the firstfruits:
PSALM 40:3 And He [Jesus Christ] has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God [the Father] …
But the irresistible desire in our hearts will cause us to perfectly sing a song of praises to God the Father. We suffered and are healed! We endured and are saved! We died and are alive! We obeyed and are rewarded! We were flesh and are spirit!
Then comes the moment that God the Father presents the bride of firstfruits to His Son. The Father pronounces them Husband and wife, finalizing the marriage. God then honors all with a wedding supper:
REVELATION 19:7-9 Let us be glad and shout with joy; and let us give glory to Him; for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And it was granted to her that she should be clothed in fine linen, pure and bright; for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. 9 And he said to me, “Write: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Brethren, while I have taken poetic license in a couple of places, this is my vision and this is your vision. This is the vision of the next fulfillment of Pentecost. Hold onto this vision! Can there be anything else for us in this life? Who would trade anything for such a glory, such an honor, such a joy, and such an eternity!
May God’s grace and peace be upon you!
Steven Greene
https://sabbathreflections.org