Dear Saints,

Tomorrow (Sunday, June 4) is an important day on the Christian calendar. 
To our Jewish friends it's known from ancient times as SHAVOUT, "The
Festival of Weeks".  Among our more liturgical brethren, it is sometimes
called WHITSUNTIDE or WHITSUNDAY.  Biblically, of course, it IS the Feast
of Weeks, sometimes called the Feast of Harvest or the Feast of
First-Fruits, more commonly known to us as the FEAST OF PENTECOST, the
second of the three Great Feasts of God's Israel, the others being
Passover and Tabernacles.

The word "Pentecost" ("Pfingsten" in German), is from the Greek word
Pentekoste, meaning "the fiftieth" day after the Resurrection of Christ,
the true Passover Lamb.  The "Feast of Weeks" in the Hebrew is Shavout,
which means means 7 weeks (or 49 days) between the great Feast of
Passover and the observance of the second Great Feast ON the 50th day. 
Pentecost was and is the fulfillment of that great Feast, the descent of
the Holy Ghost and the enduement with power from on high unto all who
call upon Him, "for He shall baptize YOU with the Holy Ghost".

In early church history, large numbers of new believers were
traditionally baptized in water on "Pentecost Sunday".  They wore white
garments, hence the term "White Sunday" or WHITSUNTIDE or WHITSUNDAY, a
term still widely employed among more liturgical believers.  Some still
like to have water baptisms on the Day of Pentecost.  The real Baptism on
the Day of Pentecost was the mighty Baptism in the Holy Ghost and Fire.

In later centuries in Italy, it became customary to scatter rose petals
from the ceiling of the churches to recall the miracle of the fiery
tongues of Pentecost.  They called it PASCHA ROSATUM.  Unfortunately, as
happens all-too-frequently, the fire must have gone out, and well meaning
folks replaced the Baptism of Fire with rose petals gently falling from
the ceiling, something like "raindrops falling on my head".  Good
theatre, but not much Spirit.  God send the Holy Ghost Fire and baptize
every one!!!

I've just been re-reading George Warnock's FEAST OF TABERNACLES.  To fail
to understand God's thinking on these three Great Feasts - Passover,
Pentecost, and Tabernacles - is to miss the heart of the Bible and God's
great heart.  When you get a moment or two, take a fresh look at Chapter
5, THE FEAST OF PENTECOST, pages 24-29.  You'll be inspired, again. 
(Published by Sharon Schools, and available upon request.)

I hope these few thoughts from the historical perspective will bless your
heart today.  Happy Shavout.  Bless-ed Pentecost.  Have a good
Whitsuntide.  Celebrate with joy and thanksgiving.  He is Lord.

Br. Terry Miller
A Servant of the Church,
which is His Body.