Do You Hunger & Thirst for Pentecost?
Talk of It, Pray for It, Preach about It
Study to Show | Present Truth part 10
1. What did Jesus say to His disciples? John 14:6
2. Where can we find the way of Jesus? Psalm 77:13
In this lesson, we will study the fourth of the seven Biblical feasts in the sanctuary, namely the feast of Pentecost. It is also called the Feast of Weeks. See Leviticus 23:15, 16, 22 and Deuteronomy 16:9, 10.
3. What was the day and month for the Passover feast? Leviticus 23:5
4. What was the day and month for the feast of Unleavened Bread? Leviticus 23:6
5. What was the day and month for the feast of Firstfruits (Wave Sheaf)? Leviticus 23:9-11
Note: The Firstfruits was a small portion, or wave sheaf, or a handful of the harvest that the people gave to the priest to present before God in the sanctuary.
6. How many days did the Hebrews have to wait before they could reap the harvest? Leviticus 23:15,16,22
7. What title was given to Jesus after His resurrection? 1 Corinthians 15:20,23
Note: In the time period of Moses, grains from the plant kingdom comprised the Firstfruits.
8. During the time of the first advent of Jesus, who did the Firstfruits represent? 1 Corinthians 15:20,23; James 1:18
Note: In the time period of Moses, the harvest that occurred 50 days after the Firstfruits was comprised of food from the plant kingdom.
9. During the time of the first advent of Jesus, who did the harvest represent? Matthew 9:36-38; Luke 10:2, 5-7
10. How long did Jesus tarry with His disciples, after His resurrection as Firstfruits? Acts 1:1-3
11. What did Jesus say to the disciples before they could evangelize the world? Acts 1:4, 5, 8
12. How long did Jesus tarry with the disciples before His ascension? Acts 1:3,9-11
13. Where did the disciples go in order to prepare and wait for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? Acts 1:12,13
14. What day arrived? What was poured out upon the disciples, while they were in the upper-room? Act 2:1-4
15. What was the result of the apostles preaching on the day of Pentecost? Acts 2:40,41
Note: Pentecost is the New Testament name for the Old Testament feast (Feast of Weeks) that occurred 50 days after the Firstfruits.
Jesus tarried with the disciples for 40 days. The disciples were in the upper-room for approximately 10 days, before Pentecost arrived. Pentecost, contextually, means fifty days.
16. What did the apostles say in order to explain the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost? Acts 2:32, 33
17. What ministry does Jesus perform at the right hand of God? Romans 8:34
18. What is Jesus’ title as He conducts the ministry of intercession for His people? Hebrews 7:24,25
19. Which high priest was a type or an example of Jesus? Hebrews 5:4-6
20. Who received the dew, once Aaron was anointed as high priest? Psalm 133:2-3
21. Who does the mountain of Zion represent? Isaiah 51:16; Isaiah 10:24
22. What does the dew represent? Job 38:28; 1 Kings 17:1; Deuteronomy 32:2
23. What does the rain, the water that God pours down from above, represent? Isaiah 44:3, 4
Note: Once Jesus was anointed as high priest in the heavenly sanctuary, the disciples received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.
24. Why was the Holy Spirit not yet poured out upon God’s people? John 7:39
25. What title was given to Jesus once the Father glorified Him, as Aaron was glorified? Hebrews 5:4-6
The Acts of the Apostles, 38: Christ’s ascension to heaven was the signal that His followers were to receive the promised blessing. For this they were to wait before they entered upon their work. When Christ passed within the heavenly gates, He was enthroned amidst the adoration of the angels. As soon as this ceremony was completed, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in rich currents, and Christ was indeed glorified, even with the glory which He had with the Father from all eternity. The Pentecostal outpouring was Heaven’s communication that the Redeemer’s inauguration was accomplished. According to His promise He had sent the Holy Spirit from heaven to His followers as a token that He had, as priest and king, received all authority in heaven and on earth, and was the Anointed One over His people. {AA 38.3}
26. What was foretold to be the spiritual condition of the people, in order to receive the Holy Spirit? Psalm 133:1
27. What was the spiritual condition of the disciples when the day of Pentecost arrived? Acts 1:14; Acts 2:1
28. Primarily, with whom should we be in one accord, so that He will declare us as brethren? Hebrews 2:11
29. Read and meditate upon the following statements and write down your thoughts.
The Acts of the Apostles, 37: The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet men and in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners to Christ. Putting away all differences, all desire for the supremacy, they came close together in Christian fellowship. They drew nearer and nearer to God, and as they did this they realized what a privilege had been theirs in being permitted to associate so closely with Christ. {AA 37.1}
The Acts of the Apostles, 37: These days of preparation were days of deep heart searching. The disciples felt their spiritual need and cried to the Lord for the holy unction that was to fit them for the work of soul saving. They did not ask for a blessing for themselves merely. They were weighted with the burden of the salvation of souls. They realized that the gospel was to be carried to the world, and they claimed the power that Christ had promised. {AA 37.2}
The Acts of the Apostles, 37: During the patriarchal age the influence of the Holy Spirit had often been revealed in a marked manner, but never in its fullness. Now, in obedience to the word of the Saviour, the disciples offered their supplications for this gift, and in heaven Christ added His intercession. He claimed the gift of the Spirit, that He might pour it upon His people. {AA 37.3}
30. The feast of Firstfruits was intimately linked with what succeeding feast? Leviticus 23:10, 11, 15, 16, 22
31. In Revelation 14:1, 4, 15, what two groups are mentioned in the time period of the Mark of the Beast crisis, Revelation 14:9,10 and the second coming of Jesus? Revelation 14:14-16?
32. What did the disciples need in order to evangelize the world and gather in the harvest of souls between the feast of Firstfruits and Pentecost? Acts 1:8
33. What does Christ’s messengers need in order to call people from Babylon into the truth of Jesus, before they receive the seven last plagues at the Mark of the Beast crisis Revelation 14:9, 10; Revelation 15:1; Revelation 18:1-4
The Great Controversy, 611: The work will be similar to that of the Day of Pentecost. As the “former rain” was given, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the opening of the gospel, to cause the upspringing of the precious seed, so the “latter rain” will be given at its close for the ripening of the harvest…The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening. {GC 611.3}
The Great Controversy, 612: Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. {GC 612.1}
The Great Controversy, 612: The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. Family connections, church relations, are powerless to stay them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord’s side. {GC 612.2}
Note: The outpouring of the Holy Spirit that occurred on the day of Pentecost will be repeated in these last days. However, it will be greater.
34. Read and meditate upon the following statements and write down your thoughts.
The Acts of the Apostles, 50: Since this is the means by which we are to receive power, why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit? Why do we not talk of it, pray for it, and preach concerning it? The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who serve Him than parents are to give good gifts to their children. For the daily baptism of the Spirit every worker should offer his petition to God. Companies of Christian workers should gather to ask for special help, for heavenly wisdom, that they may know how to plan and execute wisely. {AA 50.2}