Chag sameach Shavu'ot kol beit Yisra'el and mishpachah. Welcome to to this annual Shavu'ot, Feast of Weeks or 'Pentecost' [1] assembly, also known as Chag haAtzif or the Feast of Ingathering (Ex.34:22), Reshit Bikkurim or the Feast of Latter Firstfruits, Chetzir Kittim or Feast of the [Wheat] Harvest (Ex.23:16), the Day of the Congregation (Dt.18:16) and D'vrei haB'rit or the Day of the Giving of the Covenant (Ex.34:28). For a one-day festival it has many names, all of which tell us that this is an important day because many things have happened or are happening on it simultaneously.

Shavu'ot is the 'hinge' or 'bridge' festival of Messianic Israel, connecting the three spring festivals to the three autumnal (fall) festivals. This year, it must be especially noted, that Shavu'ot falls in the Yovel or Jubilee Year, making it even more important to the Body of Messiah. Finally, it falls in the season of Yahweh's Judgment which will almost certainly be coming to a head this biblical year. No such judgment will be witnessed again until the Final Judgment and Second Coming of our Messiah.

Before sitting down to prepare today's sermon I did something I have never done before: I sat down and read all the sermons I have ever preached, and all the articles I have ever written, on the subject of Shavu'ot, most of them quite lengthy. Together they amounted to about 30 writings. I also took the opportunity to update some of these with the things we have learned since I first started writing on the festivals back in 1998 when the Ruach (Spirit) convicted us to obey all of Torah and not just those parts approved of by Evangelicals.

Back then we didn't know anything about the Creation Calendar or the errors of Judaism that has transferred, pretty much lock, stock, and barrel - to Messianism. Not until we realised that Shavu'ot was a late summer festival and not a late spring one (the Omer Count being, in fact, seven sabbaths plus 50 days after Yom haBikkurim (Day of Firstfruits) and not just the 50 days of rabbinic tradition) did the giant puzzle of the festivals start falling into place and the wonderment of divine tavnith (pattern) become apparent to us. Jewish tradition had left the festivals distorted and mangled but now we could finally see the spiritual symmetry and the true and increedible relationship between law and grace.

Last year at Shavu'ot Yahweh showed me a vision of a burning scroll and written on the inside were the words, 'What I Believe' [2]. For the past year I have gone through the decidedly uncomfortable but necessary exercise of allowing all my uncertainties, doubts and fears arise and to face square on what I really believe in my heart-of-hearts and not what I think the Scriptures expect me to believe. To put it another way, I have let my heart have full expression even when it has contradicted what my head or intellect believes.

Shavu'ot is a dividing line, a hinge, a bridge, a star-gate, a crossing-over point. At it, we enter covenants of obedience to Yahweh, both to what is clearly written and expected in the Davar (Word), on the one hand, and on the other, to whatever else Yahweh may expect of us that we, as of yet, know absolutely nothing about [3]. However you want to put it, this is radical emunah (faith). How many of you would sign a contract, agreeing to all its terms, with half of them concealed from you? But that is the nature of the emunah (faith) that Yahweh expects of us as His talmidim (disciples). The Parable of the Workers is, in part, an illustration of this enormous trust that Yahweh asks us to exercise toward Him - the first workers had a fixed contract with terms and wages strictly stipulated, but the second - those who entered the Vineyard late in the day - agreed to none, trusting their Employer to pay them fairly. He did more than that - in paying the late workers the same amount as those earlier ones who had worked twice as much, or even more, Yah'shua (Jesus) demonstrated something else: radical grace or undeserved loving kindness. And radical grace defies all attempts at quantitative linking to works. It is here that the heart triumphs over the human calculator with its terms and restrictions.

Shavu'ot neatly divides the festivals into two sets of three that are reflections of one another, with the three spring festivals on one side, and the three autumn (fall) festivals on the other. The first depicts the visible events and spiritual activities of the First Coming of Messiah and the second depicts the visible events and spiritual activities of the Second Coming of Messiah. And though the first Shavu'ot in the days of Moses consisted of visible rituals, the second or New Covenant Shavu'ot in the days of the apostles and first talmidim (disciples) was marked by a totally invisible phenomenon: Yahweh manfested Himself in great power and with incredible wonders by baptising the believers with fire, performing an invisible, supernatural work on them. The Messiah came visibly, left and is now invisible, and will return visibly again, never to leave.

New Covenant Shavu'ot is an 'invisible' thing. You can look at yourself in a mirror and others can observe your behaviour and physical actions, but inside is a whole other world, connected though it obviously is to all those outer actions and behaviours. Every year my belief changes - it evolves - sometimes positively, sometimes negatively, depending on the choices - right or wrong - I make. Most of us, I am sure, never move forward 100 per cent of the time. A popular song echoes this unfortunate trait of the human condition:

"One step forward and two steps back
This kind of dance can never last."

Only in real life, when people step backwards, they don't usually take any steps forward, but under the pull of a spiritual gravitational field, keep on going back and back and back until they finally choose to go no further...though some do go all the way into darkness, as far back as a soul can go. It requires little or no effort to do that. The Prodigal Son, it seems, pretty much did that. The reverse or forward direction requires a lot of effort because when growing in the Ruach (Spirit) you are opposed by a strong Enemy current - two steps forward, and one step back, is the common cadence of our spiritual journey, and as we get stronger...as our emunah (faith) grows...so it becomes three steps forward, and one back...then four forward, and one back...and so on until we have no inclination to go back any more, Yah willing.

It takes courage to walk the walk of emunah (faith). Shavu'ot is literally like the mountain that Yahweh appeared on top of to Moses and then latterly to some of the zaqenim (elders) of Israel. Once you have got up there - once you have reached the summit - do not suppose that that is the end of the journey. It is the end of one journey and the beginning of another because you must descend into the valley below and walk to the next and final mountain...the mountain of Sukkot (Tabernacles), the Mountain of the Bride of Messiah.

What I am talking about here is the difference between the qodeshim (saints, set-apart ones) of the second and first resurrections. Sinai, and its New Covenant Parallel, is not the end of the Derech (Way). The 'Pentecostal' Anointing - it should really be called the Shavu'ot Anointing to distinguish it from the false, Torahless and lawless charismatic one that pretends to be the genuine article - is not the end of the spiritual journey of those of Yahweh's talmidim (disciples) who aspire to complete surrender and complete sanctification.

There are two broad categories of believers and they are separated by Shavu'ot (Weeks, 'Pentecost'). Chag Shavu'ot, or the Feast of Weeks, separates out those who want to be totally submitted and obedient to Yahweh and those who want to continue clinging onto a measure of self-sovereignty or fleshy independence. Chag Shavu'ot requires a decision - a decision whether to be totally obedient not only to all the written New Covenant Torah but also to be obedience to the spoken Davar (Word) given by the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit).

A two-fold covenant is therefore required. The Old Covenant Israelite talmidim (disciples) agreed to obey the written Torah before it had been written for they did not know its contents yet! They were given the opportunity to additionally be obedient to the unwritten [4] - to personal revelation by seeking Yahweh's face - but they refused that and instead chose to be obedient to everything an intermediate navi (prophet) called Moses...and his successors...told them to do. As we know from history they not only failed to obey the written Torah but they refused to listen to the nevi'im (prophets) either, preferring to murder them in order to silence them and so be left with undisturbed consciences (Mt.23:31).

We are at such a juncture today in this year of Yovel (Jubilee). I tremble at what is about to happen in the world and I shake when I think of all those Christians and Messianics who in their vanity and presumption believe they are right with Elohim (God) but who refuse to properly surrender. Why do they refuse to be fully surrendered? Because they are filled with unbelief. They are not, however, always ignorant, because unbelief is rejection of emet (truth). Yes, there are ignorant and blinded believers and Yahweh will give them every opportunity to know the emet (truth) if they want it. But not all do. Why do they not want emet (truth)? Because it will disturb their inner life with which they have grown comfortable. J.C.Ryle said:

"There is a morbid craving in the public mind for a more sensuous, ceremonial, sensational, showy worship: men are impatient of inward, invisible heart-work."

The gap between Shavuot (Weeks) and Yom Teruah (Day of Trumpets) - the day of Yah'shua's (Jesus') return - consists of two principle things, the first of which is considerably easier to do than the second. The first is continuing what we did before but with a new anointing of the Ruach (Spirit), making everything considerably easier than before, for you will all agree it is easier to live life and witness of the Besorah (Gospel) with a fiery presence of the Ruach (Spirit) than without it.

The second part is the hard part, the part few want or tolerate, and it is WAITING PATIENTY for those things which we long and hope for but which are not given to us yet, foremost of which is, of course, the Second Coming of Messiah. Most people do not like to wait because most people are too impatient. They would, if they are believers, rather get ahead of the Plan of Yahweh and do things in their own strength. The foiled attempt to attack and conquer the Promised Land in the days of Moses after the Israelites had been condemned by Yahweh for their unbelief in the report of the 12 spies is an example of this impatience - for Yahweh cannot use us in the tasks He has assigned us to until we have been adequately sanctified to do them. If you try to rush ahead, forcing people to do things to satisfy your impatience, you will be faced with defeat after defeat. You will face a recurring Kadesh-barnea, the place where the Canaanites defeated those impetuous Israelites. And if you have a Kadesh-barnea in your life, remember that 40 years had to pass before Yahweh would permit a second opportunity to enter the Promised Land.

Many in my generation have attempted it and failed spectacularly because it was the wrong time. They were not listening. They were impatient. They were unsanctified. Their motives were not pure. There are many out there claiming to be 'Moses-men' called to do a spectacular task - to restore Israel, gather the tribes, immigrate with their followers to the promised Land or to Petra in Jordan, and so on. They have prophesied and failed. They have marched confidently in their own vain-glory to the front line and been cut down by modern Canaanites. They have announced this or that only to be shamed. It has happened to me. I too have acted presumptuousaly, announcing this Day of Judgment 20 years ahead of time because I was impatient to see it happen and if I am completely honest with you, because I wanted our mission to acquire some notoriety so that we could evangelise more effectively. I got much egg on my face. I had to repent and I was forced to wait two decades until I was adequately purified and humbled before I was called to announce it again...this time on schedule. And it is only on account of Yahweh great mercy and undeserved loving-kindness that I have been permitted to warn people again. There is grace in the New Covenant, praise Yah!

Today Yahweh demands those who are serious about going on to perfection to re-enter their Shavu'ot Covenant, as He does every year, until we really mean it and learn obedience even as the mortal Messiah, even as it is written:

"During the days of Yah'shua's (Jesus') life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Although He was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him and was designated by Elohim (God) to be Cohen Gadol (High Priest) in the order of Melchizedek" (Heb.5:7-10, NIV).

Now whilst we, obviously, unlike Messiah, are not the source of "eternal salvation" through our yielding to the Eternal Father, we enter the Melchizedek Priesthood in exactly the same way as Yah'shua (Jesus) did - through total submission to the will of Messiah whose life we are called to imitate. We are not Melchizedek cohenim (priests) simply because we 'believe' in Yah'shua (Jesus) even if as believers we are all called into that priesthood. The Melchizedek Priesthood is not something you inherit as the Aaroniites did simply because they were of the Tribe of Levi. The Melchizedek Priesthood is not, in any case, something you 'get' because someone in a 'high office' decides to 'give' it to you [6], but is something you enter into by emunah (faith) and consecration. You are called into it by Yahweh Himself. When you have thus entered into this Priesthood of the Patriarchs the signs will automatically follow. Now I know one of the brethren is keen that we get into a discussion on this but now is not the time, but it will be soon. We have much to talk about this important subject in the days to come.

Shavu'ot is, as I have said, a hinge, a bridge, a juncture, a turning point, and before I share more with you, it is necessary that all who are baptised into Messiah and into this work, and have received the Bar or Bat-Mitzvah (Confirmation, Chrism) renew their covenant as we do each year. So let us remind ourselves of the background of this covenant by turning again to Exodus 24 and beginning at the first verse:

"Now He said to Moses, 'Come up to Yahweh, you (Moses) and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar. And Moses alone shall come near Yahweh, but they shall not come near; nor shall the people go up with him.' So Moses came and told the people all the words of Yahweh and all the mistpatim (judgments). And all the people answered with one voice and said, 'All the devarim (words) which Yahweh has said we will do.' And Moses wrote all the devarim (words) of the Yahweh" (Ex.24:1-4, NKJV).

Last year Yahweh set-apart the three brethren who were called to "come up to Yahweh" as this ministry's Patriarchate following the Great Dedication last year that began on Aviv 1 in 2015. In the next few years Yahweh will call, in His own timing, 70 more elders and many others to this work, men and women who have been prepared and sanctified over many years. Satan has tried to extinguish this work many times, reducing us to a small handful of faithful ones, but he cannot destroy what Yahweh has ordained. We are here to stay and the more opposed we are, the louder our message becomes. The emet (truth) will not be silenced. Thousands have come to this work, entered covenants such as we are about to enter into again today, but have been seduced and have fallen away. In the course of our history we have had nearly 100 congregations and several thousand members in Europe (UK, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Sweden), Africa (South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Benin, Nigeria, etc.) Asia (India, Pakistan, Myanmar, etc.) and America (USA) and all but three of these failed to cross the Shavu'ot divide. Many have dealt deceitfully and dishonestly with us and some have even betrayed us to our enemies, including those very close to us. The closer to the emet (truth) you get, the more you should expect opposition. Those coming to this work, and to the Final gathering and Second Exodus in general, need to expect this (Mt.5:11-12).

This ministry and work expects extremely high standards of its members as Yah'shua (Jesus) commanded. Each year we remind our members at this time to review Section 2 (§8.2) of Article 8 of the Constitution so that they may come cleansed through repentance before entering their Shavu'ot Covenants. The Melchizedek Priesthood, from deacons to apostles, are weighed just before Yom haKippurim every year too, as the Priesthood must represent a high Sukkot standard which the lay members can emulate, and as a condition of holding office in this work.

So I would now like to invite any new cadidates as well those who are already baptised and confirmed and who wish to new renew their covenants once again to do so by repeating after me the words before Elohim (God), malakim (angels) and this assembly, the following words from the Torah:

"Everything Yahweh has said we will do"

As a token that you have entered this covenant, and as a constant reminder to you, you are instructed, if a man, to wear tzitzit (tassels), and if a woman, a headcovering. These are not optional for consecrated baptised and confirmed believers - they are commanded in Scripture. So sacred are they that the malakim (angels) are commanded to respect them.

Tomorrow is our regular sabbath and the day after is Rosh Chodesh on which I have an important prophetic message to give to you so I hope you will be able to attend both. The things I have been speaking and prophesying about are coming to a head and to fulfilment very rapidly now. I long ago stopped saying much about storing food, medicines, water and other essentials as the time for doing this is almost finished. You need safe places far away from those zones where chaos and death will reign - and you need personal revelation on that. It is time for half-hearted and causual believers to wake up and get real. Today - the Day of Shavu'ot - is a turning point, and I dare say that whilst tomorrow might not see anything spectacular happen, there is no doubt that in terms of historical time today an invisible spiritual line is being crossed, leaving one world behind for ever. As you will learn on Rosh Chodesh in two days' time, a major end is coming at any time - not the end, as false nevi'im (prophets) were prophesying would happen on 29 July (and as I said would not happen). There are many years left before the Great Tribulation and the Second Coming of Messiah.

You have absolutely got to make up your mind now what you are going to do, what path you are going to walk, what Master you are going to follow. A story from my native Ireland illustrates my point. Once an Irishman mounted a horse with some timidity because of his lack of experience. On that summer day the flies were bad, and the horse stomped his hind feet again and again to scatter the flies from his belly. Eventually one foot caught in the stirrup of the saddle. The Irishman was startled and said, 'If you are going to get on, I'm going to get off!'

The point of his humorous quip is to remind you that if you truly believe in what the Bible teaches, then you have got to take a firm stand against infidelity or unfaithfulness in the Messianic Community, not to mention your own life. You should not associate with churches and assemblies that are not Biblical, let alone support it with money, because judgment is coming. And if necessary then, like Daniel, you have got to stand alone and find others who are willing to do the same. Yahweh will bring you together with such folks if you truly have emunah (faith). Nobody can do this for you. You have to do it yourself. You have to ride the horse of your life - it cannot get o itself and ride for you. The horse - like the flesh - must be subject to the rider which is your spirit. And your own spirit must be subject to Messiah.

I took a huge risk going to America last month what with my bad health, poor finances and the risk from enemies that I knew were real, and I had a major struggle before I went. But Yahweh was with me and I returned much stronger in my own mind and spirit than before. The fruits are all too apparent.

Most of you are going to have to make hard but necessary choices in the days ahead, ones that will challenge and stretch your emunah (faith) as never before. The immediate times ahead are going to be tough - very tough - and you need to be in no doubt about that. The trouble that you see everywhere now is just the rumblings of what is about to come. So you need to be prepared, get on your face before Yahweh, repent of your sins, stop procrastinating and start making real Shavu'ot-type commitments. It's never too late to repent, never too late to get right with Yah'shua (Jesus), never to late to be transformed by entering into new chayim (life), never to late to know real simcha (joy) even in the midst if tribulation.

I have said it many times before, and I'll say it again, that I intend to thrive during this time of woe and to let Yah'shua (Jesus) use me as never before. I do not intend to retreat but neither do I intend to be rash or foolish. It is most definitely a time to be wise and circumspect but also a time to go boldly forth when Yahweh clearly speaks.

You're going to see a pre-run of the fall of Babylon. You're going to see the demonic system take a severe pasting at the hand of Elohim (God) but you are also going to see many foolish and careless believers perish in the Courtyard of the Temple because they were too filled with unbelief to repent, get purified, and enter the Temple-proper. It is most definitely a time for much prayer, and once the balloon goes up, your whole prayer life will radically change.

May Yahweh bless you until we assemble again in the morning for the sabbath message. Amen.

Endnotes

[1] An error caused by the mistaken belief that the time span between Yom haBikkurim (Day of Firstfruits) is 50 (Greek pente) days. The counting is seven sabbaths (about 7x7 = 49) plus 50 days, giving a total of about 100 days. Though itself not strictly correct always, 'Centecost' would be more accurate. For a discussion of these issues, see the many articles on the Shavu'ot website including The Sacred Number 50: Make Sure You Observe the Right Shavu'ot, The Wrong Shavu'ot: The Winter Wheat Error Exposed, The True Shavu'ot Count, Wrong 'Pentecost'! Shavu'ot is Not in May or June and Paul's Shavu'ot Journey: The Omer Count is More Than 50 Days.

[2] See Shavu'ot 2015: The Covenant Administered

[3] See Shavu'ot 2005: 'We Agree Before We Have Listened'

[4] This is not the so-called 'Oral Torah' of the Rabbis which is not only false but has also been written down.

[5] It is true that we are also commanded to be perfect like Yahweh Himself (Mt.5:48). However, this is a reference to moral perfection, not to deity per se, which perfection was acieved by Messiah whose Ruach (Spirit) abides in true believers by emunah (faith). We are nowhere commanded to be Elohim (God) in the sense of being omnipotent or omniscient.

[6] Through the laying-on of hands through a legalistic apostolic succession claim as is the practice in the Roman Catholic and Mormon Churches.