an apostle’s farewell letter, Day of Pentecost 2018, Shavuot

“You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:18-35)

Paul had to say goodbye to the elders of Ephesian church because he knew he would not see them again. But he decided to sail past Ephesus so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible. on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 20:16)

I received this above message which highlighted the Day of the Pentecost. This year it will be on 20th May (49 days after Easter). What is its significance? What is going to happen this Pentecost? Why am I led to read this passage about the Apostle Paul’s farewell speech and his hurrying to Jerusalem before that Day? Incidentally, the Jewish Shavuot 2018 will begin in the evening of Saturday, 19 May and ends in the evening of Monday, 21 May. Shavuot (the Feast of Weeks) is celebrated the seventh week after Passover.

Note: This coming Pentecost is the 70th year of the birth of the present Israel nation. Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948.
“Israel signed their Declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948. The Declaration states that the British Mandate governing Palestine would remain in effect until midnight (May 15), and at that time the interim government of Israel would begin to rule. So the first “official” day of statehood for Israel was Saturday May 15, 1948. Mr. Camping stated this was the day of Pentecost. Pentecost day began on the evening of May 15th.” (Quoted from :http://www.ebiblefellowship.com/numbers/israel.html)

Bible verses
Deuteronomy 16:16 “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed.

Acts 2:1 [ Coming of the Holy Spirit ] When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Acts 20:16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.

1 Corinthians 16:8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.

How to claim Joseph’s 7 years of prosperity? Defend your entrances

The watchman hears this: beware of “Lawlessness”/”locust” spirit. An urgency call is here for every Christian to claim the seven years of prosperity of Joseph and not allow locusts  to continue to swarm in to invade your territory. Please take heed because the locusts will not stop unless you take up the authority already given to you in boldness and stand now and stand your ground with the whole armor of God.

You need to ask the Lord how to take positive action and activate your gifts in your area of influence. You are a citizen. You are a member of a community. You are an employee. You are member of an organization. You already participate in many arenas of your local community/network, including political, social, business/commercial, cultural/sports/entertainment, economical/financial, educational, religious and government/administration. You have a vote in your hand. You know what the Lord wants right now for the crucial moment. Remember the prophesy of Joseph’s seven years of boom time! Joseph’s prosperity benefits those who are willing to do honest productive work for their living. 

No, Christian, this may not be for your own personal goal. No, not for your affiliation, not for your party, race, gender, colour, class, relationship, whatever your personal agenda. No. This is the time to think outside your paradigm. I pray you be filled by the Holy Spirit and the words of God to act. Jesus says, the words I speak to you are spirit and life. Follow the spirit and life. Be led by the Spirit of the Lord as the children of God. I pray in Jesus name that your eyes be unveiled (opened) and see the truth and your ears be unstopped and hear our Lord. Align with the Lord and His purpose for mankind. 

“We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:5 AMP)

Christian, this is not about judgment. Jesus has warned about strongman and gates. Jesus also says all hidden will come into the Light. Who are the locusts? Where are the locusts from?  Locusts do not work. They are thieves. They come in swarms. 

This is a spiritual war over your territories. Look at how other long standing successful present and historical powers (nations/people) defend their territory. They shut their physical and spiritual entrances against evil.

Nahum 3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Nineveh’s Complete Ruin
3 Woe to the bloody city, completely full of lies and pillage;
Her prey never departs.
2 The noise of the whip,
The noise of the rattling of the wheel,
Galloping horses
And [a]bounding chariots!
3 Horsemen charging,
Swords flashing, spears gleaming,
Many slain, a mass of corpses,
And [b]countless dead bodies—
They stumble over [c]the dead bodies!
4 All because of the many harlotries of the harlot,
The charming one, the mistress of sorceries,
Who sells nations by her harlotries
And families by her sorceries.
5 “Behold, I am against you,” declares the Lord of hosts;
“And I will [d]lift up your skirts over your face,
And show to the nations your nakedness
And to the kingdoms your disgrace.
6 “I will throw [e]filth on you
And make you vile,
And set you up as a spectacle.
7 “And it will come about that all who see you
Will [f]shrink from you and say,
‘Nineveh is devastated!
Who will grieve for her?’
Where will I seek comforters for you?”

8 Are you better than [g]No-amon,

Which was situated by the waters of the Nile,

With water surrounding her,

Whose rampart was [h]the sea,

Whose wall consisted of [i]the sea?

9 Ethiopia was her might,

And Egypt too, without limits.

Put and Lubim were among [j]her helpers.

10 Yet she became an exile,

She went into captivity;

Also her small children were dashed to pieces

At the head of every street;

They cast lots for her honorable men,

And all her great men were bound with fetters.

11 You too will become drunk,

You will be hidden.

You too will search for a refuge from the enemy.

12 All your fortifications are fig trees with [k]ripe fruit—

When shaken, they fall into the eater’s mouth.

13 Behold, your people are women in your midst!

The gates of your land are opened wide to your enemies;

Fire consumes your gate bars.

14 Draw for yourself water for the siege!

Strengthen your fortifications!

Go into the clay and tread the mortar!

Take hold of the brick mold!

15 There fire will consume you,

The sword will cut you down;

It will consume you as the locust does.

Multiply yourself like the creeping locust,

Multiply yourself like the swarming locust.

16 You have increased your traders more than the stars of heaven—

The creeping locust [l]strips and flies away.

17 Your [m]guardsmen are like the swarming locust.

Your marshals are like hordes of grasshoppers

Settling in the stone walls on a cold day.

The sun rises and they flee,

And the place where they are is not known.

18 Your shepherds are sleeping, O king of Assyria;

Your nobles are lying down.

Your people are scattered on the mountains
And there is no one to regather them.

19 There is no relief for your breakdown,

Your wound is incurable.

All who hear [n]about you

Will clap their hands over you,

For on whom has not your evil passed continually?

Footnotes:
Nahum 3:2 Lit skipping
Nahum 3:3 Lit there is no end to
Nahum 3:3 Lit their
Nahum 3:5 Lit uncover your
Nahum 3:6 Lit detestable things
Nahum 3:7 Lit flee
Nahum 3:8 I.e. the city of Amon: Thebes
Nahum 3:8 I.e. the Nile
Nahum 3:8 I.e. the Nile
Nahum 3:9 Lit your
Nahum 3:12 Lit first fruits
Nahum 3:16 I.e. strips vegetation; or molts
Nahum 3:17 Or officials
Nahum 3:19 Lit your report

2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but [b]divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.7 [c]You are looking at [d]things as they are outwardly…