The Apocalypse and Shavuot
There are two commonly talked about concepts amongst Christians, regardless of their denominational affiliation: Jesus/Yeshua (the Messiah) and the Apocalypse (End of the World Eschatology). We want to open these concepts instead of keeping them nebulous and abstract so that we are all better informed.
In this month’s article we want to look at the apocalypse. This isn’t going to be a pro-rapture vs. anti-rapture teaching, as we believe that the rapture topic has been extensively covered in previous teachings. The apocalypse and eschatology (the study of end-time events) has become a drug. It is addictive and distracting to many believers around the world to the point of ignoring important Bible-based topics we should be focused on. While we are not advocating for ignorance in world events or future based prophecies, we also strive to teach balance in all areas of Scripture.
Over the last couple of decades, we have seen many situations that have brought unrest in the world. Some are politically motivated, some are of religious origin, and some are conflicts of opinion concerning the climate. It is common to see that when unrest occurs, that individuals with established platforms will step forward to offer interpretations of timelines, visions, or some sort of prophetic insights. More often than not, they prove to be incorrect. It seems to be human nature to want to give one’s opinion as an authority on a particular issue while at the same time, not being aware that that opinion can cause believers to take their attention off of God. The Bible lays out clear instructions and accountability standards for those who prey, knowingly or unknowingly, on God’s people. It’s time for a higher standard. America has never been at the center of God’s end-time events. Israel has and always will be the center.
Eschatology is not prophecy and the apocalypse is not eschatology. The modern definition given to the apocalypse isn’t a biblical one. The Bible defines an apocalypse as a transcendent change from our human reality and thoughts to God’s. It is an event or series of events so intense that it transforms how a person or group of people view and think of everything. It is a complete paradigm shift. A “paradigm shift” (so we stay on the same page) is defined as a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions, or an important change that happens when the usual way of thinking about or doing something is replaced by a new and different (even unexpected) way.
Rather than an ending, a Biblical apocalypse is a new beginning.
Different Types of Apocalypses in the Bible
And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder2 set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:12-15
Before God revealed Himself to Jacob in the Scripture above, commonly known as Jacob’s Ladder, Jacob cheated his brother, he was deceptive to his father and had created his own personal exile. Yet in this personal exile God comes to Jacob and shows him the connection of the heavenly realm and the physical realm. He shows Jacob how He will use Jacob to bless the world. This was an apocalyptic moment for Jacob. His paradigm was shattered by the revelation of God’s reality. When Jacob awakens from the dream, he sees everything completely different. It wasn’t the end but a new beginning.
The Hebrew word “Galah” is used in Genesis 35:6-7 to describe Jacob’s encounter as an apocalypse.
And Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him, and there he built an altar and called the place El-bethel, because there God had revealed [Hebrew word Galah] Himself to him when he fled from his brother. Genesis 35: 6-7
There had to be a shift in Jacob’s thinking, a rebirth in order for God to use Jacob. One could even describe it as the death of one thing and the rebirth of another. So, Jacob’s fleshly and carnal ways had to die so that God’s ways could be demonstrated through Jacob.
11For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11-12
In Galatians we see that Paul writes about having a revelation (“apokalypsis” in Greek). Paul is referencing the apocalypse that he had on his way to Damascus as recorded in Acts 9: 1-9.
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Acts 9:1-9
When Paul encountered God, he had an apocalypse, one that completely transformed how Paul saw and thought about everything. It was through this apocalyptic encounter with God that Paul was led to follow Yeshua. It was through this transformation many have come to know and profess that Yeshua is Messiah.
Genesis 20 tells us about Abimelech and how he had an apocalyptic encounter with God and it caused him to realize that he had made a mistake in taking Abraham’s wife. Without this apocalyptic encounter with God who knows how the story of Abraham and Sarah would have played out.
2 Samuel 7 tell us about David’s apocalyptic encounter with God. It was through this encounter that it was revealed to David he was not to build a temple for God. It was also through this encounter that God revealed to David that He was going to build a house for David and his family.
When we read through the books of the prophets in the Bible, we see many times where Amos, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and even John had apocalyptic encounters with God. They were then to take those messages back to the people to change their paradigm. It was to cause Israel to repent and return. It was not an end as we teach in modern times. It was transformation to a new beginning.
As you can see, we have commercialized and twisted what an apocalypse was throughout the Bible.
The Apocalypse and Shavuot at Sinai
In over 25 years of ministering to Sabbath-keeping and biblical Feast-keeping believers, we have tried to bring recognition to the fact that the Feast of Shavuot is one of the most overlooked pilgrimage feasts, despite that God says it is one of three pilgrimage feasts. There is a lot of emphasis on Passover and Sukkot, yet many would prefer to pack the seats of summer conferences rather than celebrate the third commanded pilgrimage feast of Shavuot (Feast of Weeks). The Feast of Weeks is a beautiful picture of the Old Testament and New Testament coming together.
If we were to go back to the first Passover and work our way to Shavuot at Mt. Sinai, we would easily use the term apocalypse for the Red Sea event. It most likely appeared to the Hebrews that they were about to die at the hands of Pharoah and his armies. It would have meant doom and negativity. This is how we have twisted a biblical concept into a modern concept.
A Biblical apocalypse could easily be applied to the first Shavuot at Mt. Sinai, when Moses and the entire nation of Israel came face to face with their Creator, where the law was given, and their paradigm was completely changed. They were no longer slaves but a kingdom of priests co-laboring with their Creator for the new creation of the nation of Israel.
At Sinai we see an apocalypse—a transformation of slaves into bondservants. It was through this apocalypse that God established the Temple, the land, and the people, —a people who would prove to be the physical ambassadors and messengers for the God of all creation throughout the world. It was there that their identity was reestablished publicly for all nations to see. It wasn’t the end of those people;, it was their beginning. The Israelites were fearful, just like many are today when they see troubling events. Yet Shavuot was and is a feast of freedom and identity that should not leave us in fear of what we see, or what is to come, but in awe of what our God is presently doing. It’s all about the lens you choose to look through. Are we choosing a perspective of fear rather than walking emboldened with God as vessels filled with the Holy Spirit to help usher in the Kingdom of God in the physical world?
The Apocalypse and Shavuot After the Ascension
We see a similar apocalyptic event take place during Shavuot in the book of Acts.
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” Acts 2:1-13
The disciples were in the Temple, the place where for generations, God’s spirit had emanated to the nation of Israel. Miracles, wonders, and signs all had happened in that Temple. Yet through the works and teachings of Yeshua the Messiah, we saw those miracles, wonders, and signs flow out into the land of Israel and travel amongst the people through Yeshua.
After the Messiah had left and ascended to the right hand of the Father, the disciples gathered again in the Temple for the commanded feast. Yet this feast wasn’t like previous ones. This apocalyptic Shavuot saw the Holy Spirit fall, and the nations heard the Lord in their own languages in one accord at one time. This apocalypse transformed everyone who was present.
A biblical apocalypse is not a one-time event. It isn’t the end of the world. It isn’t something we should commercialize or use as a gimmick. It is a transformation of one’s entire perspective that God wants to change, and that should lead to life and the greatness of God being restored to this earth.
The apocalypses that took place during the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) revolutionized nations, religions, and shocked the entire world. They were times of celebration and freedom. They were times that should be met with joy and awe. Yet today, as a collective body of believers, we continue to perpetuate and pervert the biblical narratives of prophecy to fear-mongering and distracting believers away from more important issues such as growing stronger in our faith (read “trust”) in God’s care of us as we live in challenging times. We need to focus on the Holy Spirit’s gifts of discernment and wisdom and a heart of love toward each other. Father forgive us. We need your Holy Spirit now more than ever.
We need an apocalypse to occur. One that shatters our modern paradigms and replaces them with divine precepts and wisdom. Shavuot historically might be that day. Are we looking for a commercialized apocalypse this Shavuot or a Biblical one?
-Lion and Lamb Pastoral Staff
