Beth HaDerech; Messianic Jewish Congregation, Toronto, Canada

Shavuot and Melech HaMashiach

Seven weeks after Passover, in accordance with the Torah (Vayikra 23:15-16, 21 and Devarim 16:20), the Jewish people celebrate the Festival of Weeks, or Hag HaShavuot. When the Har HaBayit (Temple) was still standing, Shavuot, along with Passover and Succoth, was one of the shalosh regalim (three pilgrim holidays) on which all Jewish male adults who were able to do so were required to come to Jerusalem to make the Temple sacrifice of the firstfruits, where the first loaves from the new grain were offered on the altar. The Good News of Messiah recalls something very remarkable which took place during this festival in the year that our Holy Rabbi, Maran Yeshua ascended to the shamayim to wait for the final redemption. Jews and proselytes from throughout the known world were gathered at Jerusalem. The talmidim or disciples of our Rabbi, Maran Yeshua HaMashiach were there too. According to the second chapter of the book of Ma'asei Hashlichim (the acts of the emissaries), they were all gathered at one house (We believe to be the Har HaBayit / Temple), when there was a sudden sound like a violent wind, then something that looked like tongues of fire came down and rested on each of them, and they began to prophecy in languages they had never learned. Hearing the noise, many of the out-of-towners came around to investigate, and were...