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Well, we heard in the sermonette that—and I talked to people this morning—this is day 42 in our countdown to Pentecost, so just about eight more days. Last time I was here, I gave a sermon on counting down to Pentecost. I gave part one of a two-part sermon. And that sermon a week ago—a month ago, I should say—we looked at the events that took place between Passover and Pentecost in the Old Testament in the year that God led Israel out of Egypt. And then we also looked at spiritual lessons we can learn from those four events that took place at that time. Just to rehearse that quickly, from the bitter waters of Marah, we learned that we should never harbor a root of bitterness. From the test of the Sabbath, we learned we must never forget that God is our provider, and we must never lose faith that God will provide for us regardless of what our circumstances might be. And three, from the countdown at Rephidim, we learned that we must never contend with God as to whether or not He is among us or not, even though it may not seem so at times, and never doubt that God is leading us, even if things seem to be going in the wrong direction in our lives. And four, from the battle with Amalek, we learned we have an enemy who continually wants to destroy us, to prevent us from making to the end of our journey. And so, it tells us we must never let down spiritually. We must always hold up to each other's hands and look to each other and encourage and help one another in our journey as we're heading on for God's kingdom. Because all those four things I just mentioned were obstacles, is you'll have to overcome on their journey to meet with God and Mount Sinai on the day of Pentecost. Today, then, I want to look at four major events that took place between Passover and Pentecost in the year that Christ died and was resurrected. As it was when God led Israel out of Egypt, the same period of time in 31 AD was a very, very traumatic time. Even more traumatic than in the Old Testament in some ways. For the disciples at that time, when this started happening right after Passover, it appeared everything was going to be lost. Thought it was all over when it was really just beginning.
And everything was about to be gained, not lost. It appeared to be a time of defeat when instead it would become a time of tremendous triumph and victory for God's church, for all of God's people down through the ages. Today, then, we will look at the events that took place between Passover and Pentecost in the year Christ died and at lessons we can learn from those four events.
So my title for my sermon here, then, this morning is Countdown to Pentecost, Part 2. I want to begin with something that Christ said before He died. What did He say just before He died?
You know, when you stop and think about it and you look at this verse and you just give it some thought, He said something amazing. It was not only amazing, it was something that was totally contrary to our way of thinking. Let's read that. Let's go to John 12. John 12, and we'll just look, first of all, here at verse 23. John 12, verse 23. But Jesus answered him, and He said, The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Now, when He said that, and His disciples heard this, by this time He said this was probably coming clear to Christ's disciples that a...
something was going to be happening that was very big. A time of crisis was going about to be at hand, and something very major was about to happen. And you know what they probably thought? They probably thought they were about to see the fulfillment of Daniel 7. Hold your place here. We'll be back here in a minute. Let's turn to Daniel 7 to see what they might have thought was going to happen, because it was a prophecy, and they thought, wow, this is it.
This prophecy is about to be fulfilled. Daniel 7. Let's look at 2 verses, verses 13 and 14. Daniel 7, verse 13. I was watching the night visions... This is a dream Daniel is explaining. I was watching the night vision, and behold, one like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven.
He came to the ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then when He came, He was given dominion and glory in a kingdom, that all peoples and all nations and languages to serve Him. And His dominion is going to be an everlasting dominion, which will never pass away. And His kingdom, the one which will not be destroyed. You know, Christ had just told them, as we just read, the hours come, the Son of Man should be glorified.
That is what Israel and Judah had been anticipating for the past 500 years, ever since Daniel wrote this prophecy. Let's go back now to John 12. Read it again, John 12, verse 23. The hour has come, the Son of Man should be glorified. The question in their minds would be this. Was Christ about to conquer the Roman Empire? That all peoples and nations and languages serve Christ, as we just read in Daniel 7. And to give everlasting dominion to the people of God, that's what they thought, that's what they're anticipating, that's what they've been looking for.
But what Christ said next turned all that upside down and didn't make any sense whatsoever. It must have astonished them. John 12, verse 24. And what do you say next? Most assuredly I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it produces much grain. What is Christ indicating here? Well, He's indicating that His glorification and victory would be coming by and through His death.
And that only by His death would much grain be produced. Most assuredly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it produces much grain. Think about it. A grain of wheat sitting on a shelf or in a package can be preserved indefinitely. But as long as it is sitting on a shelf, it is ineffective and unfruitful.
So only one is buried in the ground, or planted in the ground, or buried in the ground, as if in a tomb, that it can then sprout and bear fruit. In this example, there's a profound lesson for each and every one of us. Very encouraging lesson. But show something about Christ. Christ did not love His life. Instead, He was willing to become like a grain of wheat, which falls to the ground and dies. Now how does that apply to all of us? John 12, verse 25. He who loves his life will lose it.
But he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. You know, you think about history. Throughout history, there have been a few great men who were prepared to die for their cause for mankind. So mankind maybe could live and hopefully bear fruit in the future. They're willing to give their lives to help mankind achieve some purpose. But there's something very near and dear to us that we must also bury and put to death in order to bear fruit. Let's touch on the sermonette. We must be willing to bury or set aside our own personal desires and goals and ambitions at times to be real servants of God so we can help others come to the life of Christ.
As portrayed again, covering the sermonette by baptism. We have to first die before Christ can live in us to bear fruit. We have to die first, symbolically, so Christ can then bear fruit in us. We must not love our life to the point where we give up all in Christ in order to preserve our own ambitions and goals. He who loves his life will lose it, but he who hates his life in this world puts God first. Whatever God gives us to do first, we'll keep it for eternal life.
Now, notice what Christ says next. Verse 26. If anyone serves me, let him follow me.
But then shortly after he says something else that contradicts that, he says, follow me. What does he say a little bit later? Let's go to John 13, verse 33. John 13, verse 33. Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer, and you will seek me. And then I said to the Jews, where I am going, you cannot come.
First he says, follow me. Then he says, where I'm going, you cannot come. See, some of what Christ said didn't make any sense. And what was about to happen really didn't make any sense. Let's go back to John 12. John 12. Let's go to verse 27. Now my soul is troubled, he said, and what shall I say? Shall I say, Father, save me from this hour? But for this purpose, I came to this hour. This is why I came to the earth. I came for this very power. Spam me now. Verse 31. Now is the judgment of this world, and now the rule of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all peoples to myself. That's an astounding statement that just dumbfounded all who heard it. They said, what? What? Did I hear that right? Did I hear that right?
And this he said, signified by what death he would die. And the people actually said, we have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever? We heard that, and the prophesied in Daniel that when he comes, he's going to save the whole world, he's going to save us from the Roman Empire, and his dominion is going to be an everlasting dominion. And now you say the Son of Man must be lifted up, he's going to be crucified and die? Who is the Son of Man that you're talking about here? Who are you? You're not making any sense whatsoever, they were saying. Are you really who you say you are? Who is the Son of Man that you're talking about that you're portraying yourself to be? See, much was about to follow that also didn't make any sense. And although these events were strange and didn't make any sense, they immediately got everyone's undivided attention, and they formed a pattern that pertains to the miraculous calling that God has given to each and every one of us. So now then, let's look at four major events that occurred during the countdown to Pentecost and the year that Christ died that occurred between Passover and Pentecost. All these events are recorded at the end of the four Gospels, at the beginning of the Book of Acts. The first major event that occurred was darkness. There were actually three events relating to darkness at the beginning of their countdown to Pentecost during that particular year, 31 AD. The first of those three periods of darkness miraculously occurred during the last three hours. Christ was on the cross on the afternoon of the Passover day in which He died. The Gospels of Matthew and Mark and Luke all record this event. Let's read Matthew's accounts. Go to Matthew, chapter 27. Matthew 27, just looking at verses 45 and 46. Matthew 27, verse 45. Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, Lomoc, Sabatani, that is my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? This would have been from about noon until 3 p.m. that afternoon. This was obviously a supernatural darkness. It wasn't something natural. It wasn't like storms coming, it's getting darker. It is right now. This is a supernatural darkness created by God. How dark was it? I don't know. I think it was very dark. And I'll tell you why in a moment. Why did God bring this darkness? Is there a reason for it? Was there something that could have gone on at that time that maybe God prevented from happening? Is there a reason why He brought it in this darkness? See, why would God bring on a miraculous period of darkness here? See, what normally happened at the temple during the afternoon of the Passover Day? During the afternoon of the Passover Day, the priest sacrificed the Passover Lamb to the temple between noon and 3 p.m. They'd do it at 3, but they had a lot of people bring lambs to the temple. Hundreds sometimes. Took them three hours. So they did it between noon and 3 p.m. Because there were normally many people who had brought their lambs to the temple for the priests to sacrifice. They were substantiated by historical events that record that. They had the domestic Passover the night before, but they also had the temple Passover, where people brought their lambs to the temple for the priests to sacrifice. So this period of supernatural darkness would have assured that no Passover lambs were sacrificed on that Passover Day except the Passover Lamb. That's my take, anyway. That's what I would assume. That God had a reason. He didn't want them doing lambs being sacrificed. He wanted the entire temple. There's only going to be one Passover sacrifice. Only one lamb. That's Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
So what Christ said then, as recorded in verse 46 here, is very significant. Have you just read? My God, my God, he says, Why have you forsaken me? I'm going to ask this question, if you read that scripture. Was Christ beginning to doubt his father? I don't know. Meaning he was human. It's possible. Or might he also have said this for our benefit? Of course, this fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 22.1. You can read Psalm 22.1 exactly. Fulfilled that prophecy verbatim and showed he was human. But I think it also is recorded for our benefit. You know, we all experience periods of darkness in our lives. During which times we can begin to doubt God's promise and doubt God's presence in our lives. And we might have something going on in our life that doesn't make any sense. Why is this happening? Why is God allowing this? And you might think to ourselves, I say, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why don't you hear my prayers? Why aren't you looking this out in my life?
Whatever's next, it relates to darkness. Next, Christ will fill the sign of the prophet Jonah. As quoting Matthew 12.40, For Jonah was three days and three nights, and the billy of the great face. So will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Next, in Christ was in the darkness of the grave, or the tomb, for three days and three nights. When was he resurrected? He was buried just before sunset at the very end of the Passover day, which occurred on a Wednesday in that year. Thus, he would have been resurrected three days and three nights later on that following Saturday night. He was in resurrected at sunset as night or darkness was setting in. What did he do that night? We don't know. It doesn't say.
Nothing's recorded other than what it says in John 20. Let's turn to John 20. John 20 begins in verse 1 and 2. John 20, verse 1. Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early. While it was still dark. Another event that happened during the darkness. And she saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So then she ran and came to Simon Peter and the other disciple, which would be John, whom Jesus loved and said to them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb. And we don't know where they've laid him. It's now the fourth day of Unleavened Bread when Mary Magdalene discovers his empty tomb while it was still dark. Thus the first events during the countdown to Pentecost and the New Testament all relate to darkness. But how does all that relate to each and every one of us?
It relates to all of us because that is where we begin our spiritual journey. Let's turn to 1 Peter, chapter 2. 1 Peter, chapter 2, which is re-1 verse 9, where Peter says, You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. You are His own special people. You may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
We all begin our journey in darkness. We all will be called out of darkness. We just don't understand. We couldn't see. We couldn't see what was right before our eyes. We will call out of darkness. What was the next major event or events that occurred after darkness? The second major event had to do with recognition. After Christ was resurrected during the Days of Unleavened Bread, Christ began appearing to various individuals. Let me just write here. He first appeared to Mary Magdalene. Let's go back and read that again. John 20, verse 1. Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So then she ran and told Peter and John, and they all then went back to the tomb. Verse 2. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter and the other disciple, it would be John, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, they have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have laid Him. Peter therefore went and the other disciple, and they were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and John, the other disciple, outran Peter and came to the tomb first. Then they looked in to see that Jesus' body wasn't there, and the tomb was empty. Now you have to understand what the situation was back then. You think about the tomb. Tombs or caves were cut into the side of the Mount of Olives. They had the Mount of Olives as a large thing. Then they cut these caves. People who were very wealthy, they would buy these caves, and they would use them for the burial sites. They would put the body in that cave on the side of the Mount of Olives, and then they would roll a stone over it to cover the cave, where they, in turn, their loved ones.
Then they rolled a large rock, a large stone, to cover the entrance. This tomb here was apparently near the top of the Mount of Olives, Jesus' tomb, near the garden, which is on the top of the Mount of Olives. This particular tomb was owned by Joseph of Amorathaea, and it was a new tomb, nobody ever relayed it before. You can read that in Matthew 27, verses 57 to 60. What happened next? John 20, verse 10. The other disciples went away again to their own homes, but Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and she wept when she stooped down and looked into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus lay. Remember, the second point I'm saying here has had to do with recognition. She saw two angels in white sitting at the one head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then she said, excuse me, then May, the angel said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? And she said to them, Because you have taken away my Lord. Excuse me, they have taken away my Lord. I do not know where they have laid Him. Now, when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know it was Jesus. She did not recognize Him. She turned around and looked at Him, but she did not recognize Him. Now, Mary Magdalene knew Jesus as well as anyone. She owed her life to Him, and had spent countless hours learning from Him. So, when she saw Jesus standing there, why did she not know it was Jesus? Why did not she recognize Him? And even after He turned and spoke to her, she still did not recognize who He was. Verse 15. Then Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking? This is Jesus talking to her. But she, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away. Why did not she recognize His voice? You could have said maybe His parents were a little different, but why did not she recognize His voice? You usually can recognize somebody's voice.
Why did not she recognize His voice when He spoke to her? Now notice the next verse, verse 16. Then Jesus said to her, Mary! And she turned and said to Him, Rabbani, which is a teacher. She didn't recognize Him until He called her name. She didn't recognize Him until He first recognized her, in a personal way, with a personal calling, by calling her name. Think about it. Wasn't that also true with each and every one of us? We didn't recognize the two Christs until He first called our names and recognized us, until He first called us and recognized us in a personal way. Mary was not the only one who didn't recognize Christs. Let's go to Luke 24.
Luke 24, verse 13. Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they taught together of all these things which had happened. So it was while they conversed in reason that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. So Jesus is walking with these two individuals. They're all walking together. But their eyes were restrained. They did not know Him. They didn't know who they were walking with. And He said to them, What kind of conversation is this that you are having with one another as you walk and are sad?
Why were their eyes purposefully restrained here? So He asked them, What kind of conversation are you having here? And then the one, verse 18, whose name was Cleopas, answered and said to Him, Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem? Have you not known these things that have happened in these last few days? And He said to them, What things? Christ's going to lead them on here. They said to Him, Well, the things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who is a prophet, who is mighty indeed in word before God and all the people. And now the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death and they crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Now, they were obviously well acquainted with Jesus. They knew the prophecies. They had known about these events that had happened. They probably had been the servant of them. This conversation went on for some time. Let's go to dropping down to verse 28. Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone further. Christ would have kept going further, but instead these two men, they restrained Him. They constrained Him, as you should say, in verse 29, saying, Abide with us! Stay with us! For it is getting towards evening, the day as far as spent. So then Christ went in to stay with them.
Now it came to pass, as He set down at the table with them, that He took bread and blessed it and broke it and gave it to them. Verse 31, now all this time they didn't know who He was. All of a sudden, in verse 31, then their eyes were opened, and they knew Him. They all of a sudden knew who He was. Wow! This is the Messiah! This is the one we just saw crucify! And He vanished from their sight. In other words, the point is they didn't recognize Him until what? Until their eyes were opened. Their eyes had to be opened to recognize Him. So it was with all of us, with all whom God calls. God had to open our eyes. We won't see. Now, that Sunday night Jesus appeared to 10 of His disciples in the upper room, where He had initiated the New Covenant Passover. Thomas was not there on that occasion. Christ didn't appear to Thomas until 8 days later, after the Days of Unleavened Bread had concluded. Let's go back to John, Chapter 20.
John, Chapter 20. Let's begin in verse 24. John 20, verse 24. Now Thomas, called the twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came the first time in the upper room. With them? The other disciples therefore said to Him, We have seen the Lord. So Thomas said to them, Unless I see His hands in the print of His nails, and put my finger into the print of His nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe. Verse 26, And after eight days, His disciples were again inside the upper room, and Thomas was with them this time. Then Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and He said, Peace to you. Jesus said, Peace to them. Now He's got 11 of the disciples there. Peace to you. And then He said to Thomas, He knew Thomas didn't recognize Him and know who He was, didn't believe. He said, Thomas, reach your finger here, and look at my hands, and reach your hand here, and put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing. So it would appear from this that Thomas didn't recognize Him immediately, and that he doubted it was really Jesus. But now verse 28, Then Thomas, as it said to Him, My Lord and My God, all of a sudden, you knew who He was.
Bottom line is this, we can't fully recognize the true Christ until He opens our eyes.
Verse 29, Then Jesus said to Him, Thomas, Because you have seen Me, and if you saw what has happened in a special way, you have believed. But He said, Thomas, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Have not you seen Me in person?
Blessed are those whose eyes God has opened, that they are able to recognize the true Christ.
Let's go to Luke 10.
Luke 10, verse 21, In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, you have hidden these things from the wise and the prudent, and revealed them to babes, to those who are humble. You want to learn who don't really know a whole lot, who don't have a lot of pride and vanity. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in your sight. Verse 23, And then He turned to His disciples, and He said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you have seen. Blessed is God who has opened. Be blessed and thankful that God has opened your eyes to see things that other people can't see, because their eyes have not yet been opened. For I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see and understand what you see, but have not seen it, and to be able to hear and understand what you hear, but have not heard it.
Why have many desired to understand what we understand, but have not heard it or understood it? Because, as Christ said in John 6.44, No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws Him. It has to be a special calling. We have to be drawn to Christ through a special calling. Our eyes have to be opened miraculously by God. So the second men to count down to Pentecost in the New Testament had to do with lack of recognition, actually, not being able to recognize Him, because God the Father must first recognize us, and then draw us to His Son before we can truly recognize His Son. So when you think about that, I mean, just stop and think of that personally. God had to personally recognize each and every one of us, say, I want that person. I'm going to open that person's eyes. I'm going to give that an opportunity to see things that kings and prophets have desired to see, but haven't been able to see. I see something special about that person. I want them to have their eyes open now. What an awesome calling it is to be personally recognized by God and to have our eyes opened to what many prophets and kings have desired to see. I'll just go to the third major event that occurred. The third major event that occurred during that countdown to Pentecost was understanding. We begin in darkness, and then for reasons not only to God, God decided to call us out of that darkness, so we could then recognize the true Christ and distinguish Him from the false Christ. So we could recognize His Son and recognize truth from error, so we could then begin to receive the true teaching and understanding of Jesus Christ. Now, then, with the ability to recognize the truth, and with the ability to distinguish it from error, God could then give us understanding. He could give us increased understanding as we continue to study God's Word. So we could truly believe and understand all that the prophets have spoken. Let's go to Luke 24. Luke 24, verse 24.
And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the woman had said, but him they did not see. And then He said to them, O foolish ones, slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken. Hid not the Christ who have suffered these things and to enter into His glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets expounded to them in all the Scriptures of things concerning Himself. In other words, He began to give them understanding. Verse 44. Then He said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms concerning Me. Notice verse 45. And He opened their understanding, called out of darkness, recognized who the true Christ is, and then He started gaining understanding. And He opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures, they might not really truly understand what the Bible teaches and what it says. Don't be too hard on those who can't understand. It's just because God hasn't opened their mind yet. He hasn't given them that. There are many very sincere, devoted people. They can't help it if they don't have that full understanding. It has to be given to them by God.
And He opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures, just like He did for all of us. Let's go out here to 2 Timothy 2. 2 Timothy 2, beginning in verse 1. You therefore, my Son, be strong, and the grace is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from Me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also, so others then can gain understanding. Verse 7, Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. So in the New Testament, our spiritual countdown to Pentecost and our journey from Passover to Pentecost progressed from darkness to recognition to understanding.
In the New Christ died, what was the fourth major event that occurred in their countdown to Pentecost? The fourth event was waiting.
Let's go to Acts chapter 1.
Acts chapter 1, beginning in verse 1. Acts begins, written by Luke, The former things I made, O Theopolis, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He, through the Holy Spirit, had given commandments to the apostles, whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. So Christ taught His disciples and continued to give them more understanding for forty days during this countdown period to Pentecost.
He also taught them many other things. Just hold your place here. Just go back to the couple pages to John 21, verse 25. John 21, verse 25, the last verse in John 21. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose, even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. At the end of this forty-day period, what then did they have to do? Going back to Acts 1, verse 4. Acts 1, verse 4, What did He command them to do?
To wait. But to wait for the promise of the Father, which He said, you have heard from Me. And that promise would come ten days later, on the day of Pentecost, when God poured out His Holy Spirit. So God's laws could be written in their hearts and on their minds. So when they're counting on Pentecost, the final event was a ten-day waiting period. How does that apply to all of us?
See, what does Pentecost portray? He portrays the marriage of the Lamb and the harvest of the firstfruits. He portrays the time when Christ will take His church to be His bride, regardless of when that event actually takes place. I'm not trying to predict it's going to take place in Pentecost. I don't know. I'm not saying that. What was the number 40 symbolized in the Bible? Symbolized the time of testing. Prior to Noah's flood, it rained 40 days and 40 nights. The flood was on the earth for 40 days, Genesis 7, verses 12 and 17. Israel was in the wellness-eating manor for 40 years.
Moses was on Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments for 40 days and 40 nights, twice. While the Israelites were being tested at the base of the mountain. After Israel demanded a king, Saul and David and Solomon all reigned over Israel for 40 years, during the Sea of the Sea of the Sea. Are they going to really follow God or not?
They were being tested during that time. God, through the prophet Jonah, gave the city of Nineveh 40 days to repent. It was their test. In Christ's fast, 40 days and 40 nights before His trial with Satan. So number 40 symbolized the time of trial and testing.
For 40 days, Christ was seen by His disciples, giving them as it says, infallible proofs. He was a Messiah. Why 40 days? To train them, to prepare them, and to try and test them, to see if they would continue to carry on the work that He'd given them to do. And after 40 days, was Christ then taken up from them? Acts 1, verse 9.
Now when He had spoken these things, after these 40 days, while they watched, He was taken up and a cloud received Him out of their sight. Then what did they have to do? They had to wait 10 more days until the day of Pentecost had fully come. Acts 2, verse 1. Until their countdown to Pentecost was complete. What does the number 10 symbolize? The number 10 symbolizes completeness. They had to wait 10 more days in order to complete their journey. Most of us have now been trained, prepared, and tried and tested for many years as the end-time people of God.
So I have to ask, and I have to think of this myself, are we now in our waiting period? We've gone through the others. We've called out a darkness. We've recognized the truth and recognized the true Christ, and we've gained understanding, we continue to gain understanding, are we now in our waiting period? And as we continue, then, to strive to make ourselves ready to become the bride of Christ is now time for us to endure to the end. While we're waiting, we have to endure.
What does it say in Matthew 24 for 13? Matthew 24, 13 says, He who endures to the end, He who waits and endures to the end, shall be saved. You know, with everything that's now happening in the world, are we now nearing the end of our countdown period? Are we now nearing the end of our journey? It looks that way. I don't know how long it will be.
It could be delayed. I don't know. We'll see. Only time is going to tell. How much longer we have to wait. But before we close this two-part sermon series, let me ask one final question.
As the end-time people of God, if we are now in our final waiting period for the return of Christ, what might we yet have to endure? I think we'd all like to know that question when we answer, I should say. Let's go back to the book of Daniel.
What will happen at the time of the end? Let's go back to the book of Daniel. Let's go to Daniel 12, the last chapter in Daniel. Daniel 12. Daniel 12. 1. It says what's going to happen at the time of the end. At that time, Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people. And there should be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation. Even to that time. And at that time, your people shall be delivered. Everyone who is found written in the book, God's book of life. Your people are still waiting and who are still enduring. It says they shall be delivered. Just hang in there. Don't get discouraged. Don't give up. Verse 2. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the tournament, or should be expanse. They shall shine like the brightness of the expanse. And those who turn many to righteous will shine like the stars forever and ever. What does this indicate that those in the ten-day waiting period should be doing, in addition to enduring to the end? What does this indicate that they should also be doing? It indicates, as it says here, they should also be striving to turn many to righteousness through their example that they exhibit. Example says more than anything. But again, what might we yet have to endure? Daniel 12, verse 4. But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase. Then I, Daniel, looked, and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank. And the one said to the man clothed in linen who was above the waters of the river, How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be? That's a question we all ask ourselves, isn't it? How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be? When is Christ going to return? And what might we have to endure before that happens? Verse 7. Then I heard the man clothed in linen who was above the waters of the river, When he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, And he swore by him who lives forever, That it shall be for a time, times, and a half a time. Now there is a time when a great tribulation is going to come, Matthew 24, verses 21 to 22, And when it comes, it will last for three and a half years, For a time, times, and a half a time. But when will all these things finally be finished? What will happen to indicate that? Daniel, verse 7, time, times, and a half a time, And when the power, then it's very left out of verse 7. Notice verse 7. And when the power of the holy people, Of course, this is Satan's aim, isn't it? And he's the God of this world. When the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, All these things will be finished.
Now, as Daniel was hearing this, He wanted understanding. While I was hearing this, Did Daniel understand what God was telling him? Verse 8, Although I heard, I did not understand, Daniel says. Then I said, My Lord, what shall be the end of these things? You know, help me understand. Verse 9, But he said, Go your way, Daniel, For the words are closed up and sealed, Till the time of the end. What will happen at the time of the end to the people of God Who are still waiting and who are still enduring? Verse 10, Many shall be purified during this period, And made white and refined. That's what's going to happen. It's going to help the people of God grow spiritually. It's going to help them become purified the way they want to be purified. By having Christ live His life in them to the full. To be made white, to have the righteousness of Christ, To be refined to have a reflection of God and Jesus Christ in their lives.
But many shall be purified, made white, and refined. But the wicked, what's going to happen to the wicked? But the wicked shall do wickedly, And none of the wicked shall understand, But the wise shall understand. And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away And the abomination of desolation is set up, There shall be 1,290 days. And this time comes who will be blessed? Verse 12, Blessed is he who waits, And comes to the 1,335 days. Now, I'm not trying to explain all this to you, How this is going to be fulfilled, not all that means. I don't know. We don't fully understand all this right now, But those who live during this time will understand. It says, the wise will understand when these things happen to take place. It'll make sense. Verse 13, finally, he says, But go your way, Daniel, Until the end, For you shall rest, And will rise to your inheritance At the end of the days. So, let us now conclude this two-part sermon On the Countdown to Pentecost. Remember the four major events That progressively occurred in the year Christ died When it went from darkness to recognition To understanding to waiting. Are we now in our time of waiting? And while we are waiting, Are we preparing to become the bride of Christ? And, well, we endure to the end, no matter what happens in our lives. So we can never forget that. We are in our lives. So we can then be further purified and made white and refined. See, if we complete that process, Then we will also complete our journey In our Countdown to Pentecost.
Steve Shafer was born and raised in Seattle. He graduated from Queen Anne High School in 1959 and later graduated from Ambassador College, Big Sandy, Texas in 1967, receiving a degree in Theology. He has been an ordained Elder of the Church of God for 34 years and has pastored congregations in Michigan and Washington State. He and his wife Evelyn have been married for over 48 years and have three children and ten grandchildren.