All families of the great Christian body are familiar with the spiritual fulfillment of the Jewish "feast of unleavened bread," that is, with repentance, water baptism, and being born again. This is the basic message of the Gospel. Many soldiers of the cross have given their lives that whoever will do so might believe, be baptized, and thus be saved.

Around the turn of the century the "feast of weeks" (Pentecost) was added. Those who have embraced the phenomena of the Spirit have learned that it is only by the Spirit we can truly minister and only by the Spirit we can keep from obeying the lusts of our flesh.

But the act of salvation includes three great platforms, not just two. The types of the Bible reveal three installations of the grace of God, three interventions of God in man's transformation, such as the three convocations of Israel or the three areas of the Tabernacle of the Congregation. It is on the third day that there is a wedding in Cana of Galilee.

Are you ready to move past Pentecost in your experience with God?

The "feast of Tabernacles," the convocation after Pentecost, portrays God's great plan, which is to dwell in His people.

Unlike the other creatures of God (as far as we know), human beings were made in half. We are either male or female. Why were we made this way? Why were we made so vulnerable in the realm of relationships?

The answer is, man was made to be the dwelling place of God and also to be the gate through which others can find rest in God. The person who is alone, without God or other people, needs to be ministered to. It is not good that man be alone.

In basic salvation we receive the blood of God's Lamb so we might have the authority to enter the Kingdom. In Pentecost we receive the wisdom and power by which we enter the Kingdom. Neither of these is the Kingdom. They are the authority and ability to enter the Kingdom.

The Kingdom of God is God in Christ in the saints loving, governing, and blessing the creatures of God.

Passing from "Pentecost" to "Tabernacles" requires a fierce warfare as all that is not of God's Kingdom is driven from our personality. But there comes a day when we have received double for our sins, when our warfare has been accomplished, when our iniquity has been pardoned.

God tears before He binds up. He is angry and we are rebuked and chastised before His glorious Presence finds untroubled rest in us.

Does this speak to your heart? Are you a seasoned Christian who suddenly is being faced with the unfathomable deceit of your own inner nature?

Rejoice! You are moving from Pentecost to Tabernacles. When you come forth from the fire only your bondages will have been burned away. The Son of God has been with you in the fire.

We have compassed the mountain of Pentecost long enough. Let's move on toward the land of promise.