James 1:18 (above) presents an interesting thought.

The concept of a group, a firstfruits, selected from the totality of God's creatures, which is the meaning of the term church, can be observed in Romans 8:19: "The earnest expectation of the creature [creation] waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God."

The sin and rebellion of the old creation were illustrated by the inability of Adam and Eve to obey one simple restraint on their behavior. The old creation was judged and finished on Calvary. The new creation began with the resurrection of Christ. He is the Firstfruits of the new creation—a new working of the Lord God of Heaven.

The saints of God, since they are one with Christ in His death and in His resurrection, also may be considered a firstfruits of the new creation. The world of nature, including the nations of the earth, is waiting expectantly for the revealing of the sons of God who already possess in themselves the firstfruits of the Spirit of God—the substance of eternal life (Romans 8:19).

Revelation 14:4 refers to those who are the "firstfruits to God and to the Lamb." Let us, like Paul, "follow after" so we may grasp that for which we have been "apprehended" (grasped) by the Lord Jesus. Let us press toward participation in the first resurrection so we too may become a firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)

Notice how the feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits portray the crucifixion, descent into Hell, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The seven feasts of Israel are symbolic of events in the life of Christ, and therefore have direct application to our own spiritual experience because of our oneness with Him in His crucifixion and resurrection.

Pentecost

And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord. (Leviticus 23:15,16)

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)

There are amazing differences between the feasts of the Jews and their new covenant counterparts. The old covenant celebration of Pentecost (feast of Weeks) was an important annual agricultural ceremony. The new covenant fulfillment of the feast of Weeks is an extraordinary spiritual occurrence that has affected the course of mankind on the earth.

To be continued.