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Christ The Firstfruits

August 23, 2025August 23, 2025 by Laura Lee

(Copyright 08-01-2025) by Dwight Fleming (Oroville, California)
Jesus of Nazareth was called “the lamb of God” by John the Baptist (John 1:29). Indeed, Jesus became a Passover lamb by laying down His life so that we may escape death just as occurred hundreds of years before in Egypt. The descendants of Abraham and Jacob had multiplied in Egypt and eventually became slaves to the Egyptians. God sent Moses to Pharaoh to demand the release of His people. As you know, Pharaoh refused even after the land had suffered various plagues. A final plague was pronounced upon Egypt that would bring death to every firstborn. To spare the lives of the firstborn of the Israelites, God told Moses to instruct His people to take a lamb without blemish and slay it on the fourteenth day between the two evenings. They were to roast it and eat it that evening in their houses. To prevent the Destroyer from entering their homes to kill their firstborn, they had to put the lamb’s blood on the lintel and doorposts of their houses. This caused the Destroyer to “pass over” them sparing their firstborn. This historical event became known as the Passover which was celebrated each year afterwards by sacrificing a lamb every year on the 14^th day of the first month of the Hebrew calendar. This yearly Passover celebration occurs in the spring of the year. While this Passover celebration was an annual memorial of the Israelites escaping death and coming out of Egypt, it also looked forward to a time when God would provide a lamb from heaven which would reconcile all believers back to God by His own shed blood. John the Baptist declared that Jesus of Nazareth was that lamb sent from God. Just as the physical lamb slain every year by the Israelites had to be without blemish, so, too, the lamb Jesus was without blemish (no sin). In like manner, Jesus was slain on the fourteenth day of the first month between the two evenings. His shed blood has provided the only way for us to escape death for all who believe and accept His atoning sacrifice. But that isn’t all there is to it. While His death reconciles us or atones us to God which is first necessary, it is Christ’s resurrection which actually gives us our hope of salvation. This is expounded by the apostle Paul in the 15^th chapter of his first letter to the church at Corinth. Consider: “For if the dead are not raised, then not even Jesus has been raised. And if Jesus has not been raised, then your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those who also have fallen asleep in Christ are perished. … But Christ indeed has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. … But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him” (I Corinthians 15:16-23). Why does Paul call Jesus the “firstfruits”? Editor’s Note: 1 Corinthians 15:20 has a mistranslation in it in the Old King James bible which was updated in the New King James bible. It reads: 1Co 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the firstfruits of them that slept. The word “firstfruits” was mistranslated and should have been “firstfruit” because Christ was the “firstfruit” of the “firstfruits”. Laura Lee This term comes from one of God’s festivals listed in Leviticus 23. Notice: “And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Speak to the Israelites and say, “When you enter into the land that I am giving you and you reap its harvest, you are to bring to the priest a sheaf ofthe firstfruits of your harvest. And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD so that it may be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath”’” (Leviticus 23:9-11). Editor’s Note: The reason it says “firstfruits” in Leviticus 23:10 is because the wave sheaf offering represents God’s people who will be resurrected in the first resurrection of the dead. When firstfruits is singular as in I Corinthians 15:20 it is talking about Christ because He is one person. In Leviticus 23:10 it is talking about the wave sheaf offering which represents the saints of God. The wave sheaf offering does not represent Christ. Laura Lee This festival followed Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread. It is a 50-day period. On the first day a sheaf of barley is given to the priest who waves it before the LORD as a firstfruits offering. On the last day or 50^th day, two loaves of bread are waved before the LORD also as a firstfruits offering. See verses 17 and 20. It is known as the Feast of Firstfruits or the Feast of Weeks. Since Jesus is called “the firstfruits of them that have fallen asleep [in the grave]” then this festival must surely picture the resurrection of Jesus followed by the resurrection of His saints at His coming at the last trump. Editor’s Note: The Feast of First Fruits pictures the resurrection of the saints of God. The wave sheaf offering is about the saints and not about Christ. Parched corn or parched barley as it should probably read is made by putting the grain in a sieve and passing it over the flames. This represents the trials and refinement we must go through in order to be in that first resurrection. Part of the wave sheaf offering is the gathering of the grain and the refinement of the grain and that some of the grain is not used. It is a picture of how many are called but few are chosen. Lev 23:11 And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. The wave sheaf offering was never about Christ as he does not have to be refined. He is already sin free. Laura Lee This should be exciting news which gives all believers great joy to know God’s plan for those who are in Christ whether dead or alive at His imminent return. It is somewhat bewildering that this festival has become a hotbed of controversy over one simple word in Leviticus 23:11. This verse says to wave the sheaf of firstfruits on the day after the Sabbath. It does not clearly identify which Sabbath which then allows various interpretations. Each proponent of their perspective believes and argues that his or her perspective is the correct one. Editor’s Note: It actually does tell you in scripture which Sabbath. It is found in Joshua. *Jos 5:11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn* in the selfsame day. The wording in Joshua 5:11 is almost identical to the wording found in Leviticus 23:14. Laura Lee Let’s look at the primary point of contention: Which is the correct day for the waving of the sheaf of firstfruits? It is to be waved the day after a Sabbath, but how can we know which Sabbath day is meant? Leviticus 23:3 reads: “For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.” So, the word “Sabbath” refers to the seventh day of the week. Was this word used to refer to any other festival days listed in Leviticus 23 prior to verse 11? Editor’s Note: This is deceptive on your part. All of the weekly Sabbaths and annual Sabbaths are Sabbaths, so it does not matter whether the word Sabbath was used prior to verse 11 or not. Lev 23:4 These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. Leviticus 23:4 covers all the annual sabbaths when it says “These are the feasts of the Lord” then it states these are holy convocations (holy meetings) which are to be kept in their seasons (appointed times of the year). And then after verse 4 it continues to list all of these annual Holy Day Sabbaths. Laura Lee No. So, the word “Sabbath” as used in verse 11 can only refer to the seventh day of the week where it was previously used. This would be the most logical conclusion which maintains the proper context of chapter 23. Editor’s Note: Perhaps you should read Leviticus 23 again because when I read it, the context about the weekly sabbath ends in verse 23:3. Verse 23:4 reads: Lev 23:4 These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. By verse 4 in context, it is no longer talking about the weekly sabbath but has now switched to talking about the annual sabbaths even if it does not use the word sabbath. Sabbaths are known for their Holy Convocations and the fact that they are proclaimed to be feasts. Also, when the word “seasons” is used it is a clue we are talking about annual sabbaths and not weekly sabbaths. Laura Lee NOTE: There was no Strong’s concordance around at that time to confuse the truth. Editor’s Note: There did not need to be a Strong’s concordance at the time of Christ or before because they all knew whatever language they were speaking and the meaning of the words. Strong’s concordance is a tool we use today to help us understand the meanings of the words that the bible was originally written in, for example Hebrew and Greek. Unless you fluently speak and understand Hebrew and Greek, I suggest you use Strong’s concordance or some other such tool so you are better able to understand what the bible is talking about because I can see clearly from what you have written in this article that you are clearly a very confused person and wouldn’t know the truth if Christ himself knocked on your door and told it to you. Laura Lee This simple and proper understanding is not acceptable to some who believe that verse 11 must actually be referring to the first day of unleavened bread (Abib 15) mentioned in verses 6-7. An avalanche of “proof” is then presented to convince someone to accept something other than the obvious, clear truth of the matter. Editor’s Note: Lev 23:10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: Lev 23:11 And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. Read what it says in context. There are clues in these two verses to tell you when this is. “When ye come into the land which I give unto you…” Read Joshua:** Jos 5:10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. Jos 5:11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day. Jos 5:12 And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year. We know Jos. 5:10 is talking about when they first came into the land which God gave them because once they harvested the grain the manna quit because they did the wave sheaf the day after Passover and then they were able to eat the grain of the land. Also Joshua 5:11 is almost identical wording to Leviticus 23:14 Lev 23:14 And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. *Jos 5:11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn* in the selfsame day.** Did you ever hear about the scripture that says here a little, there a little. In other words you have to use the whole bible and not just pick out a scripture and make a whole doctrine around it like you are trying to do. Isa 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. Isa 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: Laura Lee The reasoning goes like this: Since the word “Sabbath” is later used in Leviticus 23 in connection to the Day of Atonement (verses 26-32), any festival day where work is prohibited is considered a Sabbath day. Thus, since the first and last days of unleavened bread prohibit “servile work” on those two days, they are considered to be Sabbath days. They only occur once a year and may fall on any day of the week rather than on the seventh day. This part is true. But to claim that the use of the word “Sabbath” as used in verse 11 must refer to the first day of unleavened bread requires taking the word out of context. As the context clearly shows, “Sabbath” is first used to refer to the seventh day in verse three. The word is not used again until verse 11. Consequently, it must still carry that same connection to the seventh day in this verse to stay true to the previous notation of verse three which gives the primary meaning of “Sabbath.” Editor’s Note: Leviticus 23:3 is talking about the weekly sabbath but then verse 4 starts talking about the annual holy days and doesn’t stop until it gets to the eighth day. There is no connection between verse 3 and the sabbath mentioned in 23:11. Joshua flat out tells you when the wave sheaf was done, which was the day after Passover. Historically the wave sheaf was always done on Nisan 16 just like Joshua says. And Strong’s Concordance says the Sabbath mentioned in Lev. 23:11 can mean every Sabbath (weekly or annually). Also, if you are trying to tell us that the annual Holy Days are not Sabbaths then you would be lying because they are all Sabbaths. Read Leviticus 23 or better yet run a search on the word “sabbath” and every annual Holy Day will be found to be listed as a sabbath. Laura Lee While the Day of Atonement was later also called a Sabbath, the primary meaning of “Sabbath,” when used alone, as in verse 11, is the seventh day unless the context clearly states otherwise. In addition, rather than using the word “Sabbath” to refer to an annual festival day, such as, Atonement or Trumpets, a particular holy day is likely to be named directly to prevent ambiguity. If Moses meant the Sabbath of verse 11 to mean the first day of unleavened bread, then he could easily have written “on the day after the 15^th of Abib,” or “the priest shall wave the sheaf on the sixteenth of Abib.” If “Sabbath” in verse 11 must mean the first day of unleavened bread, then what about verse 15? Editor’s Note: The reason God did not inspire simple wording is because He wanted to make sure the people He allowed in the first resurrection could study and understand scripture and you neither study it nor do you understand it. And again, you should not be teaching people about Holy Days when you do not understand them yourself. There are many very clear scriptures in the bible, but you don’t believe what they say. Instead, you find some vague scripture and turn it into something it is not. You write articles and yet you don’t even know what it means to read something in context. Because you have a false doctrine that you want to hold onto no matter what proof is given to you, for example verse 11 is not in context of verse 3. Where most people who count from the weekly sabbath get to Pentecost, they get if from the Sadducees, a sect that Christ would never follow because their beliefs are in direct opposition to Christ’s beliefs. Laura Lee Verse 15 says to count seven complete Sabbaths from the day when the sheaf of firstfruits is waved. Does it mean that we are to count seven first days of unleavened bread? This would span a seven-year period to do so. Editor’s Note: Lev 23:15 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: *Deu 16:9 Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as* thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn. Lev. 23:15 and Deu. 16:9 mean the same thing but they are worded differently. In Lev. 23:15 it means a complete week of which one of the days during that week will always be a weekly sabbath but it does not mean to start your count after a weekly sabbath. Deu. 16:9 makes it clear that what you are counting to get to Pentecost is weeks and not Saturday Sabbaths. Some bibles have even updated this to reflect that a complete sabbath is talking about a week and not a weekly sabbath. It means seven days makes a complete week. Laura Lee Obviously, Sabbaths in verse 15 refers to the weekly Sabbath and not an annual Sabbath since we are told to count a 50-day period. The first day of this 50-day period will come after a Sabbath and the fiftieth day will come after a Sabbath. See verses 15 and 16. The only way that this can happen is for the wave-sheaf day to fall on a Sunday which would then cause the 50^th day to also fall on a Sunday (the day after a Sabbath). Editor’s Note: It is called the Feast of Weeks, not the Feast of Sabbaths. See Deu. 16:9 Deu 16:9 Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn. John Gill in regard to: Leviticus 23:15 And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath,…. Not the seventh day sabbath in the passover week, nor the whole feast of unleavened bread, but the first day of it, which was an holy convocation, a sabbath in which no servile work was to be done, Lev_23:7; and it was from the day after this, even the sixteenth of Nisan, that the following count was to be made; so the Targum of Jonathan, after the first feast day of the passover: and Josephus (s) is very clear in it, that Pentecost, or the feast of weeks, was the fiftieth day from the sixteenth of Nisan, when the above offerings were made: from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; which plainly points out the express day from whence the count was to begin, even on the day when the sheaf of the firstfruits of the barley harvest was offered: seven sabbaths shall be complete; or seven weeks, that is, forty nine days; and hence, Jarchi says, we learn that the count began from the evening, or otherwise the weeks would not be complete; and Gersom thinks the day in which the sheaf was offered is included in the days counted; for the count began from the day after the first of the passover, and lo, seven days are seven weeks of days, which make forty nine days. (s) Antiqu. l. 3. c. 10. sect. 6. Adam Clark in regard to: Leviticus 23:15 Ye shall count unto you – seven Sabbaths – That is, from the sixteenth of the first month to the sixth of the third month. These seven weeks, called here Sabbaths, were to be complete, i. e., the forty-nine days must be finished, and the next day, the fiftieth, is what, from the Septuagint, we call pentecost. See the note on Luk_6:1. E. W. Bullinger in regard to: Leviticus 23:15 seven sabbaths = seven weeks. Compare Luk_18:12. Mat_28:1. Hence the name “feast of weeks” in Old Testament. Exo_34:22. Deu_16:10, Deu_16:16; 2Ch_8:13. I read several commentaries and of the ones I read, they all agreed that the count to Pentecost starts on Nisan 16 and ends on Sivan 6. Old King James Bible: Lev 23:15 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: Lev 23:16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD. Brenton Septuagint: Lev 23:15 And ye shall number to yourselves from the day after the sabbath, from the day on which ye shall offer the sheaf of the heave-offering, seven full weeks: Lev 23:16 until the morrow after the last week ye shall number fifty days, and shall bring a new meat-offering to the Lord. I also read several bibles pertaining to Lev. 23:15-16 and the results were pretty much the same. Some bibles word it this way “seven sabbaths shall be complete”. When it says “seven sabbaths shall be complete” it is talking about seven weeks shall be complete, it is not saying that several weekly sabbaths shall be complete. Also, in the New Testament if you look at the Strong’s meaning for the word week in several verses the meaning of week is “sabbaton” and can be translated as week or sabbath. So sabbath and week are interchangeable unless it states a specific sabbath that it is talking about. The Brenton Septuagint translated these two scriptures perfectly. Laura Lee However, those insisting that the wave-sheaf day always comes after the first day of unleavened bread downplay this actual weekly Sabbath counting with Deuteronomy 16:9 since it uses “weeks” instead of “Sabbaths.” The simple fact is that you start your harvest on the day after the weekly Sabbath, count seven Sabbaths which are equal to seven weeks which equal 49 days. The 50^th day then falls after the seventh Sabbath and is called the Feast of Weeks in the Old Testament or Pentecost in the New Testament. Editor’s Note: Deut. 16:9 is very clear in that you are counting weeks and not weekly sabbaths. When it says seven sabbaths shall be complete, that means seven weeks will be complete. It is just two ways of saying the same thing. Laura Lee To jump ahead to the verses in Leviticus 23 which say that Atonement is a “Sabbath” in order to change the simple and plain meaning of “Sabbath” in verse 11 is breaking the context of the chapter with backward and upside down reasoning. If an erroneous concept or belief was held by a historical past religious group, then quoting their past commentary will not make their false belief any more true today than it was centuries ago. Editor’s Note: Where most people get the belief that the count to Pentecost is after the weekly sabbath is from the Sadducees and the Karaites. The Sadducees belief exactly the opposite of what Christ believes and the Karaites did not exist until the 8^th or 9^th century. Not all ancient historical documents are wrong only the ones that cannot be found in scripture. Most of your doctrine is made up by you. You are taking clear scriptures from the bible and telling us they are lies while at the same time claiming that unclear scriptures are the clear scriptures. From what I have read of your article so far, you do not belief in the word of God which is inspired by God. You are making things up because you do not want to do it God’s way, you want to do it your way, so even though there are many historical documents as well as tools to help you understand the meanings of Hebrew and Greek words you will have none of it. You only belief what you think in your mind and nothing else. So, it would not matter how much proof from scripture anyone offers to you, you won’t look it up to see if it is true. Laura Lee Contending that the “Sabbath” used in verse 11 must mean the first day of unleavened bread also causes the wave-sheaf day and the 50^th day to always fall on the same Hebrew calendar dates every year, namely, Nisan 16 (Abib 16) and Sivan 6. Editor’s Note: That is right, the wave sheaf historically and in scripture has always been on Nisan 16. See Joshua 5:10-12. Sivan 6 is also found in scripture by reading Exodus 19. Both dates are also found on the Hebrew Calendar which many people threw in the trash so they could make up their own calendars feeling they know more than God Himself. Laura Lee If this is what God intended, then why didn’t He provide these dates just as He gave dates for the other annual festivals? This reveals a major and obvious flaw in the “Sivan 6 Pentecost” theory which then requires some serious hole patching. Editor’s Note: God did tell you what dates His Holy Days are on. Everyone of them along with the date is found in scripture and also on the Hebrew Calendar as preserved by the Orthodox Jews. You just do not believe what scripture says. Laura Lee One feeble explanation contends that since Pentecost pictures the wedding of Christ and His Bride (the resurrected church), we are to “count” the days to our wedding. A bride may do that when she knows the actual date beforehand. But God does not give us any actual date in scripture. Rather, we are told that “no one knows the day or the hour” (Matthew 24:36). Editor’s Note: All of God’s people are going to know the date of the first resurrection at least 3 years before it happens. Remember the two witnesses? The two witnesses will lay in the street dead for 3 days and then be resurrected with the saints of God. So those who are God’s true people will know when ahead of time. Right now, no one knows because the two witnesses are not here yet. All brides looking forward to their wedding count the days until that wedding day. Pentecost is a fixed date according to scripture. It falls on Sivan 6 every year. Laura Lee. Furthermore, we don’t do a countdown of days to a date that has already been set, but we are to count up to the 50^th day to determine when the Holy Day should occur for that year. Editor’s Note: What more glorious thing could happen to God’s people than the resurrection to eternal life? It is called the wedding supper of the lamb and brides looking forward to their wedding day always count to their wedding day. So how much more should we look forward to being a part of God’s family by attending the wedding super of the lamb? You can continue to count to your variable date, but it will be in vain because you are keeping and promoting a Holy Day that is not found in scripture. Laura Lee What is being completely overlooked in any arguments for a Sivan 6 Pentecost is the fact that this 50-day period of counting is a harvest period which pictures a spiritual harvest of saints with Christ being the first of the firstfruits. Every farmer knows that a harvest may be delayed when certain conditions occur. A harvest may start every year at the same time like clockwork when conditions remain consistent from year to year. I have personally experienced a harvest delay because of thick smoke blocking out the sun from wildfires here in California. And if a farmer knows this, then certainly God does too which is why He did not give a definite date for the wave-sheaf day. The barley harvest did not begin each year until the harvest was ready (Christ said to be ready,Matthew 24:44). Deuteronomy 16:9: “You are to count off seven weeks from [when?] the time you first put the sickle to the standing grain [after a weekly Sabbath].” Editor’s Note: None of this is in scripture in regard to the harvest. Passover is also a harvest and yet it is a set time and so is the Feast of Tabernacles. Barley is harvested in Israel at Passover, it is what is used for the wave sheaf offering. At Pentecost the wheat is harvested in Israel, notice two wave loafs probably made from wheat. There is no place that I know of in scripture that says we are to delay any Holy Days (sabbaths, weekly or annually) if the harvest isn’t ready. If you have scripture showing that I would like to see it. Laura Lee This also means that the wave-sheaf day may sometimes not occur until after the Days of Unleavened Bread if the grain is not yet ready. The wave-sheaf day is to occur after a weekly Sabbath, but which weekly Sabbath is not specified since it depends on the readiness of the grain in the field. Editor’s Note: Where does it say that in scripture? Laura Lee What blows the Sivan 6 Pentecost theory completely out of the water is the fact that the resurrection of Jesus did not occur on Nisan 16, the day after the first day of unleavened bread. Rather, the resurrection of Jesus did occur on the day after the weekly Sabbath (a Sunday) during the days of unleavened bread. Luke 24 clearly shows this. Most COG members won’t accept a Sunday resurrection since they have bought into the 72-hour teaching of Herbert Armstrong. This was discussed in my article entitled, “The Third Day.” Editor’s Note: Your article entitled “The Third Day” was also another one of your Holy Day articles that was not worth the paper it was written on. Christ was taken off the stake and buried just before sunset on Nisan 14 (a Wednesday). It was the day before the preparation day.** Joh 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. *Joh 19:42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day;* for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. Christ was buried just before sunset on the preparation day for the Passover. Mat 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Christ was resurrected 3 days and 3 nights later on the Saturday Sabbath just before sunset just like scripture says. He was not resurrected on Sunday as you claim. The resurrection of Christ did not happen on Nisan 16 and I have never claimed that it did. Christ was accepted by the Father in heaven the minute he died. That is why the veil was ripped. The wave sheaf is not about Christ. The wave sheaf represents all those who will be in the first resurrection. There was more grain gathered than what was used for the wave sheaf, meaning that not everyone who is called will make it into that first resurrection. The wave sheaf is passed through the fire many times to be refined. Christ does not have to be refined so the wave sheaf is not about Christ. Laura Lee Jesus fulfilled the wave-sheaf offering with His resurrection just as He fulfilled the Passover with His death. This is why the apostle Paul said that Jesus was the firstfruits of them who have fallen asleep (I Corinthians 15:20). To accept Jesus as our Passover but then deny Him as the Firstfruits may jeopardize one’s own hope of being in the first resurrection. “Sorry, you weren’t ready. Catch the next resurrection in a thousand years.” Editor’s Note: Again 1 Corinthians 15:20 should have said firstfruit instead of firstfruits. It is a mistranslation. Christ did not have to fulfill the wave sheaf offering because He was accepted by the Father the minute He died. The wave sheaf is about going through the fire and being refined. Christ is sin free and does not have to be refined. The wave sheaf only represents those who are called and chosen. Not all people who are called will be chosen. Some will not make the first resurrection. Christ is the firstfruit because He was the first one to die and be resurrected. In the first resurrection of God’s people many will be resurrected and join Christ as part of His family. Laura Lee Does Exodus 19 prove a Sivan 6 Pentecost? Even if the giving of the ten commandments did occur on Sivan 6 that particular year, it does not prove that Pentecost should occur every year on Sivan 6. Counting from the day after the weekly Sabbath which falls during the Days of Unleavened will sometimes cause Pentecost to fall on Sivan 6 but not every year. Editor’s Note: Exo 5:1 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. We know that the Israelites kept Passover in Egypt and left Rameses on the fifteenth of Nisan because the Bible clearly states when they left Rameses. The next feast after Passover/Days of Unleavened Bread is Pentecost and Exodus 5:1 proves that is exactly what was being kept in Exodus 19. Exodus is the only feast spoken of that was kept in the wilderness. This feast happened before the manna and quails were used to teach them about the weekly sabbath. Laura Lee Exodus 19:1 is actually saying that the children of Israel arrived at the wilderness of Sinai close to the foot of the mountain of God on the 15^th day of the third month. They arrived on the 15^th day of the month, the same day of the month when they had left from Egypt two months prior. Numbers 33:3 verifies that they left on the 15^th day of the first month. Exodus 19:1 reveals that they arrived at the mountain of God on the same day (the 15^th) in the third month. Editor’s Note: Are you using your strange method of context here again? Because it doesn’t apply. The meaning of context is as follows: the parts of something written or spoken that immediately precede and follow a word or passage and clarify its meaning. According to the definition of context Exodus 19 has nothing to do with Numbers 33:3 as they are so far apart in scripture. Context would be found in the verse or a few verses ahead or behind what you are looking at. The Feast in the wilderness happened on Sivan 6 according to Exodus 19 and according to Exodus 5:1 it was a feast to the Lord or in other words a Sabbath, A High Holy Day, a Feast, an Annual Holy Day Sabbath. There is no other feast we are told to keep in Sivan which is the third month. There is also no other annual feast that is mentioned that they kept in the wilderness. The fifteenth day in Numbers 33:3 has absolutely nothing to do with the date of Sivan 6 found in Exodus 19. Laura Lee The meeting with God three days later would then occur on the 17^th day of the third Hebrew month. However, because of an incorrect understanding of the instruction in Leviticus 23 regarding when to wave the sheaf of firstfruits, hardly anyone accepts the 17^th as a possible date for Pentecost that year. Editor’s Note: There is a good reason why not many believe this. It is because it is not in scripture and you do not understand what “context” is. Laura Lee Even if you believe that the Israelites did arrive on the third day of the third month, the meeting with God would have taken place on the third day which would have been Sivan 5 not Sivan 6. The first day is when they arrived at the foot of the mountain of God. Moses goes up the mountain to talk with God. God says to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today [Sivan 3rd] and tomorrow [the 4th]. They must wash their clothes and be prepared by the third day [the 5^th], for on the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people” (Exodus 19:10). Editor’s Note: Exo 19:1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. It says in the third month on the same day. In other words Sivan 3.** Exo 19:2 For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. Exo 19:3 And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Exo 19:4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. Exo 19:7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. Exo 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. Exo 19:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD. Exo 19:10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, They arrived late on the 3^rd of Sivan so after sunset it would have been the 4^th. So, they had two days of preparation, the 4^th and the 5th. Two full days of preparation. Exo 19:11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. They arrived on Sivan 3 and were told to be ready by the 3^rd day which would be the 3rd day from Sivan 3 which translates into Sivan 6. I am sorry that you do not understand a simple math problem. 3 + 3 = 6 Laura Lee. It’s interesting how Exodus 19 keeps emphasizing the third day. Likewise, the New Testament has several scriptures which emphasize that Christ would be raised on the third day. See I Corinthians 15:4. Does Joshua 5:10-12 say that the Israelites waved a sheaf of firstfruits before eating any new grain in accordance with Leviticus 23:9-14? Joshua and the children of Israel had crossed the Jordan River to start their campaign of conquering gentile cities west of the Jordan. They camped on the plains of Jericho to circumcise any uncircumcised males. An uncircumcised male could not eat of the Passover. They then keep the Passover as commanded on the 14^th day of the first month in the evening. Now this is where things get muddled and wrong assumptions are made. Joshua 5:11 says, “The day after the Passover on that very day [Abib 15, first day of unleavened bread], they ate unleavened bread and roasted grain from the produce [old or stored grain] of the land.” Where did the grain or flour come from for them to make unleavened bread? Was this flour made from new grain freshly harvested from a nearby field? It had to be from old or stored grain which they had previously captured and brought with them since they ate it on the 15^th of Abib. Were they coming there as harvest workers or as warriors to conquer the land? Editor’s Note: The Passover is the exact same day as the First Day of Unleavened Bread. Passover is kept on the late part of the 14^th as it is turning into the 15^th. So, the day after Passover would be Nisan 16. Where did they get the grain? It is so clear a 2^nd grader could understand it: *Jos 5:11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn* in the selfsame day. It was their land now and they could eat of the old grain as well as the new grain as long as they did the wave sheaf according to Leviticus 23. Joshua 5:11 is worded almost identical to Leviticus 23:14. Before they ate the grains of the new land they were eating manna given by God see Jushua 5:12. Laura Lee Let’s rewind to learn where and how this invading army had obtained their food supply. Before crossing the Jordan River, Moses had encountered some kings along the way who did not welcome the children of Israel and proved to be rather hostile. While on the east side of the Jordan River, Israel wanted to pass through the land of Moab. Moses sent a request to King Sihon: “So from the wilderness of Kedemoth I [Moses] sent messengers with an offer of peace to Sihon king of Heshbon, saying, ‘Let us pass through your land; we will stay on the main road. We will not turn to the right or to the left. You can sell us food to eat and water to drink in exchange for silver’” (Deuteronomy 2:26-28, see also 32-35). Moses first tried diplomacy which failed. A big mistake was made by king Sihon for refusing Moses’ fair offer. Israel goes to war against king Sihon who was defeated. They captured all his cities leaving no survivors. They took the livestock and the plunder from these cities. I wonder what was in that plunder? Do you think that any stored grain from a previous harvest was captured? Just before crossing the Jordan River they were commanded to prepare victuals or provisions for their coming invasion of the west side of the Jordan in a few days. See Joshua 1:10-11. [Remember the manna still appeared every morning at this time but nothing could be kept over for the next day except on the sixth day to keep from collecting manna on the Sabbath. So manna would probably not be included in their provisions. And they probably knew beforehand that the manna would eventually stop.] Thus, the need to take provisions with them which came from the plunder of their previous conquests. So, the Israelites were well equipped when they crossed the Jordan. There was no need to get side-tracked with doing harvest work which would expose them to any enemies while working in the field. A grain field would be open and free of brush or trees which could be used for cover when confronting an enemy. The argument has been made that since the Israelites did not plant the grain themselves when entering the land, then a wave-sheaf offering was not yet required. Consequently, they did not see the need to yet follow the instructions of Leviticus 23:9-14 until they had not only conquered the land but settled down to raise crops for themselves. This is true. Editor’s Note: This is not true, you are weaving false fabricated stories again. They ate more than manna and quail for 40 years in the desert. So, what if they had spoils of war to eat besides manna and quail. Read Lev. 23 in regard to the wave sheaf carefully. Lev 23:10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: The instruction is that when they come into the land that God gave them and reap the harvest thereof, then you shall do the wave sheaf. So in other words when they come into the land, not 1-40 years later but when they come into the land and reap the harvest thereof, in other words the harvest that is already there. Laura Lee For anyone to say “nowhere does it say that they had to plant the crop” has not read Exodus 23:16, “You are also to keep the Feast of Harvest with [produce planted by the wicked unbeliever? No! But with] the firstfruits of the produce from what you sow in the field.” Editor’s Note:** Exo 23:16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field. This verse has nothing to do with the Passover or the harvest at Passover where the wave sheaf is derived from. This verse is talking about the harvest at Pentecost and at the Feast of Tabernacles. Laura Lee This misunderstanding of Joshua 5 has caused several COG groups to start the count toward Pentecost on the wrong day in the years when Passover falls on a Saturday since they falsely believe that the wave-sheaf day must occur during the days of unleavened bread. See Paul Yoos’ article on Joshua 5 written many years ago. The Journal: News of the Churches of God Editor’s Note: There is no misunderstanding of Joshua 5 which is a clear scripture saying they ate of the grain of the land on the day after Passover, Nisan 16 which is the same day the wave sheaf is done historically and in scripture. Laura Lee Numbers 33:3 clearly says that the children of Israel departed on the 15^th day of the first month and that the 15^th is the day after the Passover. It is falsely assumed by nearly everyone that at the time of Moses a calendar day began and ended at sunset. This is not true. The Israelites had lived in Egyptian culture for centuries. Editor’s Note: Num 33:3 And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians. Morrow means the next day. The Passover meal took place the night before whether you want to call it the 14^th or the 15^th it doesn’t really matter as the morning of the 15^th was still the morrow (next day) after the Passover meal which took place on the 14^th as it turned into the 15^th at sunset. Laura Lee The Egyptians had a solar calendar which was later adopted by the Romans which we follow today. They also had a lunar calendar. The Roman practice of beginning and ending the calendar day at midnight likely came from Egypt. This was the custom the Israelites also used when they left Egypt which explains why the Death Angel came at midnight. The 15^th of Abib started at midnight and not at sundown. This is why Numbers 33:3 says the 15^th was the day after Passover which is on the 14^th. Editor’s Note: Lame argument, the scripture says “morrow” meaning the next day after the Passover meal. Laura Lee Joshua 5:10-11 agrees with this explanation. The Israelites kept the Passover on the 14^th day in the evening. The next day (the day after Passover) they ate unleavened bread since it was the 15^th and the first day of unleavened bread as spelled out in Leviticus 23. Editor’s Note: Jos 5:10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. Jos 5:11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day. At even in Joshua 10 is talking about the end of the day or as the 14^th is turning into the 15^th of Nisan. The Passover in scripture is on Nisan 15 the same as the First Day of Unleavened Bread. They were not allowed to harvest a crop on a Sabbath Day. The wave sheaf was always done on Nisan 16. Passover also never falls on Friday for this reason. If it did fall on a Friday then Nisan 16 would be on a Saturday which is the weekly Sabbath where no work is to be done. Laura Lee The custom of beginning a calendar day at sundown came much later perhaps after the Babylonian captivity which is reflected in the gospel accounts of the New Testament. Editor’s Note: A sunset to sunset day started on day one in Genesis. A sunset to sunset day has always been a part of the law of God even though most people do not even today view a day in this manner. Laura Lee Lastly, Jesus Christ is our Passover slain for us (I Corinthians 5:7). Jesus instituted a whole new ceremony prior to His death. It is erroneously called the Passover. The apostle Paul called it the Lord’s supper to distinguish it from the Old Testament Passover ceremony kept at the end of the 14^th day and into the evening of what later became the 15^th after sunset by Jewish reckoning. Partaking of the bread and wine prior to the time of Jesus’ death (just as Jesus did) is to remind us that we are part of the body and blood of Christ. We are to die with Him (Galatians 2:20) If we are to be crucified with Him then we need to become part of His body prior to the time of His death. This is why Paul said to follow him as he follows Christ. We are to follow the traditions that Jesus has set before us. See I Corinthians 11:1-2, 23. We are told by Paul the appropriate time to observe the Lord’s supper. It should be observed at the beginning of Nisan 14 in the evening. This is when Jesus was betrayed. Will we follow Jesus, our Lord and Savior, or will we betray Him with our own misunderstanding? Jesus said, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). Whoa! Take serious heed to Christ’s warning! Did Jesus exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees? Most certainly! Where in the Old Testament does it say that we should be baptized? Yet we do it as a confession of faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Even Jesus Himself was baptized even though He was without sin. Why? In order to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). He set the example for us to follow. Don’t let someone’s clever argument deter you from following Christ lest you fail to obey the righteousness of Jesus. Editor’s Note: This is again the worst Holy Day Article I have seen since your last one. There is no place in scripture where Christ changed the date of Passover or said to keep two days in a row no matter what you call them. How is most of what you are teaching different than what protestants teach? They teach a Sunday resurrection just like you, they teach Christ was in the ground for parts of days just like you. They teach Pentecost is on the wrong day just like you do. What is the difference between you and them. Either you never knew what the bible says or you forgot what it says. I like you as a person and I am sure God does too, but what you are teaching is not in the Bible and you are not following Christ which is very clear from what you write about the Holy Days. You are not studying scripture but you sure like to promote secular articles which in most cases are not based on scripture anymore than what you are writing. Mat 13:15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Jer 7:26 Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers. Jer 7:27 Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee. Jer 7:28 But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth. Teaching an early 14 Passover is a false doctrine. Teaching a variable count to Pentecost from a Saturday Sabbath in or near the days of unleavened bread is a false doctrine. Teaching a Sunday resurrection is a false doctrine. Teaching Christ was only in the grave for parts of days and parts of nights (less than 3 days and 3 nights) is a false doctrine. Teaching that Passover is not an annual Holy Day is a false doctrine. You have written an awful article with very little truth at all in it. Laura Lee Editor’s Note: We do not listen to video links or read print material that is linked to items we print, so we may or may not agree with those links. We only look at print material that is sent to us for print. Laura Lee

(Copyright 08-01-2025) by Dwight Fleming (Oroville, California)

Jesus of Nazareth was called “the lamb of God” by John the Baptist (John 1:29). Indeed, Jesus became a Passover lamb by laying down His life so that we may escape death just as occurred hundreds of years before in Egypt.

The descendants of Abraham and Jacob had multiplied in Egypt and eventually became slaves to the Egyptians. God sent Moses to Pharaoh to demand the release of His people. As you know, Pharaoh refused even after the land had suffered various plagues. A final plague was pronounced upon Egypt that would bring death to every firstborn.

To spare the lives of the firstborn of the Israelites, God told Moses to instruct His people to take a lamb without blemish and slay it on the fourteenth day between the two evenings. They were to roast it and eat it that evening in their houses. To prevent the Destroyer from entering their homes to kill their firstborn, they had to put the lamb’s blood on the lintel and doorposts of their houses.

This caused the Destroyer to “pass over” them sparing their firstborn. This historical event became known as the Passover which was celebrated each year afterwards by sacrificing a lamb every year on the 14^th day of the first month of the Hebrew calendar. This yearly Passover celebration occurs in the spring of the year.

While this Passover celebration was an annual memorial of the Israelites escaping death and coming out of Egypt, it also looked forward to a time when God would provide a lamb from heaven which would reconcile all believers back to God by His own shed blood. John the Baptist declared that Jesus of Nazareth was that lamb sent from God.

Just as the physical lamb slain every year by the Israelites had to be without blemish, so, too, the lamb Jesus was without blemish (no sin). In like manner, Jesus was slain on the fourteenth day of the first month between the two evenings. His shed blood has provided the only way for us to escape death for all who believe and accept His atoning sacrifice. But that isn’t all there is to it.

While His death reconciles us or atones us to God which is first necessary, it is Christ’s resurrection which actually gives us our hope of salvation. This is expounded by the apostle Paul in the 15^th chapter of his first letter to the church at Corinth. Consider:

“For if the dead are not raised, then not even Jesus has been raised. And if Jesus has not been raised, then your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those who also have fallen asleep in Christ are perished. … But Christ indeed has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. … But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him” (I Corinthians 15:16-23).

Why does Paul call Jesus the “firstfruits”?

Editor’s Note:
1 Corinthians 15:20 has a mistranslation in it in the Old King James bible which was updated in the New King James bible. It reads:

1Co 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

The word “firstfruits” was mistranslated and should have been “firstfruit” because Christ was the “firstfruit” of the “firstfruits”. Laura Lee

This term comes from one of God’s festivals listed in Leviticus 23. Notice:

“And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Speak to the Israelites and say, “When you enter into the land that I am giving you and you reap its harvest, you are to bring to the priest a sheaf ofthe firstfruits of your harvest. And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD so that it may be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath”’” (Leviticus 23:9-11).

Editor’s Note:
The reason it says “firstfruits” in Leviticus 23:10 is because the wave sheaf offering represents God’s people who will be resurrected in the first resurrection of the dead. When firstfruits is singular as in I Corinthians 15:20 it is talking about Christ because He is one person. In Leviticus 23:10 it is talking about the wave sheaf offering which represents the saints of God. The wave sheaf offering does not represent Christ. Laura Lee

This festival followed Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread. It is a 50-day period. On the first day a sheaf of barley is given to the priest who waves it before the LORD as a firstfruits offering. On the last day or 50^th day, two loaves of bread are waved before the LORD also as a firstfruits offering. See verses 17 and 20. It is known as the Feast of Firstfruits or the Feast of Weeks.

Since Jesus is called “the firstfruits of them that have fallen asleep [in the grave]” then this festival must surely picture the resurrection of Jesus followed by the resurrection of His saints at His coming at the last trump.

Editor’s Note:
The Feast of First Fruits pictures the resurrection of the saints of God. The wave sheaf offering is about the saints and not about Christ. Parched corn or parched barley as it should probably read is made by putting the grain in a sieve and passing it over the flames. This represents the trials and refinement we must go through in order to be in that first resurrection. Part of the wave sheaf offering is the gathering of the grain and the refinement of the grain and that some of the grain is not used. It is a picture of how many are called but few are chosen.

Lev 23:11 And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.

The wave sheaf offering was never about Christ as he does not have to be refined. He is already sin free. Laura Lee

This should be exciting news which gives all believers great joy to know God’s plan for those who are in Christ whether dead or alive at His imminent return. It is somewhat bewildering that this festival has become a hotbed of controversy over one simple word in Leviticus 23:11. This verse says to wave the sheaf of firstfruits on the day after the Sabbath. It does not clearly identify which Sabbath which then allows various interpretations. Each proponent of their perspective believes and argues that his or her perspective is the correct one.

Editor’s Note:
It actually does tell you in scripture which Sabbath. It is found in Joshua.

Jos 5:11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.

The wording in Joshua 5:11 is almost identical to the wording found in Leviticus 23:14. Laura Lee

Let’s look at the primary point of contention: Which is the correct day for the waving of the sheaf of firstfruits? It is to be waved the day after a Sabbath, but how can we know which Sabbath day is meant?

Leviticus 23:3 reads: “For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.”

So, the word “Sabbath” refers to the seventh day of the week. Was this word used to refer to any other festival days listed in Leviticus 23 prior to verse 11?

Editor’s Note:
This is deceptive on your part. All of the weekly Sabbaths and annual Sabbaths are Sabbaths, so it does not matter whether the word Sabbath was used prior to verse 11 or not.

Lev 23:4 These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.

Leviticus 23:4 covers all the annual sabbaths when it says “These are the feasts of the Lord” then it states these are holy convocations (holy meetings) which are to be kept in their seasons (appointed times of the year). And then after verse 4 it continues to list all of these annual Holy Day Sabbaths. Laura Lee

No. So, the word “Sabbath” as used in verse 11 can only refer to the seventh day of the week where it was previously used. This would be the most logical conclusion which maintains the proper context of chapter 23.

Editor’s Note:
Perhaps you should read Leviticus 23 again because when I read it, the context about the weekly sabbath ends in verse 23:3. Verse 23:4 reads:

Lev 23:4 These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.

By verse 4 in context, it is no longer talking about the weekly sabbath but has now switched to talking about the annual sabbaths even if it does not use the word sabbath. Sabbaths are known for their Holy Convocations and the fact that they are proclaimed to be feasts. Also, when the word “seasons” is used it is a clue we are talking about annual sabbaths and not weekly sabbaths. Laura Lee

NOTE: There was no Strong’s concordance around at that time to confuse the truth.

Editor’s Note:
There did not need to be a Strong’s concordance at the time of Christ or before because they all knew whatever language they were speaking and the meaning of the words. Strong’s concordance is a tool we use today to help us understand the meanings of the words that the bible was originally written in, for example Hebrew and Greek.

Unless you fluently speak and understand Hebrew and Greek, I suggest you use Strong’s concordance or some other such tool so you are better able to understand what the bible is talking about because I can see clearly from what you have written in this article that you are clearly a very confused person and wouldn’t know the truth if Christ himself knocked on your door and told it to you. Laura Lee

This simple and proper understanding is not acceptable to some who believe that verse 11 must actually be referring to the first day of unleavened bread (Abib 15) mentioned in verses 6-7. An avalanche of “proof” is then presented to convince someone to accept something other than the obvious, clear truth of the matter.

Editor’s Note:
Lev 23:10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: Lev 23:11 And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.

Read what it says in context. There are clues in these two verses to tell you when this is. “When ye come into the land which I give unto you…”

Read Joshua:

Jos 5:10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. Jos 5:11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day. Jos 5:12 And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

We know Jos. 5:10 is talking about when they first came into the land which God gave them because once they harvested the grain the manna quit because they did the wave sheaf the day after Passover and then they were able to eat the grain of the land.

Also Joshua 5:11 is almost identical wording to Leviticus 23:14

Lev 23:14 And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

Jos 5:11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.

Did you ever hear about the scripture that says here a little, there a little. In other words you have to use the whole bible and not just pick out a scripture and make a whole doctrine around it like you are trying to do.

Isa 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. Isa 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

Laura Lee

The reasoning goes like this: Since the word “Sabbath” is later used in Leviticus 23 in connection to the Day of Atonement (verses 26-32), any festival day where work is prohibited is considered a Sabbath day. Thus, since the first and last days of unleavened bread prohibit “servile work” on those two days, they are considered to be Sabbath days. They only occur once a year and may fall on any day of the week rather than on the seventh day. This part is true.

But to claim that the use of the word “Sabbath” as used in verse 11 must refer to the first day of unleavened bread requires taking the word out of context. As the context clearly shows, “Sabbath” is first used to refer to the seventh day in verse three. The word is not used again until verse 11. Consequently, it must still carry that same connection to the seventh day in this verse to stay true to the previous notation of verse three which gives the primary meaning of “Sabbath.”

Editor’s Note:
Leviticus 23:3 is talking about the weekly sabbath but then verse 4 starts talking about the annual holy days and doesn’t stop until it gets to the eighth day. There is no connection between verse 3 and the sabbath mentioned in 23:11. Joshua flat out tells you when the wave sheaf was done, which was the day after Passover. Historically the wave sheaf was always done on Nisan 16 just like Joshua says. And Strong’s Concordance says the Sabbath mentioned in Lev. 23:11 can mean every Sabbath (weekly or annually).

Also, if you are trying to tell us that the annual Holy Days are not Sabbaths then you would be lying because they are all Sabbaths. Read Leviticus 23 or better yet run a search on the word “sabbath” and every annual Holy Day will be found to be listed as a sabbath. Laura Lee

While the Day of Atonement was later also called a Sabbath, the primary meaning of “Sabbath,” when used alone, as in verse 11, is the seventh day unless the context clearly states otherwise. In addition, rather than using the word “Sabbath” to refer to an annual festival day, such as, Atonement or Trumpets, a particular holy day is likely to be named directly to prevent ambiguity.

If Moses meant the Sabbath of verse 11 to mean the first day of unleavened bread, then he could easily have written “on the day after the 15^th of Abib,” or “the priest shall wave the sheaf on the sixteenth of Abib.” If “Sabbath” in verse 11 must mean the first day of unleavened bread, then what about verse 15?

Editor’s Note:
The reason God did not inspire simple wording is because He wanted to make sure the people He allowed in the first resurrection could study and understand scripture and you neither study it nor do you understand it. And again, you should not be teaching people about Holy Days when you do not understand them yourself. There are many very clear scriptures in the bible, but you don’t believe what they say. Instead, you find some vague scripture and turn it into something it is not.

You write articles and yet you don’t even know what it means to read something in context. Because you have a false doctrine that you want to hold onto no matter what proof is given to you, for example verse 11 is not in context of verse 3. Where most people who count from the weekly sabbath get to Pentecost, they get if from the Sadducees, a sect that Christ would never follow because their beliefs are in direct opposition to Christ’s beliefs. Laura Lee

Verse 15 says to count seven complete Sabbaths from the day when the sheaf of firstfruits is waved. Does it mean that we are to count seven first days of unleavened bread? This would span a seven-year period to do so.

Editor’s Note:
Lev 23:15 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:

Deu 16:9 Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.

Lev. 23:15 and Deu. 16:9 mean the same thing but they are worded differently. In Lev. 23:15 it means a complete week of which one of the days during that week will always be a weekly sabbath but it does not mean to start your count after a weekly sabbath. Deu. 16:9 makes it clear that what you are counting to get to Pentecost is weeks and not Saturday Sabbaths.

Some bibles have even updated this to reflect that a complete sabbath is talking about a week and not a weekly sabbath. It means seven days makes a complete week. Laura Lee

Obviously, Sabbaths in verse 15 refers to the weekly Sabbath and not an annual Sabbath since we are told to count a 50-day period. The first day of this 50-day period will come after a Sabbath and the fiftieth day will come after a Sabbath. See verses 15 and 16. The only way that this can happen is for the wave-sheaf day to fall on a Sunday which would then cause the 50^th day to also fall on a Sunday (the day after a Sabbath).

Editor’s Note:
It is called the Feast of Weeks, not the Feast of Sabbaths. See Deu. 16:9

Deu 16:9 Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.

John Gill in regard to: Leviticus 23:15
And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath,…. Not the seventh day sabbath in the passover week, nor the whole feast of unleavened bread, but the first day of it, which was an holy convocation, a sabbath in which no servile work was to be done, Lev_23:7; and it was from the day after this, even the sixteenth of Nisan, that the following count was to be made; so the Targum of Jonathan, after the first feast day of the passover: and Josephus (s) is very clear in it, that Pentecost, or the feast of weeks, was the fiftieth day from the sixteenth of Nisan, when the above offerings were made:

from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; which plainly points out the express day from whence the count was to begin, even on the day when the sheaf of the firstfruits of the barley harvest was offered:

seven sabbaths shall be complete; or seven weeks, that is, forty nine days; and hence, Jarchi says, we learn that the count began from the evening, or otherwise the weeks would not be complete; and Gersom thinks the day in which the sheaf was offered is included in the days counted; for the count began from the day after the first of the passover, and lo, seven days are seven weeks of days, which make forty nine days. (s) Antiqu. l. 3. c. 10. sect. 6.

Adam Clark in regard to: Leviticus 23:15
Ye shall count unto you – seven Sabbaths – That is, from the sixteenth of the first month to the sixth of the third month. These seven weeks, called here Sabbaths, were to be complete, i. e., the forty-nine days must be finished, and the next day, the fiftieth, is what, from the Septuagint, we call pentecost. See the note on Luk_6:1.

E. W. Bullinger in regard to: Leviticus 23:15
seven sabbaths = seven weeks. Compare Luk_18:12. Mat_28:1. Hence the name “feast of weeks” in Old Testament. Exo_34:22. Deu_16:10, Deu_16:16; 2Ch_8:13.

I read several commentaries and of the ones I read, they all agreed that the count to Pentecost starts on Nisan 16 and ends on Sivan 6.

Old King James Bible:
Lev 23:15 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: Lev 23:16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint:
Lev 23:15 And ye shall number to yourselves from the day after the sabbath, from the day on which ye shall offer the sheaf of the heave-offering, seven full weeks: Lev 23:16 until the morrow after the last week ye shall number fifty days, and shall bring a new meat-offering to the Lord.

I also read several bibles pertaining to Lev. 23:15-16 and the results were pretty much the same. Some bibles word it this way “seven sabbaths shall be complete”. When it says “seven sabbaths shall be complete” it is talking about seven weeks shall be complete, it is not saying that several weekly sabbaths shall be complete. Also, in the New Testament if you look at the Strong’s meaning for the word week in several verses the meaning of week is “sabbaton” and can be translated as week or sabbath. So sabbath and week are interchangeable unless it states a specific sabbath that it is talking about.

The Brenton Septuagint translated these two scriptures perfectly. Laura Lee

However, those insisting that the wave-sheaf day always comes after the first day of unleavened bread downplay this actual weekly Sabbath counting with Deuteronomy 16:9 since it uses “weeks” instead of “Sabbaths.”

The simple fact is that you start your harvest on the day after the weekly Sabbath, count seven Sabbaths which are equal to seven weeks which equal 49 days. The 50^th day then falls after the seventh Sabbath and is called the Feast of Weeks in the Old Testament or Pentecost in the New Testament.

Editor’s Note:
Deut. 16:9 is very clear in that you are counting weeks and not weekly sabbaths. When it says seven sabbaths shall be complete, that means seven weeks will be complete. It is just two ways of saying the same thing. Laura Lee

To jump ahead to the verses in Leviticus 23 which say that Atonement is a “Sabbath” in order to change the simple and plain meaning of “Sabbath” in verse 11 is breaking the context of the chapter with backward and upside down reasoning. If an erroneous concept or belief was held by a historical past religious group, then quoting their past commentary will not make their false belief any more true today than it was centuries ago.

Editor’s Note:
Where most people get the belief that the count to Pentecost is after the weekly sabbath is from the Sadducees and the Karaites. The Sadducees belief exactly the opposite of what Christ believes and the Karaites did not exist until the 8^th or 9^th century. Not all ancient historical documents are wrong only the ones that cannot be found in scripture. Most of your doctrine is made up by you. You are taking clear scriptures from the bible and telling us they are lies while at the same time claiming that unclear scriptures are the clear scriptures. From what I have read of your article so far, you do not belief in the word of God which is inspired by God. You are making things up because you do not want to do it God’s way, you want to do it your way, so even though there are many historical documents as well as tools to help you understand the meanings of Hebrew and Greek words you will have none of it. You only belief what you think in your mind and nothing else. So, it would not matter how much proof from scripture anyone offers to you, you won’t look it up to see if it is true. Laura Lee

Contending that the “Sabbath” used in verse 11 must mean the first day of unleavened bread also causes the wave-sheaf day and the 50^th day to always fall on the same Hebrew calendar dates every year, namely, Nisan 16 (Abib 16) and Sivan 6.

Editor’s Note:
That is right, the wave sheaf historically and in scripture has always been on Nisan 16. See Joshua 5:10-12. Sivan 6 is also found in scripture by reading Exodus 19. Both dates are also found on the Hebrew Calendar which many people threw in the trash so they could make up their own calendars feeling they know more than God Himself. Laura Lee

If this is what God intended, then why didn’t He provide these dates just as He gave dates for the other annual festivals? This reveals a major and obvious flaw in the “Sivan 6 Pentecost” theory which then requires some serious hole patching.

Editor’s Note:
God did tell you what dates His Holy Days are on. Everyone of them along with the date is found in scripture and also on the Hebrew Calendar as preserved by the Orthodox Jews. You just do not believe what scripture says. Laura Lee

One feeble explanation contends that since Pentecost pictures the wedding of Christ and His Bride (the resurrected church), we are to “count” the days to our wedding. A bride may do that when she knows the actual date beforehand. But God does not give us any actual date in scripture. Rather, we are told that “no one knows the day or the hour” (Matthew 24:36).

Editor’s Note:
All of God’s people are going to know the date of the first resurrection at least 3 years before it happens. Remember the two witnesses? The two witnesses will lay in the street dead for 3 days and then be resurrected with the saints of God. So those who are God’s true people will know when ahead of time. Right now, no one knows because the two witnesses are not here yet.

All brides looking forward to their wedding count the days until that wedding day. Pentecost is a fixed date according to scripture. It falls on Sivan 6 every year. Laura Lee.

Furthermore, we don’t do a countdown of days to a date that has already been set, but we are to count up to the 50^th day to determine when the Holy Day should occur for that year.

Editor’s Note:
What more glorious thing could happen to God’s people than the resurrection to eternal life? It is called the wedding supper of the lamb and brides looking forward to their wedding day always count to their wedding day. So how much more should we look forward to being a part of God’s family by attending the wedding super of the lamb? You can continue to count to your variable date, but it will be in vain because you are keeping and promoting a Holy Day that is not found in scripture. Laura Lee

What is being completely overlooked in any arguments for a Sivan 6 Pentecost is the fact that this 50-day period of counting is a harvest period which pictures a spiritual harvest of saints with Christ being the first of the firstfruits.

Every farmer knows that a harvest may be delayed when certain conditions occur. A harvest may start every year at the same time like clockwork when conditions remain consistent from year to year. I have personally experienced a harvest delay because of thick smoke blocking out the sun from wildfires here in California.

And if a farmer knows this, then certainly God does too which is why He did not give a definite date for the wave-sheaf day. The barley harvest did not begin each year until the harvest was ready (Christ said to be ready,Matthew 24:44). Deuteronomy 16:9: “You are to count off seven weeks from [when?] the time you first put the sickle to the standing grain [after a weekly Sabbath].”

Editor’s Note:
None of this is in scripture in regard to the harvest. Passover is also a harvest and yet it is a set time and so is the Feast of Tabernacles. Barley is harvested in Israel at Passover, it is what is used for the wave sheaf offering. At Pentecost the wheat is harvested in Israel, notice two wave loafs probably made from wheat. There is no place that I know of in scripture that says we are to delay any Holy Days (sabbaths, weekly or annually) if the harvest isn’t ready. If you have scripture showing that I would like to see it. Laura Lee

This also means that the wave-sheaf day may sometimes not occur until after the Days of Unleavened Bread if the grain is not yet ready. The wave-sheaf day is to occur after a weekly Sabbath, but which weekly Sabbath is not specified since it depends on the readiness of the grain in the field.

Editor’s Note:
Where does it say that in scripture? Laura Lee

What blows the Sivan 6 Pentecost theory completely out of the water is the fact that the resurrection of Jesus did not occur on Nisan 16, the day after the first day of unleavened bread. Rather, the resurrection of Jesus did occur on the day after the weekly Sabbath (a Sunday) during the days of unleavened bread. Luke 24 clearly shows this. Most COG members won’t accept a Sunday resurrection since they have bought into the 72-hour teaching of Herbert Armstrong. This was discussed in my article entitled, “The Third Day.”

Editor’s Note:
Your article entitled “The Third Day” was also another one of your Holy Day articles that was not worth the paper it was written on.

Christ was taken off the stake and buried just before sunset on Nisan 14 (a Wednesday). It was the day before the preparation day.

Joh 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

Joh 19:42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

Christ was buried just before sunset on the preparation day for the Passover.

Mat 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Christ was resurrected 3 days and 3 nights later on the Saturday Sabbath just before sunset just like scripture says. He was not resurrected on Sunday as you claim.

The resurrection of Christ did not happen on Nisan 16 and I have never claimed that it did. Christ was accepted by the Father in heaven the minute he died. That is why the veil was ripped.

The wave sheaf is not about Christ. The wave sheaf represents all those who will be in the first resurrection. There was more grain gathered than what was used for the wave sheaf, meaning that not everyone who is called will make it into that first resurrection. The wave sheaf is passed through the fire many times to be refined. Christ does not have to be refined so the wave sheaf is not about Christ. Laura Lee

Jesus fulfilled the wave-sheaf offering with His resurrection just as He fulfilled the Passover with His death. This is why the apostle Paul said that Jesus was the firstfruits of them who have fallen asleep (I Corinthians 15:20). To accept Jesus as our Passover but then deny Him as the Firstfruits may jeopardize one’s own hope of being in the first resurrection. “Sorry, you weren’t ready. Catch the next resurrection in a thousand years.”

Editor’s Note:
Again 1 Corinthians 15:20 should have said firstfruit instead of firstfruits. It is a mistranslation. Christ did not have to fulfill the wave sheaf offering because He was accepted by the Father the minute He died. The wave sheaf is about going through the fire and being refined. Christ is sin free and does not have to be refined. The wave sheaf only represents those who are called and chosen. Not all people who are called will be chosen. Some will not make the first resurrection.

Christ is the firstfruit because He was the first one to die and be resurrected. In the first resurrection of God’s people many will be resurrected and join Christ as part of His family. Laura Lee

Does Exodus 19 prove a Sivan 6 Pentecost?

Even if the giving of the ten commandments did occur on Sivan 6 that particular year, it does not prove that Pentecost should occur every year on Sivan 6. Counting from the day after the weekly Sabbath which falls during the Days of Unleavened will sometimes cause Pentecost to fall on Sivan 6 but not every year.

Editor’s Note:
Exo 5:1 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.

We know that the Israelites kept Passover in Egypt and left Rameses on the fifteenth of Nisan because the Bible clearly states when they left Rameses. The next feast after Passover/Days of Unleavened Bread is Pentecost and Exodus 5:1 proves that is exactly what was being kept in Exodus 19. Exodus is the only feast spoken of that was kept in the wilderness. This feast happened before the manna and quails were used to teach them about the weekly sabbath. Laura Lee

Exodus 19:1 is actually saying that the children of Israel arrived at the wilderness of Sinai close to the foot of the mountain of God on the 15^th day of the third month. They arrived on the 15^th day of the month, the same day of the month when they had left from Egypt two months prior. Numbers 33:3 verifies that they left on the 15^th day of the first month. Exodus 19:1 reveals that they arrived at the mountain of God on the same day (the 15^th) in the third month.

Editor’s Note:
Are you using your strange method of context here again? Because it doesn’t apply.

The meaning of context is as follows:
the parts of something written or spoken that immediately precede and follow a word or passage and clarify its meaning.

According to the definition of context Exodus 19 has nothing to do with Numbers 33:3 as they are so far apart in scripture. Context would be found in the verse or a few verses ahead or behind what you are looking at.

The Feast in the wilderness happened on Sivan 6 according to Exodus 19 and according to Exodus 5:1 it was a feast to the Lord or in other words a Sabbath, A High Holy Day, a Feast, an Annual Holy Day Sabbath. There is no other feast we are told to keep in Sivan which is the third month. There is also no other annual feast that is mentioned that they kept in the wilderness.

The fifteenth day in Numbers 33:3 has absolutely nothing to do with the date of Sivan 6 found in Exodus 19. Laura Lee

The meeting with God three days later would then occur on the 17^th day of the third Hebrew month. However, because of an incorrect understanding of the instruction in Leviticus 23 regarding when to wave the sheaf of firstfruits, hardly anyone accepts the 17^th as a possible date for Pentecost that year.

Editor’s Note:
There is a good reason why not many believe this. It is because it is not in scripture and you do not understand what “context” is. Laura Lee

Even if you believe that the Israelites did arrive on the third day of the third month, the meeting with God would have taken place on the third day which would have been Sivan 5 not Sivan 6.

The first day is when they arrived at the foot of the mountain of God. Moses goes up the mountain to talk with God. God says to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today [Sivan 3rd] and tomorrow [the 4th]. They must wash their clothes and be prepared by the third day [the 5^th], for on the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people” (Exodus 19:10).

Editor’s Note:
Exo 19:1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.

It says in the third month on the same day. In other words Sivan 3.

Exo 19:2 For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. Exo 19:3 And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Exo 19:4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. Exo 19:7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. Exo 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. Exo 19:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD. Exo 19:10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

They arrived late on the 3^rd of Sivan so after sunset it would have been the 4^th. So, they had two days of preparation, the 4^th and the 5th. Two full days of preparation.

Exo 19:11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

They arrived on Sivan 3 and were told to be ready by the 3^rd day which would be the 3rd day from Sivan 3 which translates into Sivan 6. I am sorry that you do not understand a simple math problem. 3 + 3 = 6 Laura Lee.

It’s interesting how Exodus 19 keeps emphasizing the third day. Likewise, the New Testament has several scriptures which emphasize that Christ would be raised on the third day. See I Corinthians 15:4.

Does Joshua 5:10-12 say that the Israelites waved a sheaf of firstfruits before eating any new grain in accordance with Leviticus 23:9-14?

Joshua and the children of Israel had crossed the Jordan River to start their campaign of conquering gentile cities west of the Jordan. They camped on the plains of Jericho to circumcise any uncircumcised males. An uncircumcised male could not eat of the Passover. They then keep the Passover as commanded on the 14^th day of the first month in the evening.

Now this is where things get muddled and wrong assumptions are made. Joshua 5:11 says, “The day after the Passover on that very day [Abib 15, first day of unleavened bread], they ate unleavened bread and roasted grain from the produce [old or stored grain] of the land.”

Where did the grain or flour come from for them to make unleavened bread?

Was this flour made from new grain freshly harvested from a nearby field? It had to be from old or stored grain which they had previously captured and brought with them since they ate it on the 15^th of Abib. Were they coming there as harvest workers or as warriors to conquer the land?

Editor’s Note:
The Passover is the exact same day as the First Day of Unleavened Bread. Passover is kept on the late part of the 14^th as it is turning into the 15^th. So, the day after Passover would be Nisan 16. Where did they get the grain? It is so clear a 2^nd grader could understand it:

Jos 5:11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.

It was their land now and they could eat of the old grain as well as the new grain as long as they did the wave sheaf according to Leviticus 23. Joshua 5:11 is worded almost identical to Leviticus 23:14. Before they ate the grains of the new land they were eating manna given by God see Jushua 5:12. Laura Lee

Let’s rewind to learn where and how this invading army had obtained their food supply. Before crossing the Jordan River, Moses had encountered some kings along the way who did not welcome the children of Israel and proved to be rather hostile.

While on the east side of the Jordan River, Israel wanted to pass through the land of Moab. Moses sent a request to King Sihon: “So from the wilderness of Kedemoth I [Moses] sent messengers with an offer of peace to Sihon king of Heshbon, saying, ‘Let us pass through your land; we will stay on the main road. We will not turn to the right or to the left. You can sell us food to eat and water to drink in exchange for silver’” (Deuteronomy 2:26-28, see also 32-35).

Moses first tried diplomacy which failed. A big mistake was made by king Sihon for refusing Moses’ fair offer. Israel goes to war against king Sihon who was defeated. They captured all his cities leaving no survivors. They took the livestock and the plunder from these cities. I wonder what was in that plunder?

Do you think that any stored grain from a previous harvest was captured?

Just before crossing the Jordan River they were commanded to prepare victuals or provisions for their coming invasion of the west side of the Jordan in a few days. See Joshua 1:10-11. [Remember the manna still appeared every morning at this time but nothing could be kept over for the next day except on the sixth day to keep from collecting manna on the Sabbath. So manna would probably not be included in their provisions. And they probably knew beforehand that the manna would eventually stop.] Thus, the need to take provisions with them which came from the plunder of their previous conquests.

So, the Israelites were well equipped when they crossed the Jordan. There was no need to get side-tracked with doing harvest work which would expose them to any enemies while working in the field. A grain field would be open and free of brush or trees which could be used for cover when confronting an enemy.

The argument has been made that since the Israelites did not plant the grain themselves when entering the land, then a wave-sheaf offering was not yet required. Consequently, they did not see the need to yet follow the instructions of Leviticus 23:9-14 until they had not only conquered the land but settled down to raise crops for themselves. This is true.

Editor’s Note:
This is not true, you are weaving false fabricated stories again. They ate more than manna and quail for 40 years in the desert. So, what if they had spoils of war to eat besides manna and quail. Read Lev. 23 in regard to the wave sheaf carefully.

Lev 23:10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:

The instruction is that when they come into the land that God gave them and reap the harvest thereof, then you shall do the wave sheaf.

So in other words when they come into the land, not 1-40 years later but when they come into the land and reap the harvest thereof, in other words the harvest that is already there. Laura Lee

For anyone to say “nowhere does it say that they had to plant the crop” has not read Exodus 23:16, “You are also to keep the Feast of Harvest with [produce planted by the wicked unbeliever? No! But with] the firstfruits of the produce from what you sow in the field.”

Editor’s Note:
Exo 23:16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.

This verse has nothing to do with the Passover or the harvest at Passover where the wave sheaf is derived from. This verse is talking about the harvest at Pentecost and at the Feast of Tabernacles. Laura Lee

This misunderstanding of Joshua 5 has caused several COG groups to start the count toward Pentecost on the wrong day in the years when Passover falls on a Saturday since they falsely believe that the wave-sheaf day must occur during the days of unleavened bread. See Paul Yoos’ article on Joshua 5 written many years ago. The Journal: News of the Churches of God

Editor’s Note:
There is no misunderstanding of Joshua 5 which is a clear scripture saying they ate of the grain of the land on the day after Passover, Nisan 16 which is the same day the wave sheaf is done historically and in scripture. Laura Lee

Numbers 33:3 clearly says that the children of Israel departed on the 15^th day of the first month and that the 15^th is the day after the Passover. It is falsely assumed by nearly everyone that at the time of Moses a calendar day began and ended at sunset. This is not true. The Israelites had lived in Egyptian culture for centuries.

Editor’s Note:
Num 33:3 And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians.

Morrow means the next day. The Passover meal took place the night before whether you want to call it the 14^th or the 15^th it doesn’t really matter as the morning of the 15^th was still the morrow (next day) after the Passover meal which took place on the 14^th as it turned into the 15^th at sunset. Laura Lee

The Egyptians had a solar calendar which was later adopted by the Romans which we follow today. They also had a lunar calendar. The Roman practice of beginning and ending the calendar day at midnight likely came from Egypt. This was the custom the Israelites also used when they left Egypt which explains why the Death Angel came at midnight. The 15^th of Abib started at midnight and not at sundown. This is why Numbers 33:3 says the 15^th was the day after Passover which is on the 14^th.

Editor’s Note:
Lame argument, the scripture says “morrow” meaning the next day after the Passover meal. Laura Lee

Joshua 5:10-11 agrees with this explanation. The Israelites kept the Passover on the 14^th day in the evening. The next day (the day after Passover) they ate unleavened bread since it was the 15^th and the first day of unleavened bread as spelled out in Leviticus 23.

Editor’s Note:
Jos 5:10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. Jos 5:11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.

At even in Joshua 10 is talking about the end of the day or as the 14^th is turning into the 15^th of Nisan.

The Passover in scripture is on Nisan 15 the same as the First Day of Unleavened Bread. They were not allowed to harvest a crop on a Sabbath Day. The wave sheaf was always done on Nisan 16. Passover also never falls on Friday for this reason. If it did fall on a Friday then Nisan 16 would be on a Saturday which is the weekly Sabbath where no work is to be done. Laura Lee

The custom of beginning a calendar day at sundown came much later perhaps after the Babylonian captivity which is reflected in the gospel accounts of the New Testament.

Editor’s Note:
A sunset to sunset day started on day one in Genesis. A sunset to sunset day has always been a part of the law of God even though most people do not even today view a day in this manner. Laura Lee

Lastly, Jesus Christ is our Passover slain for us (I Corinthians 5:7). Jesus instituted a whole new ceremony prior to His death. It is erroneously called the Passover. The apostle Paul called it the Lord’s supper to distinguish it from the Old Testament Passover ceremony kept at the end of the 14^th day and into the evening of what later became the 15^th after sunset by Jewish reckoning.

Partaking of the bread and wine prior to the time of Jesus’ death (just as Jesus did) is to remind us that we are part of the body and blood of Christ. We are to die with Him (Galatians 2:20) If we are to be crucified with Him then we need to become part of His body prior to the time of His death.

This is why Paul said to follow him as he follows Christ. We are to follow the traditions that Jesus has set before us. See I Corinthians 11:1-2, 23. We are told by Paul the appropriate time to observe the Lord’s supper. It should be observed at the beginning of Nisan 14 in the evening. This is when Jesus was betrayed. Will we follow Jesus, our Lord and Savior, or will we betray Him with our own misunderstanding?

Jesus said, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). Whoa! Take serious heed to Christ’s warning!

Did Jesus exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees? Most certainly! Where in the Old Testament does it say that we should be baptized? Yet we do it as a confession of faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Even Jesus Himself was baptized even though He was without sin. Why? In order to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). He set the example for us to follow. Don’t let someone’s clever argument deter you from following Christ lest you fail to obey the righteousness of Jesus.

Editor’s Note:
This is again the worst Holy Day Article I have seen since your last one. There is no place in scripture where Christ changed the date of Passover or said to keep two days in a row no matter what you call them. How is most of what you are teaching different than what protestants teach? They teach a Sunday resurrection just like you, they teach Christ was in the ground for parts of days just like you. They teach Pentecost is on the wrong day just like you do. What is the difference between you and them. Either you never knew what the bible says or you forgot what it says. I like you as a person and I am sure God does too, but what you are teaching is not in the Bible and you are not following Christ which is very clear from what you write about the Holy Days. You are not studying scripture but you sure like to promote secular articles which in most cases are not based on scripture anymore than what you are writing.

Mat 13:15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Jer 7:26 Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers. Jer 7:27 Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee. Jer 7:28 But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.

Teaching an early 14 Passover is a false doctrine. Teaching a variable count to Pentecost from a Saturday Sabbath in or near the days of unleavened bread is a false doctrine. Teaching a Sunday resurrection is a false doctrine. Teaching Christ was only in the grave for parts of days and parts of nights (less than 3 days and 3 nights) is a false doctrine. Teaching that Passover is not an annual Holy Day is a false doctrine. You have written an awful article with very little truth at all in it. Laura Lee

Editor’s Note:
We do not listen to video links or read print material that is linked to items we print, so we may or may not agree with those links. We only look at print material that is sent to us for print. Laura Lee

Holy Days 2026
Passover (Observed at Sunset the Evening Before.)	April 2, 2026
Passover/Unleavened Bread	April 2-8, 2026
Pentecost	May 22, 2026
Trumpets	September 12, 2026
Atonement	September 21, 2026
Tabernacles	September 26 to October 2, 2026
Last Great Day	October 3, 2026

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