THE THIRD DAY PENTECOST
By Bill Burns
Faith Tabernacle
P. O. Box 1148
Kremmling, Colorado 80459
http://ft111.com
It is the third day of resurrection power, and we have just experienced the first Pentecost of the Third Day. Many are wondering what occurred during this Pentecostal season. The question in the minds of many is: "Did God do anything of significance?"
The answer to that question is, "Yes!" The Lord opened a door in the heavenlies. The scripture the Lord gave me concerning this season that is upon us is:
Revelation 3:8-9 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie; indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you."
In conjunction with this scripture I was also given:
Revelation 11:19 "Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail."
Entering into the upper room (temple) in the heavenlies will bring us into a baptism of glory. The Lord said that this door will remain open from this point on. Those who will come up and enter into this third-day upper room will dwell in His abiding glory. Hosea 6:2 tells us that on the third day He will raise us up so that we may live in His sight (presence).
The first five months of this year were given as a time of preparation for the next seven months in which the Lord will begin to demonstrate His power through His people in a greater way. This power will be a result of the prophetic word given in:
Psalm 110:2-3, "The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power; in the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth."
The day of His power is the Third Day of Jesus Christ that is being birthed from the womb of the morning (new day). The word of God establishes patterns, which the Lord uses to reveal His ongoing works in specific seasons. If we will study the patterns and listen to the prophetic word, then we can position ourselves to receive what God is doing. With this concept in mind let's examine the pattern of the first Pentecost.
Acts 1:12 Then they
returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near
Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey.
Acts 1:13 And when they had entered, they went up into the
upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and
Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son
of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.
Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and
supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and
with His brothers.
1. They moved into an upper
room, an “upper chamber,” an elevated place. For
us that translates a place in the Spirit called the inner
chamber, and it is a place of prayer.
Matthew 6:6 "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."
From the inner chamber one is transported to the heavenly upper room.
2. Patiently waiting with
expectation to receive the promise.
James 1:2 My
brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
James 1:3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces
patience.
James 1:4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you
may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
3. Waiting in one accord –
unity
Ephesians 4:1 I,
therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy
of the calling with which you were called
Ephesians 4:2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with
longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
Ephesians 4:3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were
called in one hope of your calling
The names of the eleven disciples and Mary (the mother of Jesus) were recorded in the book of Acts as being among the 120 who were in the Upper Room. Corporately these names identify the character of those waiting for Pentecost and God’s purpose for Pentecost and the testing which has led up to Pentecost. The first five names identify the things that God has been dealing with His people about during the first five months of this year. The next seven names reflect the kind of character that will be exhibited once we enter the upper room and continue to abide in His glory.
1. Mary – the mother of
Jesus represents the mother of the first born sons of Pentecost
in their unregenerated nature, which is in rebellion to life in
the spirit and the kingdom of God. Her name means “their
rebellion.” Jesus, son of Mary and son of God came and
changed the carnal nature of man by His blood and Spirit from
rebellious men to sons of God.
2. Bartholomew, son of Tolmai,
whose name means “furrowed” i.e. the ridges left when
one plows a field. Hosea 10:12 Sow for
yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow
ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains
righteousness on you. This is where the
journey into the fullness of Pentecost begins. Let’s
follow the progression and find God’s purpose for this
present time.
3. James, son of Alphaeus –
one changing (under construction), exchange, exchanging the old
way of living carnally to living life in the Spirit. Becoming
a new creature, baptized in the fullness of the Spirit, living
the exchanged life.
4. Andrew
– manly; again changing from carnal (manly) to a spiritually
mature man. Growing up in the Spirit and learning to
exercise the gifts of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:7
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the
profit of all.
5. Thomas
– a twin (double-minded), doubting Thomas. James 1:6
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is
like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. James
1:7-8 For let not that man suppose that he will receive
anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in
all his ways. The Spirit is given to overcome
doubting with faith. Faith is both a gift of the Spirit and
fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit will move us from
doubt to faith.
6.
Phillip – lover of horses (loves the race) and also means
friend. The horse is a symbol of power. Philip
represents those who are friends of Jesus who are actively
running the race with a desire to demonstrate the power of God.
Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria
and preached Christ to them.
Acts 8:6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the
things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he
did.
Acts 8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice,
came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed
and lame were healed.
(Note: This Philip was not the apostle, but nevertheless
his name is the same and represents the kind of character that
God is looking for.)
7. Matthew – gift of
God also to fight (wage war with the enemy), to rule in the midst
of ours and His enemies. The gift of God is Holy Spirit
power, not our carnal power. 2 Corinthians 10:4
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God
for pulling down strongholds.
Zechariah 4:6 So he answered and said to me:
"This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might
nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.
8. Simon Zelotes (Simon) – hearkening, one who listens to and hears the Lord and what the Spirit says to the church.Zelotes – a burning zeal, zealous for the word of God to see it performed. Zealous to see the power of God demonstrated.
9. Judas (brother of James) – praise, like the tribe of Judah. A people of praise. Those who worship God in Spirit and truth. These are worshipping warriors who love the truth and who are empowered by the Spirit to defeat the enemy.
10. John – Jehovah is gracious (a giver
of His grace). Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, having
been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this
grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Grace includes all of the promises in God's word.
11. Peter – a stone (rock) represents
revelation knowledge.
Matthew 16:15-18
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon
Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the
living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed
are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed
this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
12. James – supplanter in Greek, the same as Jacob
in Hebrew. A generation of Third Day people who are seeking the
face of God.Psalm 24:6 This is Jacob, the generation of
those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah The
progression of Pentecost will produce the Jacob Generation, the
Third Day Church, but what is our destiny? Acts 1:12 Then
they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is
near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey.
Pentecost will lead us on a Sabbath day’s journey into the Seventh Day of God. The Sabbath is a place of rest in the presence of God. The word "sabbath" means to cease, desist, rest...from our own works. The Seventh Day of God is the Third Day of Christ, and our destination is through the veil into the Holy of Holies, where we will continually abide in the glory of God. The Upper Room is a type of the Holy of Holies where one rests in God until endued with power from on high, and then goes forth as a "sent one" to set the captives free. Let us each go into our inner chamber until we are caught up in the Spirit and enter through the open door into the heavenly upper room into the presence of the King of Glory. Amen.