Happy Firstfruits

This year the Biblical holiday of Chag ha-Bikkurim occurs on Sunday March 21. But you probably know it by its more common name, Easter, which was christened by the Roman church, but I prefer to use the name that the Apostle Paul used: (translated into Englsh): Firstfruits. This year Easter and Passover occur in the same week and First Fruits occurs the same time as Easter. In other posts I've lamented the fact that the Roman Church made sure that Passover and Easter would never occur on the same day. 

I believe that the Church should align their holidays with the Biblical ones and encourage learning about the similarities and parallels. Here are some selected references to 'FirstFruits' in the Bible:

Leviticus 23:20

'The priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits [as] a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs. They shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.

1 Corinthians 15:20

But now Messiah is risen from the dead, [and] has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:23

But each one in his own order: Messiah the firstfruits, afterward those [who are] Messiah's at His coming.

1 Corinthians 16:15

I urge you, brethren--you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and [that] they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints--

James 1:18

Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

Revelation 14:4

These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from [among] men, [being] firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.

He is Risen; He is Risen indeed.

In closing, I encourage you to check out this short video: (turn off the captions, turn up your sound, and watch it full screen). 

http://www.fallingplates.com