On the Day of Pentecost in 31 AD there were only one hundred and twenty faithful disciples waiting to receive the Holy Spirit. Yet tens of thousands witnessed the very Son of God preaching, healing, casting out demons, raising the dead and performing countless other miracles. Why weren't they there?

The answer to that question lies in the meaning of the Day of Pentecost. On that day the Israelites were told to bring a small handful of grain as a 'firstfruits' offering along with a 'lamb without blemish'. (Leviticus 23:10-12) I Peter 1:19 identifies Christ as the 'Lamb without blemish' & I Corinthians 15:23 shows that Christ is the firstfruits.

But if Christ is the 'firstfruits' of the Day of Pentecost, why does Revelation 14:4 refer to Christians as 'firstfruits'? "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."

The explanation is found in I Corinthians 12:27: "Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually." And in Colossians 1:24: "…and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the Church." Those who are true Christians are The Body of Christ! Christ was the beginning of the first resurrection. All in the first resurrection are Christ's Body and will be a part of His glory (Colossians 3:3-4). The Holy Spirit makes us the sanctified sons and daughters in the family of God! This is why Hebrews 2:11 says: "For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren".

There is one set of Firstfruits-Christ's entire Body who are heirs with Him: "…and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together," Romans 8:17. Christ won't be ruling this earth alone! He will be married to His bride-the Church (Revelation 19:7).

One of the main reasons most Christians do not understand why Christ converted so few in His lifetime is because they don't understand the plan of salvation as outlined in the holy days. Christ told us He was not trying to convert the world during His lifetime: "… all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them" (Mark 4:11-12).

The handful of grain offered on Pentecost represented a small group of firstfruits who-along with the Lamb-would begin the process of salvation for all mankind. We are living in the time of the Day of Pentecost! "Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection," and "Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb" (Revelation 20:6; Revelation 19:9).