Greetings Mishpochah,
These are exciting days as we conclude counting the days to Shavuot. We pray that we will see many of you at the MIA Regional Reunion in Salt Lake City for the feast. However, we also realize that for various reasons some will not be able to attend.

If you cannot be with your faithful family of the MIA in Salt Lake City, we encourage you to gather with your friends on Pentecost/Shavuot in your town. This is an appointed feast of our Father, although a bit overlooked within the annual feast cycle today. Many focus on Passover/Pesach and Tabernacles/Sukkot as their primary festivals. Shavuot is also an ascension feast - just as the other two. Shavuot is of primary importance to the Mighty One of Israel and should be to His people. On one hand forgotten, but on the other hand, this feast is primary in it’s prophetic significance for today.

Shavuot is truly a Two House feast. Judah has kept this feast alive understanding the historical significance of the miraculous events that occurred on this appointed day. Ephraim is familiar with the feast under the billing of Pentacost. For Ephraim too, this is largely a historical event. However, at this hour YHWH desires both houses of Israel to look forward not backward in their festival celebrations – especially Shavuot. The giving of Torah at Sinai on this day and the outpouring of His Ruach haKodesh upon three thousand 1st Century Believers in Jerusalem are historical miracles. Today, we have great miracles occurring in His Body throughout the world. The prophecies spoken through Ezekiel are indeed coming true before our eyes:

“Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel? Again the word of YHWH came unto me, saying, Son of man, thy brethren, even thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly, are they unto whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, Get you far from YHWH: unto us is this land given in possession. Therefore say, Thus saith YHWH Elohim; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come. Therefore say, Thus saith YHWH; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence. And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their Elohim” (Ezekiel 11:13-20).

Today, the remnant is rising up as they awaken to their lost heritage. By His Spirit, and through willing vessels, YHWH is calling His people out of darkness and in to light. We find instructions for keeping Shavuot in Leviticus 23. Much of this instruction is Temple based. In this day, we interpret our festival observance through His Spirit and by His Word, realizing the place He chooses His name to dwell (the Temple in Jerusalem) is not existent. Yet, we know that our observance of this day is to be throughout all our generations. We are indeed to have a holy gathering on this day. While strict Temple observance is not possible, having a holy gathering certainly is. May we be a people who do what we can for His Kingdom at this hour. Let us celebrate in Spirit and in Truth!

Shavuot is a harvest celebration. Perhaps that is where we find our applicable instruction for today as we read in Leviticus 23:21-22, “And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all our dwellings throughout your generations. And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am YHWH your Elohim.”

May we realize the significance of gleaning at this hour. A primary part of gleaning is realizing that all things belong to YHWH and He expects us to care for our brothers and sisters in need. Our Kingdom labors should include provision for the whole house of Israel including the poor and strangers. YHWH's financial plan also provides for our feast celebrations. Part of our tithe is to be used to celebrate the feast. His plan eliminates the, "I can't afford it," excuse. Halleluyah!

Today, we are called to be His holy temple. If we stay apart then His Holy Temple will never be rebuilt. That is why He calls us to gather at His appointed times. Much of our efforts in the MIA are focussed on gathering His people together. While some choose to divide, within the MIA, we choose to multiply His Kingdom here on earth. The MIA is clearly focussed on building His nation. Let us rejoice that we are no longer strangers to the nation of Israel, but now the very building blocks of Israel. We look forward to the completion of His dwelling place in our midst.

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of YHWH; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,Y’shua haMashiach himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of YHWH through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:19-22).

As we all grow together into a holy habitation for YHWH may our feasts be pleasing to Him - free of the traditions of man that conflict with His Word. Our celebration is to be free of hypocrisy, envy, and strife. It is time for His people to walk in a fresh anointing of His Spirit, learning from the past while moving on to the future. This year, may His people gather in increasing numbers and may He get the glory. One day, when He gives us the land of Israel, we will all be together. For now, may we simply keep the feast… in Spirit and in Truth!

Shavuot Blessings from the Diffenderfers