Andrea Aasen is the Executive Director and CEO of Extreme Love Ministries. Andrea is an apostolic leader, mentored under Patricia King, who longs to see the nations restored. She and her team have worked in nations such as Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Iraq, developing community, business, and advocacy models to rehabilitate and protect victims of human trafficking and other forms of exploitation. Andrea believes in the power of love to overcome every injustice and is passionate to see women and children empowered and walking in their God created destinies.
As we celebrated Pentecost this year, God began speaking to my heart about the appointed time of harvest. Throughout history and in our present hour, there have always been appointed times for every event under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). The sons of Issachar understood the importance of discerning these times, so they sought with wisdom to hear from heaven and direct God’s people in their appointed hour (1 Chronicles 12:32). I believe we are entering a great and “appointed time” of souls coming into the Kingdom. And if, like the sons of Issachar, we will discern these times, we can position ourselves and others to welcome a great and glorious harvest!
We celebrate Pentecost by remembering the day when the Holy Spirit came in power and tongues of fire, baptizing the 120 who were present in the upper room and compelling them into the Great Commission (Acts 2; Matthew 28:16-20). On that day, 3,000 souls were added to the Kingdom. It was an appointed time (the first fruits of harvest) when the first of many nations were represented to hear and receive the Gospel with fire (Acts 2:9-11). Great boldness came as God’s power filled the room, and His fire fell on those who believed and waited (tarried) for the promise. The harvest field was truly ignited, launching the present-day Church.
However, for the disciples and those gathered in the upper room, that day was an even bigger confirmation of what God had promised because they were probably already celebrating the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, also called the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), which was happening that very day. This feast day is commemorated 50 days after Passover and is one of three festivals that necessitate a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, which is why so many nations were present that day. For Jews, feast days were times marked by God. The Hebrew word often used to denote these feasts is moed, which means a God-appointed time (Leviticus 23:4). These feasts were set apart, holy times of remembering when God met with His people. These God-appointed times were also honored as gateways for God to connect with His people again.
The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) celebrated the abundance the Israelites received after they entered into God’s promises. Since the time of celebration coincided with the early harvest season, grain offerings were often given in thanksgiving to God and were presented as first fruits. These first fruit offerings were a thanksgiving to the Lord for what He had provided and always marked that there was more to come (Exodus 34:22). It was also said that Moses received the Ten Commandments during the Feast of Weeks, which noted an appointed time of God saving Israel (who also were first fruits). Do you see the pattern?
Similarly, each event was marked by fire. God sought after Moses and came in fire to call him for an appointed time (speaking to him in the burning bush – Exodus 3). On Mount Sinai, God came again with fire to speak to Moses and to call a nation (Exodus 24:15-18). Then again, in the upper room, fire fell to empower an ingathering of people commissioned to call nations (Acts 2:37). But each of these appointed times was first fruits for more.
After their upper room experience, Peter, John, and the other disciples began to step out boldly to bring God’s Kingdom to earth. Miracles, signs, and wonders followed, and 5,000 more were added as believers (Acts 3-4). The story continued as more and more believers continued to gather during appointed harvest times, cultivating faith and building momentum each time. But the story continues with us! We, too, get to tarry together for God’s promise of harvest.
The time is now! Here are some keys from Pentecost to help launch us into another wave of His glory and harvest.
“. . . Behold, I tell you, raise your eyes and observe the fields, that they are white for harvest” (John 4:35).
Revive Prayer
God’s promises are cultivated in faith through prayer and tarrying (waiting for Him). However, this waiting is not passive but active. Do you feel stagnant in prayer? You may even feel a “hope deferred” in the waiting (Proverbs 13:12), but God wants you to press in until you see His promises fulfilled. It is not in our strength but in His.
Be Obedient in Waiting
“Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised” (Acts 1:4). It is always through simple acts of obedience that nations change. God even says that while He loves sacrifice, obedience is better (1 Samuel 15:22). Through the outpouring that happened that day in the upper room, the culmination of waiting in prayer birthed the modern-day Church. Can you imagine what would have happened if the disciples hadn’t stayed in Jerusalem or if they hadn’t heeded the instruction to wait? I often wonder if others had gathered with the 120, also tarrying for days, who may have left before the promise came. Let’s not miss our appointed time!
Cultivate Unity
As the disciples waited for what God had promised, they gathered and devoted themselves to prayer in one accord (Acts 1:14). It’s clear here, and in so many other instances, that unified hearts in prayer and praise usher in God’s presence, power, and promises. Isaiah 65:8 says the new wine is found in a “cluster of grapes.” Let us not neglect corporate assembly, especially in prayer.
Prepare a Space
In biblical times, the upper rooms of homes were used primarily as places to meet with God. They were set apart places used for fellowship, prayer, and connection to their Creator. During Passover and Pentecost, the disciples went and prepared a place to meet with God (Luke 22:12-13; Acts 1:13-14). The Shunamite woman (2 Kings 4:8-37) is another example of someone who recognized God and prepared a place for Him to move (through the prophet Elisha). Let’s prepare a place to meet with God in our hearts, through our prayers (as a tent of meeting), and in the lives of others.
Receive the Great Commission
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Just as Jesus called the disciples, He is also calling you! We all have a part in this appointed time for harvest, but it takes each of us giving our whole selves to the One who is calling us to follow Him (Matthew 4:19).
Like Esther (and many other heroes of the faith), you have been called to your royal position for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). Let’s press in together to contend for God’s promise of harvest!
Want More? Then May We Suggest:
ENCOUNTERING THE SEVENFOLD SPIRIT OF GOD – MP3 Series from Patricia King
This four-lesson teaching was revealed to Patricia during her prayer time with the Lord, and now she shares it with you to usher YOU into an encounter with the fullness of the Holy Spirit! This revelation opens the door to more wisdom, revelation, understanding, counsel, might, reverence, and anointing. Listen and discover all the Holy Spirit has for you AND how you can access it!
REALMS OF POWER – Book by Robert Hotchkin
Do you long for miracles and healings to be part of your everyday experience? Have you encountered a mighty touch from God that’s left you wanting more? Good news! There is more! The Holy Spirit has opened up dimensions of supernatural power for your every need, just waiting to be unlocked. And Robert’s new book will lead you scripture by scripture, revelation by revelation, and step by step into dimensions of Holy Spirit power… Like the power to work miracles, the power to shift atmospheres, the power of favor, the power to make wealth, and much more!
BE THE SOLUTION – MP3 Downloads from Robert Hotchkin
There is a reason you didn’t go home to glory as soon as you got saved. It’s the same reason that God chose to manifest you right here, right now. It’s because you have a key role to play for His Kingdom on the earth. These three sessions will make you aware of the tricks and traps that the enemy uses to try to minimize your effectiveness for the Kingdom, as well as the power you have in Christ to be God’s solution in any situation you face and every sphere of influence you are called to.
We at Patricia King Ministries thank you for your prayers, partnership, and financial support. May you be richly and abundantly blessed.
