Revised 2022 

Many people believe that the date of September 11th was chosen simply by chance by the Muslim terrorists. However, history would seem to point to that date as their planned, specific choice. It was the date in history on which Muslim invaders of the West were brought to their knees in defeat three times. It also points to the curses that would befall a nation in covenant with G-d that has turned away from Him.  

In 1565, the Muslim Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent dominated the Mediterranean, having intentions of not only taking Sicily, Sardinia, Majorca and southern Spain, but Rome as well. But first, he had to take the small island of Malta just south of Sicily, defended by the Knights of Malta. In March of 1565, Sultan Suleiman attacked with 200 ships and 40,000 Muslim soldiers. Jean Parisot de la Valette led the small number of the Knights of Malta and defined the battle. He said, “Today it is a question of the defense of our faith – as to whether the Gospels are to be superseded by the Koran. G-d on this occasion demands of us our lives, already vowed to His service. Happy will be those who first consummate this sacrifice.”

"Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the L-rd. You shall bring from your dwellings two wave loaves....of fine flour....baked with leaven. They are the firstfruits to the L-rd. And you shall proclaim on the same day that it is a holy convocation to you...It shall be a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations." (Leviticus 23:16, 17, 21)

Shavuot is called Hag Matan Torah, Festival of Giving the Torah. It is taught that on this day, G-d met with the Israelites at Mt. Sinai and gave them His Law, the Torah. G-d commanded the Israelites to celebrate this festival forever because it foreshadowed the day that G-d wrote His Law on their hearts when He baptized them with the Holy Spirit and fire (Acts 1:5 compare Matt. 3:11) in Jerusalem in the upper room.

As the Early Harvest Festival, the first Shavuot was the first harvest of souls from the earth, those who were chosen by G-d to carry His word written on tablets of stone. The fulfillment was realized in Jerusalem on Shavuot (aka Pentecost) after Yeshua’s resurrection when the 120 in the Upper Room were chosen by G-d to carry His word written on their hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit. It also points to the future harvest of souls just before the return of the L-rd.