CHURCHES SCATTERED – THERE IS A CAUSE FOR EVERY EFFECT (All emphasis throughout article writers)
Leading up to this important time of the year in God’s holy day calendar, it is essential that God’s true, holy people know and understand why these days are crucial to our very salvation, as those that are either his people, or part of a false religion!
Why?
First of all, let me begin by saying that this article may be too confronting, and some may prefer to just look away now, and turn to smoother articles on lukewarm sites, but if the truth of what is playing out around the world at this time is what you want, read on.
The God of the Bible tells us that there is only one-true church, not many scattered groups in confusion, not many “churches”, or “faiths”, “beliefs”. (Ephesians.4:4-6 Tells us that there is only ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE Lord and God, ONE body of Christ.
And yet, sadly, the churches of God, like the world’s religions are indeed scattered, and in confusion!
Most do realise God’s word tells us there can only BE one body of Christ, and that, the faith of Christ is in His body, called the church of God, which incidentally, He said He would build, (Matt.16:18-19) and that even the gates of the grave would not be able to prevail against His people of the church.
THE CAUSE
Herein lies part of the greatest confusion among God’s peoples at this present time! That the churches of the Living God are being systematically deceived into believing they are part of the body of Christ, while persistently in disobedience to the same Christ they say they worship. This is no new mystery , but an old one the prophet Isaiah was inspired to write and warn the people of God in that era.
THE EFFECT
“Stay yourselves and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the LORD has poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers has he covered. Therefore, the LORD said, For as much as this people draw near me with their lips, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me, is taught by the precept of men.” Isa.29:9-10,13. Verse 14 summarises perfectly what is happening before our eyes in the churches that now teach the precepts of men.
In fact, many do preach the Law of God, but are in blind ignorance to the glory of the LORD’S annual Sabbath commandments, in the books of the Law. Leviticus.23; Deuteronomy.16; etc.
Unless any who profess to know Christ are in fact keeping the Passover as, and when God designed it to be kept in its season, they are in disobedience to Christ, and do lie, often, unwittingly. I John.2:4
In line with the Passover, the confusion in this case the writer is referring to, are the different “beliefs and dates which men have decided they will keep their Passover on, in some cases, defiantly against the Creators instructions, and using many paganized and false traditions and customs of men.
Many reading this article have the intelligence to know that it is not as simple as just saying you are Christian, while disobeying the utterances, (oracles) of the author of the book, many say they are following, while in fact, in disobedience to the Creator God, but hopefully some will be spared the confusion of men’s errors by reading this article.
As we should all know, we can’t all be right, but we can all be wrong!
One way forward is not to look at Biblical teachings from a human perspective, but rather a comprehensive all encompassing and godly perspective.
Most importantly, the Bible translates itself, not men, and to those with the key to understanding, the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, all things are plain to be understood. This also means accepting and holding the scriptures to be paramount in their life.
What we all need to understand is that studying and reading God’s word, must be done in the full context and meaning of what the scriptures are truly saying, not “nit-picking” over what one word says, to push their particular agenda which is contrary to the teaching of the what whole passages, chapters, and in many cases, the entire Bible says.
As such, we must remember; “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. Isa.28:10.
Meaning that the same scriptures we all know and all read must not be altered to fit with our “thinking”, but must be kept in accordance with God’s clear commands.
In so far as the Passover, and the days of ULB is concerned, these days in Old testament times not only pictured the future sacrifice of the Son of God, and the payment for all mankind’s sins and errors, but the great hope we have as an anchor of the soul, which hope Christ made available to us who were in bondage and captivity of sin.
“For the Law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by which we draw near to God”. (Hebrews.7:19)
GOD’S HOLY DAYS BEGIN WHEN HE COMMANDS
These days begin the Holy day season for the people of the God of the Bible, and relative to the keeping of the Holy days of the LORD, which God commands His own humble and obedient people to do. See whole chapter of Leviticus.23;
As God says in Isaiah.55:7; “Let the wicked forsake his way, and let him return to the LORD”.
At this time, most of the “churches of God” are indeed in confusion, are all scattered, and in disarray, and though they all blindly stumble on, they continue on ignoring these facts, instead of doing something about it, and because there is a cause for every effect, they still will not acknowledge that the effects for their confusion goes back to their willing ignorance of God’s Law, and need to have the reminder; “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keeps back his sword from blood”. Jer.48:10.
Right there is a double curse in old testament scriptures for spiritual deception, followed by those not willing to cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet, (loudly) and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Isa.58:1.
Likewise, the apostle Paul also pronounced a double curse upon any who taught a different gospel than that which they, the apostles of the LORD taught. (Galatians.1:8-10.)
Because there is a great deal of confusion surrounding these important days, we must carefully look deep into the when, and why we keep Passover and the days of U.L.B.
As many should know, our eternal life can depend on knowing and understanding the commands of God the Father, especially relative to these feast days. Do I hear some saying Why?
The apostle Peter said that they which were unlearned, and unstable wrestled with the scriptures to their own destruction, but warned the beloved to beware lest they also being led away with the ERROR of the WICKED, fall from their own steadfastness.
(II Peter.3:16-17.)
THE BLIND LEAD THE BLIND, AND ALL FALL IN A DITCH
This means “prove all things” and be prepared to step out in faith, away from following the crowd, because the blind lead the blind, and they shall al fall into a ditch, so said Christ of the false religious leaders of His time. (Luke.6:39.)
We are either “Christians” followers of Christ, and disciples, or not, it’s a simple as that in reality. In this-worlds modern “Christianity” today, it is fashionable to believe that Christ freed us from the Law, not understanding the scriptures, or what the God whom they say the follow has set forth the Law to do.
IS THE LAW DONE AWAY?
Christ himself said; “Imagine not that I came not to destroy the Law or the prophets; I am not come to abolish, but to fulfill.” I tell you truly, Till heaven and earth pass away, not one iota, not a comma, (KJV; says “Jot or tittle) will pass from the Law, until it is all in force. Therefore whoever relaxes a single one of these commands, were it even one of the least, and teaches men so, he will be ranked the least in the Realm of heaven; But whoever obeys them and teaches them, he will be ranked great in the Realm of heaven. Matthew.5:17-19. (Moffatt translation.)
THE APOSTLES TEACH, AND PUT THEIR LIVE’S ON THE LINE FOR GOD’S LAW
Even when under great trial, the apostle Peter said in Acts.5:29-32. …We ought to obey God before men! And; God gives his Holy Spirit to them that obey Him”.
Paul also when on trial for his life said; “But this I confess unto you, after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the prophets and the Law.” Acts.24:14. They were saying Paul was teaching heresy, but in truth, God was beginning at that time to introduce the magnifying of the Law, to those being called from that time forward. See Romans.8:28-30.)
TRUE WORSHIPERS DEFINED
Those whom God desired to hear, and begin to worship Him in the-way Christ told the Samaritan woman at the well. “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit, and in truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is a Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and in truth. (John. 4:23-24.)
The Law and the commands were given by God to provide a clear pathway to His kingdom, the Kingdom of God, to teach all who will choose His ways, His words, his paths, which is love. This is a Bible definition of love; “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” (I John.5:3.) It is in one way, a chicken and egg situation, one can’t come to Christ unless the Father calls him, (John.6:44,65) but God gives His Holy Spirit to those who obey; Acts.5:32. And yet we can’t truly choose and obey Him unless called. These are mysteries to the world, but to God’s people they are plain, clear, and marvelous in their working through the mighty operation of the God-Head.
Does modern “Christianity” teach this? No! So we see, or hopefully should see that God’s Law was not done away, as so many are saying today, saying they “know” the LORD, and tricking the people into following them blindly into the ditch! (Luke.6:39.)
If the reader seeks further proof that men preach Christ, but are still deceiving them, just turn to I John.2:4-5; “He that says “I know Him,” and keeps not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keeps his word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know we are in Him.
WHY THE ORACLES?
An astonishing error the writer will mention in passing, is that some are saying that since the Jews were given the oracles, (Romans.3:1-2) we are just to follow them?
Obviously it is true that the oracles were given the Jews, and the purpose? To alter God’s word against the command in Deuteronomy 4:2 ? You shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish anything from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. God forbid!
God instruct us to trust no-man, and that the human heart is deceitful? (Jer.17:5) And that we are to follow Christ, as the apostle Paul said in
I Corinthians 11:1. Be ye followers together of me as I follow Christ. That mans, follow not the false ideas of men. This was mentioned in Old Testament times as false prophets who pretended to have false dreams. But God said to follow them not.
The oracles, as the utterances of God clearly show, they are to be obeyed, not men, not any religion on the face of the earth. As such we need to understand that the true worshipers worship God in Spirit, and in truth. The reason this is repeated, is to show that the Word of God is Spirit, John.6:63; and “thy word is truth” John.17:17; and we are to live by every word of God. Matthew 4:4. What this points us to, is the fact that SIN is the transgression of the Law, of the word of God, and that no matter how anyone “slices” it, if they are in disobedience to the Law of God, and also teach men to break the commands of God, they are not worshipping God in Spirit, or in truth!
Let us understand that it is God’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom, but conditions apply, as they say, and those conditions come down to conforming to the words of the author of the Bible, God!
JUDAISM IS NOT THE LAW OF MOSES
The religion of Judaism is not the Law of Moses, which is the Law of God, but Judaism is a blend of the Law of Moses, with the paganized “beliefs” of the nations in which the Jews found themselves in captivity to, over many generations for their disobedience to Almighty God. A cycle they have not been able to shake for thousands of years. This is no put down on God’s people, the Jews, because they have been broken off the tree, temporarily, while the Gentiles have been grafted in as wild olives. Therefore none can boast, nor should, because they were broken off through unbelief, which now, spiritual Israel is guilty of, first Physical Israel as the first “type”, now “spiritual” Israel as the second “type” are being broken off due to their unbelief. Unbelief of what?
God’s Laws and commands, statues and testimonies!
Think about what God prophesied through his prophet in Isaiah.24:5.
“The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof: because they have transgressed the Laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
Has this changed today? The simple answer is an emphatic NO. But there are thousands of years that span this problem.
Sadly, the New Testament is a pitiful reflection of the old, and the time of desolation is near, while everyone slumbers, the CRISIS at the close will drop upon the heads of the churches, and then quickly upon the heads of our nations in terrifying Bible accuracy!
OLD TESTAMENT JUDAISM NOW NEW TESTAMENT JUDAISM KEEP POSTPONEMENTS
As far as Judaism is concerned, relative to Passover and all the Holy days of God, a set of 4-man-made rules of postponements are observed by this long deceived religion, which is in fact, a blend of truth and error.
That means they are postponing God’s Laws relative to all the Feasts of the LORD, beginning with Passover and the days of U.L.B
These postponements have been kept by Judaism for centuries by those who were given the oracles to preserve, but changed the laws of God while blindly leading the blind! And now most of the churches are also blindly following this error.
For this alone, as God said, He will start punishment at the ancients of his people. See Ezekiel 9:5-7,9-10.
This is just one of many reasons Christ rejected their “religious observance”, and the Aaronic priesthood which they had corrupted, was done away at Christ’s crucifixion, when the veil of the tabernacle was miraculously rent, (torn) in two when he died on the cross. (Matt.27:50-51.)
CHRIST COULD NEVER HAVE FOLLOWED TRADITIONS TO BREAK GOD’S LAW!
Amazingly, those who ought to know better, have thrown down a challenge to us to prove that Christ didn’t keep the postponements, which is really tantamount to saying he, Christ, broke His Father’s immutable Laws!! This is of course wilful ignorance.
Many now, by simple fact that they keep postponed days are unwittingly, some willingly in agreement with this error, which is not Biblical, nor are they part of God’s Oracles, being the divine utterances of Almighty God. Anything that deviates from God’s Law, is a tradition, is man-made, and therefore false! The incredible hypocrisy of saying the Jews were given the oracles, leave it to them, (to tell us the dates) while those same people are perverters of the Laws they were meant to have preserved?
If the truth offends men, they need to ask themselves, are they willing to obey God over men? (Acts.5:29-32.) or do they want to go on in error?
Therefore, we must prove and continue to prove all things relative to the word of God as either true or false. (I Thess.5:21) And then choose the true by rejecting the error, regardless of whether it is “our” church, friends or neighbors.
In fact, it is entirely possible to conclusively prove it was impossible for Christ to have ever followed Jewish traditions, or postponements of the religion of Judaism, or that any other false religion are keeping today.
But how can we know this to be absolute fact? Jesus (anglicized form of Jeshua , pronounced Yeshua) Himself condemned the religious leaders for their hypocrisy in forsaking the commands of God for their own traditions, and by their teaching as doctrine, the commands of men. See Mark.7:5-13.
Friends and brethren, many of us know Jesus gave only one sign of his Messiahship, and that sign also proves he kept Passover, and had to have kept it as God commanded on it’s correct day and in its season, on the 14th Day of the first month, because the religious leaders and the people they were leading, were keeping the 15th of Abib. Abib means the first month of the year when the barley in the land of Palestine will appear.
How do we know which is the first month, then the tenth day of that first month? The scripture clearly showed the land of Egypt, which borders the land of Israel is where the months and seasons must be figured from, as God clearly showed in the scripture mentioned just above, in Exodus 12:1-3.
At this point, please know that the writer purposely does not use theory, or use the long words of university educated professors, nor a “scholarly” approach, nor is he trying to please men, but write and speak the plain truth of God, the lord reveals these simple truths to those who are really prepared to acknowledge and accept them, and that the word of God is immutable, it is truth, and it is life! Jn.6:63 (All emphasis throughout article mine.)
JEWS OF JUDAISM KEEP ABIB 15
Mt.12:38-40 Right here is one of many conclusive proofs that Jesus Christ kept the 14th of Abib!
How? He could not have been 3-days and 3-nights in the heart of the earth and still be resurrected just prior to Sabbath ending on Saturday. Remember, the Jews were still in their preparation after he was killed! That means at the very least they were keeping a 15th Passover, and that either he kept the Passover on the 14th, and they on the 15th, or he broke his father’s law! If the latter, did the Son of God rebel, or did the Jews of his day? Had he kept a 15th Passover, he would not have been resurrected on the Sabbath, just before the day dawned into the first day.
In relation to the absolute proof that he was Messiah, Matt.27:63-64. Show that it was to be after 3 days and 3 nights before Christ would rise. Prior to his murder at the hands of sinners, in Mark.8:31 Jesus the Christ, was teaching his disciples that he would be rejected of the religious leaders of what had become, the pagan religion of Judaism, and suffer at their hands.
The Jewish religious leaders remembered him saying this and then made efforts to prevent his resurrection. Mt.27:62-65.
Some two and a quarter centuries, approximately, following the death of the new testament apostles, the Friday Easter Sunday “tradition” arose, and eventually spread through all these paganized churches, with only the faithful and scattered people of God retaining Passover and days of U.L.B.
Quoting from one antagonist;
He says on the subject of the Jewish Passover at the time of Christ’s crucifixion, that there is “…not one scripture that supports Christ having kept a different Passover to the Jews.”. I don’t know which scriptures some of these folks are reading from, but it seems, they’re the same ones we study! I say this in all sincerity, not sarcastically.
THOUSANDS SUFFER TO KEEP THE LORDS DAYS IN PAST TIMES
Many thousands died for the honour of keeping the days we still keep today, yet the many have retained the Jewish tradition of Abib-15, and keep their “Passover” then, and the world of false Christianity still continue their false “tradition”, saying that he was only in the heart of the earth for 1 day, and 2-nights. As part of many of these consequences, we must logically conclude that Satan has confused the many into following the pagan lies and traditions of a false Christ! II Cor.4:4; Rev.12:9.
Along with so many of God’s doctrines, the truth is meant to take a back seat to tradition, as with the greater number of people who “think” that the Passover should be kept on the 15th, or postponed to suit man’s “thinking”, and some now saying we only observe the last supper meal he, Christ had.
If that is true, those who say this, need to remember the following in this context;
“And supper being ended”…he, Jesus (Yeshua-the Lord) rose from supper (dinner) and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciple’s feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. John.13:2, 4-5. Peter indignantly protested about this washing, and then Christ significantly told Peter, that if he washed not his feet, he could have no part with him, Christ. See verses 6-9. So, what were they doing? Were they observing a dinner, or the changed symbols of Passover, He, Christ was introducing to them? Either way, they were not observing a “supper”.
The Lord changed the keeping of Passover from the killing of a physical lamb, and painting its blood upon the lintel and the door posts, thereby giving that household protection from a future destruction, as it was in ancient times, to the New Testament symbols of foot washing, and the partaking of the body, and blood of the Lord. One very important reason for all of this, as most know, is that; … “Christ our Passover is sacrificed (or slain) for us”. See I Cor.5:7. But this does not change this process to another word, called “supper”, the Passover was initiated in the books of the Law, which Israel were commanded to keep for a perpetual covenant.
The only difference is that the Law became more binding through this supreme sacrifice, from the little innocent lamb, to the innocent Lamb of God, and the partaking of the New Testament symbols of foot washing, the red wine symbolizing his shed blood for the remission of sins, and the broken bread (unleavened)representing his sinless body which was broken for our sins, and our agreement to partake of his body, and of his sufferings.
NEW TESTAMENT PASSOVER ACCOUNT
For the account of the New Testament Passover proceedings, we must go to the book of Luke. Chapter 22; Here we see that the Lord sent Peter and John to prepare the room where they would eat their Passover meal together.
“And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the Passover that we may eat. And you shall say unto the good-man of the house, The Master says unto you, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples? And they went and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, with desire, have I desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer:
For I say unto you that I will not anymore eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. (Revealing that Passover will be kept in the K.O.G)
The Lord then changed the symbols of keeping of the Passover, to make it spiritually binding upon the keepers thereof, giving not just physical protection from death, but the promise, and hope of eternal life. See verses 17-20.
Against all of this backdrop, let’s never forget that Christ said that he came not to abolish the Law and the prophets, but to fulfil; not do away with or remove any part of God’s Law, but to magnify! Matt.5:17.
SUMMARIZING THE EVENTS
Christ was resurrected on the weekly Sabbath after three days and three nights in the tomb. He and the disciples had eaten the Passover meal and kept the first New Testament symbols of foot washing, eating of the unleavened bread and partaking of the red wine on the Tuesday evening, the night in which he was taken by the soldiers, as led to them by Judas Iscariot.
That means he was crucified on the previous Wednesday, following his fake trial before Pilate. That trial was early in the daylight hours of Wednesday morning (Matt.27:1). Judas betrayed Jesus to the multitude, who came to him with swords and staves during the previous night. They then bound him that night and took him before Caiaphas, (the high priest of Judaism at that time) the scribes and the elders.
Now what had taken place before this? Jesus had prayed in the garden, and the disciples slept during his absence. Prior to that, he had dismissed Judas as the betrayer from the meal table. He then introduced the New Testament Passover symbols to his disciples, washing their feet, and teaching them that they must now keep these New Testament symbols of partaking of the bread and wine. That was after sunset on Tuesday, and at the very beginning of Wednesday (the day he was crucified).
Prior to that time, Jesus had instructed the disciples to go to a certain house and prepare the Passover, which they did. Now we have retraced the major events, let’s turn to John 18:28, and read the following:
“Then lead they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the judgment hall: and it was early; [Wednesday morning (Matt.27:1), and likely 12-14 hours after Jesus had taken the Passover], and they themselves went into the judgment hall, “lest they be defiled, but might eat the Passover“.
Then the earliest they could do that would be after sunset at the end of Wednesday, which was the beginning of the Thursday, using Gregorian Roman terms.
To maintain what the 15th contender says, is denial that Christ kept a different Passover to the Jews, and is accusing Christ of keeping the Passover a day early, or the Jews a day late, as stated earlier.
It is one or the other! Bearing in mind that as God of the old testament, Jesus was the one who instructed Moses to require ancient Israel to keep the original Passover on the night of the 14th, stay in their houses all that night, to paint the blood on the doorposts and lintels that night, spoil the Egyptians during the daylight hours of the 14th and come out with a high hand on the night of the 15th (Exo.12:6,21-22,35-37; Num.33:3; Deut.16:1).
If they hadn’t followed these instructions precisely, they would have left all their firstborn behind them dead in the land of Egypt, when they departed.
NEW MOON USHERS IN CORRECT SEASON FOR PASSOVER & ALL LORDS FEASTS
Further to all of this, coming to the understanding of HOW we are commanded to begin counting to the Passover, is a relatively simple exercise. There is much on our website relative to this counting exercise,
Essentially, it is the “new moon” we count from, nearest the Spring turn in the month of spring, the first month, from the land of Israel. This is sometimes referred to as the hidden, or concealed moon, and actually can’t be sighted. The new moon is in it’s “dark” phase, and until it has “waxed” to a crescent-moon, it cannot it be sighted, and this is what Judaism keep, a crescent moon!
This is in addition to postponements. That is one reason why they’re 2-days late in most years, except this year of 2013, and I believe, possibly 1 in 7-years
SUMMARY
Jesus Christ introduced the new symbols at his last Passover service on Tuesday eve
He was taken that night and led away to the judgment hall.
He, Jesus Christ, was scourged and crucified Wednesday before sunset and was laid in the grave again the same day just prior to sunset on Wednesday
He was in the heart of the earth Wednesday night (1) Thursday (1) Thursday night (2) Friday (2) Friday night (3) Saturday (3) that’s the sign we accept that many say they accept, but deny he died on the 14th of Abib, meaning, in the month in which new green ears of the barley crop begin to appear, which is the first month of the year unto God’s people, from the land of Jerusalem. (Ex.12:2)This month is the month of spring, when the barley green ears begin to appear, and would have been offered as the first fruit offerings by the priest, who would wave a handful, or sheaf of these new green ears of barley before the LORD.
This first fruit offering had to be offered in old testament times, and has tremendous symbolic and spiritual meaning today, symbolizing Christ, as the first fruits of God’s earthly harvest, I Cor.15:23. Then afterward, they that are his at his return
That must encompass the whole spectrum of God’s word purpose and plan, it’s not just about the commandments, it’s about living by every word of God, every principal must be applied! Not that any living human does that perfectly, but many today are cherry picking what they will or won’t apply from God’s word!
That is one reason … “many are called, but few chosen! (Mt.22:14)
The Bible is interpreted by the Talmud, or by human commentaries, but remember, Jesus Christ rejected the traditions of the elders Mt.7:13
Right here, we see how powerfully our lives, our actions are being fulfilled. Matt.7:14-23,24
If the definition of a “Christian” is a person who follows Jesus Christ -Then those who don’t keep something as fundamental as Passover can’t be “Christians” at least at this time! Turn to Hos.4:1-8. This problem goes back over 1900 years! II Cor.11:2-4
There’s the modern-day disciples who have fallen away through either indifference to God’s Laws of life, or disobedience and hostility to them. Rom.8:7; or who had a greater care for riches and the cares of this world.(Lk.8:14) Though there are many in betweens, we must bear these scriptures in mind and consider them, as God said, all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man-of God, may be furnished, (fully equipped) unto all righteousness. (II Tim.3:16) and because the word of God is Spirit, and truth! Jn.6:63
Modern “Christtianity” today are deceived and do know why Christ did keep Passover. Jn.1:29,36.
And Judaism have no real understanding, because they don’t accept Christ, the Messiah has already come. Many do understand that he is mankind’s Passover!! (I Cor.5:6-8;) But mankind “thinks” he goes to heaven at death, after a lifetime of disobedience and rebellion to God? So man believes and teaches heaven; God says the opposite! Jn.3:13; and has his ministers teach a resurrection for obedience! Jn.5:28-29
Man substitutes Passover for Easter, and now some “believe” in keeping the ‘last supper’ contrary to the Law and teachings of Christ, hence know we the spirit of error and the spirit of truth! I Jn.4:6
The churches God raised up in the 20th century, and nourished, now substitutes Passover for Israel’s pagan counterfeit 15th, and call it Passover!
Yet amazingly, while the world calls our obedience to the Laws of God, Jewish, they are sadly in blindness and ignorance to the way of salvation, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ His blood shed for the sins of mankind, and the remission of those sins, this was done according to his law, on the 14th.
Therefore, the putdown that it’s a Jewish thing is error, in fact he Jews don’t keep it! The 15th is no more the Passover than Sunday is the Sabbath. That’s just a fact. I am not trying to offend any, if the truth offends, then whomsoever is offended by truth, they are in ignorance of it, and God instructed us through the apostle Paul to be NOT unwise, but understanding the will of the LORD. Eph.5:17
As God of the old testament, the Lord commanded all who came out of Egypt to keep it, and to keep on the 14th, or die!
I Cor.10:1-4; Ex.12:1, 11
Since the time of the original disciples of Christ, confusion has continued to permeate the churches, and today, by ignoring the examples of Christ, the disciples, and the 1st century “Christians” they confuse writings as, done-away, not understanding that the was a foretype of the New Testament foreshadowing the keeping of all of God’s commands, Laws, statutes and Judgements. Those who say they worship God, and Christ must acknowledge that God’s Word says; Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God…Matt.4:4; Deut.8:3.
The Passover foreshadowed the future death of Christ, the Lamb of God, who came to take away the sin of the world. That is, he paid the price, the penalty for sin, but, as yet unrepentant man cannot lay claim to that sacrifice, until called and begotten into the body of Christ, the one true church of the living God.
They will all be called and receive their opportunity, and then his shed blood will apply to them, right now they’re in disobedience, but later they will obey, then shall they, like we, be saved! It is still a progressive situation, we are not saved when baptized or just because we are in “a church”. Matt.24:14 Says; “He that endures to the end, the same shall be saved. Nevertheless, there is a great deal more to this entire situation, there are many stages in between, many layers of conversion and overcoming sin, of repentance, day by day, repentance is not a once off.
The 14th as Passover ties in with God’s predestinated plan, how it all came about, and how we can remain steadfast in obedience to God’s true Passover and all his holy days
In reality, the correct keeping of these days has been a controversy since the days of Jeroboam! By way of background, Solomon had loved strange women, whom God had said to Israel to not go in unto them etc, because they would turn Israel’s heart from God; (I kings.11:1-2)
Solomon had seven hundred wives and princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives did turn his heart away from God! (vs.3)
God then rent the kingdom from him, but for David, his servants sake, he left Solomon one-tribe… Judah! (vs’s 9-13)
Also, God stirred up adversaries against Solomon, and then Jeroboam entered the scene. I kings 12:21-24, 26.
Jeroboam had fled to Egypt when under threat of death from Solomon, and stayed there till Solomon died, returning to appeal to Rehoboam, Solomon’s son to treat all Israel fairly by way of taxes. (vs.3-4)
Rehoboam counselled with the old men but forsook their counsel and consulted with the younger men whom he grew up with, in words, he went to those whom he knew would listen to and agree with him.It’s a Satanic ploy used so often by those with an attitude of get, rather than give.
I kings.12:15; What was back of all this? A Lust for power! Ahijah the prophet warned Jeroboam in I kings.11:38 that if he hearkened to all God commanded him, and would walk in all his ways, doing that which is right in God’s sight, keeping his statutes, and his commandments, as David his servant did, God would build him a sure house as he built for David his servant, and would give him Israel
Of course Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam as a result, and Jeroboam fled for his life until after Solomon’s death. (I Kings.11:43)
Jeroboam reasoned in his mind that Israel would return to Rehoboam, (I kings.12:1-3) the son of Solomon when they went up to the feast at Jerusalem; completely taking God out of the picture and using human-reasoning, he “thought”, he would change the Law of Almighty God, and allow them to return to idolatry and bull worship! He became a fool in God’s sight and was later appropriately punished!!!
I Kings.12:27-33
Many false ministers today are loudly proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ, the deception today, is that they are proclaiming the good news of the coming kingdom of God!! And this is very confusing to the uninitiated!
If Christ kept postponements, or kept a 15 Abib Passover, he altered the course set before the foundation of the world in the slaying of the lamb, in whose “book” our names are written!!!
How?
First, he was slain on the 14th, just as he commanded the ancient Israelites to kill their lamb.
If he broke that law himself, then he broke all his laws, and he then could be the sinless lamb of God!
Remember he, the lord, killed many thousands of Israelites when they broke his commands in the wilderness! Psalm. 106;
As we saw, Jesus Christ was killed on the 14th, while the Jews were still in their preparation to “their” Passover!
The 15th is no more the Passover, than Easter!!
Why will Israel not take heed unto God’s law? And believe him! Psa.106:13-20; Isa.3:2-4
Psa.106:23,24-30; Numbers.25:1-11
Christ established God’s New Testament church upon himself as the rock!
(I Cor.2:10-15; Matt.16:18)
In Heb.11:29 the apostle Paul mentioned the drowning of the Egyptians who stupidly tried to follow Israel thru the twin-walls of water in the red sea. Friends and brethren, as the sinners, the Egyptians drowned then, (Egypt a type for sin) many today are drowning in perdition and sin in this 7th and final era of God’s churches, right down from the first apostolic era, down onto this last Laodicean era, thru disobedience to God.
Let’s use 4-vital keys we can combat Satan’s lies, and counterfeit religions, especially at this time, we all seem to feel additional pressure in the lead up to the Passover
a) Put on the whole Armour of God Eph.6:11-19;
b) Walk as children of light Eph.5:6-11;
c) Let God’s mind be in you Phil.2:1-8; Isa.55:6-9;
d) Labour for your reward Heb.4:11-16; Rev.22:11-16;
2013 CALENDAR FOR GOD’S ELECT
The beginning of 14th of Abib in God’s sacred calendar is March 25, commencing Sunday evening before. All days begin and end at sunset
We remember the departure of all the hosts of Israel from the land of Egypt on the evening of Monday the 25 as our type spiritual deliverance from our bondage under the hand of Satan and this world of soon coming destruction, just as the land of Egypt was destroyed by Moses and Aaron, God’s 2-witnesses of that time.
The days of unleavened bread begin Tuesday March 26, and will be ushered in on the previous night celebrated as the Night to be much observed.
The seventh day of U.L.B is celebrated on Tuesday the April 1.
Feast of first fruits or Pentecost is celebrated on May 19
Feast of Trumpets is celebrated on September 5
Day of Atonement on September 14
Feast of Tabernacles is celebrated from September 19-25 with the LGD on 26th
Let’s never forget what we have been delivered from, and how tremendously privileged we are to be keeping God’s true Passover and days of ULB!
