Title:
REMEMBERING GOD'S HAND DURING DAYS OF PASSOVER CELEBRATION Title:
REMEMBERING GOD'S HAND DURING DAYS OF PASSOVER CELEBRATION
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Learn how to protect yourself, your loved ones! Stand by for insights so startling you will never look at the news the same way again.
YOU ARE NOW ON THE CUTTING EDGE
In 1988, Grant Jeffrey wrote a book for the ages, entitled, "Armageddon: Appointment With Destiny", one of the most important books ever written in this modern time period. This book explores the amazingly accurate fulfillment of past critically important events, on Jewish Feast Days or during a High Holy period; when fulfilled, the event contained the theme of the religious celebration on which it occurred. Then, this little book examines how prophesies relating to this modern era are following this same historic pattern. This book will build your faith once you understand its principles!
We realize Grant Jeffrey has slipped away from Fundamentalism during these past 10 years, but in 1988, he wrote this very solid book. Let us examine just a relevant portion now.
"More than forty of the most significant events in Israel's history have occurred on precise anniversaries of the feast days of the Biblical calendar. God's sovereignty over history and His foreknowledge are manifested clearly as He sets these prophetic appointments for Israel. Then, as each cycle concludes, He keeps the appointment by bringing the prophesied event to pass at the appointed time." [Pages 46-64]
This is exciting news! On over 40 different occasions these past 3,000 years, God has been causing events and prophesies to occur on a Jewish High Holy Day, or during the celebration period that carry the same theme as the religious period! Let us examine some of these examples:
The First Day of Nisan -- March-April -- March 2, 2003
Nisan is the first month in the Jewish calendar. The theme of this first day of Nisan is ritual cleansing and a new beginning. Four events have already transpired in Israel's history on this date, all of which carry this same theme. These historic events are:
1. Dedication of the Tabernacle In The Wilderness -- Two years after God delivered the children of Israel from Egypt, He instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle. [Exodus 40:17] God told Moses that He would fill the Tabernacle with His presence and "Shekinah" glory to guide Israel [Exodus 40:2, 33-34]
2. The Cleansing of the Temple by King Hezekiah -- God raised up righteous King Hezekiah to bring Israel back to her fundamental Jewish roots, following a number of kings after Solomon who practiced all manner of evil, starting with idol worshipping. On this date, in the first year of his reign, Hezekiah open the doors of the house of the Lord, to repair them. [2 Chronicles 29:2-3]
3. Ezra began his journey to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple -- On the first day of Nisan, 457 B.C., Ezra began his trip to Israel to bring in additional groups of returning captives to help lead the rebuilding of the Second Commonwealth of Israel. Jeremiah joined this effort 13 years later [Ezra 7:9]
4. The decree to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem -- The Persian King, Artaxerxes, issued a decree which authorized Nehemiah to travel to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of the city. This event began the incredible 70 Weeks of Prophecy found in Daniel 9:24-27 -- the most remarkable prophecy fulfillment in the entire Bible -- and it began to mathematically unfold on the First Day of Nisan, (March 14) 445 B.C. [Read NEWS1751, "The Three Wise Men: How Did They Know When To Come?"]
The Tenth Day of Nisan -- March - April -- April 12, 2003
Sanctification is the theme associated with the tenth day of Nisan. This was the day heralding the setting-apart of the Passover Lamb for a holy purpose. God has caused four major events to occur on this special day:
1. The Sanctification of the Passover Lamb During the Exodus From Egypt -- When the Israelites followed God's command to set aside their unblemished lamb, this act was the first act of rebellion against the bondage of Egypt. Four days before the great night in which Israel's passover occurred, Moses instructed the people: "In the tenth day of this month, they shall take to them every man a lamb ...a lamb for an house ... your lamb shall be without blemish ... And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month." (Exodus 12:3-6)
2. Israel Crossed Over The Jordan River To Enter The Promised Land -- After 40 long years of a forced wandering through the wilderness, the Israelites were ready to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land (Joshua 3:16). Just 40 years after God parted the Red Sea in order to allow the Israelites to escape the clutches of the Egyptian Army, God parted the Jordan River waters to allow the people to cross over to begin claiming their Promised Land.
3. Jesus Christ Our Passover Lamb Was Proclaimed Messiah in 32 A.D. -- This date in 32 A.D. (April 6), is the end of the 173,880 days of prophecy that began on the First Day of Nisan (March 14) 445 B.C.! When the people enthusiastically cast their coats and palm branches under the feet of the donkey on which Jesus was riding, and when they proclaimed, "Hosanna", they were acknowledging Him as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah (Matthew 21:9-15; Mark 11:9-10; John 12:13). Angry Pharisees met immediately to finalize the plot to kill Him, an event which happened on Passover, on the night of the Feast, 14th Day of Nisan.
4. Prophet Ezekiel's Vision of the Millennial Temple -- After God revealed the prophecy of the terrible invasion of the forces of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38-39, He then gave the old prophet a vision of the glorious Millennial Temple (Ezekiel 40:1-2). This latter vision occurred on this date.
The Fourteenth Day of Nisan -- Passover Supper -- April 16, 2003
"These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD'S passover." [Lev 23:4-5]
Passover always falls on the first full moon of Spring. All Jewish males were required to go to Jerusalem three times yearly to commemorate the following feasts -- Passover, Pentecost and Feast of Tabernacles. Passover was the first such feast. Passover is the most important and significant of all the festivals of Israel. For almost 3,500 years, Jewish families have gathered to commemorate God's miraculous deliverance from their 430-year slavery in Egypt.
Six times in history, the fourteenth Day of Nisan has marked a milestone in the spiritual and national life of Israel.
1. God Made A Covenant With Abraham Regarding the Promised Land -- [Genesis 15:18] -- In this passage, God promised Abram and his wife, Sara, they would have a son who would become the progenitor of the Jewish race. God promised the land of Israel to Abraham's son.
2. The Exodus Passover Supper -- God delivered the final, crushing blow of plagues against Egypt, when His Death Angel slew the Firstborn in the land of Egypt, passing over the Jewish doorways which had been painted with the blood of the slain Passover Lamb. Exactly 430 years after God made His covenant with Abraham, He delivered the final blow that would force Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. [Exodus 12:41]
3. First Passover In Canaan --[Joshua 5:11-12] -- When God gave Moses regulations for celebrating the Passover [Genesis 17:10-11], He reconfirmed that no male not circumcised could participate. Since none of the males brought up according to Egyptian traditions had been circumcised, Moses carried out this first circumcision on this first Passover in Canaan. On this date, the Israelites ate the fruit of their new land, and on the next day, God delivered the last of the manna Israel would ever eat. Israel celebrated her great, miraculous national deliverance from Egypt, which was meant to be a foretaste of their ultimate deliverance when Messiah would appear to set up His final kingdom.
4. The Book of the Law Was Discovered -- [2 Chronicles 34:2-3] -- King Josiah was one of the most righteous kings of the divided kingdom, Judah. In the eighth year of his reign, Josiah ordered the cleansing of the Baal idolatry, and the repair of the Temple; during this restoration, Hilkiah the priest discovered the Book of the Law of the Lord given by Moses. When Josiah read the words of this book, his heart was convicted, and he read the words to all the people gathered in the House of the Lord. Both king and people rededicated their lives to serving the One True God of Israel and keeping His commandments.
5. The Dedication of the Rebuilt Temple -- [2 Chronicles 36:19] -- In 520 B.C., Israelites began rebuilding the Temple the Babylonians had destroyed in 587 B.C. Against great opposition, the people rebuilt the Temple. On this day, 515 B.C., the exiles celebrated the Passover by dedicating the rebuilt Temple under Ezra (Ezra 6:16-19).
6. The Last Supper -- [Luke 22:19-20] -- After Jesus' disciples had sacrificed their Passover Lamb in the Temple, they met in a large upper room to prepare for the feast. This supper was like no other they had ever celebrated, as the Lord Jesus pronounced the words of the Second Covenant, which was soon to be ratified by His shed blood on Calvary. In response to Jesus' commandment to "do this in remembrance of me", Christians have celebrated his completed sacrifice (1 Corinthians 11:26).
We will do well to remember that our faith testifies that we will commemorate this event only until Jesus comes to wear His rightful Crown of Glory!
The Fifteenth Day of Nisan, The Feast of Unleavened Bread -- [Leviticus 23:6-7, 10-11] -- April 17, 2003
Although the Feast of Unleavened Bread is quite distinct from the Passover Feast, it is celebrated at the same time and lasts for a full seven days, from the 15th through the 21st day of Nisan. During these seven days, Israel is to eat bread without leaven (leaven symbolizing sin) in remembrance of the time they baked unleavened bread in their haste to escape Egypt. Jews in both Old and New Testament times usually treated the first day of Unleavened Bread and the Passover as one.
The Matzoh (unleavened bread) that is eaten reminds Israel of that terrible, but hopeful, night, when they ate the sacrificial lamb and unleavened bread in obedience to God's command. The unleavened bread symbolized the purging out of the sins of pagan, idolatrous Egypt. Matzoh thus became a symbol of a slavery that God transformed into freedom by His marvelous redemptive act known as the Exodus.
Three notable events that have thus occurred on the Feast of Unleavened Bread are:
1. Exodus From Egypt -- [Exodus 12:41] -- Exactly 430 years after God promised Abram, He brought out a Chosen Nation from Egyptian bondage. Israel was commanded to remember this date in perpetuity.
2. The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, our "Passover Lamb" -- Jesus Christ, the Perfect Passover Lamb, was killed and buried on the Feast of Unleavened Bread, rising three days later on the Feast of Firstfruits to become the "firstfruits" of our resurrection.
3. The Final Fall of the Jewish Resistance at Masada -- For two years,(73 A.D.) a small, brave contingent of Jewish resistance fighters held out against the Roman Legion at the natural defensive position known as Masada. When the Romans built a massive earthen ramp that would allow their soldiers to breach the defensive wall, the Jewish defenders knew their hope was gone. Rather than allow their children to be brutally tortured and slaughtered by the Romans, the defenders decided to take the lives of their loved ones and themselves. Was it coincidence that the Romans made their final breach of the defenders wall on the 15th Day of Nisan, the Feast of the Unleavened Bread?
The Seventeenth Day of Nisan -- The Feast of Firstfruits -- [Exodus 23:19] -- April 19, 2003
This period of the year celebrated the harvest of the early crops of Spring. God wanted Israel to acknowledge that they owed Him, not only firstfruits, but that everything they possessed was directly from His mighty hand. God wanted Israel to acknowledge His daily provision. Four historically important events have occurred on the Feast of Firstfruits.
1. Noah's Ark Rested On Mount Ararat -- [Genesis 6:5]. After floating in the ark for a year, Noah and his family finally felt it rest on ground. They opened the door on the seventeenth day of Nisan [Genesis 8:4]. The world was to experience a new beginning, and God caused that day to be the Feast of Firstfruits.
2. Israel Miraculously Crossed Over The Red Sea -- About 600,000 Jewish people left Egypt the night of Passover, and had arrived at the shores of the Red Sea. Looking back, they could see the dust of the approaching Egyptian Army, sent to force them to come back to Egypt to be slaves once again. The people immediately panicked, for they could see no human way out of this disaster. They had the Red Sea in front of them and the massive numbers of the soldiers of the only superpower of the day, Egypt, behind them. They began to panic and complain to Moses (Exodus 14:11-12].
Before their eyes [Exodus 14:13-14], God parted the waters of the Red Sea, causing the land under the waters to be instantly dry. After the last of the Israelites crossed over safely, God caused the parted waters to violently flow back together, killing the entire pursuing army of Pharaoh! Losing this army caused Egypt to go immediately into decline, from which she would never return. God killed a superpower that day by annihilating the army of that superpower. Egypt never recovered.
God killed this superpower on the 17th Day, Nisan, which this year is celebrated on April 19.
3. Israel Eats the Firstfruits of their Promised Land -- [Joshua 5:10-12] -- During the 40 years of desert wanderings, God continually supplied the children of Israel with manna to eat. Not once did God fail to bring the manna. The Bible records that, after they crossed over the Jordan River, they ate the Passover Supper on the 14th of Nisan. On the next day, the 15th of Nisan, they ate of the old corn of the land, the day after the Passover. The next day, the 16th of Nisan, God provided the last manna.
On the next day -- 17th Nisan -- Israel ate of the fruit of the Promised Land, Canaan. For the first time in 40 years, Israelites ate a delicious, and varied, diet of fruits and vegetables gathered from their new, Promised Land.
4. Resurrection of Jesus Christ -- [1 Corinthians 15:20]
In this above passage, the Apostle Paul eloquently states: "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." [1 Cor 15:20]
Jesus celebrated this feast by first conquering death Himself, and then offering the firstfruits to all future resurrections. Jesus proved that His power over death would be given to all His saints following Him. Jesus, the firstfruits: then "they also which are fallen asleep in Christ", plus those who are alive at His Second Advent -- the Rapture -- are all promised resurrection unto life immortal and imperishable.
"Death is swallowed up in victory." [1 Corinthians 15:54] Praise God to the highest heaven!
There are many other feasts in which God caused significant historic events to occur, events carrying the same theme as the feast day on which they occurred. Truly, you can sense the Omnipotent and Eternal hand of God working in the life of His Chosen People, Israel. Today, Israel is still in the spiritual unbelief in which they came back to the land in 1948. But, still they celebrate the very feast days which speak of Jesus. Soon, the time is coming when God shall open their spiritual eyes so they can see Jesus and "look earnestly upon Me Whom they have pierced". [Zechariah 12:10]
But, before Israel can come to this point, she has to accept
her false messiah, Antichrist. Only when he turns on them at the 42 month point
of the Tribulation Period to try to annihilate all Jews, will one-third of them
be protected by God so the nation will be preserved until the coming of Jesus
Christ [Zechariah 13:8-9; Revelation 12:6-17]
This day seems to be approaching quickly.
Are you spiritually ready? Is your family? Are you adequately protecting your loved ones? This is the reason for this ministry, to enable you to first understand the peril facing you, and then help you develop strategies to warn and protect your loved ones. Once you have been thoroughly trained, you can also use your knowledge as a means to open the door of discussion with an unsaved person. I have been able to use it many times, and have seen people come to Jesus Christ as a result. These perilous times are also a time when we can reach many souls for Jesus Christ, making an eternal difference.
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, but have been very lukewarm in your spiritual walk with Him, you need to immediately ask Him for forgiveness and for renewal. He will instantly forgive you, and fill your heart with the joy of the Holy Spirit. Then, you need to begin a daily walk of prayer and personal Bible Study.
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