Calling for a Cease Fire! Here we will share cold, hard facts, interesting connections, and let you come to your own conclusions. Explore the other side of the "argument." Look at things from a different angle. Open your eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand. We take an unapologetic, whole Bible applicable view to everything.
Yah/God set apart specifically appointed time to celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He put them in place thousands of years ahead of time, as signs, foreshadowings, of what was to come. They have been set aside for counterfeit man made traditions.
Jesus most likely rose at twilight Saturday night. During the in between time just before the first day of the week, Sunday, started. If he had remained in the tomb through the night, it would have been four nights in the tomb instead of three.
First Fruits (Bikkurim, Firstfruits, Harvest) Surrender All to Jesus
Become a Disciple: As we observe this appointed time, we are to remember what Jesus has done for us. Without him going first, and making the way, we would not be able to follow. He was offered up first so the rest of the harvest that follows can also be accepted. As his disciples we surrender our lives and walk in his ways. On this day we remember his resurrection – the original Easter.
God called the Israelite and whoever to bring a sheaf of the first grain harvested (faith/obey) in the promised land to the priest.
The priest waved the sheaf before God (on Sunday) so it would be accepted on the communities behalf.
A lamb without defect and a hin of wine were also offered.
God appointed the Feast of First Fruits for whoever.
Three days after the Passover, a sheaf of the first fruits of the barley and the wheat harvest are brought on the first day of the week (Sunday).
The sheaf is representative of the whole harvest to come.
The concept of presenting the first to God, like the first born, appears all throughout the Scriptures.
No bread could be eaten until the sheaves had been offered to God.
If the first fruits were not accepted, the whole harvest was not. Everyone brought the best of the crops.
This was fulfilled when Jesus resurrected on the third day.
God gave the Table of Showbread in the Temple on which were placed the Bread of Presence and a pitcher for drink offerings (wine).
There were 12 loaves, representing the 12 tribes of Israel, God’s chosen first fruits of people.
Each Weekly Sabbath (Saturday), the old would be removed and consumed by the priest and new put out.
In the Ark of the Testimony (we’ll talk more about it later) was a bowl of Manna.
The Manna represented the Bread of Life
They had to learn to trust and reply on God who provided manna on their journey into the promised land for six days during the week. The seventh day was a rest day, so none was given, nor collected on that day.
God gave his son as a First Fruit. Jesus resurrected on the Feast of First Fruits as the first fruit offering accepted of the harvest to come.
Whoever died with him will also be accepted and rise with him in eternal life.
He has paved the way for all those who have faith in him.
Revelation 14:4 These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been redeemed from among mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb.
Yah/God set apart specifically appointed time to celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He put them in place thousands of years ahead of time, as signs, foreshadowings, of what was to come. They have been set aside for counterfeit man made traditions.
Doesn’t mean a Christian can’t take some time to get to know more about them. Check out our Scripture Survey on Passover as well.
Passover (Pesach)* Accept Jesus’s Sacrifice
Called Out of Captivity: As we observe this appointed time of YHWH/God’s, we are to remember we were once captives to lawlessness (sin), separated from God, just like the Israelites were in the land of Egypt. In order to get back in right relationship with God, there must be a sacrifice made because the law of sin requires a death. We are to remember he chose to bring us out of captivity through the sacrifice of his son, Jesus and set us free from lawlessness (sin). On this day, we remember his crucifixion, the original Good Friday.
*Passover and Unleavened Bread are one appointed time
God called the captives out of slavery and bondage.
The Hebrews and whoever trusted in him (faith), put the blood of an unblemished lamb over the doorposts (obey).
Those who had faith and obeyed, He passed over (even the non Hebrews) because he saw the blood of the lamb.
Those without the blood, had their first born son killed.
God appointed Passover for whoever in all generations, to remember he had brought them out of bondage and set them free.
God gave this as the first month of each year.
This was fulfilled when Jesus became the Passover Lamb.
God gave the Brazen Altar in the Tabernacle for offerings of repentance.
When whoever realized they were walking in lawlessness (sin), they would repent and bring a sacrifice. This would put them back in right relationship with God and the people.
The people brought their sacrifices day after day, but did not change their ways. The sacrifices became meaningless to them and God could not bear it any more.
God gave his Son, Jesus to take the place of the sacrifices. Jesus, was The Anointed One who serves as the unblemished, Passover Lamb.
Jesus and his followers were observing the appointed time of Passover when he took the cup and offered it as his blood, to be poured out for forgiveness of lawlessness (sins) for whoever put their faith in him and obeyed.
Following the Passover Meal, Jesus was arrested, tried, and crucified. He offered himself up as the once for all unblemished, sacrifice for lawlessness (sin).
He was sacrificed on Passover at the very same time all the other Passover Lambs were being sacrificed in the Temple.
God will again, Passover on Judgement day, whoever has faith, brings the blood of the Passover Lamb (Jesus), and obeys.
Revelation 12:11: They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives even in the face of death.
Unleavened Bread (Festival of Matzot)* Confess, Repent, and Be Baptized
Called into Righteousness: As we observe this appointed time of God’s, we are to remember God provides for us. We are to clean out all the lawlessness (sin) in our houses. Just as he prepared a way through the wilderness into the promised land for the Israelites, he has prepared a way into righteousness and the Holy Place through his son, Jesus. Jesus has paid the ransom for those have faith in him and obey. On this day we remember his triumphant descent – the original Holy Saturday.
*Passover and Unleavened Bread are one appointed time
God called the Hebrews and whoevers to clean out all the yeast from their houses and they did not have time to prepare food for themselves before they left.
Whoever did not put the yeast out (faith), was put out of the community (obey).
They carried their unfermented dough and their kneading-troughs as they left. The bread they made from the dough became known as ‘the bread of affliction’.
God provided them with manna from heaven. He sustained them throughout their journey to the promised land.
God appointed the festival of Unleavened Bread for whoever in all generations, to remember this is the day whoevers were brought out of bondage.
Celebrate at the place God chooses.
This was fulfilled when Jesus was buried.
God gave the Bronze Laver in the Tabernacle to wash clean their hands and feet.
Being in right relationship and clean, they were now prepared to enter into the Holy Place.
There was a veil between the Outer Courts and the Holy Place, only a Priest could pass through into the Holy Place.
God provided a way.
Before Jesus, one came preparing a way, he was called John the Baptizer.
John called people to an immersion in the river as a baptism of repentance from sin, marking a turning away from lawlessness (sin). This is referred to as John’s Baptism.
At the Passover Meal, Jesus, as the Bread of Life, offered the unleavened bread as his body, in memory of himself.
The bread representing dying to lawlessness (sin). Jesus was buried on the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
They had always eaten the unleavened bread at the Passover Meal, but Jesus changed why, he said to eat it at the Passover Meal in remembrance of him.
At his death, the veil between the Outer Courts and the Holy Place was torn from top to bottom, into two pieces, he had prepared the way for whoever into the Holy Place.
God provided those who eat of the Bread of Life (Jesus), a way to live forever, free from leaven (sin).
He sacrificed his fleshly body and died to sin, once and for all. Those trusting (faith) and obeying him, have also crucified their body and are no longer captive to lawlessness (sin).
John 6:51 I am the living bread, which came down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever. This bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
Starting in Genesis and working our way to Revelation looking up the Christian Spring Holidays of Lent, Palm Sunday, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter.
Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil,
Palm Sunday
Matthew 21:8 And a very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road.
Maundy Thursday/Communion
Matthew 26:26 Now while they were eating Jesus took bread and, after giving thanks, he broke it, and giving it to the disciples, he said, “Take, eat, this is my body.”
Good Friday
Matthew 27:45–46 45 Now from the sixth hour, darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)
Easter
Matthew 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, at the dawning on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to view the tomb. Acts 12:4 After he had arrested him, he also put him in prison, handing him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:52 PM February 17, 2024.
And afterward, Moses and Aaron went, and they said to Pharaoh, “Thus says Yahweh the God of Israel, ‘Release my people so that they may hold a festival for me in the desert.’ ”
Exodus 10:9
And Moses said, “With our young and with our old we will go; with our sons and with our daughters, with our sheep and goats and with our cattle we will go because it is the feast of Yahweh for us.”
Exodus 12
1 And Yahweh said to Moses and to Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2 “This month will be the beginning of months; it will be for you the first of the months of the year. 3 Speak to all the community of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth of this month, they will each take for themselves a lamb for the family, a lamb for the household. 4 And if the household is too small for a lamb, he and the neighbor nearest to his house will take one according to the number of persons; you will count out portions of the lamb according to how much each one can eat. 5 The lamb for you must be a male, without defect, in its first year; you will take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 “You will keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, and all the assembly of the community of Israel will slaughter it at twilight. 7 And they will take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel on the houses in which they eat it. 8 And they will eat the meat on this night; they will eat it fire-roasted and with unleavened bread on bitter herbs. 9 You must not eat any of it raw or boiled, boiled in the water, but rather roasted with fire, its head with its legs and with its inner parts. 10 And you must not leave any of it until morning; anything left from it until morning you must burn in the fire. 11 And this is how you will eat it—with your waists fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand, and you will eat it in haste. It is Yahweh’s Passover. 12 “And I will go through the land of Egypt during this night, and I will strike all of the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from human to animal, and I will do punishments among all of the gods of Egypt. I am Yahweh. 13 And the blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and I will see the blood, and I will pass over you, and there will not be a destructive plague among you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 “And this day will become a memorial for you, and you will celebrate it as a religious feast for Yahweh throughout your generations; you will celebrate it as a lasting statute. 15 You will eat unleavened bread for seven days. Surely on the first day you shall remove yeast from your houses, because anyone who eats food with yeast from the first day until the seventh day—that person will be cut off from Israel. 16 It will be for you on the first day a holy assembly and on the seventh day a holy assembly; no work will be done on them; only what is eaten by every person, it alone will be prepared for you. 17 “And you will keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because on this very day I brought out your divisions from the land of Egypt, and you will keep this day for your generations as a lasting statute. 18 On the first day, on the fourteenth day of the month, in the evening, you will eat unleavened bread until the evening of the twenty-first day of the month. 19 For seven days yeast must not be found in your houses, because anyone eating food with yeast will be cut off from the community of Israel—whether an alien or a native of the land. 20 You will eat no food with yeast; in all of your dwellings you will eat unleavened bread.” 21 And Moses called all the elders of Israel, and he said to them, “Select and take for yourselves sheep for your clans and slaughter the Passover sacrifice. 22 And take a bunch of hyssop and dip it into the blood that is in the basin and apply some of the blood that is in the basin to the lintel and the two doorposts. And you will not go out, anyone from the doorway of his house, until morning. 23 And Yahweh will go through to strike Egypt, and he will see the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, and Yahweh will pass over the doorway and will not allow the destroyer to come to your houses to strike you. 24 “And you will keep this event as a rule for you and for your children forever. 25 And when you come into the land that Yahweh will give to you, as he said, you will keep this religious custom. 26 And when your children say to you, ‘What is this religious custom for you?’ 27 you will say, ‘It is a Passover sacrifice for Yahweh, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when he struck Egypt; and he delivered our houses.’ ” And the people knelt down and they worshiped. 28 And the Israelites went, and they did as Yahweh had commanded Moses and Aaron; so they did. 29 And in the middle of the night, Yahweh struck all of the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh sitting on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the prison house and every firstborn of an animal. 30 And Pharaoh got up at night, he and all his servants and all Egypt, and a great cry of distress was in Egypt because there was not a house where there was no one dead. 31 And he called Moses and Aaron at night, and he said, “Get up, go out from the midst of my people, both you as well as the Israelites, and go, serve Yahweh, as you have said. 32 Take both your sheep and goats as well as your cattle, and go, and bless also me.” 33 And the Egyptians urged the people in order to hurry their release from the land, because they said, “All of us will die!” 34 And the people lifted up their dough before it had yeast; their kneading troughs were wrapped up in their cloaks on their shoulder. 35 And the Israelites did according to the word of Moses, and they asked from the Egyptians for objects of silver and objects of gold and for clothing. 36 And Yahweh gave the people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, and they granted their requests, and they plundered the Egyptians. 37 And the Israelites set out from Rameses to Succoth; the men were about six hundred thousand on foot, besides dependents. 38 And also a mixed multitude went up with them and sheep and goats and cattle, very numerous livestock. 39 And they baked the dough that they had brought out from Egypt as cakes, unleavened bread, because it had no yeast when they were driven out from Egypt, and they were not able to delay, and also they had not made provisions for themselves. 40 And the period of dwelling of the Israelites that they dwelled in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. 41 And at the end of four hundred and thirty years, on this exact day, all of Yahweh’s divisions went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night of vigils belonging to Yahweh for bringing them out from the land of Egypt; it is this night belonging to Yahweh with vigils for all of the Israelites throughout their generations. 43 And Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the statute of the Passover: No foreigner may eat it. 44 But any slave of a man, an acquisition by money, and you have circumcised him, then he may eat it. 45 A temporary resident and a hired worker may not eat it. 46 It will be eaten in one house; you will not bring part of the meat out from the house to the outside; and you will not break a bone of it. 47 All of the community of Israel will prepare it. 48 And when an alien dwells with you and he wants to prepare the Passover for Yahweh, every male belonging to him must be circumcised, and then he may come near to prepare it, and he will be as the native of the land, but any uncircumcised man may not eat it. 49 One law will be for the native and for the alien who is dwelling in your midst.” 50 And all the Israelites did as Yahweh had commanded Moses and Aaron; so they did. 51 And it was on exactly this day Yahweh brought the Israelites out from the land of Egypt by their divisions.
Exodus 13:3
And Moses said to the people, “Remember this day when you went out from Egypt, from a house of slaves, because with strength of hand Yahweh brought you out from here, and food with yeast will not be eaten.
Exodus 23:14–15
14 “ ‘Three times in the year you will hold a festival for me. 15 You will keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for seven days you will eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you at the appointed time, the month of Abib, because in it you came out from Egypt, and no one will appear before me empty-handed.
Exodus 34:18–25
18 “You will keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Seven days you will eat unleavened bread, which I commanded you, at the appointed time of the month of Abib, for in the month of Abib you came out from Egypt. 19 Every first offspring of a womb is for me—all of your male livestock, the first offspring of cattle and small livestock. 20 But the first offspring of a donkey you will redeem with small livestock, and if you will not redeem it, you will break its neck. Every firstborn of your sons you will redeem, and you will not appear before me empty-handed. 21 Six days you will work, and on the seventh day you will rest; in the time of plowing and in the time of harvest you will rest. 22 And you yourself will observe the Feast of Weeks—the firstfruits of the wheat harvest—and the Feast of Harvest Gathering at the turn of the year. 23 Three times in the year all your males will appear before the Lord, Yahweh, the God of Israel, 24 because I will evict nations before you, and I will enlarge your territory, and no one will covet your land when you go up to appear before Yahweh your God three times in the year. 25 “You will not slaughter the blood of my sacrifice on food with yeast, and the sacrifice of the Feast of the Passover will not stay overnight to the morning.
Leviticus 23:5
In the first month, on the fourteenth of the month at the evening is Yahweh’s Passover.
Numbers 9:1–14
1 Yahweh spoke to Moses in the desert of Sinai, in the second year after they came out from the land of Egypt, in the first month, saying, 2 “Let the Israelites observe the Passover at its appointed time. 3 On the fourteenth day of this month at twilight you will perform it at its appointed time according to all its decrees; and according to all its stipulations you will observe it.” 4 So Moses spoke to the Israelites to observe the Passover. 5 And they observed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight in the desert of Sinai. According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses, thus the Israelites did. 6 And it happened, men who were unclean by a dead person were not able to perform the Passover on that day. And they came before Moses and Aaron on that day. 7 And those men said to him, “Although we are unclean by a dead person, why are we hindered from presenting the offering of Yahweh at its appointed time in the midst of the Israelites?” 8 Moses said to them, “Stay. I will hear what Yahweh commands to you.” 9 And Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the Israelites, saying, ‘Each man that is unclean by a dead person or is on a far journey, you or your descendants, he will observe the Passover of Yahweh. 11 On the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight they will observe it; they will eat it with unleavened bread and bitter plants. 12 They will leave none of it until morning, and they will not break a bone in it; they will observe it according to every decree of the Passover. 13 But the man who is clean and not on a journey, and he fails to observe the Passover, that person will be cut off from the people because he did not present the offering of Yahweh on its appointed time. That man will bear his guilt. 14 If an alien dwells with you he will observe the Passover of Yahweh according to the decree of the Passover and according to its stipulation; thus you will have one decree for you, for the alien and for the native of the land.’ ”
Numbers 28:15–16
15 And one male goat as a sin offering for Yahweh; it will be offered in addition to the continual burnt offering and its libation. 16 “ ‘On the fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover for Yahweh.
Numbers 33:3
They set out from Rameses on the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the next day after the Passover the Israelites went out boldly in the sight of all the Egyptians
Deuteronomy 16:1–6
1 “Observe the month of Abib, and you shall keep the Passover to Yahweh your God, for in the month of Abib Yahweh your God brought you out from Egypt by night. 2 And you shall offer the Passover sacrifice to Yahweh your God from among your flock and herd at the place that Yahweh will choose, to let his name dwell there. 3 You shall not eat with it anything leavened; seven days you shall eat with it unleavened bread of affliction, because in haste you went out from the land of Egypt, so that you will remember the day of your going out from the land of Egypt all the days of your life. 4 And leaven shall not be seen with you in any of your territory for seven days, and none of the meat that you will slaughter on the evening on the first day shall remain overnight until morning. 5 You are not allowed to offer the Passover sacrifice in one of your towns that Yahweh your God is giving to you, 6 but only at the place that Yahweh your God will choose, to let his name dwell there; you shall offer the Passover sacrifice in the evening at sunset, at the designated time of your going out from Egypt.
Joshua 5:9–11
9 And Yahweh said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the disgrace of Egypt from you.” Therefore, the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day. 10 And the Israelites camped at Gilgal, and they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month, in the evening, on the plains of Jericho. 11 On the next day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate from the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and roasted corn.
2 Kings 23:21–23
21 Then the king commanded all of the people, saying, “Keep the Passover to Yahweh your God, as has been written on the scroll of this covenant.” 22 For they had not kept this Passover from the days of the judges who had judged over Israel or during the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah. 23 But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, this Passover was kept for Yahweh in Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 8:13
as was the daily requirement, to offer up according to the commandments of Moses for Sabbaths, new moon festivals, and the three annual feasts: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths.
2 Chronicles 30:1–5
1 Then Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, to come to the house of Yahweh in Jerusalem to make a Passover feast to Yahweh the God of Israel. 2 Now the king and his princes, and all the assembly in Jerusalem had taken counsel to make the Passover feast in the second month—3 but they were not able to make it at that time, for the priests had not consecrated themselves in sufficient numbers, and the people had not been assembled in Jerusalem—4 and the plan seemed right in the eyes of the king and in the eyes of all the assembly. 5 So they let the decree stand, to make a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, to come to make a Passover feast to Yahweh the God of Israel in Jerusalem, for they had not kept it as often as prescribed.
2 Chronicles 30:15–18
15 And they slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month. And the priests and the Levites were disgraced, so they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings into the house of Yahweh. 16 Then they stood at their positions according to custom, according to the law of Moses the man of God. The priests were sprinkling the blood from the hand of the Levites. 17 For there were many in the assembly who did not consecrate themselves, so the Levites were over the killing of the Passover sacrifices for all who were not clean, to consecrate them to Yahweh. 18 For a majority of the people, many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves. But they ate the Passover sacrifice otherwise than prescribed, but Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, “May the good Yahweh make atonement unto
2 Chronicles 35:1–19
1 Josiah kept the Passover to Yahweh in Jerusalem. And they slaughtered the Passover sacrifice on the fourteenth day of the first month. 2 And he set the priests at their posts and encouraged them in the service of the house of Yahweh. 3 And he said to the Levites who were teaching all Israel, who were sanctified to Yahweh, “Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built. There is no need to carry it on your shoulders. Now serve Yahweh your God and his people Israel. 4 And prepare yourselves according to your families, according to your working groups, according to the decree of David king of Israel and according to the decree of Solomon his son. 5 And stand in the sanctuary according to the clans of your families for your brothers, the lay people, and a part of the family of the Levites. 6 And slaughter the Passover lamb and consecrate yourself and prepare for your brothers to do according to the word of Yahweh by the hand of Moses. 7 Then Josiah provided for the lay people sheep, lambs, and young goats, all for the Passover for all who were found there, to the sum of thirty thousand, along with three thousand bulls. These were the possession of the king. 8 And his officials contributed a freewill offering to the people, to the priests, and to the Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, commanders of the house of God, gave to the priests two thousand six hundred Passover lambs and three hundred bulls. 9 Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethanel his brothers, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jehozabad, commanders of the Levites, contributed to the Levites five thousand Passover lambs and five hundred bulls. 10 And when the work had been completed, the priests stood at their positions and the Levites in their working groups according to the command of the king. 11 And they slaughtered the Passover lamb, and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hand, and the Levites flayed the sacrifices. 12 And they set aside the burnt offerings to give them to the clans of the families for the lay people, to offer to Yahweh according to what is written in the scroll of Moses. And thus they did with the bulls. 13 Then they roasted the Passover lamb in the fire according to the ordinance. And they boiled the holy offerings in pots, in kettles, and in dishes and brought it quickly to all the lay people. 14 And afterward they prepared for themselves and for the priests, since the priests, the descendants of Aaron, were busy with offering the burnt offerings and the fat until night. So the Levites prepared for themselves and for the priests, the descendants of Aaron. 15 And the singers, the descendants of Asaph, were at their stations according to the decree of David and Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun, the seer of the king. And the gatekeepers were at each gate. They did not need to depart from their service, for their brothers the Levites had made preparations for them. 16 So all the service of Yahweh was prepared on that day to keep the Passover and to sacrifice burnt offerings on the altar of Yahweh, according to the command of King Josiah. 17 And the Israelites who were present kept the Passover at that time, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days. 18 And there was no Passover like it kept in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. And none of the kings of Israel kept a Passover like that which Josiah and the priests and the Levites, and all of Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, kept. 19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah this Passover was kept.
Ezra 6:19–20
19 On the fourteenth day of the first month the returned exiles observed the Passover feast. 20 For the priests and Levites together had consecrated themselves; all of them were clean. And they slaughtered the Passover sacrifice for all of the returned exiles, for their brothers the priests, and for themselves.
Ezekiel 40:1–2
1 In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was destroyed, in this day exactly, the hand of Yahweh was on me, and he brought me there 2 in visions from God. He brought me to the land of Israel and put me on a very high mountain, and on it was something like a structure of a city to the south.
Ezekiel 45:18–21
18 Thus says the Lord Yahweh: ‘On the first month on the first day of the month, you shall take a bull, a calf without defect, and you shall purify the sanctuary. 19 And the priest shall take from the blood of the sin offering, and he shall put it on the doorframe of the temple and on the four corners of the ledge of the altar and on the doorframe of the gate of the inner courtyard. 20 And so you shall do on the seventh day in the month for anyone doing wrong inadvertently or due to ignorance, and so you must make atonement for the temple. 21 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, you shall have the Passover, a feast lasting for seven days, when you shall eat unleavened breads.
Matthew 26:1–2
1 And it happened that when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover takes place, and the Son of Man will be handed over in order to be crucified.”
Matthew 26:17–19
17 Now on the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came up to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 And he said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near. I am celebrating the Passover with you with my disciples.” ’ 19 And the disciples did as Jesus directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
Matthew 27:15
Now at each feast, the governor was accustomed to release one prisoner to the crowd—the one whom they wanted.
Mark 14:1
Now after two days it was the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how, after arresting him by stealth, they could kill him.
Mark 14:11–16
11 And when they heard this, they were delighted, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how he could betray him conveniently. 12 And on the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare, so that you can eat the Passover?” 13 And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” ’ 15 And he will show you a large upstairs room furnished and ready, and prepare for us there.” 16 And the disciples went out and came into the city and found everything just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
Mark 15:6
Now at each feast he customarily released for them one prisoner whom they requested.
Luke 2:41–42
41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the feast.
Luke 12:35–38
35 “You must be prepared for action and your lamps burning. 36 And you, be like people who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that when he comes back and knocks, they can open the door for him immediately. 37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he returns! Truly I say to you that he will dress himself for service and have them recline at the table and will come by and serve them. 38 Even if he should come back in the second or in the third watch of the night and find them like this, blessed are they!
Luke 22:1–15
1 Now the feast of Unleavened Bread (which is called Passover) was drawing near. 2 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they could destroy him, because they were afraid of the people. 3 And Satan entered into Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers of the temple guard how he could betray him to them. 5 And they were delighted, and came to an agreement with him to give him money. 6 And he agreed, and began looking for a favorable opportunity to betray him to them apart from the crowd. 7 And the day of the feast of Unleavened Bread came, on which it was necessary for the Passover lamb to be sacrificed. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it. 9 So they said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare it?” 10 And he said to them, “Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters. 11 And you will say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” ’ 12 And he will show you a large furnished upstairs room. Make preparations there.” 13 So they went and found everything just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. 14 And when the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
Luke 23:17–18
But they all cried out in unison, saying, “Take this man away, and release for us Barabbas!”
John 2:12–25
12 After this he went down to Capernaum, and his mother and brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there a few days. 13 And the Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And he found in the temple courts those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated. 15 And he made a whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple courts, both the sheep and the oxen, and he poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 And to the ones selling the doves he said, “Take these things away from here! Do not make my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18 So the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign do you show to us, because you are doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up!” 20 Then the Jews said, “This temple has been under construction forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the saying that Jesus had spoken. 23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in his name because they saw his signs which he was doing. 24 But Jesus himself did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people, 25 and because he did not need anyone to testify about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
John 4:45
So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, because they had seen all the things he had done in Jerusalem at the feast (for they themselves had also come to the feast).
John 5:1
After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
John 6:4
(Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.)
John 11:55
Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem from the surrounding country before the Passover, so that they could purify themselves.
John 12:1
Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
John 12:12
On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
John 12:20
Now some Greeks were among those who had gone up in order to worship at the feast.
John 13:1
Now before the feast of Passover, Jesus, knowing that his hour had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, and having loved his own in the world, loved them to the end.
John 13:29–30
29 For some were thinking because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him, “Purchase what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.) 30 So after he had taken the piece of bread, he went out immediately. And it was night.
John 18:27–28
27 So Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed. 28 Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s residence. Now it was early, and they did not enter into the governor’s residence so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover.
John 18:38–39
38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no basis for an accusation against him. 39 But it is your custom that I release for you one prisoner at the Passover. So do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?”
John 19:14
(Now it was the day of preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixth hour.) And he said to the Jews, “Behold your king!”
Acts 12:1–4
1 Now at that time, Herod the king laid hands on some of those from the church to harm them. 2 So he executed James the brother of John with a sword. 3 And when he saw that it was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (Now this was during the feast of Unleavened Bread.) 4 After he had arrested him, he also put him in prison, handing him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.
Acts 20:6
And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread and came to them at Troas within five days, where we stayed seven days.
1 Corinthians 5:6–8
6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough? 7 Clean out the old leaven in order that you may be a new batch of dough, just as you are unleavened. For Christ our Passover has been sacrificed. 8 So then, let us celebrate the feast, not with the old leaven or with the leaven of wickedness and sinfulness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
1 Corinthians 10:16
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
1 Corinthians 11:23–28
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night in which he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and after he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 Likewise also the cup, after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28 But let a person examine himself, and in this way let him eat from the bread and let him drink from the cup.
1 Corinthians 15:3
For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures,
Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
Hebrews 11:28
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, in order that the one who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.
Revelation 9:18
By these three plagues a third of humanity was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the sulphur that came out of their mouths.
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:37 PM February 10, 2024.
Testing in Resting: The weekly Sabbath is a day to rest and reflect. It’s a time to remember God has provided all we need. He sent his son, Jesus to become our sacrifice and our high priest – all we have to do is have faith in him and he will do the rest. Our reconciliation is promised through our faith. However, Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my Torah.” He specifically talks about the “Torah” and keeping the smallest marks in it. As we seek to understand more fully, we learn there are laws to keep, ordinances dependent on circumstances, recommendations for getting the best out of life, and right-rulings for making judgements. We don’t keep them because we have to, we keep them because we want to obey. All throughout God Sabbaths/appointed times has referenced or alluded to having faith and obeying him – the original day of worship.
God called the Seventh Day Holy and rested well before any covenant.
It was first observed by God in Genesis, he blessed the day and made it holy and rested on the seventh day.
It is a sign between Gods people and Him that He is their God.
God gave manna in the wilderness and told the whoevers to gather a day’s portion each day, but on the sixth day gather enough for the next day. He said he did this as a test to find out whether they would walk according to his ways or not (faith/obey).
God appointed the Weekly Sabbath Day as a test and a sign
It is about learning to rest and rely on God – to show you what is good and bad, trusting he knows what is best.
God used the manna to test if they would follow his instructions by collecting twice as much on the sixth day and resting on the seventh.
All of God’s Sabbaths are a sign that he is God, who makes you holy.
God pours out wrath when his Sabbaths are not kept.
Jesus and all in the Bible who were righteous kept the Sabbath day.
All of Jesus’s disciples and the women rested, they did not prepare the body because they observed the Sabbath day.
Jesus said he was the Lord of the Sabbath.
Much of the contention between Jesus and the religion leaders of the day was centered around the Sabbath day rules.
The rules he contested were man made rules – not God made rules.
Jesus said his yoke is easy and his burden is light.
God gave the Cloud in the Tabernacle so the people would know he was dwelling among them.
A cloud covered the tent of the meeting (tabernacle) and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
A cloud of smoke by day and of fire by night
It was in the sight of all the camp during all their travels. The people kept watch on the cloud in anticipation of what God would do. When the cloud would lift, the people would set out. If it did not lift, they stayed.
God gave Jesus rest on the weekly Sabbath. His resurrections was on the Feast of First Fruit which is always the first day of the week (Sunday).
Revelation 22:1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
Genesis 2 “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their array.”
Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot, Booths, Ingathering, Feast of the Lord) Complete Unity
All are One: During this time we remember, Jesus said a prayer for those who have faith in him. He said, “Just as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You, so also may they be one in Us, so the world may believe that You sent Me.” God tabernacled among his people in a temporary dwelling place. And Jesus temporarily tabernacled among us in flesh. And now our body is a tabernacle to the Holy Spirit. Jesus has went to prepare our forever home and one day, we will once again be with Immanuel – God with Us when he returns to reign forever and ever. ““Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” – the original Christmas
God called the whoevers to live in temporary shelters during their 40 years in the Wilderness.
The mix multitude lived in temporary shelters and relied on God
He brought them out of bondage and provided for them (faith/obey).
God appointed the Feast of Tabernacles as a time of celebration of the fall harvest and remember God’s protection and provision.
Five days after Day of Atonement and lasts for seven days
First and Eighth day are days of sacred assembly and no work.
Take branches from trees and rejoice before God.
Celebrate at the place God chooses.
All NATIVE-BORN ISRAELITES are to live in temporary shelters for seven days.
This will not be fully fulfilled until Jesus returns to take those who follow him to a permeant dwelling place.
God gave the Ark of the Testimony in the Tabernacle in the Holy of Holies where he took up temporary shelter
Now called the Ark of the Covenant
This is where God would meet and give his commands
Held the signs of the Testimony/Covenant
Tables of the Testimony – Now called Ten Commandments
A bowl of Manna
Aaron’s staff which budded
Jesus temporarily dwelled among us.
Many believe Jesus was born on this feast.
His name was called Immanuel – “God with us.”
Jesus told his disciples there were many dwelling places and he was going to prepare a place.
Revelation 21:3 “See, the Booth of Elohim is with men, and He shall dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and Elohim Himself shall be with them and be their Elohim.
Forgive as You are Forgiven: During the time between Trumpets and Day of Atonement is a time to consider our ways and make correction as needed. Just as the priests were ordained and consecrated by the atonement sacrifice, so Jesus has been our atoning sacrifice. We are the one who deserves death but instead we will be set free because Jesus takes our place. Forgive others, just as Jesus forgave those who persecuted him. The original Ash Wednesday/Lent.
God called Moses to make an offering as atonement for Aaron and his sons for their priestly ordination and consecration.
It took seven days to ordain them.
It took seven days to make atonement for the altar, then it was most holy.
God appointed the Day of Atonement as a time to assemble and deny oneself.
Ten days after the Feast of Trumpets, reflection is made on each of the ten days.
Do no work. Deny = the general consensus seems to be fasting as well as recognizing lawlessness (sin), confession, and recognizing the need for Jesus.
The High Priest took two goats,
One was the sacrifice and one was a scapegoat.
At the door of the tent, they would cast lots to see which would be presented as the offering and which would be let go.
It will not be fully fulfilled until after Jesus’s second coming.
Jesus was offered once to bear the sins of the community and will appear a second time to bring deliverance.
He became a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, making atonement for the sins of the people.
God gave the Lid of the Atonement in the Tabernacle where he is said to have rested.
Typically called the Mercy Seat.
It was the actual Lid to the Ark of the Testimony
Once a year – the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies, and sprinkled the blood of the sacrifice to cover the unknown sins of the community for another year.
There was a shadowing of the Day of Atonement when Pilate offered the choice between Jesus and Jesus Barabbas.
One became the offering, the other the scapegoat.
Revelation 12:10 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. 11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
Feast of Trumpets (Yom Truach, Day of Blasting) Be the Light of the World
Become One Who Disciples: On this day we remember while Jesus was in this world he was the light, whoever follows him will never walk in darkness, but will have the light in them. Jesus said his disciples are the light of the world and should not be hidden. We remember when we walk in his ways and let our light shine we have fellowship together. Shout for joy because Jesus has destroyed death, brought life and immortality to light through the good news. One day he is returning and will reign forever and ever! A day to remember to keep watch for one day he is returning – the original Advent.
God rested on Mt. Sinai on this day
There was thundering, lighting, a thick cloud,
“The blast of the exceedingly loud shofar”. The sound of the shofar grew louder and louder.
Moses spoke, and God answered him with a thunderous sound.
All the people saw and heard, and they trembled.
God appointed the Feast of Trumpets for whoever to have a day to sound the trumpets/shofar and have a day of rest.
The Feast of Trumpets falls on the start of the civil year. God appointed Passover as the first of a year.
It is a call to preparation for the Day of Atonement
This feast has not been fulfilled. It will be fulfilled at Jesus’s second coming.
Jesus said he will be as lightning from one part of the sky to the other.
The Lord will descend with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God.
Many believe Jesus will return during the Feast of Trumpets.
God gave the Lampstand in the Tabernacle
The Lampstand was a sign of God’s presences.
It was the only source of light in otherwise complete darkness. It was kept lite continuously and never went out.
It resembled almond branches, the Hebrew root word means “to hasten”. And the flowers were like open almond flowers.
In the Ark of the Witness was Aaron’s staff which budded
The staff was made out of a piece of almond wood.
It symbolized God’s choice as to who should serve as Priests.
It was a sign to the rebellious to put an end to their grumbling against God.
God gave the Light of the World, Jesus, whoever follows him will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.
Some believe Jesus was born during the Feast of Trumpet.
Revelation 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
Revelation 21:23 And the city has no need for the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God lights it up, and its lamp is the Lamb.
Pentecost (Feast of Weeks, Shavuot) Testify and Be Baptized
Receive Jesus’s Testimony and Baptism: On this day we remember the free gift given to both Jew and Gentile. The Holy Spirit is Jesus’s baptism(Acts 2:38) and his witness testifying to the whole earth. The Spirit writes his commands on our hearts. The Spirit baptizes in the Name (the essence) of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – the original Pentecost.
God called the Israelite and whoever to bring an offering of new grain in two loaves, with yeast, as a wave offering of first fruits fifty days (7 weeks) after the First Fruits offering.
A burnt offering, drink offering, and fellowship offering were also brought.
A day of sacred assembly and no work.
When reaping, leave the edges for the poor and foreigners (faith/obey).
God appointed the Feast of Weeks as a time to rejoice at the place he chooses as a dwelling for his Name.
Name in Hebrew refers to the essence of someone, not their title or “name” given to them.
Celebrate at the place God chooses.
This was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2)
God gave the Golden Incense Altar in the Tabernacle which was placed just outside the curtain into the Holy of Holies.
Spices were burned as a continuous offering, a sweet aroma. The incense represents the prayers of the people.
Prayers are a line of communication directly with God to offer thanksgiving, praises, and adoration for his provision. They can also be used to confess, express repentance, petition and make requests.
In the Ark of the Testimony the Two Tablets of The Testimony were placed.
The tablets are now referred to as the Ten Commandments
Originally given on the day of Pentecost.
On the two tablets were the covenant law God provided to them.
God said, keeping these are a sign we are willing to offer up our own ways and follow God’s ways
God gave his Holy Spirit fifty days after Jesus was resurrected.
His followers were gathered in observant of Pentecost.
The Holy Spirit came down, represented by fire and was Jesus’s Baptism.
Received by all – both Jew and Gentile, the two loaves, were waved as an offering to God through the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit was given to write the Tablets of the Testimony on the hearts of his people.
Revelation 8:3 (TLV) 3 Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden incense burner.[b] He was given much incense to offer up along with the prayers of all the kedoshim upon the golden altar before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the kedoshim,[c] rose before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the incense burner and filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there were clashes of thunder and rumblings and flashes of lightning and earthquakes.[d]
First Fruits (Bikkurim, Firstfruits, Harvest) Surrender All to Jesus
Become a Disciple: As we observe this appointed time, we are to remember what Jesus has done for us. Without him going first, and making the way, we would not be able to follow. He was offered up first so the rest of the harvest that follows can also be accepted. As his disciples we surrender our lives and walk in his ways. On this day we remember his resurrection – the original Easter.
God called the Israelite and whoever to bring a sheaf of the first grain harvested (faith/obey) in the promised land to the priest.
The priest waved the sheaf before God (on Sunday) so it would be accepted on the communities behalf.
A lamb without defect and a hin of wine were also offered.
God appointed the Feast of First Fruits for whoever.
Three days after the Passover, a sheaf of the first fruits of the barley and the wheat harvest are brought on the first day of the week (Sunday).
The sheaf is representative of the whole harvest to come.
The concept of presenting the first to God, like the first born, appears all throughout the Scriptures.
No bread could be eaten until the sheaves had been offered to God.
If the first fruits were not accepted, the whole harvest was not. Everyone brought the best of the crops.
This was fulfilled when Jesus resurrected on the third day.
God gave the Table of Showbread in the Temple on which were placed the Bread of Presence and a pitcher for drink offerings (wine).
There were 12 loaves, representing the 12 tribes of Israel, God’s chosen first fruits of people.
Each Weekly Sabbath (Saturday), the old would be removed and consumed by the priest and new put out.
In the Ark of the Testimony (we’ll talk more about it later) was a bowl of Manna.
The Manna represented the Bread of Life
They had to learn to trust and reply on God who provided manna on their journey into the promised land for six days during the week. The seventh day was a rest day, so none was given, nor collected on that day.
God gave his son as a First Fruit. Jesus resurrected on the Feast of First Fruits as the first fruit offering accepted of the harvest to come.
Whoever died with him will also be accepted and rise with him in eternal life.
He has paved the way for all those who have faith in him.
Revelation 14:4 These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been redeemed from among mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb.
Called Out of Captivity: As we observe this appointed time of YHWH/God’s, we are to remember we were once captives to lawlessness (sin), separated from God, just like the Israelites were in the land of Egypt. In order to get back in right relationship with God, there must be a sacrifice made because the law of sin requires a death. We are to remember he chose to bring us out of captivity through the sacrifice of his son, Jesus and set us free from lawlessness (sin). On this day, we remember his crucifixion, the original Good Friday.
*Passover and Unleavened Bread are one appointed time
God called the captives out of slavery and bondage.
The Hebrews and whoever trusted in him (faith), put the blood of an unblemished lamb over the doorposts (obey).
Those who had faith and obeyed, He passed over (even the non Hebrews) because he saw the blood of the lamb.
Those without the blood, had their first born son killed.
God appointed Passover for whoever in all generations, to remember he had brought them out of bondage and set them free.
God gave this as the first month of each year.
This was fulfilled when Jesus became the Passover Lamb.
God gave the Brazen Altar in the Tabernacle for offerings of repentance.
When whoever realized they were walking in lawlessness (sin), they would repent and bring a sacrifice. This would put them back in right relationship with God and the people.
The people brought their sacrifices day after day, but did not change their ways. The sacrifices became meaningless to them and God could not bear it any more.
God gave his Son, Jesus to take the place of the sacrifices. Jesus, was The Anointed One who serves as the unblemished, Passover Lamb.
Jesus and his followers were observing the appointed time of Passover when he took the cup and offered it as his blood, to be poured out for forgiveness of lawlessness (sins) for whoever put their faith in him and obeyed.
Following the Passover Meal, Jesus was arrested, tried, and crucified. He offered himself up as the once for all unblemished, sacrifice for lawlessness (sin).
He was sacrificed on Passover at the very same time all the other Passover Lambs were being sacrificed in the Temple.
God will again, Passover on Judgement day, whoever has faith, brings the blood of the Passover Lamb (Jesus), and obeys.
Revelation 12:11: They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives even in the face of death.
Unleavened Bread (Festival of Matzot)* Confess, Repent, and Be Baptized
Called into Righteousness: As we observe this appointed time of God’s, we are to remember God provides for us. We are to clean out all the lawlessness (sin) in our houses. Just as he prepared a way through the wilderness into the promised land for the Israelites, he has prepared a way into righteousness and the Holy Place through his son, Jesus. Jesus has paid the ransom for those have faith in him and obey. On this day we remember his triumphant descent – the original Holy Saturday.
*Passover and Unleavened Bread are one appointed time
God called the Hebrews and whoevers to clean out all the yeast from their houses and they did not have time to prepare food for themselves before they left.
Whoever did not put the yeast out (faith), was put out of the community (obey).
They carried their unfermented dough and their kneading-troughs as they left. The bread they made from the dough became known as ‘the bread of affliction’.
God provided them with manna from heaven. He sustained them throughout their journey to the promised land.
God appointed the festival of Unleavened Bread for whoever in all generations, to remember this is the day whoevers were brought out of bondage.
Celebrate at the place God chooses.
This was fulfilled when Jesus was buried.
God gave the Bronze Laver in the Tabernacle to wash clean their hands and feet.
Being in right relationship and clean, they were now prepared to enter into the Holy Place.
There was a veil between the Outer Courts and the Holy Place, only a Priest could pass through into the Holy Place.
God provided a way.
Before Jesus, one came preparing a way, he was called John the Baptizer.
John called people to an immersion in the river as a baptism of repentance from sin, marking a turning away from lawlessness (sin). This is referred to as John’s Baptism.
At the Passover Meal, Jesus, as the Bread of Life, offered the unleavened bread as his body, in memory of himself.
The bread representing dying to lawlessness (sin). Jesus was buried on the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
They had always eaten the unleavened bread at the Passover Meal, but Jesus changed why, he said to eat it at the Passover Meal in remembrance of him.
At his death, the veil between the Outer Courts and the Holy Place was torn from top to bottom, into two pieces, he had prepared the way for whoever into the Holy Place.
God provided those who eat of the Bread of Life (Jesus), a way to live forever, free from leaven (sin).
He sacrificed his fleshly body and died to sin, once and for all. Those trusting (faith) and obeying him, have also crucified their body and are no longer captive to lawlessness (sin).
John 6:51 I am the living bread, which came down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever. This bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
NEXT UP: Part 4 – Where is The Good News in the Old Testament?
COMING SOON: Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently?
When Did Things Change?
The only god listed in Part 1, who has had major changes in how and when his followers celebrate him is the god of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (YHWH), and his Son, Yeshua/Jesus. There is no contention that Jesus was not born in December. The only doubt surrounding when he was born is the debate about which of YHWH/God’s Sabbaths he was born on.
Ever hear of the Penalty for Keeping Christmas Law? Yeah, me neither. But in Massachusetts Bay Colony there was such a thing in 1659. They felt it was a “great dishonor of God and offence of others.” If that were in effect today – we’d be paying almost $50 bucks per violation! It was removed in 1681. Of course, in Massachusetts’s they also arrested “witches” (1692-1693) as well! Many held the line, and Christmas did not become a publicly accepted holiday until 1856. In 1870, Christmas was declared a national holiday.
How about an ordinance in England banning Christmas and Easter? Yep, there was one there too. Passed by Parliament in 1647. They had fines there too! Ended up causing riots. They removed it in 1660 because it was too hard to enforce.
Exactly when it all changed? No one really knows, it has been lost in time. We know during the time of Constantine, many Christians switched the date and traditions. And then it seems sometime between the late fourth century and the sixteenth century, Christians pushed back against Christmas altogether. And then in 1870, December 25th and all the traditions with it, became a USA National Holiday.
There isn’t even any contention the early church did not celebrated his birth in December. Nor is there any contention about the early followers observing YHWH/God’s Sabbaths. And we know Jesus and the disciples observed the Sabbaths of YHWH/God.
So here we are in modern times with a tension once again between whether Christians should be celebrating Christmas or not. And whether Christians and Messianic Jews should observe the Sabbaths.
YHWH set up his Dwelling place with elements representing his Sabbaths. He is the only god who uniquely designed his Sabbaths to remained relevant to each generation who kept them. They were meant to be rehearsals, preparing us for what is to come.
For the initial generation (13th century BC) they were a reminder that he was their God and brought them out of bondage. They had been in slavery for over 400 years in Egypt a land with many gods.
For the next several generations they were both a reminder of what God had done as well as a foreshadowing of an Anointed One/Messiah to come.
For the generation who walked with the Anointed One/Messiah, Jesus (4 BC-30 AD) they were for a sign and prophecy being fulfilled.
For all the generations after Jesus’s resurrection they are a reminder of what Jesus did in his first coming, a foreshadowing of his second coming and what is to come in the new heaven/earth.
Jesus’s birth, death, and resurrection all line up with one of God’s Sabbaths. There is some leaning to his birth being during Passover in the Spring. However, the strongest evidence is for his birth being during one of the fall Sabbaths which would be either Feast of Trumpets or Feast of Tabernacles. We read about one of them, the Feast of Tabernacles, in John 7.
The Tabernacle was where YHWH/God’s temporary dwelling place was among the people during the Exodus out of Egypt. There are scripture which can bridge Jesus to the other Feasts, but here are some bridging the Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot to Jesus:
Isaiah 7:14: A sign – virgin giving birth and calling him Immanuel
Matthew 1:23 – Immanuel means God with us
Leviticus 23 – they Dwelled/Sukkah in temporary shelters to remember being brought out of Egypt
John 1:14 – The Word became flesh and made his dwelling/sukkah, his tabernacle/mishkan among us
Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell/mishkan in you
2 Corinthians 5:1-3 For in this mishkaneinu/tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling/sukkah
Nehemiah 8-9 – restoration started with observing the Feast of Sukkot
Acts 7:44 – the covenant law was housed in the Tabernacle
Ephesians 2:22 – In him you also are being built together into a dwelling/miskan place for God by the Spirit
Ezekiel 37:27 / 2 Corinthians 6 – My dwelling/mishkan place shall be with them, and I will be their God,
Revelation 21:3 Behold the dwelling/mishkan place of God is with man. He will dwell/tabernacle with them
There is a Hebrew scripture in Zechariah 14 talking about the day of the Lord. It fits very well with Jesus’s first coming. Starting in Verse 16 is a foreshadowing of the Millennial Reign of Jesus – and the Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot is being kept by all, with a consequence if people choose not to.
Isaiah talks about the new heaven and new earth and the observant of one Shabbat to another.
22 “For just as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, will endure before Me”—it is a declaration of Adonai—“so your descendants and your name will endure.”
23 “And it will come to pass, that from one New Moon to another, and from one Shabbat to another, all flesh will come to bow down before Me,” says Adonai.
Isaiah 66
God said it was a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. However, for the Christians this is no longer the case. Because of this it may surprise some Christians, the same Good News message told in the New Testament was also given to the people in the Old Testament. We’ll look at that next time.
19 I am the Lord your God; walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and observe them. 20 Sanctify My Sabbaths and keep them holy; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that you may know [without any doubt] that I am the Lord your God.’ 21 Yet the children rebelled against Me; they did not walk in My statutes, nor were they careful to observe My ordinances, which, if a man keeps, he will live; they profaned My Sabbaths. Then I decided to pour out My wrath on them and finish My anger against them in the wilderness.
The most accurate and quick answer would be: Because YHWH/God said to. God said to be set-apart. He said he doesn’t want what is given to other gods. He gave us ways of celebrating and worshipping him.
Sometimes the most appropriate question doesn’t start with can or could, but instead starts with should. Can I rob a bank? Yes. Should? No. Can I drink pop all day long? Yes. Should? Probably not. Can Christians celebrate Easter and Christmas? Yes. Should? Isn’t that the question? Do Christians have to learn about God’s Sabbaths? No. Should? Probably should. Jesus did, the disciples did, Paul did, the early church father’s did, the church did up until at least the late fourth century.
So why not? Why would Christians want to be the only god worshippers who are willing to change how they celebrate YHWH and Jesus because the government and a bishop said to? Why would Christians want to be the only ones who changed their date, abandon YHWH’s ways, and adopt those of other god worshippers? Do they fear their gods more than Christians fear theirs?
What is the Good News God Gave?
Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.
Hebrews 4 NIV (Emphasis added)
“Faith and obeyed.” This implies there was an expected action in addition to having faith.
This may take a bit to digest, don’t try and take it all in at once. Take it section by section, look at each element separately. God designed this so through the Holy Spirit, it would be easy to understand and comprehend. Scripture references are left off in most cases – test everything – look them up. Enough of the words are used you can easily google them and find the scriptures. You may be surprised at other treasures you will turn up, if you are seeking knowledge and wisdom, your mind will be blown at least once!
God tells the good news of Jesus through observance of his Sabbaths (appointed times). He also tells it through his Tabernacle which was a copy and shadow of what is in heaven (where God is). He designed them as a testimony for his followers to live out and be set apart from the rest of the world. Don’t skip over this scripture we all think we know, take time to read it.
10 Yeshua answered him, “You’re a teacher of Israel and you do not understand these things? 11 Amen, amen I tell you, We speak about what We know and testify about what We have seen. Yet you all do not receive Our testimony! 12 If you do not believe the earthly things I told you, how will you believe when I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has gone up into heaven except the One who came down from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,[c] so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life!
16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. 18 The one who believes in Him is not condemned; but whoever does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not put his trust in the name of the one and only Ben-Elohim.
19 “Now this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world and men loved the darkness instead of the light,[d] because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed. 21 But whoever practices the truth comes to the light, so that it may be made known that his deeds have been accomplished in God.”
John 3 (TLV)
Passover (Pesach)* Accept Jesus’s Sacrifice
Called Out of Captivity: As we observe this appointed time of YHWH/God’s, we are to remember we were once captives to lawlessness (sin), separated from God, just like the Israelites were in the land of Egypt. In order to get back in right relationship with God, there must be a sacrifice made because the law of sin requires a death. We are to remember he chose to bring us out of captivity through the sacrifice of his son, Jesus and set us free from lawlessness (sin). On this day, we remember his crucifixion, the original Good Friday.
Unleavened Bread (Festival of Matzot)* Confess, Repent, and Be Baptized
Called into Righteousness: As we observe this appointed time of God’s, we are to remember God provides for us. We are to clean out all the lawlessness (sin) in our houses. Just as he prepared a way through the wilderness into the promised land for the Israelites, he has prepared a way into righteousness and the Holy Place through his son, Jesus. Jesus has paid the ransom for those have faith in him and obey. On this day we remember his triumphant descent – the original Holy Saturday.
*Passover and Unleavened Bread are one appointed time
First Fruits (Bikkurim, Firstfruits, Harvest) Surrender All to Jesus
Become a Disciple: As we observe this appointed time, we are to remember what Jesus has done for us. Without him going first, and making the way, we would not be able to follow. He was offered up first so the rest of the harvest that follows can also be accepted. As his disciples we surrender our lives and walk in his ways. On this day we remember his resurrection – the original Easter.
Pentecost (Feast of Weeks, Shavuot) Testify and Be Baptized
Receive Jesus’s Testimony and Baptism: On this day we remember the free gift given to both Jew and Gentile. The Holy Spirit is Jesus’s baptism(Acts 2:38) and his witness testifying to the whole earth. The Spirit writes his commands on our hearts. The Spirit baptizes in the Name (the essence) of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – the original Pentecost.
Feast of Trumpets (Yom Truach, Day of Blasting) Be the Light of the World
Become One Who Disciples: On this day we remember while Jesus was in this world he was the light, whoever follows him will never walk in darkness, but will have the light in them. Jesus said his disciples are the light of the world and should not be hidden. We remember when we walk in his ways and let our light shine we have fellowship together. Shout for joy because Jesus has destroyed death, brought life and immortality to light through the good news. One day he is returning and will reign forever and ever! A day to remember to keep watch for one day he is returning – the original Advent.
Forgive as You are Forgiven: During the time between Trumpets and Day of Atonement is a time to consider our ways and make correction as needed. Just as the priests were ordained and consecrated by the atonement sacrifice, so Jesus has been our atoning sacrifice. We are the one who deserves death but instead we will be set free because Jesus takes our place. Forgive others, just as Jesus forgave those who persecuted him. The original Ash Wednesday/Lent.
Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot, Booths, Ingathering, Feast of the Lord) Complete Unity
All are One: During this time we remember, Jesus said a prayer for those who have faith in him. He said, “Just as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You, so also may they be one in Us, so the world may believe that You sent Me.” God tabernacled among his people in a temporary dwelling place. And Jesus temporarily tabernacled among us in flesh. And now our body is a tabernacle to the Holy Spirit. Jesus has went to prepare our forever home and one day, we will once again be with Immanuel – God with Us when he returns to reign forever and ever. ““Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” – the original Christmas
Testing in Resting: The weekly Sabbath is a day to rest and reflect. It’s a time to remember God has provided all we need. He sent his son, Jesus to become our sacrifice and our high priest – all we have to do is have faith in him and he will do the rest. Our reconciliation is promised through our faith. However, Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my Torah.” He specifically talks about the “Torah” and keeping the smallest marks in it. As we seek to understand more fully, we learn there are laws to keep, ordinances dependent on circumstances, recommendations for getting the best out of life, and right-rulings for making judgements. We don’t keep them because we have to, we keep them because we want to obey. All throughout God Sabbaths/appointed times has referenced or alluded to having faith and obeying him – the original day of worship.
10“Because this is the covenant that I shall make with the house of Yisra’ĕl after those days, says יהוה, giving My laws in their mind, and I shall write them on their hearts, and I shall be their Elohim, and they shall be My people.
11“And they shall by no means teach each one his neighbour, and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know יהוה,’ because they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.
12“Because I shall forgive their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawlessnesses I shall no longer remember.”
13By saying, ‘renewed,’ He has made the first old. Now what becomes old and growing aged is near disappearing.
NEXT UP: Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently?
The Good News in the Old Testament?
You won’t find the good news or gospel in the Hebrew Scriptures (OT) in the manner in which most Christians have become accustom to sharing it. But the good news is there, outside of the prophesies, if you know what to look for. We are told over and over in the New Testament the good news was proclaimed in the Old Testament.
Just as they did – the Israelites had the good news proclaimed to them – but some did not have faith and did not obey.
11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever trusts in Him will not be put to shame.” [g]12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all… As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim good news of good things!” [i]16 But not all heeded the Good News. For Isaiah says, “Adonai, who has believed our report?” [j]17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Messiah.
Romans 10 TLV (Emphasis added)
If we look backward at this reference, this is what we find:
Behold, upon the mountains are the feet[a] of him bringing good news,[b] proclaiming shalom. O Judah, celebrate your festivals! Fulfill your vows! For never again will Belial pass through you. He has been utterly cut off.
Nahum 1/2 TLV
YHWH/God gave the good news – thousands of years before it was fulfilled. He gave the good news as an ordinance to be followed throughout the generations. Generations of who? His followers. It was not for the Israelites, it was not for the Jews, it was for anyone who wanted to follow Him. God says over and over in the Hebrew Scriptures (OT) “same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the Lord your God.”
Even in the Old Testament, it was for “whosoever,” but over time, it became exclusive to the Jewish religion. It is part of what Jesus came to refurbish, restore back to its former glory. (In a previous blog we learned the meaning behind the word ‘new’, as in New Covenant was refurbish, restore).
In Nahum – Judah had been held captive and was not allowed to keep the appointed times of their God, YHWH. God is bringing them back to the good news, to the peace/shalom. He is freeing them to once again celebrate the Shabbats, also called festivals, feasts, or appointed times.
The way God laid out the Good News, thousands of years in advance, makes it an ever lasting good news. He gave it in such a way it was a rehearsal for all generations, for whosoever wanted to be his follower. It proclaims I AM WHO I AM!
God’s Good News in the Old Testament
God laid the Good News out in his Tabernacle and his “moedim”.
Moedim – it means appointed time, place or meeting. In our English translations we might read Sabbaths, feast, festivals, season, set apart time, appointed sign, and a few others. In addition, some of these times have two and three names. This can make it difficult to follow the theme the whole way through the Bible from beginning to end. It takes quite a bit of study. Even when you think you have it all figured out, he drops another truth to blow your mind.
Today, we can easily forget there are other gods and they have followers. But throughout the Bible times, everyone was well aware of the other gods. Their temples lined the streets. God gave his people a way to be set apart from all the followers of all the other gods. He gave his moedim/Sabbaths as a sign between his followers and him that he was their God (Exodus 31, Ezekiel 20).
Set Apart Throughout the Year
If all Christians and Messianic Jews kept the Appointed Times, they would be a witness to everyone around them throughout the year, not just two times a year. It would also make YHWH/God set apart from all the commercialization of the current holidays. He gave them as a way to remember the good news – we were once in bondage but he set us free. Next, we will walk through the Good News God gave us – his testimony about Jesus.
Maybe it is time we test ourselves and hold to what is true?
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[d] from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1 ESV
5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!
COMING SOON: Part 4 – Where is The Good News in the Old Testament?
COMING SOON: Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently?
What are the Traditions?
While many simply decorate because its the thing to do for the season. Others are decorating as a celebration of their god and many of the traditions originated as rituals used in worship gatherings. Regardless of their origin, the meanings attached to them have become the same, irrelevant of the god being celebrated. It is interesting to look at the various sites explaining why they believe their symbol means what it means – not even realizing, all the other god worshipers are saying pretty much the same thing, here are just a few:
Trees decorated with lights and trinkets representing everlasting life and eternal light in darkness. Initially, these trees were decorated outside, it wasn’t until later they were brought inside the home.
Decorating with greenery representing abundant life.
Holly and Mistletoe the colors of the season. Green representing life everlasting. Red the color of sacrifice.
Wassailing and Caroling spreading cheer and joy from house to house.
Small figurines depicting their god. The most popular places of display are under the tree, on a mantle, or table top.
Candle light gatherings singing songs of worship, praise, and prayers to the god.
Gift giving representing either something the god has given or something given to the god.
If someone took a snapshot of all the homes on a city block, it would be difficult to tell the pagans, witches, wiccans, Christians, and non believers from one another. Even the fruit cakes could get involved. *read with slight sarcasm…Raisin/Grape cakes were used in Ashtoreth worship (Hosea 3:1)*
One of the main reasons everyone is celebrating in the same way – if you read the last blog you already know what is going to be said – has to do with the Roman Emperor Constantine. He and the bishops of the Roman Catholic church “Christianized” all the celebrations. Basically, they didn’t change anything. They mashed all the gods, believers, and traditions together. So even though they remained separate in what god they worshipped, the details of when and how merged together.
All Worshipped the Same Way?
All the gods, except Jesus, have been honored for 2,500-3,000+ years with at least one day in December to remember their birth and their miraculous feats.
It is highly unlikely Jesus’s birth was celebrated by any of the disciples, nor the early church fathers, as it was not their custom at that time. There is no contention the early church observed YHWH/God’s Sabbaths well into the fourth century. In observing the Sabbaths they would have indirectly celebrated Jesus, as his birth was foretold thousands of years ahead of time through the Sabbaths.
The tradition of observing God’s Sabbaths eventually changed after Constantine began persecuting anyone observing anything which had to do with the Jews. As the Christians distance themselves from the Jews they began assimilating the Sabbat traditions of the pagans, witches, and wiccans into their celebration of YHWH and his son, Jesus. Eventually it became more and more difficult to tell the celebration of a god born in December apart. As time went on, the Christians began believing they did not have to nor should they keep the Sabbaths of the god of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (YHWH), seeing them as strictly for the Jews. The fact YHWH built the message of Jesus into his Sabbaths, spanning thousands of years before his birth, is now completely lost to the Christians.
Constantine was successful in merging all the traditions. Celebration of Jesus became the same day as all the other gods, as well as the same traditions in honoring him.
At some point after Constantine, certain denominations of Christians and Messianic Jews began to recognize the pagan ways of the celebrations and refused to continue their observance well into the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. They found observing Christmas as dishonoring to the god of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – YHWH and Jesus. They may have measured these traditions against what YHWH/God said in Deuteronomy.
Some modern day Christians are again, foregoing traditions they believe are rooted in pagan ways and turning back to the Sabbaths of YHWH/God. Many site Jeremiah 10, as a reason to not have a Christmas tree, however, as much as this text sounds exactly like our modern Christmas tree, it was talking about the figurines they would whittle out of the wood (or stone), paint them, and put them together with nails and set them under a tree. The tree was called an Asherah pole, a tree or pole in the shape of a tree, used in worship to the goddess Asherah. These trees/poles are spoken of 32 times in the Hebrew Bible (OT), each time the followers are being told to cut them down and burn them and the figurines under them. Asherah (also known as Ishtar/Easter) is a sun goddess referred to several times, along with Baal, two gods YHWH/God had the most contention with. She was the lover of Nimrod/Tammuz also being celebrated on December 25th.
However, today, main stream Christianity continue with their celebration of God and Jesus with the date and traditions developed during the era of Emperor Constantine. They are no longer concerned with the pagan origins as they focus on what is in their hearts: celebrating the birth of Jesus as the reason for the season and the traditions which bring families together.
The Nativity
One thing that is very different is Christians are the only ones with a tradition, at this time of the year, including a Nativity Scene. Nativity literally means occasion of a birth. The Nativity Scene of Jesus is publicly displayed all around towns and the country side. Entire plays and dramatizations are centered around this scene. Although there are figurines, shapes, and art depicting other gods, none are typically used as a nativity/birth scene, nor are they publicly displayed during their celebrations in December.
The Smithsonian says the first Nativity Scene was set up in 1223 by a Franciscan monk (Roman Catholic) – St. Francis of Assisi. There is a story out there going something like this, he set up a scene, and invited everyone to come and see. While they were looking, he preached about Jesus – no wait – “the babe of Bethlehem,” because he was so overcome with emotion, he just couldn’t say Jesus.
Side track note: What is up with that? Not saying this is pertaining to this instance, but there is a verse about someone who does not say Jesus came in flesh.
The scene we typically see today, at least in America, includes:
Luke 2:4 = Joseph
The non-biological father of Jesus
Luke 2:5 = Mary
The virgin who gave birth to Jesus
Luke 2:6 = Jesus as a baby
Luke 2:12 = Jesus wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger
Luke 2:7 = A Manger
Usually the manger is a wooden one but that is not a true representation.
Managers at that time were typically made of a hewn out boulder or a cement type mixture of straw and clay.
Luke 2:6 = Shepherds
Once they heard about the birth, they went and found Mary and Joseph.
The number is unknown.
Matthew 2:1 =Tree Wise Men or Kings
It is recorded in Scripture “Magi” visited.
They were not what we would call “wise men” nor were they kings. They were astrologers or government representatives. This word appears 6 times in scripture. Four in Matthew 2, and the same word is translated as sorcerer twice in Acts 13:6-8.
No biblical scholars believe they were at the birth, they believe they came closer to when Jesus was two because of Matthew 2:16. But when they visited is not recorded in scripture.
Scripture = A Star
No scripture specifically places the star at the Nativity.
Matthew 2:2 The star is mentioned in the story of the Magi, but when they visited is not recorded in scripture.
Matthew 2:9 The star “stopped over the place where the child was” when the Magi were looking for him. But when they visited is not recorded in scripture.
Matthew 2:16 Herod killed all the boys two years old and under – in accordance with the time he learned from the Magi.
Some connect the prophecy of Balaam in Numbers 24:17 to this star.
No Scripture = Barn animals
Typically includes any number of donkeys, cattle, sheep and maybe a camel or two.
There is no way of knowing if animals were there. Some surmise they would have been kept out because of all the people who were most likely occupying the same place because of the town being crowded. In addition to the fact a baby had just been born there.
No Scripture = An Angel
No specific scripture places any angels at the Nativity.
Messengers announced the birth to the Shepherds.
The Messenger of the Lord appeared to Joseph after the Magi left.
No Scripture = A Stable
The Stable was inserted into the scene because of the mention of a manger.
Based on historical information, it is highly unlikely the scene took place in what we typically see in a Nativity Scene. They were most likely in the bottom floor of a house where animals could be feed indoors.
Check out Genesis 33:17 for an interesting twist.
We’ve covered who is celebrating, who is being celebrated, and what traditions there are. Generally, the pagans, witches, wiccans, and even the Jews have stayed true to their time honored traditions in celebration of their gods for thousands of years. The Christians and the Messianic Jews however have made major changes in the last 1,600 years, some in just the last 300+ years. We’ll take a look at just when did things change for them next.
Micah is a book written around 700 years before Jesus’s birth. The Prophet speaks about the coming birth of a Messiah, Jesus, and the millennial kingdom to come. Nimrod/Tammuz, Asherah, and several other gods are spoken of throughout Micah.
As you read scripture such as Micah, consider, what could the things he refers to be a symbol or representation of in our time? For example, obviously, we no longer have chariots – what might those represent?
“I will destroy your horses from among you and demolish your chariots. 11 I will destroy the cities of your land and tear down all your strongholds. 12 I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells. 13 I will destroy your idols and your sacred stones from among you; you will no longer bow down to the work of your hands. 14 I will uproot from among you your Asherah poles[e] when I demolish your cities. 15 I will take vengeance in anger and wrath on the nations that have not obeyed me.”
COMING SOON: Part 4 – Where is The Good News in the Old Testament?
COMING SOON: Part 5 – Why Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Differently?
Who is Celebrating?
The pagans, witches, and wiccans refer to their set aside times of celebrations as Sabbats. There are typically eight, and the celebrations usually last several days. In December, the dates range from the 20th-28th depending on how things fall. The dates are driven by the shortest and longest days of the year. It is a time to celebrate the return of light. They are celebrating their gods and mother earth.
The Jewish religion has Shabbats which may or may not be the same word as Sabbats used by the pagans, witches, and wiccan – there is much debate on this. The Jews celebrate seven appointed times by the god of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (YHWH), none of which occur in December. However, they do celebrate Chanukah/Hanukkah for eight days sometime between November and December – with the dates changing each year. They are celebrating their god, the god of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They do not celebrate the birth of Jesus.
There are also some Christians and Messianic Jews who have Sabbats and celebrates the appointed times of YHWH. However, most Christians who celebrate Christmas do not celebrate Sabbats. Different Denominations have different Holy Days. Generally, in the month of December, there are a few celebrations centered around their god, the same god as the Jews – the god of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (YHWH), and his son called Yeshua/Jesus:
Epiphany – January 6th or the first Sunday of January. The celebration of the visit of the Magi, Jesus’s baptism, and the wedding at Cana. It originated in the Roman Empire, sometime in the third or fourth century. The date was eventually changed to December 25th. The difference between December 25th and January 6th has become known as The 12 Days of Christmas.
Christmas Eve (24th) and Christmas Day or The Nativity of the Lord (25th) – Many attend church services on at least one of those days. Emperor Constantine and the Roman Catholic Church set the dates in the fourth century.
Advent – a period of preparation for Christmas. A Roman Catholic Bishop gave a directive in the fifth century and it evolved from there. It is celebrated from November to December starting on various days from year to year.
People who have no religion or god, generally celebrate the Christmas Season which can start anytime after Thanksgiving and ends around New Years. They typically gather with family and friends on either Christmas Eve (24th) or Christmas Day (25th).
Who is Being Celebrated?
Other gods are accepted and worshipped among many religions. Even the god of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (YWHW) is accepted in them. However, the acceptance of his son, Jesus, is not always the case.
Christians do not tend to think about there being other gods. Yet, other gods are referred to throughout the Bible and is frequently a contention between YHWH and his people/followers. YHWH/God is referred to as being a “great God and great King above all gods,” “presides in the great assembly,” rendering “judgment among the gods”.
There are several births being celebrated in December. The following are those referred to as a ‘god of light’:
2600-23334 BC – Nimrod/Tammuz
Mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures – Ezekiel 8:14
600 BC – Mithra
Mithra was worshipped weekly on Sunday – the day named after the unconquered sun
Mithredath is named in the Hebrew Scriptures of Ezra 1:8 and Ezra 4:7. The name means, “Given by Mithra, or dedicated to Mithra” – Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Mithra is believed by some to also be Sol Invictus. The festival of Saturnalia was celebrated by the Romans.
600 BC – Saturn
Alluded to in the Hebrew Scriptures – Amos 5:26
5 BC-3 AD – Jesus, son of YHWH
Most Biblical scholars agree Jesus was most likely born during one of the Sabbaths of YHWH. At this writing few believe he was born in December.
Until the 300s, Jesus and YHWH were generally worshipped on the Sabbath of YHWH – Shabbat – the seventh day
After the 300s, Jesus and YHWH were generally worshiped on Sunday
The Canonize Bible centers around Jesus
Why Celebrate on December 25?
“It was a custom of the pagans to celebrate on the same Dec. 25 the birthday of the sun, at which they kindled lights in token of festivity …Accordingly, when the church authorities perceived that the Christians had a leaning to this festival, they took counsel and resolved that the true Nativity should be solemnized.
An unknown 4th-century scribe, Scriptus Syrus (The validity of this statement is debated, some see it as authentic, some do not.)
The actual birth date of all of those listed above is generally unknown. There are lots of stories about how each of the births came to be recognized in December. However, one of the main reason everyone is celebrating on December 25th and worshipped weekly on Sunday, has to do with the Roman Emperor Constantine. You can explore the vast amount of information about Constantine and his conversion on your own. But once he chose Christianity as the religion he wanted to follow, he and the bishops of the Roman Catholic church sought to “Christianized” all the celebrations.
Based on my research my opinion became he didn’t want to leave anyone out but he wanted it all to be called Christianity. They basically wanted to merge everything under the title of Christianity because that’s the one he chose. His biggest competition in making this change were the Jews so he outlawed Judaizing. They did things like replace the word Sun – as in sun god to the word Son – as in Son of God. And outlawed worship services on Saturday and made everyone switch to Sunday. Prior to that the Jews and the Christians worshiped on Saturday. And most of the pagans worshiped on Sunday. Eventually this took hold and became the norm for most of the world.
Because of the changes Constantine made, the traditions and origins of the dates and the celebrations have become so entwined, there’s plenty of debate on who started what first. Whether it started with the pagans, witches, wiccan, Christianity, or even the Jews can be highly debated and left unreconciled. We’ll take a look at the traditions next.
1In the sight of Elohim and the Master יהושע Messiah, who shall judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His reign, I earnestly charge you: 2Proclaim the Word! Be urgent in season, out of season. Convict, warn, appeal, with all patience and teaching. 3For there shall be a time when they shall not bear sound teaching, but according to their own desires, they shall heap up for themselves teachers tickling the ear, 4and they shall indeed turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to myths. 5But you be sober in all matters, suffer hardships, do the work of an evangelist, accomplish your service completely.
This is a video covering all the scriptures referring to the Sabbath or Seventh Day Rest. It is a long one and may need to be a couple cups of coffee or tea over a couple days. But if you’ve wanted to see what was said about the Sabbath Day, this is the one to watch. Wondering who the Sabbath day was given to – was it just the Jews – this is the one to watch. Did Jesus keep the Sabbath? Did the disciples or Paul? Is the Sabbath day mentioned in the New Testament? This is the one to watch to get those answers.
Remember, in a Ceasefire Moment we have to be willing to set aside all our pre-conceived ideas and seek to understand – not necessarily to agree.
Sabbath-Seventh Day Rest
Ge 2:2–3; Ex 16:23–30; 20:8–11; 23:12; 31:13–17; 34:21; 35:1–3; Le 19:3, 30; 23:3–39; 25:2–8; 26:2, 34–43; Nu 15:32; 28:25; Dt 5:12–15; Ne 9:14; 10:31–33; 13:15–22; Is 1:13; 56:2–6; 58:13; 66:23; La 2:6; Eze 20:12–24; 22:8, 26; 23:38; 44:24; 46:3; Ho 2:11; Mt 12:1–12; 24:20; 28:1; Mk 1:21; 2:23–28; 3:2–4; 6:2; 15:42; 16:1; Lk 4:16, 31; 6:1–9; 13:10–16; 14:1–5; 23:54–56; Jn 5:9–18; 7:22–23; 9:14–16; 19:31; Ac 13:14, 27–44; 15:21; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4; Col 2:16; Heb 4:4–9
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