03/07/2008 Sabbath Meeting Transcript

For many of us, the beginning of the new year according to Yahweh's calendar will begin in about a month from now.

While man's calendar glorifies his own ability to calculate, Yahweh's calendar brings us to remember His creation and that He is in control .

So in scripture, the months do not go according to preset calculations, but rather they go according to the moon phases.

In space, the moon orbits around the earth. This affects the amount of light seen on the portion of the moon that is visible to us here on earth.

If the moon is orbiting in between us and the sun, the back side of the moon is lit and the side of the moon facing us is completely dark.

This would mean that the sun and the moon both set at about the same time. This is called the astronomical new moon or conjunction. It is this "new moon" that is sometimes marked on this world's Roman calendars.

As the moon continues its orbit within 1 to 2 days from that point, within an hour after sunset a small amount of light will appear around the edge of the moon which will have a crescent shape, which is sort of the same shape as a Ram's horn. Thus, a new moon is finally seen and the new month begins.

On the night of the Roman date of 4/6/08, we will be looking for the first new moon of the year. Since the new moon is seen within an hour or so after sundown, and we believe a day ends and begins at sundown, the first day of the new month(the real "new year's day") will actually be on 4/7/08.

If you would like to look for the new moon, you can practice this tomorrow night. Tomorrow night will begin the 13th month of the year. For one hour after sunset look in the western sky near the place where the sun had set.

We especially enjoy gathering at the first new moon of the year and rejoicing before Yahweh for His goodness in bringing us to another year.

In scripture, this new month is called "Abib" which is a word meaning "ripened barley."

Deuteronomy 16:1 - Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto YAHWEH thy Elohim: for in the month of Abib YAHWEH thy Elohim brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

Thus, the first month in which the barley harvest is ready is the month that the new year begins. Reports from Israel this week indicate that the barley is not ready for harvest, therefore it would not be the month of "Abib"

During the feast of unleavened bread, the firstfruits of the barley harvest is offered as a "wave sheaf offering".

Leviticus 23:9 - And YAHWEH spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 23:10 - Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:

Leviticus 23:11 - And he shall wave the sheaf before YAHWEH, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.

Leviticus 23:12 - And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto YAHWEH.

Leviticus 23:13 - And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto YAHWEH for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.

Leviticus 23:14 - And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your Elohim: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

After this, the winter wheat harvest is then ready within 50 days, which is the timing for the feast of weeks (shavuot), also called Pentecost.

Leviticus 23:15 - And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:

Leviticus 23:16 - Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto YAHWEH.

Leviticus 23:17 - Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto YAHWEH.

So during Shavuot/Pentecost, the bread from the wheat harvest is offered as firstfruits unto Yahweh.

On the 14th day of the first month of Yahweh's year (the month of "Abib" which will start on 4/07/08 in our locale), we will be observing the day of Passover (on 4/20).

This year, for the first time we are planning a gathering of Yahweh's people, which you can read about at http://www.eliyah.com/passover2008.html .

It is good for us to be ready for this feast, so tonight will begin a 2 part study into the subject of Passover.

The purpose of the first part of this study is to introduce people who are unfamiliar with the basic principles of the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. If you have never kept this feast before, this study will tell you some important things to know ahead of time.

It should also again refresh the memories of those who have participated in it in the past.

These holy days are not like the so-called 'holi-days' of mainstream Christianity. These holy days are found in scripture, were not inspired by demon worship, and were commanded by Yahweh to be kept.

I personally love this feast because it is so symbolic of what Yahushua has done for us and it applies very much to Yahweh's plan of Salvation.

Next week, I plan to share a study on the spiritual meanings of Passover and Feast of Unleavened bread. In that study we will see how Yahushua is our Passover, and how this feast applies to us.

In the book of Exodus, we read that the children of Israel (Jacob) were dwelling in Egypt and were increasing in number and size.

In fact, there were so many of them that the Pharoah of Egypt began to fear what might take place if they had gotten too large in number:

Exodus 1:7 - And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

Exodus 1:8 - Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.

Exodus 1:9 - And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:

So the Pharaoh divised a plan:

Exodus 1:10 - Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.

Exodus 1:11 - Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.

Exodus 1:12 - But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.

Exodus 1:13 - And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:

Exodus 1:14 - And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.

Exodus 1:15 - And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:

Exodus 1:16 - And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.

Exodus 1:17 - But the midwives feared Elohim, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

Exodus 1:18 - And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?

Exodus 1:19 - And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.

Exodus 1:20 - Therefore Elohim dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.

Exodus 1:21 - And it came to pass, because the midwives feared Elohim, that he made them houses.

So the children of Israel were oppressed and in the bondage of slavery to the Egyptians. They were told to throw all their newborn sons into the river.

But Yahweh despises the shedding of innocent blood:

Proverbs 6:16 - These six things doth YAHWEH hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

Proverbs 6:17 - A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Proverbs 6:18 - An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

Proverbs 6:19 - A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

If you read the first part of the book of Exodus you will see that Yahweh allowed one of the sons to remain alive and grow up in the household of Pharaoh. This son was Moshe (Moses).

Yahweh called out Moshe to lead the children of Israel out of the land of bondage and slavery and promised to lead them into a beautiful land 'flowing with milk and honey'.

Moshe's purpose was to lead them and show them the way to the promised land. Yahweh used him to reveal the way of righteousness through the keeping of Yahweh's commandments.

Yahweh heard the cry of the children of Israel who wanted to be delivered from their bondage.

Exodus 3:7 - And YAHWEH said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

Yahweh told Moshe to go to the Pharaoh and petition him to let the children of Israel go into the wilderness to worship Yahweh.

But Pharoah would refuse.

Each time Yahweh would send a plague to cause Pharaoh to change his mind and let the people go.

After some of the plagues, Pharaoh would change his mind and let the people go, but then Yahweh would harden Pharaoh's heart and so Pharaoh would change his mind & refuse.

Because Yahweh sent plagues upon the Egyptians who worshiped idols, Yahweh showed His superiority over these dumb idols by sending 10 plagues.

The first plague was that all the water coming from the Nile river was turned into blood for seven days.

The following plagues were Frogs, Lice, Flies, Disease on their animals, Boils on man and animals, hail, locusts and darkness.

The final plague would prove to be an important one. Yahweh told Pharaoh through Moshe:

Exodus 11:4 - And Moses said, Thus saith YAHWEH, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:

Exodus 11:5 - And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

Exodus 11:6 - And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.

Exodus 11:7 - But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that YAHWEH doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.

And so Yahweh planned on making a difference between the Egyptians and Israel, much like he did with other plagues.

The Israelites, who had cried out to Yahweh, would be saved from death if they heeded Moshe's instructions.

His instructions & the events in the following chapter are crucial to understanding the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread:

Exodus 12:1 - And YAHWEH spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,

Exodus 12:2 - This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.

Exodus 12:3 - Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:

We see that Yahweh had to teach the children of Israel His calendar. He taught them that this month (which began with the new moon) would begin HIS calendar year. As I mentioned, Yahweh's new calendar year begins on 4/07/08 (look for the new moon on the night of roman date 4/6/08).

Exodus 12:4 - And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.

Exodus 12:5 - Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

So on the tenth day of Yahweh's first month, the households of Israel were to take for themselves an unblemished male lamb or kid of the first year, set it aside and keep it seperated from the others.

It is helpful if we understand that in those days, a person's prosperity had quite a bit to do with the amount of livestock they owned.

To take a male lamb of the first year out of their flock would indeed be a monetary sacrifice. In fact, not all houses had one.

Today, we might think of sacrifices as something different, but it truly was a 'sacrifice' for the children of Israel to give up one of their male lambs.

Several years ago, we slaughtered two sheep that a brother had brought to eat during the Feast of Tabernacles.

It wasn't for sacrificing purposes of course, but just for a meal.

What was interesting was that when he cut the sheep's throat, it literally sounded like a human being moaning in pain as it died.

Since then, we have raised sheep for a few years and currently have about 23 sheep in our pasture. We've learned that little lambs sound very much like a baby crying when in pain, and even when calling out for their mother.

We've raised and bottle fed three lambs in our house and can attest to this as fact.

Exodus 12:6 - And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

There is some controversy as to when "evening" is, but the Hebrew reads "Between the evenings." We know that Yahushua (who is called "our Passover" in 1Cor 5:7) died at the ninth hour on the day of Passover.

It just so happened, and it was not a coincidence, that Yahushua died at the exact hour of the Passover Lambs being slaughtered in Jerusalem.

Therefore, we believe that "between the evenings" to be referring to the time that Yahushua died, approximately 3-4pm.

Continuing in Exodus 12..

Exodus 12:7 - And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

Exodus 12:8 - And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.

Exodus 12:9 - Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.

Exodus 12:10 - And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.

Exodus 12:11 - And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is YAHWEH's passover.

Exodus 12:12 - For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the elohim of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am YAHWEH.

Exodus 12:13 - And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

So the children of Israel were to kill the lamb, place the blood on the lintel and doorposts of their homes, then roast and eat the passover lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

They were also specifically commanded not to break any of the lambs bones and to eat it quickly because they would be departing from Egypt very quickly.

When the death angel passed over the children of Israel, they would be spared from the death that would be brought upon the firstborn of the Egyptians because the death angel saw the blood of the lamb on the doorposts

Thus it becomes quite evident...that the lamb died for them!

The memorial observance of this event is to be celebrated from year to year forever:

Exodus 12:14 - And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to YAHWEH throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

Exodus 12:15 - Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

Exodus 12:16 - And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.

Exodus 12:17 - And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.

And so the feast of Unleavened bread is explained.

It is also mentioned in Leviticus 23:

Leviticus 23:4 - These are the feasts of YAHWEH, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.

Leviticus 23:5 - In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is YAHWEH's passover.

Leviticus 23:6 - And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto YAHWEH: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.

Leviticus 23:7 - In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

Leviticus 23:8 - But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto YAHWEH seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

So while Passover is on the 14th day of the first month, the Feast of Unleavened Bread actually begins on the 15th day of Yahweh's first month (Abib) and the last day was to be on the 21st of Abib.

The 15th and 21st of the 1st month are days of rest. No work is to be done on these days except to prepare the food that everyone must eat.

This year, we will be observing those two days on what the world calls "April" 21st and 27th.

During this time, no leaven (yeast) is to be found in our dwelling places.

Exodus 12:18 - In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.

Exodus 12:19 - Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.

Exodus 12:20 - Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.

It is good to prepare ahead of time by gathering all of the items in your home that contains leaven. We understand leaven to be anything that could cause bread to rise. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), baking powder, tartaric acid, cream of tartar, and anything that contains "yeast" would be included among leavening agents that we should dispose of.

Since we are about 6 weeks from needing to do this, now is a good time to set aside all your foods that contain yeast and begin using them.

Then in the next six weeks you can eat what you are able to of the leavened foods, then get rid of any remaining leavened products on the 14th of Abib (4/20) so that they are gone by sundown on 4/20. This will help you save money and reduce waste.

Notice in verse 19 that Yahweh wants all people, not just Israel to remove the leaven from their homes.

If we have accepted Yahushua and wish to be partakers in the New Covenant, we are no longer strangers. We join ourselves to Israel by accepting the mediator of that covenant, Yahushua the Messiah.

The New Covenant is not with Gentiles, it is with Israel and Judah (Jer. 31:31). Therefore, we "become Israel" through Yahushua and are no longer stangers to the covenants.

Ephesians 2:11 - Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands--

"once Gentiles" but not any longer

Ephesians 2:12 - that at that time you were without the Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without Elohim in the world.

But now....

Ephesians 2:13 - But now in the Master Yahushua you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah.

HalleluYah for that!

Continuing in Exodus, we see that it finally came time for the day of Passover. Let's read how it transpired:

Exodus 12:21 - Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.

Note that it is the lamb that is called "The Passover"

Thus, the day on which the lamb is killed is called "Passover" but it is called "Passover" because that is the day when "the Passover" (the lamb) was killed.

Exodus 12:22 - And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.

Exodus 12:23 - For YAHWEH will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, YAHWEH will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

Exodus 12:24 - And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.

Exodus 12:25 - And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which YAHWEH will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.

Exodus 12:26 - And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?

Exodus 12:27 - That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of YAHWEH's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.

Notice how important it is in Yahweh's eyes that we explain Yahweh's ways to our children. His desire was that this event be memorialized so that He would be remembered for this awesome act forever.

Therefore, when we gather together at this feast, we will not ignore our children but we will make it a special point to teach them about Passover and the meaning of it during the service.

Exodus 12:28 - And the children of Israel went away, and did as YAHWEH had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.

Exodus 12:29 - And it came to pass, that at midnight YAHWEH smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharoah that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.

Exodus 12:30 - And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.

Exodus 12:31 - And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve YAHWEH, as ye have said.

Exodus 12:32 - Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.

Exodus 12:33 - And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.

Exodus 12:34 - And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.

Exodus 12:35 - And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:

Exodus 12:36 - And YAHWEH gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

Exodus 12:37 - And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.

Exodus 12:38 - And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

Exodus 12:39 - And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.

Exodus 12:40 - Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.

Exodus 12:41 - And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of YAHWEH went out from the land of Egypt.

Exodus 12:42 - It is a night to be much observed unto YAHWEH for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of YAHWEH to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.

Exodus 12:43 - And YAHWEH said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:

Exodus 12:44 - But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.

Exodus 12:45 - A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.

Exodus 12:46 - In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.

Exodus 12:47 - All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.

Exodus 12:48 - And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to YAHWEH, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

Exodus 12:49 - One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

Now, it is very clear that Yahweh does not have a double standard. His law is for all mankind. But if any stranger wanted to observe the Passover festival, it was necessary that they first "become as one that is born in the land" and become circumcised.

Exodus 12:50 - Thus did all the children of Israel; as YAHWEH commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.

Exodus 12:51 - And it came to pass the selfsame day, that YAHWEH did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

So in order for a foreigner to partake of the physical Passover lamb, he would need to be physically circumcised.

One of the first steps that a believer in Yahushua must take to join themselves to Yahweh is to become baptized.

In scripture, baptism is likened unto circumcision:

Colossians 2:11 - In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of the Messiah:

Colossians 2:12 - Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of YAHWEH, who hath raised him from the dead.

And it is this type of circumcision that brings us into the body of Messiah and commonwealth of Israel

Galatians 3:29 - And if you are the Messiah's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

For this reason, I think it is wise to be baptized before partaking of the Passover.

Baptism is one of the first steps a new believer in Yahushua ought to do.

It was always done immediately if you read the examples in the book of Acts.

Therefore, at our gathering this year, we will plan to do a spiritual circumcision, that is, baptize anyone has not yet been baptized, and desires to partake of the spiritual Passover

Yahushua is our Passover

1Corinthians 5:7 - Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even the Messiah our passover is sacrificed for us:

1Corinthians 5:8 - Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Let's now look into the Passover (Pasach) supper.

To me, one of the clearest evidences in scripture that we should be observing the feasts today is in the commanded observance of the memorial supper that Yahushua instituted.

Many churches today practice this every "sunday," but most of them do not have the full realization of what Yahushua was truly instituting.

But when one observes the Passover as instituted by Yahushua the Messiah, one can know exactly what the significance of it all truly is.

Let's examine what Yahushua asked us to observe:

Luke 22:15 - And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

Luke 22:16 - For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of YAHWEH.

Luke 22:17 - And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

Luke 22:18 - For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of YAHWEH shall come.

Luke 22:19 - And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Luke 22:20 - Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Luke 22:21 - But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.

This was Yahushua's commandment. We are to do this in remembrance of Him. He is the Passover and He is the Lamb

John 1:29 - The next day John seeth Yahushua coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of YAHWEH, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Revelation 5:11 - Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,

Revelation 5:12 - saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!"

Many in Christianity will refer to Yahushua as "the Lamb." But how many really understand that the whole reason He is called "the Lamb" is because He is "our PASSOVER" and we are partaking of the PASSOVER when we take the bread and fuit of the vine?

*fruit

And in scripture, leaven usually represents sin. When Yahushua takes away our sins, we are "unleavened."

Yahushua died at the exact time the Passover lamb's were being sacrificed in Jerusalem, the ninth hour of the day (about 3-4pm). Again, I don't believe this was just a coincidence.

Therefore, when we partake of the bread we are breaking it to remember that Yahushua's body was broken for us.

It was for our sins that He had to come into the world and die. And it was the 14th day of the month of "Abib" that Yahushua died for us.

The cup represents the New Covenant. When Yahushua returns, the new covenant will be fully instituted and we will reign with Him forever

The blood of Yahushua is what cleanses us from all sin. When we partake of Yahushua's body, we are a part of Him.

We are a part of Yahushua, our Passover Lamb, which takes away our sins and saves us from death. He becomes one with us and we with Him, we are His body.

Galatians 2:20 - "I have been impaled with the Messiah; it is no longer I who live, but the Messiah lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of YAHWEH, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

So brethren, this is not a "eucharist". This is not "communion". The partaking of the body and blood of Yahushua is PASSOVER! He is our Passover which was offered for us and we are partaking of the Passover Lamb that takes away the sins of the world!

John 6:47 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

John 6:48 - I am that bread of life.

John 6:49 - Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.

John 6:50 - This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

Let's consider that Yahushua's words are food for us.

He is "The Word of Yahweh" made flesh.

John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

So we should not stray from the Word of Yahweh in our observances.

Instead of keeping Passover, the world keeps "Easter". Easter is named after Astarte, a cohort to many demonic idols. This year, their celebration of His resurrection won't even be during the correct month.

*consort, not cohort

Why must some reject the commandments of Yahweh in favor of the traditions of men?

We have much the same situation today that we see in Yahushua's day:

Mark 7:5 - Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

Mark 7:6 - He answered and said unto them, Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Mark 7:7 - Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctines the commandments of men.

We too must beware of ignoring the words and doctrine in the scriptures in favor of holding fast to traditions not commanded by Yahweh--especially when those traditions have their roots in demon worship!

It is truly abominable to throw out the beautiful feast of Passover, which was ordained to bring into remembrance how Yahweh has saved us, and instead take a day named after an idol and observe that instead. :(

Let us therefore keep the feast !

In the Feast of unleavened bread we are told to purge our homes of all leaven

As mentioned before, by the time Passover arrives most of the leaven in our homes can already have been purged

Personally, we prefer to sweep the floor and furniture also since there may be leaven in them. We even clean our toaster and take out the sweeper bag when we are finished. We will do the same for the place we will be staying at our Passover gathering this year.

We do not do this to be "legalists" as some might accuse, but to remember how diligent we should be to get the leaven ("sin") out of our lives.

We also purchase or make wine or grape juice. For the Passover observance we sometimes squeeze our own grapes (not the seedless variety) and prefer to make our own unleavened bread.

Recipes can be found at http://www.eliyah.com/recipes.html

There are some things we need to keep in mind as we do these things. One of them is our sincerity and our reverence for what Yahushua has done for us

The Corinthian assembly was lacking in this and Paul rebuked them for it:

1Corinthians 11:20 - When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat Yahushua's supper.

(Notice that it says they came together in one place. I can definitely see this as a time of Yahweh's people to gather!)

1Corinthians 11:21 - For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

1Corinthians 11:22 - What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the assembly of YAHWEH, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

1Corinthians 11:23 - For I have received of YAHWEH that which also I delivered unto you, That the Master Yahushua the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

1Corinthians 11:24 - And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

1Corinthians 11:25 - After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

1Corinthians 11:26 - For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew Yahushua's death till he come.

We should remember that this is proclaiming Yahushua's death until He comes. So of course it is done at the same time of year that He died.

Some say that because the above verse says "often", it meant to do it "every Sunday," but 'often' can refer to a once per year event. For example:

Hebrews 9:24 - For the Messiah has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of YAHWEH for us;

Hebrews 9:25 - not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another--

The Passover is also a once per year event and we partake of it "often."

Continuing in 1Corinthians...

1Corinthians 11:27 - Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of Yahushua, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of Yahushua.

1Corinthians 11:28 - But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

What a warning we have in verse 27! Truly, it is approaching the time of year to really examine ourselves.

1Corinthians 11:29 - For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the body of the Master.

1Corinthians 11:30 - For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

So we should take this time to examine ourselves and consider what Yahushua has done for us!

It is no small thing in the eyes of Yahweh to give His only Son to die for us. What an awesome act of love and service to us!

1Corinthians 11:31 - For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

Therefore, let's judge ourselves and examine ourselves beforehand.

Remember last week's study about examining and guarding our heart?

We need to ask Yahweh to cleanse our hearts and reveal any wicked thing within

Let's be sincere, humble and repentant... preparing to partake of Him

Let's reflect on the need to rid ALL sin out of our lives as we rid our physical homes of leaven also!

We can pray for Yahweh to show us the leaven in our own lives.

Let's renew our commitment to serve Yahweh with all of our heart, all of our soul and all of our mind, shall we?

Let's purge out any old sin that keeps rearing its ugly head from time to time. Let's be ready to walk anew!

For this is His desire.

Abib, the first month, brings in the new year of Yahweh. This year, let's be ready to make the REAL new year resolution to serve Him in purity, holiness and truth.

This year, let's continue to grow closer to Yahweh and closer to one another, working together to accomplish His will, and spending time together as His people.

As the evil days approach, we really do need each other brethren.

But most of all, we need HIM in our lives in a great and mighty way to overcome what lies in store for this world, and for us, in the days ahead.

We don't know when Yahushua will return, but we know that we are told to pray..

Luke 21:36 - Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Are we closer to the example Yahushua showed us than we were a year ago? Will we be accounted worthy?

Are we progressing, taking back ground given to the enemy, and walking closer to Yahushua's example?

Let it be so.

Passover has many things to teach us. We will continue next week

May Yahweh bless you and may He have mercy on us all!