Light on the Rock Blogs

This question of who were “firstborns” of Exodus 12 has intrigued people for a long time. I don’t know if it’s that crucial to know – but since it does come up and I hear it preached both ways, that the death of the firstborn included girls – or most say “firstborn sons”.  Which is it? Just males, or males and females?

Most commentators agree it was the firstborn MALES who were killed. No girls, even if they were born first. But some ministers and commentators teach it was firstborn male OR female

In Exodus 12 itself, it’s not actually specified whether firstborn were just boys, or either boys or girls. So let’s use more of the Bible.

Consider this: Whenever we read of names of families in the Bible, firstborns are always males. In fact, in the blessing of the sons of Jacob in Genesis 49, Jacob’s daughter DINAH was not even named or included in the blessings of Israel, though she was included in a list of children.

Do we ever read of firstborn daughters?  There’s one example in Genesis 19:30-38, when Lot fled to the hills with his two daughters, after his wife was turned to a pillar of salt.  The older daughter is depicted as “the first born said to the younger” in verses 31, 34.  

But other than that, I’m not aware of scripture calling daughters “the firstborn”.

Now let’s look for hints from some scriptures.

Remember that Pharaoh did his best to kill all Hebrew SONS (Exodus 1:15-16,21).  God certainly paid him back, with the death of Pharaoh’s own firstborn son.

We have these other verses about “firstborn”. 

Exodus 22:29, 30  “You shall present the firstborn of your sons to me. 

You shall do the same with your cattle and with your sheep.”

Numbers 3:40

“Then YHVH said to Moses: "Number all the firstborn MALES of the children of Israel from a month old and above, and take the number of their names.

43:  And all the firstborn MALES, according to the number of names from a month old and above, of those who were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three.”

Exodus 12 mentions the death of the Egyptian firstborns.  Now we come to the next chapter.

Exodus 13:1-2  “Then YHVH spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine."

Verse 2 can seem to imply “ANY AND ALL firstborn – whoever opens the womb”- whether male or female. But let’s keep reading. 

Exodus 13:11-15    "And it shall be, when YHVH brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to you and your fathers, and gives it to you, 12 that you shall set apart to YHVH all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the MALES shall be the Lord's.

 13 But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your SONS you shall redeem.

14 So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is this?' that you shall say to him, 'By strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 15 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that YHVH killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore I sacrifice to YHVH all MALES that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my SONS I redeem.'

It seems to me that the Bible defines the FIRSTBORN as the firstborn MALES in Exodus 13:15.

It seems that there is clear evidence that the rule for humans is that the firstborn SON of a father is the firstborn. There is no direct statement of females being included. 

ANOTHER point:  In the Old Testament the duties and privileges of the firstborn included receiving a double portion of the inheritance and to be the head of the family upon the death of the father, as well as to provide priestly service (in this they were replaced by the Levites).  Being head of a family and providing priestly service does not fit well with thinking the firstborn could be a daughter. We just don’t find that in scripture.

The rights of the firstborn son could be lost or transferred to another son by God’s decision or by misconduct by the physical firstborn (Esau to Jacob; Manasseh to Ephraim; Reuben to Joseph because of Reuben’s sexual misconduct) (Genesis 35:22; 49:4; 1 Chronicles 5:1-2).

Even when there were no sons, the inheritance rights of the family property could pass to the daughters, but those rights had to pass through their HUSBANDS, who in effect became adopted sons of their wife’s father. See Numbers 27 and 36, in the story of Zelophedad’s daughters.

Plus, when you realize that Egyptians focused on killing Israel’s firstborn sons – at the time of the birth of Moses – it seems this was payback time for God against the Egyptians, including the death of Pharaoh’s own firstborn SON.

One final point:  the death of the firstborn sons pictured also that GOD HIMSELF would offer up his own firstborn SON to die for us all.  Jesus was also the firstborn of Mary (Luke 2:7).  Mary had at least four other sons and at least two daughters (Matthew 13:55) after Jesus. But the one who would be sacrificed, was her firstborn son.

Firstborn daughters could not have completed the picture of pointing to the son of God who redeemed all those who came under his blood, and whose own blood pictured by the lambs’ blood splashed on the door posts and lintels of each  home. Jesus himself was called “the firstborn among many brethren”(Romans 8:29) and the “firstborn of God” (Hebrews 1:6).  Jesus, the firstborn son of God, was the one who died for us all who accept him.

Even God’s church is called “the church of the Firstborn registered in heaven…” (Hebrews 12:23).

Conclusion:  So, combining all the above, it seems clear to me that the death of the firstborn of Egypt were only the sons. I hope this helps.

Many don’t know or misunderstand what Jesus meant when he said to watch.

When I was growing up in the church, my mom had the news on TV running seemingly nonstop. Why? Because she had heard in sermons and so had to come to believe that to “watch” meant to “watch the news.” That was always put in context of watching prophecy start to be fulfilled, of course. Many others are just like my mom, thinking to “watch” means to carefully watch the news. There certainly are areas of prophecy we should be watching and I have a recent audio sermon in March 2025 on that.

Many use watching the news to finalize their ideas on prophetic time lines and charts. Jesus was clear that his return would catch even disciples by surprise, coming at a time they wouldn’t expect (Matt. 24:44). Here at Light on the Rock, we do not set dates, years, times – but focus instead on letting God’s Holy Spirit reign in our lives.  Setting dates is the wrong focus and often is a waste of time. Just don’t.  

But is watching the news the real INTENT of Jesus’ frequent statements to WATCH? Let’s see the context of those statements to reveal what He meant. Think about it:  though truly He did tell us about events that would precede his return – like wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, epidemics and so on – just please realize this as well:

 If Jesus had meant for his disciples to understand “watch” to mean “really spend a lot of time watching the news,” how could they? THEY did not have internet, non-stop TV news, newspapers, radio, podcasts and all the means we have today of watching the news. How could they possibly have been aware of worldwide news back then? There’s a better answer.

Thinking “to watch” means watching news events on TV poses other problems too. Many of us, especially in the USA, get very little foreign news, so watch all you want, it won’t give you much world news. And the news we do see and hear is going to be biased by the political leanings of the station you’re watching. And the big news events most likely happening in secret and in private and we’re not going to even be aware of much of the real news.

But the main point, we’ll see that in context, Jesus is referring to things much deeper than “the news” when He says to “Watch.” 

Referring to his return, Jesus had this to say in Mark 13. Notice how he combines “watching” with PRAYING – and then a few verses later – to watch, pray, and be sure you aren’t spiritually SLEEPING. Keep in mind that all ten virgins of Matthew 25, who were looking for the return of the Bridegroom, SLEPT. He ends his point by saying in essence, “when I say to watch, I mean I want you spiritually alert, awake, and on your guard.”  

Mark 13:32-37   "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.

35 WATCH therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming — in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning —   36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" 

Even then, Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 24;44 to watch, as  he will come “at an hour YOU DON’T EXPECT –and BE ready!” 

When Jesus had asked Peter, James and John to stay up and watch with him as he prayed in Gethsemane, but found them sleeping an hour later, again Jesus combines watching with praying, lest we enter temptation. 

Mark 14:37-38  “Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” 

Are you seeing how watching goes so much further than just watching the news? 

Here are some more about watching – in CONTEXT: 

1 Corinthians 16:13-14   “WATCH, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” 

There Paul puts watching in context of being sure you’re strong in the faith. So we are to be watching how strong we are in the faith!

Christ himself puts watching in Revelation 16 in context of watching our spiritual attire, being clothed spiritually. That takes effort.

Revelation 16:15   "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who WATCHES, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." 

We know we are supposed to put on the whole armor of God daily – helmet of salvation, shield of faith, sword of the spirit, and much more (Ephesians 6:11-18). But too many of us are not watching enough how we prepare for each day. So we go out to face the world daily sometimes dressed, spiritually speaking, just in our underwear! Are you each day thinking, “I need to be sure to take my sword of the spirit and the shield of faith – and all the rest”?

Several translations translate the word “watch” as “STAY ALERT” because the original Greek can mean that. Stay spiritually awake, be alert to what’s going on in your life. That’s what this word really means.

The church of Sardis in Revelation 3, are told to wake up to the fact that they are just about spiritually DEAD and need to STRENGTHEN the weak areas of their lives. That’s not about watching news but one’s spiritual condition.

Revelation 3:1-3    "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,

'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

2 Be WATCHFUL, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.

3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.”

So here in Revelation 3, WATCHING is a lot about watching our SPIRITUAL CONDITION, not so much about being worried we’re not getting all the world news we want! Part of their WATCHING was to REPENT of letting spiritual areas of their lives die. So when Christ returns, they won’t be ready to receive him properly.

Here’s another – that in context tells us so much of what Yeshua means by watching. Don’t be DISTRACTED he says.

Luke 21:34-36    "But take heed [watch?] to YOURSELVES, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 WATCH therefore, and PRAY ALWAYS that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

The Greek word here for “watch” is AGRUPNEO  -- meaning “keep awake,” be aware of what’s going on. Yeshua clearly says in verse 34 and 36 to watch yourselves and pray always! Our spiritual state is his concern.

Are you overly concerned and worried about cares of this life? Are you getting too involved with friends who want to party all the time and not watching your spiritual relationship with GOD? Are we praying enough? He says to PRAY ALWAYS so we’ll be counted worthy to be protected from what’s coming, or be able to withstand the troubles coming. So again, watching is tied to watching our spiritual condition. 

Don’t misunderstand me. I also do watch the news, but I realize God wants my primary focus to be on watching my relationship with Him and fellow humans.

1 Thessalonians 5:6  “Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober”.

 Other translations say to be alert, stay spiritually awake and be on your guard – which are straight from the literal translation of “let us watch.”  This is not about being obsessed with what’s going on between Ukraine and Russia, or Israel and Hezbollah.

If you’re fully understanding this, to watch means we are quick to recognize, for example, bad situations developing and to remove ourselves. Or to be aware of a temptation to sin beginning to form inside us. We’re awake and alert when we begin to hear or spread gossip or to let worry, fear, lust, hate begin to well up in our hearts. 

We’re watching, so it means actively and consciously bringing every thought we have into captivity of obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10:3-4). So those watching are also overcoming areas of their lives that are weak and prone to sin. 

Yeshua/Jesus also said to watch” means to BE ready for His return, not to “GET ready.”  We must right now BE ready and stay that way. 

Matthew 24:42-44  “WATCH therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 

44 Therefore you also BE ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Of the ten Virgins of Matthew 25, only five wise ones were ready. They had enough oil/holy spirit. The five foolish ones were not already ready and so had to go get ready. WHERE ARE YOU in all this? Are you ready to meet your returning king? As the foolish five virgins tried to get ready, the Bridegroom came, the marriage supper started, and the door was shut to those who started too late to get ready, instead of BEING ready. “Therefore you also BE ready.” 

In practical terms, this means we are children of God who pray several times every day. God tells us to “pray always.” We spend time studying God’s Word daily so we know directly from God how to handle every thought and every situation . We take stock of how each day is going or how it went. We’re watching, meaning we are evaluating where do we need to strengthen our life and spirit. We are watching if we’re doing these things.

Someone truly watching, being alert and vigilant, is aware of Satan going about like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8-9) and we RESIST him, fight him, knowing He who is in us is greater than he in the world (1 John 4:4). So this vigilance keeps us strong and able to throw worry out of our thoughts. 

So from now on when you read Christ saying TO WATCH  -- realize he is referring to being very watchful of our spiritual condition and our relationship with God and with one another. We’re being very alert, very spiritually awake – and not caught off guard. 

Let’s show at least as much interest in learning about how the Holy Spirit works in our lives  - as we are on trying to figure out prophecy. We might even figure out a lot prophecy but if our relationship with God and one another is not strong, it will all be in vain!

Look at what Paul tells us – especially those of you who really over-emphasize speaking in tongues or knowing prophecy by watching so much world news and making time lines and charts – or focusing so much on having great faith – instead of growing in the love of GOD, which is MOST important, for God IS love, remember. Be watching the main thing!

Look carefully at the priorities apostle Paul gives us in 1 Corinthians 13. 

1 Corinthians 13:1-2, 8   “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.”   

So let’s focus on watching the spiritual condition of our lives much MORE than spending so much time focusing on repetitive news stories.

For many of us, one of our favorite stories Jesus gave is the story of the Prodigal son. Prodigal means “wastefully extravagant.”   If you’re unfamiliar with it, study it in Luke 15:11-32. I love Luke 15. It’s one of my favorite chapters as it conveys a series of stories of God’s love and mercy for us and how He even searches for us when we’re lost, and how forgiving he is, and how joyful God feels when we wake up and come to our senses in deep repentance. The story of the Prodigal son returning caps off the series of stories in Luke 15 and is so deep in God’s love and forgiveness, even after we have been super bad but repent and return to him.

Did you realize that all the stories of Luke 15 – the lost sheep, the lost silver coin and the lost son (the Prodigal son), came about because Jesus was reacting to many who were criticizing him for being friendly with known “sinners”? That was the backdrop for the three stories of God’s love even for sinners when they repent and are found again, and the sheer JOY God feels when we’re found in Him again. So then Yeshua/Jesus gave these three most beautiful stories.

Luke 15:1-3   Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them”.

Then Jesus started with his story of the joy of finding the one lost sheep, then the lost but found silver coin, and finally the topic of this blog – the Prodigal Son and his faithful brother. I recommend you all re-read Luke 15.

Here’s a summary of the Prodigal son story, but I want to focus soon on a part of the story many miss or don’t seem to discuss. 

A man had two sons. At a certain age, the younger son said he wanted his inheritance now. His father gave him his share of the inheritance but that son left home and squandered all the money in shameful living. He got drunk often, and spent his money on booze and prostitutes and wasteful living. When his money ran out, his friends left him and he was reduced to watching someone’s pigs for him. He came to his senses and realized he could do better if he would ask his father for forgiveness and go back home. So he did. He not only turned his life around– a huge part of true repentance – but came back home and gave up the sinful acts he had been practicing. We also, if we are truly repentant, have to acknowledge all our sins of the past, repent of them, come back to God OUR Father in a new life of obedience – giving up our sinful way of life.

Father saw him from afar off, ran to meet him, and welcomed him back. One of my favorite songs is “When God ran” you can find on Google.

Luke 15:20-30   "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;  24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.

25 "Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.'

28 "But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.

29 So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.'

So the older son, who had faithfully continued to work and serve his father, was understandably a bit upset. It seemed unfair to him for the younger brother to be celebrated by the Father and everyone, after all the shame he had brought on the family name. And it was looking like the Prodigal son was being reinstated back to his full position he had before as the son of this wealthy man! That didn’t seem fair to the older faithful brother.

It’s true that the main focus of the story is God’s incredible forgiving love for us when we repent and return to him. But there’s more.  

The father did accept him back in spite of all the evil and shameful things the younger son had done. Indeed Father restored that shameful son to full sonship and did not insist he just come back as a servant. That is shown by putting sandals on his feet (slaves or servants were often barefoot), and did give his son a new robe and a ring, showing sonship was restored. That’s a wonderful part of the story. Even when we sin terribly, when we repent and come back to God, though there may be consequences, He forgives us our sins and the death penalty of sin – and restores us to being a full son or daughter of His, in spite of any past sin. ALL our past sins are washed away in the blood of the Lamb (1 John 1:9).

The older brother thought “How unfair. I never during all my years of faithfulness even received just a goat to celebrate with, but this no good brother of mine gets The fatted calf and a party. I never had a party, though I never brought shame on the family or squandered the money.”  

I think we’ve sometimes been too harsh against the faithful son for not wanting to party with the others to celebrate his shameful brother’s return.

Get this:  It was like the older faithful son was asking, “what advantage was there in me remaining faithful instead of getting to experience all the sinful pleasures my brother had? I might as well have left home for a while too, for all the good it’s done me to stay faithfully working at home. He’s a son again  - like me – and he’s even being given a party! How is that fair?”   

This blog is especially crucial for those who have been raised or are being raised “in the church”.  At a certain age, there IS a pull to go check out the world and see what it’s really like out there and have a little fun for a while.

True, the older brother should have been more forgiving of his brother who had come back. That’s part of the lesson for all of us: to be willing to forgive and accept and celebrate brethren who come back. Sometimes it’s the elders – the older brethren spiritually – or even the pastors or deacons - - who are adamant not to accept a repentant, returning brother. I preach to myself too.

Fair enough, the prodigal had to acknowledge his sins, which he did. Those who want back into fellowship in God’s church have to do the same and return to God in obedience. They can’t remain living a life of sin and expect to be accepted back. The prodigal son had to return, which he did. He had to acknowledge he no longer deserved any grace and was willing to come back as a mere slave – and this part the Father didn’t even discuss, but just joyfully brought him back in.

So far, so good. All of that is usually well explained in sermons and discussions on this story. And it’s true, the biggest part of this story is the loving forgiveness of our God and how He joyfully and fully accepts us back, when our repentance is complete and we commit to quit doing what was so bad before.

But now comes the part that is usually missed.

 Let’s pick up at verse 30-32:

Luke 15:30-32  “But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.'

31 "And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and ALL that I have is YOURS. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'"

Did you catch what his father (and our Father) is saying?  “ALL that I have is yours”.  Did you get that? 

There ARE blessings when one does not leave the way of God and refuse to go live a life of sin, thinking they can always repent later and everything will all be the same again. 

It’s NOT all the same again. It’s not “hunky dory” again as we say. Even with forgiveness of our death penalty and acceptance back into the family, there are always consequences for sin. AND there are blessings and positive consequences for faithfulness! 

The Father had already given the younger son his share of the family inheritance. The Prodigal could come back and be a son again, but EVERYTHING that father had at that point, was now part of the inheritance of the faithful son. That’s why Father said, “ALL that I have is yours.”  Please let that sink in and fully comprehend it. 

Father was saying to the older son, “Yes we killed the fatted calf this one time to celebrate his return. But that’s it. You, faithful son, I hope you realize that ALL the other calves, cows, bulls, donkeys, camels, goats, and sheep you see on our farm – are now all YOURS. ALL of it. He took HIS inheritance already and wasted it. So ALL that I have here -- all the barns, the houses, the farm machinery, the furniture, all the animals and livestock we have – ALL of that is now yours. Your prodigal brother squandered his share. Sure, he can start to slowly rebuild a future again – but faithful son, let me say it again to you: EVERYTHING you see here, ALL that I have here, is now YOURS.” 

Whenever you or I are tempted to sin – and think “I can always repent of it and be forgiven and everything will be the same again” – don’t go there. THAT is very serious and shows God we’re not very serious about Him and living His way. God’s way is called “THE Way.”  Yes, we can always be forgiven after we sin. But we also risk losing a lot, and having terrible consequences. The Prodigal Son could have acquired STtD’s for example (Sexually transmitted Diseases). He may have become an alcoholic. He may have some enemies for his reckless life. So we can come back to God, but there will likely be some terrible consequences we may have to live with.

Faithful living will result in a higher reward from God, though we all can receive the gift of God – which is eternal life (Romans 6:23; Eph 2:8). But NOT all of us will have the same reward.

Eternal life is God’s GIFT and it’s the same for all repentant children of God. It’s not the reward. We must get that distinction. The gift God gives us is from his gracious mercy. The REWARDS we receive though, IS something we earn by our way of life, by our works. Remember some are given ten cities or five cities. Rewards vary.

So the GIFT is eternal life, and that’s the same for everyone of God’s children. It’s given by His grace and favor and not by our works at all.

But the rewards will vary and DO depend on our works.

So yes, there is forgiveness upon repentance. But when we sin, there ARE always some consequences. It IS far better to remain faithful. There are greater rewards in the future when we live a very obedient and faithful life.

Yes, “it does pay” to never leave God or his Way. It does pay to remain faithful, for as Father says to the faithful: “ALL that I have is yours.” 

All of you who have children and teens being raised in the church – teach them this blog carefully. They’ll have plenty to repent of – and don’t need to go out and discover Satan’s world. 

And we hope to hear Christ say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant, inherit the kingdom prepared for you and for all who remain faithful, from the foundation of the world.” 

Remember that God’s days begin at sundown the day before. So the seventh day sabbath on “Saturday”, actually begins the sundown before, at Friday sundown and ends at Saturday sundown. That is the sabbath – “from evening to evening.”  Remember Genesis 1 – each creation day began with “the evening” before.

ALL of the dates given below will actually officially begin at sundown just before the actual holyday date. These calendar dates CHANGE EACH YEAR. 

NOTE: The dates given below are based on the sighting of the new crescent moon in Jerusalem on March 30, 2025, so Abib 1 is March 31, 2025 this year. 

Please note:  Those intending to follow the traditional rabbinical Hebrew calendar dates instead, would keep each day one day earlier than those presented below.

*********************** ******************************************* ****************

Remember God says the days all begin at the sundown before. 

** Passover SERVICE   April 12, 2025  Saturday EVENING.  Jesus’ last Supper was on the eve of Passover day, when he was crucified at 3 pm. The FOOT WASHING, BREAD AND WINE SERVICE  will be April 12, Saturday NIGHT, shortly after sundown, on the eve of Passover DAY, which is April 13 this year.  Passover DAY is 14^th of Abib/Nisan of the Hebrew calendar.

The first DAY of Unleavened Bread, a holy day,  begins at sundown of April 13, Sunday night, customarily with a  special meal. NO leavened products should be in the homes.

**FIRST HOLYDAY OF UNLEAVENED BREAD with church services -   MONDAY April 14. Is the 15^th of Abib or Nisan of the Hebrew Calendar.  A special holy day offering should be collect on April 14.

The seven days of Unleavened Bread – BEGIN April 13 at sundown and end at sundown April 20, eating only unleavened bread products with meals.

The 7^th day of Unleavened Bread in 2025, a holy day with church services, will be on April 20, Sunday, beginning with the sundown of the evening before. God commands a “holy convocation” or meeting, only on the first and 7^th days of Unleavened Bread.

Wavesheaf Day, not a holy day, but a commemoration of Jesus’ earlier resurrection, and then his rising to heaven at 9 a.m on the first day of the week, pictured by the wavesheaf offering to be accepted by God the Father in heaven, is this year –on Sunday April 20. 

** PENTECOST  HOLY DAY OBSERVED ON SUNDAY,  June 8, 2025, beginning at sundown June 7 and ends at sundown June 8. We do NOT keep wrong Jewish Sivan 6 date.  Come with a holyday offering of whatever you are able to bring to show your gratitude to God.

** FEAST OF TRUMPETS, Yom Teruah (Day of shouts and blasts)  is on Wednesday,   Sept 24, 2025 with a holyday service. The day starts at the evening before.

** DAY OF ATONEMENT,  day of fasting, October 3, 2025 Friday.

Fast from sundown Oct 2 until sundown Oct 3.  Most fast with no water, no food 24 hours. Those who MUST eat something if they’re taking medicines, may do so with a tiny amount of food and water.

** FEAST OF TABERNACLES, (FOT),  Sukkot. A feast of seven days. Holyday Oct 8, Wednesday, beginning the night before. Have a holyday offering.

Day 1 is a holy day WITH church services on Wednesday Oct 8.  The Feast of Tabernacles continues through Oct 14, Tuesday, which is the true “Last day of the Feast of Tabernacles” . Most of our congregations have church services each of the 7 days of the Feast.

** “8^TH DAY” , a holy day after the FEAST OF TABERNACLES, October 15, 2025, on Wednesday. 

This is a separate holy day. Have church services.  We do not call it “Last Great Day’  but the Biblical name “8^th day”  (Leviticus 23:36,39).  ENJOY.  PRAISE YAH! 

Reminder:  The dates given are based on the sighting of the new year new moon on March 30, 2025.  Those intending to keep the rabbinical calendar dates based on calculation and not the sighting of the new moon,  would keep all the dates given above one day earlier. 

Are we thankful and grateful people, or are we what the KJV calls “murmurers”, those who seem to often grumble or complain?  God, in his word, is actually very firm and harsh against complainers, ungrateful murmurers. We must overcome this tendency to not be deeply grateful even for the smallest things. Israelites – former slaves mind you – didn’t take long to start murmuring and complaining to and about Moses, for lack of water and food (Exodus 15:24; 16:2; 17:3). This was even after God’s Red Sea miracle.

Passover season is coming up soon. It’s a remembrance of all the wonderful love, forgiveness and gifts of reconciliation and eternal life we have from God.  It’s a time you’d think we’d all be so grateful and thankful.

If we understood that once we commit our lives to God Most High, every detail of our lives is known to Him. Every thought, every worry, every hair on our head – He knows it all. He sends good things and allows “bad things”. But when we really understand Him and His total involvement with our lives, we can actually learn to be grateful even for the hard times in our lives.

That is why Paul teaches us in Philippians 4:6-7 (one of my favorite verses) that, no matter what, share all your concerns with God, but with thanksgiving.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)

“IN everything, with thanksgiving”. Yes, even the death of your son or daughter or losing your job or being told you have stage 4 cancer, thank God that he is there for you. I know from many years of doing it.  It brings peace.

But back to everyday life: are we grumblers and murmurers, or do we exude thanksgiving?

I remember watching a video of children who, for their Christmas, did not get what they had hoped for. I don’t keep Christmas, but I’m making a point. People, friends, relatives had bought these children various gifts, but none of the gifts could seem to bring joy to those spoiled children. They didn’t get quite the gifts they wanted,  so they threw the gifts down, cried and complained and it was just awful to watch.

As grownups, maybe we don’t act or react so openly bad like spoiled brats – but I hope you think about this. God does not like murmurers and complainers, as I’ll show shortly. But God really appreciates His children who express gratitude, satisfaction and appreciation when they are given something they didn’t have before -- even if it’s not perfect in their eyes. That can be a healing, or a gift, or something you didn’t have before – but now are so grateful and express it profusely.

I admit, I have been a complainer too often as well. I hope you can see it in your own life too. It must stop. We must overcome complaining. I started this blog as a Bible study for me to grow in this, but then thought I should share it. 

Expressing thankfulness and gratitude needs to be taught from the time someone is a baby. A grateful person will always be a more content, happier, upbeat, positive person. But a murmurer will never be a consistently happy person. So being grateful makes you happier and makes God happier with you too.

The best way to teach our children or even our congregation how to be thankful and grateful is by our own EXAMPLE.  When life isn’t quite right, how do we react? When YOU receive something, especially if it’s not quite exactly like you’d hoped it would be, what do our children and grandchildren SEE in us? Do they see and hear a grateful mom and dad – or a murmurer and complainer?  Either way, our example is teaching them lessons for the rest of their lives. They’re watching. So is God.

Let your children hear the way you express gratitude for your neighbors, for your boss at work, for your church pastor, for the sermon he gave and the points you gained from his sermon. Or do they hear us criticizing his sermon?  I’ve done that. I’m sure many of you have. Do they hear us making derogatory or positive statements about our neighbor? Either way, we’re teaching them.  

Praising someone is a nice way to express gratitude and appreciation. When was the last time you praised your boss? Or your wife? Or your husband?  When did you last praise your children?  When was the last time you thanked your children for being children you are proud of? Or for how they helped clear off the dinner table or how they made their bed?  Expressing praise is a form of showing gratitude.  Children will feel this and someday may more likely express their own praise and gratitude.  

Besides being their example of gratitude, we should also be sure to be actively teaching our children to say “thank you” out loud, every chance they get.  I taught my children during meal time to express gratitude to their mom for having prepared such a nice dinner and even say things like “Mom, this tastes so good! Thank you for dinner!” instead of complaining about something.  If we had a meal without gratitude expressed, I’d ask them, “Kids, before you can leave the table, have you forgotten something?”

Encourage your children to express gratitude to their teachers, or their principal, or their coach for all the time he spends with the team. Encourage them to even write a note of gratitude and thanksgiving to teachers and others.

Imagine having leprosy.  What a discouraging thing that could be. There was a time ten lepers begged Jesus to heal them. He told them present themselves to the priests, and on the way, they were healed. But only one bothered to come back to thank Yeshua/Jesus for making him well and healed.

Jesus/Yeshua, the Son of God, was appalled and shocked by that!  Please take time to read the whole story in Luke 17:12-19.  I’ll pick up at verse 15. Notice how shocked Yeshua was – at verse 17-18.  Do WE leave Jesus feeling shocked at our inability to express thanksgiving to him more than we do?

Luke 17:15-19    “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.

17 So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?  18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?"  19 And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well."

The other nine were “lucky” that God didn’t put the leprosy back on them for their ingratitude. God certainly will be more likely to keep blessing us when we’re grateful – than when all we can do is complain or be ungrateful. 

Let’s see now how GOD views complaining vs. being THANKFUL for what He does for us and gives us.

Philippians 2:14-16  “Do all things without complaining and disputing,  15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…”

Jude says this about the ungodly in verse 16: “These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.” 

David reminds us how upset God became with Israel when they chose to worship a gold calf they had made instead of Him, after all God had done for them.

Psalms 106:19-27  “They made a calf in Horeb, And worshiped the molded image.  20 Thus they changed their glory Into the image of an ox that eats grass. 21 They forgot God their Savior, Who had done great things in Egypt,

22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, Awesome things by the Red Sea.

23 Therefore He said that He would destroy them,

Had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach,

To turn away His wrath, lest He destroy them.

24 Then they despised the pleasant land;

They did not believe His word,

25 But complained in their tents,

And did not heed the voice of the Lord.

26 Therefore He raised His hand in an oath against them,

To overthrow them in the wilderness,

27 To overthrow their descendants among the nations,

And to scatter them in the lands.” 

When the twelve spies returned from checking out the Promised Land, remember ten were very negative. So Israel cried and complained. This upset God so much that he decreed that all who were 20 years old and above would die in the wilderness and never see the Promised Land. And the ten spies who inspired doubt and fear were killed in a plague from God (Numbers 14:36-37).

Are you seeing how upset God feels when we murmur, grumble and complain?

God inspired Paul to put complaining in the same category as idolatry and sexual sin! Did you realize that? Imagine THAT!  And those complaining were destroyed by God for an example to the rest of us.  

1 Corinthians 10:6-11  “And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."  8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor COMPLAIN, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for OUR admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

After preparing this blog, I had to realize how ungrateful I can sometimes be too. Too often, in fact, and I’ve had to repent. I hope you will too, and ask God to help you overcome murmuring and being ungrateful and become a very grateful and thankful person no matter what, instead. We CAN do this if Jesus truly becomes our new life.

Think about how Jesus handled things. There was hardly any food to feed many thousands, except some loaves and a few small fish. What would YOU do? What did Jesus do? He THANKED God for the insufficient food – and God made it multiply.  Be honest: would you have given thanks for food that clearly was not enough to feed thousands?  Yeshua DID! But too many of us don’t even bother thanking God every time, for every meal we eat

Matthew 15:35-36  “So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 36 And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude.”

Jesus even thanked God for the bread and the wine he was serving at his last Passover, knowing full well the wine pictured HIM, his spilled blood. The unleavened bread he broke and gave them to eat was his body given for us. He thanked God for that (Luke 22:19-22), even with the betrayer right there! 

What would you do if you were told you’d be killed violently if you prayed to God in the next 30 days? When Daniel heard that, he thought, “now this is something I need to pray to God about” and then did so-- with thanksgiving! We might have prayed about it silently – but with thanksgiving?

Daniel 6:10   “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and GAVE THANKS before his God, as was his custom since early days.”

Ponder this finally:  What if God told us that at the end of each week, he will take away everything He’s given us that we don’t thank Him for each week? What would we have left?  So don’t let another day go by without thanking God for his high calling, his Spirit, His SON, your spouse and FAMILY, that you’re alive, that you have something to eat, for your pastor, for your country.  Let’s all be more thankful.

Do you belong to the Republican party?  Or to the Democrat party? Do you put your faith and stock in the leader of one of those parties in America – or in any country’s leaders anywhere in the world?  Could we need a reminder of to whom we actually belong? And IN whom should our trust be?

In November 2024, there was a very important presidential election in the USA.  Donald J. Trump, a Republican, won that race and is now the president. A lot of emotion played out during these elections.

I’ve found many members of the family of God identified with either Trump or Kamala, his opponent. They were either “elephant party” (Republican) or they were of the “donkey party” (Democrat) – and each proudly proclaimed it so.

I’m also seeing more and more brethren putting a lot of trust in President Trump. He may or may not end up as a great president, but one thing we must remember:  never put your faith in man. Never. Though God is clear: HE is the one who puts our leaders in place, whether good or bad. Others go the other extreme and hate Trump. Both extremes are deadly wrong. Romans 13:1-2 was likely written during the despotic evil reign of Caesar Nero, who ultimately even beheaded Paul the apostle. But look what Paul says.

Romans 13:1-2  “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” 

 Jesus is the only true perfect Potentate (1 Timothy 6:15).  So all of our faith as God’s children must always be in God our Father and God alone – not in any political leader. This applies to any and all of you no matter where you live in the world.

King David says in so many of his Psalms that he put ALL  his trust in God, and not in man. (Psalm 7:1; 11:1;  16:1; 56:4). That’s where you and I must be.

Why are so many of God’s family also talking about how President Trump will save America.  Brethren, we have one Savior only and that is Jesus Christ.  Some are even talking about how President Trump will save the world. That is very, very dangerous talk coming from children of God. God’s SON alone is the Savior of us all who will accept him.

This short blog is to remind all of the family of God throughout the world, we do NOT belong to parties or groups of men or even church organizations. We belong to “Lamb of God party”.  And that’s it. We see Yeshua, the Messiah, as our Savior and Leader. Ultimately, not any man or woman or group.

There may come times when we have to proclaim where our supreme loyalty lies. The early Christians had to face punishment or even death if they didn’t proclaim and worship the current Caesar.  The coming Beast power, or Antichrist, will also demand worldwide worship of him – or you die (Rev. 13:8, 15). But neither must we ever even for a second consider worshiping The Beast or the Man of Sin, or we will suffer the greater wrath of God.

 So let’s learn all this now:  we owe our allegiance to God. If we ever have to decide between God and man, we must always pick GOD. See verse 29 below. And of course we must never, ever, ever worship anyone but God. 

Acts 5:27-29  “And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" 

29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.” 

We are not of this world, Jesus said (John 17:11). Our citizenship is in heaven first of all (Philippians 3:20), though we also hold our citizenship to our country. That’s OK. Paul used his Roman citizenship on occasion to save himself from being whipped without a trial as a Roman citizen (see Romans 2:22-29; 3:27).

So our VALUES, what we believe, what we hold dear, are all based on God and HIS values, what HE holds dear, and WHO HE is and everything He shows us in His word.  This is why we must be deeply studying God’s word daily.  

In Jesus’ “high priestly prayer” of John 17, Jesus lays out the priorities. He says a couple times that we are not OF this world though we’re sent into it.  And we are to “come out of her, my people” (Revelation 18:4). Finding the right balance is the key.

 John 17:14-19  “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.  16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.  18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”

 So you and I may prefer one political party over others, but in the end, we must remember:  “I’m NOT one of them. I’m of the Lamb of God. Period.”

So who do we belong to? We’ve actually been bought with the price of the blood of Jesus – and therefore we belong to him (1 Cor. 6:19-20;  Mark 9:41; Galatians 3:29).

Mark 9:41  “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you BELONG to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

We don’t even just own ourselves. GOD owns you. God bought us. God now indwells us by His Spirit. So you and I now BELONG to God and we have to live and think and act every day like someone who fully, deeply understands that.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20   “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.”

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

 I suggest we all take a deep breath and in prayer, rededicate and confess our total unswerving allegiance to our Savior and our heavenly Father and renew our total dedication and faith in God – who OWNS us -- and NOT in any man or woman or party. 

For you who want the truth about Christmas

For many people, so much of Christmas music is so beautiful. And the decorations can be exciting. You should see the decorations all over the front lawn of one of my neighbors.  And without giving it much thought, many just get into the spirit of the season and before long, they’re fully engrossed in Christmas. And isn’t it all about Christ anyway? And what could be wrong with bringing Christ back into Christmas? But what if He was never IN it, folks? 

Do you want to study deeper into what God REALLY thinks of Christmas?  Does God love it, or hate it?  He actually does tell us!  I’ll include several links to short articles or blogs – and a sermon or two -- in this website that could help you find out. 

Especially read the blog right below about Aaron’s gold calf and how Aaron tried to justify it by turning that terrible gold calf worship service into a day of worship to the one true living God! Aaron really did! Check it out in Exodus 32 the first few verses. But there’s much more in this blog. Blogs are short 10 minute reads.  Here’s the link to that:

https://lightontherock.org/index.php/blog/entry/aaron-and-the-lesson-of-christmas-celebrations?highlight=WyJjaHJpc3RtYXMiXQ==

So many try to do the same thing with Christmas as Aaron did with the gold calf – calling it a celebration dedicated to worshiping Jesus at his birth, when more and more people are waking up to realize Jesus was never even born anywhere near Christmas and God commanded us not to mix worship of Him with anything to do with paganism or the way the world worships their gods.

Or DOES it even MATTER if we keep Christmas or not?  Find out! Many of you might be thinking I’m making too much out of nothing here. But I’m not.   

Jesus no doubt HATES his name associated with this pagan custom, just as He did when Aaron tried to tie the gold calf to the true God too. It didn’t impress God at all! In fact it infuriated God to bring a gold calf out and then say that day they would be worshiping the true God. Folks, remember this:  God wants us to worship Him in spirit and TRUTH – not the long list of lies associated with Christmas like the date itself, flying reindeer and an all-knowing Santa, yule logs, mistletoe, and so much more. Why celebrate the Son of God with lies?

Don’t get me wrong.  I believe deeply in the virgin birth and eventual death of Jesus for us, but not with the pagan trappings attached to His story today. So if you’d like to learn more, please look over these blogs and sermons.  Write and tell me where you feel I’m wrong, but it won’t work to claim you’re just worshiping the true God – but with pagan foundations! But if I’m right – don’t mess with God and the way you worship Him!

You could find these links on your own, by the way, if you go into this website, then find the Search Bar at the top right of the home page, and simply type in “Christmas”. 

Some people won’t fully participate in Christmas but see nothing wrong with “dabbling” in Christmas just a bit.  They’ll maybe put a Christmas wreath on their door. Or go watch and listen to church choirs sing Christmas songs – like the Singing Christmas Trees.  Or, they may feel if they focus on Christ for Christmas then they’re OK if they’re not doing all the traditions like Christmas gifts or Christmas trees. But IS that OK with God?  This 40 minute sermon will give you things to think about. Does God have anything to say about it? How does HE feel about it all? 

https://lightontherock.org/index.php/sermons/message/god-warns-us-about-dabbling-in-christmas?highlight=WyJjaHJpc3RtYXMiXQ== 

For those of you wishing to know the full true Biblical account of Christ’s birth – and how it wasn’t in December and so much more – this next link will be for you.  Why do two of the gospels – Mark and John – totally ignore any mention or details of Jesus’ birth altogether?  Were there three wise men or more? Did the wise men actually see Jesus in a manger, or was it somewhere else? What was the meaning of their three specific gifts?  You’ll never think of  Christ’s birth the same way after hearing this sermon.

https://lightontherock.org/index.php/sermons/message/birth-of-jesus-the-true-biblical-account?highlight=WyJjaHJpc3RtYXMiXQ==

One more: could the exact spot where Jesus was born have been foretold 700 years before his birth? I don’t mean just saying “in Bethlehem”. But WHERE in Bethlehem?  This very short blog of where exactly our Messiah was born, will fascinate many of you.

https://lightontherock.org/index.php/blog/entry/where-was-the-messiah-actually-born?highlight=WyJ0b3dlciJd 

We love Yeshua and His Hebrew name meaning “Savior”. Let’s honor and worship him correctly, 365 days a year, without mixing all that with anything from pagan roots.

Pass this on if it has given you pause or things to think about.  May our Savior come again soon to save the world from itself. 

Much of the world is in the Christmas season; or “Christ’s mass”. We’re told this season is supposed to be about the birth of baby Jesus, the son of God as a human. But we’re surrounded by Christmas trees, bright lights, holly wreaths, images of a fat Santa Claus flying around with flying reindeer – and yule logs – both the wooden kind and the pastry kind made to look like a tasty log. Santa? Really? “I know when you are sleeping, I know when you’re awake…” – really?

What do all the traditions associated with Christmas have to do with the birth of Christ? And why is society celebrating the birth of God’s son in the season to honor the pagan god Saturn – and the Saturnalia orgies focused on Saturn and around the winter solstice? The solstice was a clear celebration of sun worship. The sun was coming back and days were getting longer. SUN worship: that’s the root of this holiday. How and why are pagan celebrations – re-christened with new so-called “Christian” labels, put alongside the birth of the Messiah?

In my upcoming video I will speak specifically about the TRUE story about the birth of Yeshua (Jesus) – and I ask, was it even anywhere near December 25^th?

We’ll examine the way the story is told about 3 kings coming to a manger with the shepherds to worship the newborn king – and how much they’ve mangled the true story.  

But my blog today is about the trappings of Christmas. Does it matter – if we celebrate the true God in the way pagans celebrated their pagan non-existent gods? Is it OK to take something Almighty God says he detests – the worship of pagan gods – and just re-label it all now as dedicated to the true God? Is that OK?

Many who keep Christmas DO know its pagan origins but justify it by saying it’s all about Jesus now. IS that OK? Does that make it OK?

So many people who once believed as I do, that we can’t worship God from a pagan base, now keep Christmas with all the trimmings. They feel all this is harmless. IS it harmless? Is God rejoicing at all this glory going to him and his son?

This is such a serious question, such a serious offense to our God and I’ll show you – by scripture – so click on “continue reading” to see the rest of the story.

Wow! God’s “appointed time” – His appointment with us for his holy days – have started for the Fall. I know, some of you kept the holydays a few weeks earlier than the Hebrew calendar, but either way, we’re in the Fall holydays of God, his appointed times. That’s what “moed” or “moedim” mean, words we read as “feasts” or feast days.

As far as world news events go, the world seems to be on fire! Iran has finally made it clear that THEY are the one behind the attacks on Israel by their proxy agents like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, etc.

Major world news events are hitting the headlines every few hours or minutes, in what used to take many days. WE children of God need to wake up. We need to become more and more zealous, and letting Christ live in us, to be our life now. I preach to myself also on this. We all need to do this. We need to be using this time to fervently seek after God, repent of any “Laodiceanism” we have and compromising with any sins or being lukewarm, and be watching not just world news – but our entire relationship with God and one another. We need to be praying that God will count us worthy to escape all these things that are coming upon the world (Luke 21:36).

On Yom Teruah – the Day of Blasts (or Trumpets) – be sure realize what an exciting and even tumultuous and noisy day this is all about. When God came down to Mt Sinai to speak the Ten Commandments, there was an unimaginable noise, earthquakes, fire like a furnace with lots of black smoke on top the mountain. Then the shofar trumpet of God was so loud the people trembled. And then God spoke!

When God most High sends His Son back to earth with his angels and saints, it will definitely also be a noisy, violent, and most frightening time the world has ever seen – especially for those assembled to fight him. But for us who are part of His elect, we will not have to go through the wrath of God (1 Thess 1:10), reserved for “children of disobedience” (Eph 5:6; Col. 3:6). Revelation 6:15-17 shows the enemies of God hiding in the caves and rocks for fear of the wrath of the Lamb. Have you ever seen a wrathful Lamb? The world will! But we will in fact be His Bride, recently married by then in the 3^rd Heaven itself (Revelation 19). Yes, we’re living in “Bible times.”

In your congregations each year on this day, I hope there are brethren who blow on a shofar at your church services or even in your home. This is the day of Blasts! I hope there are people who will shout out loud, “Hallelujah! Our KING is coming!”  I hope there will be applause and cheers for our returning King. Make it a time of blasts, of joyous shouts and celebration and joyful noise -- “for your redemption draws near (Luke 21:28).

And be sure to check out my new sermon about this day – “Feast of Blasts/Trumpets 2024. The King’s Return with his saints and angels.” 

When God’s son comes again, it will be a time of shouting and jubilation for His people – but a terrifying time for those who don’t know him. He came as a lamb the first time, but this time he’s coming on a white angelic charger as the Lion of Judah with millions of angels on chargers and his Bride, the saints – also on chargers. MILLIONS appearing and descending from the sky to take over the government of the world. Just imagine it.

After Jews returned to Jerusalem after 70 years of captivity in Babylon, they were busy rebuilding the walls and eventually even the start to a new temple.

Then on this day, the Day of Blasts/Trumpets, on the first day of the seventh month, they came to worship God and hear his Word. This produced great sorrow in them to realize how much they were not doing, how much they had missed. Let’s read this account of God’s people coming together on this holy day.

Nehemiah 7 actually lists the families who returned – including the singers who were sons of Asaph, the gatekeepers, the priests, and so on.

Nehemiah 8 tells us what happened.

Nehemiah 8:1-12

“Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which YHVH had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. 3 Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

4 So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 And Ezra blessed YHVH, the great God.

Then all the people answered, "Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped YHVH with their faces to the ground.

7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. 8 So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.

9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to YHVH your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.

10 Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of YHVH is your strength."

11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved."

12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.”

So on this holyday they feasted and rejoiced, as we should be doing also. It’s OK to cook on the annual holy days, and they did, and shared, and rejoiced, and bowed their faces to the ground and worshiped. Remember God’s holydays – all of them – are days of gladness (Numbers 10:10).

When Yeshua/Jesus returns, there will be great sorrow for a time for the carnage that will happen – but that will be turned to joy as God finally puts an end to the madness of man’s rulership, previously under Satan the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4).

So praise be to Yah, to God Most High our Father and His Son our Savior as we look forward to the impressive meaning of this day and all the Fall holydays.

All scriptures are NKJV unless noted otherwise.

I don’t believe it’s as common any longer as it used to be in the USA – but 20-40 years ago, people from various church groups felt they needed to evangelize the entire world and time was short, so they often went house to house to win converts. Often it was two men, sometimes in white shirts and neck tie. The Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) commonly were doing this.

But now in America, if a house or business has posted a “No Trespassing” sign or a “No soliciting” sign, it actually could be illegal to even try to speak to anyone in that home, unless they’ve asked you inside.

Sometimes I still come across this notion that believers are called to go house to house with God’s message. This is especially true in Africa, I find. 

So a pastor over there may visit a particular village, may speak in the public square and hope there are interested people who will listen. He may also have an opportunity to speak in one of the local churches. Then often one of those days, he and an assistant will literally go from house to house proclaiming the gospel. If they’re invited in, then the Bibles come out and the discussion and preaching begins. But also keep in mind that many households in East Africa can’t even afford to own their own Bible and so may be more eager to hear the Word than we experience in western countries. I must say, after a few days, invariably there will be 5-15 water baptisms in Yeshua’s name.

But did Jesus/Yeshua say anything about preaching house to house?

The concept for going house to house often comes from some scriptures in the book of Acts. But ARE we supposed to evangelize house to house?

Two main verses are used to support this belief that teachers are to go house to house. Then after that, I will show you what Jesus actually had to say on the topic.

Right after the 3,000 were baptized on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, a casual reading of this next verse leaves the impression we should copy what they did, and break bread from house to house. Many still believe that “break bread” was referring to eating the Lord’s Supper, but it just meant to eat food.

Acts 2:44-47    “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

46 So continuing daily with one accord IN The TEMPLE, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

Notice a couple of things. They stayed together as one, learning from each other  - where? In the Temple complex, verse 46, not house to house. And afterwards they would share their food and eat, the meaning of “breaking bread.”  That, yes they would do, house to house of the brethren. The “church” part of their interaction was in the temple complex. To “break bread” did not always refer to the Last Supper, remember.

Also keep in mind, though not the same topic, many of the brethren in Paul’s day, met in people’s houses for sabbath services. Many scriptures refer to the church that meets in “so-and-so’s house.” They didn’t have massive expensive basilicas and cathedrals like many churches today. Peter and Paul would be appalled to see how the simplicity in Christ has been corrupted today into such extravagance.

Later, in speaking to the leaders of Ephesus, Paul said this to the elders and leaders. His context is what he taught them and how he did it:  publicly and from house to house. Their houses. He was eager to finish his ministry with joy, “to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”  Acts 20:24

Acts 20:18-21   “And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;

20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught YOU publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

So Paul admitted to going house to house – but this was said to the elders of Ephesus. The reason I say this is because of the clarity in Jesus’ own words about going house to house when preaching the gospel. The context indeed was about how they were to preach to the general public in various towns.   

Luke 9:4  "Whatever house you enter, STAY there, and from there depart.”  

They were to have a “home base” and from there do their preaching around the village and to stay with the one hospitable family willing to take them in.

Luke 10:4-7   “Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.'  6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.

7 And REMAIN in the SAME house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do NOT GO FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE.”   

Mark 6:10-11

Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, STAY there till you depart from that place. 11 And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"

Even when Paul traveled to Thyatira in modern-day Turkey (now spelled “Turkiye”), a woman named Lydia invited him and his party to stay with her in her beautiful home instead of having to find places to sleep each night.

Acts 16:14-15

“Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and STAY." So she persuaded us.”

Yeshua/Jesus did advise his followers to preach the gospel. How were they to do it? Not house to house. They preached instead in synagogues while they could. Or in the public square. Or by a river side. Or wherever they could, generally in public.

I obey what Yeshua/Jesus said, so I do not go preaching house to house. Jesus said not to. But to preach in a church building, or public place, or in a park or public square – would be wonderful.

So many teach and believe that when we pray “thy kingdom come”, that we’re referring to the millennial thousand-year reign of Christ. We use phrases like “the soon-coming Kingdom of God” – and to many, that’s referring to the thousand year reign of Christ on the earth. That millennial time is often also called “the world tomorrow”.

The kingdom of God is also called – especially by Matthew’s gospel – “the Kingdom of heaven”.  Keep that in mind as we review this topic.

So IS the “world tomorrow” or the Millennium actually the full kingdom of God on earth finally? Many of you would respond, “Of course it is!”  Well, is it?  It’s important to believe and teach truth. Jesus is truth personified.

Many teach – especially during the Feast of Tabernacles, the many prophetic scriptures of what the earth will be like when God’s Son is ruling: how the desert shall blossom like a rose, and how there will be righteous rulers, and justice will prevail, and every man will sit under his own fig tree, and they will not learn war anymore but will convert their swords and spears into plowshares and agricultural instruments. Nation will not go to war against nation, under Christ … at least not at first.

Those are all wonderful, but do those prophecies necessarily mean the world tomorrow Millennial reign of Christ will be the kingdom of God on earth?

Here are some key points defining the Kingdom of God:

** God’s kingdom has always existed and exists now. We’re not waiting for it to exist. God’s kingdom will come to the new earth eventually but it already exists very well in heaven.

** Because the Kingdom of God is currently in heaven, Matthew especially often calls it “the kingdom of heaven.” It’s called “Heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12:22), where God’s throne is, and where Yeshua/Jesus is seated on the right hand of God’s majesty (Eph. 1:20;  Hebrews 8:1).

If we study Revelation 4, we can get a very good and colorful portrayal of God’s throne room in heaven – with the thrones of the 24 elders and Four Living Creatures all on the massive “sea of Glass” like crystal before God’s very own throne. Plus there will be hundreds of millions of holy angels – with various appearances. Some will have four or six wings and some without wings. Some angels appear as spirit humans, or as spirit eagles, or horses, or oxen or other creatures we know on earth.

** God the Father is very generous and shares His kingdom also with his Son, so it’s also called “the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Col. 1:13). So it’s not just the kingdom of God the Father, but also of his Son – so it’s also the kingdom of Jesus, the Son of God; same as the kingdom of God.

**  Jesus/Yeshua – like our Father – then also shares that kingdom with His holy ones, the saints. So the kingdom of God really is also OUR kingdom and in fact we are citizens right now of that kingdom (Eph 2:19) and members of the household of God. We are joint heirs with Christ of everything He is given (Rom. 8:16-17).

Luke 22:28-30   "But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me,  30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

Those who overcome will inherit all things (Rev. 21:7) --- which means we should also think of the Kingdom of God, or Kingdom of heaven – as also being OUR kingdom. In the same way that we citizens of the USA, think of the USA is OUR country. So the kingdom of God is also the kingdom of the saints who have God’s spirit.

** “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 15:50). This verse is too often forgotten or ignored. There will still be many millions, maybe billions of physical flesh and blood people living in the millennial times, so how could that be the Kingdom of God? The motif or seal of the lion and the lamb being led by a little child cannot be the picture for the kingdom of God. It’s a great picture of the Millennium, yes, or of “the World Tomorrow,” yes – but not of the Kingdom of God. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God remember.

Think about this! IF flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, then that means that ALL of those in the Kingdom of God, EVERYONE in the Kingdom, are all SPIRIT beings, no longer physical. They are all immortal with spirit bodies, not just glorified physical fleshly bodies.

Be sure to study 1 Corinthians 15:42-50,which explains there are fleshly bodies and there are spiritual or spirit bodies. Those in the kingdom of God no longer can die. They are immortal spirit beings.

ONLY spirit beings make up the Kingdom of God: God, the Son of God and holy angels, whom we’re told are also spirit (Heb 1:7, 14). Then we, once we are changed to spirit at the resurrection, will also be part of that exciting special spirit kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 15:42-49   “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.”

** ONLY righteousness dwells in the Kingdom of God. There’s no more sin, no more unrighteousness in that kingdom. God’s perfect will is always done in the Kingdom of God. We even pray “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” The poor in spirit inherit the Kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:3). But yes, there will still be sin and unrighteousness by some in the millennial kingdom.

2 Peter 3:13  “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells”.

Revelation 21:27  “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.”

** Therefore only obedience to God will prevail in the Kingdom. But this is a central point: but what do we see in the Millennium by contrast? Though much better than the world is now, it is still not perfect. We find much of the world refusing to obey at first. Zechariah 14:16-19 is clear that Egypt and many others “of all the nations” will refuse to come to Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Tabernacles for some years. They refuse! So the Millennium cannot yet be the Kingdom of God.

Zechariah 14:16-19    “And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 17 And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain. 18 If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the Lord strikes the NATIONS who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.”

And even worse, at the end of 1,000 years of righteous rulership by Christ and the saints, what happens? Read Revelation 20:7-10. Satan is released from the prison abyss and successfully forms a large army to come attack King Jesus and the camp of the saints – perhaps at a Feast of tabernacles going on! That’s after 1,000 years of righteous rulership! That war, and their ugly attitudes, certainly do not represent the Kingdom of God! That would never happen in the full, complete Kingdom of God.

So back to our question: when Jesus returns and sets up his reign on earth for one thousand years, is that the “kingdom of God”?

Answer: NO, the Millennium is RULED by the kingdom of God’s spirit rulers but there’s still too much sin and rebellion that is periodically happening to be able to call the Millennium the Kingdom of God. And remember flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 15:50). ONLY spirit beings make up the kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God is in heaven at present. It will be the Rock that crushes all the earthly kingdoms when Christ returns, pictured by the Stone smashing the feet and the image of the earthly kingdoms of Daniel 2, and then fills the whole earth. Then God our Father comes down from his third heaven to a new heavens and new earth – and brings the kingdom of heaven down to earth, as described in Revelation 21 and 22. And of his kingdom there shall be no end.

THAT, not the Millennium or “world tomorrow,” is the true, full kingdom of God.

“The Second Passover” – 30 days after the first Passover on the 14^th of Abib, which is usually in late March or early April.  I was amazed that I had not addressed this or written a blog on this topic earlier. So here it is!  In fact, I think the “2^nd Passover” should be included in the cards some groups hand out listing the dates of the various key dates and holydays for the coming years.

Passover remembers the sacrifice of our Savior Jesus the Messiah – and let me add, the sacrifice of God the father also – which makes forgiveness possible. I say “the Father also”, because any loving father would gladly take a bullet for his beloved son. God CERTAINLY sacrificed so much for us in the Passover. And it was GOD’s idea. GOD who so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son to come die for us, for our sins, so we wouldn’t have to die and bear our own sins and their penalty. And of course His one life as the Son of God was more valuable than all of humanity put together, hence his one life could cover as many repentant sinners as would accept his sacrifice.

But now what happens when unavoidable circumstances force you to miss the Passover? God considers the Passover to be so important, that he allows for those who can’t keep the first date to have a second shot, 30 days later. It comes up in Numbers 9:6-12, a year after Israel left Egypt. Touching a dead body made Israelites ceremonially unclean and unable to keep the Passover.

Several Israelites could not keep Passover the year after the exodus from Egypt, because they had touched a dead body (Numbers 9:6-8; Leviticus 7:20-21). That rendered them ceremonially unclean. This deeply concerned them so they asked Moses what to do and he in turn asked God (Num. 9:8). God’s answer shows his tender love and his willingness to accept that sometimes events occur that make it impossible to do what God commands – like keeping the Passover on a certain time and date. So God allows – in this case – for an exception to the rule. (It reminds us of the “ox in the ditch” ruling that even on the weekly sabbath, some real emergencies can arise.)

So if you just cannot make the Passover because you’re away on a big, long trip, or there’s been death in the family, read the scripture below and understand: you can keep Passover, but a month after the first one. The fact that God allows us to have a second chance at Passover, shows how important it is to him.

Hallelujah and praise to our God. This second Passover is truly for those in unavoidable circumstances. Examples of this could certainly apply to those in the hospital or other clear emergencies. If a new pandemic hits us that is sweeping the globe lightning-fast, that may also be a reason to postpone for a month, if you need to meet with a group.

But remember, worshiping God in a “group” could be smaller than you might think. In the case of a pandemic,  I believe I’d just stay home with my beloved wife and the two of us would have Passover together, by ourselves. Don’t forget “Where TWO or THREE are gathered together in my name, I AM THERE in the midst of them”  (Matthew 18:20). 

So if at least two believers can keep Passover – with footwashing and eating of the Bread from heaven and sipping of his cup and all that means, by all means do it, even if it is just 2 or three of you. No, you do NOT have to have an ordained minister leading the service. In the original Passover of Exodus 12, they were family meetings led by the father of the household. They weren’t led by Levites or priests (in fact there were no priests yet at that time) 

Notice too that Christ and Paul focused on the cup as much as what was in the cup.

Drinking of his cup says you are willing to accept whatever God has in store for you as a believer and you will be true to your Savior no matter what. Of course the red wine pictures everything the Son’s blood does for us: cleanses us from our sins, forgives our sins, reconciles us to God, removes the wrath of God that is on us due to our sins, and restores our right relationship with Most Holy God.  I have a sermon that goes in depth into what the Blood of Christ does for us.

Now here’s the account of how the Second Passover came to be.

Numbers 9:1-13

Now YHVH spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying: 2 "Let the children of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time. 3 On the fourteenth day of this month, at twilight, you shall keep it at its appointed time. According to all its rites and ceremonies you shall keep it." 4 So Moses told the children of Israel that they should keep the Passover. 5 And they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month, at twilight, in the Wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did.

6 Now there were certain men who were defiled by a human corpse, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day; and they came before Moses and Aaron that day. 7 And those men said to him, "We became defiled by a human corpse. Why are we kept from presenting the offering of the Lord at its appointed time among the children of Israel?"

8 And Moses said to them, "Stand still, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you."

9 Then YHVH spoke to Moses, saying, 10 "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'If anyone of you or your posterity is unclean because of a corpse, or is far away on a journey, he may still keep the Lord's Passover.

11 On the fourteenth day of the SECOND month, at twilight, they may keep it. They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

12 They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break one of its bones. According to all the ordinances of the Passover they shall keep it.

13 But the man who is clean and is not on a journey, and ceases to keep the Passover, that same person shall be cut off from among his people, because he did not bring the offering of the LORD at its appointed time; that man shall bear his sin.”

Interesting that we either let Christ bear our sin – or we bear it ourselves (verse 13).

Are there any other examples of Second Passover besides Numbers 9?  Absolutely.

Read 2 Chronicles 30 for yourself. In King Hezekiah’s day, he invited the remnants of the House of Israel who had survived the Assyrian wars and captivity, to come down to Jerusalem and turn back to God. Most of the northern Tribes laughed at the messengers, but quite a few DID respond. But time was passing and they missed the first Passover. Nonetheless, they remembered the SECOND Passover, in the second month. It was a time of jubilation and reform in Judah and for many from Ephraim and Manasseh and Zebulon from up north as well.

So they kept Passover a month later, in the second month of God’s calendar. I’ll pick up at 2 Chronicles 30:10.

2 Chronicles 30:10-22

So the runners passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun; but they laughed at them and mocked them. 11 Nevertheless some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. 12 Also the hand of God was on Judah to give them singleness of heart to obey the command of the king and the leaders, at the word of the LORD.

13 Now many people, a very great assembly, gathered at Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the SECOND MONTH.

14 They arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and they took away all the incense altars and cast them into the Brook Kidron. 15 Then they slaughtered the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought the burnt offerings to the house of the Lord. 16 They stood in their place according to their custom, according to the Law of Moses the man of God; the priests sprinkled the blood received from the hand of the Levites.

17 For there were many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves; therefore the Levites had charge of the slaughter of the Passover lambs for everyone who was not clean, to sanctify them to the Lord. 18 For a multitude of the people, many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, "May the good Lord provide atonement for everyone 19 who prepares his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary." 20 And YHVH listened to Hezekiah and healed the people. 

21 So the children of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with great gladness; and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing to YHVH, accompanied by loud instruments. 22 And Hezekiah gave encouragement to all the Levites who taught the good knowledge of YHVH; and they ate throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.”

What a wonderful God we have.

This is a very important topic, as we get ready for the kingdom of God to be set up on earth relatively soon. Will you be there? And if so, in what capacity?

As we come to Christ, and let him live in us, and face and tackle our sinful flesh, realize the change has to be total. Jesus teaches that one way He and Father look at our reliability is that we are reliable, faithful, trusted even in what we might consider to be just little things.

But the way people treat so-called “little things” shows their character.

What things are “no big deal” to you? Or we also say, “not a biggie”, to use a couple of expressions. There certainly are some things that truly are not a big deal but a surprising number of things we say or feel are no big deal might be a big deal to God. Why? Because it shows our heart.

If we’re faithful in little, God will reward us. If you’re not, you won’t be rewarded. I’m not necessarily talking about being saved – but being rewarded. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, and as we read in Eph 2:8-9 we have already been saved, and it is finalized if we endure to the very end. But though we’re not saved by our deeds, big and small, we ARE rewarded by our deeds, big and small.

Read these carefully:

Luke 16:10

“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.” 

Luke 19:17-19

And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.'  18 And the second came, saying, 'Master, your mina has earned five minas.'  19 Likewise he said to him, 'You also be over five cities.'   [These are definitely rewards]

Matthew 25:20-21

"So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' 

21 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

What are “little things” to you?

• We might always be kind and respectful to people outside our home but maybe not so kind and respectful to our wife or husband or children. “They’re just kids. It’s not a big deal” – we might falsely reason. But that’s an example of a “little thing” that God is watching.

• How well do you keep sabbath? Or is it not a big deal to not be ready for sabbath properly? Or to be vacuuming your home still a few minutes into the sabbath… but you’re almost done. What do you do on sabbath because those things are not a big deal, are just a little thing to you?

• Truthfulness little white lies. We even call them “little”, not a big thing… but a lie is a lie. There’s so much lying that goes on so we never know if we’re being told 100% the truth – or a lie. In turning in reports, are your reports 100% the truth? Watch this one. It’s so easy to lie but hardly notice it.

• Are we considerate of the needs of others? It’s polite when calling someone to first ask, “Did I catch you at a bad time? Or can you talk for a little while?” That’s a little thing that shows a deeply loving heart.

• One I have to do better at: being on time for appointments and meetings. Certainly for church services or conference calls, don’t be late. Don’t make others wait for you to arrive. Don’t make GOD wait for you to arrive. Yes, I have to be better at this too. Being on time – meaning you arrive a few minutes earlier – means a lot to everyone. Habitually being late means you don’t care how your late arrival is impacting others. It’s inconsiderate. It’s not being like God. Being late for a dinner or meal being put on for you can spoil the host’s dinner! Don’t do it. It’s more than just a “little thing”. 

• Those of you in Kenya and Tanzania who submit sabbath reports: that’s not a little thing. Submitting those reports on time, not late, shows God you’ll also be faithful in much. We have to chase down some of you to get your reports in at all, let alone on time! I personally read every word, check your sermonettes and sermons and prayer requests, etc. Your reports often lead me to bow my head in prayer for you for specific requests. So send those in, as I ask God to bless those of you needing blessings. In fact, this very article would be a good sermonette for you guys to use as well.

• Have you ever taken the time to learn the name of a custodian cleaning out the bathroom in a store or work place, and tell her how much you appreciate how she keeps the place so sparkling clean. Last time I said that, the lady was amazed, and may have even been a bit emotional as she said, “No one has ever said such a nice thing to me. Thank you. It means so much to me.”

Doing such a thing shows your converted spirit-filled heart.  That “little thing” action – showed God a lot. He notes that.  

At the same token, when we’re not being served well, or have to wait in line or online for a long time before we get any service, how are we with the person on the other end when they’re finally talking again?  Oh, I’ve blown this one too many times in the past but am praying for a new godly way of not taking out my frustrations on the man or woman on the other end. Be kind. Be patient. Be sweet. Be faithful in little – so God can trust us with much.

• Trash. Do you EVER throw your trash out your car window? If you’re a baptized child of God, shame on you. Do you see trash on your street as you walk around your block? Pick it up, throw it away. Or pick up stuff lying on the floor where you work. Pick it up. These are little things that show a big heart.

• How well do you follow rules? Government rules, speed limits, stopping fully at stop signs, following your pastor’s instructions at church. Not cheating on your income tax – not even one dollar.

• Gossip. That’s not a little thing. Too many of God’s children still talk about others in negative ways. Sing the praises of God’s children instead.

• We know better – I hope – than to commit adultery for example… but do we push the limit by staring too long where our eyes should not be on an immodestly undressed woman? Or is that just a little thing to you? And ladies, a little thing to you perhaps, but are you showing cleavage or thigh that can cause lusts to rise up in your brothers in God’s family - - who see you in that blouse or those hot pants or short skirt? Would you dress immodestly like that if you knew Jesus was coming to see you? Would you? Well, Jesus IS seeing you! He’s IN your brothers.

So it’s not just a little thing. Immodest dress can cause a serious lust and sin in the men around you. At the beach – are you following the latest trends, ladies, and exposing your entire bottom and most of your skin? Don’t. That’s not even just a little thing.  But even in God’s church services, dressing immodestly is happening more and more. Let’s wake up and be faithful in little things!

• One thing I really want to zero in on much more in my own life: my body and my health. Our body is the residence, the dwelling of God’s HOLY SPIRIT. In fact Father and Yeshua/Jesus are IN me and IN you (John 14:23). What kind of temple are we providing for their dwelling? Are we clean, modest, eating healthy food, exercising, and getting enough sleep?

I’m NOT referring to those of you who have been in bad accidents  

or who are getting old and infirm or are paralyzed and can’t do much for their bodies or health. I’m talking to those of us who can exercise, can move, can decide what we put into our mouths.

• WORRYING. Jesus commands us not to worry. It means we think we are facing a problem too big for God. Worrying is not a little problem. Worrying has to stop. Instead, learn to thank God IN all our concerns (Phil 4:6-7) and FOR all our trials and all things (Eph 5:20).

ARE you getting the point? Examples of “just a little thing” -- can be endless. 

Be faithful in little things and God will be able to know how well you’ll handle the big things He has in mind for you.

If you were the actual flesh and blood half-brother of Jesus Christ (same mother, different father), and you were introducing yourself to others, how would you introduce yourself? James – who wrote the epistle of James, was such a brother. The other James – the brother of John, was martyred remember (Acts 12:1-3).

Here’s what he said. Unlike the epistles written by Paul and Peter – he doesn’t even bother mentioning that he also is an apostle.

James 1:1   “James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.” 

WOW! “I’m just a bondservant of my Lord Jesus the Messiah!” Several translations take the word “bondservant’ and simply say “SLAVE of God and the Lord Jesus Christ” – as in the LEGACY translation, Holman and New Living Translation.

Here’s someone who was born from the same mother as Jesus was, and who is an apostle and leader of the Jerusalem Headquarters church – but all he says about himself is – “I am a SLAVE of God and of our Master Jesus the Messiah.” 

He didn’t focus on his titles or “qualifications” at all, except being a slave of his half-brother. 

James had another brother who was also half-brother to Jesus (they had a different father). That brother was JUDE. Notice how Jude also starts HIS letter. 

Jude 1  “Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ…”

I love this. He also is the SLAVE or servant of Jesus Christ. He also doesn’t add “and brother of Jesus.” No, he only mentions he is the brother of James. He also became an apostle like his brother. But no mention even of their titles from either one of them.

In your church, perhaps you all call your pastor by some title like “Pastor,” or “Elder.” Or if they were to write an email to someone, they’d feel they must sign off as Elder so-and-so, or Pastor so-and-so. 

I bring all this up because we have decided in Light on the Rock that we shouldn’t call members of our own family – including leaders in the church, our spiritual family -- by big titles.

My physical brother is Loren. I don’t call him by some big title. Just simply Loren. He simply calls me Philip. And when I sign off on an email or note to anyone in our fellowship, I’m simply Philip. When I write to our pastors in Kenya, I simply use their first name. I’ve instructed them that even in Church services, all the brethren are simply to refer to them also by just their first name. That’s what Jesus taught. That’s the example we have throughout the New Testament as we’ll see.

But somehow, it’s become the norm in many congregations and churches to call the church pastor by some title – Elder so-and-so, or Pastor so-and-so or Bishop, Overseer, Apostle, Coordinator, or people will at least refer to their leader, regardless of his age, as “Mr. so-and so” – ostensibly to show respect.

When Paul spoke of the other leaders in the church – Peter, James and John and other apostles, he simply referred to them as Peter, James, John, Barnabas, Apollos. He usually used no titles when referring to them. So why do we? When Luke wrote the Book of Acts, he simply used their first names also, not big titles. So why do we think we have to have even our older brethren refer to even a young church pastor as Mr. so-and-so when he’s hardly 30 or 35 years old, or even younger? Where are the scriptures to support that?

If anything, Jesus tells us NOT to be called “rabbi” or “father” in a religious way. So why do Catholics refer to their priest as “Father” this or that. Let’s read what our Savior said. The context is warning his disciples about the way the religious leaders of their day – the Scribes and Pharisees liked to be treated and addressed.

Matthew 23:6-12   “They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,  7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.' 

8 But you, do NOT be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all BRETHREN.

9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.

10 And do not be called Teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.

11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” 

Read and re-read that please until you have resolved to obey Jesus. DO NOT call someone “Teacher, Father, or Rabbi” – because you’re all brothers! I hope you Catholics and Jews are reading this too. You’re all family members. And we don’t call family members by titles – titles that belong frankly, HE says, either to him (Jesus/Yeshua) or to our Father in heaven. And so I tell our ministers I work with: “cut out the use of titles when you send emails. Don’t let yourselves be addressed by religious titles. Just use your first name. We’re all brothers and sisters. Speak as if that is what you are.”

Titles tend to elevate someone’s opinion of themselves. So he concludes that section by reminding his disciples to stay low – like a servant or slave, just like James and Jude did. I’ve seen those trying to exalt themselves just end up demoted or outright removed. Jesus was a perfect Servant Leader. He did lead. He did show the way, but he also constantly found ways to serve others – he healed the sick, fed the hungry, and encouraged the downtrodden. That’s our example.

“Father” – of course we can call our earthly fathers our father. And symbolically, Paul even called himself the father of some congregations, but he didn’t tell anyone to call him “father,’ like Catholic priests do. The priests in Catholicism wield extraordinary power. As one Catholic told me, “they can consign you to hell, if they wish.”  True or not, it conveys the power they wield. The ONLY One we should call “Holy Father” is God Most High, Father of Jesus Christ and our father. NO MAN should ever be called “holy father.”

This also applies to the many other titles we find in churches, especially the Catholic Church. Vicar of Christ. Cardinal (meaning the main one).

“Rabbi” – means “teacher.”  Jesus also tells us to call no one “rabbi” except himself (Matt.23:8). The “rabbis” loved being called the teacher. Many of us ministers can fall into that way of thinking. ALL our teaching must come from THE Teacher, Yeshua. HE is the ONE Teacher overall (v. 10).

What about respect for their office? Shouldn’t we exalt them with titles like “elder,” “Pastor” or even “Mr.”? 

Using a title is not what grants respect. Respect for someone comes from the way they live, interact with people, run their ministry, with loving kindness and patience and being led by the Holy spirit. 

I first wrote a blog on this topic in 2011. IN there I also remind readers that there are in fact elders, teachers and shepherds in the church. They were put into the Body of Christ for the perfecting of the saints and for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12) Positions in the Body of Christ are functions, they’re there for a reason. We all have different functions (Romans 12:4-5), and yet we are all part of the body of Christ. He’s the Head, the Chief Shepherd, the Leader.

We respect and honor them – but not any more than we would a widow or orphan. All with God’s spirit are members of the body of Christ and deserve respect – without needing a fancy title. We all are the holy sanctuary of God’s spirit. 

In the end, it’s vital we simply obey Jesus’ commands. He said to cut out the

titles and focus instead on serving one another. Read Luke 22:26-30.

Luke 22:24-27  “Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. 25 And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors.'  26 But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. 27 For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.”

He goes on to explain  in verses 28-30, that when we learn this in this life, he can trust us with truly great positions he will give us in his kingdom. 

Luke 22:28-30  "But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me,  30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

We remember Jesus’ words: you are brethren, all part of God’s family. Brothers and sisters just call each other by first name, nothing more. We don’t focus on title but on serving and loving one another. So if you see me as your brother, I’m simply Philip. Nothing more.

Wavesheaf day is not a holyday but is explained in Leviticus 23. I have many sermons and blogs which go into far more detail about Wavesheaf Day, always in between the two regular weekly sabbath days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 

Most church groups I know omit or barely mention Wavesheaf day. In 2024, it is on April 28. It always falls on the first day of the week, or “Sunday”. This blog is to simply give you a very broad view of this day. It’s not a holy day. There is no appointed church time, there’s no church services, no church assembly. It’s not a “moed” – or a divine appointment with God. 

So what is it? In its most simple form, it’s the day when Messiah rose from the tomb and on the first day of the week, as He told Mary Magdalene, “I must go to my Father and your Father; to my God and your God” (John 20:17). So He did. But WHY did Yeshua/Jesus have to go to his Father on this day? 

The very firstfruits of the barley harvest was ready to be presented to God for approval, so the barley harvest could proceed. But first the harvest had to be shown to God so he could approve it. The firstfruits barley pictured Jesus. Once he went to heaven after his resurrection, and was accepted and approved by God the Father, He was ALSO being accepted on behalf of the rest of the harvest. ON behalf of the rest of us! We are also called firstfruits (James 1:18), but Christ is the first of the first fruits of barley. 

We are firstfruits in the sense of the first harvests of the land of Israel. The rest of the harvest continues all year long – but the early harvest of barley and even the spring/Summer wheat was considered first fruits. God will harvest the rest of his crops later, BUT each in his own order, starting with Christ the first fruits (1 Cor. 15:23, 20-25). Right now God is entirely focused on those He is calling now. NOT everyone is being called now to have that special intimate relationship with God the Father right now. And we can’t just decide all that ourselves. 

Jesus said no one can come to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). And no one could come to Christ even, unless the Father first calls him/her first (John 6:44). 

Jesus as the first of the firstfruits had to be presented to God, be accepted on behalf of the REST of the harvest [those being called now], and then the harvest continues. 

Leviticus 23:9-11 And YHVH spoke to Moses, saying, 10 "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. 11 He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.” 

All the details are in the sermon and in the notes in the link below here. It wasn’t stalks of grain that the high Priest was “waving” – but a bowl of fine flour from the early barley. Read it all in the notes below. 

https://www.lightontherock.org/index.php/sermons/message/wavesheaf-is-acceptance-day?highlight=WyJ3YXZlc2hlYWYiXQ== 

You’ll notice it’s also on the “day after the sabbath” – so it’s always on a Sunday. 

SO how do I observe Wavesheaf Day? 

At 9 a.m., when that ceremony was taking place 2,000 years ago, Christ rose to heaven to be accepted and to return the same day. So at 9 a.m. on the Sunday between the two weekly sabbaths, my wife and I have a short but very thankful prayer of thanksgiving to our heavenly father and to Yeshua/Jesus. Why? 

Because – due to their profound love for you and for me, I – yes, even I with my past faults and sins, can be found to be ACCEPTED. HOW? By that special first sheaf – who was Christ. HE is now our life as Paul teaches over and over – especially in Col 3:3-4, Gal. 2:20. 

I can now know that in spite of my human weaknesses, shortcomings and stumbles into sin, God has accepted me IN Christ. You can be assured joyfully of this too! Quit the depression caused by constantly wondering if you’re able to be accepted or not. God has accepted you. You’ve been qualified, because of the perfect life of Jesus, GIFTED to us by faith. Start experiencing the JOY of salvation, knowing you’re being saved and have been saved – by God’s favor and grace (Eph 2:8-9). Here are the scriptures: 

Ephesians 2:5-9 

“even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is The GIFT OF GOD, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.” 

The Messiah Jesus, the Anointed One, is now my life and yours by faith. 

Colossians 3:3-4 

“For YOU died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 

4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” 

We are human flesh and we still fail spiritually ourselves. But IN Christ, who is our life, we now have been ACCEPTED. Read verse 6 below over and over until you believe and know that means even you. 

Ephesians 1:4-6 

“just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 

6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which HE made US ACCEPTED in the Beloved.” 

God has also qualified us for the kingdom of His dear son: 

Colossians 1:12-14 

“giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” 

We’re accepted – in the Beloved! 

If you struggle with this concept of being accepted by God it’s because you keep trying to focus on what you’re doing, instead of on what Jesus did already and has done for you … AND continues to do IN you. It’s HIS work in you. He lives in you again, as He lived the first time: perfectly in the spirit. But we keep looking to our flesh and see failure. God is looking at our spirit, where Christ is. HIS spirit merges with our spirit to make ONE NEW SPIRIT (1 Cor. 16:17). 

So get this -- because God Most High accepted Christ as the firstfruits, we are also now accepted through Christ. Read these verses below in your own Bible. God’s view of your righteousness is NOT going to be because of how righteous YOU are, but because of how righteous Jesus is, and because of the faith we have in HIM. You came under his blood, s0 He paid the highest possible price for YOU. That price? His very own life as the perfect Son of God. He bought you, and you are now a part of HIS body. 

Romans 3:21-26 The Righteousness of God is revealed through faith in Jesus on all and to all who believe – to demonstrate HIS righteousness. 

Romans 5:15-19 – shows us the GIFT of God’s righteousness. We can’t earn a gift. Therefore there can be no condemnation on us, because we are in Christ and he certainly can’t be condemned (Rom 8:1-4). 

2 Cor. 5:21 – we become the righteousness of God in Christ. 

Phil. 3:9 – we want to “be found in Him, NOT having our OWN righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.” 

You will never feel settled but always wondering if you’re going to “make it” into the kingdom or not, until you learn this topic strongly. When you really learn it deeply, you will experience the deep, deep JOY of knowing you are saved, the JOY of salvation in Christ, for us, in us, and on our behalf. 

Wavesheaf Day is all about us being accepted because God had already accepted Jesus on our behalf (Lev 23:10-11). 

Hallelujah. Praise Yah! 

Again, if you wish to learn more details, check the full sermon link I gave you earlier. 

(This article is an updated version of one I wrote a year ago).

Let me get right to the point. Over the many years in the Church of God and its subsequent branches, I was taught – and I even taught – this about unleavened bread:

**  Leavening pictures sin like malice and wickedness (1 Cor. 5:6-8) as well as false doctrine (Matthew 16:6-12) and so that is why we put it out. (True, but leavening can also picture God’s kingdom that spreads! Matthew 13:33).

**  Then when talking about eating UNLEAVENED bread, it is believed that this pictures our new life committed to obedience and being free from sin.

All that can be true. But it’s not complete. It’s dangerously incomplete, in fact. 

When you deleavened your home, and men – I hope you helped a lot and led the family in this – you threw OUT and disposed of all leavened breads, crackers, cookies, etc. because there was no way to salvage any of it. We couldn’t pick the leaven out of the bread. We could only throw it out – and then we all had to REPLACE it all with brand new unleavened bread that you either made at home or bought matzah from an outside store.

What did the leavened bread you threw out picture? 

The right answer:  It pictures our old carnal selves, not just sin itself, but how we had sin in our lives and were sinners. Leavened bread pictures US. Yes, Christ died for our sins and our Father in heaven forgave us. But then we still stumble in sin, perhaps even daily, even during the days of Unleavened bread. Sinning is no longer our way of life, but we still stumble in sin, as even Paul says in Rom.7:15-20. Please read it carefully.

So we remind ourselves that we must continually be putting out, not just sins, but our sinful old self. We must be totally surrendering to God in every facet of our lives so we can call Jesus our Lord. So the leavening we throw out pictures – US. Not just sin generally, but “US”.  And this is why Paul would say in Galatians 2:20 that he is crucified with Christ. Paul wanted his old self tied down and killed – with Christ.

When you were throwing out your leavened products, did you realize all that leavening pictured – YOU? Your old self; what Paul calls “the old man”? It pictured you giving up the old ways of unrighteousness.

After throwing out the old sinful way pictured by leaven, we go out and buy or bake fresh UNLEAVENED bread that had never been in our homes before. It was brand new. It had no connection to the discarded leavened products. It’s a new product that NEVER had any leavening in it. That’s key.

Sin is defined as breaking God’s law (1 John 3:4), for failing to do the good things we should have done (James 4:17), going against our conscience, doing things “not of faith” (Romans 14:23). All unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17). We repent of what we ARE – a sinner, as the tax collector did (Luke 18:12-14).

So the Unleavened Bread does not and cannot picture US because there’s still sin in our lives we need to repent of, daily. True unleavened bread has never had any leaven in it. It doesn’t even picture us as we try to keep sin out of our lives because as Paul admits in Romans 7, we all still stumble in sin. UNLEAVENED bread has to picture something more, and someone far greater than you and me. 

Unleavened Bread pictures the One, and the only One, who DID keep sin totally out of his life. HE is the Unleavened Bread of God. HE is the manna, the bread of heaven, from God (John 6:48-51 please read it). He and he alone. This is why Yeshua said, “this is MY body, broken for you.” (Matthew 26:26). The unleavened bread of Passover AND during the days of unleavened bread picture HIS body, HIS life; not mine, not yours.

So far, are you with me? Leavened bread pictures us who still stumble in sin. Each year, we remind ourselves that there are still vestiges of sinful habits and ways of thinking we have to cast out as we cleanse the temple of God, which is our body (1 Cor. 3:16-17).

The unleavened bread pictures Yeshua. Surely it has to, for that’s what Yeshua said – “This is MY body…,” and what Paul echoes in 1 Cor. 11:23-25. It pictures us taking in Christ’s life. The old sinful self – pictured by leavened bread – we threw out. We eat of it, in remembrance of HIM. We focus on Christ now in the new covenant more than on coming out of Egypt. And we don’t focus on ourselves trying to get sin out of our lives by ourselves.

Let me say again: we don’t try to take the leavening out of already leavened products. We can’t. We throw them out. They are not able to be unleavened. They must be replaced. 

In the same way, we must die to this world and its way. We must be crucified with Christ. We cannot – we cannot ourselves make ourselves righteous enough to be acceptable to the “be ye therefore perfect/complete” standard Yeshua/Jesus laid out for us (Matthew 5:48).

We have to eat the unleavened bread that pictures the NEW life, the new bread of our Messiah Jesus Christ. We put out malice and wickedness, remember, and take on sincerity and truth. WHO is the Truth? It is Yeshua/Jesus!

1 Corinthians 5:6-8  “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore throw out the old leaven, that you may be a NEW lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and TRUTH”.

Corinthians – truly are unleavened? Each chapter is about another one of their corporate sins, one after the other. The only way they were unleavened was through Christ, sacrificed for them and who is sincerity and TRUTH. You cannot take leaven out of an already leavened product. Our old self is leavened. We can’t perfect it. It has to be thrown out and we have to accept the NEW UNLEAVENED, SINLESS life of Christ. And HE, by his one offering, we are told in Hebrews 10:14 – “has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”

So the Unleavened Bread does not picture our perfection by us taking each little and big sin out of our lives – but pictures us accepting the forever sinless perfection of Christ’s life now to replace our old life.

In 2 Cor. 5:17 that Paul tells us that in Christ we are A NEW CREATION – like the new unleavened bread you bake or buy that had never existed before in your life. We cannot make ourselves a new creation. The Creator of our NEW CREATION is – guess who? Is GOD through Christ, just like the original creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17-19  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

Paul goes on after saying all of this is made possible by God. “Now all things are of God.” God’s perfection and righteousness is credited to us as his gift (Romans 5:17; as we accept the justification that is by faith – Romans 5:1)

2 Corinthians 5:21  “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that WE might become the righteousness of GOD in Him.”

And so now we can come boldly before the throne of God’s favor or grace. HOW? Is it because we have become so good now, though we still stumble in sin? No! We come boldly through the blood and pierced flesh of our Savior (Hebrews 10:19). God will remember our sins no more (Heb. 10:17)

Hebrews 10:19-23 – “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Don’t misunderstand me. Now once we have partaken of our Savior we must, of course, fight sin viciously and keep ourselves from intentional sin, willful sin, which is seen very seriously by our God.

Hebrews 10:26-27   “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries”.

As we focus on Christ, we become more and more in his image (2 Cor. 3:17-18). We copy Him, follow him (1 Cor. 11:1) and we let HIS mind become ours. Christ himself is now our new life – Colossians 3:1-4.

So the UNLEAVENED BREAD we eat does NOT picture US primarily. It is NOT about our lives that are now free from the penalty of sin, but we still sometimes sin (leaven) as Paul says in Romans 7:15-17. Though you may not consume any leavened products during the week of unleavened bread , I doubt any of us can claim to have not sinned at all during those seven days. Apostle Paul, as you know in Romans 7, still admitted to stumbles of sin that he hated.

Paul even goes on to make a differentiation between his old carnal sinful fleshly self – and the new creation Paul. In fact Paul says in Romans 7:16-20 that NOW when he sinned, it was not really himself sinning. It wasn’t the new Paul—no,  it was “Sin that dwells in me” that was doing the sinning.

Romans 7:15-17  “but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.”

Paul differentiates between the old carnal self that we still have – alongside the new creation of God in Christ, that we now have as well. These 2 fight each other and fight they must. But the UNLEAVENED bread is Yeshua, our Messiah. Each day we eat of it, we are asking God to let Christ BE our new life, and that we follow his guidance and look more and more like HIM.

Our entire life before Christ had been leavened, in other words. We can’t keep any of it. It all has to go – just like your bread, cookies, and crackers. Once a life is leavened, you cannot deleaven it, any more than you can deleaven already leavened bread. A leavened LIFE – which is really what all this pictures – has to be cast out and rejected just like we do leavened bread.

Even GOD has to start with a new creation in us. A once-leavened life cannot be deleavened. It has to be replaced. It is replaced by the life of Christ alive in each of us. So I need a new life pictured by new bread that is unleavened: Yeshua himself.

But my new self is NOT me, trying to qualify for God’s kingdom in my efforts to overcome and defeat sin. In fact, remember that the days of Unleavened Bread come BEFORE the giving of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Imagine claiming you could have any victory over sin without the holy spirit! My old me failed. So did yours. We need something – or Someone – PERFECT, without ANY sin at any time, ever (Hebrews 4:15).

Are you seeing the difference? It’s ALL about Yeshua. ALL about him and how he perfectly obeyed his Father, and our Father.

I eat unleavened bread to remind me that I have to take in Jesus Christ my Savior day after day. We become what we eat. In this season, let’s FEAST on our Messiah. I don’t eat matzah to remind me I no longer sin – because you and I still do. I eat matzah during Passover week – and figuratively the rest of my life – because I need HIM living in me from now on. 

When our Savior handed out the pieces of matzah to the disciples, he does NOT say “Eat this, as this pictures the new you trying your best to ‘make it’ and to finally be good enough to be allowed into the kingdom.” No!           

Yeshua said, “Eat this bread, for this is MY LIFE broken for you. Drink of my cup, for this is MY BLOOD of the new covenant” that he SHED for us (Matt. 26:26-29). Life is in the blood. It’s all about him. “Do this in remembrance of ME,” He said several times (Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:24-25).

I know you know that, but I still keep hearing and reading an emphasis on the unleavened matzah picturing each of US successfully fighting sin. But even just ONE sin makes us a sinner, right? Even one lustful or overly angry thought makes you and me a sinner, right?

Yes, we have to fight sin. Yes, we have to be Christian soldiers fighting the good fight of faith (1 Tim 6:12). Yes, we have to put on the whole armor of God. All of that is in context that we must “be strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might” (Eph 6:10).

Unleavened bread does not picture us defeating sin. It’s much more perfect than that. Unleavened bread pictures CHRIST living in me and crushing sin and being my new life. Father sees HIS life, HIS righteousness covering me. As you eat unleavened bread, don’t leave Christ out of your thoughts: you’re picturing HIM.

As you eat unleavened bread, think of it as you pursuing the Messiah, seeking to be with him, learning what it means to abide in him. As you eat unleavened bread, invite him to BE the new you, PERFECTLY at one with Him, prepared to be His Bride. Invite him to cleanse the temple of your body of anything unpleasing to Father. Dwell in him. Invite him and Father to dwell in you.

And this is why you and I must eat unleavened bread each and all 7 days of the Feast. We simply cannot live perfectly enough without it being HIM and HIS righteousness all the time, 7 days a week living as our new life.

To him be all the glory and praise. Amen.

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Reposted April 2024 from Thursday, March 2, 2023

Almost nobody to whom I ask this question – “who really ultimately was responsible for killing Jesus?” – almost no one ever gets it completely right. Do you think you would get it right? You might be surprised. For almost everyone, it’s not who anyone thinks. Be ready to be surprised. This is not a trick question. But it’s amazing how few people get it right. If you think I’m going to say we all killed Christ by our sins – please read on, because the full answer is much, much deeper and more meaningful even than that.

(Remember you can just control-click on the scriptures in our blogs and the whole passage will pop up).

Many say the Jews did.  Certainly they’re right.  They did. Paul and others attest to that (see 1 Thessalonians 2:14-15).  Many say the Romans did. They’re right too – for it was the Roman government that had him nailed to the cross and who thrust the spear into His side. Still others say – and I’ve said in the past too – that we ALL killed Yeshua of Nazareth. Peter seems to say this to his sorrowful Pentecost audience (Acts 2:36-37), and later to a group in Acts 3:12-17, see especially verse 15.  How did we ALL kill the Christ?  By our sins, which required his atoning death. But there’s more. MUCH more. We haven’t hit on the full answer yet. Please look up those verses and read them in your own Bible or by control-clicking on to the scripture in this blog.

But all of those answers miss the biggest answer of all! As I’ve said, all the answers traditionally given are also correct, but there’s one more who really killed the Christ. 

WHAT was the Messiah? One answer is what John the Baptizer said: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Later, the apostle Paul referred to Christ as “our Passover Lamb” (1 Cor. 5:7), so the Passover and days of Unleavened Bread of Exodus 12 pointed to, prophesied about, the REAL Lamb, the One all those little Passover lambs were pointing to – the Lamb of God. Of course you remember that in Exodus 12, God told Israel they could present a lamb or a goat kid that had no blemish or defect (Exodus 12:5).

Who was responsible in Exodus 12 to select a lamb without blemish and to have a lamb ready on Passover and to kill that lamb for their family in that original Passover service? It was the FATHER of the household who presented the selected lamb (Exodus 12:3) and who killed the family’s Passover lamb in Exodus 12. This was happening among all the Israelites (Exodus 12:6-7). Exodus 12:3 “Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: 'On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household.”

So when we read that Yeshua/Jesus was called “the Lamb of GOD”, what was John referring to? Well, we know Jesus was crucified on Passover day, to die in our stead. He was blameless and without sin.

GOD the Father had pre-selected the Word, who became flesh and became the SON of God (John 1:14) to be His Lamb. In fact, Jesus was as good as already slain from before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8; 1 Peter 1:18-20). So ALL the Passover lambs of Exodus 12 and afterwards, all pointed to the future fulfillment of Messiah, the Lamb of God.

God the Father had to present a lamb for His household just as the fathers had to present one lamb or kid goat per household, remember? (Exodus 12:1-3).  The Lamb being offered had to be enough for the household. ALL who wish to be part of the Household of God will partake of Father’s lamb, in Father’s house.  On Passover day, the Israelite heads of households took their chosen lamb and killed it, spilling its blood, and establishing a blood covenant between them and God. Hyssop branches were used to splatter the blood of the lamb on the lintel and door posts of each home. When God saw the blood, this protected the household from the Destroyer – but it was really God Himself who was making the decision who lived and who died. Yehovah Himself inspected and passed over each house – where we get the word “Passover” from, when He saw the blood.

Exodus 12:23
“For YHVH (the LORD) will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when HE sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD (YHVH) will PASS OVER the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.”

So who really and ultimately had to kill the Lamb of God? Who alone truly could do it? Yeshua gives another clue during his final Passover.  He is quoting from Zechariah 13:7.

Matthew 26:31
Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:  'I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

Who is the “I” in “I will strike the Shepherd?”  WHO is going to strike the Shepherd? Remember that Yeshua was the Word who was God and WITH God (John 1:1-2).  So let’s see what the original source – Zech 13:7 – says, and notice how God calls that Shepherd “the Man who is my COMPANION”.  If you take the time to read it, it is YHVH who is speaking. Yeshua is quoted in Matthew 26:31 as saying “I will strike the Shepherd” – but He is quoting GOD speaking in Zechariah 13:7. So GOD will strike the Shepherd. Who is the Shepherd? Jesus himself says HE is the good shepherd (John 10:11); the Shepherd who was struck by God.

Many of you know that the end of Isaiah 52 and all of Isaiah 53 is a prophecy about the crucifixion and sacrifice of Yeshua of Nazareth.  (Remember I use the name His mama called Him – the Hebrew name Yeshua, which means “salvation”.)

Let’s see who did the striking and sacrificing here. Isaiah 53 explains John 3:16 – that GOD so loved the world that HE gave his one and only Son. Why? So that those who believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. God the Father saw that by sacrificing His only Son for a time, that in his love he’d be opening the door to potentially millions or even billions more sons and daughters (2 Cor. 6:18). And Jesus was perfectly OK with that too (John 10:17-18).

Isaiah 53:4,6
“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him STRICKEN, SMITTEN BY GOD, and afflicted….
6 All we like sheep have gone astray, We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And Yehovah (the Lord) has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Isaiah 53:10-11
10 “Yet it PLEASED YHVH (the Lord) to bruise Him;
HE has put Him to grief.
When YOU make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,
And the pleasure of Yehovah (the Lord) shall prosper in His hand. 
11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many; For He shall bear their iniquities.”

Did you catch that?  HE – YHVH – has put Him to grief.  WHY would God put His own innocent Son to death?  I know, I know; it’s easier to blame the Jews or the Romans.  But that misses the point of the entire Passover!  Isaiah 53:10 says GOD made His soul an offering for sin in His love for all of us!

So really the One who killed Christ was the Head of the Father’s House – Yehovah Most High, God our Father, for all those in His House who would accept this blood. The blood that covers and cleanses us from ALL our sins, no matter how bad they were. The blood of the Lamb of God, whom FATHER slew for His household, protects us from the Destroyer, saves us from the penalty of death that we earned, and covers us by His grace. Yeshua becomes the Covering for His people, for His Bride.

Still not convinced? Then what does John 3:16 say?  GOD gave His only begotten son as His LAMB for all and any who believe in the whole WORLD.  The Head of the House had to be the one to slay HIS own lamb at Passover. Perhaps this will make John 3:16 and 1 John 4:9-11 mean more now. 
What an incredible HEAD of the household of God that we have.  He offered His OWN innocent Son for all of us who will accept Him as our Savior. Paul certainly understood this in Romans 8.

Romans 8:31-34
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 HE WHO DID NOT SPARE HIS OWN SON, BUT DELIVERED HIM UP FOR US ALL, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”

John 1:11-13

“He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

What an incredible duo. Father and Son. Yeshua adds another fold to this incredible story.  Father offers His innocent Son in order to save all who would repent and accept Him. The Son – Yeshua - -ALSO offers HIMSELF willingly and agrees to step up to Father’s Plan.  This just gets more and more amazing. Show me another religion whose God offers HIMSELF for His people!

Of course that too was pictured by Abraham offering up his grown son Isaac until God stopped it at the last minute (Genesis 22). Isaac was big and old enough to refuse it, but he obviously agreed to be sacrificed, just as Jesus did. And Isaac carried the wood, picturing the stake/cross of Christ.

John 10:17-18
"Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.  18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."  

Yeshua, can I speak to you on behalf of all who are reading this: “Well done, our Master, well done. You’re simply amazing. We are not worthy of your grace and love but you offer it anyway. Thank you, our Beloved, thank you, and yes, we accept you and your covering blood again this year. You’ve washed us in your blood, you’ve wiped away our sins, and you’ve washed our feet of any of the dust/sins we’ve picked up in the last 12 months. And yes, Master, we are slowly learning to forgive and love one another as you have loved and forgiven.  You have set such an awesome example for all of us to follow. You’re amazing, holy Brother -- our Lord and Master, our Friend, our Savior, our King, our Husband-to-be, our JOY, our Love – and yes, our God. Thank you. We sure love you.”

“And Father, all of us fathers wish we could be a father like you. You are so kind, so patient, so loving, so giving, so forgiving – over and over. Thank you for that. Thank you for offering up your eternal Companion the Word so that ultimately in your plan, he becomes the Firstborn among many brethren. But what an example you are and please help me and all of us fathers be a better father.  Help all of us fathers to more perfectly turn our hearts to our children and please, please Father, turn our children’s hearts to us also, back to their fathers, and especially to you, as the ultimate Father. Please. Please teach us how, please make us all one, as you and Yeshua are one. We love you so much, holy Father. In Jesus/Yeshua’s holy name, Amen.”

We all know in America that a full solar eclipse is due April 8, 2024. It will cross from Eagle Pass, Texas heading northwest through Dallas, Cleveland, Erie, Burlington VT – and through Maine. The full eclipse will last almost four minutes, longer than most eclipses. If you are planning to watch it, if you’re in the path, be sure to use true eclipse glasses, not just sunglasses.

As an aside, the darkness at Jesus’ crucifixion was not, and could not have been, an eclipse, as that darkness was very thick and lasted for three hours. It had to be something other than an eclipse, which usually lasts 2-3 minutes.

An eclipse happens when the sun, moon and earth align and the moon blocks the sun. During a full eclipse, it makes it seem twilight, or even darker for those few minutes. At full eclipse, you may be able to see the sun’s corona and flares. Some solar changes are expected and may also affect us here on earth.

Is this April 8 eclipse of any importance? This one has a lot going on: longer than usual, comes with the Devil Comet and the planets align.

There are many eclipses, but the next full solar eclipse over America won’t come until 2044. But since 2017 on the other hand, counting April 8’s eclipse, there will have been now THREE full solar eclipses that will have crossed America in the past seven years. Seven is God’s number of perfect completion.

Why do I write about this April 8 eclipse happening over America?

Because I have always taught that “Israel” in the Middle East is really just the end-time nation of Judah of the Bible, plus Levi (for the Levites and priests) and others mixed in. But we believe the MAIN and TRUE end-time “Israel” is UK and USA, as Ephraim of the Bible. Jacob – whose changed name was Israel – actually put HIS name (Israel) on to the sons of Joseph, especially Ephraim (Gen 48:16). The name “Israel,” in other words, was not put on to Judah, but on Ephraim, Joseph’s stronger younger son (USA today).

When the 12 tribes split into 2 separate nations during the reign of David’s grandson Rehoboam, the northern 10 tribes became known as the House of Israel – headed by Ephraim, the extra-blessed son of Joseph. The Southern tribes then became the House of Judah.

So there are numerous prophecies in the books of the prophets about “Israel” and even about Ephraim. I believe these apply more to UK and USA.

So when God sends significant things to America in these last days, He’s trying to get our attention, as He did before. And of course Jerusalem and Judah in the Middle East are also extremely crucial to keep watching.

There are many links to this total eclipse. Here’s one that’s interesting. https://www.sapphirethroneministries.com/post/alef-tav-eclipses-the-ring-of-fire

When you place the three eclipses over America from Aug 2017 to April 8, 2024, their paths show up as the ancient Hebrew letter Alef and the letter Tav – the equivalent of the Greek Alpha and Omega, which refer to God. Study the links to understand better. Could God be trying to get America’s attention. Alef and Tav the beginning letter and last letter – the beginning and the end?

The last letter Tav looks like a slanted cross.

Yeshua/Jesus is the prince of Peace. The 2017 eclipse started in Salem (peace) Oregon and end up at Salem, South Carolina in the far southeast. But it crossed SEVEN towns named Salem. Is the Prince of Peace trying to get our attention? We won’t panic. But maybe God is trying to get our attention.

Pray we be accounted worth to escape the terrifying end times (Luke 21:36).

The eclipse coming on April 8 will cross seven towns named Nineveh, where God sent a warning through Jonah and they repented. Could this just be coincidence? Maybe. That April 8 eclipse also apparently follows the track exactly of the New Madrid fault line, where in winter of 1811-12 they had three very large earthquakes – including an earthquake of 8.4. Today, such an earthquake in that location would be devastating.

If strange and mysterious events occur with this eclipse, perhaps it’s more than just a routine eclipse. If not, just keep your eyes open. There is a strange comet that may be visible during the full eclipse and it’s called the Devil Comet, of all things. Its official name – Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks. Maybe learn more about it. https://www.digitaltrends.com/space/devil-comet-april/

Plus the planets all align at about the same time as the eclipse. To me, there just seem to be too many “coincidences” lining up with this eclipse to make all of it just be a matter of chance. Is God warning us?

Here’s another link by a friend Linda Watson. I don’t concur with everything she says, but she makes some interesting points. So be alert and watch.

https://youtu.be/alRkm0TjZn4

 I remember a sermon in church from when I was maybe 15-16 years old. That’s going back 55 years or more. Some sermons just stick in your memory forever and this was one of them.

The preacher asked us all – “If I could give you your choice, which would you pick? A solid gold bar weighing 1 kilo (2.4 pounds) – or a serious trial God will put you through. Which would you pick?”

The gold bar of course would have been worth many thousands of dollars when the price of gold was already very high for just an ounce of gold. The price today for just one ounce of gold is $2,233. Imagine what a 1 kilo bar of pure gold would cost! That would be about $77,000 for a .999% pure gold bar. Maybe I should go out and buy a truck load, right? In my dreams.

So you’re being offered a $77,000 gold bar – OR you could have – from God - a serious trial He has hand-selected for you, just you -- like a terrible bone cancer or pancreatic cancer or multiple sclerosis that goes on and on and on – which would you pick? The pure gold bar you can keep – or God’s trial He would give you?

If you would pick the gold bar, you made a terrible decision. But this should show us the real VALUE of going through a serious trial from God, with God’s help – a value that would last forever.

1 Peter 1:6-9

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various TRIALS,

7 that the genuineness of your FAITH, being much more precious than GOLD that perishes, though it is TESTED by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love.

Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

9 receiving the end of your faith—The SALVATION of your souls.”

Listen to my recent sermon on “When God doesn’t heal the faithful” for much more on this. God has wonderful reasons for letting us suffer. God’s own Son was PERFECTED by the things which He suffered. Suffering does that. Should it be any different for us?

Hebrews 2:10

“For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation PERFECT through SUFFERINGS.”

Even in Hebrews 11 we read of our spiritual forefathers who were chased out of their homes, had to live in caves, or like Isaiah – were SAWN in two! God certainly wants his people perfected and refined and tested – and suffering builds all those for us.

It’s the same for us. We must have our faith tested and perfected and strengthened. It puts qualities in us for God’s use for eternity.

1 Peter 5:10

“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, AFTER you have suffered a while, PERFECT, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

James 1:2-4

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

So there are definite and strong reasons for the sufferings, for pain, illness and tests and trials we each are going through – all of it worth far, far more than a gold bar that perishes.

I think most of us know that it would be terribly hard to choose being bedridden for year after year in pain and suffering – or paralysis – over the chance to be given a gold bar. And yet, look at what apostle Peter told us. As we read this, think about the trials you’ve had, or know others have, and maybe this can put those trials into perspective. Also, be sure to hear my recent audio sermon “When God doesn’t always heal the faithful.”

Many of you understand that we are to avoid taking the Passover in an unworthy manner, or “unworthily” as KJV says (1 Cor. 11:27-29) but are to first examine ourselves.

What does that mean?  Over the years I’ve actually known people who decided not to take the Passover at all because they decided they weren’t worthy enough.  This is what is motivating this blog. 

What does it mean to take the Passover “worthily” or “unworthily”?  If we take it in an unworthy manner, which is apparently very serious – as we will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (v. 27).  But on the other hand, if we don't take Passover at all, we’re still guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, right?  For if God Most High does not see the blood  of the Lamb of God  - His Son -- covering us, do our sins get passed-over (where we get the term Passover from) – Exodus 12:12-13?  Remember? “When I see the blood, I will pass over…”

So let’s read it and understand it.

1 Corinthians 11:25-30

“In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, 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 till He comes.

27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so LET him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the [Lord's] body.”

Click on “Continue reading” to learn more about taking the Passover in a worthy manner.