A short Easter message

by Jannie

Prologue

Blessings to you and your loved ones – permanently, in Jesus’ name (Eph 1:3; Phil 2:9,10; Col 1:12-19; 3:15-17)!

But what does it mean to say “A blessed Easter to you and your family”?  An extract from the meditation “The will of man, the will of God”, offers the following thoughts on what we perceive as “blessing”:

Blessing is probably greatly misunderstood.  Contemplate Eph 1:3; 2 Pet 1:3-12 (Ampl).  A blessing – or a curse – is unlikely to be imparted like voodoo [as an external sanctification as if the receiver’s will was removed]. Know therefore why God is uncompromising about us that should have nothing to do with witchcraft in any way (see the meditation on pornography and witchcraft).  So please be careful of religious play-actors speaking blessing over you – they are probably totally ignorant of what they are trying to do (1 Tim 5:22).  God has no part in evil and false practices such as hypnotism or magic [manipulation, control].  A blessing (or curse) is rather a declared result or form of edification (2 Tim 3:15-17)! In Is 45:9 God says He declares what is right.  Of course He can!  He is not a manipulator (that’s why Jesus did not bring [forced] peace amongst men but between God and man – Mt 10:34-39; Jn 16:33); and will therefore not force [“make”] any person right [blessed] regardless of their choice(s) and insanity.  (Insanity is basically to expect a different outcome whilst blindly carrying on to think and do the same). Read Col 3:1-25 and the meditation “The will of man, the will of God” as well?

Discussion

Jn 16:5… Quo vadis?

1. How do we count three days and three nights from Friday when Jesus was crucified to before sunrise on Sunday? In other words, is it important to have an examined faith that can stand up to reason?
2. Is the Passover feast at all for us as Christians? What did Jesus and His followers (such as Paul) say about this matter? Do we understand the place and purpose of those feasts Gal 4:10)?
3. Is “Easter” the same as “Passover”? Do we even know that one was given unto the Israelites and the other was used by heathens; but that neither can serve that same [original] purpose to us [Christians] today?

Refer to the summary in “Apparent controversies in The Bible” 5.21 for more on the time Jesus was crucified but for now see that Jesus was crucified on the Passover in its fulfilment.  If you advocate other dates or times than what The Word of God gives us, the implication is that according to your Gospel, the prophesies of Jesus were not all fulfilled [accurately] and its meaning is lost.  In such case, seriously ponder Gal 1:6-9.  Moreover, contemplate 1 Cor 1:18-2:2 and 1 Cor 15:1-8. The meditation “Who is Jesus Christ” tries to also show the importance that we understand that all prophesies about Jesus Christ were all accurately fulfilled. This is why we can’t have the facts wrong.

So then, seeing that Jesus [perceived] as a Jew, came for the Jews first (who rejected Him, Mt 21:43; Jn 1:10-12; Gal 3:28,29; Acts 2:23,36), we can safely assume this account was relating to the Jewish system.  We see that the notation is exactly that in Scriptures such as Jn 19:14; Mk 15:34; Mt 27:45.

So here then an explanation according to the allocation in the Jewish tradition, in segments, of these “three days and three nights”:

Friday 09:00 Crucifixion
Friday 12:00 Darkness fell
Friday 12:00 – 18:00 “day” one
Friday 18:00 – 24:00 “night” one
Saturday (Sabbath) 00:00 – 06:00 “night” two
Saturday (Sabbath) 06:00 – 12:00 “day” two
Saturday (Sabbath) 12:00 – 18:00 “day” three
Saturday (Sabbath) 18:00 – 24:00 “night” three
Sunday 00:00 – 06:00 Resurrection

Mk 15:25 tells us Jesus was crucified on the Friday 09:00 (the third hour from 06:00) and that He gave His Spirit at noon (when darkness fell, the sixth hour from 06:00) as noted in Mt 27:45 and prophesied in Amos 8:9. (Refer also, Mt 27:1; Lk 23:44-45). Jesus, to fulfil for example Jonah 1:17 as well, had to be “in the heart of the earth” for three full days and three full nights (Mt 12:40); and this counts perfectly well in the Jewish tradition, as shown in the table above.

We see therefore, that a very superficial assumption is made by some by claiming “The third hour” could mean 15:00; for darkness fell at the “sixth hour” and lasted until the “ninth hour” and only makes sense to be during what would certainly be expected to be daylight (i.e. the Jewish system pointing to the crucifixion at 09:00 with the darkness from noon to 15:00.  Claiming darkness at that geographical location and that time of year as unusual from 18:00 to 21:00 is nonsensical, hence Mt 27:45-46 that says Jesus was at least six hours on that cross as reflected in the table above).

Perhaps then, is it worth our while to reconsider other details as well (or correct this author if he is wrong)?
So, here goes…

What if most Christians have a totally wrong concept of the many ceremonies, rituals and traditions that are actually no more than ignorant attempts to help God achieve what He has already done in Jesus Christ (Eph 1:3-12; 2 Pet 1:3-11)?  Religion is not a genuine relationship! What if Jesus Christ never asked us to stick to the Passover feast, let alone the “Easter” feast!  They are not the same and neither is for Christians!  Are we adamant to remain ignorant and to underplay and misrepresent what He asked us to do regularly in communion?  Are “Christians” looking the wrong way in pious ignorance (Lk 9:62)? What if those feasts were given to them as a front window (Gal 3:16; Gen 49:10) but to us is no more than a rear window only of historical value (Rom 10:9-10)?  Note carefully, how we seem to incorrectly understand/use this one Jewish feast.

We will do well to understand the principle as mentioned in Is 1:14-15 (Gal 4:9-12; Mt 15:6-9).  Let’s not rush over this. We must take great care to not worship religion in ignorance of Truth (Jn 8:32,36; 14:6; 2 Tim 2:15).

The significance of our risen Lord

The meditation entitled “Who is Jesus Christ?” expands on Jesus being the Messiah and His miraculous resurrection as well as His ascension (Jn 1:1-4,14; Heb 1:1-5; 10:12-14). The point is that the historical facts about Jesus Christ and two of the biggest wonders on this planet, namely the Spirit [of] God putting on flesh (Jesus’ birth from a virgin), and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus is a cardinal aspect of the Christian faith. If only crucified without the resurrection, Jesus would just have been a martyr like many others; now instead, we read what only God could do in, for example, 1 Cor 15:3-4, 12-22; Col 1:13-22.  Refer to the meditation “Who is Jesus Christ?” for more about the overwhelming evidence that this about Jesus is absolutely true.

The Old vs the New

The meditation by this author entitled “Mixing of Old and New Testaments” expands on this.  Contemplate Heb 8:13 -10:23 (note especially Heb 9:8,11-14; 10:12-14).  For the purpose of this short meditation, consider the following:  The Israelites (“Jews”) had to know that Jesus Christ (Joshua the Messiah) would come and pay for all humankind’s sin with His Blood on His cross as the Lamb of God.  For them it had to still happen, as a matter of fact, they rejected Jesus Christ as God’s salvation plan fulfilled and believe it must today still happen!  We as Christians [followers of Jesus Christ, 1 Jn 2:4; Gal 1:6-9] believe this has happened.  You cannot mix the two beliefs, they oppose each other.  This many professing “Christians” claim to know and fully understand and then say they still want to commemorate – with those Jews – the Passover feast but differently as “Christians”.  Well, let’s think about what Jesus Christ taught and how He is on record in our Bibles concerning this issue.  We might also consider what He repeatedly said/says on double-mindedness and ignorance (Js 1:6-8).

Jesus introduced a new way [system, dispensation] that is no longer based on certain [specific days], feasts, rituals, tasks, etc.  It is based on the proposition that we can enjoy a permanent and LASTING Glory – in Christ – every moment of every day throughout every year.  The apostle Paul as an ex-Pharisee, now re-born, understood this (why Gal 4:9-12?!).  Jesus Christ gave His followers (us) only two ceremonies to adhere to:  Baptism and Communion.  If we were to still keep that Passover feast, we should perhaps also stick with the other Jewish feasts that are intricately linked to the same prophetic purpose for the Jews [actually all humans] then [until Jesus would come – Gal 3:19; Gen 49:10; Mt 17:3,5]. These feasts were linked and were The feast of Passover,  the feast of unleavened bread, the feast of Pentecost (feast of weeks, feast of harvest, feast of first fruits), the feast of trumpets, the feast [day] of atonement and the feast of tabernacles.

If you follow the teaching [idea] that you want to merely commemorate this Passover because of its enormous meaning, why not remember it in June, August or September as well??  Why only on this day [holiday weekend]?  Can you see how “Christians” are still in bondage of a religious Old way of thinking that should have been renewed over 2 000 years ago, hence other holidays like “Christmas” are also celebrated in frivolous manner not even making any effort to diligently study the Scriptures properly (Heb 11:6)?  And yes, this author has a short meditation on “Christmas” on this same website as well)!  No, Jesus Christ gave us a [only this] ceremony to do regularly [repeatedly, often], together – Communion! (1 Cor 11:3-30, note v. 26).  God wants us to be [stay] together (Jn 13:34,35; 15:4-12; 17:15-26; Mt 23:37-39…)!

In communion [commemorating the Lord’s Supper], we at the very least, are to commemorate the following:

  • The Body of Jesus Christ broken for us. Refer to Jn 1:1-4,14; 6:31-51,63; Eph 2:6; Rev 19:13. “Bethlehem” means “Place of bread”. We should consume that Bread so that He is inside of us permanently (Jn 17:15-24; even 1 Jn 2:5,14-15).
  • The Blood of Jesus Christ as the sacrificial Lamb of God, once for all, consumed by us so that we can be transformed [born again from above, God] with His DNA ( Jn 6:53-63;1 Pet 1:18; 2 Cor 5:7). Don’t freak out like the hearers of Jesus did (Jn 6:60,66) – we are talking of a Spirit (Jn 4:23-24)!
  • Jesus Christ is our only Savior and Sustenance (Col 1:17; Phil 3:9) and overcame death for us at His resurrection. Your death does not bring you eternal life, your faith in His sacrificial death and resurrection plus your following His precepts does.  Jesus Christ is the Word, Life, Truth of God.
  • He will return in bodily form again (1 Thess 4:13-18; 5:5-11,23,28).

Note that The Bible has:

  • No age restriction on partaking in the Lord’s Supper
  • No time restriction on partaking in the Lord’s Supper
  • No hint or instruction for Christians to observe feasts and festivals, not even the Jewish

Please remain calm reading this, and remember Is 1:18; 5:18-21; and Hos 4:6…  but also Phil 4:6-7!  And God’s peace shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Jesus Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content in peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”.  Also ponder v. 8.  Consider Eph 4:12-25, but also 1 Cor 11:29,30. Take special note of Eph 5:1-7 and 1 Jn 3:1-10 (1 Cor 6:12-20)…

God never wanted religion [rituals, ceremony, tradition, self-righteousness, law], but an everlasting personal relationship in Truth.  Not emotional, time-bound, fashionable hypes, nor “visits” only in buildings of man, but a genuine living commitment.  The Bible nowhere recommends hints or instructs [NT] Christians to uphold fulfilled Jewish feasts.  Our Triune heavenly Father has a living organism [people, “stars”, City who shine His Light to the world], not religious organizations, as His Church.  Consider 1 Cor 4:20; 2 Tim 3:5.

The NT Christian’s body is supposed to be the temple of God continuously (Jn 4:24; Rom 8:14; 1 Cor 6:12-20; even Mt 5:27,28 – it’s about your thought-life, as we’ve seen in Is 1:18; 5:18-21; 54:13-17; and so on…)

Observe how one system keeps you in bondage of an Old, while the other frees you into a lasting new glory – but only in Christ!  This raises the valid question:  why do most “Christians” not see different results?  Why do people grope at cover-up answers by preachers and neglect the answer Jesus gave in Mk 7:13; 12:24?

A quick look at “Easter”

 

Too many “Christians” mix two feasts in ignorance in their celebration of “Easter”.   Was it “Passover” or “Easter” in Acts 12:4?  Does it make a difference?  There is a drastic difference.  The sequence was:

  1. Passover on the eve of April (Nisan)14 – given to the Jews so they could recognize the Lamb of God
  2. Followed by seven days of unleavened bread (no sin).
  3. Then the pagan festival of Astarte (Ishtar or “Easter”) followed. This is what Herod (Esau’s descendant) was celebrating – the fertility idea of earth “regenerating itself”, using symbols such as rabbits and eggs that you seek out and consume. But God wants us to consume His body and His blood (Jn 6:56-58; Ex 12; Gen 3:22; with Rev 2:7; 3:21-22; 1 Cor 11:29,30). William Tyndale translated “pascha” to “passover” for the KJV; yet used the word “Easter” in Acts 12:4.  This was done correctly!

A quick look at the Jewish Feasts

There was no 110/220 V or dvd’s available in the desert; so just like a trailer before the film, did they get the feasts so that they could recognize Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God (Rom 9:4, by the ex-Pharisee/Jew Saul – later Paul the apostle!).  We have Christ inside of us – if reborn – permanently – Jn 3:3; 14:6,23-26 (Eph 2:18-22), so why “Christians” insist on “watching” the trailer as if they too [like Jews] are in anticipation of the first arrival of Jesus Christ, is beyond me.  Also see the meditation “Mixing Old and New” by this author.

Note, in the following quick look at some of the feasts, that for Christians, it is finished (Rev 16:7 was later penned by the same apostle John in Jn 19:30 – i.e. the one and same that was the only disciple at the cross and also the one and same who received the revelation from Jesus Christ [ascended] on Patmos!).  Selah.

There were Jewish farming seasons, corresponding to Jewish months.  The seven Jewish feasts then, all had a prophetic meaning that the Israelites/Jews tragically missed (Is 1:3-4; Acts 7), even most “Christians” today.

During the Grain Harvest, Nisan 14 (Lev 23:5; Num 28:16) saw the Passover that reminded them of Ex 12. This obviously pointed them to Jn 1:36 (14:6; 19:13-21; Heb 8:13; 9:8-10:23)!  Follow the line of the lamb that had to be offered, right from the beginning (1 Cor 1:22-2:2; Col 2:8-3:4; Eph 1:4; 2:10; Tit 1:2; Rev 1:8;3:14; 5:12; 7:14,17; 12:11; 13:8; 21:3,6,23).  Cain missed it, and so do many still today (2 Cor 3:13-18).

Even Balaam saw Jesus coming (Num 24:14-17), yet the self-righteous shouts “crucify Him!”- Jn 19:7,14-18.  So it is, in effect, for those who still act and talk after other misguided men as if the Lamb of God must still be slain.  These feasts were intended to point forward to Christ Jesus, not back as a “stuck record”!

Read this with “The Testimony” by this author.  The matter of authority on earth is grossly misunderstood.  God gave us authority on this speck in His universe and we gave it away to a creature foolishly and totally unnecessary (Js 4:7).  The only legal way for God to act [save] in righteousness, was to win it back as a Man on behalf of man[kind] with His Blood as the One and only sacrificial Lamb of God (Ps 115:16 and then Mt 28:18).  And here we are, still arguing about our little ideas on His plan… even as unaccomplished yet…

Only the Blood of the Lamb of God can save man and God has done it once for all, never again will [can] it be instated.  Those who believe + claim this, is saved – from themselves.  There was one plan from the beginning [because God sees ahead, is omniscient] – one lamb for one man, then one lamb for one family, then one lamb for one people, then one Lamb for all who accept His sacrifice with His Blood once for all!

If you think you must get a temple re-built and lambs will be offered again, you’re trying to re-institute what Jesus instructed to be broken down and HE made an end to [as a means to try and obtain blessings, even grace and mercy from Him] – Heb 9:11-28 (note v. 26); Rom 10:4; Jer 31:31-34; 3:14-17; Jn 16:9…  Note the “place” God [Jesus] prepared for us in Jn 14:3 is mentioned in Jer 7:4; Mal 3:1; Mt 12:6; Jn 2:19-23; 14:23-26; Acts 7:48; 1 Cor 3:16-20; 2 Cor 6:16; Rev 7:15; 21:3,22…  Yes, NT Christian, we are the temples individually and collectively we are the city (Is 60:14; Mt 5:14) as living stones in the same building where Jesus Christ is the most important Stone (1 Pet 2:4-10; Eph 2:19-22).

The Unleavened Bread (Gen 19:3; Ex 12:8,15-20; 13:6-7) was pointing to the justification only in Jesus Christ (Phil 3:9).  What the Jews missed – as do many “Christians” today – was to what extend Ex 16:4 was pointing to Jn 6:32-36,49-51,63 (Mk 14:12,22-25)… The war is in our heads, what to do with our thoughts (consider Is 5:18-2-; 54:13-17; 2 Cor 10:5; Eph 6:12…), just like a tiny yeast will affect the whole bread…

The detail and history with its prophetic fulfillment in Jesus Christ in the rest of these particular feasts, such as First Fruits, Trumpets, Day of Atonement (Heb 4:12-16; 8:13; 9:10-18,28; 10:12-14), Tabernacles (1 Cor 6:19-20) are perhaps outside the scope of this short meditation on the Passover.  If you want to be enticed into further self-study and investigation regarding these feasts (that are fulfilled!), an example would be the First Fruits that  can be better understood by contemplating 1 Cor 15:45; Rom 5:12; 8:2; Heb 2:8-18.  Another might be the two trumpets that were made from one piece of silver.  Silver was used for redemption, also buying a male slave for 20 pieces and a female for 30 pieces.  Now observe the following: (a) Could Jesus have been betrayed for a female slave’s cost because He paid for us as His Bride? (b) These trumpets were then used to announce victory (Col 1:11-20; 2:15-20), or signal for gathering [unity] – see the one big (final) announcement of God in Jn 1:14; 14:6 and not Moses or any other men (Jn 1:17; 9:28; 10:10) – this is why God announced/declared that again not to Elijah [the prophets] or Moses [the Law] but to Jesus Christ (Mt 17:3-5).  Trumpets were later replaced by a ram’s horn (shofar) in commemoration of the ram (male Lamb) that was sacrificed in place of Isaac.  There is so much more in the Word of God than we might think when we are not blinded by the god of this world – the “self”, the self-righteousness in trying to justify ourselves by following the law given to them or formulating our own dogma and systems by which to “go to heaven” (Rom 3:20-28; Gal 3:19; 5:4,18).  Consider also the meditation by this author entitled “The Covenant and the Law”.

The tabernacles can either be seen as something still in the distant future, making you powerless on earth [now, in the meanwhile, until “then”], or you can see a fulfillment (after the Pentecost, fulfilled 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection in Acts 2:1-24) of the [feast of] tabernacles in 1 Cor 6:12-20; Jn 14:23-27; 1 Pet 2:4-10; Rev 21:3… More about this in the meditations “Church” and “Rapture raptured”. It is done (Rev 16:17; Jn 19:30).

Observe how most “Christians” are obsessed [only] by whether they will go to heaven or to hell while it is, for them, not about the Person Jesus Christ at all but only about themselves [their own “destiny”]!  And so it is obvious to outsiders that for them it is not about God as a Spirit [anointing, authority, Christ] inside of them, but the self. This manifests in the many “denominations” and groups all intolerant of each other’s own ideas… and fail to see how this is in direct violation to what Jesus Christ commanded us to do and abundantly clear Scriptures such as Jn 13:34,35; 15:12,17; Rom 12:10; 13:8; Gal 5:13 (note Gal 5:18-20 says factions are not of God!);  Eph 4:2 (again Eph 4:4-6 says factions are not of God!); 1 Thess 3:12; 4:9; 2 Thess 1:3; Heb 10:24; 1 Pet 1:22; 5:14; 1 Jn 3:11,23; 4:7,11,12; 2 Jn 1:5…  perhaps consider 1 Jn 3:13-24 as well?

So, if you wonder whether participation in “feasts” such as Christmas or Easter [even the Jewish Passover] commemoration frenzy is wrong or correct, rather consider the fact.  The fact is that Jesus Christ only commanded two ceremonies: (1) Communion, or commemoration of the Lord’s Supper and (2) Baptism. The author has written short notes on each entitled “The Lord’s Supper”, “Unclean Food”, and “Baptism”, should you be interested to read them (and correct him where he is wrong) in www.gospel-truth.co.za.

Do you see results such as Acts 5:15-16 (Mt 10:8; Jn 17:15-20)? And we are more than 2 000 AD??? Have this “church” – you are in – grown closer or further from the teachings of Jesus Christ?  Can you reiterate what Paul said in 1 Cor 4:20? Or Jesus in Mk 16:16-18, 20 – let alone Jn 11:26?  (Again, Jn 17:15-26!)?  May you hear Jesus Christ (Jn 10:10, 27-28)!!!  For more reading on this matter, open your Bible and your heart and talk to Jesus Himself about it.  If this author could [can] do it, you can as well.

Consider also the meditations by this author such as “The last Supper” and “The Testimony”, if you will…  This will convincingly reveal how we have even the basics wrong and is the only logical explanation why we are so splintered (Gal 5:4,18-20; Eph 4:5) and without spiritual authority as “Christians” on this earth – yes, because of what was [also] mentioned in Hos 4:4-10! Because the “church leaderships” are guilty of Rom 10:2-3; Mk 7:13; 12:24; is Eph 4:11 attempted without achieving God’s goal with it (Eph 4:12-22)!!! We have the wrong idea about even God and the devil (Mt 7:21-23): the devil wants us dead (Jn 10:10; Mk 3:4; 1 Cor 5:5 is explained in the meditation “The Testimony”)! God Triune wants us alive and well on earth (Gen 1:28; Dt 30:11-19; Jn 1:1-4; 3:16; 5:24,37-47; 6:32,48-51,57; 8:51; 11:26; 12:48-50; Rom 8:2,11,14)!!!

Contemplate 1 Cor 11:23, 30 with 1 Jn 2:4; Jn 14:6,9-12! (What “greater things” can you do today than Jesus did then, except not have to lose your body??! Is this why we have Heb 9:27 that clearly means that Jesus had to die so that we can/may live (the word men there, is anthrōpǒs [444] and is from anēr [435], a primary word actually indicating an individual man, a husband!  Look it up in a Greek concordance).  Is this why we were given Jesus Christ’s instruction in Mt 10:8 (Jn 17:15-20; 1 Pet 2:24!)?  Hence 1 Cor 11:30 and Jn 3:16?!…  What a fantastic blunder if “The Church” have had it wrong since the very first “division” (Rev 2:4; 22:18-21?) because we have even our definition of faith wrong by our own admission (claiming to not “see” people remaining until Jesus’ return/second coming – 2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38; 11:1; Indeed, Paul [actually, 2 Tim 3:16-17], this author agrees… 1 Cor 15:26 (Heb 10:13) and 1 Thess 5:23 to us all!!!…

Epilogue

This author therefore believes (hears) that God has given us two sacraments [only] so that we should grasp and remember to (a) Follow Him and His teaching/precepts/Word only [have ourselves be baptized], hence Mk 16:16-20; and (b) communion, hence 1 Cor 11:23-31. The feasts were for a different reason for a different people in a different dispensation [time] – Rom 9:4-8,25-27 (see the meditations by this author about Israel and mixing the old and new – Mt 9:16-17; Heb 8:13; 9:8,14).

God help us! (But God did offer His Help – Jn 3:15-21; 11:26; 14:26; Rom 8:11,14… it is us who stubbornly choose to ignore Scriptures such as Ps 118:8 and Hos 4:4-10; Mt 15:6-9; Mk 7:13; 12:24; even Heb 4:2)!

Incidentally, is it not ironic how blatant greed and exploitation abound from even “Christians” during this very pious long weekend? (Worldly-minded falsely call it by a euphemism, “supply and demand”).

Perhaps we have some serious re-consideration to do…

Love, peace and JOY to you in Jesus Christ – continually.  And yes, these are only thoughts (2 Cor 10:5)!

Have fun and enjoy [celebrate] LIFE EVERLASTING all year round, everywhere, continuously!

Amen!