The Greater Exodus – Our Future Deliverance – Part 2

The Greater Exodus – Our Future Deliverance – Part 2

by | Apr 12, 2014 | #passover, Uncategorized

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The exodus from Egypt is a prophecy for Believers today. During the last days, before Messiah returns, deception will be on the rise. We need to be aware of the Enemy’s ability to manipulate through his counterfeit movements. To see this deception in action, and to see the awesome power of our God, let us recall the miraculous events in each of the plagues against Egypt.

The First Plague – Blood

“And the LORD spoke unto Moses, ‘Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.’ And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded…” (Exo. 7:19-20)

This first plague went throughout all of Egypt; even the Hebrew slaves suffered this hardship. In response, the magicians in Pharaoh’s court attempted to duplicate Yahweh’s power, and because they brought forth the same miracle, Pharaoh’s heart grew hard. He would not heed the authority of Moses and Aaron.

We find parallels of such hard-heartedness in our world today. Messiah told us that in the last days, people will, “…be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” (Matt. 24:10-12) Those who do not soften at the Word will find themselves hardened by it. If we do not keep God’s commandments, and love one another, our hearts will harden. The same Word of God will produce different results, in different kinds of people. A soft heart will melt like wax when exposed to the heat of the Word.  A hard heart will dry out like clay, when exposed to the same heat. The Word of God is a discerner of our thoughts and the purposes of our hearts. When things heat up, and the pressure is on, the truth comes forth.

The Second Plague – Frogs

“And the LORD spoke unto Moses, ‘Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.’ And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.” (Exo. 8:5-7).

Once again the Egyptian magicians were able to produce a similar wonder. Because of the blindness of our humanity, darkness and light can sometimes seem indistinguishable to our natural minds. Therefore, we must have the discernment from Yahweh. If it may be possible for the very elect to be deceived, then the deceit must be shrouded to appear as truth. The Apostle Paul warned of this counterfeit in his writings to the Corinthians. “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Cor. 11:14-15)

Paul also warned of this end times deception in Second Thessalonians, “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders…” These powerful signs and lying wonders are real, but the source of the power is from Satan with the expressed purpose of deceiving. Why is the human lust for power so strong that some will open themselves up to deception? Why are people seduced into following false prophets? Second Thessalonians continues with the answer, “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”(2 Thes. 2:8-12)

We need to meditate on the eternal consequences of these verses. Love is the answer. The love of the truth is our only defense against both the delusion and the deception of the last days. Do not let your love grow cold. If we do things contrary to the Word, or if we do not love the truth above all else, we will find ourselves open to lying and deluding spirits (see 1 Kings 22:22-23).

What is truth?

When Messiah Yeshua was brought before the authority of Rome, Pilate asked Him, “’Art  thou a king then?’ Jesus answered, ‘Thou say that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause  I came into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice.’ Pilate said unto Him, ‘What is truth?’” (John 18:37-38) The very Word of God, manifested in the flesh, stood before Pilate, and he was so blind, that he could not see. Yeshua came to bear witness to the truth. According to Scripture, “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law [Torah] is the truth.” (Psalm 119:142) The widow of Zarephath, also testified about the truth. After the resurrection of her son, she knew that the word in the Prophet Elijah’s mouth was truth. “And the woman said to Elijah, ‘Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.’” (1 Kings 17:24)

When Yeshua came to bear witness to the truth, He came to uphold the Torah and the Prophets. In His transfiguration on the mountain, Moses and Elijah, representing Torah and the Prophets, stood with Messiah. Everyone who hears Yeshua’s voice should be in agreement with the truth of Torah and the Prophets. If anyone speaks against the eternal truths of Torah and the Biblical Prophets, we are not to listen to them. Even if the seemingly “anointed” teacher manifests both signs and wonders, we must be wary of the intent of his words. “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples….To the law and the testimony: if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isa. 8:16-20)

Deluded teachers say and do things that oppose the Word; they speak against the Torah and the Prophets. They claim that:  “the Law is done away with” or “the Torah is only for the Jews”. False leaders and teachers prophesy things that are contrary to what is written in Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, etc. Yet the New Covenant Scriptures state,“…the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” (1 Cor. 14:3) To be subject to the Biblical prophets is not something taught in most seminaries today. The prophets we embrace should be in agreement with the Prophets of Ancient Israel. We need to be a people who are working toward “…the restoration of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of His holy prophets since the world began.” We are told in Acts 3:21, that Yeshua will not return until the words of the Prophets are fulfilled. If you desire His Kingdom to come and His will to be done, then seek out what Moses (Torah) and Elijah (The Prophets) have to say to our generation.

What is the purpose of the Prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures? They are crying out for Israel and Judah to repent and return to the Holy One of Israel, to remember His Covenant, based in Torah. They also foretold of the reason why God would need to initiate the New Covenant and how Messiah Yeshua will restore the Kingdom to Israel. If you hear a prophet who utters something that is incongruent with prophets of Scripture, it is because that prophet is not subject to the Biblical Prophets and is, consequently, missing the aim of Torah.

The Third Plague – Lice

The LORD said, “’Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all of the land of Egypt.’ And they did so…And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not…Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, ‘This is the finger of God’: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened…” (Exo. 8:16-19) After this third plague, Yahweh makes a distinction between His power and the power of the Satan. The magicians can no longer compete. Even still, Pharaoh refused to listen because he was deluded into thinking that he was a god. Pharaoh’s pride was preceding his fall. To avoid this same calamity we are instructed in Scripture to do what the LORD requires of us, “to do justly… love mercy, and to walk humbly” with our God (Micah 6:8). Walking humbly, in the fear of the LORD, will convert our souls and save us from the wrath that is to come. Because we serve a just God, justice will come forth through His judgments upon the earth. For those who have His Torah written on their heart, there is nothing of this world to fear. The only positive fear is the fear of the LORD. “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” (Psa. 19:7-9)

The Fourth Plague – Flies

This plague was against Egypt and Egypt alone. Prior to this plague, no distinction was made between the Hebrews and the Egyptians. The first three plagues were as difficult for the Hebrew slaves as for their Egyptian masters. However, with the announcement of the fourth plague, the LORD said, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. Else, if thou wilt no let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee…And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there…And I will put a division between my people and thy people: tomorrow shall this sign be.” (Exo. 8:20-23)

As the plagues became more sever, a distinction began to show between who followed the God of Israel and who did not. This demonstrates that Believers can have, and will suffer trials and tribulations. They can suffer the same as those of the world, as the LORD brings forth His judgments on the earth, but it only lasts for a season. Ultimately, Yahweh makes a distinction between those who do, and those who do not, belong to Him. Messiah Yeshua also referred to this distinction. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:20-23)

As we celebrate Passover each year, we remember the wonderful truth that our God is going to deliver us.  In the Lord’s Prayer, the Greek word translated “deliver” means to draw to one’s self, to rescue. So when we pray, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil”, we are asking the Lord to rescue us by drawing us to Himself so that evil is not allowed to come near where we dwell. When we do suffer trials in this life, we can draw near to Him and let Him keep us in the shadow of His wings. We hide and abide in His tallit (prayer shawl) of love. “Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.” (Ps. 119:114)

The fourth plague upon Egypt begins the last seven plagues. In the book of Revelation, the last seven plagues are where the wrath of God is poured out. “I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them is filled up the wrath of God.” (Rev. 15:1) The Elect may go through a season of judgment and tribulation, but they are not appointed to suffer God’s wrath. In the end times, there will be a distinction between Believers in Messiah and those of the world. This distinction is foreshadowed in the Torah by what happened to Israel when they came out of bondage in Egypt.

This Passover season, remember that our deliverance is complete in Messiah Yeshua. No matter what we have to endure, it is only for a season. Yeshua is the reason for our Passover Deliverance and He will lead us into the Greater Exodus to come that will overshadow the days of Moses.

Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land. (Jer. 23:7)

Firstfruits and the Women Who First Preached the Good News

Firstfruits and the Women Who First Preached the Good News

by | Mar 28, 2014 | #Firstfruits, #passover, Sabbath, Uncategorized

The Women that Followed Messiah from Galilee

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In the beginning of Messiah Yeshua’s ministry, along with the Twelve Apostles, there was a group of women that followed Him from Galilee. We read about them in the gospels, but perhaps we have not paid attention to them before.

And it came about soon afterwards, that He [Yeshua/Jesus] began going about…proclaiming and preaching the Kingdom of God; and the twelve were with Him, and also some women…Mary who was called Magdalene…Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means. (Luke 8:1-3)

These women were the first-hand witnesses of the Gospel of Messiah. They saw His crucifixion on the Day of Passover, they observed where He was buried for three days and nights during  Unleavened Bread, and they confirmed His resurrection on the day after the weekly Sabbath on the Biblical holiday of Firstfruits.  The Scriptures confirm this beginning with Matt. 27.

Now the centurion…saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened, and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’  And many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Yeshua [Jesus] from Galilee…among whom was Mary Magdalene, along with Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. (Matt. 27:54-56)

After Yeshua’s death, these female disciples watched and remained with the body of Messiah, as they waited for His burial. They were attentive to ministering to the needs of Yeshua’s body.

And when it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Yeshua. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body…And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb…and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave. (Matt. 27:57-61)

…the day was the preparation, and the Sabbath [annual Sabbath of Unleavened Bread] drew on. And the women also, which came with Him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulcher, and how His body was laid. They returned, prepared spices and ointments, and rested the Sabbath day [the first day of Unleavened Bread] according to the commandment. (Luke 23:54-56)

And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. (Mark 16:1)

The book of John (20:1) states that, “it was yet dark” when Mary Magdalene came to the tomb . The Greek text indicates the hour was between 3:00-6:00 am. The book of Matthew states, “In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher.” (Matt. 28:1)  In Hebraic reckoning the new day begins, just as the sun sets on the previous day. Therefore, during the dark hours, of the first day of the week, on the Biblical holiday of Firstfruits, Messiah was raised from the dead.

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, “Fear not: for I know that you seek Yeshua, which was crucified.  He is not here: for He is risen, as He said…And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead”…And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word. (Matt. 28:2-8)

When the women arrived at the tomb, they discovered that the stone had been rolled away. The resurrection of Messiah had already occurred before the first light of day. The only people present at the time were the soldiers keeping watch, and they did not witness the resurrection, because they had passed out in fear at the sight of the angelic visitation. When they recovered from their dread, they must have run from the scene in stark terror.

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This is a good time to interject something. Today, some skeptics state that Christianity is ancient Mithraism revisited. To some degree they have a point, because modern Christianity has strayed away from the Biblical Jewish or Hebraic roots of the faith. There are traditions and customs, adopted in the fourth century, that many unknowing Christians still keep, that have their origins in Mithraism. The worship of Mithra was a mystery religion of Roman soldiers, sailors, and merchants; one that only men participated in. If one wanted to create evidence for the cult of Mithra in the resurrection story, men should have arrived at the tomb first. The detailed Biblical information of women being present to witnesses of the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Messiah, throws out the Mithraism speculation all together. As Christians and Jews are replacing the traditions of man in their lives, with the instructions of Scripture, we should also take another look at the believing women in the first century. What role should women play, as commanded by the angels and Yeshua, in the preaching of the Good News?

The word angel, in both Hebrew and Greek, means a messenger. The message given by the angels to the women was:

Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spoke unto you when He was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered His words, and returned from the sepulcher, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene,and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulcher; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. (Luke 24:5-12)

While Peter and John ran to the tomb, seeking evidence of the women’s words, they did not believe. They left the scene, and only one woman remained to try to understand what was happening.

For as yet they knew not the scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. (John 20:9-10)

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But Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping…and looked into the sepulcher, and seeing two angels…And they said unto her, “Woman, why do you weep?” She said unto them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.” And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Yeshua  standing…(John 20:13)

Mary thought He was a gardener and it wasn’t until Yeshua called her by name, that she recognized Him and called Him Master.

 Yeshua said unto her, “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her. (John 20:11-18)

Important to note here is something new is being revealed about the New Covenant in Messiah. Yeshua could have chosen to first reveal Himself after His resurrection to Peter and John.  After the group of women revealed the good news of the empty tomb to the Apostles, both men ran to the tomb. The reason Yeshua did not first reveal Himself to the males is part of the restoration of all things. Yeshua deliberately waited until Mary Magdalene was alone to reveal the new order of life in the Kingdom. Messiah’s first word spoken after His resurrection was, “Woman”, to enlighten us all that the curses and its associated punishments of the first Adam was over. The Seed of the Woman has overcome through the blood of Messiah Yeshua!  “Woman” it is now time for you to become a preacher of the Good News! The shocking revelation that a woman was the first to experience  the New Covenant shocked the Apostles so much that they could not fathom it.

And they, when they had heard that He was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that He appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.  Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them, which had seen Him, after He was risen. And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:10-15)

Messiah rebuked the Eleven Apostles for unbelief and a hard heart because they would not receive the Good News delivered to them, by the female image bearers. They first thought the women were speaking nonsense, and did not believe in the revelation of the Word they shared. The angels gave the women a message to preach, a message to share with the Apostles, but they did not receive it.  Messiah Yeshua, Himself, gave Mary Magdalene the additional instruction to enlighten the brethren with the glorious hope, that He ascended. She had witnessed the resurrected Messiah, still they did not believe. Then two men shared the Good News of their road to Emmaus experience. Still, they did not believe until they saw Yeshua with their own eyes.

At the end of the day of Firstfruits, Yeshua entered into the disciples’ presence with a rebuke, but also offered  a word of encouragement.

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Yeshua and stood in the midst, and said unto them, Peace be unto you. And when He had so said, He showed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Yeshua to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent Me, even so send I you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost. (John 20:19-22)

The women, who traveled with Messiah from the beginning of His ministry in Galilee, were included in these disciples of Yeshua. One reason we can deduce this, is they knew where the hiding place was. Mary Magdalene traveled there at least two different times on the day of Firstfruits; first with a message from the angels and then again later following  Yeshua’s instructions. Interesting to note, the women were not hiding in fear, like their male counterparts. Instead, they were seeking the LORD, by drawing near to the body of Messiah. Their seeking lead to them being used as apostles to the Apostles.

The book of Acts gives us more details, about the women, who followed Yeshua from Galilee.

Until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen: To whom also He showed himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them [men and women] forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of me.  (Acts 1:2-4)

And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them, in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men [people] of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Yeshua, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, in like manner, as ye have seen Him go into heaven. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women… ( Acts 1:9-14)

The women, who followed Messiah from Galilee, were given the authority to preach, inform, and share the revelation of the Gospel, even to the male Apostles, by both angels and Messiah Himself. Perhaps we should reconsider the verse, “For this cause ought the woman to have power [authority] on her head because of the angels” (1 Cor. 11;10). Since Messiah Yeshua, along with the angels, confirmed the intent of the prophet Joel (vs. 2:28 and Acts 2:17-21) at His Firstfruits resurrection, we should also give  the liberty and authority to His Spirit-led women to preach and teach, in both our congregations and our communities of faith.

May we all soften our hearts to the kindness of our Savior toward His women, and be of one accord, until He returns.

Purim and the Passover Deliverance Calendar

Purim and the Passover Deliverance Calendar

by | Mar 12, 2014 | #passover, Uncategorized

The miraculous Passover deliverance from Egypt was accomplished within the same three days and three nights on the Jewish calendar as the passion of Messiah Yeshua was in Ancient Israel. There are amazing parallels, found in the first exodus, that are also displayed in the sign of Jonah during the death, burial, and resurrection of Messiah. Delving into these connections relates how Messiah fulfilled the season of Passover.

It was with great with great signs and wonders, that Avinu Malkeinu (our Father our King) delivered the Hebrews, from slavery, in the land of Egypt. The awesome wonder of that ancient event is still remembered each spring as the faithful sit together to celebrate the Passover Seder meal. Interestingly, according to Scripture, there will soon be a greater exodus, with such a vast deliverance for the Chosen of the LORD, that it will overshadow the Egyptian exodus. This future event will be so momentous, that the former, will not be mentioned anymore. The prophet Jeremiah foretells of this day.

Therefore, behold, the days come, says the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD lives which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but, The LORD lives, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them, and they shall dwell in their own land. (Jer. 23:7-8 KJV)

When we look to the Torah concerning these things, much is revealed about the prophetic events that are soon to unfold. In the spring, as we observe Passover, we look back into history at the faithfulness of Yahweh Almighty to deliver His people from bondage. We also will celebrate as a rehearsal for the prophetic Kingdom when the righteous Branch of David, Messiah Yeshua, will gather us back to the Promised Land where He will reign upon the earth as our King.

In the exodus from Egypt, we find, “…the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders.” (Deut. 26:8) In this passage, the Hebrew word for “signs” stands for signals, or distinguishing marks. In recent years, because of the attention on the four blood moons, believers in Messiah are noticing the signs in the heavens. God is revealing these signals for the purpose of drawing attention back to His calendar, His timing, and His feasts. The Hebrew word for “wonders” means a miraculous display of God’s power or tokens of a future event. Therefore, based on this understanding, of the first exodus, we should expect signs and wonders to happen among us in the greater exodus to come.

The purpose of the LORD’s signs and wonders are to establish His Word and authority, to His chosen people and to the nations. The signs were given to generate belief and trust in Adonai and for the faithful to know that He is present in the midst of crisis.

And Aaron spoke all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people. And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped. (Exo. 4:30-31 NAS)

True signs and wonders of the Almighty cause people to bow down in reverence, not fall back in disbelief. To kneel and bow down is an act of voluntary submission to Him. The LORD used signs and wonders to display His power before Pharaoh, but Pharaoh refused to believe in God’s Word.

And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. Thou shall speak all that I command thee…And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt…Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. (Exo. 7:1-4 KJV)

The Holy One’s purpose in displaying His power was for the Egyptians to have the opportunity to “…know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.” (Exo. 7:5) Signs and wonders, even when they are used as judgments upon people, can be part of the Father’s mercy toward unbelievers. It was through His signs and wonders that many Egyptians came to believe in His Word.  (See more about the plagues of Egypt in the Appendix.)

At the time of the Exodus from Egypt, after the death of the firstborn, the Hebrews set out on the 15th day of Nissan/Aviv. They traveled by the light of an illuminated full moon to camp at Sukkot, which was the first stop on their freedom journey.

Now the sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, aside from children. A mixed multitude [“an ethnically diverse crowd” – according to the HCB translation] also went up with them, along with flocks and herds, a very large number of livestock. (Exo. 12:37,38 NAS)

Many Egyptians also left Egypt along with the children of Israel. The fearful signs and wonders caused them to join the Hebrew slaves as they learned that the gods of Egypt were false. Forsaking all the world they had known, they clung to the truth of the Holy One of Israel. This mixed multitude of people represented the first converts to the monotheistic faith of the Israelites. Adonai is a God of inclusion. He desires as many people, those “whosoever wills”, to come into His Kingdom. Salvation is the process of being redeemed from darkness and being brought into the marvelous Light of the Word of God. When the plagues hit Egypt, the Egyptians were also given a choice of who to serve. Many chose to abandon Egypt and flee along with the children of Israel. Not only were the slaves of the children of Israel being set free, so also were the God-fearers of Egyptian heritage. The deliverance of Exodus was to the Jew first, then to the non-Jew. Both exited Egypt in one accord in reverence to Adonai.

An important note is that during the confrontations between Pharaoh and Moses, the request for the children of Israel. They were to be given a three-day reprieve from slavery to go into the wilderness to celebrate a feast unto Adonai. The original request by Moses to Pharaoh was not for the release from captivity but for the freedom to worship, the freedom to celebrate a feast, one that would take a three day’s journey to accomplish.

And afterward, Moses and Aaron came and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Let My people go that they may celebrate a feast to Me in the wilderness.’” But Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and besides, I will not let Israel go.” Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God, otherwise He will fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.”  But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you draw the people away from their work? Get back to your labors!” (Exo. 5:1-4 NAS – see also Exo. 7:16, Exo. 8:1, Exo. 9:1, and Exo. 10:3)

You shall say to him, The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness.” But behold, you have not listened until now. (Exo. 7:16) – Plague of Blood

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, Thus says the LORD, Let My people go, that they may serve Me.” (Exo 8:1 NAS) – Plague of Frogs

Now the LORD said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh, as he comes out to the water, and say to him, Thus says the LORD, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.” For if you will not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of insects on you and on your servants and on your people and into your houses; and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of insects, and also the ground on which they dwell. “But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where My people are living, so that no swarms of insects will be there, in order that you may know that I, the LORD, am in the midst of the land. And I will put a division between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall occur.” (Exo. 8:20-23) – Plague of Lice

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and speak to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.” (Exo. 9:1 NAS)

Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me.” (Exo. 10:3 NAS)

Remember the original request was for a three-day journey into the wilderness to celebrate a feast unto Adonai. The Pharaohs of this world and their religious leaders that follow them do not want the people of Adonai to serve Him by celebrating His feast days. Liberty opens the door for the captives to be freed to worship the Holy One in Spirit and truth. Passover is the season that celebrates this freedom.

On the following day, the 16th of Nisan/Abib, the children of Israel and the diverse crowd of Egyptians set out and traveled to the next encampment at Ethan, on the edge of the wilderness.

Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness. And the LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. (Exo. 13:20-22 NAS)

The third day out of Egypt, on the 17th day of the month, the escaping slaves and run away Egyptians traveled to Pi-harioroth. There they camped in a vulnerable position by the sea.

Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Tell the sons of Israel to turn back and camp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea. “For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, ‘They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’  “Thus I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” And they did so. (Exo. 14:1-4 NAS)

These three days of journeying in the wilderness were related to the three days and nights of Messiah Yeshua’s burial in the tomb. On the Hebrew calendar, they are the same three days, the 15th, 16th, and 17th of Nisan/Abib. When the three day journey into the wilderness had come to its conclusion, Pharaoh realized that the slaves of Egypt were not coming back to serve him. In anger he set off to force the children of Israel back into submission.

Then the Egyptians chased after them with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them camping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. And as Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD. (Exo. 14:9-10 NAS)

It was at this climatic moment, when the Israelites were trapped at the sea that Yeshua became a present help to them in their time of trouble. In order to witness the defeat of Pharaoh, who is a type of Satan, the fleeing Egyptians and the children of Israel, were ordered to stand still and watch.

But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation [Yeshua] of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. And as for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. And as for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. Then the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots and his horsemen.” And the angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them. So it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud along with the darkness, yet it gave light at night. Thus the one did not come near the other all night. (Exo. 14:13-20 NAS)

During the dark hours of the night, before the break of dawn, the freed populous of Egypt, both native born Israel and those that sojourned with them, was delivered as the pillar of cloud stood between them and the chariots of Pharaoh. This day of Salvation for the deliverance of the faithful of Adonai is the same night that nearly 1500 years later Yeshua defeated death during His resurrection from the tomb. It was in the dark of night that the deliverance was made and in the light of day the defeat of Pharoah, a type of Satan, was revealed. This day in the Bible is a day to be recognized. It is not Easter but the Biblical holiday of Firstfruits, the day that Pharoah was defeated in the sea.

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided. And the sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. Then the Egyptians took up the pursuit, and all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots and his horsemen went in after them into the midst of the sea. And it came about at the morning watch that the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud and brought the army of the Egyptians into confusion. And He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty; so the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from Israel, for the LORD is fighting for them against the Egyptians.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots and their horsemen.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal state at daybreak, while the Egyptians were fleeing right into it; then the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. And the waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even Pharaoh’s entire army that had gone into the sea after them; not even one of them remained. But the sons of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. (Exo. 14:21-29)

The Passover deliverance was three days and three nights after the blood was applied to the lintels and doorposts in Egypt. The same Passover deliverance was accomplished during the same three day and three night time period of Messiah Yeshua. Timing is everything with our God. The death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah of Israel was demonstrated in the days of Moses in Egypt, and a second time in the days of Queen Esther of Persia. (Please refer the diagram below to see the parallels between the Exodus from Egypt, the Trials of Esther, and the Passion of Messiah.)

To learn more about the Parallels between Purim and Passover look for the upcoming BEKY Book by Jane Diffenderfer titled, The Three Days and The Three Nights of Messiah.

Purim and the Passover Deliverance – Part 2

Purim and the Passover Deliverance – Part 2

by | Mar 12, 2014 | #passover, Uncategorized

marc chagall white passover

In the year 30AD, the day of Passover, Nisan 14, was the fourth day of the week, a Wednesday. (4) What is traditionally know as Palm Sunday, was actually Palm Sabbath, that year, and it fell on Nisan 10. Four days after the Lamb was taken and examined in the Temple, He was labeled as the Yahweh’s Lamb, with the title The King of the Jews, and mocked as He hung on the cross. The number four has to do with authority. (5)  Yeshua gave up His authority and died on the fourth day, at the time the Passover lambs were slaughtered in the temple. The background music of the Hallel (Psalm 113-118) was sung by the Levites as Yeshua took His last breath. (6)

He was taken down from the tree and buried in the tomb before the annual Sabbath of Unleavened Bread, Nisan 15, began. In Hebraic reckoning, days begin with nightfall, the evening prior. Which means Yeshua was in the tomb at the end of the 14th of Nisan just as the day of Nisan 15, began. He remained there for three entire nights, and three entire days. At the end of the three nights and days, He came forth from the grave as the eve of the Biblical feast of First Fruits, began.

During this same three days, centuries prior, Queen Esther also had her people, die to themselves in fasting and prayer, for the sake their deliverance, during these same three days. Do you think there is a coincidence in the timing? Not with Yahweh!

At the end of the three day fast, Esther invites King Ahasuerus and Haman to a feast. This first banquet, at the beginning of the Biblical holiday of First Fruits is the initiation of the exposure of the Adversay. The queen is obviously deeply distressed and the king is willing to give her up to half of his kingdom, to give her peace. When asked, Esther declines to tell the king what her source of trouble is and instead, invites Haman and the King to another banquet the following night.

In the night between these feasts or banquets, the King’s sleep is shaken and he is up through the wee hours, reading the chronicles of his life.  Perhaps he is searching for something to give him a clue to what has disturbed his Queen? In reading about a past assassination attempt, the king realizes that he omitted honoring the man who once saved his life, Mordecai, the Jew.

Haman also has a troubled night, because he has no patience to wait eleven months for the death of Mordecai. He has to have it now! How ironic, both the King and Haman can’t sleep and both are focused on Mordecai, the Jew.

Another irony, on the 18th day of Nisan, the King decides to honor the Jew, the one who saved his life. To twist the irony even deeper, the honoring is done at the advice of prideful Haman, who thought more highly of himself then he ought to.  Mordecai the Jew, is  then exalted with royal robes, and paraded on one of the King’s horses, throughout the whole city of Shushan with the words, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor” (Esther 6:9).  This lifting up of Mordecai the Jew, was the exact opposite of the intention of Haman’s vile heart. Haman intended to lift Mordecai up on the gallows of humiliation, and God intended to see him lifted up in kingly honor. The full fury of Haman’s wrath must have reached its peak that First Fruits of Nisan 18, when he was suddenly escorted into the king’s presence for his last supper with Esther. During this feast, the Queen, whose identity and ancestry was hidden until this precise time, exposes the Enemy and delivers his head to the very same gallows, which Haman had erected to kill Mordecai. The weapon he had designed to destroy the Jew, came back upon his own head.

For the saints, the picture is clear. The King will exalt to honor the Jew, who is willing to die (“if I perish, I perish”) for the sake of his (or her) people and will lead them in triumph over every Enemy. Those who plot against the work of Yahweh will be exposed, for who they are, just as Satan was exposed at the resurrection. Yeshua, the Bread of Life, came forth from the ground as the First Fruits of the resurrection. We speak this truth every Sabbath eve with the words, “Blessed are you Adonai/Yahweh, King of the universe, who brings forth Bread from the earth.” The 18th day of Nisan confounded the work of the Enemy and will always be remembered as the victory for the saints. Yeshua’s death on the cross, erased the decree of destruction for us, and made a public spectacle of Satan. What the Adversary meant for harm on Nisan 13, God triumphed over on Nisan 18. Yeshua gave up His authority on earth and died on the fourth day of the week. Four days later, with His ascension on First Fruits, He took back that authority, and ended Satan’s dominion over mankind.

“For in Him [Messiah Yeshua] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily and ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power:  In whom also ye are circumcised…Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith… And you, being dead in your sins…hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us…nailing it to His cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.  Let no man therefore judge you… in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:  Which are a shadow of things to come…” Col. 2:9-17).

The saints are one people, with one hope, and one faith in the Most High God. Let no man deceive you or judge you according to the Sabbaths you choose to honor. Yeshua is our Passover and the First Fruits of the resurrection. The Biblical feasts are the Sabbaths set aside to honor the awesome work of our God. The Book of Esther teaches the Torah and the Testimony of Yeshua in shadows. The New Covenant Scriptures openly display the Torah of Yeshua and how He, as Messiah, fulfills the commandments of God in the Feasts of the LORD.

In the Book of Revelation there is only one group of people that will stir up the wrath of the Enemy to the vexation level of Haman.  It is the saints that know who they are and who obey the voice of their God. “…And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ [Yeshua Messiah]” (Rev. 12:17). This united group of people will be a powerful witness of the authority of the Kingdom of God over all the forces of darkness. They will shine as the people that know their God and they shall do exploits against the Pharoahs and Hamans of this world.

In conclusion, the covenant community of faith is the one, which keeps both the commandments of God, the Torah, and the Testimony of Yeshua. “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).

May all those who read this, have the courage and patience of the saints, to stand as lights in this dark world, and overcome all the work of the Enemy. Yeshua is the Lamb, Who overcame and He leads His people in His victory. For He is the “Lord of lords and the King of kings; and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (Rev. 17:14). “And they overcame him [the Accuser of the brethren] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Rev. 12:11).  Many are called, few are chosen, and even fewer are faithful until death.

“All authority, every victory is Yours,

Saviour, Worthy of honor and glory

Worthy of all our praise, You Overcame

[Yeshua] awesome in power forever, You Overcame…

We will overcome, by the blood of the Lamb

And the word of our testimony…” (7)

 

(1)  The Creation Gospel, Book Two, The Seven Abominations of the Wicked Lamp by Dr. Hollisa Alewine.

(2)  Beth Moore, Esther – It’s Tough Being a Woman, page73, Lifeway Press, 2008)

(3)  Beth Moore, Esther – It’s Tough Being a Woman, page74, Lifeway Press, 2008)

(4)  www.rosetta calendar.com

(5)  The Creation Gospel, Book One, The Seven Spirits of God, One Holy Spirit by Dr. Hollisa Alewine

(6)  The Feasts of Adonai, Why Christians Should Look at the Biblical Feasts by Valerie Moody, page 33.

(7)  Lyrics to Jeremy Camp song titled Overcome.

Purim and the Passover Deliverance – Part 1

Purim and the Passover Deliverance – Part 1

by | Mar 12, 2014 | #passover, Uncategorized

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By Jane Diffenderfer

The Book of Esther is not just the story of “once upon a time in a kingdom far way”, it is a living lesson for the saints of the Most High. According to Revelation 14:12, these saints are defined as those, “…that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus [Yeshua].” Question, are the saints of the Book of Revelation two people groups, those that keep the commandments (Jews), and another who hold on to the faith of Yeshua (Christians)? Or, are they, one group of people, with one faith, who hold on to both the Torah/law and the testimony? The Book of Esther is a veiled prophecy, which reveals an answer to who the End Times people of God will be.

In the days of Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, the King of Persia had written decrees that were to be carried out in every province within his jurisdiction. These decrees were craftily written at the direction of the adversary Haman. These evil decrees were to murder all the Jews in territories of King Ahasuerus’s domain, including Jerusalem. They were written “…on the thirteenth day of the first month…according to all that Haman had commanded…in the name of King Ahasuerus”…the posts were sent into all the king’s provinces, with orders that in eleven month’s time, on a future date, the people of the kingdom were to destroy, kill, and cause to perish, “all Jews, both young and old, little children and women…The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city Shushan was perplexed” (Esther 3:12-14). How horrific!

The issuing of these dispatches muster their prophetic impact when they are layered upon the Biblical feasts, as commanded in the Torah (the first five books of Moses). What is the 13th day of the first month?  According to Scripture, the first month is Nisan (or Aviv). What significance does this date have for Christians (those that have the testimony of Yeshua)? It is the day before Passover, the anniversary of the Last Supper, which was shared in the Upper Room. What do the Jews (those that keep the commandments) do on the 13th day of the first month? Prepare for Passover, the remembrance of the deliverance from Egypt.

During the reign of King Ahasuerus, the entire kingdom was confounded by the orders issued. But not Haman, the Agagite; he sat down to eat, drink, and be merry. Haman was of the seed of Amalek, the seed of Satan. He was following after his father the devil, with his murderous decrees and had no conscience about it. He must have been gloating that his orders were being sent out and distributed on the 14th of Nisan, just as Jewish parents were sitting down with their children to eat their Passover meal. What a total shock this news would be to the Jews, on the day set aside to celebrate their deliverance from Egypt! Not only were they being issued a death sentence, to be enacted eleven months later, their neighbors were forced, by the decree to commit the crime against them. No wonder everyone was perplexed in Shushan! Haman must have licked his chops at the idea that he had concocted such a scheme, to ruin the special feast of those he hated so passionately.

All seven of the abominations of the wicked one from Proverb 6 were emboldened in Haman. Haman was arrogant, who spoke lies against the Jews, and persuaded the king through his false witness, to give his royal stamp of approval to the evil imagination of his heart, the shedding of the innocent blood of Abraham’s seed. Haman acted swiftly in sending his dispatches throughout the provinces to sow discord in the kingdom. In one day, by one decree, neighbor was set against neighbor. The wicked lamp (1) illuminated in Haman had one agenda, death. Haman was not content with just one word, “kill” in his murderous decree. His agenda was to “kill, destroy, and annihilate” the Jewish people because “their laws are diverse from all people” (Esther 3:8). Haman despised the Torah and the people who kept the commandments of their God. The seed of Amalek hated the seed of Abraham with such blazing wrath, that Haman wanted to wipe the Torah honoring faithful from the face of the earth. This is a prophetic picture that continually repeats throughout time and history.

A fool says in his heart, there is no God. Haman was a fool, yet he thought he was wise. God in heaven cannot be mocked by men. He is a strong Deliverer and He will deliver His people, no matter what force of darkness comes against them. “Gather this into your soul: When all is said and done, Satan can’t win and you can’t lose… God always trumps Satan. Every hope and every victory the enemy thinks he has is maddeningly thwarted at the perfect time…His first giveaway should have been the timing.” (2)

The edict was written on the 13th day of Nisan and delivered on the 14th, just as the Jews in all the provinces were preparing to remember the Exodus from Egypt. This great deliverance celebration is an annual reminder of Yahweh’s ability to save His people through great signs and wonders. It is a night that parents are instructed to remind their children of God’s saving power by retelling the events of the destruction of Pharoah’s army. What a night to remember! With the news of Haman’s command, “what was meant to be a commemoration of a past event, suddenly turned into a concert of imminent need. Decades earlier, the Persian Jews had chosen not to take advantage of their deliverance under the decree of Cyrus, and their permission to return to Jerusalem. They decided they liked Persian life and stayed put. Then [along] came Haman. Maybe that’s one reason God allows ‘Hamans’ to come along in life – so we will quit being so at home here.” (3)

Those who had faith, during the dark hours of the death threat, could hope in the same God, Who delivered them from the bonds of Pharaoh, would also be able to deliver them from the hand of Haman. The saints are told to rehearse and remember the events of the Exodus. “And it shall come to pass when your children shall say unto you, ‘What mean ye by this service?’ That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’S [Yahweh’s] Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians and delivered our houses…” (Exodus 12:26-27). Remembering to observe the commandments of Passover, reminds us once again, of how great our God is!

For those who know Messiah Yeshua, Passover takes on an even deeper meaning of redemption. Yeshua, the Lamb of God, came to die to deliver His people from the bondage of sin. Passover is the annual memorial of our escape from the merciless control of the power of sin. The Passover seder has clues of eternal significance, “For as often as ye eat this bread [the unleavened bread of Passover], and drink this cup [the cup of redemption – the third cup of the Seder] ye do show the Lord’s death till He come” (1 Cor. 11:26).

When our Purim heroine, Queen Esther, learns of Haman’s evil decree, instead of feasting, she declares a fast. This fast lasts for three days and three nights. It begins on the first day of Unleavened Bread, Nisan 15th, and continues through the 16th and 17th of Nisan. What is the spiritual and prophetic impact these days have for Believers? These are the same days that Yeshua, was buried in the tomb!

End of Part 1 – Please read Part 2 of Purim and the Passover Deliverance, click on this link below: