LCoG Articles - The complete Passover

THE COMPLETE PASSOVER

There is enormous knowledge in the complete Passover, which takes us from carnality to eternal life. John 17 v 3 will come alive as we learn more about God the Father and Jesus Christ.

Joh 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

The more we know God and Christ: the more we realise the great love and mercy they have, and the tremendous mental and physical pain that Christ had to suffer.

CHAPTER 1 WHY CHRIST HAD TO DIE

CHAPTER 2 PASSOVER DATE

CHAPTER 3 PASSOVER SYMBOLS

CHAPTER 4 SCRIPTURES THAT SEEM TO CONTRADICT

CHAPTER 5 THE BETRAYAL OF CHRIST

CHAPTER 6 GET BEHIND ME SATAN

CHAPTER 7 THE NAKED RUNNER

CHAPTER 8 THE TWO SWORDS

CHAPTER 9 JUDAS ISCARIOT

CHAPTER 10 THE CRUCIFIXION

CHAPTER 11 THE CROSS OF CHRIST

CHAPTER 12 BURIAL OF CHRIST

CHAPTER 13 THE WAVE SHEAF

CHAPTER 1

WHY CHRIST HAD TO DIE

The words: “Christ died for our sins” is a common saying in religious circles; but true understanding of these words is not really known.

“The beginning” as mentioned in the Bible: is the time when Jesus Christ was born, He is the Morning Star. After this time the angels were created, and sons of God were born to Christ. It is also the time of the original creation. This was a long time prior to the creation of Adam and Eve.

The devil sinned from the beginning.

Joh 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

Sin was from the beginning. Christ knew from the beginning that He would have to die.

Rev 13:8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

The works of the devil is every evil, which is the result of sin: Christ was manifested to destroy sin from the earth.

1Jn 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Christ loves righteousness.

Heb 1:9 YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS MORE THAN YOUR COMPANIONS.”

The above verses show that Christ loved righteousness, and the devil was, and still is, a murderous, lying, lustful, scumbag sinner. Christ had to die to get rid of the works of the devil.

Why did Christ have to die? The answer is that The Great God; God the Father, will not compromise with His law.

God has decreed that sin brings the penalty of eternal death.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jas 1:15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

If God allowed human sinners into eternal life; then these spirit beings would bring evil into God’s kingdom. God will not allow this to happen.

There are already spirit beings [evil sons of God, and evil angels] who have sinned, and God will destroy them, or cast them to hell forever.

Rev 21:8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Rev 21:24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.

Rev 21:25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).

Rev 21:26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.

Rev 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.

Eternal life is a gift, not a right.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There are a lot of scriptures about Christ’s death. All mankind has sinned, and earned eternal death. Christ has never sinned. He gave up His eternal life to be born as a human. His life is worth more than all humanity, because He is a born God who loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; the Son of the one true God. Christ’s cruel death atoned for all the sins of mankind. [This does not mean we automatically have eternal life, we have to live as Christ lived].

Heb 10:12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,

Heb 9:26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

Heb 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Heb 7:26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;

Heb 7:27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

1Pe 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,

Heb 9:28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Mankind’s only hope was that Christ would die for our sins.

Christ willingly laid down His life.

Joh 10:15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

Joh 10:16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Joh 10:17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.

Joh 10:18 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.”

Our only hope of salvation was Christ being willing to die for us. There is no other way to eternal life, nor do we get a second chance once we have the Spirit of life.

Heb 10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

There is no other way to salvation. Jesus Christ is blasphemed daily. He should be given great honour, and glory.

Act 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

We can only come to God on God’s terms, but these terms will bring happiness forever in the kingdom of God.

Psa 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Joh 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

The correct understanding of Christ’s death shows the great love of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The more we get to know God and Christ: the more we are amazed by their great love.

CHAPTER 2

PASSOVER DATE

There has always been argument and conjecture about the correct date of the Passover ceremony. This is because God planned things that way. The true date of the Passover only comes with the knowledge of eternal life. The date is now made clear. Remember God cannot lie, and scripture cannot be broken.

The preparation of the Passover is one full day (24 hours) starting at sunset on the beginning of the 14th and ending at sunset at the beginning of the 15th. The Passover service is held at the beginning of the 15th. Keep this in mind as you read the scriptures. The start of the 15th is the holy day for the 1st day of Unleavened Bread.

In the Bible the days of Unleavened Bread refers to the 7-day period. The Feast of Unleavened Bread can refer to the taking of the Passover and also the 7-day period of Unleavened Bread.

Act 12:3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.

Luk 22:1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover.

Lev 23:6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; seven days you must eat unleavened bread.

In strong’s concordance ‘Kept’ in the following verses can mean ‘prepared.’ The Passover is prepared on the 14th Nisan.

Num 9:5 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.

Jos 5:10 Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho.

This verse is very plain; the Passover is killed [prepared] on the 14th Nisan.

2Ch 35:1 Now Josiah kept a Passover to the LORD in Jerusalem, and they slaughtered the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the first month.

Notice that the Passover is in the 14th day, and the 1st day of Unleavened Bread is the 15th day. The 15th is the first holy day.

Lev 23:5 On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the LORD’s Passover.

Lev 23:6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; seven days you must eat unleavened bread.

The feast on the 15th when it refers to the Passover service is also called the Passover.

Luk 22:1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover.

Christ ate the Passover ‘in the feast day’. The Passover dates are ordained forever: prepared 14th and eaten 15th the following verse has to mean the eating of the Passover meal to agree with all scriptures on the subject. Christ only had the Passover one day early one time, because He was going to be dead at the correct time to take the Passover. Christ was the Passover lamb.

Joh 2:23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.

The chief priests, and Pharisees ate the Passover on the 15th.

Joh 18:28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.

Christ was killed on the preparation day of the Passover. The 14th Nisan.

Joh 19:31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

The preparation of the Passover.

Joh 19:14 Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your King!”

The above scriptures show that the 14th is the preparation of the Passover, and it is eaten in the 15th.

The time of the Passover is ordained forever. Prepared 14th. And eaten 15th.

Exo 12:14 ‘So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance.

Exo 12:17 So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance.

The following verses agree with all scriptures on the subject. The lamb is killed on the 14th, and eaten 15th nothing is to remain till the morning.

Exo 12:6 Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight.

Exo 12:7 And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it.

Exo 12:8 Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.

Exo 12:9 Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire—its head with its legs and its entrails.

Exo 12:10 You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire.

The Philadelphian era of the church of God ate the New Testament Passover on the 14th.

Exo 12:42 It is a night of solemn observance to the LORD for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the LORD, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations.

The night to be much observed was a very important part of the Passover season, and was kept very diligently. This was because God had ordained the date forever. We kept the Passover without knowing it.

The obvious question is; why did Christ instigate the new covenant Passover on the 14th?

CHAPTER 3

PASSOVER SYMBOLS

Jesus Christ changed the symbols of the Passover. The lamb pictured Christ and was eaten: the lamb was changed to bread, and is eaten.

Luk 22:19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

Wine is a symbol of Christ’s spilt blood, and is also to be consumed. The blood of the Old Testament Passover was never to be consumed, because they were not offered eternal life.

Exo 12:7 And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it.

Jesus not only changed the symbols, He also approved of the blood to be drunk. To eat and drink of His body means we have eternal life.

Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.

Joh 6:54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

In the Philadelphian era of the church of God, we had two of the requirements for eternal life. We ate His body and drank His blood, [figuratively speaking] but we were not doing this on the correct night of the Passover, on that night, the start of the 15th. We were keeping the Old Testament Passover, without blood, under the guise of night to be much observed.

This is because we did not have the knowledge of the truth in that era, we had the spirit of promise with our baptism. The spirit of life comes with knowing God, and then keeping the New Testament Passover with the correct symbols, on the correct night. The genuine Philadelphians had to hold fast to what they learned to obtain eternal life, and get the reward for that era.

Read this verse again, I keep quoting it, and it means what it says.

Joh 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

In the Philadelphian era of the church of God we were keeping the Passover exactly as God wanted it kept. The New Testament Passover on the 14th: and the Old Testament Passover on the 15th neither of these Passovers had the full requirements for eternal life.

Remember, the Passover was ordained forever, to be prepared on the 14th and eaten on the start of the 15th. God had us keeping the Old Testament Passover on the 15th without us knowing.

The Passover in simplified form. Every scripture agrees with the following statements.

There are three requirements for eternal life, regarding the Passover. Eat body of Christ, Drink blood of Christ, take the symbols on the correct day.

Ancient Israel prepared the lamb on the 14th Nisan, and ate it before dawn on the 15th. They were not offered eternal life, so they ate the lamb, on the correct day; but did not drink the blood. They kept two requirements.

Christ changed the symbols to bread, and wine. The Passover that Christ ordained at that time: was prepared 13th, and eaten at the start of the 14th. The disciples had two requirements of eternal life; they had the right day for that time, but the wrong day for eternal life. The disciples had the down payment of God’s Spirit, but not the Spirit of life at that time.

In the Worldwide church of God; we kept the Passover that Christ instigated for those with the down payment of God’s Spirit. This was the same day that Christ gave the disciples, and was correct for God’s church during the Philadelphian era. We had two requirements for eternal life: eat body, and drink blood.

We also kept a second Passover, without knowing it. This was the day that was ordained forever. We did not kill a lamb, because we had accepted the sacrifice of Christ. We ate the Passover meal on the correct night, but we did not drink the blood of Christ. God made sure that we kept the Passover correctly for that time.

When God offers us eternal life in the form of the Spirit of life; we will keep the correct Passover. We will eat the body of Christ. We will drink the blood of Christ. We will have the correct day.

Carnality. Kill, and prepare lamb on 14th. Eat without blood night of 15th.

Earnest of spirit. Prepare meal 14th [no killing lamb] eat without blood 15th.

Eternal life. Prepare symbols of Christ’s body 14th. Eat 15th. Eat body, drink blood, correct night.

One would think that it would be easier for God to create the universe, than to work out the Passover plan. Such is the magnificence of our Great Creator God.

CHAPTER 4

SCRIPTURES THAT SEEM TO CONTRADICT

We have yet to discuss the wave sheaf, and the suffering of Christ; but before that, we will explain some verses, which seem to contradict each other.

This verse seems to call the Passover a feast of seven days.

Eze 45:21 “In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, you shall observe the Passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.

It can be, and should be translated as follows.

Eze 45:21 In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, you shall have the Passover feast, seven days unleavened bread shall be eaten.

The following two verses explain, as the Passover is differentiated from the feast of seven days.

Eze 45:22 And on that day the prince shall prepare for himself and for all the people of the land a bull for a sin offering.

Eze 45:23 On the seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt offering to the LORD, seven bulls and seven rams without blemish, daily for seven days, and a kid of the goats daily for a sin offering.

The Passover is not prepared on the first day of Unleavened Bread ‘First’ means ‘first’: It also means ‘prior to’ or ‘before’.

Mat 26:17 Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”

This verse explains a little better. ‘day’ can mean ‘several days’, or approximate time.

Mar 14:12 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?”

Compare the use of the same word. ‘came’ in Luke should be ‘coming’. In Matthew ‘Thy Kingdom come’ is yet in the future.

Luk 22:7 Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed.

Mat 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Christ’s last Passover was prepared on the 13th and eaten at the start of the 14th. So it is easy to explain the above verses, because scripture cannot be broken.

The seven days of Unleavened Bread is called the feast of Unleavened Bread: the Passover meal is also called the feast of Unleavened Bread. The Bible tells which is which.

Luk 22:1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover.

Lev 23:6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; seven days you must eat unleavened bread.

2Ch 30:21 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 the LORD, accompanied by loud instruments.

CHAPTER 5

THE BETRAYAL OF CHRIST

The complete account of the betrayal is in the ‘Jesus Christ of the Bible’ document. I will just give a short account of a certain prophecy.

The prophecy is as follows.

Psa 41:9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

Jesus Christ quoted the second half of the prophecy to refer to Judas Iscariot.

Joh 13:18 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘HE WHO EATS BREAD WITH ME HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.’

Jesus knew that Iscariot was coming to betray Him.

Luk 22:47 And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.

Luk 22:48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ; he then bought a field with the betrayal money, and fell headfirst into it. He is a devil, and went to hell after his physical death.

Joh 6:70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”

Joh 6:71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.

Act 1:25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”

Jesus did not have the understanding of the first part of the prophecy. Jesus did not trust Iscariot, because He knew that Iscariot was a thief, and a betrayer.

Psa 41:9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

Jesus did not know why His friend came and kissed Him.

Mat 26:50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.

The Judas who came and kissed Christ was Christ’s own brother. Jesus Christ knew He would be betrayed by Iscariot, He did not know that He would also be betrayed by His own brother, who He trusted.

Judas, the brother of Christ; threw the money to the priests; he then went and hung himself. The priests bought a field to be used as a cemetery. Christ arranged for John to look after His mother. It is extremely obvious that Mary was going to live with her son Judas, however this plan was changed with the unexpected betrayal by the brother Judas and his subsequent death. The care of Mary was then entrusted to John.

CHAPTER 6

GET BEHIND ME SATAN

Christ had just told Peter that God the Father had revealed who He, [Christ] was. This was a tremendous uplifting thing to happen to Peter.

Mat 16:16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Mat 16:17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

In the same chapter, Christ calls Peter Satan.

Mat 16:22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”

Mat 16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Also mentioned in Mark.

Mar 8:32 He spoke this word openly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.

Mar 8:33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Satan knew that Peter would be in charge, after Christ’s death; so he [Satan] tried to get him, and sift him like wheat. ‘Sift’ means to treat like a sieve, so the meaning of ‘sift’ is probably ‘completely confuse’. There is a teaching of massive importance in verse 32.

Luk 22:31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.

In the following verse: Christ prayed for Peter’s faith: He did not pray to keep Satan away from Peter. Notice that even though the disciples had been baptised, and received the earnest of the Spirit, they were not yet converted. In this verse: Christ also put Peter in charge.

Luk 22:32 “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

There is a massive lesson for every person who wants to obey God. We must resist Satan.

Jas 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Satan is the prince of the power of the air, he sends out anti-Christ messages into people’s minds.

Eph 2:2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

Let’s look at the scripture, once again, where Christ calls Peter: Satan. The words of Peter are absolutely Satanic. Just imagine if Christ had not been crucified, and put to death. Peter thought he was doing the right thing by Christ, but he was actually trying to stop Jesus Christ from being the saviour of mankind.

There would be no saviour for mankind.

Mat 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.

Mat 16:22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”

Remember that the disciples were quite happy to lop off ears with the swords. Peter was the decision maker: just suppose he got a group together to stop the crucifixion. The following words from Christ; made sure that Peter would not intervene.

Mat 16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Christ snapped at Peter to make the point clear. This was, pretty well, His last words to Peter before His cruel death. Imagine if Peter had tried to stop the crucifixion, and succeeded.

Satan knew that Christ had to die for mankind, so he tried to use Peter to stop the crucifixion. Satan was quite happy to have Iscariot betray Christ. Satan entered into Iscariot to make sure of the betrayal.

Imagine the dilemma that God the Father had regarding the crucifixion of Christ. God had to make sure that those who loved Christ, but did not understand God’s plan, did not stop His cruel death; and God had to make sure that those who hated Christ did not stop Him becoming saviour of the world. The Pharisees and chief Priests were so full of jealousy, and hate; that they never realised that they were helping to fulfil God’s plan regarding the crucifixion.

When Peter received the Holy Spirit of life on the day of Pentecost; he spoke clearly, and bluntly: he strengthened the brethren with his boldness, and proper conversion. His faith kept Satan at bay. Christ actually preferred John to Peter, as a friend, but Peter was the best man for the job of being in charge of the church at that time.

CHAPTER 7

THE NAKED RUNNER

There is a remarkable lesson to be learned from the young man who ran naked from the angry crowd who captured Christ.

The young man was clothed in linen.

Mar 14:51 Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him,

Mar 14:52 and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

Linen is a sign of righteousness.

Rev 19:8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

The young man who fled is, almost certainly, the young man mentioned as wanting eternal life.

Mat 19:16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

Mat 19:17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

Mat 19:18 He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’

Mat 19:19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

Jesus quoted the five commandments that show love to mankind; He wrapped up this statement with [you shall love your neighbour as yourself.]

Christ then changed the direction. It’s easy to appear good, and even do good, when the cost of it comes out of your excess money. Christ was actually testing the young man to see if he would keep the other unquoted commandments.

Mat 19:20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”

Mat 19:21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

Mat 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

This young man put money before God, and thus was covetous: therefore he broke the commandments that show love to God. Very few people on this earth will put God before money.

Mat 19:23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 19:24 “And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Mat 19:25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

Mat 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

The Apostles of Christ had put God first.

Mat 19:27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”

Mat 19:28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Mat 19:29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

During the time of the betrayal of Christ; this young man appeared to be righteous, and looked righteous; but he had not put God first, and was found wanting when a serious test of his conversion came.

This young man is a type of the Laodicean church. He appeared righteous with his linen clothes, but ran naked when tested. Read verse 17 below carefully.

Rev 3:14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

Rev 3:15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.

Rev 3:16 “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

Rev 3:17 “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’; and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked;

Rev 3:18 “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

Rev 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

Rev 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Rev 3:21 “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Rev 3:22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Seeming to be righteous, is not good enough, we must actually be fair dinkum in our quest for eternal life. Putting money before God is a definite no no. The young man appeared righteous in his white robe, but he put money ahead of Christ. He was found wanting, when trouble came.

CHAPTER 8

THE TWO SWORDS

The two swords seem to be out of character with Jesus Christ.

Luk 22:38 So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”

Like all scripture, these scriptures need to be read carefully. The disciples had earlier obeyed Christ, and lacked nothing. Christ is now insisting that they do the opposite of verse 35. Christ is arming, at least two of the disciples.

Luk 22:35 And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.”

Luk 22:36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.

Luk 22:38 So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”

The following verse is the reason that Christ insists on the swords. The quote from Isaiah must be accomplished. Christ had turned two disciples into transgressors.

Luk 22:37 “For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.”

The prophecy of Jesus Christ being numbered with the transgressors had to be fulfilled.

Isa 53:12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

Look at Christ’s reaction to the ear lopping. When Simon Peter smote the ear: Jesus’ words showed that he was transgressing. Jesus had made sure that His disciples were armed, and now He tells them that it is wrong to use a sword.

Mat 26:51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

Mat 26:52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

No comment from Christ.

Mar 14:47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

Notice that Jesus did not answer until the deed was done. Jesus then said ‘no more of this’ as one translation has it.

Luk 22:49 When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”

Luk 22:50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

Luk 22:51 But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.

The above three accounts are seemingly discussing the same ear. Simon mutilated the ear of Malchus.

Joh 18:10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

Joh 18:11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

In all four accounts: not once did Jesus try and stop the ear lopping. This was because Jesus had to have transgressors with Him, so He could be numbered with them.

Three times Christ was numbered with Peter who had transgressed by smiting with the sword.

Mat 26:69 Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.”

Mat 26:70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.”

Mat 26:71 And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

Mat 26:72 But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!”

Mat 26:73 And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.”

Mat 26:74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed.

The numbering with the transgressors was now fulfilled. Christ also fulfilled the last prophecy of Is. 53 v 12.

Christ makes intercession for the disciples who had been transgressors.

Joh 18:8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,”

Joh 18:9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”

It seems strange that Christ would encourage His disciples to be transgressors [wicked or lawless] but they were not yet converted, and scripture had to be fulfilled. Christ had to be numbered with transgressors, but He also emphasised that transgressing was not the correct way to live. Christ had earlier sent the disciples to the lost sheep of Israel with no armaments, or money. They lacked nothing.

Mat 10:6 “But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Mat 10:7 “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

Mat 10:8 “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Mat 10:9 “Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts,

Mat 10:10 “nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.

Christ was showing the disciples the incorrect way to live, by arming them.

Mat 26:52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

Mark used the two thieves to fulfil prophecy; this was part fulfilment, as Christ did not make intercession for the crooks, and Christ said that the two swords were required to fulfil prophecy.

Mar 15:27 With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left.

Mar 15:28 So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.”

Luk 22:36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.

Luk 22:37 “For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.”

Luk 22:38 So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”

By allowing the disciples to be transgressors, Christ was letting them compare the two different ways of life, and He showed them that the best way to live is not to live by the sword.

CHAPTER 9

JUDAS ISCARIOT

There has been a lot of talk about how unfair it is for Judas Iscariot to be called to failure, without a chance for redemption.

Mar 14:21 “The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.”

Joh 17:12 “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

Judas Iscariot was, and is, a devil.

Joh 6:70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”

Joh 6:71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.

Judas Iscariot is the son of perdition, which means son of destruction.

The son of perdition arises in the end time.

2Th 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

Judas Iscariot had a physical father, but is of the ‘evil one’ as was Cain. This is how devils are manifested as humans. When ‘children of the devil’ die; they go to hell, where they are still conscious. Iscariot is alive, and well in hell; waiting to come up as ‘the man of sin.’

Judas Iscariot has already blasphemed the Holy Spirit, in his state as a son of God, so he was condemned before he was born to Simon. Iscariot was not called to failure, he had already failed, and will be punished accordingly. God used him to betray Jesus Christ, and made sure he physically died shortly after.

Act 1:16 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;

Act 1:17 “for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.”

Act 1:18 (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out.

Iscariot went to his own place which is hell.

Act 1:25 “to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”

God the Father always remains in charge, and uses whom He will to get His plans carried out.

CHAPTER 10

THE CRUCIFIXION

The full account of the crucifixion is in the ‘Jesus Christ of the Bible’ document. Christ was crucified twice.

The Bible means exactly what it says regarding the crucifixions of the third and sixth hours. Jesus Christ was crucified twice.

I will make a list of the differences with A being the third hour crucifixion and B the sixth hour.

A Christ is crucified the third hour.

B Christ is crucified the sixth hour.

A Simon carried the cross.

B Christ carried the cross.

A Christ refused vinegar.

B Christ drank the vinegar.

A Christ wore His own robe.

B Christ wore the purple [scarlet] robe.

A Christ was beaten with a reed by the soldiers.

B Christ was beaten with hands by the soldiers.

A Pilate was content to let Him die.

B Pilate tried everything he could to let Christ be released.

A Two thieves crucified with Christ; neither one repents.

B Two malefactors led with Christ to be crucified; one repents.

Jesus Christ was flogged mercilessly, and degraded and hit with a reed by the Roman soldiers; He was then nailed to a cross, taken down, hit again by the Romans; this time with open hands, and nailed again to a cross. Christ’s suffering began early morning and continued until His death at the ninth hour [3pm].

CHAPTER 11

THE CROSS OF CHRIST

This chapter should make people tremble at the phenomenal love that Jesus Christ showed for good, and evil beings.

During the first crucifixion; the cross, that Jesus was to be crucified on, was carried by Simon of Cyrene.

Mat 27:32 Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross.

Simon followed Christ.

Luk 23:26 Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.

This crucifixion is for those who take up their cross, and follow Christ: so they may have eternal life.

Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Mar 10:21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

There is a great deal to be learned from the man who carried the cross for Christ. Simon carried the cross for the first crucifixion, and Christ carried the cross himself for the second crucifixion. [The article “The Crucifixion of Christ” gives all the scriptures for the two crucifixions.]

Mar 15:25 Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him.

Jesus Christ suffered terribly, and died a cruel death, so that we may have eternal life: but we will not be in God’s Kingdom; just by accepting Christ. We have our own cross to bear.

Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Mar 8:34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Luk 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Simon of Cyrene was a type of humans following Christ correctly. Simon followed Christ.

Luk 23:26 Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.

A person who follows Christ does not necessarily have to suffer beatings, although a lot of them do.

A person who follows Christ does not necessarily have to die for God, although we might have to. This is up to God.

If we follow Christ we must bear our own cross. Matthew chapter 10 should be read and understood, as it shows that we may well be put to death, or suffer terribly. To bear our cross is to put God the Father and Christ above everything, regardless of the physical outcome.

Mat 10:38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

Luk 14:27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

Mat 10:37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

2Ti 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Comment. If we follow Christ; we must put Christ first. We have to run the race set before us. Christ suffered and died that we may live. It should be no surprise that we will be hated and persecuted, but nothing must come between a Christian and God.

Simon bore Christ’s cross as an example for us to follow. The cross we bear is the cross, which Christ sets before us; He will not tempt us above our limits.

1Co 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

All mankind has sinned, and earned eternal death. The first crucifixion enabled people to follow Christ, and receive the gift of eternal life. This crucifixion enables mankind to go from eternal death to eternal life.

The second crucifixion occurred after Christ had carried His own cross to the site.

Joh 19:16 Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away.

Joh 19:17 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha,

Christ carried the cross for those who have had eternal life, and blasphemed it. These people will die the second death, which is death forever, because of the great love of Christ.

Mat 10:38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

Luk 14:27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

There is no darkness in God: outer darkness is the second death.

1Jn 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

Mat 22:13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Darkness at the second crucifixion.

Mat 27:45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.

Christ carried the cross for those among us who refuse to carry it. Such is the love of Christ, that He was crucified the second time, so those who refuse to carry it may be destroyed forever. The second crucifixion is so people who blaspheme the Holy Spirit, can go from eternal life to eternal death.

All humanity have sinned, and earned eternal death. We can go from eternal death to eternal life, because Christ died for us. There is no other way to eternal life, other than following Christ.

If we have eternal life in the form of the Spirit of life, and we blaspheme it: eternal death will result because of Christ carrying the cross for these people.

The following verse is about eternal death, and eternal life.

Luk 16:26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

CHAPTER 12

BURIAL OF CHRIST

Jesus Christ was twice betrayed, twice crucified, and then He died on the cross. This article gives a biblical account of what happened during the time of Christ’s burial.

Christ was buried just before sundown as the holy day was about to begin.

Joh 19:41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.

Joh 19:42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

Joh 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

The spirit of Jesus went to the Father.

Luk 23:46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.

The soul of Jesus was poured out on the cross.

Php 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

The body of Jesus was disfigured more than any man.

Isa 52:14 Just as many were astonished at you, So His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men;

On the cross; Jesus’ spirit went to the Father, His soul was poured out to death, and His physical body marred beyond recognition.

Jesus was buried by sunset, and was resurrected to life sometime before dawn on Thursday morning. On Thursday morning the first day of Unleavened Bread, early in the morning He descended to hell heart of the earth, or Hades.

Act 2:27 FOR YOU WILL NOT LEAVE MY SOUL IN HADES, NOR WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO SEE CORRUPTION.

The burial clothes were folded. [Jesus was three days, and three nights in Hades; there is no other time He could have been resurrected.]

Joh 20:5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in.

Joh 20:6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there,

Joh 20:7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.

Jesus then descended to the heart of the earth. He was not left in the tomb. Notice that He was in the heart of the earth three days, and three nights. He was not in the heart of the earth on the first night of His burial. Jonah was the only sign that Christ gave.

Mat 12:39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Mat 12:40 “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Joh 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Read Mat. 12 v 40 again: Jesus Christ was three twelve hour days, and three twelve hour nights in the heart of the earth, not in the tomb.

Jonah regarded the fish’s belly as hell or Sheol.

Jon 2:2 And he said: “I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, And He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice.

Jon 2:3 For You cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And the floods surrounded me; All Your billows and Your waves passed over me.

Jon 2:4 Then I said, ‘I have been cast out of Your sight; Yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.’

Jon 2:5 The waters surrounded me, even to my soul; The deep closed around me; Weeds were wrapped around my head.

Jonah was trapped at the bottom of the earth.

Jon 2:6 I went down to the moorings of the mountains; The earth with its bars closed behind me forever; Yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD, my God.

Christ’s physical body and soul went to hell; His original physical body died on the cross. But His resurrected body went to hell. Acts 2 v 31 shows His soul and flesh.

Act 2:27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

Joh 2:19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

Christ’s soul was not destroyed in hell: He died once. [On the cross.]

The spirit of Jesus was with God the Father; but He regained His spirit when He was resurrected. The body of Jesus, His soul and His spirit were taken to Hades. Jesus Christ spent the first night in the tomb. He then descended to hell for three days and three nights. Thursday Friday and Saturday, days, then Thursday Friday and Saturday nights.

This needs to be read carefully: Jesus was raised up three days, and three nights after He descended to hell or Sheol. In the following verse the word “in” three days can also mean “after” three days.

Joh 2:19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

Act 2:31 “he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.

Act 2:32 “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.

Christ was in the lower parts of the earth.

Eph 4:9 (Now this, “He ascended”; what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?

Christ was resurrected. [This happened in the tomb sometime before dawn on Thursday morning]. He was raised up from the dead, after three days, and three nights in Hades.

Rom 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Rom 6:9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.

Christ died once for sin, this was on the cross.

Rom 6:10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

There are several different chambers in the underground.

Pro 7:27 Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death.

The soul [life] of Christ was in Sheol [Hades] for three days and three nights it was not destroyed.

Our human bodies consist of three different categories.

1Th 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Soul and spirit are very closely connected, but are not the same.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Christ’s life [soul] was poured out on the cross.

Joh 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

Lev 17:14 “for it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.’

Lev 17:11 ‘For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’

Christ died once, on the cross; He was then buried, and was made alive [resurrected] before dawn Thursday morning. In the morning, He descended to Hades. His soul was brought up from Hades, and His body was physical. Christ was raised from the dead {Sheol or Hades} early Sunday morning after spending three days and three nights in hell.

Jesus was alive and well in hell, where He preached to the spirits, which were kept there in prison. Notice that He did this in the spirit.

1Pe 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,

1Pe 3:19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,

Jesus Christ was not brought back to the tomb, He was not there when the stone was rolled back.

Mat 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

Mat 28:2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.

Mat 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

Mat 28:4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

Mat 28:5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.

Mat 28:6 “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

God the Father resurrected Christ back to life in the tomb. Christ descended to Hades. God the Father and Christ raised His physical body.

Joh 2:19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

Joh 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

Notice that the stone was rolled back in the morning. Christ was not raised at sunset; He was raised in the early morning, which makes His time from burial to rising up from hell; three and a half, 24 hour, days.

Mat 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

Mat 28:2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.

Mat 28:6 “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Luk 24:5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?

Luk 24:6 “He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,

Daniel 10 shows that there were more powerful beings than Christ in the universe, but Christ was given power over all, by God the Father, at His resurrection.

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

Christ preached to the disobedient spirits in prison; when He descended to hell after His resurrection. This was probably the first time that He was capable of doing so, because God the Father had given Him all power at His resurrection.

1Pe 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,

1Pe 3:19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,

1Pe 3:20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

Read this carefully.

1Pe 3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

The original Passover backs up the three and a half days that Christ was in the heart of the earth. There are three days from the end of the 14th Nisan [the time of Christ’s burial] to where the Red Sea begins to part. The Israelites prepared the Passover on the 14th, and on the 15th, they ate the Passover, while being prepared to leave Egypt. The death angel passed over at midnight, and the Israelites then left early morning.

Exo 12:29 And it came to pass at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock.

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

Exo 12:31 Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the LORD as you have said.

The first night after the preparation was when the Israelites were ready to leave Egypt: this coincides with Christ being in the tomb for the first night of His death. The Israelites then travelled for three days, and two nights, and reached the Red Sea. The red sea opened all that night, and the Israelites crossed to where the Promised Land was available. The crossing of the Red Sea coincided with the raising up from Hades of Jesus Christ. Eternal life is now available because of Christ having lived a sinless life, being put to death, and being resurrected and raised.

The events of Christ’s burial were as follows.

Christ was buried by sunset, He was resurrected before dawn on Thursday morning, and went to Hades at sunup. He spent three days, and three nights in Hades, and was raised up. Christ had His soul, physical body and spirit with Him in Hades, Christ had His physical body, after the Father had raised up His soul [life] from the dead {Sheol or Hades}.

The soul is the life of a person, and is connected with the blood.

Joh 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

God resurrected Christ, and three days and three nights later God the Father and Christ raised Him from the dead. This is a place, the dead are in Hades. Christ was raised from Hades or Sheol which is a place, this place has evil spirits in it, being kept in prison there awaiting judgment. They are dead spiritually.

Act 3:15 “and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.

CHAPTER 13

WAVE SHEAF

The Wave Sheaf ceremony was to be kept after the Israelites entered the Promised Land. In spiritual meaning, after you receive eternal life in the form of the Spirit of life. When we keep the New Testament Passover on the correct night; we will also keep the wave sheaf ceremony.

Lev 23:10 “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.

The sheaf is waved before God the Father to be accepted.

Lev 23:11 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.

The physical offerings will be reinstated by John the Baptist, when he comes to the temple.

Lev 23:12 And you shall offer on that day, when you wave the sheaf, a male lamb of the first year, without blemish, as a burnt offering to the LORD.

Lev 23:13 Its grain offering shall be two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to the LORD, for a sweet aroma; and its drink offering shall be of wine, one-fourth of a hin.

Grain is not to be eaten on this day until the offering has been made. This is a spiritual offering.

Lev 23:14 You shall eat neither bread nor parched grain nor fresh grain until the same day that you have brought an offering to your God; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

The wave sheaf is ordained forever, as is the Passover. When we have eternal life inherent; we will keep the correct Passover on the correct day, and we will keep the wave sheaf ceremony.

The Wave Sheaf pictures Jesus Christ offering Himself to the Father on behalf of God’s people.

NOTE THE SIMILARITIES

[A] Sheaf to be waved the day after the Sabbath to be accepted for God’s people.

Lev 23:11 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.

[B] Christ ascended to Heaven where His sacrifice was accepted for God’s people.

Joh 20:17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ”

{A} The Israelites were to bring a sheaf of the firstfruits

{B} Christ is called the firstfruits, Christ is the first of the firstfruits.

1Co 15:20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1Co 15:23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

[A] No grain to be eaten till an offering is made to God.

[B] Christ not to be touched till He ascends to the Father.

Christ is the bread of life, and we must eat that bread [live as Christ lived]. In the Wave Sheaf ceremony, we must not touch any grain till the sheaf has been offered to God on our behalf. We cannot eat the body of Christ in the wave sheaf ceremony until Christ has figuratively gone to Heaven to be accepted for us.

Joh 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”

After Christ has ascended to Heaven, and been accepted for us; we have then qualified to receive the Spirit of Life, and God the Father becomes our God.

The Holy Spirit is promised at the time of the wave sheaf; it is not given until the day of Pentecost.

Joh 20:22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

The wave sheaf offering should be as follows.

1. To offer ourselves to God as one of the firstfruits

2. An offering of thanks to Jesus Christ for His sacrifice

3. An offering to God the Father for the knowledge [and for giving] eternal life.

This offering should take the form of a prayer of thanksgiving as the following scripture indicates:

Psa 116:17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the LORD.