Jesus Christ; The Passover -- The Wavesheaf -- The Firstfruit!!

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=100 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04000640egdysm.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Arial" ><B>Church of God, In Truth</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B>    |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church of God, In Truth"><B>home</B></A></div> <div> back to<B>  </B><A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Edification Articles"><B>Edification Articles</B></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#0000BF" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <A HREF="man_made_traditions.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Man Made Traditions">Man Made Traditions</A></div> <div> <A HREF="safety_in_numbers.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Safety In Numbers?">Safety In Numbers?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="will_everyone_be_saved.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Will Everyone be Saved?">Will Everyone be Saved?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="am_i_a_good_stewart.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Am I A Good Stewart?">Am I A Good Stewart?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="_leviathan_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="LEVIATHAN">LEVIATHAN</A></div> <div> <A HREF="kind_after_its_kind.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Kind after its Kind!">Kind after its Kind!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="rebellion.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Rebellion">Rebellion</A></div> <div> <A HREF="wave_sheaf.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wave Sheaf">Wave Sheaf</A></div> <div> <A HREF="pentecost___a_glorious_visio.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pentecost A Glorious Vision of Hope">Pentecost - A Glorious Vision of Hope</A></div> <div> <A HREF="what_is_a_generation.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is a Generation?">What is a Generation?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="prophecy_and_mysteries.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Prophecy and Mysteries">Prophecy and Mysteries</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_almost_forgotten_feasts_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Almost Forgotten Feasts of God">The Almost Forgotten Feasts of God</A></div> <div> <A HREF="power_to_transform.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Power to Transform">Power to Transform</A></div> <div> <A HREF="does_everyone_understand.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Does Everyone Understand">Does Everyone Understand</A></div> <div> <A HREF="five_steps_to_salvation.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Five Steps to Salvation">Five Steps to Salvation</A></div> <div> <A HREF="who_does_the_fig_tree_repres.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who Does the Fig Tree Represent">Who Does the Fig Tree Represent</A></div> <div> <A HREF="inherit_responsibility.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Inherit Responsibility">Inherit Responsibility</A></div> <div> <A HREF="letter_to_newly_baptized_mem.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Letter to Newly baptized members">Letter to Newly baptized members</A></div> <div> <A HREF="get_wisdom___get_understandi.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Get WisdomGet Understanding!">Get Wisdom---Get Understanding!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="learn_to_obey.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Learn to Obey">Learn to Obey</A></div> <div> <A HREF="a_voice_message.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Voice Message">A Voice Message</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_anger_of_god.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Anger of God">The Anger of God</A></div> <div> <A HREF="earth_our_inheritance.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Earth Our Inheritance">Earth Our Inheritance</A></div> <div> <A HREF="salt.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Salt">Salt</A></div> <div> <A HREF="prepare_ye_the_way_of_the_lo.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Prepare ye the way of the Lord">Prepare ye the way of the Lord</A></div> <div> <A HREF="learn_to_be_humble.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Learn to be Humble">Learn to be Humble</A></div> <div> <A HREF="fishers_hunters_watchmen.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fishers, Hunters, Watchmen">Fishers, Hunters, Watchmen</A></div> <div> <A HREF="inexcusable_excuses.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Inexcusable Excuses">Inexcusable Excuses</A></div> <div> <A HREF="it_did_not_happen_that_way.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="It Did Not Happen That Way">It Did Not Happen That Way</A></div> <div> <A HREF="ultimate_supreme_sacrifice.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ultimate Supreme Sacrifice">Ultimate Supreme Sacrifice</A></div> <div> <A HREF="living_stones.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Living Stones">Living Stones</A></div> <div> <A HREF="word_study.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Word Study">Word Study</A></div> <div> <A HREF="are_you_a_castaway.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Are you a Castaway?">Are you a Castaway?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="a_brief_lesson_in_nutrition.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Brief Lesson in Nutrition">A Brief Lesson in Nutrition</A></div> <div> <A HREF="born_to_rule.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Born to Rule">Born to Rule</A></div> <div> <A HREF="while_men_slept.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="While Men Slept">While Men Slept</A></div> <div> <A HREF="do_people_have_an_inmortal_s.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Do people have an inmortal soul?">Do people have an inmortal soul?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="blue_laws.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Blue Laws">Blue Laws</A></div> <div> <A HREF="believing_a_lie.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Believing a Lie">Believing a Lie</A></div> <div> <A HREF="what_a_powerful_statement.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What a Powerful Statement">What a Powerful Statement</A></div> <div> <A HREF="cheating_christ_and_god_out_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cheating Christ">Cheating Christ</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="modern_day_israel.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Modern day Israel">Modern day Israel</A></div> <div> <A HREF="am_i_going_to_heaven.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Am I going to Heaven?">Am I going to Heaven?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="why_does_the_earth_have_a_mo.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Why does the Earth have a Moon?">Why does the Earth have a Moon?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="connecting_the_dots.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Connecting the Dots!">Connecting the Dots!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="yielding.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Yielding">Yielding</A></div> <div> <A HREF="marriage_and_wedding_supper_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Marriage and Wedding supper of the Lamb">Marriage and Wedding supper of the Lamb</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_great_controversy.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Great Controversy">The Great Controversy</A></div> <div> <A HREF="last_days_events.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Last Days Events">Last Days Events</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="worlds_way_or_mans_way.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Worlds Way or Mans Way">World's Way or Man's Way</A></div> <div> <A HREF="freemasonrythe_invisible_emp.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Freemasonry...the Invisible Empire">Freemasonry...the Invisible Empire</A></div> <div> <A HREF="who_is_on_authority.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who is on Authority?">Who is on Authority?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="first_fruits_of_barley.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="First Fruits of Barley">First Fruits of Barley</A></div> <div> <A HREF="timeless_truth.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Timeless Truth">Timeless Truth</A></div> <div> <A HREF="how_do_sheep_differ_from_goa.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How Do Sheep Differ From Goats?">How Do Sheep Differ From Goats?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="deceived.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Deceived">Deceived</A></div> <div> <A HREF="do_business_till_i_come.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Do Business till I come!">Do Business till I come!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="new_beginning.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="New Beginning">New Beginning</A></div> <div> <A HREF="ultimate_liberty.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ultimate Liberty">Ultimate Liberty</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="the_cave_of_adullam.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Cave of Adullam">The Cave of Adullam</A></div> <div> <A HREF="what_do_you_think_impresses_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What do you think impresses God the most">What do you think impresses God the most?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="what_is_truth.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is Truth?">What is Truth?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="life_in_kenya.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Life in Kenya">Life in Kenya</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_assurance_of_salvation_t.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The assurance of salvation through faith">The assurance of salvation through faith</A></div> <div> <A HREF="person_of_interest.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Person of interest">Person of interest</A></div> <div> <A HREF="what_christians_need_to_know.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What Christians Need To Know About Islam">What Christians Need To Know About Islam!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="you_reap_what_you_sow.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="You reap what you sow">You reap what you sow</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="be_still___.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Be still . . .">Be still . . .</A></div> <div> <A HREF="how_short_is_life.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How short is life?">How short is life?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="sharing_gods_word.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sharing Gods Word">Sharing God's Word</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="nimrod_resurrected.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Nimrod Resurrected">Nimrod Resurrected</A></div> <div> <A HREF="have_you_wondered_why.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Have you wondered why?">Have you wondered why?</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="the_readers_corner_mayjune_2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Readers Corner: May/June 2009">The Reader's Corner: May/June 2009</A></div> <div> <A HREF="declaring_the_end_from_the_b.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Declaring the end from the beginning">Declaring the end from the beginning</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_renewing_of_our_mind.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Renewing of our mind">The Renewing of our mind</A></div> <div> <A HREF="sacrificed_for_our_sins.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sacrificed for Our Sins">Sacrificed for Our Sins</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_readerss_corner_marchapr.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Readerss Corner: March/April">The Readers's Corner: March/April</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_redeeming_blood.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Redeeming Blood">The Redeeming Blood</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="tempted_in_all_points.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tempted in all points">Tempted in all points</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="passover_attitude.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Passover Attitude">Passover Attitude</A></div> <div> <A HREF="readers_corner_whats_is_in_a.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Readers Corner: Whats is in a name like ">Readers Corner: What's is in a name like Israel</A></div> <div> <A HREF="life_comes_from.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Life comes from?">Life comes from?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="commitment.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Commitment">Commitment</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_purpose_of_the_bible.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Purpose of the Bible">The Purpose of the Bible</A></div> <div> <A HREF="doing_the_will_of_god.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Doing the Will of God">Doing the Will of God</A></div> <div> <A HREF="spiritual_encouragement.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spiritual Encouragement">Spiritual Encouragement</A></div> <div> <A HREF="faith_and_patience.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Faith and Patience">Faith and Patience</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_gifts_of_the_maji_and_ou.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Gifts of the Maji and our Destiny">The Gifts of the Maji and our Destiny</A></div> <div> <A HREF="solomons_wisdom.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Balanced Outlook on Live!">A Balanced Outlook on Live!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="what_is_truth1ce.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is Truth?">What is Truth?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="satans_snare.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Satans Snares">Satan's Snares</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="are_you_ready_for_the_return.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Are you ready for the return of Christ?">Are you ready for the return of Christ?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="readers_corner___september_2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Readers Corner September 2008">Readers Corner - September 2008</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_ultimate_plan.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Ultimate Plan">The Ultimate Plan</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="called_to_be_a_kingdom_of_pr.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Called to be a Kingdom of Priests">Called to be a Kingdom of Priests</A></div> <div> <A HREF="readers_corner_july_20008.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Readers Corner July 20008">Readers Corner July 20008</A></div> <div> <A HREF="knowing_god.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Knowing God">Knowing God</A></div> <div> <A HREF="living_without_gods_word.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Living without Gods Word">Living without God's Word</A></div> <div> <A HREF="trauma_in_america.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Trauma in America">Trauma in America</A></div> <div> <A HREF="proverbs_31_wife___an_exampl.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Proverbs 31 Wife An Example for the Chu">Proverbs 31 Wife - An Example for the Church of God!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="cremation.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cremation">Cremation</A></div> <div> <A HREF="change.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Change">Change</A></div> <div> <A HREF="only_one_mark_of_the_beast.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Only One, Mark of the Beast?">Only One, Mark of the Beast?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="how_should_pentecost_be_coun.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How should Pentecost be counted?">How should Pentecost be counted?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="gods_planned_parameters.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods Planned Parameters">God's Planned Parameters</A></div> <div> <A HREF="human_nature.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Human Nature">Human Nature</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id434.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Christian Burnout">Christian Burnout</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id433.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What I am living for">What I am living for</A></div> <div> <B>Jesus Christ; The Passover -- The Wavesheaf -- The Firstfruit!!</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id431.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Beyond the veil">Beyond the veil</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id429.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="All Because of Us">All Because of Us</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id428.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="As Little Children">As Little Children</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id427.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Something to think about">Something to think about</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id423.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="OBSERVE GODS FEAST FOREVER">OBSERVE GOD'S FEAST FOREVER</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id420.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Human nature">Human nature</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id419.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Thanksgiving, blessings of gratitude">Thanksgiving, blessings of gratitude</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id418.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who has the authority?">Who has the authority?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id415.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods will">God's will</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id414.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Really good news!">Really good news!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id413.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="It wont be long now!">It won't be long now!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id412.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jerusalem Our City of the Future">Jerusalem - Our City of the Future</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id411.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Listen to God">Listen to God</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id407.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Identifying the Holy Spirit">Identifying the Holy Spirit</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id406.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The book that hold the desteny of men!">The book that hold the desteny of men!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id405.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="From Which Will You Be Chosen?">From Which Will You Be Chosen?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id403.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Always be Ready!">Always be Ready!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id401.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Without vision">Without vision</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id400.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Yielding fruit after its kind!">Yielding fruit after its kind!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id397.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Two groups of Jews">Two groups of Jews</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id396.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods Almost Forgotten Day ">God's Almost Forgotten Day </A></div> <div> <A HREF="id395.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The New Moon, The Passover and Our Calli">The New Moon, The Passover and Our Calling</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id394.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Keep the Right Day for Passover">Keep the Right Day for Passover</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id393.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Pain of Change">The Pain of Change</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id392.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Man Who crucified Christ!">The Man Who crucified Christ!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id390.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Two Churches of Revelation 12">Two Churches of Revelation 12</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id389.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Heart Knower">The Heart - Knower</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id388.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="All things work together for good!">All things work together for good!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id387.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Understand Gods Healing Plan">Understand God's Healing Plan</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id386.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Feed Gods Household">Feed God's Household</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id382.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Religion could not save us">Religion could not save us</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id381.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Know Thyself">Know Thyself</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id380.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fear Factor">Fear Factor</A></div> <div> <A HREF="accountability2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ACCOUNTABILITY2">ACCOUNTABILITY2</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id374.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Why they will fight">Why they will fight</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id373.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Most High rules in the Kingdom of Ma">The Most High rules in the Kingdom of Man</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id372.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sharing Gods Word">Sharing God's Word</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id371.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="More reasons to rejoice at the Feast!">More reasons to rejoice at the Feast!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id370.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Why do We attend the Feast of Tabernacle">Why do We attend the Feast of Tabernacles</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id366.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Living in a world without the Bible ">Living in a world without the Bible </A></div> <div> <A HREF="id365.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="When all else failsPress On">When all else fails-Press On</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id364.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Come out of Babylon and be not partakers">Come out of Babylon and be not partakers of her sin</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id363.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="All other ground is sinking sand">All other ground is sinking sand</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id362.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Riddle of Leviathan?">Riddle of Leviathan?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id360.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Christs Message In The Parable Of Lazaru">Christ's Message In The Parable Of Lazarus And The Rich Man</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id359.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Keep Gods Sabbath Holy">Keep God's Sabbath Holy</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id358.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jesus Christ, The PassoverThe WavesheafT">Jesus Christ, The Passover---The Wavesheaf--The Firstfruit</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id357.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wave sheaf">Wave sheaf</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id356.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Let no man take your crown">Let no man take your crown</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id355.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods three appointed harvests">God's three appointed harvests</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id343.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Modern day Israel">Modern day Israel</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id339.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Planting of America">The Planting of America</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id342.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Where is God?">Where is God?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id344.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The power of words">The power of words</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id340.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Promises of the fifth commandment">Promises of the fifth commandment</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id341.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Out of Egypt I called my son">Out of Egypt I called my son</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id345.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=". . . and my People love to have it so!">. . . and my People love to have it so!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id347.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Betrayal of Christ">The Betrayal of Christ</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id348.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Purpose of Gods Law!">Purpose of God's Law!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id349.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The evils of sin">The evils of sin</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id350.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="He who overcomes">He who overcomes</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id351.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sharing Gods word">Sharing God's word</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id352.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Out of Egypt I called my son">Out of Egypt I called my son</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id318.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="GODS HOLY DAY OFFERINGS">GOD'S HOLY DAY OFFERINGS</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id320.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Time to count">Time to count</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id323.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Trumpet of God">Trumpet of God</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id324.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="To forgive is divine">To forgive is divine</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id325.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Overcoming bad habits">Overcoming bad habits</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id328.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Little Fock">Little Fock</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id329.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Government in Gods Church">Government in God's Church</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id330.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HWA Radio Transcript 1979">HWA Radio Transcript 1979</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id333.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Is God speaking to us?">Is God speaking to us?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id334.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Do you believe God?">Do you believe God?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id335.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Warnings and Exhortation">Warnings and Exhortation</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id336.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Righteous Judgment">Righteous Judgment</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id337.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The physical and spiritual blessings of ">The physical and spiritual blessings of submission</A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=380 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> JESUS CHRIST<FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >,</FONT></div> <bR> <div>     <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >THE PASSOVER - THE WAVESHEAF -- THE FIRSTFRUIT!!</FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> IS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of Them that slept”  </B></I>(1 Cor 15:20).</div> <div>                                                                                                                                     </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>      The Festival Days of God picture the spiritual plan of salvation that has been prepared for us, from God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.  This spiritual plan is one of the mysteries of the Kingdom. This spiritual  plan is not for the Israelites only, but for all of mankind.  These feast days are to teach us how to obtain salvation and eternal life.   God has granted wisdom and understanding through the Holy Spirit to those who have been called, repented of their sins and remain faithful until the return of Jesus Christ.   “....For <B>He is Lord</B> <B>of lords, and King of kings</B>: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (Rev. 17:14).</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>CHRIST, THE PASSOVER</B></div> <bR> <div>      We are now in the season to begin thinking about the first three steps in God's plan of salvation: Passover, Days of Unleavened Bread and Pentecost.  The same questions are still being asked: is the 14<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >th</FONT> at evening, the time of  Passover or is it the afternoon of the 14<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >th</FONT>  when Judaism states the lamb should be killed and eaten on the evening of the 15<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >th</FONT> of Abib?  It seems that after so many years of keeping Passover at the beginning of the 14<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >th</FONT> as God's word states, there are those who now say we must keep Passover at the end of the 14<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >th</FONT> because Jesus Christ was crucified on the <B><U>afternoon</U></B> of the 14<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >th</FONT>!  </div> <div>      This reasoning is flawed!  The Passover is when the death Angel passed over Goshen where the Israelites lived and went to Egypt and did the killing of their firstborn.  The Israelites in Goshen had to have </div> <div> blood on the door post, so they would be protected from the destroyer.  <B>It was the blood on the door post that was the Passover sign for protection</B>, NOT the eating of the lamb.  “For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.  And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where you are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.  And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.  For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, <B>the LORD will pass over the door</B>, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. That you shall say, `It is the sacrifice of the LORD's Passover, who <U>passed</U> <U>over</U> the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when He smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses.' And the people bowed the head and worshipped.  And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.  And it came to pass, <B>that at midnight the LORD smote</B> all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle” (Exo. 12:12-3,     22-23,27-29).</div> <div>      Jesus Christ is our Passover, our protector and when we partake of His body and <B>blood</B> on the evening of the 14<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >th</FONT> [ after sunset at the end of the 13th], we show that we want to be protected from eternal death.  Christ is our Passover!  “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us” (1 Cor. 5:7).</div> <div>      God's word teaches us that we can never gain salvation by the sacrifice of an animal!  The original Passover of Exodus 12 was a <B>shadow</B> of the coming sacrifice of Christ.  “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make those who approach perfect.  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? Because that the worshipers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.  But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins” (Heb. 10:1-4).</div> <div>      When Christ came to this world, He knew that His life must be sacrificed and  given for the payment of all sins.  Christ  and the Father knew that it would take the physical life of God in the flesh - Jesus Christ, to pay the price for sin!  “Wherefore when He came into the world, He says, `Sacrifice and offering you would not, but a body have you prepared Me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you have had no pleasure.'  Then said I, `Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me,) to do Your will, O God.'  Above when He said, `Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin You would not, neither had You pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;'  Then said He, `Lo, I come to do Your will, O God.'  He takes away the first, that He may establish the second.  By the which will we are sanctified <B>through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all</B>.  And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;  From henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool” (Heb. 10:5-13). </div> <div>      The greatest offering ever made was the willing offering of Jesus Christ!   “For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.  Whereof the Holy Spirit also  is a witness to us: for after that He had said before, `This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.'  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin” (Heb. 10:14-18).</div> <div>      Those who want to follow Judaism and keep the Passover on the evening of the 15<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >th</FONT> are following the teachings of anti-christ!  Judaism does not believe that Jesus is the Messiah!  They have not kept the Passover on the right day for thousands of years, thus they did not recognize the Messiah when He came the first time.  Even the Jewish historians say that the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread were two separate feast, but in some distant past they were combined into one feast.  “<I>Originally, Passover was two separate holidays.  One was an agricultural holiday called “Chag Hamatzot” [Festival Of Unleavened Bread].  The other was a pastoral holiday called “Chag Hapesach” [Festival of Paschal lamb].  Both holidays developed independently in the springtime of the year, in the Hebrew month of Nissan [March-April] </I>“The Jewish Book of Why,” <I>pg. 183.  In the course of time, these two springtime festivals came to be associated with another event that occurred in the springtime of the year: the Exodus from Egypt.  The Bible presents these springtime celebrations in this fashion: 1.  Chag Hapesach (Exo. 34:25), the festival of Pesach [Paschal lamb], became identified with the happening in Egypt, when God “passed over” the houses of the Children of Israel, sparing them the tenth plague, which was visited upon the oldest son in each Egyptian family.  Pesach comes from the Hebrew root pasach, meaning “Paschal lamb” and “pass over.”  2.  Chag Hamatzot (Exo. 23:15), the Festival of Unleavened Bread, was tied to the hasty  departure of  the  Children  of  Israel  from Egypt, when they “took their dough before it was leavened (Exo. 12:34) </I>“The Jewish Book of Why,” Author Alfred J. Kolatch, pg. 184.</div> <div>      As long as the House of Judah did not keep the Passover on the right day, they could not recognize that Jesus was the Christ.  God's Word says: “And you shall keep it up <B>until</B> the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening” (Exo. 12:6). “These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their seasons.  In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD's Passover.  And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread unto the LORD: seven days you must eat unleavened bread” (Lev. 23:4-6).  Seven days we must put Jesus Christ into our life by eating the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.  “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Cor. 5:8).  </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>CHRIST, THE WAVESHEAF</B></div> <bR> <div>      <B>Christ as the wavesheaf was cut down on the afternoon of the 14</B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>th</B></FONT>.  Please understand, Christ's crucifixion pictures the cutting down of the <U>first</U> of the firstfruits from the barley harvest.  Christ was then accepted on the 1<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >st</FONT> day of the week [Sunday] as the wavesheaf firstfruit.  His acceptance by God the Father, pictures Christ to be the first to live eternally after a resurrection.  Others have been brought back to life, but none has qualified for eternal life until Christ was resurrected and accepted by His Father.   “Jesus 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” (John 20:17). Christ is the wavesheaf, that was cut down on the afternoon of the 14<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >th</FONT>, which fits perfectly into the plan of salvation as pictured by God's Feasts!   “And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, `Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My feasts.  Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; you shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.  These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their seasons'” (Lev. 23:1-4).  “In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD's Passover.  And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days you must eat unleavened bread. In the first day you shall have an holy convocation: you shall do no servile work therein.  But you shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: you shall do no servile work therein.  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, `Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When you be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, <B>then you shall bring a sheaf of the</B> <B>firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest</B>:  <B>And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be</B> <B>accepted for you</B>: on the morrow after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.  And you shall offer that day when you wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD.  And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD for a sweet savor: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.  And you shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that you have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.  And you shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete:  Even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall you number fifty days; and you shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD'” (Lev. 23:5-16). </div> <div>      Today, many want to take the step of the wavesheaf out of the order in which the sequence of events happened.  There is a sequence of events that are to be followed by God's called out ones.  God our Father and Jesus Christ has given us truth!  We must follow the truth from the Bible, the Word of God.  Too many of God's people are still looking at the physical and not at the spiritual.  <B>These Feast and Holy Days are picturing a spiritual plan for salvation.  </B></div> <div>      It  has  been  given  to  God's called, chosen and faithful  to  know  the  <B>mystery  of  the  Kingdom</B>.  God's  festival  plan of salvation shows us this mystery.  </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUIT</B></div> <bR> <div>      “And you shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete:  Even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall you number fifty days; and you shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD” (Lev. 23:15-16).  By counting for Pentecost, on the day after the weekly Sabbath, we will always come to the 1<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >st</FONT> day of the week [Sunday]. Passover can be on any day of the week. The wavesheaf was always offered on the 1<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >st</FONT> day of the week [Sunday] during the days of unleavened bread.  There is always a Sunday within the days of unleavened bread.  This is the day we start our count from, even if  the Passover is on the weekly Sabbath.  If Passover would be on a weekly Sabbath, it would still be the Sabbath on which we use to start our  Sunday count for Pentecost for the Feast of Firstfruits.  Christ has shown us that it would <B>not</B> be wrong to pick a small sheaf of grain for the wavesheaf offering on a weekly Sabbath.  “And it came to pass on the second Sabbath after the first, that He went through the corn fields; and His disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands” (Luke 6:1).</div> <div>      Some claim  you cannot count Passover when it is on a weekly Sabbath as the Sabbath for counting Pentecost, because the priest would have to work on the Sabbath by waving the sheaf! Apparently these people have not read Numbers 28 and 29 where God commanded all the offerings that were to be given on each day and Holy Days.  Let's look at the offerings given on the 7 Days of Unleavened Bread.  “And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten.  In the first day shall be an holy convocation; you shall do no manner of servile work therein:  But you shall <U>offer a sacrifice </U>made by fire for a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first year: they shall be unto you without blemish: And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil: three tenth deals shall you offer for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram;  A several tenth deal shalt you offer for every lamb, throughout the seven lambs:  And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you.  You shall offer these beside the burnt offering in the morning, which is for a continual burnt offering.  <B>After this manner </B><B><U>you shall offer daily, throughout the seven days</U></B><B>,</B> the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.  And on the seventh day you shall have an holy convocation; you shall do no servile work” (Num. 28:17-25).    Now that's WORK for the priest!!  There is no reason why Passover cannot be used when it lands on the Sabbath before the Days of Unleavened Bread.  Every Holy Day in Numbers 28 and 29 has  a large offering of service given by the priests.</div> <div>      “You shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.  And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the <B>firstfruits for a wave offering before the LORD</B>, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.  And you shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: you shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations” (Lev. 23:17, 20-21).  </div> <div>      By keeping Pentecost in the order of events, we show God that we are willing to obey Him and that we want to receive the Holy Spirit as given to the New Testament Church.  Jesus Christ was the first of the firstfruits!  “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Cor. 15:20).  God through Christ has given us the opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit and we become a kind of firstfruits in the plan of God.  “Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:18).</div> <div>      We are instructed in the Holy Bible, if we remain obedient to God's Word - His Teachings, by keeping the Statutes, Commandments and Judgments, we will be a part of His family in the Kingdom of God.  “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb” (Rev. 14:4).</div> <div>      The Feast of Pentecost pictures the mystery of redemption for God's first harvest, those who have received God's Holy Spirit and have endured unto the end of this evil age.</div> <div>      Because Christ, our Passover [protector from death], our Wavesheaf [cut down, resurrected and accepted by the Father] and the  Firstfruit of the Father is holy; then we as His chosen should be holy in our obedience to the Father.  “For if the Firstfruit [Christ] be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches” (Rom. 11:16).</div> <bR> <div>      We can be holy through the power of God's Holy Spirit!  Christ gives us this power and we can make it into the Kingdom of God if we remain faithful to His Words.  These are the first three steps in God's plan  of salvation for us !!</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> James Russell</div> </td> </tr></table></body>