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| Shalom Scripture Studies, Inc. | A Hebrew-Christian Bible Fellowship |
| April 2006 (5766) | Vol. 32 No. 4 |
MESSIAH IN THE PASSOVER
By Dr. Elias E. Hidalgo
This commemoration has been kept for nearly 3,400 years by religious and non-religious Jewish people.
What a beautiful testimony to God's Word. In Exodus 12:24 we read... "And ye shall observe this thing (Passover) for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons FOREVER."
And so, The Feast of Passover has been celebrated since the days of Moses, through the days of Jesus of Nazareth, and up to the present day. The Jewish people have observed and kept The Passover throughout the world, during times of peace and safety, and during times of great peril and strife.
It has not always been easy or convenient for Jewish people to observe the Feast of Passover throughout these many centuries in the various countries that they have lived in, especially when we consider the historical fact that oftentimes the penalty of death has been imposed upon them who were found celebrating Passover. We often forget that in past ages, and in other places, religious freedom as we know it has not existed, this is a relatively new phenomenon.
The first Jews that arrived on the shores of America looking for religious freedom were of Sephardic (Spanish) descent, and they arrived around the year 1674. As a memorial of this great event, the Shearith Israel Synagogue was established in New York City, and is the oldest Synagogue in North America. Shearith Israel stands today as a reminder that our country opened its arms to the Jewish people and allowed them the freedom to observe this ancient Festival without having to fear for their lives.
Thank The LORD that through all these many years the Passover Celebration has been commemorated on our shores as a beacon of hope and liberty for an oppressed people. I personally believe that this is one major reason why The LORD has blessed our country so very much. (See: Genesis 12:3).
Now, what does Messiah (Christ) have to do with this very ancient feast which is still being celebrated today?
It seems as if the two terms are contradictory, that is, Christ and Passover. Although in fact we know that they are complimentary one to the other.
The theme of The Lord's Passover is deliverance from bondage, which The LORD GOD provided through the shedding of the blood of a lamb specifically chosen to be slain on the 14th day of Nisan and its blood applied upon the lintel, and upon the two side posts of each house.
The destroyer was sent by The LORD upon the Land of Egypt to slay the firstborn; upon seeing the blood, He would then PASS-OVER that house, thus sparing the firstborn. Did you know that Y'shua (Jesus) was crucified at the time of Passover? He as The Lamb of GOD... "was cut off out of the land of the living" (Isaiah 53:8).
Y'shua (Jesus), Our Passover Lamb shed His Blood to redeem us from the bondage of sin unto the beauty of salvation.
During Passover, as the Seder (Service or Order) is celebrated, there are two ingredients that dominate the ceremony; the MATZAH (Unleavened Bread), and the WINE (fruit of the vine). We partake of each of these items during the observance (Seder) of Pesach (Passover).
Today, as El Shulchan (The LORD's Table) is observed, we are reminded that it originated as The Passover was being celebrated and observed by Jesus and His disciples, with the bread and the wine (the fruit of the vine) which are the integral parts of the Service in which we are reminded of The Broken Body and the shed Blood of Our Messiah Yeshua (Jesus).
Yes, Messiah (Christ) in The Passover is the fulfillment of all that The Almighty GOD required for the Atonement of the sin of the world.
The Sinless Lamb of God, The LORD Jesus Christ has become our PASSOVER from death unto life, through His death, burial, and RESURRECTION, according to The Word of God.
For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us. 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. I Corinthians 5:7-8
IS EASTER IN THE BIBLE ?
By Dr. Elias E. Hidalgo
IS EASTER IN THE BIBLE ?
Every question in life has both a short and a long answer. Well, let me give you the
'Good News-Bad News' about our subject at hand.
A DICTIONARY DEFINITION
The best dictionary definition of Easter is found in the root of its meaning from
the mythical goddess 'EOSTRE' (also known as Ostara or Ishtar), a goddess of the
dawn and spring.
A FERTILE EGG ?
The story begins supposedly that an angelic being descended from the heavens in a
fertile egg (sound familiar?) to bring blessings to all the inhabitants of the earth.
Somehow, by the time Christianity assumed a major role in society (around the third
and fourth century A.D.), the leaders, also known as the church fathers, began to hunt
for some form of symbolism to associate themselves with the Resurrection of The LORD
Jesus Christ. Thus, the fragmented and fictional account of 'Eostre' has become
embroiled with the factual account of the Resurrection of our LORD.
THE HOLY BIBLE
To give credence to what has already been said, we find inserted in The King James
translation of The Holy Bible (Acts Chapter 12 and verse 4), the term 'EASTER', which
in reality should properly say 'PASSOVER'.
WRONGFULLY INSERTED
The above reference to Easter (wrongfully inserted of course) appears only once in
the entire Holy Bible. Yet, with all the carrying on in reference to Easter parades,
Easter bunnies, Easter eggs, Easter sunrise services, Easter this and Easter that,
ad infinitum, one would expect that THE HOLY BIBLE would be replete with Scripture after
Scripture mentioning the word 'EASTER'. It's not. If anything should have been spoken
of and written about, even celebrated, in connection with The Resurrection of Our
Messiah, The LORD Jesus Christ, it should have been the 'PASSOVER'.
CUSTOMS OF THIS WORLD
Oh, I know that one should not fight against City Hall, or better stated, go against
the 'ESTABLISHED RELIGIOUS ORDER', but, I must confess that the more I hear about
this holiday and its theme, the more I am compelled to state my case against this
marriage between Christianity and the traditions and customs of this world.
THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS
You might be asking yourself, 'Does Dr. Hidalgo believe in The RESURRECTION OF JESUS
or not?', my answer is loud and clear. Yes, I believe with full assurance and perfect
faith that The Messiah of Israel, The LORD Y'shua (Jesus), died on a cross for our
sins according to The Scriptures, He was also buried according to The Scriptures, and
on the third day He rose from the dead triumphant and glorious according to The Word
of God. Today, He is at the right hand of God making intercession for all who believe
and accept this wonderful message of salvation. I believe this with all my heart, and
I preach and teach the same to all who will listen.
I DON'T AGREE
What I don't agree with is the inclusion of a pagan mythical goddess (Eostre), and
all of the trappings that go along with it; the mixing of pagan and heathen customs
with The Resurrection of Our LORD Jesus Christ.
WORSHIP OF THE SUN?
Therefore, Easter, and the eggs, and the bunnies, and the sunrise services (worship
of the sun and not the SON) are all opposite to the Scriptural and truthful meaning
of The Resurrection of The LORD Jesus Christ. By the way, if you read correctly the
account describing when Y'shua (Jesus) rose from the dead, you will then understand that
the resurrection took place while it was yet dark (night-time). So, why do those
who represent Christianity insist on remembering The Resurrection after the sun rises?
I'LL TELL YOU WHY
Because of the pagan influences. Not only of the mythical goddess 'Eostre', but also
the heathen practice of worshipping the sun is as another mythical and pagan god.
OPPOSED TO THE TERM
I am totally opposed to the term 'EASTER', as well as, all of its pagan involvements,
especially the commercial and eclectic involvement of bunnies, eggs, parades, and
on and on.
THE RESURRECTION OF MESSIAH
What I promote wholeheartedly is that we should remember, daily, that Our Blessed
Saviour rose from the dead according to The Word of God. We need to remember The
Resurrection of Our LORD Jesus Christ not just once a year. I believe we need to
honor Our Risen LORD and Redeemer every day of the year. In reality, our faith and our salvation
depends totally and completely upon the finished work of Our LORD Y'shua (Jesus).
The blessed Gospel (Good News) of the Lord Jesus Christ is, that He died for our
sins, was buried and on the third day rose from the dead, all in accordance with the prophecies
from the Old Testament Scriptures, as well as, the New Testament teachings of Jesus
while He was on earth.
THE RESURRECTION....NOT EASTER
As we honor and pay homage to our Lord on this day, may we learn to say, "Thank the
Lord for the Resurrection Day", instead of the common greeting "Have a Happy Easter".
I believe The LORD is honored and pleased that we have extricated that which is ungodly from the
beautiful and glorious majesty of His Resurrection.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO
JOHN 20: 1, 11-17
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto
the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre ..... But Mary stood
without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into
the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other
at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why
weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know
not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and
saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman,
why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith
unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take
him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni;
which is to say, Master. Jesus saith 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.
OTHER BROCHURES OF: SHALOM SCRIPTURE STUDIES, INC.A Former Chief Rabbi, A Gentile for Israel, Audio-Cassette Library, Baptism By Immersion, Blessed Be Israel, Catalogue, Chanukkah Brochure, Feasts Of The Lord, How Good & How Pleasant, Intro-Brochure, Isaiah 53, Is Christmas In The Bible?, Is Easter In The Bible?, Literature Library, Messiah In The Passover, My Servant, My Year Of Jubilee, Passover 4 More Questions, Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem, Prophecies And Fulfillments, Television Schedule, The Lord Our Righteousness, The Word Of God, Tithes And Offerings, Verses From Our Services, Video Library, Who Is Lord Of The Sabbath, Why To The Jew First?, Without Chanukkah There Would Be No Christmas, Y'shua In The Tanach
SHALOM SCRIPTURE STUDIES, INC.
'a Hebrew-Christian Bible Fellowship'
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