Passover  (continued)

Around them rose cries of Egyptians mourning the loss of their firstborn.  Suddenly the word came from Moses to hurry and gather themselves together for their great journey.  Pharaoh had decided to release the people of Yahweh.  The Israelites had prepared the unleavened bread called matzah for Passover, as Moses had instructed, so they picked up the matzah as their only provision and ran.

Matzah is a symbol of liberation from bondage of slavery and of sin.  Unleavened bread recalls the simple yet active faith of the Israelites who were willing to leave the home they knew to travel into the unfamiliar parched desert.  Having seen God's mysterious power in the plagues, they trusted in the promises of His servant.  As a bride they loved Almighty; He said, "and [she] followed me through the desert, through a land not sown," Jeremiah 2:2.

Devotees do not eat or use any food with yeast during the seven days of Passover.  Those who celebrate Pesah with deep commitment search out and dispose of leavened products.  To them, leaven is a symbol of "yetzer ha-ra"--evil inclinations--in particular, the prompting of pride.  No matter how small the leaven is in a food, the smallest particle is corruptive.  Similarly, no matter how small or deeply hidden is the leaven of evil in our lives, it will fester and grow to eventually poison every aspect of our lives.  

In the Bible, leaven is compared to the erroneous doctrines and vicious practices of the Pharisees and Sadducees in Christ's day (Matthew 16:6).  God's people, in the troublous times that lay ahead, must also put away the leaven of the religious leaders of our modern day.  Many a minister, rabbi and priest will succumb to the demonic deceptions seen around the globe, being ignorant of the Scriptures and prophecies which would save their souls and guide their congregations through the uncertain days ahead.

The Prophetic Passover Of The Appointed Time Of the End

As Passover draws near in a year not far distant, a wide-scale series of global disasters involving war, earthquakes and nature's wrath will coincide with an increase in demonic signs and wonders in the skies.  Untold millions of innocent men, women and children will lose their lives during the upheaval.  Matthew 24:4-8 forewarned the children of God, "watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name [Christians, speaking in the name of the Lord], claiming, I am Christ" which might cause you at first to believe their lies. Jesus continued, "you will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed [even though it looks like the end of the world is upon you]. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom [or, race against race].  There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  All these things are the beginning of birth pains [for the nation of Israel. The actual delivery is yet to come at the end]."  

Although ancient Israel experienced a new beginning nearly 3500 years ago upon their escape from Egypt, still their wilderness journey was plagued with numerous trials.  Nonetheless, God provided miracles of food and water.  In turn, when Elijah calls for the people of Israel to leave "spiritual" Egypt (Jerusalem-- Revelation 11:8) at Passover, Israel will "fly to the place for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time [1260 days], out of the serpent's reach," (12:14).  During this time Elijah will, for that smaller group willing to listen to his guidance, "turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers" in harmonious love towards one another and towards God (Malachi 4:5-6).  In this same line of thought, Revelation 11:3 promises that two witnesses-- Elijah, and no doubt Moses--"will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth [of mourning]. God's two prophets will protect the children of God while in the desert, for they are invincible for a time and can also inflict plagues for protection of themselves and those under their care (11:5-6). 

During the appointed time of the end and the beginning of the 1,260 prophetic days (see Calendar), Passover will mark the time when, because the nations have given themselves over Antichrist's 1,260 rule, the saints may wish to leave the larger cities to live in less populated areas.  Matthew 24:9-12 clearly indicates when the great sorrows begin "then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of Me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other . . . the love of most will grow cold."  Jesus said of this last great conflict, "You will be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death," (Luke 21:16).  Because of this great hatred within families, Almighty will indeed come with a divine curse on the land that Malachi warned of (4:6).  So it is that Christ stated without reservation, "when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies [at the end of time], you will know that its desolation is near," Luke 21:20.

Statements By Jewish Writers & Scholars

Concerning...

PESAH (Passover) and ELIJAH

“The custom [of the fifth cup of wine at the Passover table] became associated with the belief that Elijah did not die but ascended to Heaven alive (II Kings 2: 11) . . . and in the future he would announce the coming of the Messiah (Malachi 3:[1-2], Pirkei DeR. Eliezer 43). Further, it was believed that as the first redemption took place in [the Jewish month of] Nisan, so the future redemption would take place in Nisan (Talmud B., Rosh Hashanah lib).” Gates of the Seasons: A Guide to the Jewish Year, 1983, by Central Conference of American Rabbis, page 129.

“God promises: ‘And I will take you to be My people, and I will be your God, And you shall know that I, the Lord, am your God who freed you from the burdens of the Egyptians’ (Exod. 6:7). This covenantal relationship lies at the heart of the celebration of Passover. We rejoice for the past liberation from Egypt and for other redemptions by God since then. And because of the fulfillment of past promises, we anticipate at Passover the future final redemption. We create a special role for the prophet Elijah at the seder [the family meal and home ritual for Passover] as the symbol of our faith in the redemption soon to come.” The Jewish Holidays: A Guide & Commentary, 1985, by Michael Strassfeld, page 7.

“The Sabbath before Passover is call Shabbat ha-Gadol—the Great Sabbath—because the special haftarah [section of the prophetic books of the Bible read on holidays] for this Shabbat refers to the great and awesome day at the final redemption (see Mal. 3:[1—2]). Even before we recount the redemption from Egypt at Passover, we look forward to the final redemption, which will be heralded by Elijah.” The Jewish Holidays: A Guide & Commentary, 1985, by Michael Strassfeld, page 13.

“After the blessing the wine is drunk. Before anyone drinks, however, some is spilled into a plate or tray. This gesture symbolizes sadness and loss; as Shabbat ends, so ends it glimpse of redemption, of a world made whole. Havdalah [the evening ceremony that separates a weekly Sabbath or a major holy day of rest, such as Passover Sabbath, from the rest of the week] expresses a longing for a never-ending Shabbat, which for Jews is expressed in the image of the messiah and, because according to Talmudic legend Elijah will come after havdalah [after the Feast of Unleaven Bread, on the Day of Firstfruits], it is traditional to sing “Eliyahu Hanavi” [which words are—Elijah the prophet, Elijah the Tishbite, Elijah from Gilad, Come to us soon in our days with Messiah child of David].” Living A Jewish Life, 1991, by Anita Diamant and Howard Cooper, page 63.