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Holy Week in the Holy Land: Three Calendars Collide

by Ron Cantor
written by Ron Cantor

This week in the Holy Land, the three major faiths here—Jewish, Christian, and Muslim—all celebrate a major holy event, a rare intersection of calendars that only happens about every 33 years. Passover, Easter, and Ramadan have intersected this year.

For the Jewish people—it is Passover. In Jewish homes across Israel and the world, tonight (Friday), we will gather with family (no restrictions this year due to COVID!) and eat a special meal and remember a time when the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob rescued our people from slavery and made us into who we are today—the nation of Israel. And our deliverance came through obedience to God’s command to apply the blood of a lamb to the doorposts of the house. As Messianic Jews, we also remember the pure, spotless Lamb of God, Yeshua, who offered Himself as our sacrifice, once and for all, 2,000 years ago…and made deliverance from death into eternal life possible for everyone who believes, Jew and Gentile. His blood covers us.

Sadly, so many of my Jewish brothers and sisters—Yeshua’s brothers and sisters! —do not yet SEE Him and recognize what He did. So many things in the Passover Seder (meal) point to Yeshua, but most Jewish people are blind to this reality.

In fact, there is actually a competition this time of year by one small, extremist Jewish group—Return to the Mount—to see if anyone can get a lamb or goat to the Temple Mount and sacrifice it.

They are so desperate to get right with God. Animal sacrifices won’t do it! Yeshua is the way, and I long to see the day when their eyes will be opened, and they will see Him for who He is. The day is coming.

While they have attempted a Passover sacrifice on the Temple Mount for many years, this year, Return to the Mount is actually offering cash prizes to anyone who tries, gets arrested trying, or happens to succeed.

“Arrested? NIS 400. Arrested with a goat/lamb? NIS 800. Managed to sacrifice? NIS 10,000,” according to a Facebook post on Returning to the Mount’s page.

Needless to say, this has infuriated the Palestinians—Hamas in particular—because this act would be near their holy sites—even though the area all technically belongs to Israel. Both the attempt by a tiny fringe group in Israel and the reaction from the Palestinian Islamists are rooted in misguided religious zealotry and not the love of God.

“We stress that this represents a dangerous escalation that crosses all red lines, as it is a direct assault on the belief and feelings of our people and our nation during this holy month,” a statement by Hamas said.

Israeli police are working hard to keep the peace by preventing any infiltration of the Jewish group, especially this time of year.

For Muslims—it is Ramadan, a holy month of fasting and prayer…and more. This year, Ramadan and the days leading up to it have been the bloodiest in recent memory. So far, 14 people have been murdered, including an attack last weekend when three Israelis were gunned down in Tel Aviv, not far from where we live. There have also been nightly clashes between Palestinian Muslims and Israeli police in Jerusalem—unfortunately, this is not unusual during this month on the Islamic calendar. Tensions typically run high in this season—last year, it all culminated with the 11-day war between Israel and Hamas and the 4,000 or so rockets they rained on our nation.

For Christians, this week is the Easter season—from Palm Sunday to Easter, it is the most sacred time on the church calendar. The interesting thing about Easter in Israel is that unless you live in the old city of Jerusalem, you would have no idea. It is just another workday—the first day of the week.

Last Sunday, thousands of Christian pilgrims were back in Israel—after two years of COVID shutouts—to do the annual Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives past the Garden of Gethsemane into the Old City of Jerusalem. The walk commemorates Yeshua’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem before His crucifixion. The procession culminated in a service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the spots thought to be where Yeshua was crucified.

“After two years of Covid, of restrictions, of closed churches, today we are in a normal atmosphere,” Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem (the Catholic Church’s head person in this part of the world), said. “We have a lot of pilgrims, a lot of local Christians. We are very happy. For us, it’s a kind of resurrection.”

Asher Intrater and others on our team will be participating in a Global Communion from Jerusalem with Watchmen for the Nations at Christ Church in the Old City. (Click here for more info)

 

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Passover or Pesach, One Of The Most Beloved Jewish Holidays

by Christa
written by Christa

Passover or Pesach in Hebrew is one of the most beloved Jewish holidays. It is also one of the three pilgrimage festivals, together with Sukkot (Feast of Booths) and Shavuot (Feast of Weeks.) Consequently, Jewish males are expected to travel from their hometown to the Temple in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices and present themselves.

Passover or Pesach

Passover comes from Exodus 12:12-13. It says, “For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”

It commemorates God’s passing over the Israelite homes during the tenth plague in Egypt. The miracle forced the Egyptians to let them go and even provided them with jewelry, clothing, and food.

Passover is customarily observed by sharing a ritual meal, called a seder, with family and friends. Seder comprises symbolic foods laid out on the table and recitations of the Haggadah (a book that tells Israel’s story of redemption from Egypt’s slavery.) The most important food is the matzah or the “unleavened bread of affliction.” It highlights the unleavened bread Israelites eat as they leave Egypt. Moreover, during the eight days, Jews are  to remove any leavened food in their possession.

Christian’s Perspective of Passover

Unlike the other festivals, Passover is known among the Christian community. The reason for this is the rich theology behind death passing over doors with bloodshed posts. It foreshadows the coming Christ, the Lamb without blemish, and His redemptive blood. That whoever  it has been spilled on will no longer experience eternal death but eternal life.

Reference: My Jewish Learning

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FaithIsraelIsrael InsiderNews

Church History: How Easter Passed Over Passover

by Ron Cantor
written by Ron Cantor

Church History: How Easter Passed Over Passover

church history

Easter and Passover always coincide in spring time. Have you ever wondered about the history of the two celebrations? I have.  In the following video, you will find insights from Ron Cantor into some early church history…

Some questions you might find answers to include: Firstly, what did the believers in the first few centuries celebrate? The DEATH of Yeshua or the RESURRECTION of Yeshua? Secondly, let us know what you think! We hope you enjoy it.

“Easter stalks Passover. They arrive together every spring, like the daffodils and magnolia blossoms…Over the years, I have come to see that Christianity’s most important day recapitulates Passover. Both holidays face head-on the daunting power of death—and both announce God’s greater power of life.” (source)

How Easter Passed Over Passover!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.” (Romans 6:8-11)

For more insights, visit www.messiahsmandate.org.

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What If Passover Doesn't Mean Passover
ArticlesFaithIsraelIsrael InsiderNews

What If Passover Doesn’t Mean Passover?

by Ron Cantor
written by Ron Cantor

Ron Cantor claims that the Hebrew word Pesach פֶסַח, which is has been translated as pass-over for centuries, is actually a mistranslation.

The real meaning is so much more powerful!

What if Passover doesn't mean PASSOVER?

 

To learn more, visit www.messiahsmandate.org…

 

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Focus on Jesus, Not on the Shoes

by Jared Laskey
written by Jared Laskey

Christians were gearing up for the Holy Week. Churches that have reopened have breathed a sigh of relief. Many were carefully planning events for kids, and outreaches to share the gospel. Numerous churches were being cleaned as guests were being invited. And Christian social media was full of posts about…Shoes?

What went wrong? As Passover was starting Christians were posting about a pair of expensive, albeit, blatantly satanic shoes. They were focused on the pentagram displayed on the shoe, and that drops of human blood were in the limited edition shoes. And they were revolted that it was going to be 666 pairs of shoes. Which is a ‘bad’ number poorly misinterpreted by popular and more recent end times views.

#Canceled

May I ask you this: Did you post it and add your voice to the outrage? As cancel culture may be coming towards your views, did your behavior toward these shoes display the same spirit and attitude in wanting to cancel the shoes? I mean, what do you expect from a world you’re not preaching the love of Jesus to?

Now that I have your attention…when was the last time you prayed for those spiritually lost and wayward music stars, or prophesy destiny and decree the life giving power of Jesus over them? Have you reached out to them or people they attract, sharing God’s love?

Duped by Marketing Ploy

Christians were unfortunately duped in a marketing strategy that distracted them and is distracting them this Holy Week. Instead of posting on the love of Jesus and His victory for the world by His shed blood on the cross, people tried to dissect the name of the brand on the shoes. Pictures of believers waving palms for Sunday services were posted from my friends overseas, with invitations of ways to hear the gospel. But here in the United States, many Christian’s posts focused on the wrong blood during Passover weekend. 

Many of those posts lacked a call to prayer or call to decree over the designer(s). Instead, every share online helped generate more demand for the shoes, driving the price higher. And Christians were distracted as they fell into the manipulative hands of the marketers and helped generate more views of a demonic music video. Helping sear those images into millions of people’s minds…The enemy and the world is laughing. I’ll be honest that I didn’t want to write this article, but we’ve been duped. 

Focus on Jesus, Not on the Shoes

In no way am I condoning the shoes and their blatant message. But my wonderful Christian friends, what happened to our wisdom or discernment? Did you not pause and think before posting and sharing about the shoes that the timing of it was perfect to distract you from the purpose of Passover and Holy Week? During Holy Week Christians are calling for the cancellation of shoes while the lost world calls for the cancellation of Christ. And Christ was set aside by Christians posting about shoes.

This is Jesus’ week, around the world. We need to reach people with His love. We will be disgusted, appalled and shocked by many more things. But what the world needs is God’s love through you. And the viral posts shared by millions of Christians this week was a marketing ploy (free advertising). And distraction from the main thing the world needs right now. By posting about it, perhaps it stole your joy accomplished by design. My encouragement to you is to turn your heart and mind to gaze again on Jesus. Setting all distractions aside with a new commitment to reach people in His love. 

Jared Laskey, M.Div., M.A. in Christian ministry, is the founder of Fireborn Ministries and host of the Adventures in the Spirit podcast. He lives to see Jesus awaken this generation to the power of the Holy Spirit. Jared loves teaching people how to hear God. He has recently published the Spirit-Empowered Journal, available on Amazon, and e-courses Entry Level Prophecy, The Last Days, The Baptism with the Holy Spirit and more on charismacourses.com. His testimony of how God supernaturally healed him of PTSD is in Joan Hunter’s book, Miracles for Veterans. 

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Jesus in the Passover
ArticlesIsraelIsrael InsiderNews

The Connection Between Passover and Yeshua: A Messianic Jewish Perspective

by The Israel Insider
written by The Israel Insider

“There is no Christianity without Passover. Jesus is the Passover lamb. So, you can’t separate the two,” said Ron Cantor, the president of Shelanu TV. Shelanu TV is the only 24/7, digital, Hebrew-speaking, gospel television channel in Israel.

For Jewish people, “Passover is one of the most, if not the most, powerful narratives in the entire history of the Jewish people,” he told The Stream. “It celebrates the Jewish people coming out of Egypt after 400 or so years of slavery.” Ron added that “it is important to Jewish people, because without Passover, we would still be slaves in Egypt, or we would all be dead. And it becomes a symbol of God’s faithfulness to the Jewish people, faithfulness to His promises.”

The Lamb of God

Ron, a Messianic Jew who lives in Israel, said the Passover is full of symbolism that points to Jesus as the Messiah. For example, Jewish people in Egypt were told to kill a lamb “without blemish” and brush its blood on their doorposts and the Lord would pass over their house. He would not let the destroyer kill their firstborn sons. (Exodus 12:21-23) Ron said as a believer, Passover takes on greater meaning. As he pointed out, John the Baptist said of Jesus, “Behold, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) “And that’s the first time we hear this phrase, ‘Lamb of God,’ in Scripture — Old Testament or New Testament.” Ron believes John was making a connection between Jesus and the Passover lamb. He continued:

And then the blood applied to the doorpost of the house that saved the people. It was the death of Jesus, and then his blood applied, if you will, to the doorpost of our hearts, that brings us eternal life that causes us to escape God’s judgment.

Mitch Glaser, PhD, also a Messianic Jew, is the president of Chosen People Ministries. Chosen People Ministries plants Messianic congregations and uses digital media to reach Jewish people for Jesus. “There’s just so much imagery that pops out in technicolor,” he told The Stream. “[Jesus is] perfect, He’s a perfect lamb. His blood averts the judgment of God.”

Mitch takes it one step further. “So, there’s almost a direct connection with the death of the lamb substituting for the first born. … Jesus is our substitute. We are saved from our sins because of His shed blood. This is why I believe Passover provides a prophetic picture of God’s salvation power unleashed in the lives of the Jewish nation through the lamb in Exodus Chapter 12 and more so for individuals, through the sacrifice of Jesus.”

The Bread of Life

Another symbol that points to Jesus is the Matzah served at the Passover Seder meal. There are three pieces of Matzah. The leader of the ceremony takes the middle one, or the second one. “He then breaks it in half. … It is a piece of unleavened bread with stripes, piercings and bruises — very much like Isaiah 53,” Ron explained.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. — Isaiah 53:5 (RSV)

“So, you get a pierced, bruised and striped piece of unleavened bread. Jesus was without sin or ‘unleavened.’ So, the symbolism is amazing.” Ron said that the leader then places the Matzah in linen, like the body of Jesus, and hides it, “as if in a grave.” At the end of the meal, children look for it.

Mitch also talked about the symbolism of the cups and the Matzah in the Passover ceremony. “We hide the broken piece of wrapped Matzah and at the end of the meal we bring it back. It was at that moment during the Last Supper that Jesus took the Matzah and said, ‘This is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.’ And so, the very elements of communion grow out of the Passover Seder.” For Mitch, Passover also became more meaningful to him after he accepted Christ, “because now I understood that He is the Passover lamb and also the bread of life.”

A Bit Different This Year

Of course, Passover 2021, like last year, will be a bit different than in the years before COVID. In New York, Mitch will be able to gather with only a few family members for the ceremony. But he just filmed a “virtual” Passover for all to attend. It will be held on March 31. Over 4,000 people have already registered.

Ron’s 2020 Passover took place under complete lockdown, but that didn’t stop him or others in his neighborhood from celebrating. In his apartment complex, all of the backs of the apartments face each other. “So, it was neat to see people come out on their balconies last year and singing some of the Passover songs together. So, that was a challenge, but it was also a victory because we found a way to find unity, even in the midst of not being able to be together.”

“The Passover is a very hopeful holiday,” said Mitch. “It ends with a Hebrew song entitled ‘L’Shana Haba’ B’Yerushalayim.’ Translated, that means ‘next year we’ll be in Jerusalem.’ And so, Passover always looks forward to a greater day of redemption. As believers in Jesus, Yeshua the Messiah, we know that the greater salvation has come through the Jewish Messiah and one day He will return to Jerusalem to reign as King!”

He added that Passover can be “a great opportunity” to share the Gospel with Jewish people. “Jewish people, even if they’re not religious, know all about the Passover. And so, it’s a great tool for presenting Jesus in the Jewish way to their Jewish friends.” Ron agreed. “It’s … a wonderful way to share with Jewish people about Yeshua, Jesus.”

To celebrate the virtual Passover on March 31, please go to chosenpeople.com/passoverlive.

(This article was written by Nancy Flory and was originally published at The Stream. Republished with permission.)

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Israelis Prepare For The Return Of The Jewish Temple

by GOD TV
written by GOD TV

Anticipating the rebuilding of the Third Jewish Temple, Israelis have decided in recent years to revisit the skills needed and especially the rites of Passover.

Prior to the Passover this year many Israelis gathered in Jerusalem’s Old City on Monday April 15th to practice the sacrificing of the Passover offering.

In the time of the two temples, every Jew would participate in a Passover offering which was sacrificed in Jerusalem.

Photo by Eitan Elhadez/TPS

 

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Passover: God’s Purposes and Redemption for Humanity!

by Elizabeth Njeri
written by Elizabeth Njeri

Good Friday, April 19th was also the start of Passover. ‘Pesach Sameach’ to all our Jewish / Messianic friends. Elizabeth Njeri writes from Israel about Passover.

Passover: God’s Purposes and Redemption

Passover, what a significant time, there is a clear pattern in the Bible of timing and the manifestation of God’s promises and purposes. It is beyond coincidence Passover represents a time of redemption during the old covenant and the new covenant. This points to significance and deliberate intention of God’s purposes for humanity. In the old covenant, it was the time when He delivered His chosen people from long term bondage. In the new covenant, God provides redemption for all humanity scattered throughout the nations.

It could be the most significant moment in time when a bridge for eternal redemption was created not only for Israel but all tribes and nations. As we celebrate the Passover Seder here in Israel we will remember God’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage which lasted for over 400 years. Indeed a reason to celebrate Jesus, our Passover lamb, was slain in the same season – a direct fulfillment of God’s intention – the redemption of humanity. The fact that He could leave heaven to live on earth and then ultimately die is a direct visual that God, in His mercy, is deeply committed to redeeming man.

Here are Bible verses on the origin, timing, and relevance of Passover origin:

Exodus 12

The Lord said to Moses in the land of Egypt, this month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month every man shall take a lamb…a lamb without blemish…keep it until the fourteenth day of this month when the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight.
They shall take the blood and put it on the doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it… and you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover.
For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt both man and beast and on all the gods of Egypt
The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are and when I see the blood I will pass over you and no plague will befall you or destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

God says that it is HIS PASSOVER (verse 11) not Moses or the nation of Israel. This is very important because the lamb was slain for all the tribes, nations and peoples, and therefore, Jesus is the Passover lamb.

God is the author and origin of the covenant and Feast of Passover.

Timing

Verse 13 talks God says ‘when I strike the land of Egypt’. He did on the 14th day of the first month of the biblical year. Time and God’s purposes are bound in time the progression from the 1st day to setting the lamb aside on the 10th day of the slaying of the lamb on the 14th day is synonymous with the killing of Jesus in the new covenant.

Luke 22

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put Him to death for they feared the people. Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover had to be sacrificed….and the hour came, he reclined at the table and the apostles with Him, and He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer…” as you continue to read Jesus that same night He was arrested, it was a heavy duty night till His crucifixion.
The blood needed to Passover God’s wraths for billions of people was shed, redemption is now a reality.
This is a time to be awake to God’s purposes for this extremely important and significant season.

Relevance

Shedding of blood – there is a lot of power coming from the blood which has been shed, in exodus it is the blood that protected the nation of Israel from the plague.

Hebrews 9

“…and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”

Revelation 5

“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”

What an amazing scripture the Passover in the New covenant sealed eternal redemption for all humanity regardless of your tribe, tongue, people and nation.

Revelation 12

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.

What significant time to be awake, alive and waiting on the fulfillment of His purposes as we commemorate His Passover. We as the Bride of Jesus Christ must come in His Passover with full assurance of His redemption and be petitioning those in the world to come into His alignment this Passover season.

His Passover, His Purposes, His redemption for all humanity.

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Crossing Over Into Resurrection

by Paula R. Bryant
written by Paula R. Bryant

Resurrection Sunday is coming! Do you feel the hope it brings, or are you struggling to believe there is hope for you? Think of resurrection as crossing over from old to new. Transition. God is the master of change. He sent His Son Jesus to die on the Cross and rise again, so that we could rise out of darkness and cross over into a new day—the day we accept Jesus, and in our everyday lives for the rest of our lives.

What transitions are you coming through? When you think of them, remember Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Remember that because He crossed over, you can too. A new day can be yours.

Becoming New

The road to resurrection can be daunting. It challenges us to see beyond our doubts and fears and move into God’s promise and purpose. Jesus was challenged before He went to the Cross—His path to resurrection. He went to Gethsemane “deeply distressed” while Judas set his plan to betray Him in motion (see Matthew 26:36–37 and John 13:21–30). Jesus prayed so earnestly that His sweat “became like great drops of blood falling to the ground.” (Luke 22:44).

As we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, know that Jesus sympathizes with your weaknesses. He was tempted like you and me, but without sin (see Hebrews 4:15). When He got up from agonizing prayer, He walked all the way down that road; He was tried, tortured, and crucified, knowing that He would cross over and rise again in power (see John 2:18–22).

No matter what you’re facing, you can know that you’ll come all the way through. How do I know this? When you gave your life to Jesus, you were born again. Everything became new (see 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Do you remember the day when Jesus set you free? When your thoughts and desires changed? When you suddenly couldn’t wait to read the Bible or go to Bible study? When I got saved, I was a smoker. But after giving my life to the Lord, the desire for cigarettes left me. I was amazed; I knew I hadn’t been able to stop smoking in my own power. Jesus is real.

The Same: Yesterday, Today, & Forever

Let’s go deeper. Millions of people around the world celebrate Resurrection Sunday / Easter, but I see it as the perfect marriage of old and new. The completion of Old Covenant shadows by the coming of New Covenant promises in Jesus Christ. Truly, this blessed season is about crossing over.

It is the time to remember that Jesus, our Passover Lamb (see 1 Corinthians 5:7), has delivered all who believe in Him out of the hands of our enemy, the devil. Jesus is the fulfillment of the “lamb without spot and blemish” chosen by each household in Exodus 12:1–28. When the Israelites applied the blood of that pure, innocent lamb to their lintel and doorposts, God caused the death angel to “pass over” their households during the final plague in Egypt when every firstborn died (see Exodus 12:12–13).

Just as surely as God used Moses to deliver the Israelites out of Pharaoh’s cruel reign, Jesus leads you and me out of the tyrannical rule of our enemy. You see, both then and now, the blood of the “sacrificial lamb” sets us free from bondage. We cross over and come into a new beginning, the first day of the rest of our lives (see Exodus 12:1–8).

Matthew 26 tells us how Jesus shared a Passover meal (called a Seder) with the disciples, and on the same night was betrayed and arrested. When the sun came up, it was still Passover. How so? The Hebrew day begins at evening according to Genesis 1:1–5. So, Passover began that night and ended the next evening. Jesus died on the cross on Passover at the “ninth hour” (see Matthew 27:46–50), which was at 3:00 p.m. on the modern, twelve-hour clock. History proves He is our Passover Lamb.

The Bible also tells us that when Jesus breathed His last breath, “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” (Matthew 27:51) Jesus, our High Priest, completed and fulfilled the Old Covenant priesthood. Because He shed His blood once for all, the blood of lambs, goats, and other sacrifices was no longer necessary (see Hebrews 9:11–15).

Jesus Has Set You Free!

As we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, remember that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, He not only birthed the New Covenant—He shed His blood so that you could be forgiven, healed, delivered, and restored to a right relationship with the Father. There is POWER in the blood of Jesus! It doesn’t matter if the road to your victory looks a little dark and you can’t see everything ahead. Because of Jesus, the enemy of your soul can no longer control you.

Hebrews 2:14–15 says, “Since, therefore, [these His] children share in flesh and blood [in the physical nature of human beings], He [Himself] in a similar manner partook of the same [nature], that by [going through] death He might bring to nought and make of no effect him who had the power of death—that is, the devil—and also that He might deliver and completely set free all those who through the [haunting] fear of death were held in bondage throughout the whole course of their lives.”

If you’re going through a difficult transition, remember Jesus! As a child of God—the master of change—you can cross over into resurrection: a new day of grace, hope, and power. I encourage you, starting today, to think about everything God has done for you. Record it in your journal and thank Him for all His benefits (see Psalm 103:1–5). Instead of looking down, look up! See the One who was foreshadowed in the Old Covenant; Whose death, burial, and resurrection birthed the New Covenant; and Whose love and power have set you free. You’ll see your transitions in a new light.

Yes, Resurrection Sunday is upon us, and Jesus is here for you right now. I pray to the Father in His wonderful Name that you would see and experience the Lord in a new way. May He shine the light of resurrection in your heart and give you hope for better tomorrows. I thank Him for causing you to rise, by the power of His blood, and cross over into all He has for you. Amen.

“Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

 

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Easter and Passover Greeting From Ward Simpson

by Ward Simpson
written by Ward Simpson

In the fifth book of Revelation the Apostle John wrote:“Then I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” (Revelation 5:1-2 NIV)

John was experiencing a supernatural revelation and was weeping because no one had responded to the loud call of the angel who asked-“who is worthy to break the seal and open the scroll?” What is this scroll and why is it so important?

We know it as the “Lamb’s Book of Life”, the place where our names are recorded. Think about it friend, your name is written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life” but if the scroll cannot be opened, then our eternal life hangs in the balance, which is why John was horrified and began to weep uncontrollably.

John’s revelation continued and he wrote in chapter 5:5-10 NIV: “Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’” … “And when He [Jesus] had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb.”

Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

Oh friend, that’s when the worship erupted. That’s when heaven roared with praise. Creatures in heaven and on earth and even below the earth begin to PRAISE HIM! Yes indeed, Worthy is the lamb!

It is our joy to be able to share this good news with people around the world and also our privilege to partner with you to make this happen.

But there is more to be done… Many people know about Him but they do not know Him.

In John 11, Jesus arrives to raise Lazarus from the dead. Martha said to him, “if only you had come sooner he would not have died.”

What was sad is that Martha knew Jesus, knew of his miracles, yet at this moment she had no hope, even though Jesus was there in the flesh. Jesus responded that her brother will rise again, yet Martha once again did not understand. Here He is, the miracle working Jesus who is telling Martha that her brother will rise again, and He was about to bring him back to life, but she did not get it.

“I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day” was her response, but it was the response that Jesus gave to Martha that I want us to focus on: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25 NIV)

Read this passage again friend, and put the emphasis on the “I AM”. Jesus was making a point to Martha then, and He is making the same point to us today, that He is the God of the NOW. He is with us NOW. He takes away our sins NOW. He heals us NOW. He delivers us NOW. He provides for us NOW! He can bring people back to life NOW. He is the resurrection and the life at this very moment! Praise God! Can you say AMEN!

During this Easter/Passover season, we pray you draw closer to Him as He draws closer to you.

The Lamb of God is with you NOW! As it is written in Matthew 28:20 NIV “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” The same Lamb of God is with you even to the end of the age. Hallelujah!

Sadly, despite the fact that we broadcast 24 hours a day to over 300 million connected homes, many have never heard this great message and that is why we have to work even harder this year. The gospel is the greatest story ever told but there are many who have not heard it. There are also those who, may have heard, but they do not have a personal relationship with Jesus and as a result their names are not recorded in the Lamb’s book of life. Can we count on you to help us ensure that when the scroll is opened there will be the maximum number of names possible?

Lydia and I along with the entire GOD TV team wish you and your family a blessed Easter/Passover.

We love you and thank God for you.

Ward Simpson
President & CEO of GOD TV

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