Isaiah Sixty One Seven: A Chronology of Two Passovers: The Exodus & the Gospels

By Maria Merola אריאל

http://www.DoublePortionInheritance.com/

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/DPIMinistries

Many of us remember watching Cecil B. Demille’s production entitled “The Ten Commandments,” from 1956 starring Charlton Heston. If you are like me, the images from this production have remained etched into our consciousness to such a degree, that we tend to read the scriptural account through the lens of those stored images in our memory. As a result, all of my life I believed that the Exodus out of Egypt took place the following morning after the angel of death took the firstborn of the Egyptians.

Perhaps this is why so many people, (including the Jewish people) keep Passover & Unleavened Bread on one single night, the night of the 15th of Abib (Nisan), the first month in the Hebrew calendar.

My journey into keeping the Feasts of YaHuWaH began in 2002. Yet, with each passing year, my understanding of the feasts has evolved, as I have gained better understanding with each passing year.

Over the years, I became perplexed as I realized that many others were observing Passover & Unleavened Bread as if they are just one feast to be kept on only one night---the night of the 15th of Abib.

However, as I carefully examined the accounts of all four gospels, it became obvious that there are two separate feasts being represented on two separate nights.

The revelation of there being two separate feasts on two separate nights came into focus when I observed patterns from the first Passover in Egypt, up against Messiah's fulfillment as the Passover Lamb.

In Genesis 1:4-5, when YaHuWaH divided the light from the darkness, he was making a clear distinction between those who belong to the darkness, and those who belong to the light of Messiah.

Even though he divided these two periods (assigning 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness for a complete 24-hour calendar date), he designated the evening as the first passage of time, and then the morning as the second passage of time, before he called it a completed “day.”

In the Hebrew Masoretic text, here is how the passage reads in Genesis 1:5: Genesis 1:5 reads “And there came to be evening, and there came to be morning, the first day.”

Why did Elohiym begin with evening, rather than morning? To learn more, see these two blogs:

Why Does YaHuWaH Establish His Covenants in the Evening?

When Does a Biblical “Day” Begin?

The answer to why Yah begins a new calendar date with evening can be found in the very meaning of the word “evening.”

#6153 `ereb eh'-reb from 6150; dusk:--+ day, even(-ing, tide), night.

#6150 `arab aw-rab' a primitive root (identical with 6148 through the idea of covering with a texture); to grow dusky at sundown:--be darkened, (toward) evening.

Exodus 12:38 tells us that a “Mixed Multitude” went out of Egypt.

And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

Interestingly, the word “mixed” in the above passage is the same word as “evening” (ereb), even though James Strong assigned it a different reference number. However, the words are spelled the same, only the Masoretes gave this word different vowels:

#6154 `ereb ay'-reb or mereb (1Kings 10:15), (with the article prefix), {eh'-reb}; from 6148; the web (or transverse threads of cloth); also a mixture, (or mongrel race):--Arabia, mingled people, mixed (multitude), woof.

From the illustration below, you will see that a woof is the same thing as a weft, which is part of a woven fabric.

We can now begin to understand why YaHuWaH allowed there to be a transitional period called “evening,” which consists of “a mixture of light and darkness.”

This is because there are those who have not yet come into the light of Messiah, but they will eventually repent and be converted to him. Therefore, they represent the 12 hours of darkness called “night.” There are also those who are walking in the light of Messiah, and they represent the 12 hours of “daylight.”

There was a MIXED MULTITUDE that went out of Egypt!

The Whole House of Yisra’el & the Sojourning Egyptians made up BOTH HOUSES!

The Hebrew word for “MIXED” (EREB) is the same word for “EVENING” (EREB). Thus, there are TWO EVENINGS FOR TWO HOUSES!

Our English Bible does not accurately translate Exodus 12:6.

“And ye shall keep it UP UNTIL the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Yisra’el shall kill it in the evening.”

This is how it is supposed to read:

Shemoth (Exodus) 12:6 And you shall keep it UP UNTIL the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Yisra’el shall kill it BETWEEN THE TWO EVENINGS (beyn ha’erebiym).

It becomes apparent that YaHuWaH designed Passover & Unleavened Bread to be BETWEEN TWO EVENINGS, so that our Messiah could EAT the Passover (in obedience to the Torah), and also BECOME THE PASSOVER, all in the SAME DAY!

If our Messiah had not EATEN the Passover, he would have been DISQUALFIED as THE PERFECT, SPOTLESS LAMB!

Below is a link that explains why there were two nights for slaughtering lambs in 1st Century Jerusalem.

Two Passovers?

http://www.cogwriter.com/passover_on_the_fourteenth_or_fifteenth.htm

The gospels appear to say that the Messiah ate a Passover meal with the twelve on the evening beginning Nisan 14, and John appears to say Jews were having their Passover meal one day later. There are different theories to explain this.

The Sadducees and Pharisees disagreed on the day of Passover. The Sadducees (the more conservative group) believed the Feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread were separate feast days. They held Passover on the fourteenth as Elohiym decreed in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers.

Those of the majority opinion, including the Pharisees, held Passover on the fifteenth…Thousands of people would come to Jerusalem to have their lambs ritually slain in the Temple. If they only had one day in which to prepare for the Passover, it would have been extremely difficult to have slaughtered all the lambs brought in to be sacrificed.

Therefore, they worked on two different time scales. The northern part of the country went with the old way of dating (starting from morning and going to the following morning). The southern part of the country followed the official dating method (from evening to evening).

Thus, there were two times when lambs were being killed in the Temple for sacrifice----Sampson R & Pierce L. A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays. Heart of Wisdom Publishing June 2001, p. 112.

As you can see from the above historical account, the lambs were slaughtered the evening before our Messiah was sacrificed on the tree, and they were slaughtered again the following evening! There were two evenings for slaughtering lambs!

All Yisra’el began to “unleaven” their homes on the 14^th of Abib called “The day of preparation.” Therefore, anytime within those 24 hours (beginning at the first sunset when the date changed from the 13^th to the 14^th of Abib) until the following night just before the date changed at sunset to the 15^th of Abib, Yisra’el was able to kill the Passover any time during those 24 hours.

So long as the lambs were slaughtered “at evening” or “between the two evenings,” they were still within the parameters of obeying the Torah.

The Yahuwdiym (Jews) Consolidated Passover & Unleavened Bread into One Feast

While Elohiym intended the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread to be separate (though adjacent) observances, the Yahuwdiym (Jews) ended up combining the two during the Babylonian exile, as the Encyclopaedia Judaica confirms:

“The feast of Passover consists of two parts: The Passover ceremony and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Originally, both parts existed separately; but at the beginning of the [Babylonian] exile they were combined” (vol. 13, p. 169).

This careless and unscriptural merging of festivals resulted in the Jews observing Passover late on Abib 14, just hours before the Feast of Unleavened Bread began. Thus, a third variation of Passover observance was added to the mix.”

The Chronology of Messiah’s Death & Burial

1.) Yahuwshuwa commanded his disciples to GO AND PREPARE THE PASSOVER, THAT WE MAY EAT IT.

Matthityahuw (Matthew) 26:17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Yahuwshuwa, saying unto him, Where will you that we prepare for YOU to eat the Passover?

Mark 14:12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the Passover, his disciples said unto him, Where will you that we go and prepare that YOU MAY EAT the Passover?

Luke 22:8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, GO AND PREPARE US THE PASSOVER THAT WE MAY EAT.

Mark 14:18 And as they sat and did eat, Yahuwshuwas said, Verily I say unto you, One of you WHICH EATS WITH ME shall betray me.

2.) Passover begins on 14th of Abib when the sun goes down:

Exodus 12:6 “And you shall keep it UP UNTIL the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Yisra’el shall kill it BETWEEN THE TWO EVENINGS (beyn ha’erebiym).”

3.) After they ate the Passover Meal, they went to the garden to pray.

4.) About the same time the first-born of the Egyptians were killed in Egypt, is when our Messiah was arrested and whipped. He was the “first-born” taking the place of sinners.

5.) By the morning they tried him, and the people shouted “Crucify him!”

6.) They crucified him at 9:00 a.m. (Mark 15:25).

7.) He died at 3:00 p.m. (Mark 15:34).

What this means, is that our Messiah ate the Passover Meal with his disciples at the beginning of the 14th of Abib (after the sun went down on the 13th of Abib). The next day, he was killed on the 14th of Abib (still on the same calendar date).

Mark 15:42 And now when the late afternoon/evening (opsios) was come, because IT WAS THE PREPARATION, that is, THE DAY BEFORE THE SABBATH (prosabbaton).

The Greek word “prosabbaton” is translated here to mean “Sabbath Eve.” In other words, the evening before the High Sabbath of Unleavened Bread!

Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of Elohiym, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Yahuwshuwa.

Luke 23:50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:

Luke 23:51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Yahuwdiym (Jews): who also himself waited for the kingdom of Elohiym.

Luke 23:52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Yahuwshuwa.

Luke 23:53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

Luke 23:54 And THAT DAY WAS THE PREPARATION, AND THE SABBATH DREW ON (epiphosko).

The Greek word “epiphosko” means “to begin.” Therefore, Luke 23:54 is saying that just after Messiah died, Joseph asked Pilate for the body of Yahuwshuwa, and it was still the Preparation Day (the 14th of Abib), and the Sabbath was ABOUT TO BEGIN!

Now, here is another clue, that our Messiah’s body had to be taken down before sundown. Even though we know that our Messiah was sinless, he was counted among the transgressors, and falsely accused of insurrection.

According to the Torah, this means that his body could not remain on the cross until morning:

Debariym (Deuteronomy) 21:22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and you hang him on a tree:

Debariym (Deuteronomy) 21:23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but you shall in any wise bury him THAT DAY; (for he that is hanged is accursed of Elohiym;) that your land be not defiled, which YHWH your Elohiym gives for an inheritance.

What this means, is that Yahuwshuwa was buried THE SAME DAY THAT HE WAS PUT TO DEATH, WHICH WAS THE PREPARATION DAY, THE 14TH OF ABIB!

Therefore, to fulfill the Torah, he allowed himself to be counted as a sinner:

Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he has poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Our Messiah’s body did not remain on the cross overnight, but was buried before the sun went down, (as it became the 15th of Abib). There was no time to anoint his body with spices. If they had all night long to prepare his body for burial, they would have had time to anoint his body with spices.

However, we know from the record of Mark 16, that the women brought spices to prepare his body on the third day from his death.

Mark 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Miriyam (Mary) Magdalene, and Miriyam (Mary) the mother of Ya'aqob (James), and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

In the previous verses, we have corroboration, because Joseph of Arimathea asked for his body on the Preparation Day, which was still the 14th of Abib.

And we know that according to Deuteronomy 21:22-23, his body did not remain on the cross until the morning.

Mark 15:42 And now when the evening was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,

Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of Elohiym, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Yahuwshuwa.

Mark 15:44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

Mark 15:45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

Mark 15:46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

The First Visit to the Tomb in Matthew 28

Many people naturally assume that our Messiah resurrected on Sunday morning, because of this verse in Matthew 28:1 as it is written in the King James Version:

Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 28:1 In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn [draw on] toward the first [day] of the week, came Miryam (Mary) Magdalene and the other Miryam (Mary) to see the sepulchre.

To understand this verse properly, we must first look at the phrase “In the end” in the Greek Textus Receptus:

#3796. opse op-seh' from the same as 3694 (through the idea of backwardness); (adverbially) late in the day; by extension, after the close of the day:--(at) evening, in the end.

This word “opse” tells us it was late in the day, or at the close of the day, in the evening. This was not in the morning. The next problem with Matthew 28:1 is that the word “dawn” is a poor translation.

The Greek word there for “dawn” is the equivalent of a word in Hebrew that means “a mixture of light and darkness.”

Hence, the word should really be “dusk,” as the sun was going down. To illustrate this, I will show you the dictionary definition for the word dawn. As you can see by the graphic below, the word “dawn,” is not limited to the period we call morning or sunrise.

It also means “The beginning or rise of anything.” The Strong’s Hebrew Concordance reveals that at sundown, a new day is “dawning” (beginning).

This means at twilight or dusk, is when a new calendar date changes.

#H5399 nesheph neh’-shef from 5398; properly, a breeze, i.e. (by implication) dusk (when the evening breeze prevails):--dark, dawning of the day (morning), night, twilight.

This Hebrew word “nesheph,” can be used to describe either dawn or dusk, as it expresses a mixture of darkness and light, which occurs at both sunrise, and at sunset. The Greek words are as follows:

#H2020. epiphosko ep-ee-foce'-ko a form of 2017; to begin to grow light:--begin to dawn, draw on.

#H2017. epiphauo ep-ee-fow'-o a form of 2014; to illuminate (figuratively):--give light.

You can see why the English translators thought that the word should be “dawn” as in early in the morning, just before sunrise.

However, the word epiphosko can mean “....to draw on,” and it can mean “The beginning of something” as in the “The dawn of a new era.”

Hence, for something to “dawn” meant that something new was approaching. The term “nesheph” in Hebrew is much broader than the English word we use to describe “sunrise.”

In the context of Matthew 28:1, it means “The dawn of a new calendar date.” It is not expressing the early morning sunrise that has come to mean “dawn.” Because Matthew 28:1 begins with the word “opse,” which means “In the end,” this paints the complete picture. The end of the Sabbath was “drawing on or dawning,” thus giving way to the beginning of a new calendar date, and the beginning of the new week.

Murdock’s Translation on e-sword has it translated correctly:

Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 28:1 And in the evening of the Sabbath as it was dusk, as the first [day] of the week began to dawn, came Mary of Magdala and the other Mary, to view the sepulcher.

You will notice that Murdock is calling this time of day “dusk,” but he is saying that the “week” (Sabbaton in Greek) was beginning to “dawn” or “to draw on.”

In other words, it was not sunrise, but it was the end of the Sabbath at sundown, as the new week was approaching (dawning). The MRC Translation on e-sword translates it like this:

Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 28:1 Now late on the Shabbat, as it began to draw toward the first of the week, Miryam of Magdala and the other Miriam went to look at the grave.

Andrew Gabriel Roth who translated the English Aramaic New Testament (AENT) Peshitta also agrees with this interpretation.

Here is what he says:

“Aramaic literally reads ‘b’ramsha din b’shabata’ or ‘in the evening of the shabbat.’ What is true for dawning, is also true for setting in the sense of ‘conclusion’ as is meant here....Murdock and Etheridge also confirm this idiomatic reading in their translations.”

Something that one must understand is that the calendar date changes at sunset each day--- not at midnight. It was Pope Gregory who made the date change at midnight in 1582 C.E., thus fulfilling the role of the Beast in Daniel 7:23-25, which says “The beast shall think to change times and laws...”

The new day was “dawning” at sunset, and the word “day” in Matthew 28:1 is in italics in the King James Version. Whenever you see a word in italics in the KJV, it means the word was not there originally.

The verse should read like this in the King James Version:

Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 28:1 In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to draw on toward the first of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the malak (angel) of YHWH descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

Now, think about this logically. According to Genesis 1:5, a new calendar date begins at “evening,” not in the morning. Leviticus 23:27-32 corroborates this:

Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be a holy convocation unto you; and you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto YHWH.

Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:32 It shall be unto you a Shabbath of rest, and you shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening unto evening, shall you celebrate your Shabbath.

What is being expressed in these two passages (above) is that on the 10th day of the 7th Hebrew month of Ethaniym (Tishri) begins the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).

However, in verse 32, it says that the 9th day at evening is when it begins. Is this a contradiction, or a mistake? No, it is not a mistake. YaHuWaH is showing us that a new calendar date begins at sundown or evening!

He is telling us in verse 32, that the 9th day becomes the 10th day at sundown! The Torah establishes that a new calendar date begins at sundown, not at sunrise.

Therefore, the women in Matthew 28:1 were going to the tomb at the “End of the Sabbath,” not on Sunday morning. The new “calendar date,” was “dawning,” (beginning).

Consequently, the English Translators thought the word should be “dawn,” when in fact, the Hebrew word “nesheph,” (dusk) is what should be used in Matthew 28:1, just as it reads in the Aramaic Peshitta.

A Second Visit to the Tomb the Next Morning

At the first visit to the tomb, (Matthew 28:1-10), only two of the women went. It was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary was with her. In Matthew 28:11-15, the Roman Soldiers were paid a large sum of money by the chief priests to falsely testify that the disciples had stolen the body of Messiah from the tomb.

Then, they rolled the stone back over the tomb again to cover up their negligence. However, in this next account, (Mark 16:1-11), three women went, for Salome was also with them this time. After the Sabbath had ended the women went to buy spices so that they could anoint the body.

There is no mention of the women buying spices in Matthew 28:1, because the Sabbath had not ended yet, therefore, they could not buy anything until the stores opened again. This next account (Mark 16:1-11) was obviously the next morning on the first day of the week (what we today call Sunday).

Mark 16:1 And when the Shabbath was past, Miryam (Mary) Magdalene, and Miryam (Mary) the mother of Yaaqob (James), and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

Mark 16:2 And very early in the morning, the first [day] of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

Mark 16:9 Now when Yahuwshuwa was risen, (early the first day of the week), he appeared first to Miryam (Mary) Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

This next account (Mark 16:1-11) was obviously the next morning on the first day of the week (what we today call Sunday).

*Explanation: In this second visit to the tomb, all three women were instructed to go and tell the other disciples that Yahuwshuwa had risen (verse 7), but in verse 8, it says that the women fled from the sepulchre, and told no man what they had witnessed.

In verse 9, Mary Magdalene went back to the tomb again, but this time Yahuwshuwa appeared to her. In verse 10-11, she finally told the other disciples what she had witnessed, but they did not believe her.

*In Summary: At the first visit to the tomb in Matthew 28:1, two of the women went at the end of Shabbat (in the evening), and Yahuwshuwa had already risen before the sun went down on the seventh day of the week (what we today call Saturday).

At the second visit, this was after Shabbat had passed, and this time, it was three women, but this time, they bought spices, intending to anoint his body. This is also proof that there was not enough time to anoint the body before the High Sabbath of Unleavened Bread, which would have commenced at sundown.

*Conclusion: Yahuwshuwa resurrected on the seventh day of the week (Saturday evening) before sundown. By Sunday morning, three women went with spices, and found that he had already risen the evening before on the Sabbath.

An accurate timeline of his three days and three nights in the heart of the earth can be seen as follows:

Wednesday Abib 14 @ sundown became Thursday Abib 15 = Night #1.

Thursday Abib 15 @ sunrise = Day #1.

Thursday Abib 15 @ sundown became Friday Abib 16 = Night #2.

Friday Abib 16 @ sunrise = Day #2.

Friday Abib 16 @ sundown became Saturday Abib 17 = Night #3 night.

Saturday Abib 17 @sunrise = Day #3.

Grand Total = 3 days & 3 nights.

The fact that our Messiah’s resurrection occurred before the “first” calendar date of the week, (and it was not yet dark), means that he resurrected just before sundown on Saturday evening.

The women were unable to go to his tomb until after his body was gone from the grave, because the Roman Soldiers were ordered to stand guard until the end of their three-day watch. These women could’ve been arrested had they gone to the tomb sooner.

By the time the women arrived, the stone had already been rolled away earlier that day and the angel was there waiting to give them the good news!

Messiah resurrected before the end of Weekly Sabbath while it was still daylight! HalleluYah!

He is Master (Lord) of the Sabbath!

The Conclusion: No More Excuse to call Sunday a Holy Day!

Yahuwshuwa is Master (Lord) of the Sabbath Day!

Why did Yahuwshuwa declare in Mark 2:27 that “The Sabbath is made for man, and not man for the Sabbath?”

It is because the number “seven” (sheba) means “To take an oath, by sprinkling blood seven times!”

The number SEVEN is all about COVENANT & SALVATION!

Since Messiah commands us to “Save life on the Sabbath,” (Mark 3:4; Luke 6:9) it is prophetically fitting that he rode through Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt on Shabbat as the High Priest, Malkiy-Tzedeq (Melchizedek)!

The Triumphal Entry of the High Priest & the Inclusion of the Lamb Exodus 12:3 commands us to bring the Passover Lamb into our homes on the 10th day of Abib, and to love it and adore it, before we have to kill it on the 14th of Abib.

This is exactly what happened to our Messiah, when they loved him and adored him by waving Palm Branches, and then shouting “Crucify him” only four days later!

This took place, not on “Palm Sunday,” but on “Palm Shabbat!”

This is because he was “SAVING LIFE ON THE SABBATH!”

We are commanded to redeem the firstling of a donkey for Passover (Exodus 13:13), and since Yahuwshuwa was displaying himself as “The Lamb who would redeem the donkey,” (symbolic of Yisra’el), it is therefore prophetically fitting that the people were shouting “Hosheana” which means “SAVE US!”

By his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, he was displaying himself as the High Priest who annually rode into Jerusalem to select the Lamb that would be killed that year for Passover.

In this case, he was selecting himself, which is why he made this statement:

Yahuwchanon (John) 10:18 No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Seven days later, he resurrected on the Sabbath, thus “Saving life on the Sabbath!”

Ephesians 4:8-9 says that Yahuwshuwa “Went into the lowest parts of the earth...and GAVE GIFTS UNTO MEN!”

This means that he was acting as the High Priest, who would “WAVE THE FIRST-FRUITS OF BARLEY” before YaHuWaH in the Temple, but his “FIRST-FRUITS” where those righteous souls in Abraham’s Bosom (Paradise).

In 1st Century Jerusalem, the Sadducees controlled the Temple, and the “Wave Sheaf Offering” was presented in the Temple at the close of the Sabbath!

This means that while our Messiah resurrected, and went into Abraham’s Bosom to redeem those souls, the High Priest in the Temple was simultaneously “WAVING THE BARLEY IN THE TEMPLE” just before sundown on the Sabbath!

See my other blog entitled: Three Days & Three Nights in the Heart of the Earth: The Good Friday Myth

Yahuwshuwa was also fulfilling the pattern of the “Red Heifer” (Numbers 19), whose ashes were to be buried in “a clean place” (the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathea), and thus he cleansed and “SAVED” his people “ON THE SEVENTH DAY,” according to the ordinance in Numbers 19:12.

Those that shouted, “Crucify him!” became guilty of innocent blood, which is what the ashes of the Red Heifer are to be used for.

Those that took his body down from the cross, became “unclean,” and therefore, Numbers 19:12 requires that they “PURIFY THEMSELVES ON THE THIRD DAY, AND ON THE SEVENTH DAY, THEY SHALL BE CLEAN!”

This means that those who went to the tomb on Shabbat ON THE SEVENTH DAY, WERE MADE CLEAN, because it was also the THIRD DAY FROM HIS SACRIFICE!

As for when the High Priests were to offer the Wave Sheaf Offering, it is historically proven that it was offered at the close of the Sabbath at sundown.

Though Scripture specifies the day the wave-sheaf was to be cut, it gives no specific time of day to cut it. Jewish history from the Second Temple period gives an interesting insight. The second-century Mishnah affirms that, when the Sadducees controlled the Temple, the sickle was put to the grain just as the sun was going down on the weekly Sabbath---(Menahot 10:1-4, Jacob Neusner translation, pp. 753-754).

The book, Biblical Calendars, states, “The Boethusians [Temple priests] reaped [the firstfruits sheaf] at the going out of the Sabbath” (p. 218. Additional information can be found in the section titled “Temple Service,” p. 280, as well as in The Temple: Its Ministry and Services by Alfred Edersheim, 1994, pp. 203-205).

The New Testament’s silence on this Sadducean practice—along with its agreement with the ritual’s fulfillment in Messiah—must be construed as acceptance of its validity.

The priests began to make the first cutting right at the end of the Sabbath, continuing over into the first day of the week, when the bulk of the work would be done. The ritual, however, was not complete until the sheaf was offered (waved) before Elohiym the following morning, or more precisely, between 9:00 a.m. and noon.

Some might object to the reaping of the sheaf in the closing minutes of the Sabbath because it is a day of rest when no work is to be done.

After one understands the full reason for it, as well as Yahuwshuwa’s direct statement that a priest is blameless in the performance of his required duties (Matthew 12:5), any objections to the practice disappear.

The Conclusion Yahuwshuwa ha’Mashiyach resurrected before sundown on the Sabbath.

Afterward, he went to the heavenly Temple as the High Priest to wave the “first-fruits offering.”

However, it was not the barley that he waved. Instead, Yahuwshuwa waved before YaHuWaH, the souls of men as his first-fruits offering!

His resurrection on the seventh day of the week, points us to the Sabbath Millennium, when he will also resurrect his bride in the final wheat harvest “AT THE LAST DAY,” in the Sabbath Millennium!

The events that occurred on that first night of Passover, and continuing into the following evening (when Yisra’el left Egypt) parallel exactly to our Messiah’s Passover fulfillment. What follows is an illustration of the parallels that can be observed between the first Passover in Egypt and the Gospel Passover of our Messiah.

The first thing that must be understood, is that there were two evenings for slaughtering lambs in 1st Century Jerusalem. Why?

For historical evidence for Passover & Unleavened Bread on two separate nights, see these two links:

Is Passover on the First Day of Unleavened Bread? (Part One)

Is Passover on the First Day of Unleavened Bread? (Part Two)

In Exodus 12:6, we are told to slaughter the lamb “In the evening,” which is how the English translation is rendered. However, the original Hebrew says to kill the lamb “Between the two evenings,” meaning in between the two sunsets of the 14th & 15th of Abib.

The Abrahamic Covenant was sealed by passing “Between two animal pieces.” See my other blogs for a deeper understanding:

Who Confirms the Covenant of Daniel’s 70th Week?

Except Those Days Should Be Shortened

Our Messiah “confirmed” the Abrahamic Covenant as described in Daniel 9:26-27 “In the midst of the week,” or in other words, the middle of the last seven years of the 490-year prophecy.

Additionally, the Passover is to be killed “Between the two evenings” on the 14th of Abib, or in other words, between the two sunsets of 13th & 15th of Abib (Exodus 12:6).

Our Messiah also died “Between two thieves,” because each of them represented the divided Two Houses of Yisra’el (Isaiah 8:14; Ezekiel 37:15-21; John 10:16; Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27).

Our Messiah confirming the Abrahamic Covenant “In the midst of the week,” (what we today call Wednesday), and also “In the middle of the last seven years,” of Daniel’s 70-Week prophecy, is illustrated by these other witnesses in Scripture. For it was only our Messiah who could confirm the covenant by dying “Between two thieves,” and also “Between two evenings!”

The prophets told us that there was none found who could “Stand in the gap” and “Repair the Breach.” Yet, the only one who is found worthy is our Messiah Yahuwshuwa, to “Open the book and loose the seals” (Revelation 5:2-9).

Our Messiah “stood in the gap” between the two divided houses of Yisra’el:

Yehezqel (Ezekiel) 13:5 You have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Yisrael to stand in the battle in the day of YHWH.

Yehezqel (Ezekiel) 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

There has been a “gap” between the Two Houses of Yisrael, but only our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa was able to repair the “breach,” or the gap in the house:

Tehilliym (Psalm) 60:2 You have made the earth to tremble; you have broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shakes.

Tehilliym (Psalm) 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.

Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 30:26 Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that YHWH binds up the breach of his people, and heals the stroke of their wound.

Yeshayahuw (Isaiah)Isaiah 58:12 And they that shall be of you shall build the old waste places: you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

Yirmeyahuw (Jeremiah) 14:17 Therefore you shall say this word unto them; Let my eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.

Amowc (Amos) 9:11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:

YaHuWaH in his wisdom knew that when our Messiah came to die for sinners, he would be eating the lamb with his followers at the beginning of the 14th of Abib; And he would also become the Passover Lamb later that afternoon on the 14th of Abib. Then, he would be buried just before 15th of Abib (sundown on the 14th of Abib).

*The Exodus Passover: Lambs Slaughtered by Yisraelites, the Blood Applied to the Doors of their Homes.

On the evening of the 14th of Abib in Egypt, Yisra’el slaughtered and ate lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. They placed the blood of the lamb on the TWO SIDE-POSTS of their doors, representing “TWO HOUSES OF YISRA’EL” (Exodus 12:24-25; Isaiah 8:14).

*The Gospel Passover: Messiah offered up himself, as the Lamb to be Slaughtered, for he is the “Door” to Salvation, the Blood Applied to his Followers.

On the evening of the 14th of Abib in Jerusalem, Yahuwshuwa and his disciples slaughtered and ate lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Yahuwshuwa offered his blood as the “Lamb of Elohiym who takes away the sins of the world” for “TWO HOUSES OF YISRA’EL” as he said these words:

“For this is my blood of the Renewed Covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; 1st Corinthians 11:25; John 1:29 & 36). Yahuwshuwa and his disciples kept this night of the 14th of Abib according to the commandment in Exodus 12:24-25.

*The Exodus Passover: Yisra’el ate the Passover Meal, while the Egyptian First-Born were “Smitten.”

On that night of the 14th of Abib, YaHuWaH said that he would “SMITE” the Egyptians (Exodus 12:23).

*The Gospel Passover: The Shepherd Smitten for Sinners.

On that night of the 14th of Abib, Yahuwshuwa repeated the prophecy of Zechariah 13:7 when he said “I will ‘SMITE’ the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered” (Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27).

*The Exodus Passover: Moses & Aaron Summoned.

On that same night of the 14th of Abib, Moses & Aaron were summoned by Pharaoh (Exodus 12:30).

*The Gospel Passover: Messiah Summoned.

On that same night of the 14th of Abib, Messiah was summoned by Caiaphas the High Priest (Matthew 26:55-68).

*The Exodus Passover: Pharaoh’s Firstborn Son “Smitten” by the Plague.

On the morning of the 14th of Abib, Pharaoh RELEASED Yisra’el when he realized that his FIRST-BORN SON had become the SUBSTITUTE, for Yisra’el, whom YaHuWaH named “MY FIRST-BORN SON” (Exodus 4:22; 12:29-32).

*The Gospel Passover: Messiah as the First-Born Son “Smitten” for Sinners.

On the morning of the 14th of Abib, Pontius Pilate RELEASED Bar Abba (Barabbas, meaning ‘Son of the Father,’ a symbol of Yisra’el) in exchange for Yahuwshuwa, the “FIRST-BORN of many brethren” who became their “SUBSTITUTE” (Mark 15:11-15; Luke 23:18; John 18:40; Romans 8:29).

*The Exodus Passover: Pharaoh Let Yisra’el Go Free.

On the morning of the 14th of Abib, Pharaoh finally answered the cry of Moses & Aaron “LET MY PEOPLE GO!” (Exodus 12:31-32).

*The Gospel Passover: Pilate Let Barabbas Go Free.

On the morning of the 14th of Abib, Pontius Pilate finally answered the cry of the people “LET BARABBAS GO!” (Luke 23:18).

*The Exodus Passover: Yisra’el Baked Dough Before it had “Risen,” then “Departed,” Being Led by a Pillar of “Fire.”

Exodus 12:34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened [risen], their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders

Exodus 12:39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.

*The Gospel Passover: Messiah’s Body Became like the Ashes of the Red Heifer Baked in the “Fire,” when he Departed into the Heart of the Earth, before he was “Risen” from the Dead.

In keeping with the pattern of the Red Heifer ordinance in Numbers 19, our Messiah’s body became like the “ashes” of the Red Heifer, when he went into the “Lowest parts of the earth,” (into Sheol or hell), aka “Abraham’s Bosom,” (Luke 16:19-31). Through his descent into “The heart of the earth,” (Matthew 12:40, Ephesians 4:8-9), our Messiah “Took away the keys to death & hell,” (Revelation 1:18).

*The Exodus Passover: The Egyptians Buried their Dead just Before Sundown on the 14th of Abib, when the date changed to the 15th of Abib.

On the evening (afternoon) of the 14th of Abib (the date changed at sundown to the 15th of Abib). This is when the Egyptians BURIED their dead (Numbers 33:3-4).

*The Gospel Passover: Messiah Buried in the Tomb just Before Sundown the 14th of Abib, when the date changed to the 15th of Abib.

On the evening (afternoon) of the 14th of Abib (before sundown on the 15th of Abib), Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus took down Yahuwshuwa’s body from the cross, and then BURIED him in the tomb.

*The Exodus Passover: The Egyptians Gave Gifts to Yisra’el, the First-Fruits of the Redeemed.

After the sun went down, on the 14th of Abib, it became the 15th of Abib, (the Feast of Unleavened Bread). The Egyptians had already “GIVEN GIFTS” to the Yisraelites before they DEPARTED out of Egypt on that “NIGHT TO BE MUCH OBSERVED” (Exodus 12:35 & 42; Numbers 33:4-5).

Exodus 12:35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:

Exodus 12:36 And YHWH gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

*The Gospel Passover: Messiah Gave Gifts to the First-Fruits of his Redeemed.

Following the Pattern of the first Passover in Egypt, our Messiah DEPARTED into the LOWER PARTS OF THE EARTH:

Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he said, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Ephesians 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

Ephesians 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.

Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes. These were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits unto Elohiym and to the Lamb.

*The Exodus Passover: The Red Sea Divided in Half.

After a three-days journey out of Egypt, Yisra’el crossed the Red Sea, as it was divided in half for them to walk across from death to life, from danger to safety, salvation and redemption.

Numbers 33:8 And they departed from before Pihahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days journey in the wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah.

The crossing of the Red Sea represented “crossing over,” from death to new life. It was a prophetic picture of having their hearts “circumcised.”

*The Gospel Passover: The Temple Curtain Divided in Half.

Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Mark 15:38 And the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom.

Luke 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in the middle.

The Temple Curtain being torn in half, was symbolic of our transition from depending on an earthly High Priest to redeem humanity, to now having access to the Holy of Holies by the blood of Messiah.

1st Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the Elohiym and Father of our Master Yahuwshuwa Mashiyach, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Messiah.

Ephesians 2:6 And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Mashiyach Yahuwshuwa.

Hebrews 9:

6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of Elohiym.

7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

8 The Ruwach haQodesh (Holy Spirit) this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

11 But Messiah being come a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Patterns of Spirit, Water & Blood

There are three elements that complete a covenant, as we will observe from Scripture. These elements are spirit, water & blood:

1st Yahuwchanon (John) 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

Below, I have made a side-by-side chart, detailing the events of both Passovers, so that you can observe the parallels fulfilled by our Messiah. You will notice the three elements are present in these events.

These parallels show us that there was a 24-hour period between the 14th of Abib, the Feast of Passover, and the 15th of Abib, the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

YaHuWaH’s 1st Passover The 14th of Abib (Nisan) through the 18th of Abib (Nisan)	Messiah’s Renewed Passover The 14th of Abib (Nisan) through the 18th of Abib (Nisan)
1.) Yisra’el ate the Passover Lamb with unleavened bread in Egypt the night before the Exodus. This was the beginning of the 14th of Abib after the sun went down on the 13th of Abib, it then became the 14th of Abib (Exodus 12:3-23). This supper was to redeem Yisra’el, as the “first-born son” (Exodus 4:22-23, 13:15).	1.) Messiah ate the Passover Lamb with his disciples with unleavened bread. It was the 3rd night of the week (Tuesday) at the beginning of the 14th of Abib after sundown in 30/31 C.E. (Mark 14:12-18, Matthew 26:17-23, Luke 22:9-15). This supper was to redeem the lost sheep of Yisra’el, and to betroth her as his bride.
2.) YHWH commanded Yisra’el to place shoes on their “feet.” Yisra’el was commanded to have shoes on their “feet” to be ready to leave (Exodus 12:11). In Joshua 1:3, they were given a promise that wherever their “foot shall tread” they would be given as an inheritance.	2.) Messiah washed the “feet” of his disciples. That night after the Passover Supper, he washed the “feet” of his disciples (John 13:12). Feet represent those who “bring good news” (Isaiah 52:7, Romans 10:15, Ephesians 6:15). In Luke 15:22 the prodigal son at his return was given “shoes on his feet” as an inheritance.
3.) The blood of the Lamb was placed on the two side posts of the door symbolic of the Two Houses of Yisra’el (Isaiah 8:14). They were commanded to strike the blood of the lamb on two side posts & the upper door post (Exodus 12:7). The upper post represents Messiah who is the “head” of the body. YHWH established Two Houses of Yisra’el: The first-born sons of Yisra’el (symbolized by Judah). The Egyptians that “sojourned” among them were grafted into Yisra’el, and they are symbolic of Ephrayim who was born in Egypt. The Passover was a betrothal (engagement) between Yisra’el and YHWH. The blood of the lamb sealed his covenant with them. This was still the 14th of Abib.	3.) The blood of the Lamb was placed on the Two Houses of Yisra’el as Yahuwshuwa Messiah’s blood covenant was symbolized by the wine when he declared “this is the blood of the new testament shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matthew 26:28). The night before he was sacrificed on the tree, he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane and he “sweat drops of blood” (Luke 22:44). Messiah came to restore the Two Houses of Yisra’el and this Passover was his betrothal (engagement) to his bride. This was still the 14th of Abib.
4.) YHWH said he would “smite all of the first-born of the Egyptians” (Exodus 12:12). The first-born sons of the Egyptians (symbolic of sin) would be smitten for the first-born sons of Yisra’el. This was still on the 14th of Abib. Mosheh & Aharown (Moses & Aaron) did not go to Pharaoh to negotiate their departure until the following morning as they were commanded in Exodus 12:22: “none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.”	4.) YHWH said he would “smite” the shepherd. Messiah repeated the prophecy of Zechariah 13:7 “I will smite the shepherd and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad” (Matthew 26:31). Yahuwshuwa is the shepherd who would be smitten for sinners to redeem the first-born sons of Yisra’el. This was still on the 14th of Abib. Messiah and his disciples did not leave the House (Jerusalem) until the next morning when they followed him to the place of execution which was outside of the city. Exodus 12:22 says: “none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.”
5.) Judgment from YHWH came over Egypt and smote all the “first-born” in the land. This parallels to the night that Yahuwdah (Judas) realized that he had betrayed innocent blood and he hung himself. Exodus 12:13 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. Exodus 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight YHWH smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the first-born of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the first-born of cattle. The Egyptians also “hung themselves” (metaphorically) when they chased after the Yisra’elites and they were then drowned in the Red Sea. In the same way that Judas died in the “field of blood,” the Egyptians were buried in the “Red Sea” (symbolic of blood).	5.) Judgment from YHWH came to the House of Judah typified in the disciple who betrayed Messiah named Yahuwdah (Judas). He represents the older son (the first-born) in the story of the prodigal. The first-born of the Two Houses of Yisra’el was being judged that night because as a nation they killed their Messiah and the person named after this tribe (Yahuwdah or Judas) was being used to illustrate this judgment that was going to come to them 40 years later in the Roman Siege. However, Messiah also took “the cup of wrath” (the 2nd cup) for them as a nation to those from the House of Judah who would repent and later on accept his sacrifice. On the night after he betrayed Messiah, Judas declared: “I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). Judas hung himself in what is called “the field of blood” (Matthew 27:8).
6.) Pharaoh released on Passover the “first-born sons” of YHWH (Yisra’el) out of Egypt that night because YHWH “smote” Egypt’s first-born in exchange for his first-born son (Yisra’el). Exodus 12:30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. Exodus 12:31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both you and the children of Yisra’el; and go, serve YHWH, as you have said. This was still the 14th of Abib, but they did not actually leave Egypt until the 15th of Abib as the Egyptians were busy burying their first-born (Numbers 33:3-4).	6.) Pontius Pilate released on Passover, Barabbas who represents “the first-born sons” of Yisra’el. Barabbas is “Bar Abba” in Aramaic which means “Son of the Father.” YHWH “smote” the shepherd (Messiah) who became the scapegoat for the “first-born” sons of Yisra’el. Pontius Pilate released Barabbas in the same way that Pharaoh released Yisra’el that same night on the 14th of Abib. Matthew 27:17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will you that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Yahuwshuwa which is called Mashiyach (Messiah)? Messiah represented “the first-born” sons of Egypt (the scapegoat) who died in place of the “first-born sons” of Yisra’el. The innocent children of the first-born of Egypt had to die in order to release the first-born of Yisra’el. Messiah was now taking the place for guilty sinners. The word “scapegoat” means “the innocent party who takes the place of the guilty party.” Barabbas was being released to symbolize that all of Yisra’el was being released from their debt of sin and Messiah was taking their place! Messiah died on the 14th of Abib and was buried before the sun went down approaching the 15th of Abib.
7.) Pharaoh finally gave the people of Yisra’el what they wanted when they cried “Let us go!” Pharaoh let the people go, as they requested, as he sent for Moses & Aaron to take the people out of Egypt. Exodus 12:32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also. Pharaoh recognized that the blood of the innocent lambs had protected Yisra’el that night but Yah took the first-born sons of Egypt. Pharaoh was about to release the children of Yisra’el from Egypt recognizing that the blood of the innocent Egyptian children as well as the blood of the lambs was shed in order to free the Yisra’elites. This was still the 14th of Abib, but they did not leave until the 15th of Abib.	7.) Pilate finally gave the people of Yisra’el what they wanted when they cried “Let Barabbas go! Pontius Pilate let Barabbas go and sentenced Yahuwshuwa, as the people of Judah cried out “Crucify him! Let his blood be upon us!” Pilate washed his hands of “innocent blood” as he recognized that Messiah was the innocent scapegoat for the House of Yahuwdah (Judah) for they were shouting “let his blood be upon us.” Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see you to it. Matthew 27: 25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Matthew 27: 26 Then released he Bar Abba (Barabbas) unto them: and when he had scourged Yahuwshuwa he delivered him to be crucified. Pilate was about to release the guilty party (Barabbas) who was symbolic of the nation of the House of Yisra’el, and he was about to execute the Messiah in his place. This was still the 14th of Abib.
8.) YHWH destroyed the Egyptians in the Red Sea (symbolic of sin and bondage). Pharaoh and his Egyptian armies were destroyed in the Red Sea (Exodus 15:4). This happened on the 18th of Abib (3 days after) Yisra’el ate the Passover Lamb with Unleavened Bread. Yisra’el was led by a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day, symbolic of the Holy Spirit (Exodus 13:21-22; 14:19 & 24, Numbers 33:3-8). When they came to the Red Sea, this represented immersion (water baptism). Yisra’el “crossed over” from death to life, from bondage to freedom. The blood of the Egyptians paid for their freedom when they drowned in the water! There were three elements present at this event: Spirit, Water & Blood! (1st John 5:8).	8.) YHWH destroyed sin through the sacrifice of Messiah on the tree. This was the very next day after Yahuwshuwa ate the Passover Lamb, with Unleavened Bread with his disciples, but it was still the 14th of Abib (Passover). Messiah purchased for his elect “life instead of death, freedom instead of bondage to sin.” Messiah died, and then he gave up his “spirit.” Then the Roman Solider put a spear into his side and out came blood and water (John 19:34). The blood of Messiah paid for our freedom. When we are immersed in water, we are being baptized into his death (Romans 6:4). There were three elements present at this event: Spirit, Water, &Blood! (1st John 5:8).
9.) The Red Sea was parted at the precise moment that Moses lifted up his rod (shepherd’s staff). In Exodus 14:21-22, YHWH parted the Red Sea so that Yisra’el could cross over from death to life, from slavery to freedom. The Hebrew for “red” is “cuwph” and it literally means to terminate, to consume, to fulfill, to bring to an end! YHWH sanctified his bride Yisra’el and put an end to the Egyptians (a symbol of bondage to sin and idolatry). This took place on the 18th of Abib which was 3 days after they left Egypt (Numbers 33:3-8). This correlates to Messiah being 3 days & 3 nights in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:40).	9.) The Temple Curtain was parted (torn) at the precise moment that YHWH smote the shepherd and Messiah died (Zechariah 26:31). The temple veil that separated mankind from the Holy of Holies in the Temple was torn in half! (Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:35, Luke 23:45). This granted the royal priesthood after the order of Melchizedek access to the Father in Heaven so that we can come “boldly before the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:6). Messiah brought an end to sin. Yahuwshuwa has immersed his bride and “sanctified her by the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26). This was still on the 14th of Abib.
10.) Sin was punished in the “Sea of Reeds” (Red Sea), as the Egyptians were symbolic of sin and bondage. This correlates to the way that our Messiah was also beaten with a “reed” (Matthew 27:29-30). The Red Sea is symbolic of the sacrifice of Messiah. It contains two of the elements of covenant (blood and water). The English word for “Red” in Hebrew literally means “reeds” or “cuwph” and it means: to terminate, to consume, to fulfill, to bring to an end! Messiah “brought to an end” to the “law of divorce” which separated Yisra’el from the marriage covenant. The word “Red Sea” in Hebrew is literally “Sea of Reeds” or Yam Cuwph. Jonah was in the belly of a whale for “three days and three nights” in the “sea” before he was taken out of the whale and delivered. Yisra’el journeyed through the “Sea” after three days, and they were “taken out” of Egypt and delivered.	10.) Sin was punished with “reeds” as our Messiah’s body became “sin” and he was beaten with a “reed” (Matthew 27:29-30). The Red Sea is symbolic of the sacrifice of Messiah. It contains two of the elements of covenant (blood and water). The English word for “Red” in Hebrew is literally “reeds” or “cuwph” and it means: to terminate, to consume, to fulfill, to bring to an end! Messiah “brought to an end” the “law of divorce” which separated Yisra’el from the marriage covenant. The word “Red Sea” in Hebrew is literally “Sea of Reeds” or Yam Cuwph. The “sign” of Jonah to validate that Yahuwshuwa was the Messiah, is that he would be “three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40).
11.) Yisra’el Departed from Egypt. Their destination was the Promised Land. They first descended into the Red Sea, before they ascended to dry land on the other side. The “Ruwach” (Spirit) led them in the form of a “cloud by day” and a “pillar of fire by night” (Exodus 13:21, Numbers 33:3). This was the 15th of Abib when Yisra’el finally left Egypt. This is called “a night to be much observed” (Exodus 12:42).	11.) Messiah Departed from this world, as he gave up his ruwach (spirit) and died. His destination was the Heavenly Throne where he would wave the souls of the redeemed as his “first-fruits” offering before the Father. He first descended into the lowest parts of the earth to redeem those in Abraham’s Bosom (Luke 16, Ephesians 4:8-9), before he ascended back to the Father. Just before he died, he committed his “Ruwach” (Spirit) into the Father’s hands (Luke 23:46). This was at 3:00 p.m. on the 14th of Abib, just 3 hours before the 15th of Abib when the sun would go down and he would be buried. This is called “a night to be much observed” (Exodus 12:42). Our Messiah was buried on the same anniversary night of when Yisra’el departed from Egypt and the Egyptians also buried their dead.
12.) The Egyptians buried in the “Red Sea.” The Hebrew word for Red” is cuwph which means “to consume” just like the Red Heifer had to be completely consumed (Numbers 19). The Egyptians were buried at sea on the 18th of Abib (three days after they left Egypt) according to Numbers 33:3-8.	12.) Messiah buried as the “Red Heifer.” Our Messiah was prophetic type of the Red Heifer sacrifice as seen in Numbers 19. His body was placed into a brand new tomb that had never been used (John 19:38-41). The Red Heifer had to be completely consumed. Numbers 19:9 says that the ashes of the Red Heifer must be placed in a clean place. His burial took place before the sun went down on the 14th of Abib just before the 15th of Abib.
13.) The Egyptians buried their dead before sundown the 14th of Abib, just before the 15th of Abib (Numbers 33:4). Yisra’el traveled a “three day’s journey” to the Red Sea and there Pharaoh & the Egyptian soldiers were also buried at the Red Sea on the 18thof Abib on the Day of First-Fruits. This represented resurrection for Yisra’el because they “crossed over” from death to life, from bondage to freedom. YaHuWaH won the “victory” for Yisra’el over the Egyptians as “death was swallowed up in victory.” Miriyam and the Yisra’elite women danced as they sang “YHWH has triumphed gloriously...” (Exodus 15:21).	13.) Messiah was buried before sundown on the 14th of Abib, just before the 15th of Abib. Yahuwshuwa remained in the heart of the earth “three days and three nights” (Matthew 12:40). He was buried just before the 15th of Abib and he resurrected on the 18th of Abib which was when the priest in the temple waved the “first-fruits” of the barley sheaf. In the 2nd Temple period, the priests cut the first sheaf at the end of the weekly Sabbath at sundown (what we call Saturday). It is called “Havdalah” in Hebrew which means “separation, or exiting the Sabbath.” It was the women who first went to the tomb and discovered that the Messiah had resurrected. They reported to the other disciples that “Death was swallowed up in victory” (1st Corinthians 15:54).
14.) Mosheh (Moses) communed with YahuWaH in the mountain for “forty days and forty nights.” During this time, he received the commandments in stone as the written marriage agreement between YaHuWaH & Yisra’el (called a ketubah) Exodus 24:18.	14.) Yahuwshuwa communed with his disciples for “forty days” after his resurrection. He taught them the Towrah of Mosheh. He also taught them that the Towrah (Mosaic Law) was now going to be part of the “Renewed” Marriage Covenant written in their hearts on the day of Shavuot (Pentecost) Acts 1:3, Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 8:10, 10:16.