Joined: 9/5/2007(UTC) Posts: 641 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Was thanked: 3 time(s) in 2 post(s)
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I wrote up a short (relatively speaking) piece decrying Easter and breifly showing Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits being the correct celebration of Yahushua's resurection. I wrote it primarily for my mother as she is stuck on Easter. I have let a couple other people read it, and they thought it was good, so I submit it here for everyone else to use as well. Also, if I have any errors anywhere, please correct me. I mostly used YY as reference, though the scripture I inncluded is NIV because that is what my mother is familier with and NKJV (I think) because kp helped me find a few verses and that's what he uses, but all the "the Lord" phrases were replaced with Yahuweh. Psalm 119 if from the link Robski provided in the "Yahuweh is Awesome!" post. Quote:Quote:From History.com: Eastre (or "Ostara"), the Anglo-Saxon Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility was often accompanied by a hare when represented. The fertile nature of rabbits and hares is another symbol of new life and the rebirth that occurs during the spring season.
Also, German settlers in America are said to have brought over the tradition of a bunny named "Oschter Haws" who would visit houses on Easter eve, leaving colored eggs for children. Easter eggs were painted different colors to represent the sunlight of spring. Christians later used eggs to symbolize the rebirth of Christ.
Another Easter tradition is the eating of Hot Cross Buns. These cakes were marked by the Saxons to honor Eastre, the fertility goddess. The crosses on the buns are said to represent the moon's quarters, while Christians see the cross as a reference to the crucifixtion. Attached are pages from Alexander Hislop’s (a well respected scholar of the early part of last century) “Two Babylons” which goes into extensive analysis of the origin of Easter and how it differs from Passover. It is an enlightening read, but also difficult. I attached it so you can read it if you would like. [obviously these are not attached here in the forum, but I do recommend the read, it's free, just google it.] Those are just a couple small things. This is what Yahuweh has to say about it: Deuteronomy 12:29-32 - "When Yahweh your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ You shall not worship Yahweh your God in that way; for every abomination to Yahweh which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it." He does not want us worshiping him in the way that other gods are worshiped. Exodus 23:23-24, 32-33 - For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off. You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars.... You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”"Exodus 34:11-17 – “Observe what I command you this day. Behold, I am driving out from before you the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst. But you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images (for you shall worship no other god, for Yahweh, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they play the harlot with their gods and make sacrifice to their gods, and one of them invites you and you eat of his sacrifice, and you take of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters play the harlot with their gods and make your sons play the harlot with their gods. You shall make no molded gods for yourselves."Leviticus 20:22-24 - "You shall therefore keep all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them, that the land where I am bringing you to dwell may not vomit you out. And you shall not walk in the statutes of the nation which I am casting out before you; for they commit all these things, and therefore I abhor them. But I have said to you, “You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I am Yahweh your God, who has separated you from the peoples."It doesn't help to say, "I'm not Jewish; I don't have to follow these statutes. I'll invent my own.” Yahuweh says in Numbers 15:15-16, "One ordinance shall be for you of the assembly and for the stranger who dwells with you, an ordinance forever throughout your generations; as you are, so shall the stranger be before Yahweh. One law and one custom shall be for you and for the stranger who dwells with you.” He is telling us that his statutes apply to everyone. Besides, if we consider ourselves to be his, then we are not strangers, but one of his people, just part of the out-calling instead of part of Israel (though some have a very convincing argument that we are grafted into the family of Israel). In Mark 7:6-8, Yahushua said to us, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men.” Easter is nothing but the tradition of men, following false teachings and mixing it with worship of Yahuweh. He told us what he wants us to do. Before the Jews even left Egypt, he gave them the feast that would foretell his sacrifice. He told them to remember it and do it forever. But, he wasn’t only talking to them. It was his feast and meant for everyone. That feast was and is Passover. Passover and the two feasts that follow it, Unleavened Bread and Firstfruits, are the celebrations that Yahuweh designated for us to commemorate his sacrifice. These days are set days in the Hebrew calendar every year (they shift in the Gregorian calander) and that is when Yahuweh wants us to celebrate his sacrifice and resurrection. Yes, it just so happened to be on a Sunday, but that is only because that was the day of the week that the feast/prophecy fell on. To celebrate it at any other time is in violation of what Yahuweh wants us to do. Leviticus 23:4-8 says: 4 " 'These are Yahuweh’s appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times: 5 Yahuweh’s Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. 6 On the fifteenth day of that month Yahuweh’s Feast of Unleavened Bread begins; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast. 7 On the first day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. 8 For seven days present an offering made to Yahuweh by fire. And on the seventh day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.' "Look at verse 5, “Yahuweh’s Passover begins. . .” This tells us it is not a Jewish holiday. It does not say, “Israel’s Passover.” This feast is Yahuweh’s. This is important because if it is his feast, then it applies to everyone that loves him, which includes present day Christians. Before the Exodus Passover, in Exodus 12:2-6, Yahuweh said, 2 "This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. 3 Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. (This is why Yahushua, the perfect Passover lamb, came into Jerusalem on Branch Monday, four days before Passover.) 4 If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. 5 The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. (This is the reason Yahshua was declared “innocent” by Pilate, the Roman authority responsible for judging Him.) 6 Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.” (His sacrifice corresponded perfectly to the designated time of the slaughter. It was just before sunset that He surrendered His life and Spirit.) The following verses, 7-8 were also fulfilled: 7” Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. (His blood was smeared on the upright pole and its lintel, which serve as a symbol of our doorway to Yahuweh) 8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.” (The meat was roasted as a symbol of judgment, of the judgment that Yahushua would endure for us. The reason Yahuweh wanted the Israelites to eat the lamb was so that they would understand that the sacrifice wasn’t a gift to God, or a service to Him, but instead something for them to benefit from and enjoy.) In Matthew 26:26-28: 26While they were eating, Yahushua took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." 27Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” This was the Passover meal and Yahushua is specifically telling us that the Unleavened Bread of that feast is a symbol of him, sinless (no leaven) and about to be broken. They are to eat it because his body is to be broken for them (and us). He continues on telling us that the wine from this feast is a symbol of him again. It symbolizes his blood and that it is about to be poured out to forgive sins. They are to drink it because it is being done for them (and us). He goes on telling us that we are to remember him everytime we do this while celebrating Passover, because Passover is a prophecy of what he would do for us. In Exodus 12:14, Yahuweh says, 14 "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to Yahuweh -a lasting ordinance.” The word translated “a lasting ordinance” is ‘owlam, and it means “in perpetuity, forever”. This means that if we are his and love him, we are to always remember and celebrate Passover. Not because the Jews were spared in Egypt, but because Passover is a symbol of the sacrifice Yahushua made for us. Remember this is his feast, not the Jews’ or ours’. Did you know that the Catholic church outlawed Passover? Did you ever wonder why there is such a complicated formula for figuring out when “Easter” is? It is because they wanted to make sure that it would NEVER fall on the same day as Passover. For the most part, many Christians want to celebrate Passover, that is obvious by the telling of the story of Yahushua and his sacrifice, but they don’t realize that it is Passover they are talking about and Yahuweh had the Israelites celebrating it even before he made his sacrifice. Instead, they are blinded by what the Roman Catholic Church did to obfuscate Yahuweh’s commands. Now, pagan traditions have been interspersed into the church, with children hunting for “Easter eggs” which was a form of worship to a pagan god going back to Ishtar. Yahuweh specifically told us to never use another god’s form of worships, not even to worship him. He hates it. Those in ignorance can be forgiven (I would assume Yahuweh would forgive it, but I don’t know), but once the truth is known, then to ignore what Yahuweh says is sin plain and simple. I don’t think I showed how Passover was fulfilled exactly on the day Yahuweh said and how he said it would be. In 33 CE, the year of Yahushua’s sacrifice, Passover began on Thursday evening March 31st (Known as Nissan 14), this is when the last supper took place. It was still Passover when He became the perfect Passover Lamb on Friday afternoon the 1st of April (Nissan 15, known as the feast of Unleavened Bread began at sundown), sacrificing Himself on the upright pole. This accounting was recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John’s eyewitness testimonies—all of which were in perfect harmony with Moses’ Levitical revelations in Chapters 23-25, with David’s 22nd Psalm, with Isaiah 52-53’s prophecies regarding the Suffering Servant, and with the precise Messianic timeline established by Daniel 9 and reaffirmed by Zechariah. This stuff is important enough to Yahuweh to tell us way ahead of time, so shouldn’t it be important enough for us to observe it as best as we can by doing it on the day he said to and not incorporating pagan traditions? The second day, Nissan 15 begins Unleavened Bread. Leaven is symbolical of sin. The Passover sacrifice was designed to remove the sin, or leaven, from our bodies. In Exodus 13:9 we learn that it is a sign (i.e. prophetic) and that it is to be remembered and observed forever. The root word of the name of this feast “ Chag,” “commemorates a terrifying sacrificial pilgrimage.” This is exactly what Yahushua did on that very day. No matter what day of the week Unleavened Bread falls on, it is a Sabbath, because we are not to work for our salvation, Yahushua did it for us on this day as a gift to us. The third day, Nissan 16, is the Feast of Firstfruits. Yahuweh told the Israelites about the feast ahead of time in Leviticus 23:9-14, but it was never celebrated until they entered the Promised Land. Yahuweh did not designate a specific day for the feast, other than it was to be on the day they entered the land, and then it would always be on that day each year forever. Coincidentally (not really, since there are no coincidences with Yahuweh) they entered the land and celebrated Firstfruits the day after Unleavened Bread began, see Joshua 5:10-12. Leviticus 23:11 says that the priest shall wave the gathering before Yahuweh. Yahushua did this on this day when he came back. When he first saw Mary and Mary he told them he had not yet seen his father, afterward, he was not in such a hurry. During this time he presented the firstfruits to Yahuweh, again on the very day the feast was for. In the Leviticus verses, the grain is mixed with olive oil. Olive oil is symbolic of the Spirit, which is mixed with us, the grain. The firstfruits that were presented were those that rose after him. Psalm 119 was brought to my attention today [thanks Robski]. I remember being in either jr. high or high school and we were doing memory verses in Sunday school. I was ambitious and wanted to memorize this chapter, the longest in Scripture (at least the most verses). It is actually a great chapter to memorize. It is an extensive poem about keeping Yahuweh’s statutes and walking in his ways. I found it very enlightening and uplifting. I’ll end with it pasted below: ALEPH 1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to Yahweh's law. 2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart. 3 Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways. 4 You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them. 5 Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes! 6 Then I wouldn't be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments. 7 I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments. 8 I will observe your statutes. Don't utterly forsake me. BET 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10 With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don't let me wander from your commandments. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes. 13 With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways. 16 I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word. GIMEL 17 Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word. 18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law. 19 I am a stranger on the earth. Don't hide your commandments from me. 20 My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times. 21 You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments. 22 Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes. 23 Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. 24 Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors. DALED 25 My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word! 26 I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes. 27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works. 28 My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word. 29 Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your law graciously! 30 I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me. 31 I cling to your statutes, Yahweh. Don't let me be disappointed. 32 I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free. HEY 33 Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart. 35 Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them. 36 Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain. 37 Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways. 38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared. 39 Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good. 40 Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness. WAW 41 Let your loving kindness also come to me, Yahweh, your salvation, according to your word. 42 So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word. 43 Don't snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances. 44 So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever. 45 I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts. 46 I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed. 47 I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them. 48 I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes. ZAYIN 49 Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me. 51 The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don't swerve from your law. 52 I remember your ordinances of old, Yahweh, and have comforted myself. 53 Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your law. 54 Your statutes have been my songs, in the house where I live. 55 I have remembered your name, Yahweh, in the night, and I obey your law. 56 This is my way, that I keep your precepts. CHET 57 Yahweh is my portion. I promised to obey your words. 58 I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word. 59 I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes. 60 I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments. 61 The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won't forget your law. 62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances. 63 I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts. 64 The earth is full of your loving kindness, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes. TET 65 Do good to your servant, according to your word, Yahweh. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word. 68 You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes. 69 The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts. 70 Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law. 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes. 72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. YUD 73 Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments. 74 Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word. 75 Yahweh, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 76 Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant. 77 Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. 78 Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts. 79 Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes. 80 Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed. KAF 81 My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word. 82 My eyes fail for your word. I say, "When will you comfort me?" 83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don't forget your statutes. 84 How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me? 85 The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law. 86 All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me! 87 They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I didn't forsake your precepts. 88 Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth. LAMED 89 Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven forever. 90 Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains. 91 Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you. 92 Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me. 94 I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts. 95 The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes. 96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless. MEM 97 How I love your law! It is my meditation all day. 98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts. 101 I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word. 102 I have not turned aside from your ordinances, for you have taught me. 103 How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth! 104 Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. NUN 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path. 106 I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances. 107 I am afflicted very much. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your word. 108 Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. Yahweh, teach me your ordinances. 109 My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won't forget your law. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven't gone astray from your precepts. 111 I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. 112 I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end. SAMEKH 113 I hate double-minded men, but I love your law. 114 You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word. 115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. 116 Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope. 117 Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually. 118 You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain. 119 You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies. 120 My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments. AYIN 121 I have done what is just and righteous. Don't leave me to my oppressors. 122 Ensure your servant's well-being. Don't let the proud oppress me. 123 My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word. 124 Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes. 125 I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies. 126 It is time to act, Yahweh, for they break your law. 127 Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold. 128 Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way. PEY 129 Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them. 130 The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple. 131 I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments. 132 Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. 133 Establish my footsteps in your word. Don't let any iniquity have dominion over me. 134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts. 135 Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes. 136 Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don't observe your law. TZADI 137 You are righteous, Yahweh. Your judgments are upright. 138 You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy. 139 My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words. 140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. 141 I am small and despised. I don't forget your precepts. 142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth. 143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight. 144 Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live. KUF 145 I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, Yahweh! I will keep your statutes. 146 I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes. 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words. 148 My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word. 149 Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your ordinances. 150 They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law. 151 You are near, Yahweh. All your commandments are truth. 152 Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever. RESH 153 Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I don't forget your law. 154 Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise. 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they don't seek your statutes. 156 Great are your tender mercies, Yahweh. Revive me according to your ordinances. 157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven't swerved from your testimonies. 158 I look at the faithless with loathing, because they don't observe your word. 159 Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your loving kindness. 160 All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever. SIN AND SHIN 161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. 162 I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great spoil. 163 I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law. 164 Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances. 165 Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble. 166 I have hoped for your salvation, Yahweh. I have done your commandments. 167 My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly. 168 I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you. TAV 169 Let my cry come before you, Yahweh. Give me understanding according to your word. 170 Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word. 171 Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes. 172 Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness. 173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. 174 I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight. 175 Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don't forget your commandments. A Song of Ascents.
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