FIRSTFRUITS CANNOT BE TORAH OBSERVANT

Someone asked me if I was Torah observant. As a firstfruit, that is, in YahwehShua, I cannot be Torah observant. Why?

The word Torah has several different meanings. It denotes the first five books of the Old Testament or the Pentateuch. It can also be used to refer to all the books of the Old Testament from Genesis to Malachi. When others refer to the Torah, they include the oral Torah as well as the rabbinical traditions that produced the Talmud. 

In James 2:10 we are told that: “Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” Is the Torah the whole law? Actually, the word Torah refers to instruction or teachings. The Torah contains laws, but is not the law itself. Many use the word Torah interchangeably with the word law. This is incorrect. The Torah contains laws that existed before the Sinai covenant, as well as the Levitical laws, which were enacted after the Sinai covenant. To say that you are Torah observant implies that you keep all the laws that are listed in the Torah.

If you wish to submit a comment or a question, please email our Elder at john12e4567@gmail.com.

Do you sacrifice animals as a sin offering? To be Torah observant you should be. Here are two examples of what the Torah teaches us about the Levitical laws: 

Exodus 29:14

“But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it is a sin offering.” 

Leviticus 4:3

“If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish to Yahweh for a sin offering.” 

The Levitical sacrificial system of the old covenant only provided for animal sacrifices. There was no provision for a human sacrifice. Messiah’s death on the tree was a human sacrifice that provided his sinless blood to absorb all the sin of the world. (1 John 1:7)

Mankind has been reconciled by Messiah’s blood instead of animal blood. Paul confirms this in Ephesians 1:7:  “We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sin, according to the riches of his grace.”  Paul reiterates this important fact in Colossians 1:14:  “We have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”

In the Levitical system, the sin offering was always an animal. But Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that Messiah was:  “made sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of Elohim in him.”  This verse is from the King James Version. However, in the Diaglott we are told that he was made a “sin offering on our behalf.”

The Levitical sacrificial system was not part of the Sinai covenant. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) were given to the Israelites on Pentecost as part of the marriage ceremony between Messiah and the Israelites. The Levitical system did not go into effect until the second year of their sojourn in the Sinai wilderness. (Numbers 1: 1; 3: 12)

When Messiah became a husband to Israel (Isaiah 54:5), the firstborn were the priests. It was the firstborn priests that were preserved during the Passover that occurred in Egypt. The Levitical priesthood was a temporary substitute that was added because of transgressions. (Galatians 3:19) The physical firstborn priests were not able to fulfill the will of Yahweh. 

The Levitical high priest was a temporary substitute for the spiritual high priest of the order of Melchizedek. The Son of Yahweh was the original high priest. He preexisted as Yahweh of the Old Testament. However, before he could perform as the actual high priest and bear the sin of the people, he had to leave the spiritual realm and become human or incarnate.  We learn in Hebrews 10:5 that a human body was prepared for the Son of Yahweh.

The Sinai covenant or old covenant was inadequate. It could not remove sin. Only Messiah’s blood could do that. Paul tells us this in Hebrews 10:9-10: “He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By which we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Yahshua Messiah once for all.”

When Israel’s husband died on the tree, the old marriage covenant was terminated. In 1 Corinthians 7:39, Paul explains how this was outlined in the Torah: “The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Master.”

All Israel was freed from that marriage and the law that was added after the marriage covenant was enacted on Sinai. The Levitical sacrificial law was no longer in effect. The 10 Commandments, which was the covenant law on Sinai, is still the heart of the new covenant. This is confirmed in James 2:8: “If ye fulfill the Royal law according to the scripture, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well.”  Paul confirms this in Galatians 5:14:  “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

Messiah’s sacrifice of himself, a human sacrifice, was not acceptable under the Levitical sacrificial system. Therefore to accept Messiah Yahshua’s sacrifice, you are not able to be Torah observant. The new covenant could only be enacted after the death of Messiah. He had to allow himself to be killed to end the marriage with Israel and pave the way for the new covenant. This new covenant had been planned since before the foundation of the world. It was even foretold in Jeremiah 31:31-32:  

“Behold, the days come, saith Yahweh, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.  Not according to the covenant that I made with the fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of Egypt: which my covenant they break, although I was a husband unto them, saith Yahweh.”

Who was this Yahweh that proclaimed a coming new covenant? It was the Messiah! Paul reveals this in 1 Corinthians 10:4:  “that spiritual Rock that followed them: that Rock was Messiah.”

We cannot be Torah observant without denying Messiah and his sacrifice. This is why we do not continue to observe Yom Kippurim.  That day is all about the Levitical sacrificial system, and not about the sacrifice of Messiah. We cannot be part of this Levitical system and uphold our commitment to Messiah. 

Messiah was born under the law. (Galatians 4:4) He was therefore subject to the law. His marriage to physical Israel was therefore terminated upon his death. This was the law.

It was also the law that he had to have his name blotted out. He was the only human to die in sin. He therefore took all of the curses on himself. (Galatians 3:13) That curse was proclaimed in Deuteronomy 29:20:  “All the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and Yahweh shall blot out his name from under heaven.“   If you really desire to be truly Torah observant, then you have to believe that Messiah’s name was blotted out.

Messiah’s birth name, Yahshua, was blotted out upon his death. This is why he had to inherit a new name. (Hebrews 1:4) His new name was more excellent. What is that more excellent name? Psalm 148:13 declares that only the name of Yahweh is more excellent. That is why he received the name of YahwehShua. This is the name of both the Father and Son. In Revelation 14:1, we learned that this is the same name that the firstfruits had in their foreheads. This is the name we firstfruits proclaim.

The name that Peter proclaimed after the resurrection was YahwehShua. He had to use the inherited name because the birth name of Messiah had been blotted out. Peter would have known of this name change. In the book of Acts 2: 38, he is quoted as saying:  “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of YahwehShua Messiah for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.”  Your Bible probably says Jesus or even Yahshua. Messiah’s birthname was not removed from the scripture by order of the Levitical high priest. However, Yahweh removed his birth name from the book of life.

Being baptized in the birth name of Messiah is not being Torah observant. That is because the Torah tells us that the name of he who dies in sin is blotted out. Accepting the human sacrifice of Messiah is not Torah observant. How do we resolve this conflict? We must leave the old covenant entirely and accept the new covenant name of Messiah. We can only be obedient to the new covenant by being baptized in the name of life, YahwehShua.

Those called during this age are under judgment now. We only have a chance to be in the kingdom if we accept the new covenant. If we look back at the old covenant, we will not be in the kingdom. The firstfruits are under the new covenant and will be resurrected when Messiah returns. The rest of mankind must wait until after the 1000-year reign of Messiah.

The prophecy that we learned about in Jeremiah 31:31 is confirmed in Hebrews 8:6- 9:  

“But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is a mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.  For if the first covenant that was faultless, that should no place have sought the second.  For finding fault with them, he said, the days come, saith the sovereign, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith Yahweh.”

This prophecy had two witnesses and is therefore valid according to Yahweh. (Deuteronomy 17:6)

The Yahweh of the old covenant is the same Yahweh of the new covenant. The old covenant was terminated with His death as a human being. The new covenant is a better covenant with better promises. However, to enter this covenant, you must accept his inherited name in faith. This name is not found in the Scriptures. It is the name of faith. Remember, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”(Hebrews 11:1) Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:7 that, “We walk by faith, not by sight.”

The old covenant was based on an outward show of obedience. One had to be circumcised, participate in annual sacrifices and even wear tzitzits! The new covenant is not one of appearances, but by bearing fruit. You must demonstrate your faith through baptism in the unseen name of YahwehShua; loving the brethren as well as your enemies. The first covenant was enforced externally. The new covenant is implemented with circumcision of the heart rather than the flesh.

The old covenant cannot be renewed. It was based on the Levitical sacrificial system and was only temporary. Consider what Paul tells us in Hebrews 9:9-10: “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; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and diverse washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.”

Consider also what Paul tells us in Galatians 3:23-26: “But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of Elohim by faith in Messiah YahwehShua.”

From the Pentecost following the Messiah’s death until his return, is the age of faith. This faith is the heart of the new covenant, a better covenant. We must not return to the old covenant in any way. By doing so, we repudiate Messiah’s sacrifice and therefore deny him.

We are given a very stern warning in Proverbs 26:11:  “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.” A dog is a beast that dies without hope of resurrection. Those who reject a calling to the new covenant will miss out on the opportunity to be resurrected as a firstfruit when Messiah returns.

Another stern warning we should be aware of is found in 2 Timothy 2:12:  IF WE DENY HIM, HE WILL ALSO DENY US.”

Again, in Matthew 10: 33, he issues a similar warning:  “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” If you are Torah observant, then you are denying Messiah’s death as a valid sin offering. 

There is no reward for being in the old covenant. Messiah has a reward only for those who are faithful to the new covenant. He confirms this in Revelation 22:12: “I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” The work of the old covenant does not bear fruit. It is only participation in the new covenant that produces fruit.

You will have no reward by being Torah observant. Your reward is only available through the new covenant. It is only by being faithful in the new covenant that you do not deny him. He is faithful and will not deny those who have embraced his name of faith, YahwehShua, and overcomes to the end.

You may be wondering how Messiah’s human name was acceptable to Yahweh as reconciliation for all of man’s sin. The answer is found in Genesis 9:5: “And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.”

When Yahweh is talking about the life of man, he is talking about man’s blood. Leviticus 17:11 helps us with this explanation:  “For the life of the flesh is in the blood.”  Animal blood was only used as a substitute or temporary representation for the real thing. It was only the sinless life of the Messiah that was found in his blood that would satisfy Yahweh.

Genesis 9:5 was in effect before the foundation of the world. It obviously existed before the Levitical sacrificial system. This law could not be fulfilled until Messiah came in the flesh as a sin offering. The Levitical system was an inadequate but temporary measure until the death of the incarnate Messiah. Yahweh tells us the end from the beginning.

Everything being accomplished throughout the Scripture is for Messiah, the firstfruit. Genesis 1:1 tells us this from the beginning:  “For the firstfruit Elohim created the heavens and the earth.”  Those who are becoming firstfruits through obedience to the new covenant are included in this revelation found in Genesis 1: 1. We are firstfruits because Messiah is being formed within us. (Galatians 4:19) When we are resurrected at his return we shall be like him. (1 John 3:2)

Look forward to the fulfillment of the new covenant, and not backwards to a failed, terminated old covenant.

WE ARE QUARTODECIMANS!

It is our desire to: “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”  (Jude 1:3)

In keeping with this desire, we declare our common bond with the QUARTODECIMANS or fourteenthers of the early ekklesia. Historians tell us that this was a derogatory name that the Roman Church gave to the true believers attending the Asiatic assemblies. We are pleased to be able to draw close to the brethren of that era and accept the responsibility that goes with it. They kept the Passover during the day of the 14th. WE DO AS WELL!

They followed the truth of Numbers 28:16:  “and in the 14th day of the first month is the Passover of Yahweh.”  Their actions reflected the truth of John the Baptist, as recorded in John 1:29:  “Behold the Lamb of Yahweh which taketh away the sin of the world.”

It was the day of the 14ththat Messiah, the lamb of Yahweh, died on the tree. He was placed on the tree at 9 AM and finally died at 3 PM.

On the night of the 14th, before he died, Messiah gave his disciples a new commandment: “This do in remembrance of me.”  Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11: 24-25) The night of the 14th is when we wash each other’s feet, eat leavened bread and drink the fruit of the vine together.

We obey Messiah’s commandment to remember him on the night of the 14th. During the day of the 14th,we remember his death at 3 PM. Many of the early believers fasted during the time Messiah was on the tree, from 9 AM to 3 PM. This is not commanded but is an optional observance.

The following seven days are called the days of unleavened. (1 Corinthians 5:7-8)  These days are often referred to as being part of the feast of Passover. We keep these days as did the Quartodecimans.

We remove all leavening by noon on the 14thand eat unleavened bread until sundown on the 21st. We observe these days as the Feast of Passover.

 If you wish to submit a question or comment, please email our Elder at john12e4567@gmail.com.

THE BREAD, THE BODY, AND THE FIRSTFRUITS

The apostle Paul tells us that the Yahweh of the Old Testament was actually the Messiah. This is what he says in 1 Corinthians 10:4: “… that spiritual rock that followed them: and that rock was Messiah.”

This is confirmed in John 8:58 where Messiah himself said:  “Before Abraham was, I am.” This reference to “I am” reminds us of what Elohim said to Moses in Exodus 3:14:  “And Elohim said unto Moses, I am, that I am: and he said, thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, I am hath sent me unto you.”

Messiah was the Yahweh that created all things as Paul reminds us in Colossians 1:16:  “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible.”

The apostle John also identifies the Messiah as our Creator in John 1:3:  “All things were made by him: and without him was not anything made that was made.”

When the apostle Paul says, “all things,” he is referring to all mankind including the firstfruits. In Ephesians 1:4-5, Paul exclusively references the firstfruits:

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by YahwehShua Messiah to himself, according to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”

Messiah YahwehShua, also known as Yahweh Sabaoth, who later became the incarnate Yahshua Messiah, was the Yahweh of the Old Testament. The Yahweh that Moses met face-to-face was the Son. Moses never met the Father. When the translators use the word, “god,” they are mistranslating the Hebrew word, Elohim, which is a collective noun meaning the mighty ones. Elohim refers to both the Father and Son. 

Messiah YahwehShua was also the one who gave exacting instructions on how to design, construct, and what to specifically place inside the Tabernacle. You will find this in Exodus 25:40:  “And look that thou make them after their pattern which was showed thee in the mount.”  The apostle Paul confirms this in Hebrews 8:5. He tells us that Moses was “admonished” to“make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.”

Messiah was a perfectionist. He watched over the construction of the Tabernacle very carefully. This would be the same way he created all things. Messiah had been instructed by his Father to create all things after a certain pattern. Messiah tells us this in John 8:28:  “I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.”

Everything Messiah has done, he has done with the instruction and approval of his Father. Nothing is done in a random or disorganized manner.  There is a plan that is carried out as designed and approved by the Father and Son.

In previous articles, we have written about the significance of the “pattern” given to Moses for the Tabernacle and to David for the temple. One part of the pattern not previously discussed is the veil between the holy room of the Tabernacle and the holiest room. We find a very specific reference to this veil in Exodus 26: 30 – 33:

“And thou shalt rear up the Tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was showed the in the mount.  And then thou shalt make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:  And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver.  And thou shall hang up the veil under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the veil the ark of the testimony: and the veil shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.”

The most holy place is where the ark of covenant is located. On the ark is the Mercy seat. It is upon the Mercy seat that the Levitical high priest would sprinkle animal blood after entering this most holy place on Yom Kippurim. This Mercy seat is where Yahweh (the Son) would be present. The veil prevented the Levitical priests from having access to Messiah. Only the high priest one time per year was able to be in the Son’s presence. But with the death of Messiah this changed!

The apostle Paul gives us a very interesting revelation in Hebrews 10:18-20:  “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.  Having therefore, brethren,boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Yahshua.  By a new and living way, which he had consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.”

Every year the Levitical high priest would enter the holy of holies to sprinkle animal blood to cover the sins of the Israelites for the year to come. This was no longer necessary with the death of Messiah. He was the true Passover lamb, and only his blood was able to absorb all the sin of mankind. With his death on the tree, he completed or finished the purpose for which he had become incarnate.

It is interesting that in the holy room was a golden table holding twelve loaves of bread. In some translations, this bread is called showbread, while others translate the Hebrew words as bread of presence. These were baked fresh each week by the Levites and consumed on the Sabbath by the priests. When the veil was torn in half, upon the death of Messiah (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15: 37-38; Luke 23:45) that bread was no longer separated from the Mercy seat. What does this mean?

Many authors believe that these twelve loaves of bread represented the twelve tribes of Israel. But did they? When the veil was torn at the time that Messiah died, the old covenant was terminated. The cessation of the old covenant would prepare the way for a new covenant that would be initiated on Pentecost. The new covenant is for the firstfruits of this age. These are the 144,000 saints that will be resurrected when Messiah returns. (Revelation 14:1) The firstfruits are the spiritual Israelites, not the physical. The bread did not represent the physical descendants of Abraham, but the saints who are the true children of the promise. (Galatians 3:29)

Why is this important? Messiah distributed twelve pieces of bread at his Last Supper on the night he was betrayed. That bread was only for the firstfruits. The disciples represented the forming of firstfruits that would begin on the Pentecost following Messiah’s death. His death would allow the firstfruits to have the opportunity to be properly baptized and begin the formation of Messiah’s Spirit within them. (Galatians 4:19) Through this means, they would be able to be in the presence of Messiah at his return. This perspective adds substance to the translation of the Hebrew as bread of presence, instead of showbread.

Prior to this new understanding, it was my belief that when Messiah broke the bread at the Last Supper, the bread represented his broken physical body. However, the Greek grammar does not support this. In Luke 22:19 we are told: “And he took the bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, this is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” The demonstrative pronoun, “this” must agree in gender with the noun it is referring to. Traditionally, “this” was thought to refer to the bread. However, “this” has a neuter ending, while the word “bread” is a masculine noun. The Greek word for body is a neuter noun. Messiah was not referring to the bread. He was actually referencing his body. This was not his physical body he was talking about, but his spiritual body. Each firstfruit would receive a portion of his spiritual body, which would then mature into a fully formed spirit and allow them to be like him. (1 John 3:2)

When a firstfruit receives the Spirit of the Father, they also receive the down payment of the Spirit of Messiah. This down payment is a part of the Spirit of Messiah that has the capability of maturing within the firstfruit. It is the fully matured spirit of Messiah that allows the firstfruit to be resurrected just as Messiah was also resurrected. 

Why do we conclude that the bread represented Messiah’s spiritual body? As the tabernacle is the physical example of the spiritual, the veil is the physical example of His physical body.  The bread is the example for his spiritual body.  The twelve loaves of showbread, or the bread of presence, and the twelve pieces of bread distributed by Messiah to his disciples all represent the firstfruits. The firstfruits were already part of the plan or pattern before the creation of the world. Messiah, the Creator, knew the firstfruits from the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1: 4) He knew from the beginning that it was not the physical Israelites that would become the firstfruits.

I have mentioned in previous articles that Messiah revealed the truth about the firstfruits in Genesis 1: 1. The King James Version translates the Hebrew of this verse in this manner:  “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” First of all, the Hebrew does not say God. The Hebrew word is actually Elohim, which means mighty ones. The first Hebrew word in this sentence is bereyshith. This word is a combination of a preposition and noun. The preposition, be, may be translated in a variety of ways such as in, for, or even for the sake of. The noun is Strong’s number 7225, which also means the firstfruit. Hebrew scholars have proposed that the preposition could mean for the sake of. When you combine these linguistic options, a better translation is:  “For the sake of the firstfruit Elohim created the heavens and earth.” From the beginning it has all been about Messiah, the firstfruit, and those who would become firstfruits by receiving a portion of his Spirit.    

It is also interesting to note that the apostle Paul wrote extensively in 1 Corinthians 12 about the body of Messiah. In chapter 11, he referred to the bread and fruit of the vine. At no time did he call this event Passover, but referred to it as the Last Supper. The body of Messiah is formed from the distribution of the portions of Messiah’s spiritual body. It required the shedding of his blood to absorb all of mankind’s sin. To shed that blood he had to die. Once his blood covered all sin, the way was open to share his Spirit with those he knew before the foundation of the world, the firstfruits or saints.

We are told in Leviticus 23:17 that the bread representing the firstfruits is leavened bread. With this insight, we are able to understand that any time bread represents the firstfruits, it must be leavened. The Pharisees changed the showbread to unleavened bread when they took control of the temple. This was a significant change implemented by the Pharisees, which allowed for a false understanding of what that bread meant. Messiah warned us in Luke 11:52 that the Pharisees were taking away the key of knowledge. They continue in this effort today!

It is also correct that the bread Messiah gave to his disciples at the Last Supper before he was betrayed was leavened. That was not a Passover meal. That Last Supper occurred 24 hours before the Jews’ Passover meal on the 15th. An excellent reference that supports this understanding is a book by T. Alex Tennent, the Messianic Feast. While his book contains some significant errors on other topics, his scholarship pertaining to the understanding of what the Last Supper really was is excellent. 

The body of Messiah is poorly understood and not emphasized enough. The body of Messiah is a very special assembly of those who have the spiritual body of Messiah being formed from within. It is only by being baptized in the name of YahwehShua that one is allowed to become a functional member of the body of Messiah. The birth name of Messiah, in any form, is not valid. It is the name of Yahweh that provides salvation. Messiah inherited the more excellent name of his Father after he died. (Hebrews 1:4; Psalms 148:13) The firstfruits will be resurrected in the name of the Father and Son, YahwehShua.  (Revelation 14:1)

The correct understanding of the Last Supper is exciting and necessary. Firstfruits are commanded to remember Messiah on the night of the 14th of Abib. Now you are able to know why. The bread he distributed was consistent with the pattern established by Yahweh before the foundation of the world.

The spiritual body of Messiah is not based on race, gender, or social status. (Galatians 3:28) The calling comes from the Father. (John 6:44) You are able to reject His calling. But, should you choose to accept that calling and be baptized in the name of YahwehShua, you must then overcome to the end. An important aspect of overcoming is becoming a fruitful member of the body of Messiah.  Firstfruits are commanded to assemble together and encourage each other. (Hebrews 10:25) Loving the other members of the body is necessary and the lack of that love is a significant warning sign. (1 John 3:14)

There is more to being in the better resurrection than just being baptized. Your participation in the body of Messiah is an important opportunity for growth and is a gauge of your success in the process of overcoming. The body of Messiah is where you can practice love as revealed in 1 Corinthians 13. This is also where you can demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 6:22)

If this article and this website is of interest to you, this may indicate that you are being called. Please contact us to find out if we can be of assistance in your desire to become a firstfruit. Once you are a firstfruit, you will have the mind of Messiah being formed within you. This will greatly increase your understanding and allow you to more effectively search the Scriptures.  You must overcome your carnality and take on the Spirit of Messiah. (Romans 8:7-10)

 If you wish to submit a question or comment, please email our Elder at john12e4567@gmail.com.

THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME

 We find this new commandment given by Messiah in Luke 22:19 and confirmed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:24-25. Messiah gave this commandment following the supper he had on the night that he was betrayed. First, he washed the disciples’ feet, then he gave them leavened bread to represent his spiritual body, and then the fruit of the vine to represent his blood. This was not a celebration of Passover. The fruit of the vine represented His death that had to occur to make possible the giving of the Spirit on Pentecost. The leavened bread represents the distribution of his spiritual body beginning with Pentecost.  The Jewish Passover, John 6:4, was 24 hours later on the night of Abib 15.

Messiah was the Passover lamb. (1 Corinthians 5:7; John 1:29) He was slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8)  The night he was betrayed was before he was to die on the tree at 3 PM during the daylight portion of the 14th of Abib. It would have been against the rules of the Pharisees to have Passover that night. The leaven was not required to be removed until noon on the 14th so the bread he gave to his disciples was leavened NOT unleavened.

It is of note that the bread of the firstfruits is leavened bread. (Leviticus 23:17) Following his resurrection, Messiah was to become a firstfruit of them that slept. (1 Corinthians 15:20) He was giving a new commandment to his disciples, who would become firstfruits after receiving the Spirit of the Father and the down payment of His Spirit on Pentecost. This gathering, on the night Messiah was betrayed, was a convocation of those who were to be the firstfruits of the new covenant. 

Messiah’s death would end the old covenant and initiate the new covenant. There would be some changes. Circumcision of the flesh would no longer be required. It was now to be a circumcision without hands or baptism. The Passover of the 15th of Abib was from the old covenant. The firstfruits or saints would now remember his death that would occur on the 14th. They would follow his commandment to remember him on the evening of the 14th with foot washing, leavened bread and fruit of the vine. 

Under the old covenant, Yom Kippurim was required every year to cover the sins of Israel temporarily with animal blood. The new covenant ended this annual necessity for the Levitical high priest to enter the holy of holies with animal blood. Messiah sacrificed himself one time and the sins of all mankind were covered. (Hebrews 10: 10-11)

Those who are baptized in the name of YahwehShua become firstfruits, and if they overcome to the end will be resurrected when Messiah returns. The rest of mankind will be resurrected after the 1000-year reign of Messiah. We are resurrected because the firstfruits have Messiah being formed within them (Galatians 4:19) and in the resurrection we will be like him. (1 John 3:2)  

Under the old covenant, Passover was to be a “memorial” for the day the Israelites were preserved and the first-born Egyptians died in their place. (Exodus 12:14) The new covenant replaced this memorial with a new memorial given by Messiah on the evening of the 14th. A synonym for remembrance is the word memorial. The old covenant Passover memorial is an event that saves only the physical Israelites.  The new memorial instituted on the night before Messiah died on the tree, looked forward to the sacrifice he would make the next day. That sacrifice was made for the whole world and not just the Israelites.  The shedding of his blood gave salvation to many and life to all. No human beings would be left in death. All would be reconciled and resurrected to life!

The keeping of the old covenant Passover had been required.  That Passover meal was eaten on the night of the 15th.  Messiah was the Word that brought the old covenant Passover to the Israelites.  He is also the one that brought the last supper memorial to the firstfruits on the night of the fourteenth.  The events that occurred on the 15th and the 14th were commandments proclaimed by the Son of Yahweh.  The firstfruits are commanded to observe the fourteenth as well as the seven days of the feast of unleavened bread, which is also known as the feast of Passover

The memorial or remembrance required on the 14th is a commandment personally given by Messiah. John records Messiah saying this about his commandments in John 14:15:  “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”  Also consider these words recorded in John 14:21: “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

Should you desire to be obedient to Messiah, and therefore his Father, you may wish to know how to properly “remember Him.”  The old covenant requirement is changed. It is no longer the 15th,but the 14th. It is no longer unleavened bread, but leavened bread. This is where we must become like the Bereans and search the Scriptures. (Acts 17: 11) We should not just accept what we have been told.

If you have read the other articles on our website, you are aware that we do not just accept the birth name of Messiah for a valid baptism. We have read Deuteronomy 29:20 and 21:23, which indicate that he who dies in sin will have his name blotted out. He became a curse for us and suffered in our place. (Galatians 3:13) We have also learned more about the night Messiah ate his last supper with the disciples.

You must pray to Yahweh for his truth and search the Scriptures. We are blessed with many aids to conduct an effective Bible study. I especially like Strong’s Concordance and the Companion Bible. The Diaglott and Rotherham’s Emphasized Bible are also very helpful. 

Another book we have found especially helpful is, The Messianic Feast, by T. Alex Tennent. He certainly is a scholar, but Yahweh has not revealed to him the truth about the Father’s and Son’s names. He also believes in a Sunday resurrection and Thursday death of Messiah. These are significant differences from what we believe and there may be other examples as well.  Read carefully and question what you read. But, his study of why the last supper on the night of the fourteenth is NOT the Passover is excellent. He demonstrates in so many ways why it was not a Passover meal and the bread was leavened. His study harmonizes with our understanding of the new covenant. Please pray to Yahweh for guidance as you read and study this book. Any questions or comments would be helpful and we would be happy to respond to them. May Yahweh guide you in the study.

Since our forming of the Light of YahwehShua, we have continued to develop a deeper understanding of the new covenant. As you read our articles, you can follow our journey into this better understanding. Passover, the days of unleavened bread, and Pentecost are very important. We will continue to search the Scriptures. It is our desire to, “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1: 3)

Please walk with us in an effort to draw closer to Yahweh and YahwehShua. We welcome your questions. It is acceptable to have questions and concerns. That is expected. If you are being called to the body of Messiah, then this is an exciting opportunity we wish to share with you.

May Yahweh bless your efforts.

ADDENDUM:

In 2019, the 14thof Abib begins at sunset on April 19, and ends at sundown on April 20. After sundown on the evening of the fourteenth (April 19), the firstfruits in St Louis have a gathering where we pray, read Messiah’s words from the Last Supper, wash each other’s feet, eat leavened bread, drink grape juice and close with a song. In this manner we remember Messiah’s death on the day of the 14th.

It is our understanding that the early believers would fast while Messiah was on the tree (from 9 AM to 3 PM).  This is not commanded, but is a voluntary observance.

The early believers kept the days of unleavened bread, but not the Passover on the 15th. The 15th is a high day and we do observe this with a service. The last day of unleavened bread is also a high day and we observe that as such. From noon on the 14thuntil sundown on the 21stday of Abib (April 26-27) we eat unleavened bread.

We begin to count toward Pentecost (Shavuoth) on the day after the weekly Sabbath during the days of unleavened bread. (April 21-22) This is also the day of the wavesheaf offering. Seven weekly Sabbaths later plus one day is Pentecost. (50 days, June 8-9)

We remember or memorialize the death of Messiah on the 14th, but do not celebrate a Passover on the 15th. The Passover observance is for the physical Israelites. Messiah was the Passover lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world for our sins. It was his blood that allows the firstfruits to receive the Father’s Spirit and the rest of mankind to be resurrected and not left in death.

 If you wish to submit a question or comment, please email our Elder at john12e4567@gmail.com.