This phase of the blueprint teaches the beginning of the calendar for the Bride. The feast (festival day, holy day) of Passover is a "shadow of things to come" or the one foreshadowed is Christ."(Col.2:16-17, 1 Cor.5:7-8) Passover was the beginning of the year for the "church in the wilderness." (Exod.12:1-2, Acts.7:38) Christ offering Himself as the Passover was the beginning for the Church, and it is our beginning as we are "born again." This was when Israel came out of Egypt as "a peculiar treasure...and...a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation." (Exod.19:1-6) The same is true for the believer in Christ. (1 Peter.2:5-9, Rev.1:6; 5:10) When we receive Christ, we are "penciled in" (so-to-speak) on God's calendar to be part of His Bride. I say "penciled" in because we have to make ourselves ready, (Rev.19:7) out of obedience to God's Word.
  
     
Passover was a beginning of month(s)

The Hebrews had been in captivity (bondage) to the Egyptians for 400 years, as God had foretold Abraham, (Gen.15:13-21) and now it was God's purpose to bring them out and into the Land (Gen.12:1; 15:1-21, Deut.6:23; 12:1-12, 1Chron.17:1-15; 22:1-19) that God had promised.

1.  It was a beginning of months, it was to be the first month of Israel's calendar year. (Exod.12:2
     Deut.16:1) It was actually April according to the Egyptian calendar. 
     a.  When we receive Christ as our Saviour (Passover), it is only the beginning of our journey. 
          (1 Cor.5:7-8, 2Cor.5:17-18) God's purpose for us is to bring us out (of the bondage if sin 
          Col.1:13) and into "the image of His Son." (Rom.8:28-28, 2Cor.3:18) Note: The image of His 
          Son is the Land, mature adulthood. (Eph.4:11-16, Heb.3:7-19; 4:1-11) The apostle Paul 
          interprets this to be the same as a completed building. (1Cor.3:10, Eph.2:20-22; 4:11-16; 
          5:21-33) Exactly according to the pattern. (Blueprint)
     
          Note: The reason for becoming a mature man / adult Eph.4:11-16, 1Cor.13:9-12) is for 
          marriage. As in the "figure," (Rom.5:14) Eve (2Cor.11:3, Eph.5:21-33) was made in the 
          image of God, (Gen.1:27) fully mature before1 she was brought / "presented" to Adam. 
          (Eph.5:21-33)  Eve was no child!
              
     
2.  Israel came out of Egypt as a "child." (Hosea.11:1) God's "firstborn." (Exod.4:22)  "A 
     peculiar treasure...a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." (Exod.19:5-6)
     a.  We begin our Christian journey as a child, when we become "born again" (John.3:1-7)
          as "babes in Christ" (i.e. 1Peter.2:2, 1Cor.3:1, Heb.5:14) We were "dead in...sin" (Eph.2:1, 
          Rom.5:12-21) "having on hope, and without God in the world." (Eph.2:11-12) Jesus 
          said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see (enter) the kingdom of God." (John.3:3, 5)
          We need to be "born again" into the kingdom of God. (No naturalized citizens in the 
          kingdom of God. The only way in, is to be born in.)

          Note: The Law of Marriage for the High Priest, i.e. Jesus (Heb.3:1, Matt.5:17-19) required 
          him to take a wife "of his own people." (Lev.21:14) She had to be born into the family!

     b.  We begin as the "church of the firstborn." (Heb.12:23)   
     c.  We begin as a "royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people." (1Peter.2:9)


Passover was to be celebrated when God decided

God is Sovereign (All powerful Dan4:35) and Providential (Intervenes when and where He wants in man's affairs. Rom.9:20-23) Passover was to be celebrated where (Deut.12:1-12) and when (Exod.12:1-2) God decided, independent of mans timing or calendar. (Dan.4:35, Rom.9:20, Acts.17:24) "...behold now, is the day of salvation" (2Cor.6:2)
    Update   
1.  We do not decide when and where, "For by grace are ye saved  through faith; and that not 
     of yourselves it is the gift of God." (Eph.2:8, Note: Heb.11:28) 
     a.  "For by grace" (Eph.2:8)
           Israel was delivered from Egypt, by the blood of the Passover Lamb because of covenant.
           (Exod.2:24-25) We are delivered from sin, by the blood of Jesus our Passover, because of
           covenant. (Heb.10:16-20, Matt.26:26-29, Eph.2:1-7) 
     b.  "through faith not of yourselves it is the gift of God." (Eph.2:8)
          God even gives us the faith to receive the grace that He gives us. "For I say, through the 
          grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than
          he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure
          of faith."  (Rom 12:3, 2Peter.1:1)
     c.  "and God had respect unto them" (Eph.2:8) 
          This was because of the covenant that God made (Heb.6:16-20) with Abraham, Isaac and
          Jacob. (Exod.2:25) Not because of the "person" of Abraham, (Acts.10:34) it was respect
          for the covenant (the promise / the Word) that God gave to him. (Gen.12:1; 15:1-21,
          Note:v.13-14) God has respect unto us because of Jesus, (Eph.1:1-8, Heb.7:22,
          2Tim.2:13) because of the Words of the New Covenant (New Testament).

2.  We decide "if" we will accept.  It was Israel's responsibility to celebrate this feast every year on
     the 14th. day of the first month. If they didn't, Passover would not take place. (Note: 2Kings.23:21-
     23, 2Chron.30:5; 35:18) The same is true regarding our salvation! God gives us the choice,
     even though He has chosen us. (John.15:16)


All were to keep the Passover, no exceptions!

"Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
(Exod.12:3-4) 

1.  Every Israelite had to keep the Passover. 
     There were no exceptions. (Num.9:13) "But the man that...forbeareth to keep the passover,
     even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering
     of the Lord in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin." 
     a.  Everyone must be "born again," i.e. keep the Passover. (John.3:1-7, 1Cor.5:7-8) "There is
          no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts.4:12)
          When we put our trust in the redemptive blood of Christ, (Col.1:14) it is the reality of applying
          the Passover blood "on the two side posts, and...the upper post" of their house. (Exod.12:7) 
     b.  It is possible to preach "another Jesus." (i.e. another Passover 2Cor.11:4) while using
          the name of Jesus. (Matt.24:5) "Watch" for those revisionists that have redefined being "born
          again" into "lasciviousness", (lawless,wantonness, immorality, i.e. I can do anything I want  
          because "Grace" covers me.") and denying...our Lord Jesus Christ." (Jude.1:1-4, 2Pet.2:1-4,
          Titus.2:11, Rom.6:1-11) 

          Passover put a "difference between the Egyptians and Israel. (Exod.12:7, Matt.5:13-16,
          2Cor.6:14-18, 1John.2:16) Note: Those that celebrated a "false" Passover and were rejected
          by God. (Isa.1:1-31, Note:v.14 / Amos.5:21-23, Note: Amos.1:1, 1Kings.12:25-33)

2.  When I see the blood, I will pass over you.
     God said, " And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye 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. (Ex 12:13-14)      
     a.  This is foreshadowing (Col.2:16-17) the Gospel (Good News). Jesus said, "Whosoever
          believeth in Him" (Christ our Passover 1Cor.5:7-8) It was not "when I see an Israelite or
          Egyptian," it was "when I (God) see the blood." (Exod.12:13) There is "no respecter of
          persons" in the Gospel. (Acts.10:34; 15:9)
     b.  Note: The requirement of the shedding of blood first from the type to the reality.
            
3.  A prophetic type pointing to the Jews today. 
     "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean
     by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto 
     the Lord. The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with
     unleavened bread and bitter herbs. They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any
     bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it. (Num 9:10-12)
     This "shadow" points to a opportunity for the Jews, "if they not still in unbelief, shall be graffed
     in: for God is able to graff them in again." to God's purpose.
     a.  Note: the word "again." It is a "graffed in again" because of covenant.
         (Review: Phase 5, Daniel's 70 week prophecy)
               
     b.  They are unclean by reason of a dead body. (Num.9:10)
           When they (the Jews) rejected Christ, took the body down "because it was the preparation,
           that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day
           was an high day - John 19:31-34) They violated the very Law of Moses that they claimed to
           be living by. "Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not 
           himself, defileth the tabernacle of the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because
           the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is
           yet upon him. (Num 19:13-14)    
     c.  They have been In a journey afar off. (Num.9:10)
          For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in    
          your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles
          be come in. (Rom 11:25-26)
     d.  Even though it was "again," (i.e. because of Covenant Rom.11:28) they still were
          commanded to keep the Passover.( i.e. The Jews still need to accept Christ as Messiah) 
          If they still refused after the fourteenth day of the second month, they were to be cut off from 
          God's Covenant. (Num.9:13)

4.  Provision was made for the "stranger that sojourned among them." One law for home 
     born and stranger. (Exod.12:49, Num.9:14) Once again the "whosoever" Gospel is being      
     foreshadowed.
     a.  A "stranger" is a alien, heathen, Gentile.
     b.  "That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and 
           strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But
           now in Christ Jesus (because you have believed in Christ our Passover 1Cor.5:7-8) ye who
           sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. (Eph 2:12-14)

The Lamb was kept for four days, then slain.

"Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house." (Ex 12:3-4)
"And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening." (Exod.12:6-7)

1.  Jesus was kept for four days (4,000 years)  Review: Phase 3
     "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand 
     years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some
     men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all
     should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8-10, Psa.90:4)
         .
2.  Jesus is the Lamb "who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but
     was manifest in these last times for you, (1Peter 1:20-21, Heb.9:26, Rev.13:8; 17:8) 
     a.  Before the "foundation of the world" (Gen.1:1-31) there was, The Father, (1John.5:7,
          John.17:5) The Word (1John.5:7, John.1:1, Gen.1:1 "God said") and The Holy Ghost
          (1John.5:7, Gen.1:2)
     b.  The Word (God) became flesh (Isa.7:14, Matt.1:18-25, 1Tim.3:16) and dwelt amongst us. 
          (John.1:14) The Word became the only begotten Son, Jesus ("Emmanuel" - God with us
          Matt.1:23) who would give Himself as "our Passover Lamb." (Acts.20:28, Eph.5:25,
          1Cor.5:7-8)

3.  When Adam sinned, Jesus was taken as the Lamb. He was "foreordained" and now he 
     is taken. (Exod.12:1-15, 1Peter 1:20-21, Heb.9:26, Rev.13:8; 17:8) 

 All were to keep the Passover, clean or unclean       
  
"Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the Lord. The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it. But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the Lord in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.  (Num 9:10-14, Exod.12:47-51)

1.  An excellent "model" ("ensample") of how God receives us to Himself through The Lord
     Jesus Christ. It's not of works least any man should boast. 
     a.  No one is good enough to earn their way, (Isa.64:6, Rom.10:1-3) because Paul wrote, "ye
          were darkness / sin. (There is no such thing as "good" darkness / sin) "for we have before
          proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none
          righteous, no, not one:" (Rom 3:9-10)
     b.  No one is evil enough to be rejected by God. (Matt.21:31-32)

2.  God said, "When I see the blood." (Exod.12:13) "For by grace are ye saved through
     faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. 
     (Eph 2:8-10)


The whole congregation of Israel shall kill the Lamb

"And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening." (Exod.12:6)


1.  When Jesus was brought before Pilate (Matt.27:23-25) 
     a.  The "chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and
          destroy Jesus." (Matt 27:20-21)
     b.  The "governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let 
          him be crucified." (Matt 27:23-24)
     c.  Then "answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
          (Matt 27:25-26)

2.  Our sin crucified Jesus. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we
     might be made the righteousness of God in him."  (2 Cor 5:21)

 
They had to apply the blood  

"And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it." (Exod. 12:7-8)

1.  They shall take of the blood. 
      Our actions of obedience to God's Word applies the blood to our house. "Even so faith, if
      it hath not works, (i.e. actions of obedience) is dead, being alone. (James 2:17)
      a.  Abraham             
           Abraham "believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was 
           called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by 
           faith only."  (James 2:23-25, Gen.22:1-14)
      b.  Rahab the harlot             
           Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the
           messengers, and had sent them out another way? (James 2:25-26, Josh.2:1-24)
      
           Note: There is "good" works, (Eph.2:10, Matt.5:13-16) Review: "The meal Offering."
           there are "dead" works. (Heb.6:1) Review: "The Reformation and Martin Luther"

2.  Apply the blood to their house
     The apostle Peter refers to us as a "house." "For we know that if our earthly house of this
      tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in
      the heavens." (2 Cor 5:1-2, Matt.7:24-27)
      a.  House is also used to describe the local Church. (1Tim.3:15)
      b.  House is also use to describe the universal Church. (1Peter.2:5)


  A Review of the importance of Passover in our 12 Phase series  

The Law of marriage for the High Priest (Lev.21:10-15) which Jesus said He came "fulfill" and not destroy, (Matt.5:17-19, Heb.3:1)) required him to "take s wife in her virginity of his own people." (Lev.21:14) This is why we "must be born again" to become the High Priest's (Heb.3:1) "own people."  (Note: God will never deny His Laws, patterns, model, types, shadows. (2Tim.2:13) 

       
The Lamb was to be roasted with fire

"And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it." (Ex 12:8) Jesus took the fire of God's wrath upon Himself as our Passover Lamb (1Cor.5:7-8) on the Cross. To be a disciple of Christ we to must take up our Cross and follow His example (Luke.14:25-33, 1Peter.2:21, Gal.2:20, Rom.8:17) and let the fire of God's Word   purge us.

1.  The Lamb was roasted with fire. (Exod.12:8-10) 
     Fire is used by God to declare His righteous standard, His consuming Holiness in judgment
     against sin. Fire also brought about a purification from the useless, vanity of human wisdom
     a.  Mount "Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in 
          fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole
          mount quaked greatly. (Ex 19:18)
     b.  There came "a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt 
          offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces. 
          (Lev 9:24-10:1)
     c.  When "the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger
          was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in
          the uttermost parts of the camp. And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed
          unto the Lord, the fire was quenched. And he called the name of the place Taberah: because
          the fire of the Lord burnt among them. (Num 11:1-3) Note also 1Kings.18:1-38, 2Kings.1:10
    
2.  In the New Testament reality fire is an "ensample" (type, shadow, model) of God's Holiness  
     and purification. (Heb 12:29) "For our God is a consuming fire."
     a.  Every "man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be
          revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work
          abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be
          burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.(1 Cor 3:13-16)
     b.  Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in
          pieces? (Jer 23:29-30)
     c.  He (Jesus) "shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand,
          and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up
          the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Matt 3:11-12)
     d.  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it 
           be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus
           Christ: (1 Peter 1:7)

They were to eat with their loins girded, shoes on, staff in hand

"And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord's passover." (Ex 12:11-12)

1.  Ready to go on a journey towards God's purpose
     The children were to be ready to move out and journey towards God's purpose. (Gen.12:1;     
     15;1-15, Deut.6:23; 12:1-12, 1Chron.17:1-15; 22:1-19) as soon as the last plague was sent. 
     a.  God said,"For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in
          the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute
          judgment: I am the Lord." (Ex 12:12-13) And it "came to pass, that at midnight the Lord 
          smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne
          unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. 
          (Ex 12:29)
     b.  They left in "haste." (Exod.12:11) "because they were thrusted out of Egypt...because 
          they could not tarry." (Exod.12:39)


        .
2.  We are to be ready to go on a journey towards God's purpose
     Now "all these things happened unto them for ensamples: (types) and they are written for our
     admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." (1Cor.10:1-11, Rom.15:4)
         a.  At Salvation, (i.e. Born again) we should have left our sin and bondage "in haste" and
              allowed God to "thrusted" us out and "not tarry." (2Cor.5:17, Col.1:13) As in   
              the "ensample" (type), God wants us to be separated from this world, "immediately." 
              (Review: Unleavened Bread )
         b.  At Salvation (i.e. Born again) We need our feet shod, (Exod.12:11) ready to go "with the
              preparation of the Gospel of peace." (Eph.6:15) The "Gospel" is not just Matthew, Mark,
              Luke and John. The "Gospel" is the "good news, glad tidings." (Greek) It is God's
              redemptive plan, from Genesis to Revelation. Jesus preached this Gospel. (Matt.4:23;
              5:17-19, Acts.1:3 / Luke.24:1-45, Gal.1:11-12 / Eph.2:1-22; 4:11-16; 5:21-33) 
         c.  At Salvation (i.e. Born again) We need our "loins girt about with truth." (Exod.12:11, 
              Eph.6:14) "thy Word is truth" (John.17:17) Especially in these days that we are living in.
              (2Thes.2:9-11) Note: The example of Jehosophat and Ahab. (2Chron.18:1-34, v.6)
         d.  At Salvation (i.e. Born again) We need our "staff" in our hand. (Exod.12:11, Psa.23:4)
              David wrote, (2Tim.3:16, 2Peter.1:21) " thy rod and thy staff (Isa.11:1, Rev.11:1, Eph.4:11
              -16) they comfort me." Pointing to Jesus! 
_______________________________________

There is much more to be said concerning Passover. This is only an introduction.(1Cor.13:9-19, John.16:12-13, 1Cor.2:1-14)

Now to the Feast of Unleavened Bread.


     

    











       





     
     


              
      

 Notes:--------------------------------------------------------------

1.  Even this world in all it's sinful state, has laws against under age married.