Do you understand Ezekiel 37?

by Leonard V Johnson

Greetings, Brethren and Friends. Welcome, Nakuru, Kenya, Ashburn, VA, Forest City, NC, and Madrid, Spain! Welcome! I’m so pleased to be with you today. 

Ezekiel 37 helps show us that people who were dead - and not in Christ Jesus - will indeed be resurrected to the flesh and live again, having a true opportunity for salvation unto immortality and eternal life. 

“The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2) Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3) And He said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ So I answered, ‘O Lord GOD, You know.’

4) Again He said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5) Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: ‘Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6) I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.’

7) So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8) Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. 

9) Also He said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.’ 10) So I prophesied as He commanded, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. 

11) Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ 12) Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13) Then you shall know that I AM the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. 14) I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it,’ says the LORD” - Ezekiel 37:1-14; NKJV throughout, unless otherwise noted.

Now, will salvation be offered to all who have ever lived or will live?

Yes. 

Related to this, we made the following video sermon  ──

Let us notice just what the Old and New Testaments plainly teach us ──

“’ And all flesh shall see the salvation of God’” - Luke 3:6.

“ ... And all the ends of the earth shall see The salvation of our God” - Isaiah 52:10. 

The Prophet Micah ── under divine inspiration ── 

“Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea” - Micah 7:18-19.

So, with what we just read above, is the LORD God going to pardon sin (iniquity) for only a few or nearly all? The LORD God does not stay angry forever; He delights in mercy. And, as the Prophet Micah continued here, the LORD God will indeed give TRUTH to Jacob and MERCY to Abraham, which He swore to our fathers of old.

And, if you would turn to Ezekiel 11 and Ezekiel 36. They both record for us that the LORD God is going to convert many sinners and that they will walk in His statutes - His LAW ── 

“ ... ‘Although I have cast them far off among the Gentiles, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet I shall be a little sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.’ 17) Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’ 18) And they will go there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there. 19) Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, 20) that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God’” - Ezekiel 11:16-20. 

“’ For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all the countries, and bring you into your own land. 25) Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your IDOLS. 26) I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27) I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

28) Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people and I will be your God. 29) I will deliver you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. 30) And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. 31) Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves, in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. 

32) Not for your sake do I do this,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.’ 

33) ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. 34) The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. 35) So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ 36) Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the LORD, have spoken it, and I will do it.” - Ezekiel 36:24-36.

Now, friends, this great and awesome prophecy has not been fulfilled by the Jews who have gone back to the nation called Israel in the Middle East. God has not given them a ‘new heart and a new spirit.’ The LORD God indeed has a Master Plan of salvation for all those who may feel lost.

The Prophet Daniel - under the great inspiration of God's Spirit ── 

“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3) Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever” - Daniel 12:2-3.

This shows us that DEATH IS LIKE SLEEP. It's also referring to a resurrection. As I wrote in our Letter to our Friends – November 12th, 2019 ──           

The Prophet Daniel foretold this grave time happening BEFORE the SEVENTH TRUMP OF GOD – “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people [the spiritual saints of God] shall be delivered, Everyone who is found written in the Book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some [those who have committed the ‘unpardonable sin’] to shame and everlasting contempt” – Daniel 12:1-2.

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in John 5:28-29 emphatically said ── 

“’ Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29) and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation [or judgment].’” 

Sadly, this is something that mainstream “Christianity” ── which includes the MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH, the Roman Catholic Church ── does NOT properly understand! 

Here are a few inaccurate views from some of the different denominations of this world ── 

• Certain Protestants and Evangelicals: God is trying to save everyone NOW through the name of Jesus Christ. However, since most have not heard the Message of Christ, most who have lived or will live are eternally lost.
• Universalists: God loves everyone and will save everyone.
• Calvinists: God isn't trying to save everyone now and never really plans on truly offering salvation to all because all humans are sinners and deserve eternal damnation. Yet, God is so merciful that He sent His Son to die for a few (roughly 1-3% of the total population) who were predestined to be called and saved, and this shows that God has love. Nearly all who have ever lived are eternally lost. 
• Mormons (a.k.a. the Latter Day Saints): God, since He will not condemn those who - for no fault of their own - have not accepted Christ, that He will save many through baptism for the dead, and their later, hoped-for acceptance of Jesus. So, they try to find the names of the dead through genealogical research and have people baptized by proxy for them. 
• Eastern Orthodox: They tend to believe that God's Plan of salvation is highly sacramental, and teach that His Plan is not one of terror, but that God may save people up through the time of the ‘Great White Throne Judgment.’ 
• Unitarians: God does not truly care what you believe or even if you do, but if you try and lead a decent life, He will save you. Now NOTE: This is not really the position of unitarian groups such as the Jehovah's Witnesses and many others, yet, the position of those generally known as Unitarians.
• Catholics: God wants to save everyone, yet most will not be saved. Despite never hearing the name Jesus Christ, God has a plan and will save some from the pagan religions who strive to live right, and will give salvation to Catholics who have gone through the right sacraments at the appropriate time. 

God's living and holy WORD teaches that God created all things and that ‘indeed it was very good’ (Genesis 1:31), and ‘whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this, we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments ...’ (1 John 5:1-3). The LORD God made man upright (Ecclesiastes 7:29), but humans felt that they could decide what is right and what is wrong (Genesis 3:6) - yet, such disobedience leads to death (Romans 6:23). Eternal death. So, because of this transgression, the LORD God banned humans from having access to the tree of life (which represents His Holy Spirit) on their own (Genesis 3:22; John 6:44) - even though the Lord GOD had a Plan of redemption for all mankind “from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8).

The LORD God has allotted mankind 6,000 years of rulership over themselves to live how they want. However, mankind will come to the very brink of human extinction (Matthew 24:22; Daniel 12:1). 

And, because the LORD God’s mercy includes His Plan for the forgiveness of all sins (Acts 13:38) and that Almighty God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ are love (1 John 4:8, 16; John 3:16), They will intervene and send the living Jesus Christ to establish His Kingdom upon this earth (Revelation 11:15; 20:4).

After our soon-coming “King of kings and Lord of lords’” Millennial reign, all who ever lived will be resurrected (Revelation 20:5). And then ── 

“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God [Theos; God the Father], and books [the biblos; the Holy Bible] were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books [the Holy Bible]” - Revelation 20:12.

And God the Father and Jesus Christ will plead Their case (John 10:30) ── 

“The LORD stands up to plead, And stands to judge the people” - Isaiah 3:13. 

“’ A noise will come to the ends of the earth - For the LORD has a controversy with the nations; He will plead His case with all flesh. He will give those who are wicked to the sword,’ says the LORD” - Jeremiah 25:31. 

And friends, concerning WHY Satan the Devil and his demons are released for a “short season” immediately after the Millennial Reign - Revelation 20:3b … because immediately he goes out to the four corners of the world – to Gog and Magog (Siberia, China, Russia area) to gather them together to battle against the beloved city of God and of the saints. And dead bodies will be piled high when the “Great White Throne” resurrection occurs.

Nearly all who have ever lived will repent and accept Jesus Christ and will begin living the LORD God's Way of life.

GOD is love (1 John 4:16), it is crystal clear that He indeed has a Master Plan that takes into account EVERY human being (cf. 1 Peter 1:20-21). Almighty God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ indeed developed a Plan that does not result in the vast majority of humanity suffering untold torture in the false doctrine of a hell. His ultimate Plan will result in nearly everyone who has ever lived, no matter what their religious background was, being saved. And there are literally hundreds of passages within His living word to this fact! THIS IS GOD’S WILL (2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16, 17).

Indeed, the LORD God’s holy days reveal to us a most merciful and loving plan for all mankind! The LORD God forever be praised! Yet, because the greater majority who profess Christ keep non-biblical holy days (or rather holidays) ── such as Easter, Christmas, Halloween, St. Valentine’s Day, and even New Year’s ── worldly holidays that do not teach you God’s Master Plan… From the Beginning, they simply do not understand that God indeed has a plan that will ultimately result in nearly everyone who has ever lived or will live being saved!

Our Master, Elder Brother – our Savior, Jesus Christ – was very clear that only a few will find the Way during this present evil age ── 

“’ Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life [eternal life], and there are few who find it.’” - Matthew 7:14. 

“’ Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.’” - Luke 12:32. 

“Then one said to Him, ‘Lord, are there few who are saved?’ And He said to them, 24) ‘Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.’” - Matthew 12:23-24. 

Many will be called, but few chosen in this age (Matthew 22:14). And, there is an age to come (Matthew 12:32), where even infamous sinners will indeed have an opportunity for salvation (cf. Matthew 10:15; 11:22).

Our Lord Jesus called His Church in this age, a ‘little flock’ which will be around until His return to this earth. 

So, God’s living and eternal word says ──  

“’ And all flesh shall see the salvation of God’” - Luke 3:6. 

So then those who do not truly see or hear what God's Spirit says in regards to His great Master Plan of salvation will have it explained to them. And this is part of what the Last Great Day pictures.

“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38) He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” - John 7:37-38.

The Last Great Day helps demonstrate that all who have ever lived will indeed have an opportunity for salvation. An opportunity that most will accept (John 7:37-39; Romans 11:25-26; Ezekiel 37:11-14; Hebrews 9:27-28).

This indeed is part of what Ezekiel 37 is about. □

Additional Related Items:

The Two Resurrections (PDF booklet)    

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DEATH? (PDF booklet)

The TRUTH Concerning New Year's (PDF booklet)

The LIE of HELL! (PDF booklet)

ChristMas... Its Origin (PDF booklet)

The LORD’s ‘Second Passover’

This Sunday, May 11th, after sunset, is the 14th of Iyyar of the LORD God’s sacred calendar. Our brethren who were unable to keep and celebrate the LORD’s Passover on the 14th of Nisan (for whatever legitimate reason) are authorized by God’s living word to keep and celebrate the Passover at this time.

This living truth is based on God’s living word in the following passage ──

“Now the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the FIRST MONTH of the second year they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying: 2) ‘Let the children of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time. 3) On the FOURTEENTH DAY OF THIS MONTH, at twilight, you shall keep it at its appointed time. According to all its rites and ceremonies, you shall keep it.’ 

4) So Moses told the children of Israel that they should keep the Passover. 5) And they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month, at twilight, in the Wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did.

6) Now there were certain men who were defiled by a human corpse, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day; and they came before Moses and Aaron that day. 7) And those men said to him, ‘We became defiled by a human corpse. Why are we kept from presenting the offering of the LORD at its appointed time among the children of Israel?’ 

8) And Moses said to them, ‘Stand still, that I may hear what the LORD will command concerning you.’

9) Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 10) ‘Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘If anyone of you or your posterity is unclean because of a corpse, or is far away on a journey, he may still keep the LORD’s Passover. 11) ON THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF THE SECOND MONTH, at twilight, they may keep it. They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 12) They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break one of its bones. According to all the ordinances of the Passover they shall keep it. 

13) But the man who is clean and is not on a journey, and ceases to keep the Passover, that same person shall be cut off from among his people, because he did not bring the offering of the LORD at its appointed time; that man shall bear his sin.’” – Numbers 9:1-13. 

The churches of God ── such as the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries ── observe the LORD’s Passover at its appointed time. 

Nearly everyone knows that our Lord Jesus Christ kept the LORD God’s Passover, even from the time of His youth ── 

“His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42) And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.” – Luke 2:41-42. 

And, of course, our Lord Jesus continued to keep and celebrate the Feast of the Passover throughout His entire life. Annually (Exodus 13:10) ──

“’ On the FOURTEENTH DAY OF THE FIRST MONTH AT TWILIGHT IS THE LORD’S PASSOVER.’” – Leviticus 23:5.

Our Savior, Master, and Elder Brother also had His disciples keep and celebrate it as a remembrance of Him ── 

“Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. 8) And He sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.’ 

9) So they said to Him, ‘Where do You want us to prepare?’ 10) And He said to them, ‘Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. 11) Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, ‘Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’ 12) Then he will show you a large, furnished, upper room; there make ready.’ 

13) So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover. 

14) When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. 15) Then He said to them, ‘With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16) for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ 

17) Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18) for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ 

19) And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ 

20) Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.’” – Luke 22:7-20. 

Truly, if you have properly repented, been properly baptized and have had hands laid upon you, receiving the glorious gift of God’s Spirit ── and you were unable to keep and celebrate the LORD’s Passover on the 14th of Nisan (for any legitimate reason), you can keep and celebrate it after sunset May 11th. Following is an online Passover Service ──

A Morning Bible Study: The Days of Unleavened Bread ── A Part of God's Master Plan!

The LORD’s Passover. Besides the weekly holy Sabbath, it is the first of the LORD God’s annual commanded feasts (Leviticus 23:5), it pictures for us the first of many steps in the LORD God’s (the Elohim; the family of God – which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ) MASTER PLAN for the redemption of all mankind. It was Jesus Christ, “our Passover” (1 Corinthians 5:7), who was sacrificed for our past sins. Yet, just accepting the Lord and His living sacrifice is not enough. 

Once we have truly repented of our transgressions against the LORD God, been properly baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, having received the gift of the Holy Spirit ── we must continually have CHRIST IN US! 

We must come out of this world and its religious institutions ──

“ …’ Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.’” – Revelation 18:4.

Just as the children of Israel left ancient Egypt ── used in God’s living word as an analogy to represent the people of God’s bondage to sin. We must strive to PUT ON CHRIST! That is our part in the LORD God’s Master Plan.

The LORD God gave His begotten people the annual Feast of Unleavened Bread. The keeping and observance of this glorious feast impresses upon us the great need to daily imbibe within us God’s living Spirit. 

Let’s understand.  

1) What feast did the LORD God command the children of Israel to proclaim, to keep, and celebrate immediately after the LORD’s Passover?

“’ And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; SEVEN DAYS you must eat unleavened BREAD.’” – Leviticus 23:6.

 “’ So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day THROUGHOUT YOUR GENERATIONS as an EVERLASTING ORDINANCE.’” – Exodus 12:17.

So, the children of Israel were to keep and observe this feast throughout all their generations as an everlasting ordinance.

To help you understand who the successive generations are of the children of Israel  ── be sure to read our article "Freedom ── A True Blessing From God." Or, "Judah's Sceptre and Joseph's Birthright" by J.H. Allen.

2) How many days is the Feast of Unleavened Bread? Notice ──

“’ And on the fifteenth day of this month is the feast; unleavened bread shall be eaten for SEVEN DAYS.’” – Numbers 28:17.

“’ The Feast of Unleavened Bread you shall keep. SEVEN DAYS you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, in the appointed time of the month of Abib; for in the month of Abib you came out from Egypt.’” – Exodus 34:18.

Was the first day and the seventh day set apart as “holy” days on which God’s people were to assemble together? Notice ── 

“’ On the FIRST DAY there shall be a holy convocation, and on the SEVENTH DAY there shall be a holy convocation for you. No manner of work shall be done on them; but that which everyone must eat ── that only may be prepared by you.’” – Exodus 12:16. 

The very first month of God’s sacred calendar, which the LORD God has preserved through the Jews, though they don’t keep it accurate ── is called Abib or Nisan in Hebrew. It corresponds to our pagan Gregorian calendar to the time that falls during March and April. March is named after the pagan god Mars. Interestingly enough, the Anglo-Saxons called April ēastre-monaþ ── which The Reckoning of Time states that this month ēastre is the root of the word Easter. Therefore, the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins the evening of the 14th immediately after the LORD’s Passover. It continues for seven days until the sunset of the 21st. Both the 15th and the 21st are holy Sabbaths ── annual “holy convocations.”

3) Were the children of Israel to have no leaven (which means, leavened bread) in all their territory for those seven days? Notice ──

“’ You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, that is, the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste), that you may remember the day in which you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life. 4) And no leaven [leavened bread] shall be seen among you in all your territory for seven days, …’” – Deuteronomy 16:3-4.

So, that’s very clear. During the Days of Unleavened Bread, you are to eat – every day – at least some unleavened bread. And for those seven days, you will not eat leavened bread. Now that’s all it said. It didn’t say, “Get down on your hands and knees and look for old cookie crumbs.” It just didn’t say it. It is not the Days of Unleavened Beer. You know, to make beer, you have to have yeast. Yeast, the number one leavening agent in the history of mankind, always has been and will be. It is not the Days of Unleavened Wine. It is not the Days of Unleavened Toothpaste. Because some toothpastes have baking powder in them. A lot of people think, ‘Well, I’m not supposed to eat leavening.’ You’re not supposed to consume leavened bread. Didn’t we read that?

4) Is leaven ever used metaphorically in God’s living word?

Yes. Our Lord Jesus did speak of leaven metaphorically ── 

“Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6) Then Jesus said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.’ 

7) And they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘Is it because we have taken no bread.’

8) But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, ‘O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? 9) Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 10) Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up?

11) How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? ── but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’

12) Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” – Matthew 16:5-12. 

The ‘doctrine’ of the Pharisees ──

• The importance of keeping rituals. 

• The overwhelming desire to convert Gentiles. 

• The Way to God was by obeying the physical Law. 

• Extending Jewish practices into life outside the temple. 

• Instilling greater piety in “the common people.”

To name but a few. 

Additionally, they put significant weight on the “oral tradition,” or the traditions of the elders, believing this interpretive framework helped clarify the written Law. Ancient rabbinic sources and later compilations, such as portions of the Talmud, reflect the Pharisaic influence in codifying and teaching these traditions. This oral tradition functioned to address practical questions about Sabbath observance, dietary laws, ritual purity, and other facets of devotion.

Our Lord Jesus is showing us that His New Covenant does not match the old rites of the Pharisees, which required a lot of fasting. Our Lord Jesus taught against syncretism ── which is the mixing of beliefs, such as Judeo-Christianity.

Having a show of piety, without true holiness, is like leaven in that it gradually increases and spreads corruption, puffing up a person with vanity. Indeed, friends, the very nature of leaven (or, rather, yeast) is to change whatever it contacts. Yeast does its job slowly, secretly, and silently, but no one can deny its effect on bread. Yeast is microscopic in size, and only a little is kneaded into the dough. Yet, given time, the yeast will spread through all the dough.

The ’doctrine’ of the Sadducees ── 

• Rejection of the Resurrection and Afterlife. 

• Adherence to the Written Law. 

• Temple Worship and Sacrificial System.

The Sadducees’ interactions with our Lord Jesus were marked by theological disagreements, particularly concerning their rejection of a resurrection. In Matthew 22:29-32, our Lord Jesus addresses their unbelief by affirming that there is a resurrection unto life and correcting their misunderstanding of His living word.

5) Does the LORD God specifically command the people of God to consume unleavened bread during this feast?

Yes.

“’ Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the FIRST DAY you shall remove leaven [speaking of leavened bread] from your houses.’” – Exodus 12:15. 

So, not only were the children of Israel to remove any leavened bread from their houses, they were also commanded to eat unleavened bread during the seven days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Why some want to make this command complicated is beyond me! This act of eating a little bit of unleavened bread every day of the feast symbolizes the imbibing of CHRIST IN US! 

6) Upon our proper repentance, proper baptism, and the laying on of hands, and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit ── our Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrifice blots out all our past sins. And when the apostle Paul asks if we, as true Christians, should continue in sin ── he gives the answer! 

“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law [speaking of the Old Covenant] but under grace? Certainly not! 16) Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death [speaking of the second death], or of obedience leading to righteousness?” – Romans 6:15-16. 

What was his admonishment for us to put on?

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” – Romans 13:14.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was tortured, beaten, and sacrificed so that mankind did not have to pay the penalty of eternal death ── 

“For if by one man’s offense death [speaking of the second death; eternal death] reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life [eternal life] through the One, Jesus Christ.)” – Romans 5:13-17. 

7) Did our beloved Apostle Paul admonish us ── through the inspiration of God’s Spirit ── to keep and observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread?

Yes.

“Therefore purge out the old leaven, …” ── recall what the old leaven he is speaking of. False doctrines. “ … that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 8) Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” – 1 Corinthians 5:7-8.

The unleavened bread of sincerity and truth is JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!

The Holy Days are all Christocentric! The Days of Unleavened Bread are pointing us to one thing – Jesus Christ! He is that unleavened bread of sincerity and truth!

The LORD God knows that to properly overcome and faithfully obey Them, we need Their spiritual help! We must eat unleavened bread every day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread to symbolize us imbibing the glorious Spirit of God ── Their mind, Their strength! □   

Additional Bible Studies

Passover Begins ── God's Master Plan From the Beginning!

What Is Repentance?

Water Baptism?

Just What Is the Holy Spirit?

The Day of Atonement ── A Great Prophetic Meaning!

Feast of Trumpets - The Return of our Lord Jesus!

What the Feast of Tabernacles Pictures

The Last Great Day - How It Completes God's Master Plan

Holy Day Offerings

The LORD God’s spring feasts are here! The first spring holy day where an offering is taken up was on the FIRST DAY OF THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD ── which was April 13th, 2025.

Now, there is a related factor that we all should consider ── a natural law that is also spiritual. This law is spoken of several different times and in many different ways throughout God’s living word ── e.g., 2nd Corinthians 9:6 ── “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” Also, another example: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” – Galatians 6:7.

And the Apostle Paul speaking in a manner that nearly everyone can understand ── if a farmer plants a sparse crop, he will surely reap but a little product. But, if the farmer plants a large and bountiful crop, his field will produce a greater amount. A basic concept of logic. Of course, a farmer realizes contributing factors in raising a crop that will determine the size, the quantity, and overall condition. The type of seed, weather, soil, and the presence or absence of harmful pests or bacteria. Mother Nature ── and by Mother Nature I mean, the LORD God (Matthew 5:45) ── determines the weather. If there will be rain in due season. 

Let us notice the LORD God’s spiritual application to sowing sparingly or bountifully. As the Apostle Paul explains here ──

“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6) I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7) So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8) Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive HIS OWN REWARD according to his own labor.” – 1 Corinthians 3:5-8.  

Notice that it is God who gives each one a REWARD “according to his own labor.”

Truly, the Apostle Paul uses a concept that nearly everyone can understand. That when it comes to offerings, a person should be as generous as financially possible ── the following are some examples ── 

“And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28) Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. …”

Now, a step back in history ── several famines occurred during the reign of Caesar Claudius (AD 41 to 54), all throughout different parts of the Roman Empire, but there was not a famine throughout the entire world ── here it was throughout Judea. According to Flavius Josephus ──

According to Flavius Josephus (Antiquities XX 2§5 and 5§2), a “great famine” took place in Judea while Cuspius Fadus (the 1st procurator of Judaea Province in 44–46) and Tiberius Alexander (the 2nd procurator of Judea in 46 – 48) lawyered Judea under Emperor Claudius. This “great famine” is without doubt the one referred to here by the prophet Agabus. 

“ … 29) Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30) This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” – Acts 11:28-30; see also Acts 24:17; Romans 15:25-26; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4.

As a result of Agabus’s prophecy, the believers in Antioch began to gather money to send to the Christians living in Judea, and they sent the money by the hands of Barnabas and Paul. This monetary gift was a fitting response because, as in the days of Emperor Claudius, there was great famine throughout Judea.

This loving principle of giving has to do with our relationship with others, especially with our brethren throughout the world. And this giving must be per the ability of our resources and finances ── or as the LORD God has blessed us. 

“Here is my considered opinion on the matter. What I ask you to do is in your own interests. You made a good beginning last year both in the work you did and in your willingness to undertake it: be as eager to complete the scheme as you were to adopt it, and give according to your means. Provided there is an eager desire to give, God accepts what a man has: he does not ask for what he has not. There is no question of relieving others [both in resources and or financially] at the cost of hardship to yourselves; …” – 2 Corinthians 8:10-13, NEB. 

Another important principle in giving is the attitude of the giver ── 

“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7.

The Greek word for “cheerful” is hilaros, meaning “cheerful, without grudging, with an implication of a gracious attitude.” 

The great blessings of giving (either in ability or resources, or finance) in a right attitude of heart are spoken by the Apostle Paul in the following verses ── 

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9) As it is written:

‘He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.’

10) Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11) while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8-11.

Let us take a look at another Scripture that should put all of this in perspective. This certainly is a passage that we ought to keep in mind as we prepare for Holy Day offerings ──

“Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 7) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8) For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption [will reap death], but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:6-10.

Please do not be deceived. Do not be ‘lukewarm.’ ‘Let him who is taught the living word of God share in all good things with him who teaches’ ── which includes offerings on the LORD God’s holy days. Financial offerings are one way you can share in all good things, especially to those who are of the household of faith. To donate or give a free-will offering to this online ministry, please visit our  DONATE PAGE.

As far as when the LORD God’s holy days are ── here is a link to our Holy Day Information.

A Time of Spiritual Examination

by Leonard V Johnson

The LORD God’s Feast of Unleavened Bread began this year at sunset on April 12th and runs until sunset on the 19th. 

Notice here what WVTM13 writes ── 

April 12th, 2025, 

One of the holiest holidays of the year begins for the Jewish community in Alabama and worldwide. 

Passover begins at sundown Saturday and is a time of reflection and celebration, which lasts eight days. 

This special time commemorates the Jewish people's exodus from Egypt. Those who celebrate … remove leavened foods and eat … unleavened bread. 

(Read More: https://www.wvtm13.com/article/time-of-reflection-andcelebration-as-passover-begins/64465319).

However, brethren, this Passover season means so much more to us than just the Exodus from Egypt.

Indeed, many keep the beginning of this first feast of the LORD’s in observing the LORD’s Passover. Yet, they never go on to learn the awesome “depth of the riches” of God’s grace and mercy pictured by the following feasts! Let us ALWAYS look unto JESUS, “the Author and Finisher of our faith” unto salvation! – Hebrews 12:2. 

On the 10th day of this first month, the children of Israel were instructed to take a lamb without blemish. And they were to keep it UNTIL – not after – the 14th of the same first month, at “EVEN” – which is sunset – and then kill it. Notice above ── the secular source speaks of it being the 15th.

This was within – not AFTER – the 14th day. They shed the blood of the lamb, which pictured Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, which was to come. And they ate the flesh of the lamb THAT NIGHT. Then, at midnight, the death angel came, but PASSED OVER [hence, PASSOVER] every dwelling where the BLOOD had been sprinkled.

THERE ARE some very important details. And we must notice them. It proves that the Passover is to be observed on the 14th, not the 15th. 

Now, I want you to see another vital point. Turn to the Book of Numbers, chapter 28 –

Verse 16 – “’ ON the FOURTEENTH DAY [not after it] of the first month is the Passover of the LORD. 17) And ON the FIFTEENTH DAY [not before it] of this month is the feast; unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days.’”

Truly, one way you can understand the Days of Unleavened Bread, is by understanding the very central focus of the Days of Unleavened Bread – Jesus Christ!

Sadly, many minds were soiled concerning the true meaning and the teaching points which are associated with the Days of Unleavened Bread! And many of these misconceptions continue to grip many people – many remnant church groups. Well, they continue to teach ritualistic housecleaning. And to so many, the Days of Unleavened Bread is a campaign to “find leavening.” And they always claim that leaven is equated with the term sin. While that is a tradition, it is not Scriptural! And I want you to understand that they were teaching this as Judeo-Christianity – not as part of the New Covenant of Jesus Christ! In fact, no Scripture declares that leaven (which is short for leavened bread) is sin. There is certainly a passage which tells us exactly what sin is. It’s 1st John 3:4 – “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.”     

Our Lord and Savior – the true Messiah - never called leaven sin. An example can be found in the Book of Matthew, chapter 13 –

Verse 33 – “’ The kingdom [from] heaven is like leaven, …’”

Is He saying that the kingdom of God is like sin here? No.

And another passage which offers a perspective is in the Book of Luke, chapter 13 –

“’ To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21) It is like leaven, …’”

Again, is He saying that the kingdom of God is like sin? No.

Our Lord Jesus is saying that the kingdom from heaven is like leaven because it's likened to the concept that “’ the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, ...’” ─ Matthew 13:31.

The work of faith that grows from such an insignificant beginning. Now, if you’ve ever looked at a mustard seed – they’re the tiniest of all seeds! Yet, the Bible describes the kingdom growing into a tree in whose branches the birds of the air can rest and receive shade. Also, the faith in which we have and how it grows can signify the work of God in a person’s life.  The kingdom of God begins quite small, but will become exceptionally large. The kingdom of God will have people from all over the world. Now, some biblical commentators believe that – because He mentions leaven, it could be a warning from Jesus. Leaven is often spoken of in the Bible as a metaphor for false doctrines and self-righteousness. That ‘leaven’ could be false doctrine that began and eventually engulfed the whole earth. Jesus spoke of this false doctrine in the Book of Revelation, which will be extent at His return – and it will be immensely powerful. Like Revelation 6:2 and the ‘white horse’ – you could conceivably go either way with this. Either way – remember that these are ‘hidden truths’ which Jesus revealed to His disciples.

Here’s another example – when our Lord Jesus compared the teachings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees with leaven.

“’ How is it you do not understand that I DID NOT SPEAK TO YOU CONCERNING BREAD? – but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees’” – Matthew 16:11; see also Luke 12:1.

And sadly, even today, many ministers post on their websites during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, “leavening equals sin!” And they would jump from there to the next conclusion, “One must go around the house and find every little crumb of nine-month-old breadcrumbs! Wherever they might be!” And out goes the toaster into the garbage! And sadly, they taught this as one of their main doctrines for the Days of Unleavened Bread! And this ideology is continuing to be propagated!

And certainly, a true Christian should strive daily to keep sin at bay. But to outright say that leaven is equated to sin is not Scriptural. Now, we’re dead to sin, but we’re alive through Jesus Christ! We live unto Jesus Christ! “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.” ── Book of Romans, chapter 6, verse 12. He is saying, ‘Don’t let sin have control over you anymore.’ You’re free! Like the man that was on death row – now you find yourself walking down the road and you say, “How in the world did I get off of death row and now walking along here a free man!?” You’re not in the dungeon anymore! You’re not in chains; you’re not waiting for execution anymore! You’re out of prison – you’re walking freely down the road! That is the analogy that he is making here.

Well, we believe that Worldwide misinterpreted, as well as misrepresented, just what the Days of Unleavened Bread truly mean. The meaning of the Days of Unleavened Bread is powerful!

So, what day is established as a MEMORIAL, a feast by an EVERLASTING ORDINANCE? Not a shadow, but a memorial? Again, notice, it is the day that is the feast “’ you shall keep it as a feast …’” It is the day that is a feast day – the 15th of Abib/Nisan – not the Passover! And it is to be kept as a Sabbath – or holy convocation, FOREVER!

Exodus 12:16 – “’ On the FIRST DAY [the first day of the seven – the 15th of Abib/Nisan] there shall be a holy convocation, and on the seventh day [the 21st of Abib/Nisan] there shall be a holy convocation for you. No manner of work [as in labor or occupation] shall be done on them; …’”  

We Christians understand and recognize that Jesus Christ paid the ultimate penalty for our sins on the LORD’S Passover and was sacrificed smack dab in the middle of the Feast of Unleavened Bread!

And brethren, all of the LORD’s Holy Days are what we call Christocentric. Meaning that they are all centered around JESUS CHRIST! In other words, we shouldn’t be so steeped and so misguided by Judeo-Christianity that we lose focus on who we are to look to! JESUS CHRIST! Recall, Jesus built His Church! The New Covenant Church!

So, if you go to JESUS CHRIST, He will forgive you – and we are told this back in the epistles of John. He is faithful to forgive!

John 6 –

Verse 48 – “’ I AM the bread of life.’” 

The Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread are pointing us to ONE THING – Jesus Christ! Brethren, He is that Unleavened Bread of sincerity and truth! He is the meaning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread! Now, that may sound as if we here at the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries are part of the “Jesus Only” churches – we are certainly not!

It was not abolished with the Old Covenant

Notice that the Days of Unleavened Bread is a PERIOD – having two DOUBLE holy days. And this period is established FOREVER! The Living Bible translates this verse – “’ You shall celebrate this event each year (this is a permanent law) – to remind you …’” – Exodus 12:14, TLB. The whole period is included. 

That alone should prove that the HOLY DAYS – including the seven Days of Unleavened Bread – are binding today, and FOREVER!

The Passover is again referred to in verse 21 – “Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, ‘Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. … 24) And you shall observe this thing as an ORDINANCE for you and your sons FOREVER.’”

A Little Bit of History 

Let’s go back into Catholic history. The Roman Catholic writer, Eusebius, recorded that Polycrates of Ephesus ── and I want to note here: Polycrates of Ephesus, as well as some other church leaders of the 2nd century (those in Asia Minor) refused to accept the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, especially when it came in conflict with God’s true teachings from His living word – the Holy Bible. But Polycrates of Ephesus, around 195 AD, wrote the following – admonishing strongly those who had changed the Passover from the 14th of Nisan to a Sunday ──

“2. We observe the exact day; neither adding, nor taking away. For in Asia also great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again on the day of the Lord's coming, when he shall come with glory from heaven, and shall seek out all the saints. Among these are Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who fell asleep in Hierapolis; and his two aged virgin daughters, and another daughter, who lived in the Holy Spirit and now rests at Ephesus; and, moreover, John, who was both a witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord, and, being a priest, wore the sacerdotal plate.

3. He fell asleep at Ephesus.

4. And Polycarp in Smyrna, who was a bishop and martyr; and Thraseas, bishop and martyr from Eumenia, who fell asleep in Smyrna.

5. Why need I mention the bishop and martyr Sagaris who fell asleep in Laodicea, or the blessed Papirius, or Melito, the Eunuch who lived altogether in the Holy Spirit, and who lies in Sardis, awaiting the episcopate from heaven, when he shall rise from the dead?

6. All these observed the fourteenth day of the passover according to the Gospel, deviating in no respect, but following the rule of faith. And I also, Polycrates, the least of you all, do according to the tradition of my relatives, some of whom I have closely followed. For seven of my relatives were bishops; and I am the eighth. And my relatives always observed the day when the people put away the leaven.

7. I, therefore, brethren, who have lived sixty-five years in the Lord, and have met with the brethren throughout the world, and have gone through every Holy Scripture, am not affrighted by terrifying words. For those greater than I have said, 'We ought to obey God rather than man.' Acts 5:29.” 

 (Book V, Chapter 24 - https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/250105.htm).

Please note ── it was reported that Polycrates had said that he and some of the other early church leaders (such as the apostles Philip and John, Polycarp in Smyrna, Thraseas, Sagaris, Papirius, and Melito) who were not adding or taking away from God’s living word ── because they knew just what God’s word says regarding keeping and observing the holy Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread on the correct dates. Notice also that they “observed the day when the people put away the leaven.” 

Again, here is a link to an article entitled, “What Is Meant... 'Nothing Leavened'?” 

Also, here is our suggested holy day sermon for the FIRST DAY of the Feast of Unleavened Bread for our scattered brethren and other interested people ──  “First Day Unleavened Bread.” □

What Is Meant... 'Nothing Leavened'?

The Feast of Unleavened Bread is here! The LORD’s feast began at sunset on April 12th and will run through to sunset on April 19th.

What does the LORD God mean ── “’ You shall eat NOTHING LEAVENED’”? 

I have typed up an article entitled, “What Is Meant… ‘Nothing Leavened’?” on our website https://www.owensborocojc.com/. 

For nearly a century, there have been those who have taught that faithful Christians are to participate each year in a commanded traditional Jewish housecleaning ritual. But is this truly what the LORD God meant by not having any LEAVEN in all your dwellings? What is meant by the LORD God saying, ‘leaven’? Leaven (not yeast; while yeast is a type of leavening agent, not all leavening agents are yeast) causes BREAD TO RISE. To truly simplify ── To commemorate the children of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, the LORD God commanded the children of Israel to keep and celebrate a week of feasting following the holy Passover (the 14th day of the FIRST MONTH on God’s holy Calendar). It is called the “Feast of Unleavened Bread.” And, during this time, the children of Israel were commanded to remove all leaven from their homes and to eat no BREAD containing leaven ── Exodus 12:15; 13:6-7.  

Leaven is also mentioned to us in the New Testament. In Matthew 16:6-12, our Lord Jesus compares the false doctrines of the Sadducees, the Pharisees, along with the Herodians, to leaven. He was speaking metaphorically. They put significant weight on the “oral tradition,” or the traditions of the elders, believing this interpretive framework helped clarify the written Law. Ancient rabbinic sources and later compilations, such as portions of the Talmud, reflect the Pharisaic influence in codifying and teaching these traditions. This oral tradition functioned to address practical questions about Sabbath observance, dietary laws, ritual purity, and other facets of devotion. Our Lord Jesus specifies that the “leaven” of the Pharisees is indeed “hypocrisy.” Because just having a show of piety ── without true holiness ── is like leaven that gradually increases, spreads, and puffs up a person with vanity and self-righteousness. Hypocrisy can poison one’s very character. 

Here is a link to this important article: “What Is Meant… ‘Nothing Leavened’?” 

Let us always be honest with the living word of God.

The LORD's Passover ── sunset April 11, 2025

by Leonard V Johnson

Grace to you and peace from our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ ── April 11th, just after sunset, is the 14th of Nisan on the LORD God’s holy calendar! The LORD God (the Elohim, the family of God ── which now consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ). All true Christians will be keeping and observing this night as the LORD’s Passover (Leviticus 23:4-5). We have posted on our website ── https://www.owensborocojc.com/ ── a Passover Service, which is a step-by-step instruction video.

Our Lord and Savior kept the LORD’s Passover from the time of His youth ── now, many people call it the Lord’s Supper, or Communion. Truly, it doesn’t really matter ── 

“And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. 41) His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42) And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.” – Luke 2:40-42. 

Our Lord Jesus continued keeping and celebrating the LORD’s Passover throughout His entire human life. He kept it “every year.” The LORD’s Passover is an annual feast (Exodus 13:10). It is observed on the 14th day of the FIRST MONTH (which is called Abib in Deuteronomy 16:1, and it’s also called Nisan in Esther 3:7).

And also, our Lord Jesus’ apostles continued keeping and celebrating His Passover as a remembrance. We are to remember this occasion until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. I’m not sure why there are people who won’t even read that very statement, which says – to PROCLAIM THE LORD’S DEATH UNTIL HE COMES. And He absolutely shows us in His living word that He is soon coming again. Jesus Christ also said on that very occasion – “’ This do in remembrance of Me.’” A command directly from our Lord Jesus Christ. Because He wanted us to never forget what He did for all mankind. And so we are reminded every year through this very ceremony – through this annual holy day, a holy convocation. To remember what Jesus did for all of us. Notice ──

“Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. 8) And He sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.’

9) So they said to Him, ‘Where do You want us to prepare?’ 10) And He said to them, ‘Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. 11) Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, ‘Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’ 12) Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.’

13) So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.

14) When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. 15) Then He said to them, ‘With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16) for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’

17) Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18) for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’

19) And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ 20) Likewise, He took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.’” – Luke 22:7-20. 

On our Lord Jesus’ last Passover, He had changed the customs associated with the LORD’s Passover ── but He in no way changed it from being an annual feast, nor did He change the time or the day on which it is to be kept and celebrated. 

Interestingly, even Constantine the Great understood that the Passover was to be an annual event ── at least according to a fifth-century influential theologian and biblical commentator, Theodoret of Cyrus. Again, antisemitism is on full display ── 

“Hence it follows that they [speaking of the Jews] have so far lost sight of truth, wandering as far as possible from the correct revisal, that they celebrate a second Passover in the same year. What motive can we have for following those who are thus confessedly unsound and in dire error? For we could never tolerate celebrating the Passover twice in one year. But, even if all these facts did not exist, your own sagacity would prompt you to watch with diligence and with prayer, lest your pure minds should appear to share in the customs of a people so utterly depraved. It must also be borne in mind that upon so important a point as the celebration of a feast of such sanctity, discord is wrong. One day has our Saviour set apart for a commemoration of our deliverance, namely, of His most holy Passion.” 1

I also want to note that the Roman Catholic Church ── at least according to Joseph Ratzinger ── teaches that our Lord Jesus kept ….

“The evening of the first day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Paschal lambs are slaughtered in the Temple, is the vigil of the Passover feast. According to the chronology of the Synoptics, this was a Thursday. … The Resurrection took place on the morning of the “first day of the week”, on Sunday.” 2

And, of course, they are blatantly wrong! – and I say this with all the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ! Our article, “Firstfruits From the Earth” helps you understand the LORD God’s living truth regarding their misunderstanding of this. 

The Apostle Paul properly understood that our Lord Jesus was (and is) the Passover Lamb that the Jewish people were slaughtering annually. He also taught that all true Christians are to continue keeping and observing the LORD’s Passover ──  

“Therefore purge out the old leaven …” ── and he was speaking about purging out the leaven of the churches of this world. Purging out their false doctrines and their self-righteousness! “ … that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 8) Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” – 1 Corinthians 5:7-8. 

Now, how do you think our beloved Apostle Paul came to properly understand that our Lord Jesus was (and is) the Passover Lamb? Before his conversion, Paul was an ethnic Jew, raised in the culture of first century Judaism. How he came to properly understand was that He was taught directly by our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Book of Galatians, Paul emphasizes that he received God’s living Word, Truth, and Plan from our Lord Jesus directly for some three years.

Sadly, there were some in the 2nd century who wanted to keep and observe the Passover on the 15th (as most Jews do today), and Apollinaris Claudius (a church leader of the 2nd century and Bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia who held strong beliefs similar to the original Church of God) wrote the following ── 

“The fourteenth day, the true Passover of the Lord; the great sacrifice, the Son of God instead of the lamb, who was bound, who bound the strong, and who was judged, though Judge of living and dead, and who was delivered into the hands of sinners to be crucified, who was lifted up on the horns of the unicorn, and who was pierced in His holy side, who poured forth from His side the two purifying elements, water and blood, word and spirit, and who was buried on the day of the passover, the stone being placed upon the tomb.” 3

Epiphanius of Salamis, of the 4th century, even admitted that the Catholic Church used to observe the Passover on the 14th. He wrote ──  

“Audians … (2) For they choose to celebrate the Passover with the Jews ── that is, they contentiously celebrate the Passover at the same time that the Jews are holding their Feast of Unleavened Bread. And indeed, <it is true> that this used to be the church’s custom ── … (4) And some, again, declare with a contentiousness of their own, ‘You changed the Passover to Constantine’s birthday.’” 4 

The Audians were a sect of so-called Christians in the 4th century in Syria and the Pontic–Caspian steppe, named after their founder Audius.

The Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries, along with certain other church groups, have always kept and celebrated the LORD’s Passover on the 14th of Nisan ── and we will continue to do so. 

So, from the very time of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ── and on throughout this present age ── a “little flock” (cf. Luke 12:32) of faithful servants will continue keeping and observing the LORD’s Passover on the 14th of Nisan annually. 

And then, the following night is THE NIGHT TO BE MUCH OBSERVED.

Let’s review this for a moment. Exodus 12:41-42 ── “And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years ── on that very same day ── it came to pass that all the armies of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. 42) It is a night of solemn observance to the LORD for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the LORD, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations.”

The night when they started to leave Egypt was the beginning of the Days of Unleavened Bread.

To the best of my knowledge, the meaning of those Hebrew words says, “it is a night of watching.” “The Lord’s vigil.” This verse 42 does not establish a separate holy day, or holy ceremony to be observed on the first night of Unleavened Bread. This verse doesn’t do it. Again, ‘a night to be much observed.’ A night of watching. 

Well, think about all the things that happened that night! You have this ceremony where you’re putting blood on the front of your house, and you’re told not to go outside. Stay inside and you’re protected. Imagine the cacophony that took place! When the Egyptian people, and the people who did not put blood on their doorway, when they realized that their firstborn children, or anything firstborn – animals included – started dying! Imagine the agony and the voices. The wailing that took place all over the nation of Egypt! It was a horribly sad moment for the Egyptians. 

Now, if you want to get together with your Church friends and have a dinner on the first night of Unleavened Bread, is there anything wrong with that? No. But, according to God’s living word, it is not a separate holy day or holy ceremony. Again, don't get caught in church traditions!

Our Lord Jesus kept His final Passover just after sunset on the 14th of Nisan. And He commanded His followers to continue to do so. Will you?

For our baptized brethren worldwide without a local minister, the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries is pleased to present and make available a Passover Service ── a step-by-step sermon. □

 

 Bibliography

1 Schaff, Philip, A Select library of Nicene and post-Nicene fathers of the Christian church. Second series, Cornell University Library, New York, The Christian literature company, 1890, pp. 47-48. 

2 Ratzinger, J., The Dating of the Last Supper, CERC, Retrieved 11 April 2025. 

3 https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/apollinaris.html. 

4 Epiphanius, The Panarion of Epiphanius of Salamis, Leiden ; New York : E.J. Brill, 1987, pp. 410, 411.