Drink the Pure Blood of the Grape


	Fermented wine, and not grape juice, is to be used for the ordinance of the Christian Passover. This article shows why.
	Deuteronomy 32:9-10, 14, "For the LORD's portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance.  He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; He led him about, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye . . . . thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape."
	How God has blessed us!  The greatest blessing is to drink the pure blood of the grape, a symbol of the perfect shed blood of our Savior.  That is why at the Christian Passover we symbolically partake of the blood (the life) of the Messiah.  We are shown to be the Almighty's inheritance by partaking of the annual Passover.  Partaking of our Savior's body and blood at His table is proof we are His.
	Many of Israel (Jeshurun) wax fat, forget the Eternal, lack faith, and worship other gods, Deuteronomy 32:15-31.  Verses 32-33, "For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah:  their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter: Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps."  The result is the Eternal's judgment, verses 34-43.
	Genesis 49:10-12, "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.  Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine;  he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes; His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk."  Shiloh is a type of the Messiah, the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Grapes are Symbolic of
the Fruits of Men's Lives

	Matthew 7:16, "Ye shall know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?"  Luke 6:44-46 shows that the fruits have much to do with what a man says, and whether or not he obeys God.
	Revelation 14:14-20, God will reap for His winepress of wrath the "grapes," i.e. the rebellious people, whose lives have produced bitter fruit.

Christ is the Vine, We Are
the Fruitful Branches

	John 15:1-16, God the Father is the husbandman, Christ is the vine, and we are the branches. Fruit borne on the branches comes from the vine.  Pruning is necessary to produce much fruit. Branches die if disconnected from the vine. They will be burned.  Producing fruits depends on keeping the Commandments.  Lasting fruit is the reason why the husbandman (God) works with the branches.

Christ To Abstain From the Fruit
of the Vine -- For a Time

	Matthew 26:29, Mark 14:25, Luke 22:18, "For I say unto you I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God shall come."
	Why?  Because, like the High Priest, He is serving in the Eternal's Temple, Leviticus 10:8-11.

Fermented Wine Represents 
Shed Blood of Our Savior

	Wine was offered along with the daily sacrifice (morning and evening) as a drink offering, Exodus 29:38-40.  Also Numbers 15:5, 7, 10, 28:14.  (Note: 1 hin = 6 quarts, 1/4 hin would be about l l/2 quarts, or l liter.)  Wine was also part of the wavesheaf offering,  Leviticus 23:13.  Notice the different quantities of wine offered with different animals.
	The various offerings show in detail the many aspects of the sacrifice of our Savior.  The living wine symbolizes the shed blood of our Savior, giving us the lesson that it was not by His death that we are saved, but by His life, Romans 5:9-10.  The life is in the blood.  Note:  the Hebrew word used for wine in these references is yayin, which elsewhere is proved to be fermented wine.

Wine Is Fermented

	Genesis 9:20-21, Noah planted a vineyard, drank of the wine, and was drunken.
	Proverbs 20:1, Much wine makes you lose control of your mind; whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
	Proverbs 23:20-21, Don't be an alcoholic, for the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty.
	Proverbs 31:4-5, Kings and those in authority should take special care not to imbibe too much wine lest they forget the law and pervert judgment.
	There is a time when wine should be used by those of a heavy heart or who are ready to perish, Proverbs 31:6-7, and those with stomach problems, I Timothy 5:23.

Use of Wine During the Feasts

	Wine is an important part of joyful observance of the Eternal's Feasts. Judges 9:13, wine cheers God and Man.
	Tithes of wine are to be paid, Deuteronomy 14:22-27. The priest was to receive firstfruits of the wine, Deuteronomy 18:3-5, Exodus 22:29.
	Deuteronomy 16:13-15, the Feast of Tabernacles is a time of rejoicing after you have gathered in your corn and wine. Zechariah 9:16-17, 10:7 also shows the use of wine.
	We are warned against drinking to excess, Isaiah 5:20-25. Verse 12: "the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts:  but they regard not the work of the Eternal, neither consider the operation of His hands." Because some abuse the use of wine, the Almighty says "I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell your solemn assemblies," Amos 5:21. To those that "drink bowls of wine," Amos 6:6, He says, "I will turn your feasts into mourning," Amos 8:10.

Wine in the Millennium

	Amos 9:13-15 (Living Bible) "The time will come when there will be such abundance of crops, that the harvest time will scarcely end before the farmer starts again to sow another crop, and the terraces of grapes upon the hills of Israel will drip sweet wine!  I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild their ruined cities, and live in them again, and they shall plant vineyards and gardens and eat their crops and drink their wine.  I will firmly plant them there upon the land that I have given them; they shall not be pulled up again, says the Lord your God."  See also Jeremiah 31:12-13.

Wine is the "Fruit of the Vine"

	During the Savior's last Passover meal with His disciples, He instituted the New Testament Passover.   He took the emblems of "bread" and "the cup" and made them represent His body and shed blood sacrificed for our sins.  Contents of "the cup" are called the "fruit of the vine," Matthew 26:17-30.
	From an understanding of the Bible and history, we know that the "bread" was unleavened bread, which is used with Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Exodus 12:1-20.
	What was the "cup" containing the "fruit of the vine"?  Although the laws describing the Old Testament Passover do not mention the commanded use of wine, we have seen how wine is a part of the joyful observance of the Eternal's Feasts.  The Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread are joyful feasts, of which wine is an important part.
	All reliable commentators agree that wine with the Passover meal was an established custom as early as Ezra's time.  Here is what Peloubet's Bible Dictionary, article "wine," states:

The use of wine at the paschal feast [Passover] was not enjoined by the law, but had become an established custom, at all events in the post-Babylonian [500 BC] period.  No unfermented wine is now known in Palestine, and there is no evidence of its use at any time.  The fermentation of wine was not at all considered a similar substance to the leaven of bread, and was not at any time prohibited to the Jews [unless they were under a Nazarite vow].  Most probably the simple wines of antiquity were incomparably less deadly than the stupefying and ardent beverages of western nations . . . .  A great attempt has been made to prove the wine drunk at the Lord's Supper unfermented, by and for the sake of the temperance workers of our day and nation.  Such attempts are apt to do more harm than good, among those familiar with eastern customs today, or the history of those nations.

	At the Passover meal of the Jews, there were 3-4 cups of wine.  It was one of these that the Messiah  attached  special significance to, in making it the symbol of His shed blood.

What Is the Cup of Blessing?

	I Corinthians 10:16, "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? . . . ."
	Psalms 116:13, "I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Eternal."
	Luke 22:17-18, "And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God shall come."
	Psalms 16:4-5, "Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god:  their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.  The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup:  thou maintainest my lot."
	The drink offerings of wine, which represented blood, were poured out on the burnt offering, and burnt along with it, Numbers 15:10, in the Holy Place, Numbers 28:7.
	Isaiah  65:8  is closely related to I Corinthians  10:16. Protection is promised to those who drink the cup of blessing. "Thus saith the Eternal, As the new wine [Hebrew: tirosh] is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes that I may not destroy them all."  Those who drink this cup of blessing have the Messiah in them and the Holy Spirit of life.  They are promised protection and life, for wine represents the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 5:18.

Is Tirosh Grape Juice?

	In a futile effort to prove that grape juice is to be used with the New Testament Passover, some have said that tirosh means grape juice, not fermented wine.
	Yayin is the common Biblical Hebrew word for wine, used 138 times, of which 83 references positively are referring to fermented grape juice and the remainder may fairly be presumed to be likewise.
	Shekar is used 23 times, and means "strong drink" made from substances other than grapes.  It is more potent than grape wine.
	Tirosh is used 38 times, and is translated either "wine" or "new wine."  It is used in Judges 9:13 as cheering the heart of God and man. Psalms 104:15 states that "wine [yayin] maketh glad the heart of man."  See also Zechariah 9:17, " . . . corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids."  So tirosh does the same thing as yayin.  Too much of it does the same as yayin, it intoxicates, Hosea 4:11, "wine [yayin] and new wine [tirosh] take away the understanding," (RSV). "New wine," is the wine that has fermented and been separated from the dregs, freshly bottled.  Through further aging it becomes yayin.  Some commentators say tirosh is the fermented product of the "must," the juice from the wine press that flows out by the weight of the grapes, before treading.  Tirosh cheers the heart!
	So the tirosh of Isaiah 65:8, the new wine of the cup of blessing, is intoxicating. We have shown this from the Bible.

Symbol of Unity, Holy Spirit, Sacrifice

	In addition to typifying the shed blood of our Savior, the cup we drink symbolizes our sharing of His suffering and sacrifice. It is the means whereby we express our attachment to the Savior and to our fellow believers.  It shows our union with Him and each other, because it represents the shed blood that makes this all possible, I Corinthians 10:16.
	The Apostle Paul exhorted us to be a living sacrifice, Romans 12:1-2.  He wrote that he was poured out like a drink offering for the sacrifice and service that he gladly performed for the brethren, Philippians 2:17.  Toward the end of his life, he said that he was ready to be poured out like a drink offering, II Timothy 4:6. He was willing to sacrifice his whole being for the cause of the Messiah.
	We are to do likewise.  The Savior "poured out his soul unto death," Isaiah 53:12.  He is our drink offering, our burnt offering, our Passover Lamb.  Just as the wine was poured over sacrifices, and covered them, so the Holy Spirit (of which wine is a type, Ephesians 5:18) is bestowed upon those who have their sins covered by the blood of our Savior.  Could the symbolism be any more powerful?  Wine, pure fermented wine representing the living blood of the Messiah, is the "fruit of the vine."  That is what Deuteronomy 32:14 means in the literal Hebrew, "of the blood of the grape, you shall drink wine."  The word for "wine" here is chemer, or chamar regarded by Jewish scholars as equivalent with tirosh.  It is the same word used in Daniel 5:1, 2, 4, 23 for the liquid drunk at Belshazzar's feast.  Also the same word is used in Ezra 6:9 as part of the appointment of the priests, associated with the offerings.

A Last Argument Falls

	One of the most powerful arguments given in support of the use of grape juice for the Memorial Supper (New Testament Passover) is the use of Leviticus 10:9, "Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: . . . ."  The priest, in performing service in the tabernacle, was not to drink wine (yayin) or strong drink (shekar).  This principle is certainly valid today.  An elder or minister, when delivering a sermon or study, or counseling people in spiritual matters, is not to consume alcoholic beverages. 
	However, some would extend this prohibition to the partaking of the cup of the fruit of the vine at the Memorial Supper.  They say we are standing in the presence of the Eternal doing a religious service and should therefore use grape juice and not wine.
	What do the scriptures say?  Our Savior, in drinking that last cup before His death, said that He would not drink of the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom comes, Luke 22:17-18.  Why?  Because He was to ascend to Heaven to be our High Priest, Hebrews 4:14.  Leviticus 10:9 says that a priest, when officiating, cannot drink wine nor strong drink.  So, until His return, our Savior will not drink wine.  This absolutely proves that the Last Supper did have fermented wine, and not grape juice.  Otherwise our Savior's statement in Luke 22:17-18 in not true.  Rather than being a powerful argument in favor of grape juice, Leviticus 10:9 with our Messiah's own words proves wine is the proper emblem for the annual commemoration of His death.

The Cup of Wrath

	There is the cup of blessing containing the blood of the grape, and there is an evil cup of the wine of fornication.
	Babylon has a golden evil cup, and all nations are drunken with the "wine" of her false doctrines, Jeremiah 51:7, Revelation 17:1-4, 18:6.  If we worship this beastly system, taking its mark, we shall drink the wine of the wrath of the Almighty, poured out with fury from "the cup of his indignation," Revelation 14:8-10.  This evil city and it's system will fall, being given "the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath," Revelation 16:19.
	What about us?  Will we "drink of the wrath of the Almighty," Job 21:20, or the "wine of astonishment," Psalms 60:3, or the "cup of his fury," or "cup of trembling," Isaiah 51:17-23, or the "wine cup of this fury," Jeremiah 25:15-31?  The wicked shall drink of this cup, Psalms 75:8, 11:6, Obadiah 15-16.
	What will it be, the cup of wrath, or the cup of blessing?  Let us drink the pure blood of the grape, in commemorating the death, burial and resurrection of our Savior.
	Let us use fermented grape wine for the annual New Testament Passover, as the Bible clearly commands.

A Consideration

	Proverbs 20:1 tells us that "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging:  and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."  Some, even in the Church of God, have had problems in the past with alcoholism, becoming addicted to alcoholic beverages.  The physical and mental addiction to alcohol is a mighty strong temptation.  If, through the help of the Almighty, one has overcome alcohol addiction, normally he must abstain completely from alcohol or he could lapse into his former habit.  For a former addict, even one drink could possibly drag him back into alcoholism.
	Should a former alcoholic be required to take fermented grape wine for the Christian Passover service?  The Creator is more powerful than the most enslaving addiction.  According to the former alcoholic's faith should it be.  If he has the faith, the Eternal can give him the strength to take the little wine for Passover, and not return to alcoholic addition.  If he does not have the faith, he should consult the ministry, who in compassion should make available a non-alcoholic alternative.  This in no way is a compromise with God's Truth.  The ministry should help build up the members' faith, not destroy it!  It is a shame that some Sabbath-keeping ministers have actually promoted alcoholism, by putting pressure on former alcoholics to drink wine.  This should not be done.
	However, this consideration should not lead us to create a "multiple choice" Passover service, with wine and grape juice regularly available as the members so desire.  If one does not have a problem with alcoholism, there is no other valid consideration, since the Bible is abundantly clear that God intends us to use wine for Passover.ê


The Order and Meaning of Passover


	At His last Passover meal,  our Savior said, This do in remembrance of  me."  Yet many professed believers do things He said not to do, or in a  way other than He said to do them.  This is certainly demonstrated in the many ways that the New Testament Passover, called the Lord's Supper by some, is observed.
	Does it make a difference?  Is the order or manner of the service not important?   Or is it the heart and mind of the participants -- the attitude of faith -- that is the only consideration?  Can one prove from the Scriptures the order and meaning of the Passover service?
	A careful reading of John, the sixth chapter, especially verses 47-58, shows that the proper partaking of the Son of man's body and blood is essential to having eternal life.  Notice the order, verses 53 and 54: the flesh, and then the blood.  The same order is given in I Corinthians 11:23-29.  Eating the bread, then drinking the wine, is shown six times.  Matthew 26:26-30 has the same order. Mark 14:22-26 is virtually the same as that of Matthew.
	Luke 22:13-20, seems at first glance to show a cup, the bread, and then another cup.  Is this the proper order for the New Testament Passover?  To understand this, one must understand the order of service (Hebrew: seder) of the Old Testament Passover meal.  From Christ in the Passover by Ceil and Moishe Rosen, pages 50-59, we learn that the Jewish traditional seder service had four cups of wine, in this order: 
	(l)	blessing over the first cup of wine by the head of the feast (the host), (2) ceremonial washing of hands by the host, (3) dipping of the bitter herbs, (4) second cup of wine poured, (5) asking questions by the youngest son ("why is this night different?" etc. following Exodus 12:26), (6) singing of first part of Hallel, Psalms 113, 114, and drinking of second cup of wine, (7) washing of hands the second time, as an act of respect for the unleavened bread they were about to eat, (8) blessings over the bread, (9) eating of the bread, dipped in bitter herbs, (10) eating of the Paschal lamb, (11) after supper, the host poured the third cup of wine, a blessing was said, and everyone drank it, (12) the second portion of the Hallel, Psalms 115-118 recited, (13) drinking of fourth cup, (14) closing song or hymn.
	During the eating of the Old Testament Passover lamb with the disciples, the Messiah instituted NEW ordinances, to replace the old ones.  As I Corinthians 11:20-34 indicates, the Old Testament Passover meal of lamb and bitter herbs is no longer to be observed.  The Hebrew Seder helps us understand Luke 22, as well as what the Savior did in attaching special significance to the bread and one of the cups of the Old Testament Passover.  Luke 22:17-18 was the first cup.  Notice that Luke shows that the Messiah attached no special significance to this cup.  The bread, which followed, He did make special, symbolizing His body given for us, verse 19.  Of this, and not the first cup, He said, "this do in remembrance of me."
	Likewise, the cup after supper (the third cup of the Old Testament traditional Passover meal), the Savior being the host, took, gave thanks, Matthew 26:27.  In Luke 22:20 He said "This cup is the new testament in my blood:  this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me," I Corinthians 11:25.  It was this cup, after supper, that joined the earlier symbolic bread, to become part of the New Testament Passover.
	The institution of the Passover in Exodus 12 shows only the Passover lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs.  Nothing is said about cups of wine with Passover.  This was a Jewish tradition added later.  Surely our Savior kept no Jewish customs, or did He?
	He did!  By the first century A.D., the Passover service had the hymns, hand washing and four cups of wine.  The celebrants reclined at the table in the Babylonian custom of free men (as opposed to Exodus 12:11).  The Son of man kept this custom!  Notice John 13:25, 21:20.  They were in a reclining position, so John could virtually lean on the Master's breast.
	Luke mentions two of the four cups, the first and the third.  Early Jewish tradition says these were the most important.  The first cup was special because it consecrated the entire Passover service that followed.  The Savior said that this Passover service would be the last one He would observe with them until the Kingdom of God, Luke 22:14-18.  Tradition says that the third cup was the most important of all.  It was called the "cup of blessing" or the "cup of redemption," because it represented the blood of the Paschal lamb.  This third cup became the symbol of the shed blood of the Savior, the blood of the New Testament, Luke 22:20, the Christian "cup of blessing," I Corinthians 10:16.
	Where does footwashing fit in?  Followers of the Watchtower movement keep the annual Passover on Nisan 14 with the bread and wine.  Yet strangely enough, they do not follow the footwashing ceremony shown in John 13:1-17.  When does this important aspect of the Passover occur in the New Testament order of service?
	John 13:2 (KJV) says "and supper being ended." Verses 4-5 show that the Savior rose from supper and washed the disciples' feet. It sounds like the footwashing should be after the supper; as is also the wine, Luke 22:20.
	A poor translation is to blame for this misunderstanding.  The literal Greek says "and supper taking place."  The Revised Standard Version says, "and during supper."  So the footwashing was not after the bread and wine, but before them, during the Passover meal.  This act was no doubt an extension of the second hand washing (item #7 of the traditional Passover service, as shown  above).  Washing was preparatory to receiving  the unleavened bread.  The Savior sanctified this new act, stating that it was an example for us to follow, John 13:14-17.  Will we follow what He said for us to do, in exactly the way He said?
	Before we partake of the New Testament Passover symbols of bread and wine, we must be prepared mentally, by going through a physical act of footwashing to learn humility, and demonstrate humble service to our brethren.
	The order of the New Testament Passover service depicts the life of the Messiah: (1) His humble service to mankind (footwashing), (2) His beaten body for our physical sins and infirmities (unleavened bread), I Peter 2:20-25, Isaiah 50:6-7 (bread), and (3) His blood poured out for our sins, John 19:34, Isaiah 53:10-12 (wine).
	Any other order of service does not depict the proper spiritual lesson we are to learn.  Sincere people, wanting to do what is right, may not always have the proper understanding in this matter.  The Eternal is the judge.  We who desire to worship the Creator in spirit (attitude) and in truth (exactly as He says), John 4:24, should follow the proper order of service.
	The apostle Paul received an order of service from the Master and he delivered the same to us, not deviating from it one iota, I Corinthians 11:23-25.  Will we deviate from it?  It does make a difference, Revelation 22:18-19, Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32.
	We now have at least three major proofs that the proper order of the New Testament Passover service is footwashing, unleavened bread, and wine:

(1) The witness of scripture, many scriptures,
(2) the witness of tradition, that of the ancient Jews, the New Testament Church, and the 19th and 20th century Churches of God.
(3) The witness of scriptural object lessons, the meaning behind the physical rituals.

	In the mouth of two or three witnesses let everything be established, Matthew 18:16.
	Some weak First Century A.D. believers were not careful with the ordinances they received. They gave up the Sabbath for Sunday, the Passover for Easter, etc.  It does make a difference.  To be careless about how we partake of the Passover is one way to partake of it in an unworthy manner, I Corinthians 11:27-30.
	Let us partake of the Passover, in obedience to the Eternal. Let us have the right heart, mind and spiritual attitude as well as being careful about how we obey.  Heb-
rews 10:22 tells us that when we draw near unto Him, let us have pure hearts in full faith.  Also, let us have our bodies (all physical aspects) washed in pure water, that is, all the physical things in the proper order as well.  If we know these things and do them, we will have great joy, John 13:17.ê


Why Do We Take the New Testament Passover?


	On a night this spring, groups of New Testament believers around the world will gather to observe the ordinances of the Christian Passover.  This annual memorial of the Last Supper of Jesus is on the 14th day of first month of the Hebrew calendar.  Modern disciples will partake of the symbols instituted by the Savior of mankind to represent His humility and service, His body broken for us, and His blood shed for our sins.
	Why will these New Testament believers wash one another's feet, eat broken unleavened bread, and drink the fruit of the vine? Because the Messiah said "do this in remembrance of me."  Individually these Bible believers have a great love and reverence for the Son of God who died that we might have eternal life. Not once a week, not once a month, but annually we partake of the sacred emblems, in loving obedience to the example and command of the Messiah.
	It is fitting and proper at this time of year that we examine ourselves, II Corinthians 13:5, making sure that we do not eat and drink damnation to ourselves, I Corinthians 11:23-34.
	Here are some reminders to help us prepare for this most awesome day of the year:
	(1)	We are to remember the broken body of our Savior, who was brutally scourged for our physical sins against our own bodies, Psalms 22, Isaiah 52:13-15, 53:1-12. Truly, with His stripes we are healed, I Peter 2:21-25.  We cannot partake of the broken unleavened bread without remembering how much physical pain the Master suffered.  Eating the right kinds of foods, getting exercise, and obeying all the other laws of health is good, but we must trust the Eternal for healing when and if we get sick.  These revealed ways of living are more meaningful each year.
	It is encouraging that so many believers are taking a renewed interest in zealously taking care of the temple of the Holy Spirit -- their bodies.  The Messiah endured the mutilation of His sinless body, not for us to eat unclean or unwholesome foods and pump our bodies full of drugs and medicines, but for us to take clean living seriously.  Judas didn't take the execution of Yahshua seriously until it was too late.  The broken bread should awake us all to the seriousness of I Corinthians 6:15-20.  Never should the bread be taken lightly.    
	(2)	We are to symbolically partake of the blood (the life) of the Savior. Drinking physical blood is a sin! Leviticus 7:26-27.  There is life in the blood.  Many religious people will partake of the lifeblood of their human leader rather than their Savior.  That is, they will follow him (or her) no matter what.  What a grievous sin.  By symbolically taking the life of the Son of the Most High,  we allow Him to live in us, to direct us, ALL our thoughts and ALL our actions.
	This year, is your life more like your Savior's than it was at Passover last year, or many years ago?  If it is, then you are surrendering to the New Will and Testament.  and the laws of the Eternal are being written indelibly in your heart and mind.  Miss or forget the Passover?  How could we?  Not if we are His!
	The message within the cup is that this cup is a difficult one to drink.  That is why if there are some unusual circumstances that force one to miss the Passover, he must take it on the 14th day of the second month, Numbers 9:1-14.  There is no excuse for missing the Passover.  A baptized believer must either keep it or die!  John 6:30-69.  This is a hard saying, because we have seen many of our former brothers and sisters in the faith turn back.  They have died spiritually because they have not understood the full meaning of the Passover.  Our loving Father sent His own dear Son to live a sinless life, to die in our stead and rise again.  All this so that we might have our sins forgiven, receive the Spirit within us and someday live forever in His kingdom.
	Tremble when you drink that cup!  If you keep drinking it, never turning back, you will partake of its full meaning:  that of laying down your life for others.  The Savior said, "Ye shall drink indeed of my cup" Matthew 20:23.  This means persecution and martyrdom for some, Acts 12:2, Revelation 1:9.  For ALL it means self-sacrifice, a continued living sacrifice, Romans 12:1-2.  Remember, we are called to live the same life of hardship as the Savior Himself lived, I Peter 2:21.
	For some, drinking the cup in its true meaning is almost as revolting as drinking physical blood.  They are too caught up in themselves to truly partake of it, John 6:66.  (Maybe it isn't a coincidence that this verse is 666.)
	Thinking about death is not morbid if it is a Holy sacrifice, pleasing and acceptable to the Father.  We take the cup because we need it.  We need that blood to cover our sins, and must be willing to lay down our lives for others.
	(3)	We are to examine ourselves, critically judge ourselves.  If we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged by the Eternal, I Corinthians 11:28-31.
	It is so easy to judge and criticize others, but because we are so stubborn, we often fail to listen to criticisms of ourselves by others.  It is so hard to see our own imperfections and shortcomings.  There is a way to show someone where they have gone wrong without making them feel hopelessly inept.  Even when receiving virulent criticisms and seemingly unwarranted condemnations from others, you should always attempt to listen to what they are saying.  You should consider the possibility that what they are saying could be true.
	Passover should lead us to seek criticism from others for our actions, to listen to what others say about us without emotion. Fasting should be done by everyone a few weeks or days before Passover.  To break the bands of iniquity, we must sit still and listen.  If you have wronged someone, attempt to make amends before you come to the altar, Matthew 5:23-24.  Jezebel did not listen to the warning of the LORD from Elijah.  Will we listen when others point out our faults?
	(4)	We are to "tarry one for another," I Corinthians 11:33.  Certainly the footwashing ceremony, preceding the taking of the bread and wine, is symbolic of this admonition.  "Tarry" is an old English word meaning simply "to wait, wait on."  Some in Corinth were turning the New Ordinances into a big meal like it was under the Old Testament.  Paul told them not to make the New Passover into a "Lord's Supper," I Corinthians 11:19-22.  If you are hungry, eat at home so that when you come to the New Testament Passover,  you are not condemned for riotous banqueting, verses 34, 21.
	Passover brings to mind some sad memories of an experience a few years ago.  The person called upon to open the services for Passover with prayer thanked God that we were not like others who had turned their back on the truth.  This is a wrong attitude. Instead, our prayer at Passover should be: "Eternal, you know our faults and sins, please help us to overcome and not turn back from you.  Help those who have strayed from your paths.  Restore them, and us, for we have not been perfect in your sight."
	A very dear friend was against me for sharing the truth of the Almighty with others, especially with those who have been "turned off" by former religious experiences."  "I realize," this minister wrote, "there have been many people hurt by these happenings, many that we grew to love and respect are completely turned off, but I do not hold myself responsible for what happened.  Therefore I do not have some guilt complex driving me on to 'save' them.  If I can remain faithful to the Truth as I understood and accepted it, then I feel that some day I may be given an opportunity to truly help them, when they desire it, and need it."  So basically, this man's conclusion was that we should not bother to "tarry one for another."  Thankfully,  he has modified his views somewhat since then.
	Passover brings to full light the travesty of this type of wrong attitude.  Even though we didn't ask for help, and didn't know we needed it, the Messiah is the one Being who cared for us enough to die in order for us to be brought up out of this cesspool of sin.  How wonderful that we can cast ALL our cares upon Him who is personally concerned for each one of us, I Peter 5:7.
	There are thousands of "true believers" who will this Passover go through the motions.  They will wash one another's feet, and yet totally miss the point that we are to be living sacrifices.  We are to serve one another daily out of true sincerity, and not because of the acclaim it will bring us:  "by love serve one another," Galatians 5:13.
	The sense of "tarry one for another" can also mean "wait patiently for" as well as "wait on" or "serve" one another.
	(5)	Those who truly follow the Master and have been called by Him must be born from above, John 3:3 (Oxford marginal rendering).  They must be begotten with the earnest of the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 1:13-14.  They must be led by that Spirit to grow and overcome, becoming more and more like their Creator.  At the resurrection, they will receive the fullness of the Spirit, when they shall be Spirit because they are then born of the Spirit, John 3:6.  Here and now, they must be growing up unto Him in all things.
	Human birth is a glorious type of a much more glorious event which we look forward to.  This is all made possible by Him who died for us.  Truly, we can say this year, and every year, "I have wanted so much to eat this Passover meal with you . . . ," Luke
22:15, TEV.  Contact someone who may be lonely or in need of encouragement in the Master. "Tarry one for another."
	On this coming Passover, take each element, each word, each symbol with awesome respect and love for the one who died for you and me.  Recommit yourselves to the covenant you made with the Eternal at baptism.  Don't take this Passover in vain, in an unworthy manner.  Lay down your lives for Him and others.
	That's why we partake of the New Testament Passover.
	Passover dates for Abib 14 (services observed the previous evening) are:

March 26, 1994
April 14, 1995
April 3, 1996
April 21, 1997
April 10, 1998
March 31, 1999
April 19, 2000
April 7, 2001
March 27, 2002
April 16, 2003
April 5, 2004
April 23, 2005

	You have a date with the Eternal.  Don't miss it!ê


The New Testament Passover Ceremony


Only Baptized Adults Eligible For New Testament Passover

	You must be eligible to take the Christian Passover.  This means you have  to be a baptized member of the Church.  Just as Israelite males had to be  circumcised to partake of the Passover, Exodus 12:48-49, so today you must be circumcised spiritually, signified by baptism, Colossians 2:11-13.  Even more, you should be mentally prepared by a period of self-examination, spiritual cleansing, and attitude adjustment, II Corinthians 13:5.
	Although unbaptized children of Church members do not partake of the bread and wine, the children should be present to observe and understand what is going on, and why.  Before and afterwards, parents should encourage their children to ask why their parents are doing this service (Exodus 12:26-27).

If at All Possible, Keep
Passover With Brethren

	If at all possible, you should keep the New Testament Passover with others of like faith.  If you have to drive hundreds of miles, or undergo the expense of a bus, train or plane ticket, your desire to keep the Passover shows your respect for the sacrifice of our Savior.
	Under the rare circumstance when you cannot meet with a group of the Eternal's people, you can keep the Passover in your own home alone, or with other eligible members of your family.  If you meet the criteria described in Numbers 9:11, you may keep the "Second Passover" thirty days after the normal time in the same manner as the regular Passover.  Here are general guidelines to follow.

Passover Ingredients

	(1)	Unleavened Bread can be obtained in many grocery stores, or you can make your own.  Jewish Matzoth (also called Matzos) are commonly sold in America during the Passover season.  Usually they are made from white flour, which is not as good as whole wheat flour.  Rather than using inferior commercial products made from white flour, why not make your own unleavened bread for Passover?  Here is a simple recipe for flat bread (unleavened bread) for use during the Passover service:
	Use these ingredients:  1 Cup whole wheat flour, 1/4 Tsp. salt, 1 Tbsp. butter, 2 Tsp. oil, 1/4 Cup water.
	Sift flour and salt and mix butter into flour until it resembles peas.  Mix oil and water and add to flour.  Mix until it leaves the sides of the bowl.  Put a small amount of flour on your breadboard and knead dough lightly.  Add a small amount of flour and press flat with hand.  Then roll out as thin as possible.  Pick up, turn over and roll out again as thin as possible.  Perforate with a fork and bake for eight minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
	Other unleavened products may include some Rye Krisp products, hardtack, and some crackers.  Be sure to read the label.  There should be no yeast, soda, baking powder or other leavening agent in the ingredients.
	(2)	Natural red wine is also a necessary Passover ingredient.  Grape juice is NOT proper for Passover, and was never used at Passover by the Messiah, ancient Israel, or the original uncorrupted New Testament Church.  Grape juice is dead.  Wine has LIFE, and therefore symbolizes the blood (the life) of the Messiah, which was shed for our sins.  Pure fermented wine was used at the "Last Supper."
	Obtain a natural red unfortified wine, such as burgundy or zinfandel, with an alcoholic content of between 10% and 13%.  Wines containing a higher alcoholic content are fortified with grape brandy and should not be used for Passover service.  Red burgundy wine is one of the best kinds for Passover use.  (It is also ideal for medicinal use throughout the year.)  Naturally fermented wines usually have a cork.
	(3)	Pans, Towels and Water are important accessory items.  Each participant should bring a wash pan and towel to the Passover service for footwashing.  The host can prepare a bucket of warm water just prior to the beginning of the service.  Water can be poured into the pans as the footwashing ordinance begins.
	(4)	Bible and Hymnals are another vital Passover ingredient.  Scripture reading is a main part of the Passover Service.  Let everyone have a Bible to follow along as the verses are read.  Have a Bible Hymnal at hand to sing a Hallel Psalm before dispersing.
	(5)	A Quality Tray and Cups are optional items that can enhance the dignity and beauty of the Passover ceremony.  If special hardware is used, it should be simple and not ostentatious, yet of the highest quality you can reasonably afford.  The purpose is not to impress anyone, but to give honor and glory to the Eternal, "for glory and for beauty," Exodus 28:2.  Place the unleavened bread in something such as a simple sterling silver tray, covered by an immaculate white linen napkin.  Pour a small amount of wine in little glasses or wine goblets on a tray or table.  Make sure the room is prepared very neatly and clean, Mark 14:14-15.
	Of course, circumstances may dictate a service with very simple or no utensils.  However, if you are able to prepare in advance, the simple elegance of silver and crystal service used only once a year for this very special occasion can add a meaningful dimension to this most holy sacred ordinance.  For those interested, we can obtain Passover trays and cups at wholesale prices.  Be careful!  The cups and tray can be clean without, and the hearts and minds of the partakers can be full of spiritual filth, Matthew 23:25. 

Preparing for the Passover Service

	Who?   As we have stated, although young, unbaptized children of believers may be present and observe the ceremony, only baptized adults should partake of the bread and wine.
	When?   Be prepared to observe the sacred ordinance in the evening, after sundown on the fourteenth day of the first month of the Hebrew calendar, called Nisan or Abib 14.  Some have observed the Christian Passover soon after dark, about 7:30 P.M. in temperate climate zones.  The Passover in Egypt was completed before midnight.  Our Savior's "Last Supper" lasted for several hours and around midnight He and the disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemene.  The Bible does not give a specific time in the evening to begin the Passover service.  During the time when a lamb was killed, roasted and eaten, the killing was done at sunset and it took some time to roast the lamb.  It is safe to conclude that the Passover meal didn't begin until 8:00-9:00 P.M., perhaps even later.  It was concluded by midnight.
	Where?   Keep the Passover in a quiet, prepared room.  Make sure the room is prepared ahead of time with everything in perfect order.  Have a small amount of the unleavened bread, and small glasses or cups of wine (one for each person) prepared on a tray or table.  Cover the emblems with a clean white napkin.
	How?   When the time has arrived, let everyone come into the prepared room quietly, reverently, and sit down.  Individually, each adult should spend a few minutes of quiet meditation, prayer and scripture reading.  Here are some suggested verses:  Isaiah 50:6, 52:14-15, Isaiah 53, Psalms 22, I Peter 2:21-25, Psalms 51, Psalms 103.  Think about how much you need the sacrifice of your Savior to be applied to your sins.  None of us are "worthy" or better than any other mortal human being.  We have all sinned and need forgiveness and mercy.  This should put us in the proper frame of mind to take the Passover.

Conducting the Passover Service

	Let the elder or host (this may be the husband or father if only one family is observing the Passover) conduct the solemn service.  The Passover service is not a somber time, but it is a serious time.  There should be no visiting, talking, laughing, joking or trivial conversation.  This is the most solemn and important occasion of the entire year, and should not be taken lightly.
	The elder should remind everyone at the start of the service that this is the most solemn and sacred occasion of the year, the anniversary of the suffering and death of our Lord and Savior, a memorial service of His death.  Read Luke 22:7-8, 14-15; Matthew 26:17, 26-30; I Corinthians 11:23-30; John 6:32-58 and John 13:1-17.  There may be other scriptures read and a brief message given relating to the occasion.  Care should be taken not to rush through the reading and other portions of the ceremony.  This is a dignified, respectful and awesome time of meeting with the Eternal!  Think about the important meaning of each act you do.
	Then, if two or more people are participating, (1) wash one another's feet, using the wash pans and clean towels prepared previous to the service.  If there is a group, have the men retire to an adjacent room to wash one another's feet.  Pair off and have one person wash his/her partner's feet, then switch places.  By humbly following the Messiah's example in John 13, footwashing demonstrates that we should be willing to go the extra mile in forgiveness to others and in service to others.  He who is the greatest in the Messianic kingdom is the greatest servant.
	Reassemble after putting away neatly the pans, towels, and disposing of the water.  When all is again quiet, the elder will take off the napkin over the bread.  He may read Matthew 26:26; I Corinthians 10:16-17; I Peter 2:20-24; Isaiah 53:1-7 and 52:13-14.  Christ's example of suffering for us should teach us of what we must also be willing to do for righteousness' sake.  The elder or someone he chooses should give thanks and ask God in prayer to bless the bread, the symbol of our Savior's body broken for us, for our physical healing.  Ask God for the heart and mind to promote unity and peace and glorify Him as members of His body.  Then the elder (2) breaks the bread in pieces and passes it around for all to take and eat.  At this time, he may recite I Corinthians 11:23-24.  As you quietly and solemnly eat the small piece of unleavened bread, think of the suffering that our Savior went through so that we might be healed of all our infirmities.
	Now it is time for the wine.  Read these scriptures:  Matthew 26:27-28; Hebrews 9:11-15; I John 1:7; Ephesians 1:7; and Colossians 1:20-22.  Uncover and ask the blessing on the wine as the symbol of Messiah's blood shed for the remission of our sins.  Thank God for giving us His only Son to die for us, washing us clean that we might be reconciled to God.  Thank Him for Christ's willingness to submit to His Father's will, even to death.  Then (3) pass the wine, each one taking a glass and quietly, reverently drinking it as a renewal of the New Covenant, the acceptance of the blood of the Master for the remission of our sins.
	Replace the glasses on the tray or table, along with the unused bread, covering them with the napkin.

Scripture Reading

	Next comes the scripture reading of the portions of the Bible recording Christ's last words to His disciples just after the Lord's Supper.  It includes the real "Lord's Prayer," His earnest prayer to the Father to care for His beloved followers after His death.  The sections from John 13:18--17:26 may be read in portions previously selected.  Sometimes it is good to read from a modern version, such as the New King James Version, or Amplified Bible, in order to vary the program from year to year.

Hymn and Dismissal

	After scripture reading, the service is not complete without a hymn.  This follows  our Savior's example, found in Matthew 26:30.  Jewish tradition says the hymn sung at Passover was the Hallel, Psalms 113-118.  An excellent hymn from Psalms 114 is "When Israel Went Out of Egypt," from the Worldwide Church of God Bible Hymnal.  If you don't have an appropriate hymn, you may want to simply read aloud as a group one or more of the Hallel Psalms.  The "Hosanna Section" of the Hallel was chanted by the crowd who welcomed Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, Psalms 118:25-26, Matthew 21:9. "Save now" in Hebrew is "hosanna."  Don't forget this important part of the service!
	It has been a custom in the Church of God to dismiss following the hymn, without a closing prayer.  The Hallel Hymn is a prayer.

Cleaning Up

	Leave the room quietly, without conversation.  Afterwards, the elder or host should destroy any portion of the bread and wine left over which was part of the service and had been blessed.  This custom is based upon Exodus 12:10.  Prior planning and preparation should minimize any excess.  Only such bread and wine taken into the room and prayed over, need be disposed.  Burn the left over bread and pour any remaining wine down the drain, or on the ground outside.

After Passover: Prayer,
Study and Meditation

	If you return to your normal occupation or secular activities right after the Passover ceremony, you may lose part of the full meaning the Almighty intended.  The Passover service is not a quick ritual to get over with and immediately go about our daily business.  It was a custom in Jesus' day to stay up all Passover night, studying, praying and reciting Scripture.  The disciples and Jesus apparently followed this tradition.  Judas knew Jesus would be in His usual place of meditation, the Garden of Gethsemene.  The Master scolded the disciples for not being able to stay awake with Him, Matthew 26:40-41.
	The Eternal's instruction to Israel concerning the Passover states, "And thou
shalt roast and eat it [the Passover lamb] in the place which the LORD thy God shall chose:  and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents," Deuteronomy 16:7.
	Based upon these indications, it appears to be a good practice to spend a considerable time of meditation, study and prayer after the Passover service.

A Serious Time of Self-Examination

	In summary, the New Testament Passover service should be a serious, dignified, reverent time of reflection and self-examination.  It should NOT be slipshod, casual or a boring routine, but awesomely significant and meaningful whether it is the first time you have kept it or the fiftieth. 
	"So then whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in a way that is unworthy [of Him] will be guilty of (profaning and sinning against) the body and blood of the Lord.  Let a man [thoroughly] examine himself, and [only] when he has done so should he eat of the bread and drink of the cup.  For any one who eats and drinks without discriminating and recognizing with due appreciation that [it is Christ's] body, eats and drinks a sentence -- a verdict of judgment -- upon himself.  That [careless and unworthy participation] is the reason many of you are weak and sickly, and quite enough of you are fallen into the sleep of death.  For if we searchingly examined ourselves -- detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition -- we should not be judged and penalty decreed [by the divine judgment],"  I Corinthians 11:27-31, Amplified Version.
	Eat the bread and drink the cup.  Show forth, demonstrate, your willingness to live the life of obedient service as our Savior did, and give evidence of your thankfulness that He died for our sins.  Reverently keep the solemn Passover, with great joy!ê


Feast of Unleavened Bread:  Putting Sin Out


The Reality of Sin

	Sin is real, an offense against God.  God nonetheless pardons sin.  Such  pardon  does not come unless man does something:  repents with fasting, rends his heart, and quits sinning.  The Eternal saves us FROM our sins, not IN our sins. The Feast of Unleavened Bread is designed to teach us to recognize and to put out sin.  Putting out leavening and leavened products is a physical act we do in order to show our resolve to put sin out of our lives. 
	In the Old Testament, there are several Hebrew terms for sin:
	(1)	Pesha, Strong's #6588,  means rebellion.  It is the attitude of mind in which a man sets himself up as the sole judge of his actions, recognizing neither  God  nor His law.  Pesha signifies the refusal of man to consider himself accountable to God for his actions.  An example of pesha is the trespass of Joseph's brothers in selling him into slavery, Genesis 50:17.
	(2)	Avon, #5771,  comes from a root meaning "to be  twisted,"  or  "to  be crooked" (compare our word, "a crook").  This refers to a man who departs  from  the  course  of good,  starts out right but throws everything away in an act of folly.  An example is David's iniquity in the matter of Bathsheba and Uriah, Psalms 51.
	(3)	Het, or hattath, #2399 and #2403,  comes from a root meaning "to miss," used,  for instance, when  an  archer  fails  to  hit the target.  Het denotes lack of character or staying power.  It can also mean unwitting sin,  and the careless driver,  slack teacher, over-indulgent or neglectful parent, and thoughtless son, are all guilty of het.  The Old Testament sin offerings were for this type of sin.
	The first step toward eradicating sin is repentance.  Teshubah,  the Hebrew word for repentance,  means "turning back." It involves (1)  contrition  for  the sin committed and (2) firm resolve not to repeat it. 
	Before we can repent, we must know what sin is.  Sin is the transgression of the Law, I John 3:4.  By the Law is the knowledge of sin, Romans 3:20.  We must study to know the Law in order to recognize sin, to know what it is.  Few so-called Bible believers of today really study the Law to apply it in their lives.  (Write for our book, Biblical Law.)

Is Sin Only For Other People?

	Mankind does not like to come to grips with his own sin.  This humorous story illustrates the point:

When a rural preacher returned after visiting a distant city, a parishioner met him at the train station.  "How are things out our way, John?" the preacher asked.  "Sad, sir.  A cyclone came and wiped out my house."  "Dear, dear," cried the preacher.  "Well, I'm not surprised.  You remember I warned you about the way you had been living.  Punishment for sin is inevitable.  Disasters never come without due cause."  "It also destroyed your house, sir," said John.  "It did?"  The preacher was horrified.  "Ah, me, the ways of the Lord are past human understanding."

	Sin applies to each and every one of us.

Bible Examples of Sin

	Someday, all of the Bible characters will be resurrected.  They will discover to their chagrin that their sins have been published for all the world to read, examples for all mankind.  Let's look at the Bible examples of sin.  Then we will look at modern day sins of ourselves.  We should study sins of others not to judge or condemn, but to learn the lessons, I Corinthians 10:4, so as to be able better to look at our own sins.  The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, Jeremiah 17:9.  Let's stop kidding ourselves and realize that the great examples of sin are lessons of what we have likewise done and will continue to do, without God's help.

Old Testament Sinners

	Adam and Eve rebelled directly against their Creator.  Eve was deceived, but Adam knew better, I Timothy 2:14.  He meekly followed his wife and gave in to the path of least resistance.  All sins of mankind that followed Adam's sin have followed a similar pattern.
	Cain was jealous of and murdered his brother Abel.  He held back his tithes from the Almighty.  He married outside the prescribed racial bounds and became an outcast, Genesis 4.
	Abram lied about Sarai being his sister when she was his wife.  He feared for his life.  They did this twice, Genesis 12:10-20, and chapter 20.  Later, Sarah and Abraham lacked faith in God's promise to give them a son in their old age and tried to work it out through a "surrogate mother" Hagar.  This was the sin of adultery, a great wrong, Genesis 16:1-5.
	Moses struck the rock when the Eternal had told him to speak and water would flow from the rock.  As a result, in spite of his previous faithfulness, Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land, Numbers 20:2-12.  What a lesson for us today!  All previous righteousness is forgotten in the day we sin, Ezekiel 18:4, 20-32. We must be stedfast in the faith, never crookedly departing from the narrow way.
	The judge and priest Eli is a prime example of a poor father.  His sons committed brazen sins but he did nothing to stop them.  Eli fell under a severe indictment by God for his evil ways.  The Eternal gave the sentence to Eli's young apprentice Samuel, I Samuel 2:12-17, 22-25, 3:11-13.  It is amazing that Samuel turned around and did much the same thing, failing to raise obedient sons.  This was the excuse Israel used to demand a king, I Samuel 8:1-7.  More wickedness on top of evil.
	Saul claimed to be following the Eternal when he held back some of the animals of a city he conquered to give as a sacrifice to the Eternal.  God had told him to wipe everything out down to the last beast.  To obey is better than sacrifice, and rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, I Samuel 15:1-23.   How often do people claim obedience when in fact they are directly rebelling against the plain commands of the Creator!
	David couldn't control his lustful desires when he saw Bathsheba bathing.  He not only committed adultery with her, but had her husband Uriah killed so that he could marry her, II Samuel 11.  David's example of repentance is one of the most beautiful portions of the Holy Scriptures, II Samuel 12, Psalms 51.  Great men and women truly repent when shown to be wrong.
	Throughout the period Israel left Egypt up to their final captivity (Northern Israel in the 700's BC, Southern Israel in the 500's BC), there is recorded in great detail in Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings and Chronicles the history of their folly of obeying the Eternal for a short while, to immediately lax into idolatry and adultery and as a result reap divine curses and punishments. This time is summarized in Nehemiah 9.  Are we any better than they?
	King Solomon was the wisest king of Israel.  He started out on the right track.  But then he disobeyed the Eternal in marrying multiple wives from foreign nations.  He allowed them to continue their idolatrous religion, even building pagan temples in Jerusalem, I Kings 11:1-13.  Solomon's successor son Rehoboam was a spoiled brat.  Rather than listen to the advice of his elders, he tried to exercise his "authority."  As a result, the Kingdom of Israel was split and the Northern Ten Tribes broke away with Jeroboam, I Kings 12.  Jeroboam's sin of counterfeit religion shows how far people will go to pervert the truth for personal gain.  He instituted a counterfeit Feast of Tabernacles in the eighth month with pagan worship in order to keep his subjects from going to Jerusalem to worship, I Kings 12:25-33.
	Jezebel and her husband Ahab are the epitome of wicked rulers.  They led Northern Israel to sin and perpetuated numerous sins that eventually led to the Assyrian Captivity. 
	Southern Judah was no better.  Except for a few exceptions such as Hezekiah and Josiah, kings of Judah followed a similar path of idolatry and wickedness.  After the Babylonian Captivity, some Jews under Ezra and Nehemiah returned to rebuild Jerusalem.  Nehemiah stood up against the sins of usury, intermarriage with heathen and Sabbath breaking, Ezra 9, and  Nehemiah 10:28-31, 13:15-28.

Sin in the New Testament

	In the several hundred years between Ezra and Jesus Christ, the Jews became deeply influenced by Greek thought.  Judaism became a religion significantly different than taught by the Bible.  The Pharisees, Sadducees and Essenes were three of the main Jewish sects.  The Pharisees tied down the Law of God with so many minute restrictions as to make it unrecognizable.  The Sadducees had many doctrinal heresies, even claiming there was no resurrection.  The Essenes lived in desert communes and deviated from the Sacred Calendar in that their holy days were determined by a solar calendar rather than the Eternal's lunar-solar calendar.  The Savior warned us to beware of the "leaven" of the Pharisees, which is false doctrine, Matthew 16:6, 12.
	Matthew 23 is a severe indictment against the false piety of the Pharisees that we need to apply to ourselves today.  See also Matthew 15:9, Mark 7:6-9, 13.
	Judas Iscariot may be the prime example of sin in the Bible.  Bible commentators have speculated that Judas really had good intentions when he told Jesus' whereabouts to the High Priest.  They feel that Judas wanted Jesus to force His hand and declare himself the King of Israel with power.  When Jesus meekly submitted to His execution, Judas saw He was condemned and hung himself.  Regardless of the motivation of Judas, money was a factor in his actions.  For thirty pieces of silver he conspired to betray the Savior.  Suicide is a grievous sin committed by one who condemns himself.
	And so it is today that money is a root of all evil and suicide is becoming prevalent, even among our youth.  Life is precious and to be productive for the Eternal, who will forgive even the blackest sin upon genuine repentance.  Life is more than money.  Life is a training ground for preparation to become immortal spirit beings in God's kingdom.  Can we learn the lessons of Judas Iscariot and not repeat his vile sins?
	In the days of the preaching of the Apostle Paul, there were many gainsayers and false teachers.  In fact, this is the theme of his writings.  See the following scriptures: I Corinthians 1:10,13, 3:3, 5:11-13, 15:34, 16:9; II Corinthians 2:17, 4:2-4, 11:1-31, 12:20-21; Galatians 1:6-10, 2:4, 3:1, 4:17, 5:7-12, 6:12; Ephesians 4:14, 5:6-7,11; Philippians 1:15, 3:18-19; Colossians 2:8, 18-23; I Thessalonians 2:1-6, 14-18, 5:6-7, 14; II Thessalonians 2:1-12, 3:6,14-15;  I Timothy 1:3-7, 19-20, 4:1-3, 5:19-20, 6:3-5, 10, 20-21; II Timothy 1:15, 2:16-18, 23, 4:3-4, 14-16; Titus 1:9-16, 3:10-11; Hebrews 2:1, 3:12, 4:2, 6:4-6, 10:23-29, 12:15, 13:9.
	The apostles Peter, John and Jude repeat the same theme, warning us not to fall away from the truth: II Peter chapter 2, 3:16-18; I John 2:2, 9, 11, 18-26, 3:6-8, 4:1-6; II John 7-11; III John 9-10; Jude 3-4, 12, 16-19.
	It would be far better for someone to never mention the Bible rather than to pervert and twist it.  When you get right down to the basics, most false religious teaching stems from the love of money and lust of the flesh, particularly sexual lusts.  It is no different today than it was in the days of the early New Testament church.
	The Messages to the Seven Churches, found in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 lays bare the sins of the true Church of God down through the ages.  Each message applies to people then, but also applies to us today.  Ephesus left her first love.  The zeal of the early church was quickly lost.  Have we lost our first love for the truth?  Thyatira allowed her children to be educated by the great whore, the Roman Catholic Church.  You can't serve two masters.  You must stand up to evil no matter what the cost of persecution. Sardis almost died out.  And Laodicea is lazy and lukewarm, not filled with the zeal for the truth.  Laodicea graphically depicts the church in our age.  More on this later.

Sin in the Future

	While some historians exaggerate the World War II "Holocaust" of five or six million Jews killed by Nazi Germany (even if these figures are accurate, the Russian and Chinese Communists murdered many more of their own subjects) there is a coming Great Tribulation that will make Auschwitz look like a Sunday picnic.  It will be a last great attempt of Satan the Devil to destroy mankind.  So wicked will mankind become that even when the Almighty sends Seven Last Plagues of punishment for their sins, many will shake their fists and blaspheme the Creator, Revelation 16:21.  Even though the Bible records heinous sins down through the ages, "you ain't seen nothing yet!"

An End of Sin

	There will be an end of sin.  That is the good news of the Bible.  Daniel 9:24, Revelation 21, 22.  We are looking forward to that day of peace and rest, the millennial Sabbath, and the New Heavens and New Earth wherein dwells righteousness.

Modern Day Sins

	Until the Millennium, there is much work to do.  Each one of us must work, with the help of God's Holy Spirit, to put sin out of our lives.  Putting sin out is the theme of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
	Instead of looking at the sins of the present evil world, such as murder, theft, adultery, idolatry and materialism, we need to take a critical look at the sins of the group of believers who claim to be following the Bible.  The "Church of God" is a term I use to refer to those who keep Saturday as the Sabbath and who historically stem from the Church of God, Seventh Day.  This includes the various Seventh Day Churches of God, Worldwide Church of God and its spin-offs, the various Sacred Name Assembly of Yahweh groups, and in addition, sister groups such as Seventh Day Baptists.
	What are the sins of the modern Church of God?  I have grouped our sins under seven major areas.  These are the sins and weaknesses that affect us, me too.


	(1)	Idolizing Organizations and Ministers
	(2)	Stealing God's Tithes Both Ways
	(3)	Rejecting Bible Principles on Health and Healing
	(4)	Heretical Beliefs
	(5)	Watering Down Sabbath and Holy Days
	(6)	Rejecting, or Not Rejecting, Fellowship
	(7)	Perverting and/or Neglecting Marriage and Family


	Let us examine these seven characteristic sins of our age.

(1) Idolizing Organizations
and Ministers

	Worship of an organization and/or a leading minister is a common sin of today's Sabbath keepers.  Many feel that the "one true church" is limited to their organization, and that their minister is God's servant and can do no wrong.  Of particular danger is the fact that many of these people have left other "corrupt" Sabbath-keeping organizations which they feel have been duped into blindly following.  However, they turn around and blindly follow another organization, failing to see the sins and shortcomings of its leadership, and doctrinal departures.
	Organizations are not wrong in themselves.  Neither is it wrong for a minister to exert strong leadership.  But when a minister or organization claim "we are the only ones," and spurn questioning of their conduct by the membership, then then we should get off the bandwagon.  In all too many cases, the ordinary church membership lets the minister do all the thinking.  They feel, wrongly, that their only responsibility is to "pay and pray."  This is idolatry, just as sure as bowing down before a graven image is idolatry.

(2) Stealing God's Tithes Both Ways

	Organization and minister worship (idolatry) naturally lead to stealing of God's tithes both ways.  The first way is that tithes are blindly given with no accountability.  The minister or organization spends the tithes as they see fit.  And they are accountable to no one.  Nowhere in the Bible does it show that the first tithe can be used by God's servants as they see fit.  Even the Levites could not do this.  If they didn't take their turn serving in the Temple, they received no tithes.  If they failed to faithfully teach the people God's laws, Leviticus 10:9-11.  they were not qualified to receive tithes, no matter if they were a priest of the tribe of Levi.  Notice that Elisha received tithes (firstfruits, which are part of the tithing laws), when he was not a Levite, II Kings 4:42.  And this was right.  Because the first tithe is for the Creator's service, not for the sustenance of a particular class or group of people.  Blindly giving tithes to a minister or organization with no accountability is wrong.  The giver has a great responsibility to see to it that the tithes are USED for a right purpose.  If the tithes are not used for a right purpose, God's tithes are being stolen.
	The second way that God's tithes are stolen is the way many ministers and church organizations spend the tithes.  Lavish expensive ministerial homes, special "perks" and benefits far above what a normal standard of living requires.  Unsound business decisions and wasteful management of resources.  Here is a sorry example: One major Sabbath-keeping organization has generally rented meeting halls for Sabbath and Holy Day services.  This has been money wasted.  With volunteer labor from church brethren, they could have built multipurpose meeting halls at minimal expense.  These meeting halls could have been used for religious, social and recreational activities seven days a week, and in some cases even rented out to other businesses and organizations in order to cover the maintenance costs and perhaps be a source of church revenue.  Instead, decades of rents have been paid with nothing to show for the expense. 
	Here is another example:  Visiting the brethren is a vital function of the ministry and elders in the church.  Yet a major Sabbath-keeping organization we were associated with neglected this vital aspect of service.  Our minister's appointment book was empty, yet he received a good salary with excellent benefits.  Having had two in-laws in the ministry of that organization, I have confirmation from them as well that the ministry of that organization has lots of free time on their hands, so that they can always play racquetball and golf, but yet do not visit and encourage the brethren.  For deceitful workers of iniquity, "tithing pays."  They are on the receiving end, and tithing really pays them well.  However, in the sight of the Almighty, this is tithe stealing of the worst kind.
	Here is how not to steal tithes:  Give tithes to those who are preaching and living by the Truth.  In a respectful attitude, make sure you get a reasonable accounting of the money you give.  Don't be super critical, but if your suggestions are not welcome, or if an open discussion of how to best utilize the available tithes is not allowed, you are putting the tithes in the wrong place.  Tithes, like any other asset, are a resource to be used judiciously.  Someday both the giver and the recipient of the tithes will have to give an account of how well they have handled the Eternal's tithes.  You are entirely wrong if you think that your responsibility is only to pay and that it is the minister's responsibility to spend the tithes as he sees fit.  Giving tithes to a corrupt minister or organization is stealing God's tithes.
	There is another group of tithe stealers.  They have very good intentions, but they are stealing the tithes nevertheless.  These are the ones who put their tithes in the bank.  They can't find an honest minister who will faithfully proclaim the truth.  They won't do anything to promote the faith either.  So they bank their tithes in the hopes that someday God will make it evident to them to whom to pay their tithes.  Here is the opposite of those who freely pay and demand no accountability.  These are the super cautious, fearing to make a mistake.  They certainly have noble intentions.  However, the truth is not being proclaimed and preserved.  People seeking the right way of life are not being fed with spiritual food.  And it is the fault of this do nothing crowd.  Read Matthew 25 and Luke 19.  Those who do not produce anything with what God gives them will lose what they have. Mankind's paper money currency, or even gold, is worthless to the Creator.  But character being built, people's lives being changed for the better, that is what the purpose for the first tithes is all about.  Someday, this "do nothing" group will have to answer for what they are not doing.  Why didn't they produce?  A true believer must grow and spread the word to others by example and deed. Wicked men succeed because righteous men do nothing.

(3) Rejecting Bible Principles on Health and Healing

	Next, one of the major sins of today's Sabbath keepers is a rejection of Bible principles on health and healing.  Many say they believe in divine healing.  Many say they follow the Bible on matters of health.  But few really perform the work necessary to make this happen.  Why do I say work, when healing is clearly a matter of faith?  Because by work, faith is made perfect.  Without any work, there can be no faith.
	The Eternal heals.  We believe this firmly and have seen this proven in our lives many times.  The firm resolve of faith sometimes wavers.  It needs shoring up, continual maintenance.  Ministers who set such a horrible example of wantonness in their personal lives cannot help others increase their faith.  For example, the current leader of a Sabbath-keeping group is noted for being obese.  How can this man who claims to be strictly following the laws of health even profess to be a minister? Obesity is in violation of the basic laws of health and plain Bible teaching, Proverbs 23:20-21, 25:16. Those who have this problem need spiritual and physical help. It is time we quit kidding ourselves.  Living by Biblical Laws of health is much more than merely abstaining from unclean foods.  It includes proper diet, exercise, sleep and rest, mental attitude and much more.
	True believers should be constantly growing in knowledge and practice of good health.  Two of the basic ingredients of our diet are bread and water.  Does making one's own bread from organic wheat, instead of eating chemically treated white gummy bread from the store sound strange to you? Does obtaining pure water instead of drinking the chlorinated sewage most people drink seem like health food fanaticism to you?  Then perhaps you need to really understand the meaning of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, how His body was beaten for our physical iniquities.  Such are the sins of today's Church of God that even basic health practices are often treated with contempt. That is why one of the major themes of Giving & Sharing is to encourage people to learn more about and follow the Eternal's laws of natural health.
	Living a natural, more healthy life takes WORK.  Most people desire to make more money rather than follow the Eternal. The work involved in, for example, baking one's own bread, or in exercising on a regular basis, is just too much effort for them.  It is sad that many are busy doing all sorts of physical pleasures, but lazy doing what really benefits their physical lives.  Good health is important.  Without vibrant health, we cannot effectively serve the Eternal.  We need to work to do our part in diet, exercise and good health principles, and then trust and rely on the Creator to do the rest and heal us when and if we get sick.
	A great sin of many Sabbath keepers today is a virtual worship of the medical profession, which cannot heal.  Only the Almighty can heal.

(4) Heretical Beliefs

	A great deal of literature from a multitude of Sabbath-keeping groups comes to us.  We constantly get letters from individuals attempting to "convert" us to different religious ideas.  Every so often we are surprised and shocked by a "new" (to us) heresy, a strange idea that is patently false yet adamantly held to by the individual proclaiming it.  Here are some common heresies of today:  Sacred Name exclusivism, rejection of the Hebrew calendar, unscriptural ideas concerning the New Testament Passover, wrong Pentecost dates, and exaggerated and unfounded prophetic claims.
	Studying the Hebrew names for the Creator and His son can provide great insights.  We can understand God more fully and establish a closer contact with the Father.  However, the exclusivism employed by most Sacred Name groups places their concept clearly outside the Bible.  In their eyes, I do not have the Holy Spirit because I have not been baptized in the Hebrew name.  They cannot agree among themselves the exact pronunciation of the Hebrew names for the Almighty.  Worse still, the Sacred Name idea is an axe upon which they continuously grind.  Clearly they are striving about words to no profit.
	Then there are the "Bible Calendar" proponents.  In rejecting the Hebrew Calendar preserved by the Jews, they falsely claim to be following the "Bible Calendar," keeping Holy Days on different dates than we do.  There is no Bible Calendar.  Again, these heretics go to secular history, rejecting what doesn't fit their preconceived theories, and purporting as fact their particular version of a "self observable calendar."  If there were such a thing as a Bible Calendar, supported by honest historical facts, one would think they would all come to the same conclusions and keep the same calendar.  Not so.  There is a real smorgasbord of "Bible calendars" from which to choose.
	Of all the Biblical Feasts and Holy Days, perhaps the Passover has been the most heretically abused of all.  Is it on the fourteenth or fifteenth day of the first sacred month?  Do we use grape juice, wine, or water?  Do we have to wash one another's feet?  Should it be called the Lord's Supper, Passover, Memorial Supper, or Love Feast? On and on the conflicting ideas go.  Naturally, all proponents of each conflicting position claim scriptural backing for their heresy. The most important evening of the year for the New Testament believer is one on which there is much disagreement among Sabbath keepers.  Continually we come across different aberrations of this basic and simple Messianic ordinance.  This year we were surprised to learn that one group even believes in keeping the ordinance in the early afternoon!  That's the abominable thing about heresies.  They never end, bubbling and boiling like a witch's brew.
	As for Pentecost, there are three, four or five different dates to "choose" from.  At least on this subject, most of the heretics are honest, admitting they count only forty-nine days, when the Bible clearly says to count fifty days.
	Last, but not least on the top five heresy best seller list is false prophecy.  It is impossible to defend Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong's modern day false prophecies.  Anyone who has access to older issues of The Plain Truth magazine, or Marion McNair's book, Armstrongism:  Religion or Ripoff?  has ample proof that many blatant false prophecies have been made.  Any student of the history of religion in America in the 1800's knows that there is a continual line of false prophets from Adventist William Miller to Judge Rutherford.  With the historical record of failed prophecies by well-meaning Bible preachers before us today, one would think that of all people, Sabbath keepers would avoid sticking their feet in their mouths and repeating such sins of lying prophets.
	There they go again! 
	There are popular Sabbath-keeping groups that almost exclusively proclaim prophecy.  When it fails, they go right on and proclaim a revised version of the same untruths.  Their followers seem to go right along.  Never mind teaching the flock how to walk closer to the Creator in this mad, mad hell-bent world.  Forget about husband-wife problems, problems with teenage children and the real life struggles of people striving to put food on their tables.  The important thing to these prophetic heretics is the universal price code, and the mark of the beast, 666, the Jubilee cycles, the inner workings of the Illuminati, and whether or not the Temple in Jerusalem will be re-built this year or next.  On the other side of the spectrum, many Sabbath keepers are influenced by another prophecy "expert" who claims that almost all Bible prophecy is already fulfilled, and we are now in the Millennium!  If this were true, I would feel like jumping off a cliff!
	Don't get me wrong, prophecy is an important part of the Bible.  None of the wicked will understand, Daniel 12:10, such as the divorced and "remarried" false prophets who are foremost in today's heretical prophetic thrust.  But the wise will understand, when it is the Eternal's time to reveal precise, exact, never failing predictions and interpretations of Bible prophecy, Amos 3:7.   Because of the gross false prophesying of many Sabbath keepers, I have tended to shy away from a serious study of prophecy in recent years.  This is something we must work to avoid.  It is important for us to study Bible prophecy, and let the Creator reveal to us its meaning.
	There is nothing new under the sun.  Sometimes we think we have heard a really new heresy.  Later study often proves it is only a rehash of an old idea.  Satan the Devil has no original ideas.

(5) Watering Down Sabbath
and Holy Days

	Certainly Sabbath keepers keep the Sabbath, don't they?  Don't many Sabbath-keeping groups also observe the Biblical Holy Days? Not without plenty of sins in this area as well.
	The principle of Sabbath-keeping is so wide that our human minds in this life can perhaps only grasp a small part of the totality of this awesomely significant Holy Time.  A future study is planned showing our limited understanding of how to keep the Sabbath Holy. The true Sabbath should bring us into the presence of the Heavenly Father.  Are we keeping a true sacred Sabbath?
	We have observed a general trend of watering down of holy Sabbath observance.  As the Sabbath goes, so goes our spiritual life.  Don't be like the church deacon we know.  He is a natural leader, a kind and friendly man, who with his wife are looked upon as leading members in a very conservative small Sabbath-keeping group.  They have been church members for many, many years.  Yet when this man's teenage son wanted to go play in a junior league baseball game on the Sabbath, the father drove him there himself.  He justified the Sabbath violation by saying that God was teaching his son a lesson by causing him to lose the ball game so that he would come to see that he should be keeping the Sabbath.  "But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God:  in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter . . . ."  Exodus 20:10.  Most newly baptized converts can see how to simply apply the Sabbath commandment.  It seems like the more years one keeps the Sabbath should make one more aware of the spiritual aspects of the Creator's Holy Day.  But this is not always the case.
	Each Sabbath is like a mini-Feast.  On Thursday night and Friday, we scurry around cleaning up the house, making it as spotless and clean as possible for the coming of the Sabbath.  A special meal and general merriment create a festive atmosphere.  Daddy plays with the children, not having to worry about going back to the grind on the morrow.  There is laughter, and sometimes music.  We stop from the hectic pace of our daily activities and appreciate each other and life.  We think about the Almighty and all of His wonderful blessings.  What a marvelous day!
	During the time of the disciples, the time of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread was the high point of the spiritual year, the most important and well-attended of the Three Annual Pilgrimage Feasts. Today, in some circles,  Passover is an "unpleasant" ritual to get over as quickly as possible.  For these who water down the truth, the only "Feast" is Tabernacles in the fall.  In their eyes, the Bible spring feast is merely the "Days" of Unleavened Bread.  The fall harvest of sumptuous feasts and parties is exaggerated to the point of a worldly vacation.  There is something spiritually wrong when the days depicting the Messiah's death for our sins, and our putting sin out of our lives are downgraded to minor importance.  Sin takes its toll when we neglect the Feast of Unleavened Bread which is to teach us to put out sin.

(6) Rejecting, or Not Rejecting, Fellowship

	"Give US this day OUR daily bread . . . forgive US OUR sins, as WE forgive others" is not poetic rhetoric.  The "Lord's Prayer" and many Bible passages show that fellowship, sharing among one another our successes, our failures andour trials, is an essential aspect of Christian life. 
	Today, however, there are a number of isolated individuals who are spiritual hermits.  They spurn Christian fellowship.  At a time when communication is necessary to their spiritual survival, they reject contact with brethren who believe the same doctrines they do.  Why?  The Bible warns us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, Hebrews 10:24-25.  Doing so leads to the unpardonable sin, verses 26-27.  Turned off by unpleasant contacts and problems, or whatever, some stay by themselves and are headed for spiritual trouble.
	Even among those who occasionally fellowship with others, there is a decided lack of enthusiasm for developing close contacts and friendships within the body of believers.  It takes work to make spiritual friends, Proverbs 18:24. Many individuals won't write letters to other brethren.  They won't call them or go out of their way to visit with them.  In the United States, it costs about twenty-five cents to send a first class letter of five pages.  American Telephone & Telegraph long distance rates have been reduced. Their "Reach Out America" plan allows a subscriber to telephone anywhere in the USA for one hour a month for the low monthly fee of about nine dollars, during weekends and evenings.  Additional hours are billed at similar low rates.  What excuse do we have not to have close contact with other brethren? 
	Rejecting fellowship has another aspect.  Ministers, who should be leaders and foremost in initiating fellowship and ministering to the flock, often do not visit the brethren either.  Here is a sad example:   An upstanding couple stopped attending Sabbath services, without giving any reason.  The "minister" said to the rest of the group he didn't know why they weren't at services.  The couple's house was near the route of the minister to and from Sabbath services.  He never stopped by for a visit to see what the problem was.  He never called them.  He never wrote them either as far as we know.  We visited them and found them to be withdrawing from all fellowship.  In a short while, they told us we were not welcome to come by for a Sabbath visit either.  These people weren't rejecting the Sabbath.  They were rejecting fellowship.  The so-called minister didn't care for them at all.
	Rejecting fellowship has many other aspects.  There are brethren who meet with other believers, yet are critical or uncaring of their brethren.  There are believers who meet with others who have beliefs radically different than they do.  They realize the need for fellowship, yet vainly attempt to fulfill this requirement by an unscriptural method.  You cannot experience true Christian fellowship by meeting with others with whom you have no basis for spiritual fellowship.  Can two walk together except they be agreed?  Amos 3:3.  NO!  You cannot  truly fellowship unless you meet with others of like mind, II Corinthians 6:14-18, Psalms 133:1-3.
	NOT rejecting fellowship when such action is demanded is just as bad, or worse, than rejection of fellowship altogether.  A little leaven leavens the whole lump.  If the ministry is corrupt, how righteous can the flock be?  Improper associations can corrupt the best of us.  This is a vital lesson of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
	As my father-in-law says in his North Carolina expression, "When we recognize sin, we need to get shut of it!"  This means we must get rid of it immediately, put it out right away.  Yet many people linger on in doctrinally corrupt organizations, when they know their church is corrupt!  May God help us to "get shut" of sin!

(7) Perverting and/or Neglecting Marriage and Family

	Marriage and family is the key doctrine of the Bible.  In today's Sabbath-keeping groups, this doctrine is horribly perverted.  Biblical family and married life is rarely practiced.
	Marriage is for life.  Churches of God have almost uniformly perverted scriptures such as Genesis 2:24, allowing divorce and remarriage contrary to the Bible.  Twisted human reasoning born out of physical lust and perverted minds have come up with all sorts of aberrant ideas supposedly allowing divorce and remarriage, interracial marriage, and even acceptance of homosexuality.  We are not talking about Protestants and Catholics.  We are talking about avowed Sabbath-keepers.
	One man said that "God didn't condemn David for marrying more than one wife.  So God allows a man to have more than one wife by divorcing and remarrying."  A  minister (falsely) claiming to be "conservative" says that "except it be for fornication" in Matthew 19:9 means "except it be for fraud or some other problem."  Thousands of Sabbath keepers condemned television evangelist Jim Bakker for his much publicized adultery.  Yet these same people are promoting adultery right in the church by accepting false divorce and remarriage teachings.
	Let's carry the marriage and family teaching one step further.  Suppose we do understand, as the Bible says, that marriage is for life, with no way out of a bound marriage.  How loving and caring are we in our marriages and families?  Here is where we all fall short.  We need to "focus on the family" and "turn our hearts toward home."
	The Sabbath, Tithing, Fellowship, and all the ways of the Eternal are important.  Butif we are not practicing the way of love in our families and marriages, we have missed the boat entirely.  A loving, growing relationship between husband and wife.  Children taught the truth, lovingly tended to by their parents.  This is what the Eternal wants for us.  Not marrying someone else.  Not neglecting the family by business and other pursuits.
	This is where I fall down worst of all.  I communicate with hundreds of people via correspondence through our Giving & Sharing service.  On my job as a computer applications consultant, I am constantly dealing with people in the Company I work for.  Yet all to often I don't communicate effectively with my wife and our three children.  They only get the "scraps off the table" of my time.  This is the most common  sin of men today.  It is a devastating sin.  May the Eternal help us men to repent.  We need His help to become the loving husbands and fathers we should be.
	Suppose you are divorced and struggling to raise a family alone?  Or maybe you have never married and can't seem to find the right mate?  Satan is bombarding you with thoughts of discouragement, and in many cases, wrong physical desires.  Do not yield to sin.  If you are divorced or separated from your true mate, do not yield to sin and remarry (which is adultery).  If you are eligible to marry, do not hastily rush into an ill-conceived union.  Sexual sins and lusts still plague many Sabbath keepers, both men and women.  Many ministers actually promote doctrines which encourage sexual sins.  We need to rid our lives of these sins.

The Laodicean Attitude

	These seven sins of today's church are all different facets of a certain attitude, or frame of mind.  We call it the "Laodicean Attitude."  It is a prevalent trend of this age.  Each of the seven characteristic sins of the church of this age show a lack of zeal for the truth, the trend to take the easy way out, the path of least resistance.  The majority have a "rich and increased with goods" attitude.
	In the Messiah's message to the seven churches of Asia Minor, the Church of Laodicea is mentioned last.  While these messages are applicable to each and every messianic believer throughout the ages, it is also true that the messages are chronological, cataloging the eras of the history of the true church.  The message to Laodicea describes the prevalent condition of the church at the very end time.  Those who deny this are ignoring the facts.
	The "Laodicean Attitude" is lackadaisical toward sin.  Laodiceans do not zealously get the sin out, pictured by the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  They are not blatant sinners, but are not too concerned about perfection.

Revelation 3:14-19  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

	Laodiceans are satisfied with the truth they have.  They falsely claim to be holding fast to the truth they were taught. They have watered down much truth they once had, yet they don't know it.
	In an attempt to obtain a more generous severance package, one minister initiated a lawsuit against his parent church from which he was disfellowshipped.   When my brother-in-law confronted him for this sin (I Corinthians 6:1-8), the minister angrily retorted, "I have nothing to repent of.  The lawyer made me do it!"  Laodiceans think they have no sin, nothing to repent of.  They are blind to their own sins.  Yet they claim to be the only ones having the truth, and that all others are evil.
	The Bible further describes Laodiceanism in Colossians 4:12-17.  Archippus, a Laodicean minister, was warned to be more diligent in his ministry.  Here is a man that typified the Laodicean attitude of laziness.  Lazy toward sin, not diligent enough to work on the self to get rid of sin.

The Non-Laodiceans

	Those who escape the "Laodicean Attitude" are those who zealously put sin out.
They don't idolize organizations and ministers.  They don't steal tithes nor give tithes to those who do.  They are growing in the knowledge of Bible health principles and faith and reliance upon the Almighty to heal.  They do not water down the Sabbath and Holy Days.  They don't reject fellowship.  They encourage and inspire the brethren.  As zealous believers, they don't fellowship with corrupt organizations and ministers preaching rank heresy.  And they haven't perverted the Bible doctrine of marriage and family.  They are growing into a more perfect union with their families and their Creator.  Non-Laodiceans see their own sins and zealously repent and get sin out of their lives.
	Revelation 14:12, "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."ê


Polluted Bread for Passover?

Whole Grain Passover Bread or Jewish Matzos? 

	For many years God's Church was very particular about the bread used at  the Passover Services.  Each year the 'Passover Bread' was carefully  made from the whole grain.  It was considered to be very important that the same recipe was meticulously followed year after year.  But in the past few years the Church has begun to use the Jewish matzos, which are "blessed" and proclaimed "kosher for the Passover service" by a rabbi.  These matzos are available in either whole wheat or white, but the Church uses the "official" white "Passover Bread."

Symbolism of Passover Bread

	The unleavened bread of which we partake during the Passover service is symbolic of the perfect, sinless body of Jesus Christ.  When this bread is broken during the service it represents His body being "broken" for us, I Corinthians 11:24; broken as a part of the sacrifice which reconciles us to God.  It is the physical part of that sacrifice:  "by His stripes ye are healed."  It is that part which is applied to our own bodies here and now -- in this life.  That part of the sacrifice of Christ which enable God to remove from us the physical penalties, which we incur in this life because of the transgression of His laws.  When we accept a small piece broken from this bread we are to remember the enormous price that was paid, that we might be reconciled to God:  "this do in remembrance of me," I Corinthians 11:24.
	Is the type of bread we use at the Passover service really all that important?  The entire service is only symbolic anyway, so what possible difference could it make to God whether we use white bread or whole wheat?
	It certainly seems as of it is important to God that this bread be free of any type of leavening.  If the composition of the bread -- in regard to leavening -- is that much of an issue with God, perhaps its composition matters to Him in other ways as well.  Let's see if the Bible has anything to say on this subject.  But first, briefly consider a few facts.
Blemished White Bread

	From the Book of Whole Grains, pages 14-15, we read:  "A grain of wheat is, first of all a seed.  The heart of the grain, so to speak, is the germ, or the embryo.  This is the part which, if the seed is planted, will develop into a new plant, and it is logically where most of the vitamins and minerals are stored.  The major portion of the seed, the endosperm, contains the gluten-forming proteins glutenin and gliaden, and starch food for the developing embryo.  Surrounding the endosperm is a layer of aleurone cells (another protein) and several layers of bran, covered by a thin husk.
	"Milling techniques have changed drastically since the first wheat kernels were ground into flour.  The earliest mills pulverized the germ right along with the endosperm, releasing the vitamin-rich wheat germ oil into the flour, coloring and flavoring it slightly.   Although this seems desirable to those of us seeking to improve the vitamin and mineral content of our food, it was not convenient to the grocer or baker, since wheat germ oil soon becomes rancid, and bags of flour left on the shelf will spoil.  The invention in the mid-nineteenth century of roller mills which separated the germ from the wheat kernel and allowed the germ to be sifted out was considered a great technological advance.
	"Later developments in milling have included screening out most of the bran along with the germ, blowing off any remaining bran or aleurone layers, and bleaching the remaining fine powder.  Since the flour resulting from these 'refinements' is depleted of most of its nutrients, not to mention fiber, modern nutritionists have had to be called upon to 'enrich' flour by putting a few vitamins and minerals back into their product."

Christ's Body Was Unblemished

	The lamb which was to represent Christ at the Passover service under the Old Covenant was to be without blemish, Exodus 12:5.  Would it be acceptable therefore for us to use a blemished bread as a symbol of Christ under the New Covenant -- which is a "better" covenant, with "better" promises -- or does it make any difference?
	In Leviticus 2:14, we read, "If you offer a grain offering of your firstfruits to the Lord, you shall offer . . . green heads of grain roasted on the fire, beaten from full heads" (NIV).
	Christ offered Himself without spot, Hebrews 9:14.  He is the first of the firstfruits.  He never sinned.  His body qualified to be offered as a sacrifice for our sins, which of itself proves it was unblemished.
	Deuteronomy 15:21 reads, "But if there is any defect in it, if it is lame or blind or has any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the Lord your God" (NIV).
	Throughout history bread has been known as the "staff of life."  It is this staple food which has supported the life and health of man for thousands of years.  When the grain is grown in the proper manner, in the proper soil the resulting bread is a perfect food, and well suited to represent the perfect body of Christ.

White Bread is a Deception

	However, milled white flour is not a perfect food.  When the Danish government banned the milling of grains during World War I, the death rate fell 34%.  During World War II, England experienced much the same results.  After similar findings, the United States government forced the milling companies to add enough nutrients (many of which were completely artificial) to the flour to at least allow for basic human survival.  But by doing this, they did not even begin to return the full two-thirds of the life-giving elements, which they had robbed from the grain in the first place.  In addition, some 30 chemicals were added to the flour -- but since it was unable to support the life of bacteria or insects no preservatives were needed.
	In a comparison of white flour to freshly ground whole wheat, 15 major nutrients plus trace elements were lost.  One hundred percent of the vitamin E was lost.  Of the remaining 14: seven lost over 74%, and seven lost over 50%.  These figures do not reflect the many vitamins and trace elements which were not considered in the study.  Twenty-two percent of the germ protein was lost, which is enough that the remaining protein will not support growth.
	Simply put:  White flour is a deception -- a lie!  It purports to be the "staff of life."  The milling companies claim it is just as good, or (incredibly) even better than whole wheat!  But the truth is, this mineral-deficient lifeless substance is directly responsible for a long list of deficiency diseases, and at least partially responsible for nearly all the sickness in the civilized world.
	Of all the foods eaten by man today, none could be said to be so perfectly symbolic of the mind and heart of Satan the Devil as white flour -- who is even himself "transformed as an angel of light. . . . ," II Corinthians 11:14!
	Remember how Satan promised Eve, " . . .  Ye shall not surely die."  But she did die.  And her husband died.  And her children died.  And mankind has been sick and dying ever since.  He deceived her.  Instead of life, as he promised, his way has brought pain, misery and death to all mankind.

Christ the Bread of Life

	Christ also promised life to men, John 10:10, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."  Christ says He is the true Manna, "the Bread of Life," John 6:35.  Israel lived on manna (the bread from God) for nearly 40 years, yet laboratory rats cannot live on white flour for 40 days!  The life of rats fed a diet of white flour is filled with pain and suffering and ends in premature death.
Malachi and Leviticus Settle It

	If you add to all this the fact that the "kosher" Passover bread has been blessed by rabbis (descendants of the very ones who killed the Bread of Life in the first place), we believe it begins to make a strong case against the use of this bread for the Passover service.
	Now consider Malachi 1:6-7:  "A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master:  if then I be a father, where is mine honour?  and if I be a master, where is my fear?  saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O Priests, that despise my name.  And ye say, wherein have we despised thy name?  Ye offer POLLUTED BREAD upon mine altar; and ye say wherein have we polluted thee?  In that ye say the table of the LORD is contemptible."
	Leviticus 22:21-25 further amplifies God's displeasure for an attitude of contempt toward an offering:  "And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the Lord to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep It shall be perfect to be accepted, there shall be no blemish therein.  Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen, or scurvy, or scabbed, ye shall not offer these unto the LORD, nor make an offering by fire of them upon the altar unto the LORD. Either a bullock or a lamb that hath anything superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer for a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.  Ye shall
not offer unto the LORD that which is bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut; neither shall ye make any offering thereof in your land.  Neither from a stranger's hand shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these; because their corruption is in them, and blemishes be in them: they shall not be accepted for you."

Importance of Using Proper Symbols

	If white matzos were the only thing available, perhaps we could understand why the Church would use them.  But since it is a very simple matter to obtain a proper bread to symbolize the perfect body of our Savior at the Passover service, why not use a proper bread?
	Is the symbolism surrounding the Passover service important to God?  We believe the scriptures here presented prove that it is.  In light of these facts, how can God's Church continue to use this deceptive, emaciated, emasculated, hurtful substance -- which has been blessed by a false religious leader -- to represent the torn and shredded body of the Son of God, our Savior -- our Passover -- who was sacrificed for us?  Can we, now, continue to take this white bread with a clear conscience?  "And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith:  for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."

-- written by Ed Bursonê





Passover Bread Recipe
by Loma Armstrong


Yield:  500 servings for Passover


Ingredients:

		4 cups freshly ground whole wheat pastry flour
		1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
		3 tablespoons real butter
		2 tablespoons oil mixed in 1 cup water


Directions:

Sift flour and measure.  Add salt, sift again, or stir thoroughly (in a food processor, if available).  Cut butter into small pieces and add to flour after each cut (or cut in with a pastry cutter).  Add oil and water to flour (while running processor).  Mix until it forms a ball of dough that comes away from the side of the bowl.  Knead lightly on floured board 1 minute to a smooth ball.  Lightly flour the bowl again.  Pinch 1 cup dough and flatten, then roll as thin as possible.  Roll it until it just holds together without breaking when pulled.  Place the rolled dough on an ungreased sheet and make one cut so the pieces may conveniently fit on the serving plate.  Bake 8-10 minutes in a preheated oven at 3500 until puffy and lightly browned.

Instructions for Use:

Depending on the number taking Passover, set aside a reasonable amount for the Passover service.  Use the remainder for ordinary bread during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.ê



Let a Man Examine Himself

	In giving instructions to the Corinthians regarding the observance of the Passover ordinance, Paul said, "Let a man examine himself."  What did he mean by this?  How  should we examine ourselves prior to taking the Passover?
	There are, to be sure, many areas in our lives where we can examine ourselves in the light of God's Word, to see if we measure up to the name "Christian."  We may want to examine ourselves as a husband or wife, as a mother or father to our children, as an employee to our employer, or an employer to those who work for us.  We could examine ourselves within the context of our neighborhood -- are we someone that people like to be near?  We can examine ourselves by the mirror of God's law -- going down each of the Ten Commandments, reflecting and meditating on our daily lives, to see where we may fall short and miss the mark.
	Then there is the "tongue" -- that little member, as James wrote,  that can be a fire, a "world of iniquity" and can indeed be as he  said, "an unruly evil -- full of deadly poison," James 3:6, 8.   Yes, we can examine ourselves in the light of what James said  about the tongue, and see if we more often than not "put our mouth into gear before our brain," as people often say about those who speak before they think.
	Are the words that come out of your mouth woven with the threads of love, kindness, patience, concern, joy, and understanding, or are they laced with harshness, impatience, vaulted vanity, and sprinkled with cutting sarcasm?
	Do we jump into arguments at the "drop of a hat"?  If someone has said something about us we don't think they should have said, are we like a bullet from a gun -- fast to action in verbal diatribe and castigation to "get even" with that person?  Do we tend to dominate all conversation we enter into with others?
	Do we jump to fast conclusions about something we only partly see or hear, and start spreading false rumors and stories around to all that will listen?
	Oh yes, there are so many ways this little member of ours can be "an unruly evil -- full of deadly poisons," if we do not restrain it.
	We can examine ourselves in how much TV we watch each week, and what KIND of TV we decide to view.  How do we guide our children in their viewing of "the built-in baby sitter" as the TV has been called?
	Maybe you want to examine yourself in Sabbath Keeping.  Is the Sabbath a delight and a joy to you, or do you just endure it, drifting through its hours, hardly able to wait for the sun to go down so you can "do your thing"?
	You're feeling pretty good about the aforementioned examination topics -- the doctor is giving you a clean bill of health so far. You're in "good shape" as they say.
	Well, let's see now.  You could see how you stack up against the BIG "3" (as some like to call them) -- Bible Study, Prayer, and Meditation.
	Do you read and study your Bible as you, maybe, once studied, in those days of "first love" -- when you were discovering what the Bible REALLY said (and not what people said it said) was so EXCITING and thrilling?
	Can you still get ENTHUSIASTIC over discovering something new in God's word, something you had never seen quite that way before?  I'm not talking about LARGE foundational truths and doctrines that you have already discovered and been enthusiastic over, but those small things that just keep popping out at you as you read the Word.  Let me give you an example.
	For years and years, and more years, I have read many times the words of Jesus, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom," Luke 12:32.  One day as I was looking in one of the Bible Commentaries in my library, looking for something else at the time, I discovered a comment about the words "little flock."  It is what is called in the Greek, a double diminutive.  In the English language we would write it something like, "little, little flock," or, "very little flock."
	Now this discovery was not earth-shattering -- it did not change any large foundational doctrine of God -- it did not change the way I should live.  It was just a bit of knowledge about a few words of the Bible that I did not have before.  Yet I got excited over finding that small truth.  God's Word is ever full of such discoveries, no matter how long you've been reading it.
	If you have passed with a reasonably good mark on the big three, then you could try the "fasting" examination.  Does a year go by and you come to the Day of Atonement only to realize you didn't have a spiritual fast on any day since the last Day of Atonement?
	How about "service to others"?  Did you, since you last took stock to examine yourself to see if you were "in the faith," SERVE someone -- HELP someone -- GIVE to someone of your time, talent, encouragement, condolence, or perhaps give of your physical money, food, or goods to those in need?
	Did you send a card to some person -- maybe for their wedding anniversary, perhaps a "get well card" to someone with a chronic illness, or an individual who finds themselves in the hospital for one reason or another?
	The apostle John was inspired to write, "By this we come to know -- progressively to recognize, to perceive, to understand the [essential] love: that He laid down His [own] life for us; and we ought to lay [our] lives down for [those who are our] brothers [in Him]," 1 John 3:16, Amplified Bible.
	The Greek "to lay" in the sentence, "to lay down our lives for the brethren," is in the PRESENT tense, meaning, "and we ought to be continually laying down our lives for the brethren."
	How do we continually lay down our lives for others?  John goes on to answer in verses 17 and 18.  "But if any one has this world's goods -- resources for sustaining life -- and sees his brother and fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him?  Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech, but in deed and truth -- in practice and in sincerity," Amplified Bible.
	If we are serving our fellow man in whatever way and with whatever means are at our disposal, then John tells us in verse 19, we can know we are of the truth.

More Examinations

	The same apostle, John, also wrote, " . . . He who does not love abides -- remains, is held and kept continually -- in [spiritual] death.  Any one who (abominates, detests) hates his brother [in Christ] is [at heart] a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding (persevering) within him," I John 3:14-15, Amplified Bible.
	Is there someone -- a relative, neighbor, co-worker, church brother or sister -- whom you detest, abhor, and plain hate at heart?  I do not mean you detest or hate their sins, but you despise them as a person.
	Do you have a grudge against someone -- a "bone to pick" with them?  Someone has "done you wrong" or you have done them wrong and you know it.  Maybe you must examine yourself along these lines, and get your heart cleaned up by God's spirit washing away your hate.  Maybe you must do what Jesus taught in Matthew 18:15 and Luke 17:1-4.
	Many of us -- hopefully ALL of us -- can do what must be done to try and heal friendships.  We can "clear the air" -- we can forgive or ask for forgiveness from a friend or relative or Church acquaintance, but what about an ENEMY?
	What about that individual who is a sworn enemy of yours?  He is going to hate you "till hell freezes over" as the saying is.  He despises not only how you think, how you live, what you say, but he or she just hates YOU -- as a person.
	How do you measure up in your attitude and in your actions towards that kind of fellow?
	You can examine yourself on this point with the light and teaching of Christ as found in Luke 6:27-29.
	Let's get down to examining ourselves in the context and environment of "Church services and fellowship."
	Oh, we may have nobody we hate or even dislike per se, but are we "cliquish" (only talking to and fellowshipping with, week after week, those with whom we have a natural affinity). Certain types of personalities are naturally drawn to each other, and this is not necessarily wrong.  But if you find you cannot, or do not, over a period of time, talk to all and everyone within your group -- if you find it hard to go and greet the new-comer -- if you find you are completely content with the "niche" you have carved for yourself in the body of Christ, to the exclusion of all others, then it's time to do an examination of yourself -- to see if you are in the faith.
	Do you tend to be a complainer?  You feel "nothin's bein' done right" as far as the church group goes.  Maybe you gripe about this or gripe about that.  When the floor is open to suggestions or comments, are you the first to stand and complain about something?  Sure there is a time and place for constructive criticism, but if that's all that comes out of your mouth -- criticism -- then an examination on you part is called for, before others do it for you.
	It is much better to examine ourselves than to have God or others do it for us.
	Let's be willing to examine ourselves on how we accept sermonettes or sermons.  Do we "nit pick" on a continuous basis?  Trying to poke holes in what was said -- disagreeing with every sentence uttered -- finding fault with the delivery, inflection of voice, arm or hand gestures, etc., etc.
	True, we are not to be "dumb sheep" just leaving our minds at the door and letting someone else do our thinking for us.  On the other hand we should not let the pendulum swing all the way to the other side either, and become a chronic critic.
	Maybe you do not belong to a "clique" nor have you carved a niche in your "comfortable pew" (as one book was called that came out in complaint about lazy comfortable Christians) in services, but do you show favoritism?  You like this or that person more than others because they drive the same car as you -- the "only car worth having" as far as you are concerned.  Or, they like the same music that you like, or they dress in your view like the "cat's me-ow."
	Perhaps it's the job they have, the position they hold in the community, or any number of other things this or that person has, that makes you show favor to them above others.
	For those who are "up front" leaders in services, such as deacons, deaconesses, song leaders, announcement persons, or Sabbath-school teachers -- do you show favoritism in different ways?  If you are song leader, do you always ask the same two or three people to open and close with prayer, when you know there are many others who can do it also, and would like to do it from time to time?  That is favoritism!
	Your group has the blessing of a keyboard player for the song service.  You have the added blessing of having more than one keyboard player in your services.  Do you share their talents, giving them all a chance to play, if they are willing to do so?  I have experienced some churches and fellowship groups that have that blessing of more than one pianist, yet only one is chosen or asked to play, and the roof will fall in before anyone else gets the job, even if the regular player can not make it to services for some reason.  Everybody has to try and sing "a cappella" (without instrumental accompaniment) while the other pianists sit there never being asked to serve.  This is also favoritism.
	And favoritism of any kind is wrong, brethren.  It is sin -- it misses the mark.  James was inspired to clearly tell us so, in the book that bears his name, chapter 2 and verses 1-9.
	Do you have a particular "minister of the gospel" that you idolize?  A man you would do anything for, even commit suicide for, or lie for, or even kill for.
	Many in recent times have done some of those very things. For a man they, unknowingly and not with planned forethought perhaps (but did nevertheless), came to worship as if he was God's infallible servant in word and deed.  Do you remember "Jonestown"?  For those of you who do not, maybe your public library carries the book.
	You think this cannot happen in God's church.  Wrong!  It happened right at the beginning -- within 70 years of the start of the New Testament Church.  People began to follow people -- men began to have their "minister" idols.  It's recorded for us.  Read about it in I Corinthians 1:12-13. This too is a sin!
	There are so many areas of our lives we could put under the magnifying glass of self-examination, that a whole book could be written on the subject.  Probably someone somewhere, has done just that -- written a book on the topic of self-examination.  Certainly God's Word examines us if we will let it.

Search Me, Oh God

	This was the attitude of David (a man after God's own heart) in Psalm 139:23.  He cried out for God to search him, to know his heart, to know even his thoughts.  He wanted God to see if there was any wicked way in him.
	This is the attitude of a truly converted person -- someone who desires to be shown his error, his sins of heart and mind -- sins of OMISSION as well as sins of COMMISSION.  This is the attitude of someone who is willing to examine him or her self through the light of God's Word and Spirit.
	Jeremiah also cried out to God and said, "O LORD, correct me, but with judgment, not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing,"  Jeremiah 10:24.
	You will notice that Jeremiah was very wise in his asking to be examined; he asked God not to do it in anger.  A good lesson for all of us to learn, for who would want to fall into the hands of an angry God?
	Notice the verse previous to the one quoted above in Jeremiah 10.  It is telling us that man, by himself, without the help of God, cannot properly and clearly direct the true way he should live, speak, or think. He may be able to see that stealing, or murder, or rape, is not good for society, but can he see where the very thought of wanting to do these things is wrong?  Can he see that publishing magazines of nude men or women for people to lust over in their minds, is sin?  Can he see that to hate someone in your heart is wicked?  By and large, mankind does not see these things as evil.  Overall, he cannot direct his steps himself.  If he could, the world would not have all the pain, troubles, crime, wars, and sickness it has.  He would be able to make his own utopia and God would not have to send Jesus Christ back to this earth to show mankind the way in which he should walk.
	Do you want God to look upon you as He did David?  What must you do for God to look upon you with favor?  There are a number of things the word tells us we must do -- two of them are found in Isaiah 66:2, " . . . but to THIS MAN will I look, even to him that is poor and of a CONTRITE SPIRIT, and TREMBLETH at My word."
	We are to be humble, teachable in spirit, and to deeply respect with an obedient heart, the Word of God.  And, part of God's word says we are to EXAMINE OURSELVES!
	J. B. Phillips translated II Corinthians 13:5 this way: "You should be looking at yourselves to make sure that you are really Christ's.  It is yourselves that you should be testing . . . . You ought to know by this time that Christ is in you, unless you are not real Christians at all."
	Our heavenly Father wants us to examine OURSELVES -- to willfully take the time to ask for guidance through the Holy Spirit in showing us our sins -- to see where we fall short as we look into God's mirror -- as we read and study and meditate on His law and word.
	He wants us to learn and be corrected through others.  To learn and be corrected by sermonettes, sermons, and articles we read -- through the experiences and errors that others have made who went before, and who can now help us not make the same mistake.
	God wants US -- you and me -- to judge and examine OURSELVES.  He does not want to directly do it for us.  That would only bring His chastening upon us.
	Just as a physical parent does not want to meter out punishment of various kinds, upon his or her child, for them to learn the way to go, but wants the child to listen and obey his words, to examine himself, so as to avoid punishment.  Likewise, our Heavenly Father wants the same with His sons and daughters.
	But if His children will not examine themselves to see if they be in the faith, then with loving concern, He must step in and chasten them, in order that they not perish with the world.
	"For if we searchingly examined ourselves -- detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition -- we should not be judged and penalty decreed [by the divine judgment].  But when we [fall short and] are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined and chastened so that we may not (finally) be condemned (to eternal punishment along) with the world," I Corinthians 11:31-32, Amplified Bible.
	There is probably no better time to have personal introspection than at the Passover season.  We are admonished by the Apostle Paul: "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup," I Corinthians 11:28.

--written by Keith Huntê


Passover and 
Feast of Unleavened Bread Quizz



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______________________________
A
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nswers to the following quiz are at the end of of this section.  Try this test  "closed book."  If you cannot determine the answers, then check your  Bible or concordance, as well as other articles in Biblical Holy Days.

Matching -- Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread

1.  10th day first month
2.  14th day first month
3.  15th day first month
4.  21st day first month
5.  14th day second month
6.  Aaron
7.  Abib
8.  at evening, sunset, end of day
9.  Goshen
10. hyssop
11. Jannes & Jambres
12. leaven
13. lintel and two side door posts
14. morning
15. new wine
16. night
17. Passover
18. Passover, wrongly translated 
	"Easter" in Acts 12:4
19. Pilgrimage Feast
20. sheaf, Lev. 23:10-12
21. strong drink, Dt. 14:26
22. twilight, after sunset, before dark
23. unleavened bread
24. unleavened bread & bitter herbs
25. wine

__	a.	used to spread Passover blood on doorposts, Ex. 12:22
__	b.	Passover lamb selected, Ex. 12:3
__	c.	to be eaten with OT Passover, Ex. 12:8
__	d.	where Passover blood was put as a mark, Ex. 12:7,22
__	e.	passing over of death angel, Ex. 12:27
__	f.	"green ears" also called Nisan, Ex. 12:1, 13:4, Esther 3:7
__	g.	last Holy Day of Feast of Unleavened Bread, Lev. 23:6-8
__	h.	area of Egypt where Israel lived, Ex. 8:22
__	i.	Pharaoh's top magicians, II Tim. 3:8, Ex. 7:11
__	j.	second Passover, Num. 9:1-14
__	k.	Moses' brother, Ex. 7:1-2
__	l.	yayin, fermented grape juice, symbolic of Messiah's shed blood
__	m.	ba erev, Lev. 23:32, Ex. 12:18 
__	n.	Greek pascha, Strong's #3957
__	o.	omer, Strong's #6016, 7 pints
__	p.	se'or, Strong's #7603, or chametz, Strong's 2557 
__	q.	matztzah, Strong's #4682, Lev 23:6
__	r.	shekar, Strong's #7941, Dt. 14:26
__	s.	ben ha arbayim, Ex. 12:6      
__	t.	boqer or boker, Strong's #1242, Ex. 12:22
__	u.	layil, Strong's #3915, Ex. 12:31 
__	v.	pesach, Strong's #6453, Ex. 12:11 
__	w.	day Israel left Egypt, by night, Ex. 12:40-42, Lev. 23:6-7, Num. 33:3, Dt. 16:1
__	x.	tirosh, Strong's #8492, Judges 9:13
__	y.	chag, Strong's #2282, and our article "Feast Days or Holy Days," section 2.2, Dt. 16:16
True-False Questions

__	1.	Only Israelites were freed from Egyptian bondage.  Exodus 12:37-38.
__	2.	Anyone who ate leavened bread during the Feast of Unleavened Bread was "cut off" from Israel.  Exodus 23:15.
__	3.	We are to teach the significance of the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread to our children.  Exodus 12:25-27, 13:14-15.
__	4.	Israel left Egypt the same night Egypt's firstborn were slain.  Exodus 12:22, 42, Numbers 33:3.
__	5.	Lots of people kept the Old Testament Passover together in large meeting halls.  Exodus 12:3-4. 
__	6.	At least 1-2 million Israelites were freed from Egyptian slavery.  Exodus 12:37.
__	7.	The exodus fell exactly 430 years after an important Old Testament event.  Exodus 12:40-41 (Genesis 17).


Biblical Chronology of Passover Observance

1.	The following scriptures are a chronological list of Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread observance.  Tell who kept the Passover Feast, and where they kept it. Put an asterisk (*) next to the verse when the Second Passover was kept.

Scripture				Who				Where
Exodus 12			_______________		___________________
Numbers 9:1-14		_______________		___________________
Joshua 5:10-11		_______________		___________________
II Chronicles 8:13		_______________		___________________
II Chronicles 30:13, 21	_______________		___________________
II Kings 23:21-23 and
II Chronicles 35:17	_______________		___________________
Ezra 6:19-22		_______________		___________________
Luke 2:40-43		_______________		___________________
John 2:13-25, 6:4		_______________		___________________
Matthew 26, Mark 14,
Luke 22, John 13		_______________		___________________
Acts 12:1-5			_______________		___________________
Acts 20:6			_______________		___________________


2.	Using the following scrambled activities, set up an agenda for observance of the Christian Passover.  Put an asterisk (*) by the three most important activities.  (Some activities may be repeated during the service.)

a. hymn from Psalms, b. wine, c. private prayer and meditation, d. footwashing, e. unleavened bread, f. scripture reading, g. brief public prayer, h. dismissal. 
Your answer:	________________________________________________

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Matching -- People of the Crucifixion

1.  Joseph of Arimathaea
2.  Pontius Pilate
3.  Thomas
4.  Peter
5.  Judas Iscariot
6.  Barabbas
7.  Mary Magdalene
8.  Herod (Antipas)
9.  Simon a Cyrenian
10. Lazarus
11. Centurion
12. Salome
13. Malchus
14. Nicodemas
15. John the Apostle
16. Caiaphas
17. Mary, mother of Jesus
__	a.	betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, Mat. 26:14-16
__	b.	Jewish High Priest, Mat. 26:57
__	c.	tetrarch of Galilee, Luke 3:1
__	d.	Roman officer in charge of crucifixion, Mk. 15:39,44-45
__	e.	carried stake for Jesus, Mk. 15:21
__	f.	prepared Jesus' body for burial with 100 lbs. myrrh & aloes, John 19:38-40
__	g.	the disciple Jesus loved, beat Peter in race to empty tomb of Jesus, John 20:1-4
__	h.	brother of Mary & Martha, resurrected by Jesus, Jn. 11:1-46
__	i.	mother of James and John, Mat. 4:21, 27:56, Mark 15:40
__	j.	a robber and murderer, released instead of Jesus, John 18:39-40, Mark 15:7
__	k.	Roman governor of Judaea, Lk. 3:1
__	l.	denied Christ 3 times, Lk. 22:61
__	m.	Jesus entrusted John to care
for this person, Jn. 19:25-27
__	n.	asked Pilate for body of Jesus,
Mat. 27:57-58, Jn. 19:38
__	o.	first person to see empty tomb, and resurrected Jesus, Mark 16:9
__	p.	wouldn't believe Jesus had
been resurrected until he saw
it for himself, Jn. 20:24-25
__	q.	high priest's servant, Peter
cut off his ear, Jn. 18:10
Fill in the Blanks

1.	Early New Testament believers were called Quartodecimans because they kept the Christian Passover on the __________ day of the first month.

2.	Moses told Pharaoh, "Thus saith the Lord, 'Let my ______ go, that they may _____ me . . . . that they may hold a _____ unto me in the _________'."  Exodus 3:18, 4:22-23, 5:1, 3, 8, 17, 7:16, 8:1, 8, 20, 9:1,13, 10:3, 7-9, 11, 24-25, 12:31

3.	What kind of animal could be used for the Lord's Passover sacrifice?  "Your ____ shall be without _______, a ____ of the _____ year:  ye shall take it out from the _____, or from the _____." Exodus 12:5

4.	"Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole ____?  Purge out therefore the ___ ______, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.  For even Christ our ________ is sacrificed for us:  Therefore let us keep the _____, not with ___ ______, neither with the leaven of ______ and __________; but with the __________ bread of _________ and _____."  I Corinthians 5:6-8


Multiple Choice

Circle the correct answer:

1.	When God told Israel in Egypt not to go out of their houses on Passover until the morning, Exodus 12:22, He meant:  a. they could leave their houses any time after midnight, b. if Pharaoh ordered them to go, they could leave immediately, c. they could not leave their houses until daybreak, d. none of the above.

2.	The term "Feast of Unleavened Bread" is used about 14  times in the Bible, whereas "Days of Unleavened Bread" is used two times.  This indicates that:  a. Feast of Unleavened Bread is the better term, because it is a Pilgrimage Feast, b. We should use the term "Days of Unleavened Bread" because it is not a Pilgrimage Feast like Tabernacles, c. "Days of Unleavened Bread" is a mistranslation,  d. a. and c. are both correct.

3.	What did Messiah mean when He said, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees" Matthew 16:6- 12?  a.  their hearts were puffed up like leaven, b.  beware of their false doctrine, c.  they kept the correct day for Pentecost and Passover, d.  all of the above.

4.	In the New Testament, leaven is shown to be like:  a.  the Kingdom of Heaven, b.  false doctrine, c.  malice and wickedness, d.  all of the above. See Matthew 13:33, 16:6-12, Luke 13:20-21, I Corinthians 5:6-8.

5.	Which of the following are Pilgrimage Feasts?  a. Weeks (Pentecost, Harvest),  b. New Moons,  c. Sabbath,  d. Unleavened Bread,  e. Trumpets, f. Tabernacles,  g. Atonement,  h. all of the above.  See Ex. 23:14-17, 34:18-23, Deut. 16:16, II Chron. 8:13.


Matching -- Places of the Crucifixion

1.	Emmaus
2.	Bethany
3.	Palace
4.	Potter's Field, or Field of Blood
5.	Judgment Seat or Hall of Judgment, Pavement (Gabbatha)
6.	Praetorium or Common Hall
7.	Golgotha, or Place of the Skull
8.	Guestchamber, large upper room
9.	Garden of Gethsemane
10.	Garden Sepulcher, Tomb
11.	Sea of Tiberias
12.	Jerusalem





__	a.	Roman soldiers mocked and beat Jesus, here, Mat. 27:27,  Mark 15:16-20
__	b.	Jesus prayed here and was betrayed, Mat. 26:36, John 18:1-2
__	c.	Jesus told his disciples to wait here for the Holy Spirit, Luke 24:49
__	d.	two disciples met Jesus on road to this city, 7-8 miles from Jerusalem, Lk. 24:13-35
__	e.	Passover kept here, Mark 14:12,14; Luke 22:11-12
__	f.	place of crucifixion, Mat. 27:33
__	g.	2 miles from Jerusalem, home of Lazarus, Jesus stayed here, John 11:1, 18 
__	h.	High Priest's home, Mat.
26:58, John 18:15
__	i.	Peter caught 153 fish here,
John 21:1,11
__	j.	where Pilate tried Jesus, Mat.
27:2, 19, John 18:28, 19:13
__	k.	near Golgotha, John 19:41-42
__	l.	bought with 30 pieces of silver
that Judas returned, Mat. 27:3-10


Plagues of Egypt

In Exodus, find and list the ten plagues the Almighty brought upon the Egyptians.  Place an asterisk (*) next to the plagues that the Egyptian magicians 







could duplicate.  Place a double asterisk (**) next to the first plague in which the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived, was spared.  Place three asterisks (***) next to the plague that finally led to Israel's exodus from Egyptian bondage.


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Who Said This?

1.	__________"Behold the Lamb of God!"  John 1:36
2.	__________"It is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not."  John 11:49-50
3.	__________"Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely."  Mark 14:44
4.	__________"My kingdom is not of this world." John 18:36
5.	__________"I am innocent of the blood of this just person."  Mat. 27:24
6.	__________"Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Mark 14:61
7.	__________"I know not this man of whom ye speak." Mark 14:70-71
8.	__________"He saved others; himself he cannot save." Mark 15:31
9.	__________"Father, forgive them;  for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34
10.	__________"Lord, remember me when  thou comest into thy kingdom." Luke 23:42, Mark 15:27
11.	__________"Truly this man was the Son of God!"  Mark 15:39
12.	__________"Be not affrighted:  Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him." Mark 16:6
13.	__________"Peace be unto you." John 20:21, 26
14.	__________"Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe." John 20:24-25
15.	__________"I go a fishing." John 21:3
16.	__________"Feed my sheep." John 21:17


Fill in the Blanks -- Crucifixion

1.	Jesus prophesied that He would be   _____   days and  _____ nights in the heart of the earth, Matthew 12:40.

2.	When Jesus resurrected _______  from the dead, this miracle caused a great stir and led directly to the Pharisees' plot to kill Jesus, John 11:41-54.
3.	The Chief Priests and Scribes didn't try to kill Jesus openly because they feared the _________, Matthew 21:45-46, 26:3-5, Luke 22:2,6.

4.	_____ followed instructions of the Jewish religious authorities, who encouraged conspiracy, Matthew 26:14-16, John 11:53-57

5.	The High Priest found Jesus  guilty of _________, and sentenced Him to _____, Matthew 26:63-66.

6.	There must have been ____ soldiers who crucified Jesus and the others. The soldiers parted His clothes seamless coat by casting ____, Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34, John 19:23.

7.	Jesus was put on the stake at the _____ hour, which is about ____ in the morning.  There was darkness from the _____ hour until the _____ hour, that is, from ____ to _____ P.M., Mark 15:25, 33.

8.	At the ninth hour, Jesus cried,  "Eli, Eli (or Eloi, Eloi), Lama Sabachthani?", which means, "____________________________________________________ ________________________________?" Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34.

9.	The ____ asked Pilate to speed up the death of those being crucified by breaking their ____, so that the bodies could be removed and buried before the _______, which was a special day called a ____ ___, John 19:31.

10.	When Jesus died, He exclaimed, ____________________________, Luke 23:46, John 19:30.

11.	______ of Arimathaea and _________ prepared Jesus' body for burial and placed it in a ___ tomb owned by ______.  ______ rolled a stone across the sepulcher.  Matthew 27:57-60, John  19:38-40.

12.	Two disciples on their way to Emmaus were met by the resurrected Jesus.  They didn't recognize Him until He _____ _____, Luke 24:13-35.

13.	When Jesus appeared to the disciples behind closed doors, He showed His wounds, and ate ______ ____ and _________, Luke 24:36- 43.


New Testament Relatives

	Father		Mother	Sons			Verses

1.Zebedee		______	_____ and _____Mat. 4:21, 27:56, Mk. 15:40

2.	God 		______	N/A			Mat. 1:1-16, Lk. 3:22-38

3.	________	Mary*	_____ and _____, 
						_____ and _____	Mat. 13:55, Mk. 6:3
4.	The brothers of Simon of Cyrene were _____ and _____	Mk. 15:21.

5.	*This Mary's sister's name was ____, the wife of _______, Luke 24:18, John 19:25.

6.	Simon Peter's brother was named ______, Matthew 4:18.

7.	The sisters of Lazarus were ____ and ______, John 11:1-3.

8.	History says that ______ __ __________ was an uncle of Jesus.

9.	John the Baptist was the ____________ of Jesus, Luke 1:36.



Sacred Calendar

1.	Give the season of the year for the following  New Moon Crescents:

a.	right crescent		_______________
b.	top crescent		_______________
c.	bottom crescent	_______________
d.	left crescent		_______________

2.	At Passover and the first Holy Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which phase is the moon in?  (new moon, first quarter, full moon or last quarter) 					_______________

3.	How many days does Abib have? _____


Searching for Leaven

You are going to "de-leaven" your house in preparation for the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  Circle the following products which should be removed from your premises: 

a.  baking powder,  b.  soda crackers,  c.  soda pop,   d.  bicarbonate of soda,  e.  raised breads and crackers,  f.  beer,  g.  angel food cake,  h.  sourdough,  i.  pasta,  j.  brewer's yeast,  k.  yogurt,  l.  wine,  m.  crumbs from the toaster and vacuum cleaner bag,  n.  lemon meringue pie,  o.  baking yeast.




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ANSWERS

Matching -- Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread  10a, 1b, 24c, 13d, 2e, 7f, 4g, 9h, 11i, 5j, 6k, 25l, 8m, 18n, 20o, 12p, 23q, 21r, 22s, 14t, 16u, 17v, 3w, 15x, 19y


True-False Questions  F1, T2, T3, F4, F5, T6, T7


Biblical Chronology of Passover and Unleavened Bread Observance 1.  (1)  Exodus 12, Israel, Egypt; (2)  Numbers 9:1-5, 6-14*, Israel, wilderness of Sinai; (3) Joshua 5:11* (2nd Passover by scriptural evidence see "The Plain Truth About Pentecost" by Church of God, The Eternal), Israel, plains of Gilgal before Jericho; (4)  II Chronicles 8:13, King Solomon & Israel, Jerusalem; (5)  II Chronicles 30:13,21*, King Hezekiah & Judah, plus some from northern Israel, Jerusalem; (6)  II Chronicles 35:17, II Kings 23:21-23, King Josiah and Judah, Jerusalem; (7)  Ezra 6:19-22, Ezra and Jews returned from captivity, Jerusalem; (8)  Luke 2:40-43, young Jesus and His parents, Jerusalem; (9)  John 2:13-25, 6:4 Jesus during His ministry, Jerusalem; (10)  Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 13, Jesus and disciples at Last Supper, Jerusalem; (11)  Acts 12:1-5, Peter and NT church, Jerusalem;  (12) Acts 20:6, Luke and his party, Philippi.

2.  1c, 2g, 3f, 4d*, 5f, 6g, 7e*, 8f, 9g, 10b*, 11f, 12a, 13h, 14c


Plagues of Egypt  *1. rivers turned to blood, *2. frogs, 3. lice, **4. flies (stinging flies), 5. murrain (livestock plague), 6. boils, 7. thunder, hail with fire (meteorites), 8. locusts, 9. darkness three days, ***10. death of firstborn.


Matching -- People of the Crucifixion  5a, 16b, 8c, 11d, 9e, 14f, 15g, 10h, 12i, 6j, 2k, 4l, 17m, 1n, 7o, 3p, 13q


Fill in the Blanks  1  fourteenth; 2  people, serve, feast, wilderness;   3  lamb, blemish, male, first, sheep, goats;  4  lump, old leaven, Passover, Feast, old leaven, malice, wickedness, unleavened, sincerity, truth.


Multiple Choice  1c, 2a, 3b, 4d, 5adf


Matching -- Places of the Crucifixion 6a, 9b, 12c, 1d, 8e, 7f, 2g, 3h, 11i, 5j, 10k, 4l


Who Said This?  1 John the Baptist, 2 Caiaphas, 3 Judas, 4 Jesus, 5 Pilate, 6 High Priest, 7 Peter, 8 Chief Priests and Scribes, 9 Jesus, 10 Thief on Cross, 11 Roman Centurion, 12 angel, 13 Jesus, 14 Thomas, 15 Peter, 16 Jesus.


Fill in the Blanks -- Crucifixion  1  three, three, 2  Lazarus, 3  multitude (of the Jews), 4  Judas, 5  blasphemy, death, 6  four, lots, 7  third, 9:00, sixth, ninth, noon, 3:00, 8  "My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken me?", 9  Jews, legs, Sabbath, high day, 10  "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit," and "It is finished!", 11  Joseph, Nicodemas, new, Joseph, Joseph,  12  broke bread, 13  broiled fish, honeycomb.


New Testament Relatives  1  Salome, James, John, 2  Mary, Jesus, 3  Joseph, James (the less), Joses, Simon, Judas, 4 Alexander, Rufus, 5  Mary, Cleophas,   6  Andrew, 7  Mary, Martha, 8  Joseph of Arimathaea, 9  second cousin


Sacred Calendar  1. a.  summer solstice, b.  no such new moon possible from Northern Hemisphere, c.  spring or fall Holy Day season, d. winter solstice;  2.  full moon;   3. 30 days.


Searching for Leaven  a, b, d, e, g, h, m, oê