The season/time of the passover is first exemplified in Exodus. At the time, God was to birth a nation out of Egypt. God then said;
"...take of (the sacrificed lamb's) blood, and strike it on the door posts of the houses...for I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn of Egypt...and against the gods of Egypt I will execute judgement..." Exodus 12:7,12.
On that fatefull night, would deal the last blow not only to the Kingdom/principality of a powerful Egypt, but also against her gods, the principalities and powers of the age that ruled over her in the heavens.
The function of the passover is that it is a typo of the spiritual. The ritual was reflective of a similar moment in the release of an elect/chosen nation from bondage under the powers of an age. Israel's destiny as a kingdom in Canaan was at the time a distant imagination. Jacob and His father had sojourned briefly in Canaan, before their offspring, now Israel found themselves Egyptian bound for four hundred years. Egypt was the only place they had known as home, as the time of release approached. This was despite the fact that her kinsmen Ishmael, Lot and Esau had become signifinant nations like Edom, Moab and Ammon. They were already settled in their portions beside Canaan. Canaan, Israel's promised heritage (Genesis 15:18-21) was a challenge, as it was then inhabited by great giants that made Israel prefer Egyptian bondage (Deutronomy 1:27).
The spiritual simile of the passover is the birth of a new age (Isaiah 66:7-9) out of the spiritual rulers of this age. As previously seen through many prophets, this period of darkness or woe for those on the receiving end of the sword precedes the birth of a new age. The prophesies of Christ concerning the end of this age were not different (Mathew 24:3-51,chapter 25). Daniel too juxtaposes a time of trouble to a time of deliverance(Daniel 12:1)
In the passover, there is greater depth to the understanding of the purpose of the hour of darkness. Spiritual lessons are drawn out of it.
1). In preparation, Israel managed to acquire the Egyptian heritage in form of jewellery of silver and gold.(Exodus 12:12). The same is promised through the prophets when the principalities of the earth shall besiege the elect, (Isaiah 60:9,13, Haggai 2:6,7). These precious things are for the rebuilding of a temple that is previously desolated, but after the experience, the glory of the later rebuilt temple shall be greater than that of the former(Haggai 2:9). This is a spiritual restoration promised.
2). All the firstborn of Egypt were killed, including the royal family(Exodus 12:12). In one night, the lineage of the throne was shifted to the second born. This is another principle of the heritage of the kingdom of God, as with Jacob and Esauh, Cain and Seth, Ishmael and Isaac, e.t.c. The first shall be the last, in the parable of the field workers.
3). Judgement was executed against the Gods of Egypt (12:12). The spiritual principalities in power of the age were overturned in this way. These are the gods of the sons of darkness that reigned over the land. These are also the spiritual principalities and rulers of the age we wrestle against (Ephesians 6:12). This victory of God's host over Egypt is spiritually significant, and would be demonstrated by a different relationship of God with the same principality henceforth. Her role in the end of the age and beyond is also significant.
When Pharaoh realized his power had been struck, he was in a hurry to let Israel go(Exodus 11:8, Exodus 12:33), even wisely requesting for a blessing from Moses (Exodus 12:32). The tables had turned over the land in the heavenly realm.
4).Israel remained protected/sealed from the sword of the passing Angel of God(Exodus 11:7). This seal, which we have in the spirit (Ephesians 1:13) was symbolized by the blood of the sacrificial lamb smeared on the doors of Israel, sealing them spiritually (Exodus 12:13).
5). The bread eaten with the sacrifice was unleavened(Exodus 12:8). The significance of leaven in the laws of Moses was expounded by Christ on severall occassions (Mathew 16:6-12). There were offerings of bread in the temple, which were not to be leavened (Leviticus 2:4). Then moulden dough was mixed with new dough to let te mould multiply, raising it for bread. The same yeast, is produced differently today for the same purpose. It was not approved as part of offerings to God just as pigs were not. The essence of the laws of sacrifice were pegged on rules of the highest standards of hygiene and health to symbolize righteousness and holiness. The partaking and protection of the seal of the passover is therefore for those sealed with the righteousness of God by His spirit.
6). The sacrifice was to be eaten with bitter herbs (Exodus 12:8). The time of the passover would not be all pleasant and none eventful for the elect. Even they would in a much smaller magnitude, have a bitter experience. Their counterparts though had to deal with the Angel of death, a sword even God said would result to a great cry (Exodus 11:6). The same is, concerning the prophesied day of the Lord. It shall be both good and bitter (Malachi 3:2).
7). Urgency/preparedness (Exodus 12:11). The sacrifice would be partaken with the elect in full dress up ready for a journey, even with staff on hand. The same readiness is required in our hour of darkness, as we wait for the day of the Lord. We need to be fully girded with the garments of holiness(Ephesians 6:11,) which is also our armour. It is also the spiritual sealing of God upon the believers (Ephesians 1:13), the oil that is needed by the wise virgins to keep their lamps burning (Mathew 25:1-12).
The hour of darkness is an hour when the elect are sealed, while God overturns and overhauls the principalities and powers of the present age. It is to be observed in righteousness. Be prepared, girded with the garment of righteousness, a seal that separates from darkness, as God's Angel runs to and fro in the darkness. This is the message of the passover. As Israel partook of the sacrifice of the passover, a covenant in its own right, they became one and acceptable with the offering before God. So should it be in our season of darkness, that we become a living sacrifice (Romans 12:9), holy(Psalms 29:2) and acceptable before God.
"...take of (the sacrificed lamb's) blood, and strike it on the door posts of the houses...for I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn of Egypt...and against the gods of Egypt I will execute judgement..." Exodus 12:7,12.
On that fatefull night, would deal the last blow not only to the Kingdom/principality of a powerful Egypt, but also against her gods, the principalities and powers of the age that ruled over her in the heavens.
The function of the passover is that it is a typo of the spiritual. The ritual was reflective of a similar moment in the release of an elect/chosen nation from bondage under the powers of an age. Israel's destiny as a kingdom in Canaan was at the time a distant imagination. Jacob and His father had sojourned briefly in Canaan, before their offspring, now Israel found themselves Egyptian bound for four hundred years. Egypt was the only place they had known as home, as the time of release approached. This was despite the fact that her kinsmen Ishmael, Lot and Esau had become signifinant nations like Edom, Moab and Ammon. They were already settled in their portions beside Canaan. Canaan, Israel's promised heritage (Genesis 15:18-21) was a challenge, as it was then inhabited by great giants that made Israel prefer Egyptian bondage (Deutronomy 1:27).
The spiritual simile of the passover is the birth of a new age (Isaiah 66:7-9) out of the spiritual rulers of this age. As previously seen through many prophets, this period of darkness or woe for those on the receiving end of the sword precedes the birth of a new age. The prophesies of Christ concerning the end of this age were not different (Mathew 24:3-51,chapter 25). Daniel too juxtaposes a time of trouble to a time of deliverance(Daniel 12:1)
In the passover, there is greater depth to the understanding of the purpose of the hour of darkness. Spiritual lessons are drawn out of it.
1). In preparation, Israel managed to acquire the Egyptian heritage in form of jewellery of silver and gold.(Exodus 12:12). The same is promised through the prophets when the principalities of the earth shall besiege the elect, (Isaiah 60:9,13, Haggai 2:6,7). These precious things are for the rebuilding of a temple that is previously desolated, but after the experience, the glory of the later rebuilt temple shall be greater than that of the former(Haggai 2:9). This is a spiritual restoration promised.
2). All the firstborn of Egypt were killed, including the royal family(Exodus 12:12). In one night, the lineage of the throne was shifted to the second born. This is another principle of the heritage of the kingdom of God, as with Jacob and Esauh, Cain and Seth, Ishmael and Isaac, e.t.c. The first shall be the last, in the parable of the field workers.
3). Judgement was executed against the Gods of Egypt (12:12). The spiritual principalities in power of the age were overturned in this way. These are the gods of the sons of darkness that reigned over the land. These are also the spiritual principalities and rulers of the age we wrestle against (Ephesians 6:12). This victory of God's host over Egypt is spiritually significant, and would be demonstrated by a different relationship of God with the same principality henceforth. Her role in the end of the age and beyond is also significant.
When Pharaoh realized his power had been struck, he was in a hurry to let Israel go(Exodus 11:8, Exodus 12:33), even wisely requesting for a blessing from Moses (Exodus 12:32). The tables had turned over the land in the heavenly realm.
4).Israel remained protected/sealed from the sword of the passing Angel of God(Exodus 11:7). This seal, which we have in the spirit (Ephesians 1:13) was symbolized by the blood of the sacrificial lamb smeared on the doors of Israel, sealing them spiritually (Exodus 12:13).
5). The bread eaten with the sacrifice was unleavened(Exodus 12:8). The significance of leaven in the laws of Moses was expounded by Christ on severall occassions (Mathew 16:6-12). There were offerings of bread in the temple, which were not to be leavened (Leviticus 2:4). Then moulden dough was mixed with new dough to let te mould multiply, raising it for bread. The same yeast, is produced differently today for the same purpose. It was not approved as part of offerings to God just as pigs were not. The essence of the laws of sacrifice were pegged on rules of the highest standards of hygiene and health to symbolize righteousness and holiness. The partaking and protection of the seal of the passover is therefore for those sealed with the righteousness of God by His spirit.
6). The sacrifice was to be eaten with bitter herbs (Exodus 12:8). The time of the passover would not be all pleasant and none eventful for the elect. Even they would in a much smaller magnitude, have a bitter experience. Their counterparts though had to deal with the Angel of death, a sword even God said would result to a great cry (Exodus 11:6). The same is, concerning the prophesied day of the Lord. It shall be both good and bitter (Malachi 3:2).
7). Urgency/preparedness (Exodus 12:11). The sacrifice would be partaken with the elect in full dress up ready for a journey, even with staff on hand. The same readiness is required in our hour of darkness, as we wait for the day of the Lord. We need to be fully girded with the garments of holiness(Ephesians 6:11,) which is also our armour. It is also the spiritual sealing of God upon the believers (Ephesians 1:13), the oil that is needed by the wise virgins to keep their lamps burning (Mathew 25:1-12).
The hour of darkness is an hour when the elect are sealed, while God overturns and overhauls the principalities and powers of the present age. It is to be observed in righteousness. Be prepared, girded with the garment of righteousness, a seal that separates from darkness, as God's Angel runs to and fro in the darkness. This is the message of the passover. As Israel partook of the sacrifice of the passover, a covenant in its own right, they became one and acceptable with the offering before God. So should it be in our season of darkness, that we become a living sacrifice (Romans 12:9), holy(Psalms 29:2) and acceptable before God.
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