| (Copyright 2023) by Rich Traver (Clifton, Colorado) and Laura Lee (Bismarck, North Dakota) |
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| Rich writes: I see in your introductory block of the recent 104 edition, a matter that deserves a reply. I’ve encountered these issues from ‘within’ for decades from a number of sources. What accounts for it? We can only speculate. I would assign it to deep-seated Jewish influences. Laura writes: I would assign it to a hatred of Jews and people not studying their bibles as they should. Rich writes: To reflect on my lengthy history – researching and sharing – on the matters in question here, I’m enclosing a copy of my “Passover Observance and the Exodus Experience” booklet. I encourage you to review it thoughtfully. I don’t know if there are any ‘issues’ not addressed. Laura writes: As much as I sincerely would like to read everyone’s books and booklets, I just do not have time to do that. We are putting out a weekly newsletter that takes up a really big block of my time now. My focus is to go over articles and to research those articles I find to have problems. Some of that research only takes a few hours but some of it takes days. If you want me to read this book, you would have to send me each article within the book as a word file which can then be dropped into the newsletter. If you do that, I will be glad to go over them individually and research each one for print in the newsletter. Rich writes: From what I’ve seen, it appears that there are a number of contributors who share the same views on the “Lord’s Supper” (as it’s mistakenly called) satisfied that it was NOT the Passover, but some ordinary meal. Yet, instructions were given at this event that shaped the manner the New Testament Church has observed the New Testament Passover ever since. Laura writes: In the Old Testament, Passover was on the latter part of the fourteenth as it turned into the fifteenth. If you can find proof in scripture that Christ changed the date of Passover, I would like to see that proof. Christ’s last supper was just a meal and at that meal he introduced, the wine, the bread, and the foot washing. Do you not understand that Christ could not keep the Passover the year He was crucified because He would be dead. He died with the Passover Lambs on the afternoon of the fourteenth of Nisan/Abib. Part #1 Laura’s commentary: Then there was that question about when Christ ate the last supper, did he eat leavened or unleavened bread. My thought at the time was it was probably unleavened bread, but now I am thinking it was leavened bread because the bottom line is that it was not a Passover meal, it was just a meal. Rich’s response: Plain scripture shows that this WAS the Passover, the legitimate one, and the one that the early New Testament Church observed perpetually thereafter. Even Paul taught Gentiles to do so! [1st Cor. 11:23] Laura’s response: 1Co 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: (KJV) In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul never once refers to the Passover. Paul does refer to Christ’s last supper but he never calls it the Passover. Rich’s response: Jesus and His Disciples referred to it as the Passover numerous times, like 9 times directly, and specifically by Jesus Himself [Luke 22:15] right at the event itself. Laura’s response: Luk 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: (KJV) Christ is not saying here that he is eating the Passover meal. What He is telling his disciples is that He desires to eat this Passover with them. In other words, he wants to eat the Passover with them but He can’t because He will be dead. Notice Luke 22:16. Luk 22:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. Christ is telling them flat out that He will not eat the Passover again until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. The bottom line here is that this was just a meal but the disciples still had to have a place to eat the actual Passover meal so they were preparing for that also. I understand that the gospels as written are very confusing to many, but there are too many other scriptures throughout the bible showing that Passover was on the fourteenth as it turned into the fifteenth and you have to take all of the scriptures into account and not just the ones that you like. Rich’s response: Confusion on the matter is enhanced by the Phariseean Jews misnomer, calling the week of Unleavened Bread: Passover. (They still do!) Passover was not that week, nor did it fall within those seven days. It was and remains the day before the first Day of Unleavened Bread. Laura’s response: The date of Passover was never changed by Christ or anyone else. It has always been at sunset on the fifteenth of Nisan. God is the one that set the date of Passover and not the Pharisees. The Pharisees were noted for teaching the letter of the Law. The Pharisees call the entire week of unleavened bread Passover because it is Passover. Or do you plan to throw out scriptures which do not meet with your doctrine? Part #2 Laura’s commentary: We printed the first newsletter for nine years and now this one for two years. And through all those years I have heard of and read numerous calendar papers and seen people keep many different Holy Day dates. I am not real sure why there are so many different ones. If I could clearly answer that question maybe I would know how to fix it, but I don’t know, and I can’t fix it. As most of you know we keep the Hebrew calendar including the postponements and have done so for over twenty years now. It is the only calendar that has been sanctified. Rich’s response: When was any calendar sanctified? The calendar in use at the time of Christ didn’t involve postponements. Those were developed over the next few hundred years. I’m not suggesting they aren’t legitimate, just that they weren’t known in the first century, so couldn’t have been employed or sanctified then. Laura’s response: From “The Comprehensive Hebrew Calendar” by Arthur Spier: In the fourth century, however, when oppression and persecution threatened the continued existence of the Sanhedrin, the patriarch Hillel II took an extraordinary step to preserve the unity of Israel. In order to prevent the Jews scattered all over the surface of the earth from celebrating their New Moons, festivals, and holidays at different times, he made public the system of calendar calculation which up to then had been a closely guarded secret. It had been used in the past only to check the observations and testimonies of witnesses, and to determine the beginnings of the spring season. In accordance with this system, Hillel II formally sanctified all months in advance, and intercalated all future leap years until such time as a new, recognized Sanhedrin would be established in Israel. (End Quote) The problem with your above response is that the calendar calculations were being used at the time of Christ but were a closely guarded secret by the Sanhedrin until Hillel II made them public in the fourth century. And yes, the Hebrew calendar complete with the Holy Day Dates on it was sanctified. Part #3 Laura’s commentary: It is the calendar that was being kept at the time of Christ. Christ was a Jew just like the Pharisees were Jews. Paul was also a Pharisee. There was nothing wrong with the Pharisees as long as they were teaching the law of God. Rich’s response: Pharisees and Sadducees differed in some important ways. One of those ways was the timing of Passover observance. Many Sadducees kept it as the 14th day was just beginning (as Jesus and the Disciples did). Jesus and His family were of Sadduceean persuasion. * He didn’t favor or endorse the Pharisees, but rather took them to task for NOT keeping His Laws faithfully. [Mt. 15:3 & 6; Mk, 7:13; Mt. 23:3, etc.] I wouldn’t assign fidelity to the intent of God’s Law to the Pharisees. *Jesus’ great-uncle, Joseph of Arimathea was a member of the Sanhedrin. His uncle, Zacharias was among the priests who served in the Temple. Traditionally, these offices were granted to those of Sadduceean persuasion. Laura’s response: In Matthew 15:3 & 6, Mark 7:13 Christ is pointing out to the Scribes and Pharisees that their traditions are more important than God’s law. I agree with you, that the Scribes and Pharisees were not perfect, however that does not mean that they did not teach the law of God, they just were not good at doing the law of God. Mat 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Mat 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: Mat 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. You have just convicted yourself here with Matthew 23:1-4. Jesus is speaking here to everyone and not just a few. It says multitude. Jesus is telling everyone that the Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Moses’ seat was a seat in the temple where the Scribes and Pharisees sat and taught the Law of Moses. Verse three says for us to observe and do what the Scribes and Pharisees tell us to observe and do from the Law of Moses. But we are not to do what the Scribes and Pharisees do for they say (teach the right things) but they do not do the right things. Jesus gave credit and authority for their meticulous teaching of the Law of God. It was the stuff they added to the Law that always got them into trouble. Christ gave no such directive of the Sadducees. Christ and by extension the people you list above were of the persuasion of the Scribes and Pharisees for their meticulous teaching of the law of God. The Sadducees were not religious people. The Sadducees stood for everything that Christ was not. The Pharisees also held positions in the Sanhedrin, it was not just made up of Sadducees. Luk 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. Elisabeth and Mary were cousins, so through Elisabeth’s marriage to Zacharias, Christ was related to Zacharias. However, Joseph of Arimathea was not related to Christ at all. It is not in scripture, and it is not on the internet that I could find. If you have proof that Joseph was Christ’s Uncle, I would like to see it. What the Bible says is this: Mat 27:57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: Rich’s response: There are sources that explain that the man carrying the waterpot was already preparing a venue for Passover. When asked, he didn’t need an explanation as to which Passover they intended to be observing. This man knew the correct time, so didn’t need any such clarification. He and other situations bear further witness of this being the correct observance. Laura’s response: Of course, the man carrying the water pot knew when Passover was. All of Jerusalem knew when Passover was because all of Jerusalem kept Passover at the same time. Rich’s response: There are scholars in our religious genre who identify the Jewish Passover observance (prior to midnight on the 15th) as being the Passover of the blinded. [Rom. 11:7; 2 Cor. 3:14, 25 & 32] Unfortunately, the blind still follow the blind. Laura’s response: Rom 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 2Co 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. I can clearly see there are such men teaching these false doctrines. An early 14 Passover narrative based on the Jews captivity in Babylon where many of you believe the Jews totally forgot when Passover is, is the one that was taught to those who sat in the Worldwide Church of God for many years. You don’t believe this narrative because you actually studied the subject from your bible, you believe it because it was what you were taught and when you are taught something it is really hard to unlearn it. It would also be embarrassing if you were in a seat of authority and now had to tell people you are wrong about what you taught people for years. Instead, it was easier to just throw the people that did study this subject and learned the truth out of your midst all together. Problem solved. Only God knows who the blind are so instead of insinuating that I am one of the blind perhaps you should check to make sure that you are not blind. Instead of discussing Passover with friends and all coming to the same opinion, why don’t you try a new concept and study your bible. Part #4 Laura’s commentary: Since I found this scripture in Ezekiel, many of you have become real silent. I hope it is because you are studying your Bibles in regard to the Holy Days. Eze 45:21 In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten. Even though many do not want to believe it, Passover is an annual Holy Day and High Sabbath. Rich’s response: Passover is a workday, not a High Sabbath. Now, on the Ezekiel reference, please understand that there were no chapters and verses, and no punctuation in the original texts. Those were added in the 13th century AD. “The Hebrew Old Testament was divided into verses by a Jewish rabbi by the name of Nathan in A.D. 1448.” Wikipedia Your single-source choice of reference is misleading in that it doesn’t indicate the topical break between the two subjects. Laura’s response: Passover is an annual Sabbath and not a workday. And yes, I understand there was no punctuation, chapters, or verses originally. By topical break you mean splitting Passover from Unleavened Bread? Fortunately for you I do not use a single source or a single scripture to prove that Passover is an annual Sabbath. I use many scriptures throughout the bible to prove this point. Rich’s response: A cross reference (one of many) would be Numbers 28:16-17. “And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover of the LORD. And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten.” Passover is in the 14th, not in the fifteenth. This and the original instruction [Ex. 12] is quite specific and clear. Why I say Passover Day (the daylight half) was a workday, is that it was the day when de-leavening was to be undertaken. Another insightful account is that Joseph and Nicodemus had to hastily complete their burial tasks and roll the stone as the High Sabbath was pending. [Lk 23:54-55 Now, in saying that the Passover was that day that was ‘drawing on’, you’re alleging that Jesus was not crucified and killed on the Passover, but the day before. Another clear reference is Numbers 33:3 The Exodus began on the 15th, the day AFTER the Passover. The KEY consideration that we need to satisfy ourselves on is, which midnight did the LORD pass-over? Laura’s response: Lev 23:5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD’S passover. (KJV) Lev 23:5 in the first month, on the fourteenth of the month, between the evenings, is the passover to Jehovah; (YLT) Look at Lev. 23:5 closely. The wording starts with “in” meaning later in the day. The King James Version later uses “at even” when the wording should be “between the evenings” as in Youngs Bible. Between the evenings is an idiom for “Afternoon”. Afternoon as defined in the bible is between noon and sunset. Now look at: Num 28:16 And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD. Num 28:17 And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten. Notice again the use of the word “in” Lev. 23:5 and Num. 28:16 are both talking about the Passover Sacrifice and not the day of Passover. Here again scripture says there is a feast of seven days (calling it by no name) then continues just to say that unleavened bread shall be eaten. Exo 12:6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. (KJV) Exo 12:6 ‘And it hath become a charge to you, until the fourteenth day of this month, and the whole assembly of the company of Israel have slaughtered it between the evenings; (YLT) For the Passover all de-leavening had to be done by noon on the 14th before the Passover Lambs could be killed. Yes, the 14th of Nisan was a workday, the entire day of the 14th and not just the daylight portion. The 14th of Nisan was the preparation day for the Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread. Christ was killed on the Preparation Day and had to be buried before the Passover started. There is a difference between when the bible is talking about the Passover Sacrifice, Passover Meal, Passover Feast. The sacrifice took place during the afternoon of the 14th and the meal, and the feast took place on the 15th. Christ and the Passover Lambs were killed on the preparation day and the lambs were eaten on the 15th. Christ was not killed on the Passover, He was killed on the afternoon of the preparation day for the Feast of Passover. Joh 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Num 33:3 And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians. Numbers 33:3 is pretty clear. They left Rameses in the first month on the fifteenth day on the morrow after the Passover. The Passover meal was the night before and the sacrifice was the afternoon before. That does mean they left on the morrow after the Passover. The sequence of events is as follows, the Lambs were killed on the afternoon of the 14th. The blood was daubed on the doorposts. The Passover meal was eaten the night of the 15th and the Death Angel passed over at midnight on the 15th of Nisan. Part #5 Laura’s commentary: I am sure I don’t have to say this, but God only has one calendar and God only has one set of Holy Days on certain dates which He wants us to keep. God got mad when they did not keep his Holy Days on the correct dates. What that means is all of these calendars and Holy Day dates that so many people are keeping now cannot all be right. In order to understand this subject, you have to study it. Rich’s response: It would be good if people studying (by themselves as you say) would bring them to a sound, uniform and correct understanding. No ethnicity has done that more diligently than the Judaics. But unfortunately, as we’ve seen in the Church of God communities, the outcome is varied. No more evident is the variety of beliefs where it comes to ‘calendar issues’ and the Passover events sequence. Jewish influence has distorted the belief systems of a wide array of persuasions to the present day. Unfortunately, a great deal of that is found embedded in our Sabbatarian Communities. Where are our “scholars”? A rare gift anymore! Laura’s response: If the Jewish community had been able to influence the Church of God Community, we would all be using the same calendar and keeping all the same Holy Days but we are not. You cannot blame the Jews for the confusion in the Church of God. That confusion started with your leader when he told you the Jews forgot when Passover was. Some of us saw a problem with that and did study our bibles. We found we were lied to. Whether that lie was intentional or not intentional only God knows, but it scattered the church and led people to believe whatever they wanted to believe and do. So how is the Church of God better than Jewish people, Pharisees who added to the Law of God and then went out and taught it to others. Most everyone in the Church of God is guilty of adding to the law of God and then teaching it as if it were the law of God. It is getting harder and harder every day to find truth of any kind on the internet. Websites we could depend on for at least a good share of truth are no longer there. They are little by little being replaced with lie after lie as to what scripture is saying and you have to take that into account when you are studying. Even many commentators on various subjects have no idea what they are saying nor do they understand scripture. The bottom line is that not every single person past, present or future who is a part of the Church of God is going to be in that First Fruits Resurrection. If you do the work needed to make that resurrection God will help get you there, if you are sitting around discussing scripture with others and saying to yourself we all agree on this subject so therefore we are right that could be a problem. You have to do the work it takes before God will help you the rest of the way. Your proof on any given subject must be solid and unbreakable. If it is not then you are wrong and not God or the Jews. And would any of you know a real teacher (scholar) of scripture even if you met one. I doubt it because you have already decided for yourself what you will and will not believe even if you never studied it in scripture. Conclusion Rich writes: Please understand, I’ve had deep and thorough discussions with people who represent that take on the 14th/15th Passover issue. Some right here in town! I think we’ve touched on every point there is at length. That 1920 National Geographic article in my booklet is insightful, except for one textural alteration made at the last, where a bone was offered to the Jews on the NGS board back then. No such element there now, as they’re all evolutionists (not that some secular Jews aren’t). The daylight portion of the 14th after the Passover was not the first Holy Day, but the preparation day for it. One obvious give-away of the subterfuge in the National Geographic summation is that days begin and end at sunset, not dawn. Laura writes: Instead of exchanging opinions with like minded people you know, study your bible first. And which Jews are you speaking of here. Your National Geographic article was about the Samaritans who in 1920 were fast disappearing. The Sadducees have not existed since 70 A. D. when the temple was destroyed. The Pharisees (Orthodox Jews) still exist today and they still train Sanhedrin Priests. They would not still be training Sanhedrin Priests today if they were not a part of the original Sanhedrin and Temple. They also preserved the calendar and the scriptures that we have today. I believe you are sincere in your beliefs but I believe you are sincerely wrong that Christ or members of His family would follow the Sadducees in anything. ———————————————————————– Reprinted with permission from: Golden Sheaves https://www.goldensheaves.org/ ———————————————————————– |
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