As believers contemplate the historical reason for the season at this time of year, the importance of God’s timing always is important to consider.
Specifically, pastor Mark Biltz, author of the new book, Decoding the Antichrist and the End Times: What the Bible Says and What the Future Holds, points to Revelation 13:8 (KJV), which talks about Yeshua as the Lamb of God who was slain from the foundation of the world: “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
“This verse tells us the Father had preplanned the whole event surrounding the crucifixion of the Messiah,” Biltz said. “As a Father, He was saying ‘I will determine what day my Son will die, I will determine what time He will die, and I will even determine what songs will be sung at His funeral!’ The details are amazing. Every year for 1,500 years, Israel unknowingly went through the dress rehearsal of binding the Passover Lamb to the horns of the altar at 9 a.m.—the very time Yeshua was being bound to the execution stake.”
As believers, Biltz added, according to the Messiah we are to always keep the Passover in remembrance of His atoning work. Even as the apostle Paul declared: “For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Yeshua on the night in which he was betrayed took bread. When he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.’ In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (see 1 Cor. 11:23-26).
“This biblical celebration, to last for an entire week, is known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread,” Biltz said. “The day after is also a Sabbath, which I believe was to be a day for us to contemplate the work of the Messiah as He was unleavened, without sin and lay in the grave for three days until He rose again from the dead!”
Many are also unaware that every year for 1,500 years before the Messiah came, Israel was also celebrating the Feast of Firstfruits during the week of Unleavened Bread, he added. This was a dress rehearsal for the Resurrection of the Messiah and in honor of His conquering hell, death and the grave. This event happened on the first day of the week after Passover.
“So now every year on the Sunday that follows Passover, we should celebrate the Feast of Firstfruits in commemoration of the Messiah as the first fruits of the Resurrection,” Biltz said. “This year, fortunately, we are celebrating on the right day. Some years, Christians celebrate the Resurrection a month before He dies because they are not on the right calendar. This year we are in sync with the Bible, so let us all rejoice in Messiah’s death, burial and Resurrection, and the hope that it gives!”
In his newest book, Decoding the Antichrist, Biltz takes an in-depth look at some of the deepest questions surrounding the Antichrist:
- What does the Bible say about the Antichrist, his tactics and his motivation?
- Will he be a Muslim, a Jew or a professed Christian—or something else?
- Will the Antichrist work through modern technology to seize control?
Mark Biltz is founder of El Shaddai Ministries and a well-known and popular commentator on the feasts of the Lord. In fact, he has produced a series of DVDs on the feasts that have gone around the world. Biltz is also the author of Blood Moons and God’s Day Timer. His research and theories have led to guest appearances on both radio and television as well as being featured on the covers of magazines.
Decoding the Antichrist and the End Times was recently released by Charisma House, which has published books that challenge, encourage, teach and equip Christians, including 14 New York Times’ best-sellers.
Listen to the podcasts below for interviews with Mark Biltz.
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