passover bread n wine

This message is a transcript of the podcast 'Preparing for a Pivotal Passover'

Every year, when Passover comes, I go back to the gospels study the events that happened on the days before Jesus was crucified and then I also look at the Old Testament and see what happened on similar dates. Today, April 4, is 11th Aviv/Nisan in the Jewish calendar, the day when the Israelites, all the men ready for war who had crossed the Jordan the previous day, were circumcised by Joshua. Circumcision was a mark of covenant with God Almighty. Those men of war had not been circumcised in the wilderness of preparation. In other words, they were not tapping fully into covenantal blessings and privileges. But on the day this new generation were circumcised, it became openly and plainly visible whose sons they were - the sons of the living God and those tapping into the covenant their forefather Abraham had cut with the One on the throne. They carried in their bodies marks of ownership!

 

In the 40 years of wilderness wandering, they had remembered the original Passover in an uncircumcised manner, because they had not personally experienced the flight from Egypt and God's miraculous deliverance. They had been born in the wilderness. This Passover, they were in different territory and there was no going back to the past. They could only look forward and move forward in obedience as they faced the giants of the Promised Land - and they needed to be able to access the full benefits of covenant to experience victory in this new, unfamiliar place.

 

Circumcision obviously with us is of the heart there is the removing of the veil that lies upon the eyes of the heart. Imagine that mighty army brought to a place of weakness - because circumcision as an adult was a very painful thing. They were told to remain in place for 4 days until they were healed. Now, worldwide, many people are on lockdown; many people in their homes, unable to move about as they normally do. Just like these men of war, who had to remain in place until they were healed. This took place over a few days and then on the fourteenth of Aviv, they slaughtered their lambs and celebrated Passover in totally new territory, with the enemy watching from a distance - much like the remnant will be doing this year!

 

I want to go right back now to Egypt and the Israelites, who witnessed the plagues unfolding upon the Egyptians, attacking the whole Egyptian social structure, economy, their way of worship, the gods they worshiped and all that kind of thing - again, much like we see in the world today. And then came the day when God said to Moses, "tell your people to bring a lamb into the house". That date the Hebrew calendar for this year 5781 was April 3. As you are in your house is practicing social distancing; being wise and hiding yourself for a little while, I trust that you have brought the Lamb of God into the house with you. If you can imagine, those Israelites no doubt became very familiar with that lamb. During those 4 days before the Passover night, children must have fallen in love with that lamb; they must have played with it in the house. It must've slept with them. For me, that's such a picture of how we are to live in these days, leading up to Passover - close intimacy with the Lamb.

 

They used to inspect the lambs to see that there was no spot or blemish, before it was offered as a sacrifice. Are you digging deep into the Word, inspecting the Lamb? He's here to come into intimacy with you in these days as your normal routine has been completely halted.

 

I want to share with you the vision that I had a few years ago. I saw a stage with what seemed like a white screen at the back. Suddenly a mighty warrior burst through that screen, rending in asunder and moving rapidly into plain sight. He was dressed and ready for war. As I looked closer, the armour was made up of patchwork pieces of wedding dress, embroidered in different ways. The Spirit told me they represent every tribe and nation and people who are part of the Bride of Christ; all who have made themselves ready under the Spirit’s instruction. They have been hidden and the world has not been aware of their presence, waiting in the wings, but they are about to burst upon the scene from the womb of the morning, a mighty corporate warrior Bride wielding the sword of the Spirit on Heaven’s behalf.

 

Psa 110:2  The Lord will send forth from Zion the sceptre of Your strength; rule, then, in the midst of Your foes. Psa 110:3  Your people will offer themselves willingly in the day of Your power, in the beauty of holiness and in holy array out of the womb of the morning; to You [will spring forth] Your young men, who are as the dew.

 

This is a worshiping warrior Bride, knowing the battle has already been won and she is brought forth to establish that victory in the earthly realm – in every tribe and tongue and nation under Heaven. The Bridegroom will see the fruit of the travail of His soul and rest satisfied. In every nation under Heaven this mighty warrior will step suddenly and powerfully on the scene, holy and set apart for Heaven’s delight.

 

The next scene I was shown was the Israelites, ready for war at the edge of the Jordan. Then that barrier between them and experiencing the fullness of the Promised Land of their inheritance began to tear as the feet of the priests carrying the ark touched the water. Those four men stood, carrying the powerful presence of God upon their shoulders on the soil of that Jordan River until every one of God’s people had passed over. We know God dwells within the praises of His people, so in this scene I was shown, those forerunner priests represent those who will lift up praises to God consistently and wholeheartedly; the power of God’s manifest presence inhabiting their laid-down lives, and not leaving their posts until God’s people pass through the rent Jordan in this season. It is not only about us and our breakthrough. God’s heart is for His whole Body.

 

Remember that Rahab told the spies that people were terrified of the Israelites as they had heard what God had done in bringing them forth from Egypt and knew their time to be defeated was at hand. Beloved, the enemy remembers the cross and its devastating effect on his plans and He knows you are coming. You cannot presently see it because all you see is the barrier but his dark kingdom is terrified of this army, ready for war that stands waiting across the Jordan.

 

Jos 2:9  And she said to the men, I know that the Lord has given you the land and that your terror is fallen upon us and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. Jos 2:10  For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the [east] side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. Jos 2:11  When we heard it, our hearts melted, neither did spirit or courage remain any more in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

 

Worship, saints! Push through, not only for yourselves, but for all those who have walked through the wilderness time and are yet to experience breakthrough. Lay down the whys and the hows and worship Him for what He did at the cross and what He did in saving you. Worship Him for He is worthy to take the scroll and break open the seals. He who rolled back the Jordan to a small place called Adam, is well able to rend that seemingly uncrossable barrier between you and the Promised Land of your Inheritance!

 

The final scene I saw was a depiction of the verses in Song of Songs:

Son 8:5  Who is this who comes up from the wilderness leaning upon her beloved?

 Son 3:6  Who or what is this that comes gliding out of the wilderness like stately pillars of smoke perfumed with myrrh, frankincense, and all the fragrant powders of the merchant? Son 3:7  [Someone answered] Behold, it is the travelling litter (the bridal car) of Solomon. Sixty mighty men are around it, of the mighty men of Israel. Son 3:8  They all handle the sword and are expert in war; every man has his sword upon his thigh, that fear be not excited in the night.

 

60 is the gematria for ‘tried, vessel’. This is a company who have been tested and tried in the refiner’s fire and emerged approved with a seal of authenticity upon their well-spent lives.  The Hebrew word for ‘vessel’ also means ‘weapon’. Oh what a weapon this company is in the hand of the Lord. Oh the beauty of His Bride as she rises in the earth, emerging from the wilderness, fully prepared with the fragrant oils like Esther, the Bride who warred with Heaven’s strategy to deliver a people appointed for slaughter. The preparation time is over. Let the frankincense of your prayer and worship carry you into plain view. Let those who have grown to mature manhood in Christ away from the eyes of the world come forth; all those who handle the sword and are ready for war. Dense darkness is rapidly enveloping the earthly realm but His glory rises upon you; the glory of a life hidden in Christ, centered on the power of the cross and moving in Resurrection power – a mighty worshiping warrior Bride is being brought forth, driving back hells’ schemes with her holy presence.

 

I also felt prompted to read the passage in Mark where Jesus tells His disciples to go and prepare for the Passover meal. Let’s look at this in a prophetic sense. Here is a message for the disciples of Jesus, those who have followed Him faithfully right up to this point in world history.

 

Mar 14:12 On the first day [of the Feast] of Unleavened Bread, when [as was customary] they killed the Passover lamb, [Jesus'] disciples said to Him, Where do You wish us to go [and] prepare the Passover [supper] for You to eat? Mar 14:13 And He sent two of His disciples and said to them, Go into the city, and a man carrying an [earthen] jar or pitcher of water will meet you; follow him.

 

Jesus said, "You will see a man with a water jar. Follow him and enter the house which he enters." This man they were to follow is a type of the Holy Spirit Who pours out living water on us. This Passover, Jesus wants you to be led by the Holy Spirit to an appointment with Him. The house the Holy Spirit wants to enter is yours and that water is being carried into your house for a purpose! How we all need a fresh outpouring of living water in this Passover season. The journey has been long and difficult and we need a refreshing before the next season fully unfolds.

 

Mar 14:14 And whatever [house] he enters, say to the master of the house, The Teacher says: Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover [supper] with My disciples?

 

The next instruction Jesus gave was that the owner of the house must be told, "It's time. The Master is coming to eat with His disciples here. Where is the place you have prepared for Him?" Beloved, this Passover, Jesus is coming to eat at your house. Where is the place you have prepared for Him? You are a temple of the Holy Spirit and you must be like the owner of the house Jesus mentioned - you must have understanding of the times. There is a visitation planned at this season. Does Jesus have a guest room in your house? Jesus wants to share a meal with His disciples - and not just any meal but the bread which is His Body and the wine of His Blood. He said that if we don’t eat of this meal, we have no part in Him. How important it is to be found in Him, in the secret place of the Most High as this Passover season clocks by.

 

Jesus wants to wash the dust of your journey from your feet using the water jar of the Holy Spirit, just as He did for His first disciples all those years ago. You have to leave behind every vestige of the wilderness journey you have been walking. Dust represents flesh and also death. From dust we came, to dust our bodies will return but all we have died to in the season of refining does not need to cling to us as we journey on. It will only weigh us down. Let us allow the Lord to totally separate us from it this Passover.

Luk 22:12  And he will show you a large room upstairs, furnished [with carpets and with couches properly spread]; there make [your] preparations. Luk 22:13  And they went and found it [just] as He had said to them; and they made ready the Passover [supper].

 

The man who owned the house Jesus referred to was ready and the Amplified Bible tells us the room was just as it should be. Notice that it was a LARGE room UPSTAIRS. A small space in your life will not do. What Jesus wants to pour out within you needs a large space. ‘Upstairs’ makes me think immediately of the 120 waiting in the UPPER room, praying and searching the Word and waiting for the promised outpouring of the Spirit. Have you made space in your busy life for a visitation from the Lord. Is everything prepared and ready - as it should be? Are you waiting with eager anticipation for the Lord to come and break bread with you? Are you praying and looking for the promised outpouring appointed for this season?

This Passover is pivotal. The second Super-moon of the year occurring on the 8th of April speaks volumes about the Day of the Lord being at hand. In this Laodecean Church Age, where the majority of Believers are asleep and unaware of the lateness of the hour, God is looking for those of His servants who are awake, understanding the times and the season we are entering. He is looking for those who are prepared and ready, those who have prepared room for Him.

 

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me. Rev 3:21  He who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant him to sit beside Me on My throne, as I Myself overcame (was victorious) and sat down beside My Father on His throne.

 

The word ‘eat’ in the Greek actually refers to a feast. When Jesus knocks at your door, will you be awake and open it wide so that He can come and feast with you? As darkness increasingly covers the earth, will you overcome the spirit of slumber gripping the Church and be prepared when the Bridegroom comes to take you into the inner chamber for an intimate meal with Him? Overcomers are granted to sit beside Him on His throne, to rule and to reign with Him.

 

That man who prepared the upper room just as it should be, knew the time of his appointment with Jesus. He had not allowed the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches to choke the seed planted in his heart. He had placed his faith in the words Jesus had spoken to him in a previous season and done everything within his power to be ready. As a result his house became the venue of a pivot point in history; a place where Jesus poured out revelation and understanding that had never been given before concerning the Passover meal.

 

For years the Jews had celebrated their forefather’s deliverance from slavery and the night of their departure from the slave-masters of Egypt; the night the angel of Death passed over the houses of those who followed instruction and did all the preparation necessary. The first-born of the strength of Egypt (or the world system) died that night, but those partaking of the lamb with their loins girded and their feet shod were untouched. Others were weeping outside, having lost all that was birthed from their human strength and passion, but the obedient people of God were feasting within their own houses, covered by the Blood of the Lamb, and prepared for the journey ahead of them.

 

Remember that the people of God had never before been instructed to put blood upon their doorposts. They had to obey by faith, even though they didn't understand exactly why they were told to do this. This was a unique instruction for a unique time in History. Be prepared for unusual instructions as you participate in this season’s push for breakthrough. Call on Him and He will show you great and mighty things that you know not. Heavenly counsel is being released to those who are watching and in the Spirit at this time. This Passover, be prepared; make room to partake of the broken bread of the Word and the wine of the Word the Spirit of the Living God wants you to feast on. It is understanding which has not been poured out in the previous seasons in God. Just as occurred at that Passover meal which Jesus shared before His crucifixion, there are layers of revelation hidden within the Word that you have not seen or been ready for until now. Within that broken unleavened bread is the spiritual nourishment you need to overcome and live victoriously, ruling and reigning and seated (at rest in the finished works of Christ) during the Day of the Lord.

 

There is a planned visitation to your house this Passover. May it be all your hungry heart has longed for!

 

Selah