FLESH AND BLOOD OF THE LAMB

In Revelation 7:14, the verse states, “…they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” This scripture speaks to the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice, illustrating how those who have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb emerge pure and unblemished.

The paradox lies in the imagery: how can something washed in red blood become white? This illustrates the figurative language often found in the Bible, which requires spiritual insight and guidance from the Holy Spirit for comprehension.

In the Old Testament, the literal lamb was used as a sacrificial offering for the atonement of sins. This practice is captured in Leviticus 17:11, where it states, “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”

This emphasizes that blood represents life and how reconciliation with God is achieved.

Further, Leviticus 1:1-4 describes the process of making a sacrifice: “When anyone among you brings an offering to the Lord, bring as you’re offering an animal from either the herd or the flock. If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, you are to offer a male without defect. You must present it at the entrance to the tent of meeting so that it will be acceptable to the Lord. You are to lay your hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on your behalf to make atonement for you.”

Here, the act of transferring one’s sins onto the burnt offering symbolizes the plea for forgiveness and the hope for spiritual restoration.

In the New Testament, this theme of sacrifice is embodied in Jesus, referred to as the spiritual Lamb in John 1:29, where John the Baptist proclaims, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” This is further reinforced in 1 Corinthians 5:7, which identifies Christ as “our Passover lamb, who has been sacrificed.”

Thus, the blood of the Lamb signifies Jesus’ sacrifice, providing atonement and the gift of eternal life.

Jesus elaborates on this spiritual significance in John 6:53-56, stating, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” He goes on to declare that those who partake in His flesh and blood—symbolizing His teachings and the acceptance of His sacrifice—will have eternal life.

This profound message led many to turn away, unable to grasp its deeper meaning, yet Peter affirmed, “You have the words of eternal life,” recognizing that Jesus’ words are the essence of life itself, not his physical flesh and blood.

The connection to the Passover is critical here. The Passover commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from the final plague in Egypt, where the blood of a lamb was marked on their doors, protecting them from death.

Exodus 12 lays out specific instructions for this observance, requiring the consumption of lamb, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread. The blood served as a divine sign, as God stated, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt” (Exodus 12:13).

This Passover festival introduces a pivotal foreshadowing of Christ’s future sacrifice. The Apostle Paul elucidates in Colossians 2:16-17 that these rituals were merely a shadow of what was fulfilled in Christ: “These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

Hebrews 10:1-5 echoes this, stating that the law and sacrifices were insufficient to cleanse us permanently from sin, as true atonement could only be achieved through Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.

Even the stipulation in Exodus 12:46, that the bones of the Passover lamb should not be broken, finds fulfillment in John 19:32-36, where we see that Jesus’ bones were not broken during crucifixion, aligning with the prophetic scriptures.

Thus, the Passover established during Moses’ time serves as a template for understanding Christ, the perfect Lamb sacrificed for the atonement of humanity’s sins.

Passover at the first coming of Jesus Christ

When Jesus challenged the religious leaders of His era, He uncovered the extent of their misunderstanding, encouraging them to partake in the symbolic flesh and blood of the Lamb—not literally, but as a metaphor for embracing His teachings and the salvation He provided.

He aimed for them to absorb His spiritual message, which signified a shift from loyalty to the False Priests, who represented death’s systems, to a life devoted to Christ, who offers genuine salvation.

This spiritual awakening signifies a major transition from the old covenant to the new life found in Christ, echoing Paul’s message in Galatians 4:7-8 about moving from captivity under the law to freedom through faith.

Just as the Israelites prepared themselves for the original Passover by donning their sandals and belts, believers today are called to equip themselves with the “belt of truth” and the “shoes of the gospel of peace” as described in Ephesians 6:13-16.

This prepares us to walk in the new life, guided by the profound truth found in the sacrifice of Christ, the ultimate Lamb of God.

The Significance of Passover During Jesus’ First Coming

During Jesus’ first coming, the observance of Passover took on profound significance. The scribes and Pharisees, who were considered the religious leaders and custodians of Jewish law, were deeply entrenched in the traditions of Judaism, which, metaphorically, represented death.

In this context, Jesus offered them the opportunity for spiritual rebirth by inviting them to partake in what He called the flesh and blood of the lamb, signifying the words of eternal life he came to give, but they refused Him, and his gift of life as stated in John 5:24.

Then he turned away from them and dissolved their covenant with God to create a new covenant with the Gentiles who lived in Babylon (the domain of Satan).  See Hebrews 8:7-13

The Passover to Be Observed at the Lord’s Second Coming

In Luke 22:14-16, the anticipation of a new Passover is articulated, symbolizing an event that will once again take place in the kingdom of God. This future observance will be celebrated with the elements of wine and bread, reminiscent of the Last Supper, where Jesus identified Himself as the true Passover Lamb.

 Just as Egypt represented captivity during Moses’ time, and the scribes and Pharisees posed challenges during Jesus’ first coming, the modern-day spiritual landscape features Babylon as a symbol of entrapment, as described in Revelation 18:2-4.

The call to come out of Babylon and ascend to Mount Zion serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative of salvation, as depicted in Revelation 14:1-5, where the faithful are sealed before Christ’s return. Where is spiritual Babylon and Mount Zion today?

The true meaning of the Passover during the Lord’s Second Coming revolves around this journey from Babylon, representative of spiritual confusion and sin, to Mount Zion, which signifies a place of safety and salvation.

By consuming the spiritual flesh and blood of Christ, understood as His teachings, believers will transition from allegiance to earthly powers (the False Priests represented by Babylon) to a vibrant life in Jesus.

The process of leaving Babylon, regarded as Satan’s dominion, reflects a significant spiritual struggle in which many will face persecution, as outlined in Revelation 13:6-8.

It is indicated that Satan will prevail temporarily against those who remain in his kingdom, except for those who have passed over from death to life through faith in Jesus Christ, as underlined in Revelation 17:12-14.

Jesus, portrayed as the King of Kings, battles against the forces of Babylon, liberating His followers from spiritual bondage. Those who respond to His call and come out of Babylon emerge victorious, aligning with Revelation 17:14, which highlights the triumph of the called and faithful or overcomers.

Much like the Israelites who achieved liberation from Pharaoh’s tyranny, the faithful who participate in the spiritual Passover will be victorious in their spiritual endeavours.

For those who receive Christ as their Passover Lamb, the promise of eternal life awaits, while those who neglect this vital relationship face dire consequences, akin to the fate of those who lacked the blood on their doorposts during the original Passover in Egypt.

Finally, in 1 Corinthians 5:7, Paul succinctly states, “For Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed,” encapsulating the Old Testament’s foreshadowing of New Testament truths. This sacrificial act represents God’s atonement for the sins of humanity, offering an escape from the finality of spiritual death.

Just as it was essential for the Israelites to recognize the significance of the blood on their doorposts, today’s believers must understand the imperative of residing within the protection and grace of Jesus, their present-day Passover Lamb.

God bless you for reading to the end. Send in your questions if you have any.