(Note: It has recently come to my attention (May 2000) of a book that discusses this at some length and may provide more information for the questions you may have about this article. It is "The Rod of an Almond Tree" by Peter Michas pages 151-159. Try the link to order it. I highly recomment the entire book. DMH)
This article is ment to inform those who may not know the true scenario for the days of our Messiah's suffering and resurrection, since there is much confusion concerning the tradition of these events.
The following scenario is based on the words of Yeshua, "For as Yonah was three days and three nights in the stomach of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth," (Matthew 12:40), and on the rest of scriptural evidence. It is important to note for understanding that Hebrew days begin at sundown. It is also important to remember that Yeshua is the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb, and a true fulfillment had to follow the days of Passover.
1. Yeshua came and offered Himself as the Sacrificial Passover Lamb on 10 Nisan, a Sabbath (Saturday), when He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. It was a Sabbath Day's journey from Bethany. He taught three days: Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, in the Temple.
2. He celebrated the Passover Seder on 14 Nisan (Tuesday night) with His disciples (the twelve). It was here that He explained the meaning of His person in the Passover elements. Afterwards they all went out to Gethsemene, where they spent part of the night.
3. Yeshua was arrested during the night and His trial continued until about 9 am (3rd hour after 6:00 am), when He was put on the stake. At 3:00 pm (9th hour) on Wednesday He died (Baruch HaShem Adonai).
4. He was taken down from the execution stake before the beginning of the Great Sabbath that evening , which is the 15 Nisan, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
5. He was in the grave the nightime of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. He was in the grave the daytime of Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Three full days and three full nights.
6. Therefore, He rose from the dead toward the arrival of the first day of the week, 18 Nisan, a Saturday evening (Baruch HaShem Adonai). The women came early on Sunday morning to FIND that Yeshua had already risen.
7. The day of Yeshua's resurrection was also the celebration called Yom HaBikkurim or First Fruits (Leviticus 23), which is always the first day of the week after the Passover.
"Easter" is actually a pagan celebration for the goddess (demon) Ishtar/Astarte, which is held on the first Sunday following the Vernal Equinox (Spring planetary cycle). This day was fixed by apostate medieval churchianity and has nothing to do with Yeshua's resurrection. It is, rather, a lie and a blasphemy to celebrate it as Yeshua's resurrection.
Believers who want to follow the truth need to rethink their blind obedience to the tradition of men. Rather, we need to follow the commandment of God, which He is restoring in this hour.
Copyright © 1996 - 2007 David M. Hargis. All rights reserved.