The Typology of the Jewish Feasts

According to a book by pastor Roland Buck, called Angels on Assignment, the angel Gabriel told him that God's priorities are associated with the seven Jewish feasts that typify them in Leviticus 23. In other words, these annual religious festivals that the Hebrews celebrate are types that signify God's priorities. For the apostle Paul said that "These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ." (Col 2:17, NIV).

Here are God’s priorities and the seven feasts that typify them, which are found in Leviticus 23:

The Passover of the Lord
1. Priority: The Blood of Jesus
Festival: The Passover of the Lord

Moses wrote in the Torah, 'These are the appointed times of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at the times appointed for them. 'In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight is the LORD'S Passover." (Lev 23:4-5)

"And when your children say to you, 'What does this rite mean to you?' you shall say, 'It is a Passover sacrifice to the LORD who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.'" And the people bowed low and worshiped." (Exo 12:26-27)

Jesus has become our Passover Lamb, when He gave his life on the cross for us.  In fact, He was crucified on during the Passover Feast.

When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion." (Mat 26:1-2).  On the night he was betrayed, He celebrated the Passover with His disciples. "While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body.' And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.'" (Mat 26:26-28)

"And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.'" (Luk 22:19-20)

When we put our faith in Jesus, His precious blood is applied to our hearts and our sins are washed away.  Since He was the spotless Lamb of God, His blood applied to the hearts of those who put their trust in Him saves them just as the blood of the Passover lamb saved the Israelites in Egypt.

The apostle Peter wrote: "...knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." (1Pe 1:18-19)

The apostle Paul wrote to the Hebrews, "For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Heb 9:13-14)  "Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus." (Heb 10:19)

The apostle John wrote: "But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1Jo 1:7)

The Festival of Unleavened Bread
2. Priority: Fellowship and Communion with God
Festival: The Festival of Matzah (Unleavened Bread)

'Then on the fifteenth day of the same month there is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread." (Lev 23:6)

The leven or yeast represents sin.  So this feast was meant to typify the removal of all sin from our lives. Unleavened bread is a metaphor for holiness and purity.

"Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, [Jesus] began saying to His disciples first of all, 'Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.'" (Luk 12:1)

Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?" And He said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is near; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples."'" The disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover. (Mat 26:17-19)

The apostle Paul wrote: "Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." (1Co 5:7-8)

God wants to have a personal relationship with each of us, and fellowship with us daily just as He did with Adam in the garden. But sin separates us from God.  So God made a way for us in Christ to be made holy, so that we might enjoy sweet fellowship with Him. 

Jesus Is Alive!
3. Priority: Jesus Is Alive!
Festival: Reshit Katzir ("The Festival of First Fruits")

"Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest.'" (Lev 23:9-10)

This was fulfilled in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is the First Fruit.

"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." (1 Cor 15:20)

The Promise of the Holy Spirit
4. Priority: The Promise of the Holy Spirit
Festival: The Festival of Shavuot (Pentecost)

'You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete sabbaths. 'You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the LORD.'" (Lev 23:15-16)

Shavuot (Hebrew) means "weeks." This is why it's called the Feast of Weeks. The term "Pentecost" comes the Greek penteconta "fifty".

The disciples received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

"When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language." (Act 2:1-6)

Go Tell The World
5. Priority: Go Tell The World
Festival: The Festival of Rosh Hashanah (Trumpets)

Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. (Lev 23:23-24)

During this feast, the shofar is blown to commemorate the ram that God provided to Abraham in place of Isaac. 

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Mat 28:18-20)

This festival corresponds with going and telling the world that Jesus Himself has become that ram and died in our place. 

Atonement of Jesus is Everlasting
6. Priority: Atonement of Jesus is Everlasting
Festival: Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement)

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall humble your souls and present an offering by fire to the LORD. (Lev 23:26-27)

The day of atonement was the only day of the year when the High Priest was allowed to enter into the Most Holy Place in the Temple.  On this day he would sprinkle blood on the ark of the covenant.  Each time he did so, it would atone for the sins of Israel for another year.  But it had to be repeated every year. This is a very solemn day of the year, when Jewish people abstain from all enjoyment, fast and pray and ask for forgiveness.

Jesus has made atonement for us at the cross. "For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of Gpd for us; nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own." (Heb 9:24-25). If you want to understand this more fully, read the book of Hebrews 9.

"For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate." (Heb 13:11-12)

However, Jesus doesn't just cover your sin.  He washes it away!  He makes us holy when we trust in Him and His atoning sacrifice on the cross.  And that atonement is not just for one year, but it is everlasting.

The Return of Jesus
7. Priority: The Return of Jesus
Festival: Sukkot (The Festival of Tabernacles)

Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'On the fifteenth of this seventh month is the Feast of Booths for seven days to the LORD. (Lev 23:33-34).  This feast was a celebration of the exodus from Egypt when the children of Israel lived in tents for forty years in the wilderness.

This feast anticipates the eternal dwelling places that Jesus Christ has prepared for us.

"For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord." (1Th 4:15-17)

Our journey here on earth is a brief one.  We live in these tents of clay that we call our mortal bodies. When Christ comes back for His people, He will give to His people glorified bodies like His own, and then we shall always be with the Lord.  We shall dwell with Him in glory forever in His eternal kingdom.  This is the only feast of the seven that has not yet been fulfilled.  But it will be fulfilled VERY soon.

Closing Words
Through the Scriptures, we have learned that the seven Jewish festivals all types of things to come, the realities of which are found in Christ. The Passover Lamb is a type of Christ, and its blood a type of His blood, as I explained in detail in my article on that. The Festival of Unleavened Bread (Matzah) is a type of fellowship and communion with God. The Festival of First Fruits (Reshit Katzir) is a type of Christ's resurrection. The Festival Pentecost (Shavuot) is a type of the promise of the Holy Spirit. The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) signifies that God wants us to go tell the world the Good News! The Day of Atonement, known as Yom Kippur, is a type of Christ's atonement. The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) is a type of Christ's Return. These feasts were so important to God that he had Israel rehearse them every Year.

Through our study of this subject, we can learn many truths that strengthen our faith in Christ. I trust this has helped to accomplish that objective in your life as you have read this article. I hope you will come back again later to enjoy more articles on the types in the Bible.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Image taken from My Savior's Perfect Will blog.

Author's Note: Also see The Passover Lamb as a Type of Christ, The Typology of the Tabernacle, Isaac as a Type of Christ, Noah's Ark a Type of Christ, The Temple as a Type of Christ, and The Mysteries of the Faith. You can access the Main Directory for Biblical Typology, or my complete blog directory at Writing for the Master. Now I'd like to ask a very important question.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_____________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

The Glorified Lamb of God

In my previous article, I explained how the Passover Lamb is a type of Christ. I alluded to the fact that in the book of Revelation, it was revealed to the apostle John that the glorified Lamb of God is revealed up in heaven. Let's take a deeper look at that together in Scripture.

The Lamb That Was Slain
John saw Him as a Lamb that was slain standing between the throne and the elders. He said, "And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth."  (Rev 5:6)

Worship the Lamb
God revealed to John that in heaven they worship the Lamb. He said, "When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."  (Rev 5:8)

John heard the glorious sound of the angelic choir worshiping the Lamb. "Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.'"  (Rev 5:11-12)

That beautiful song was followed by a sort of chorus or response from every created thing. "And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, 'To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.'"  (Rev 5:13)

"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."  (Rev 7:9-10)

Only the Lamb is Worthy
The Lamb is the only one who was found in heaven or on earth or under the earth who was worthy to take the scroll from the hand of Him who sits on the throne and break its seals. When the Lamb took the scroll from the hand of Him who sits on the throne, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. "And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth." (Rev 5:9-10)

The Lamb Breaks the Seals
John saw the Lamb break all seven seals on the scroll that He took from the hand of Him who sits on the throne, and after He broke each seal it was followed by a very significant event (Rev 6:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12; 8:1).

Hiding from the Wrath of the Lamb
When the Lamb opened the sixth seal, all men hid themselves from Him and feared His wrath.

"Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?'" (Rev 6:15-17)

Washed in the Blood of the Lamb

One of the elders asked John to identify the great, countless multitude standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and tell where they came from, and here was his reply:

"I said to him, 'My lord, you know.' And he said to me, 'These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."  (Rev 7:14)

They were washed in the blood of the Lamb. Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? This is the very reason why they are before God's throne.

"For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. "They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes." (Rev 7:15-17)

Hallelujah! The Lamb will be their shepherd, and will guide them to the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Overcome by the Blood of the Lamb
Do you know how the brethren overcome their accuser who accuses them before our God day and night? They overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. "And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death." (Rev 12:11).

Follow the Lamb Wherever He Goes
John saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion with the one hundred and forty-four thousand blameless ones, who had been redeemed from the earth (Rev 14:1), who have not been defiled with women, who follow the Lamb wherever He goes, who have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb (Rev 14:4). They sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders.

The Victorious Song of the Lamb
John saw those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, holding harps of God (Rev 15:2-3).

"And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, 'Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.'" (Rev 15:3-4)

The Lamb Overcomes His Enemies
The ten kings in the last days will wage war against the Lamb, but He will overcome them. "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful."  (Rev 17:14)

The Marriage of the Lamb
John heard them say in heaven that there would be a marriage of the Lamb accompanied by a marriage supper. "Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, 'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.'" (Rev 19:6-7)

"Then he said to me, 'Write: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.' And he said to me, 'These are true words of God.'"  (Rev 19:9)

The Wife of the Lamb
John was shown the wife of the Lamb. "Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, 'Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.'"  (Rev 21:9). Then John saw the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God (Rev 21:10).

The Lamb's Book of Life
John said that only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life would enter the holy city. "And nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Rev 21:27)

The Throne of God and of the Lamb
John saw a river flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. "Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb..."  (Rev 22:1)

Their throne will be in the holy city. "There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him;"  (Rev 22:3)

Putting it All Together
According to Scripture, everyone in heaven worships the Lamb, not only myriads of angels but countless multitudes of saints clothed in white robes, who were washed in the blood of the Lamb. In fact every created thing in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea worships him. For He receives blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever. We must always overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony, and follow the Lamb wherever He goes. His Bride eagerly awaits the marriage of the Lamb, to which she has been invited, and she makes herself ready for it. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life may enter the holy city and drink from the river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb which will be in the holy city.

Now that we have seen how the Christ, the Lamb of God, is already glorified up in heaven at this time and will be all throughout eternity, we can more fully appreciate that the Passover lamb was a type of Christ. I trust this has helped to accomplish that very goal in your life as you have read this article. I hope you will come back again later to enjoy more articles on the types in the Bible.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, copyright Lockman Foundation, used by permission. Other Scriptures where noted taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. Image may be subject to copyright, used per Fair Use Act for commentary and educational purposes only. No copyright infringement intended.

Author's note:  Also see The Passover Lamb is a Type of Christ, The Typology of the Tabernacle, Isaac as a Type of Christ, Noah's Ark a Type of Christ, and The Temple as a Type of Christ. You can access the Main Directory for Biblical Typology, or my complete blog directory at Writing for the Master. Now I'd like to ask a very important question.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

__________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

The Passover Lamb as a Type of Christ

The Passover Lamb is a type of Christ found in one of the seven Jewish feasts. Let's study this feast to understand how the lamb represents Christ.

The Passover
On that very first Passover, while the Jews were still in Egypt and God was executing His judgments upon Pharaoh and his people, God decided to strike down the firstborn male child of every Egyptian household. In order for the Israelites to keep their household safe, they had to kill a lamb and put some of its blood on the doors and door posts of their home.

Moses wrote in the Law, "Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, 'On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers' households, a lamb for each household.

'Now if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his neighbor nearest to his house are to take one according to the number of persons in them; according to what each man should eat, you are to divide the lamb. 'Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 'You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight.

'Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 'They shall eat the flesh that same night, roasted with fire, and they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 'Do not eat any of it raw or boiled at all with water, but rather roasted with fire, both its head and its legs along with its entrails. 'And you shall not leave any of it over until morning, but whatever is left of it until morning, you shall burn with fire.

'Now you shall eat it in this manner: with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste—it is the LORD'S Passover. 'For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am the LORD. 'The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

'Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance." (Exo 12:3-14)

This was so important that the Lord had the Israelites rehearse it every year.

"And when your children say to you, 'What does this rite mean to you?' you shall say, 'It is a Passover sacrifice to the LORD who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.'" And the people bowed low and worshiped." (Exo 12:26-27)

Jesus Christ the Lamb of God
John the Baptist as the forerunner of Christ identified Him as the Lamb of God just before the Passover. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (Jn 1:29, NIV). Jesus has become our Passover Lamb, which he demonstrated when He gave his life on the cross for us.  In fact, He was crucified during the Passover Feast.

When we put our faith in Jesus, His precious blood is applied to our hearts and our sins are washed away.  Since He was the spotless Lamb of God, His blood applied to the hearts of those who put their trust in Him saves them just as the blood of the Passover lamb saved the Israelites in Egypt.

The apostle Peter wrote: "...knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." (1Pe 1:18-19)

The apostle Paul wrote to the Hebrews, "For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Heb 9:13-14)  "Therefore, brethren...we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus..." (Heb 10:19)

The apostle John wrote: "But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1Jo 1:7)

The Types Explained
Let's go back and look at seven aspects of the Passover from Exodus 12:3-14, so that we may fully understand their significance to us.

1. A Lamb for Each Household

"They are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers' households, a lamb for each household."

This is a very personal matter. Each one must do this, which signifies that we must each make our own personal decision to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

2. An Unblemished Male Lamb a Year Old

'Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old..."

Jesus Christ was a young male around thirty-three years old. He was sinless and perfect, completely obedient to God His heavenly Father. For more on this see The Sinlessness of Christ.

3. Kill it at Twilight

"...kill it at twilight..."

Just as the lamb had to be killed, Jesus Christ was put to death on the cross of Calvary.

4. Put Some of the Blood on the Doorposts and Lintels

"...take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses..."

Just as the Jews had to apply the blood of the lamb to the entrances to their homes, the blood of Christ must be applied to each of our hearts. We must personally take that action by faith in Him.

For the apostle says, "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."

5. Eat the Flesh of the Lamb

"They shall eat the flesh that same night, roasted with fire, and they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs."

Each individual must eat Christ's flesh and drink His blood. He who does so has eternal life.

Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him." (Joh 6:53-56).

At the last supper on the night He was betrayed, at the meal with His disciples, He said of the bread that He broke, "Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you." Likewise, as He gave the cup to them and told them all to drink from it, He said, "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins."

When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion." (Mat 26:1-2).  On the night he was betrayed, He celebrated the Passover with His disciples. "While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body.' And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.'" (Mat 26:26-28)

"And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.'" (Luk 22:19-20)

6. No Leftovers

"you shall not leave any of it over until morning..."

They took Jesus' body down from the cross after He died and buried Him. They did not leave Him there until morning.  

7. When God Sees the Blood, He Will Pass Over You

"...The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you..."

When God sees the blood of Jesus His Lamb on your heart, He will pass over you and will not destroy you with the wicked. You will not perish but have eternal life (Jn 3:16). The blood of Jesus also protects you from any plague that God sends upon the wicked.

God Sacrificed His Lamb
While God required the Jews to sacrifice a lamb on the Passover and every year as a memorial, it was all pointing to the day when He would once for all sacrifice His own perfect, sinless Lamb on the cross without defect for our sins. He sacrificed for us what was most precious to Him, His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. As the apostle said, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom 5:8, NIV).

Like a Lamb to the Slaughter
The Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet Isaiah, predicting the sufferings of Christ that would happen some seven hundred years later in the 53rd chapter of that book. It is clearly referring to Christ, as that detailed description could not match anyone else but Jesus. The entire chapter is about His sufferings, but I will just quote a few key verses, the first of which declared that He would be led like a lamb to the slaughter. It says, "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter..." (Is 53:7a, NIV).

His life was an offering for sin: "Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin." (Is 53:10a, NIV).

He bore the sin of man: "...He poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." (Is 53:12b, NIV).

If you have never read that chapter, you really must read it to appreciate the full significance of it. I suggest you begin at Isaiah 52:13 and continue through the end of chapter 53.

The Glorified Lamb
In the book of Revelation, the glorified Lamb of God is revealed up in heaven, where the Lord took the apostle John to show him these things. He saw the Lamb that was slain standing between the throne and the elders (Rev 5:6), and they all worshiped the Lamb there (Rev 5:8), including the angelic choir (Rev 5:11-12), every created thing (Rev 5:13), and a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation, tribe, peoples and language (Rev 7:9-10).

He saw a countless multitude before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, who were washed in the blood of the Lamb, which is the very reason why they were before God's throne (Rev 7:14-15). Throughout eternity the Lamb will be their shepherd, and will guide them to the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (Rev 7:17). They overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony (Rev 12:11).

John also saw one hundred and forty-four thousand standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion, who follow the Lamb wherever He goes (Rev 14:4). John also saw those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, holding harps of God. And they sang the song of Moses, and the song of the Lamb (Rev 15:2-3). With the Lamb were the called and chosen and faithful (Rev 17:14).

John heard them say in heaven that there would be a marriage of the Lamb, for which the Bride must make herself ready, which would be accompanied by a marriage supper attended only by those who were invited (Rev 19:6-7).

John was shown the wife of the Lamb, the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God (Rev 21:9-10). Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life would enter the holy city (Rev 21:27). John saw a river flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Rev 22:1), which will be in the holy city (Rev 22:3).

I go into much more detail about this in my follow up to this article called The Glorified Lamb of God.

Closing Words
In our study of the Passover Feast, we have seen that the lamb is a type of Christ. Almost every aspect of the Passover Feast is symbolic, pointing us to Him. We examined the lamb itself, which was required to be a year-old male without any blemish or defect. We also examined how they ate the lamb, and how each household had to put some of its blood on the entrance to their home. Each aspect of the Passover teaches us about Christ as the only One who can save us from being struck down by the wrath of God, and our need to accept Him as our own Lord and Savior, applying His blood to our hearts by faith. I trust this has helped to accomplish that very goal in your life as you have read this article. I hope you will come back again later to enjoy more articles on the types in the Bible.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, copyright Lockman Foundation, used by permission. Other Scriptures where noted taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zonervan, used by permission. 

Author's note:  Also see The Glorified Lamb of God, The Typology of the Tabernacle, Moses as a  Type of Christ, Isaac as a Type of Christ, Noah's Ark a Type of Christ, and The Temple as a Type of Christ. You can access the Main Directory for Biblical Typology, or my complete blog directory at Writing for the Master. Now I'd like to ask a very important question.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.