Did You Know that There Were Two Passovers? 

Did You Know that There Were Two Passovers? 

We all know the story of the First Passover (Exodus 12) when "the Lord struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt," but passed over the homes of the Israelites who had followed the directions given by Moses. This great event has been celebrated by the Children of Israel to this day (Numbers 9 & 28:16 / Deuteronomy 16).

But did you know there was a second and very different "Passover" at a very different time in Hebrew history? Actually, I didn't catch it until my third reading of the Bible, just a day or so ago.

Ezekiel chapters 4, 5, 6 & 7 speak of the coming judgment on Jerusalem and the reasons for it: "the land is filled with crimes of blood, and the city is full of violence." (7:23) In chapter 8, Ezekiel is lifted up by the Spirit and shown the abominations going on in God's Temple: God's patience has come to an end.

In Ezekiel 9, a man (spirit, angel) "clothed with linen" is holding an inkhorn and is charged by God: "Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sign and cry over all the abominations that are done within it."

Then "six men" (spiritual beings) "each with his battle-ax in his hand" are likewise charged: "Go after him through the city and kill. Do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark. Begin at my sanctuary."

Then "the man clothed with linen" reports back to God: "I have done as You commanded."

Because the Temple (God's House) has been defiled, "the glory of the Lord" departs in chapter 10.

"I send My four severe judgments on Jerusalem -- the sword and famine and wild beasts and pestilence." (Ezekiel 14:21)

>> Friends, in these days of tornadoes and melting glaciers, earthquakes and volcanoes, the China virus and Covid, war between Russia and Ukraine, war between Israel and Iran (Hamas, Houthis, Hezbollah), we have to wonder if God's judgment is not now falling upon the entire world ... and have we who read this received on our foreheads the mark from "the man clothed in linen" rather than “the mark of the beast” (Revelation 14:9-11)?

Let love prevail!