Dear Doves,
 
   In days of old in the times of Moses and Aaron was the first Passover, when the last plague, the death of the firstborn, was a massive judgment against Egypt and its gods. Those with the covering of the blood of the lamb, on doorposts and lintel, were spared the deaths, the mourning, the horror. At the midnight hour, they were safe as death "passed over" them as promised. What was this night? It was Nisan 15. But what was the Torah commanded night, declared later that year at Mt. Sinai, for the annual memorial, the observe and remember, of Passover for many generations to come? It was to be on Nisan 14. Nisan 15 was to be a High Sabbath, a Shabbat Shabbataton, a sacred convocation day, and day 1 of  7 days of The Feast of Unleavened Bread. These were to be part of 8 special days each Spring. As noted, the very first Passover was on Nisan 15. A solemn night, it was a time of anxious vigil awaiting death for some, yet deliverance for many who trusted in the provision and safety in the blood of the lamb on the door of each dwelling of the Hebrew people. These trusted Moses and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
   In the times of Messiah/Christ, He had a special night also of vigil, watching onto the midnight hour of Nisan 14. As our Passover, our Lamb, He delivered us from our sins and eternal spiritual death. His vigil approaching the Gethsemane midnight hour, drew near the dark hour of anguish as He sweat blood, accepted assignment, awaited betrayal, and arrest. Our Redeemer agreed to symbolically drink the full cup of the dregs of sin, so that we could be delivered, saved, redeemed forevermore. The sinless righteous one took on our sins, judgment, punishment, and wrath. These two nights each year include vigil and watching onto the midnight hour, the hour of testing. The nights of Nisan 14 and 15 of those momentous events were when sleepiness was to be struggled against in the avid watching during the nocturnal vigils.
   But what about the night three of the Passover nights? What is the additional night of vigil approaching the unknown at the midnight hour? It is the night of Iyar 14, 30 days after Nisan 14. This is the Second Passover. Petition was made and permission was granted in response to men defiled. They eagerly wanted a second opportunity to celebrate Passover. Abba Father granted their requests. He added to the Torah, like an amendment to commandments in the Torah, to Mosaic Law. As obscure as it is to Jews and Gentiles alike, this addition to the Torah commandments (mitsvoh) is still in effect. Abba Father honors this each year. It is BINDING, rather than loosed. He will offer the Second Passover on Iyar 14 to those who want it. All of Abba Father's promises are sure, even if seemingly obscure to us.
   So the days of the First Passover and Unleavened Bread are completed by a third vigil night at Iyar 14. Therefore, the Passover Season extends for a month, not for 7 or 8 days. If the bride/body of Messiah/Christ remains until after day 7 of the days of Unleavened Bread, the Second Passover may be a divine option to be honored, a necessary second opportunity for the few. His bride of the ages may need to remain until this is accomplished.  The Second Passover is Torah promised and given each year. The extended Passover Season will only be accomplished, complete and full, with the Second Passover from sunset on 4-24 to sunset on 4-25-2013. Will the night three of the Passover nights of vigil be important this year? For most people it will be a routine evening. A night for watching? Vigil onto the midnight hour for Israel? The divine provision of the Second Passover is another example of the abundance of His tender mercies.
 
With Love and Shalom,
Jean