Did Jewish followers of Yeshua expect Him to return at Passover? Since ancient times, Messianic expectation was attached to Passover. Two-thousand years ago, Rabbi Yehoshua of Jerusalem said, “In Nisan (month of Passover) they were redeemed and in Nisan they will be redeemed in the time to come“. Even in the modern Seder on Passover night a place is set for the prophet Elijah, in hopes that he will join the meal to announce the coming of Messiah. We now know this same expectation was held by early followers of Yeshua after the resurrection. Indeed, the commemoration of Passover (The Lord’s Supper) contains the ‘sign’ or memory of the coming of the Lord. “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” I Cor. 11: 26 Ancient sources give us insight into practices of the early Jewish believing community.
The Mysterious Mediator in the Machzor for Rosh HaShanah
What if I told you that written plainly within the prayer book for Rosh Hashanah, the Machzor, just before sounding the shofar, a special prayer mentions Yeshua Sar HaPanim – Jesus – Prince of the Presence? [1] Was Jesus ‘name preserved within this ancient Jewish prayer?
“May it be your will before you that at the sounding of the Tekiah, Shevarim, Teruah, that we are blowing, that it will be woven into the curtain by the appointed one, (Tartiel) according to the name that you received by Elijah (remembered for Good) Yeshua The Prince of the Presence, and the Prince Metatron, and that you will fulfill upon us mercy. Blessed are you lord of mercy.”[2]Machzor Rabah Rosh Hashanah, Ashkanazi tradition, Pg . 168Continue reading →
“Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2: 3-4 NKJV
Tongues of Fire in center of frag. 1Q29, lashonot esh.
Years ago, my son and I drove to the Dead Sea region of Qumran to see a cave where ancient scroll fragments, were found – mysterious texts describing “Lashonot Esh” “Tongues of Fire”. Could these Fragments illuminate our New Testament text? In Israel, Shavuot, or Pentecost, begins tonight; a time to remember the giving of the Torah and the miracle of Israel “seeing the voices, and the flames” upon the mountain. Exodus 20: 18 YLT In Acts, we see the “tongues as of fire” resting on the heads of the believers. Though baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues is repeated in the New Testament, the physical appearance of this fire occurred only one time. Modern scholars now argue “the House”, ha bayit, referred to in Acts 2:2 was the Temple. If correct, those “tongues as of fire” were visible to multitudes visiting Jerusalem. With this dramatic scene set, we can now examine the fragments. They describes a miracle involving the High Priest, also at the Temple, ministering in the Holy of Holies. As Israel waited for him to emerge, the fragment says, “He went forth with tongues of fire”. “ויצא בלשונות אש” “He [i.e., the high priest] shall go forth with [the ephod] with tongues of fire.”(1)
Did Jewish followers of Yeshua expect Him to return at Passover? Since ancient times, Messianic expectation was attached to Passover. Two-thousand years ago, Rabbi Yehoshua of Jerusalem said, “In Nisan (month of Passover) they were redeemed and in Nisan they will be redeemed in the time to come“. Even in the modern Seder on Passover night a place is set for the prophet Elijah, in hopes that he will join the meal to announce the coming of Messiah. We now know this same expectation was held by early followers of Yeshua after the resurrection. Indeed, the commemoration of Passover (The Lord’s Supper) contains the ‘sign’ or memory of the coming of the Lord. “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” I Cor. 11: 26 Ancient sources give us insight into practices of the early Jewish believing community. 
What if I told you that written plainly within the prayer book for Rosh Hashanah, the Machzor, just before sounding the shofar, a special prayer mentions Yeshua Sar HaPanim – Jesus – Prince of the Presence? 