Abib First is the first day of the sacred New Year, and the day on which the Megiddo Church observes the anniversary of our Savior's birth.

Abib means “month of green ears,” “spring or sprouting month” (Gesenius' Hebrew Lexicon). God commanded Moses to “observe the month Abib” (Deut. 16:1) as a memorial of the Israelites' departure from Egypt. The Lord said to Moses: “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you….This day came ye out in the month Abib” (Ex. 12:2; 13:4).

Abib 1 is New Year's Day (April 6-7)

Bible time being measured from evening to evening (Lev. 23:32). It was the pattern of the Hebrew People to begin the new year from the first occurrence of the new moon after the Spring Equinox.

Abib 7 (April 13)

The first sabbath of the Bible year as observed by the Israelites. The day begins with the evening of April 13.

Abib 8 (April 14)

On this day, Jesus, just before His crucifixion, went to Bethany, to the home of Lazarus, where Jesus had previously raised Lazarus from the dead. The family made Jesus a supper, and Mary anointed His feet with the precious ointment. Jesus said: “Against the day of my burying has she kept this” (John 12:1-7).

Abib 9-11 (April 15-17)

Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on a young ass, and much people that had gathered for the feast took palm branches and went to meet Him, saying “Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord” (John 12:12-17). He entered the temple and cast out them that sold, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, (Matt. 21:12, 13). Following this, He taught the people for the next several days. At night He withdrew to the Mount of Olives. The chief priests took counsel how they might take Him.

Abib 12 (April 18, day)

Jesus astonished His disciples “two days before the Passover” by saying that He was to be betrayed to be crucified (Matt. 16:2). Before the close of this day Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare the Last Supper (Luke 22:7-13).

Abib 13 (April 18, evening)

Jesus' New Passover (or Lord's Supper).

Jesus met with the Twelve on the beginning of Abib 13 to eat the Passover (Luke 22:14). It was here that He instituted the New Passover. The anniversary of this event falls on the evening of April 18 this year. Jesus took the cup and divided it among them, took bread and broke it, and gave it to them; girded Himself and washed the Apostles' feet. He expounded to them (chapters 13-16 of St. John). Supper ended, they sang a hymn and went out to Gethsemane. On this same night Jesus was betrayed by Judas, led before Caiaphas, and denied three times by Peter. In the morning He was taken to Pilate. Pilate sent Him to Herod, and Herod returned Him to Pilate. At the 6^th hour (12 o'clock noon) He was crucified; at the 9^th hour (3 o'clock), He died, and before evening He was placed in Joseph's tomb.

Abib 14 (April 20)

Second sabbath and Jewish Passover

as kept by the Israelites in memory of their miraculous deliverance from Egypt. It was to this feast Jesus came with His parents when He was twelve years old. This day the women rested after the stirring scenes of the crucifixion and prepared spices to anoint Jesus' body the following day.

Abib 15 (April 21)

Resurrection Day

Jesus lay in the tomb from the close of Abib 13, through the 14^th and “very early in the morning” of Abib 15 when the women “came unto the sepulcher” (Luke 24:1), they found the sepulcher opened and heard those sweetest words, “He is not here, but is risen.” These women reported the incident to the Apostles, who did not believe it. That same afternoon Jesus appeared to two of the disciples on the way to Emmaus, and reproved them for being “slow of heart to believe.” Shortly after this, when the Eleven were gathered together, Jesus Himself appeared and made himself known to them, and again reproved them for their unbelief.

Ascension Day

Jesus was with His disciples during the next forty days (Acts 1:3). He commanded them to wait at Jerusalem for the promise of the Holy Spirit. His ascension is recorded in Acts 1:9-11. This year the day comes on May 31.

Pentecost

is fifty days after the morning after the old Passover, this year on June 9. On this day the disciples received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), as had been foretold by the Prophet Joel (Joel 2:23).