The term "Pass Over" is most prominently associated with the Jewish festival of Passover, which commemorates the Israelites' exodus from Egypt as described in the Book of Exodus. The event is foundational to Jewish identity and is also significant in Christian theology as a foreshadowing of Christ's sacrificial death.

In Exodus 12, God commands the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and to apply its blood to the doorposts and lintels of their homes. This act was to protect them from the final plague—the death of the firstborn—which God would inflict upon Egypt. The Lord declared, "The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt" (Exodus 12:13). This divine act of passing over the homes of the Israelites is the origin of the term "Passover."

The Passover lamb is a typology of Jesus Christ in Christian theology. The Apostle Paul refers to Christ as "our Passover lamb" who has been sacrificed (1 Corinthians 5:7). This typology is further reinforced in the Gospel of John, where John the Baptist proclaims Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). The blood of Christ, like the blood of the Passover lamb, is seen as a means of deliverance and protection from spiritual death.

The Passover is also a time of remembrance and celebration, as God instructed the Israelites to observe it as a lasting ordinance (Exodus 12:14). It involves the Seder meal, which includes unleavened bread and bitter herbs, symbolizing the haste of the Israelites' departure and the bitterness of their slavery.

Preserve

The concept of preservation in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing both physical and spiritual dimensions. It often refers to God's protective and sustaining power over His creation and His people.

In the Old Testament, preservation is frequently associated with God's covenantal faithfulness. For instance, in Psalm 121:7-8, the psalmist declares, "The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore" . This assurance of divine protection is a recurring theme, emphasizing God's role as a guardian and sustainer.

The New Testament continues this theme, with a focus on spiritual preservation. In Jude 1:24, believers are assured that God is able "to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy" . This reflects the belief in God's power to preserve the believer's faith and integrity until the end.

Preservation is also linked to the concept of salvation. In 1 Peter 1:5, believers are described as "shielded by God’s power through faith for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time" . This indicates that God's preserving power is active in the life of the believer, ensuring their ultimate redemption.

Moreover, the Bible encourages believers to actively participate in their own preservation by adhering to God's commandments and living a life of righteousness. Proverbs 2:8 states, "He guards the paths of justice and protects the way of His saints" , suggesting that divine preservation is both a gift and a responsibility.

In summary, the biblical concept of preservation underscores God's unwavering commitment to protect and sustain His people, both physically and spiritually, throughout their earthly journey and into eternity.