And for this reason three seasons of the year prefigured the Saviour Himself, so that He should fulfil the mysteries prophesied of Him. In the Passover season, so as to exhibit Himself as one destined to be sacrificed like a sheep, and to prove Himself the true Paschal-lamb, even as the apostle says, "Even Christ," who is God, "our passover was sacrificed for us." [1853] And at Pentecost so as to presignify the kingdom of heaven as He Himself first ascended to heaven and brought man as a gift to God. [1854]

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Footnotes:

[1852] From the same Discourse. From Theodoret's Second Dialogue, bearing the title "Unmixed," asunchutos; Works, vol. iv. p. 88.

[1853] 1 Corinthians 5:7.

[1854] [Man's nature was never before in heaven. John 3:13; Acts 2:34.]