How Did a Pagan Holiday Become a 'Christian' Celebration? What Does God Say About Witches and the Occult? Update.

 

For “Scripture Sunday”:

How Did a Pagan Holiday Become a 'Christian' Celebration?

“Originally Halloween was a pagan festival oriented around fire, the dead and the powers of darkness.”

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“God's explicit instruction to not use pagan practices to worship Him.

Most everyone knows that Halloween takes place on Oct. 31. Far fewer, however, understand the connection between Halloween and the next day on the calendar, the festival of All Hallows’ or All Saints’ Day, celebrated by some churches and denominations Nov. 1.

One author surmises that All Saints’ Day was established to commemorate the saints and martyrs of the Roman Catholic Church and was first introduced in the seventh century (Man, Myth, and Magic, Vol. 1, 1983, p. 109). Oddly enough, history shows that Halloween—this ancient, thoroughly pagan holiday with its trappings of death and demonism—is inseparably tied to All Saints’ Day.

Pagan festivals from time immemorial have had a curious way of worming their way into Christianity over the centuries. The Encyclopedia of Religion explains that “the British church attempted to divert the interest in pagan customs by adding a Christian celebration to the calendar on the same date as the Samhain [the ancient Celtic name for the festival that eventually would be renamed Halloween].

A bit more at: https://www.ucg.org/the-good-news/how-did-a-pagan-holiday-become-a-christian-celebration 

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What Does God Say About Witches and the Occult?

Deuteronomy 18:10-12

“There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you.”

God outlawed witchcraft and other pagan practices that appealed to the evil spirit realm for their power. To God, it was an abomination for His people to seek help from Satan and his demons. Still, the Israelites were enticed by these practices again and again.

This was not just an Old Testament concern. The new converts to Christianity also took the subject of magic seriously (Acts 19:19). The apostle John also warns that those who practice witchcraft must repent or they will end up in the lake of fire—the second death (Revelation 9:21; 21:8).

How did Western, so-called Christian nations get caught up in a holiday like Halloween that dabbles in the darkness of evil spirits, witchcraft and the occult? See our article “Halloween: Should Christians Celebrate It?”

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Update:

Oh! There is always something when you are doing all new plumbing!  Some little part that you forgot to get, but we have a lot of it dry fitted now.  Still trying to decide whether to use the 20 year old water heater or to buy a new one.  Then we had to steam clean my carpets again, and we pressure washed the front of the houses.  We did the back a couple of weeks ago.

My helper Roy’s acid reflux has been a lot better since he has been trying to stay away from wheat and gluten. For the times when he eats lunch here I have bought gluten-free bread, crackers, waffles, cereal, etc.  All these years he suffered terribly with acid reflux which caused him to lose over 100 lb, but now I think it is solved.  He is trying to cut back on sugary food too, as it seems to ferment in his insides.  That is difficult for a sugar addict!  Do they have Sugarholics Anonymous?

My foster littens are now at our SPCA Cat Habitat at Petco in Conroe.  They will go for their neutering and spaying on the 1st., and be back at the habitat as quickly as they can.  Mandy, the Sheltie dog is still so scared and shy of every thing, and some foods upset her, but she isn’t very good at communicating, that is why we had to clean my carpets again so soon.  Even if the vacuum cleaner is standing there quiet and as upright as a soldier, she is scared of it.  But she does bark when she sees a stranger near the house, so she is good for something.  The gal who used my credit card after the robbery is now out of prison, so Mandy is a comfort to me.

On the Sabbath the whole congregation enjoyed themselves immensely as usual, even though there was one important person/guitarist missing, he had hurt his back.  Our wavering and wobbly singing without his vocal lead and musical accompaniment was really pathetic, but we loved it.  I took a beef and cabbage dish in a crockpot, and a carrot-potato-onion-cheesy casserole.  Someone gave me several pounds of huge carrots that needed to be eaten so that was what I made with them, and some carrot-raisin salad made with orange juice.

The Bible readings were Genesis 1:1-6:8, Isa. 42:5-43:10, John 1:1-18, the Teaching was about Rightousness By Faith, and it was a great day.

Jesus Birth at The Feast of Tabernacles. A Halloween Story. Celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles in Today’s World. Update.

 

For Scripture Sunday:

“Did you know there’s a biblical festival that Jesus Christ celebrated in the first century and even today, thousands of Christians still look forward to it each year?

From a biblical perspective, is there significance to the Feast of Tabernacles? What does this seven-day festival picture in God’s plan? What does it mean for us today?

Could this festival that Jesus observed unlock a secret for your life?”

Born on Dec. 25?

“The Feast of Tabernacles is also known as the “feast of booths.” These huts or booths were to represent temporary dwellings to live in because our journey and our home here on this earth is meant to be temporary. We are sojourners and pilgrims upon the earth until we find our home. Our permanent home is in Yeshua and with Yeshua for eternity. The Hebrew’s were instructed to dwell in these booths for seven days.

Honest scholars admit that the customs of Christmas and a Dec. 25 celebration long predate the birth of Christ. Nevertheless, wasn't Jesus born on Dec. 25? Let's look at some of the scriptural evidence.

Luke's Gospel, describing Christ's birth, tells us: “So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn . Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:6-8, emphasis added throughout).

We see that when Jesus was born shepherds were spending the night with their flocks in open fields. In that region, from December to February, though the heat of the day might feel comfortable enough when the human body is covered, the cold of the night was piercing. Thus the shepherds never kept their flocks and herds out in the open country from December through February—it was simply too cold (Alexander Hislop, The Two Babylons, 1959, p. 2). This in itself tells us that Jesus could not have been born anywhere near Dec. 25.

The Roman census system is another historical proof that Jesus wasn't born in December. Luke 2:1 tells us that “it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.” However, this would not have happened in winter because “the middle of winter was not fitting for such a business, especially for women with child, and children to travel in. Therefore, Christ could not be born in the depth of winter … And if any shall think the winter wind was not so extreme in these parts, let him remember the words of Christ in the gospel, 'pray that your flight be not in the winter'” (Hislop, p. 92).

The Romans were efficient administrators. They would never consciously choose a time to register every man, woman and child when travel would have been so difficult because of cold and inclement weather. Here, too, is biblical proof that Jesus was not born in December's cold weather.

A far more likely scenario is that Jesus was born in the autumn, around the time of the biblical Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:34-36), when Joseph and Mary would have traveled to Jerusalem to keep the Feast along with thousands of other Jewish families. This also helps us understand why in the town Bethlehem, a few miles to the south of Jerusalem, “there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7)—the town would have been crowded with other travelers keeping the Feast at this time of year.

From: https://www.ucg.org/the-good-news/was-christ-born-on-christmas-day

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A Halloween Story

“Can a holiday with wicked, ungodly origins be dressed up and made acceptable to God? Tune in to hear a surprising dialog.

“It’s so much fun for the children. Isn’t it harmless? Jack-o’-lanterns, dressing up in costumes, getting treats from the neighbors. What could be wrong with that?

Okay, there’s the skeletons, and witches, and ghosts, and goblins and demons—but can we fix that? Perhaps revise it, remake it for family fun. What if we, as Christians, clean it up?

Well, some try. They carve the name of Jesus into pumpkins, add religious phrases and hope to evangelize trick-or-treaters. But can we sanitize Halloween?

For that matter, can we take non-Christian traditions of Christmas or Easter and somehow remake them to honor God?

What should you do? Can you bring respect and reverence to God in these celebrations? Or, does it even matter?

We’ll help you with the biblical answer to those questions on this “holiday” edition of Beyond Today called: “A Halloween Story.””

YouTube at: https://youtu.be/wL4g25xA2LM

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Celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles in Today’s World

“Many people are shocked to discover the origins of our most popular religious holidays. They are also surprised to find that the days God commands us to observe in the Bible—the same days Jesus Christ and the apostles kept—are almost universally ignored. Why? Also, why are today's supposedly Christian holidays observed with so many rituals and customs that are not sanctioned anywhere in the Bible?

Now in the Bible, another name for a tent is a tabernacle. The disciples foresaw the return of Jesus Christ in all his glory—in the coming Kingdom of God! And what came to mind? The thought of making a tent. Tabernacles are just that — tents — temporary dwellings.

Now you might think, what does that have to do with anything? Well Peter related the Feast of Tabernacles to that very event. So, does it matter—as a modern day Christian—does that matter to me?

What was the focus of this feast? It was a celebration of the large autumn harvest in the holy land. God blessed them with abundant crops. But there’s more to it than just plentiful good crops and tents. It symbolizes so much more today. There is spiritual meaning in this physical event. It foreshadows a large spiritual harvest. God has given us physical lessons to teach us spiritual truth. It’s the same with this festival, the Feast of Tabernacles.”

Complete article at: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-television-program/celebrating-the-feast-of-tabernacles-in-todays-world

Does picture of the celebration of The Feast of Tabernacles remind you of another event ?  The nativity scene usually depicting Jesus’ birth. 

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Update:

Oh! Where shall I start? Been so busy.  We have done some of the plumbing in the guest house.  We are using PVC and CPVC, and it is taking a long time to dry-fit it all together.  We might switch to PEX for the rest of it.  We have only got some of the drains in under the house so far. 

Then we have had the Feast of Tabernacles at church, and the The Last Great Day.  All the services were very uplifting and we all had a great time in the chapel for the Teachings, for hymn singing, and at the potlucks afterwards.

Now I have two little kitty SPCA fosters, Pixie and Purrcy, and Mandy a lovely Sheltie has come to live with me.  She is very timid, so I have been taking her next door to the guest house when we are working, so she has become used to the sights and sounds of power tools.

My lovely daughter, left, came to visit twice as she was visiting a sick relative in Conroe.  It was so good to see her again.  Also my son’s daughter, right, came to visit too, so we had the three generations.  That’s lil ole me in the middle.

I don’t know where the time goes, but I seem to be busy from dawn to dark each day.

Why Should Christians Celebrate the Feast of Trumpets? What is Rosh Hashanah? Update.

 

For “Scripture Sunday”:

Why Should Christians Celebrate the Feast of Trumpets?

“Prophecies of the end time include trumpet plagues and the return of Jesus Christ at the last trump. What does the Feast of Trumpets mean for Christians today?

Philipp Reiner/Unsplash

Christ's return is announced by the seventh and final trumpet

The fourth festival of God (after Pentecost) is the Feast of Trumpets (or a “memorial of blowing of trumpets,” Leviticus 23:24-25), which falls in September or October. This festival is called Rosh Hashanah by the Jews today. Ancient Israel understood that trumpets were used as a way of announcing special, very important messages (Numbers 10:1-10).

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ reveals that before His return to the earth, there will be the blowing of seven trumpets, announcing progressive stages of the downfall and overthrow of this world’s kingdoms, ending with the return of Christ to take possession of the earth. Christ’s return is announced by the seventh and final trumpet (Revelation 8:2; Revelation 11:15). This day also pictures the time when faithful Christians will be resurrected to eternal life at the time of the seventh trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16) to reign with Jesus Christ for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4-6).

Interestingly, it was around this time of year that Jesus was born—not in the dead of winter (see “Biblical Evidence Shows Jesus Wasn’t Born on December 25 “). And the fall feast season represents the time when Jesus Christ will come to the earth again to reign in glory.

The remaining fall feast days describe steps in the establishment of the prophesied Kingdom of God on earth and judgment of humanity after Christ’s return. The Feast of Trumpets is followed by the Day of Atonement.” 

From: https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/bible-questions-and-answers/why-should-christians-celebrate-the-feast-of-trumpets

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What is Rosh Hashanah?

What is this Jewish holiday all about? How does it relate to the biblical festival called the Feast of Trumpets?

3+ minute video: https://youtu.be/YwkOsuQNuMc

Transcript

[Darris McNeely] “When you look on the calendar this time of the year, you see a reference to a Jewish holiday called Rosh Hashanah. What exactly is this? Rosh Hashanah literally means “the head of the year”, and it signals the beginning of what is traditionally called the Jewish New Year. On the Hebrew calendar, the new year begins, for civil purposes, on this particular date, which usually falls in the early to mid-fall of every year on our Roman calendar. But what this day is really talking about is a biblical festival called the Feast of Trumpets.

The Feast of Trumpets is referenced in several locations in scripture – Leviticus chapter 23 and also in Numbers chapter 29, and it is one of the biblical festivals that God commanded to Israel to keep, that God gave not just for Israel or the Jews, but for all mankind. It says that “in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you will have a holy convocation. You’ll do no work. It is a day of the blowing of trumpets to you.” And so a trumpet blast signified the beginning of the day of Trumpets, the Feast of Trumpets, and was used throughout the New Testament, and it was also a day that was kept by the New Testament church.

It is considered very important by the Jews on their calendar this year, but Christians observe this day, as well, as they should – as God commanded and as God taught. In Zechariah 14:4, there is a reference that is recognized as a prophecy foretelling the coming of Jesus Christ, the second coming of Jesus Christ. And it is in the context of the Day of the Lord, which is also connected with the meaning of the Feast of Trumpets. And it says, “In that day, His feet” – meaning the Messiah – “will stand on the Mount of Olives which faces Jerusalem on the East, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west, making a very large valley. Half of the mountain shall move toward the north, and half of it toward the south.”

This is in connection with this very important biblical festival that is an observance of something that God commanded to Israel to be kept throughout their generations. The Feast of Tabernacles is also another part of that fall festival season. But when we look at the Feast of Trumpets, what we are looking at is a day of trumpet blasts. It is a day of alarm. It is a day of war – whenever a trumpet was sounded in the ancient world, it was usually a call to alarm, often a call to war. Armies advanced at the sound of a trumpet. In the context of the Day of the Lord, the Feast of Trumpets is a day that heralds the return, the coming of Jesus Christ, and that age-ending event that Bible prophecy talks about in both the Old and the New Testament, and here in Zechariah 14:4 shows will be the time when the Messiah will set foot on the Mount of Olives. It is a day to observe. It is a very important day. It is more than just a traditional Jewish festival – it is really a biblical festival that points us toward the coming of Jesus Christ and the ending of this age, and has great meaning to help us understand who Jesus Christ is and His future role as “King of kings.””

From: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-daily/what-is-rosh-hashanah

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The Feast of Trumpets

A Turning Point in History

“The Feast of Trumpets depicts the return of Jesus Christ to earth to establish the Kingdom of God.

God instructed ancient Israel in the appropriate use of trumpets—a hollow animal horn, known as a shofar, and metal instruments—to communicate important messages.

The Feast of Trumpets introduces the autumn festivals—representing the culmination of the present age of man and the beginning of an incredible time during which God will play a much more direct part in world events. Indeed, this festival, a Holy Day, signals the intervention of God in the affairs of humanity on a global basis. The Feast of Trumpets thus represents a dramatic turning point in mankind’s history.

This particular festival also marks the beginning of the third and final feast season (Exodus 23:14; Deuteronomy 16:16), which includes the final four Holy Days of the year.

The return of Jesus Christ!

The Feast of Trumpets depicts nothing less than the return of Jesus Christ to the earth to establish the Kingdom of God! The book of Revelation reveals a sequence of earth-shaking events heralded by angels sounding a series of seven trumpet blasts. The seventh angel’s sounding of the last trumpet signifies that “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” (Revelation 11:15, English Standard Version). The Bible foretells that at this time Jesus Christ will at last return to the earth. Of all the prophecies in the Bible, this one surely heralds the most exciting news possible for this weary, sin-filled world!

The Feast of Trumpets also marks the future fulfillment of the many Old Testament prophecies that speak of a Messiah coming as a king of the line of David who will sit on the throne of Israel and rule with power and authority over all nations. The concept of a conquering Messiah was on the minds of the apostles immediately after Jesus’ resurrection. When He appeared to them just before returning to heaven, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6).

Complete article at: https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/gods-holy-day-plan-the-promise-of-hope-for-all-mankind/the-feast-of-0

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Update:

Roy is feeling better after his surgery, and wanted to come back to work, so finally the algea was pressure washed off the house, and the carpets cleaned with the steam cleaner again.  I don’t know how those spots get on the carpet, but they are gone now.  I would rather have nice soft carpet under my old legs than slippery hardwood any day, even if it does mean dragging the carpet steamer out every few weeks. 

Hardwood is very hard on young children and critter’s growing bones, and senior people and critter’s bones, too.  People say they don’t want carpet as it harbors germs, tec.  That’s life, get over it, you can’t live in sterile surroundings and obtain immunity to everything that’s out there.  That is why it is now said that anti-bacterial soaps are not doing our immune systems any good.  We all know that we have to keep kitchens, and bathrooms clean, but don’t go overboard.

Yesterday, I took a Chili Pie to the church potluck. It was made with turkey chili and the ‘pie’ part was spaghetti squash.  As today is The Feast of Trumpets and is also a Holy Day, (a Sabbath “in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you will have a holy convocation. You’ll do no work. It is a day of the blowing of trumpets to you.”)  I made another similar pie for today, so it will just have to be warmed in the church oven. 

The Bible readings were:  Deut. 32, 2 Sam. 22:1-51, Rom. 10:14-21, and the Teaching was about ‘The Signs of The End Times’.  It was facts concerning the current re-gathering of the Jews, and the Messianic Jews, into the Holy Land, Israel. It’s happening right now, in these last days.