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Monthly Blog Post

Hallow: A Brief Historical Overview

30/10/2017

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Halloween is one of those activities that North American households participate in annually without giving much consideration to its origin.  I have seen even Christians participate in this annual event.  But, how did it start and, what do some of the symbols and practices really mean?  This blog post will provide a brief insight into the genesis of Halloween.
 
Halloween (also known as All Hallows' Eve) celebration can be traced to an ancient European tradition in an area now known as Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France.  The area was occupied by a group of people known as Celtics. One of their traditions is celebrating a harvest festival known as Samhain (pronounced sow-in) which marked the beginning of their New Year on November 1.  The night before (Samhain); October 31, the Celtics believed that ghosts of the dead returned to the earth. According to The World Book Encyclopedia, “The Celts believed that the dead could walk among the living at this time [and] the living could visit with the dead.”  Because of the presence of these spirits, Celtic priests (Druids) would prophecy about the future.  These prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.
 
To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, which people gather around to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic gods.  During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and would involve Fortune telling (http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween).
 
Historical documentation indicates that when the Romans conquered the Celts' territory, they combined their own holidays (All Saints Day) with Samhain.  When Christianity (Catholicism) spread in the 800s, Pope Boniface IV designated Nov. 1 as All Saints' Day, a day to honor saints and martyrs.
 
The Halloween costumes bears a resemblance to those worn by Celts wore devilish (ghoulish) costumes to trick the roaming spirits of the dead to mistake them as one of the wandering spirits and leave them alone. Others gave gifts of small sweet treats to the spirits to appease them. In ancient Europe, the Catholic clergy adopted local pagan customs and had their parishioners go from house to house wearing costumes and requesting small gifts: today’s version of trick-or treat (Retrieved from https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/origin-of-halloween/).
 
The Bible forbids mingling devil worshipping or pagan religious practices with the worship of God. 2 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV) “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” See also Deuteronomy 18: 10 – 12; 1 Corinthians. 10: 20-21 and  Colossians. 2: 8 “
 
Christians should NEVER participate in Halloween activities, neither should their members of their household!

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Evidence of Jesus’ Return

13/10/2017

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My Observation of unfolding events around the world leads me to conclude that we are living in the closing days of time.  I am convinced beyond a shadow of doubt, that the coming of the Lord is imminent.  I might say we are in the 12th hour.  This implies that children of God need to be more vigilant and ready for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 5:8).  The scripture informs us that the enemy of our soul is on a rampage to deceive and destroy anyone who is not maintaining their salvation. 

The Bible provides an insight of the swiftness and suddenness of Jesus’ return; the rapture or catching away of the Saints.  As a matter of fact, 1 Corinthians 15: 52a tells us that the Lord’s coming will be “…in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye...”  Wow!  Let me try to clarify this scripture with a scientific fact.  Scientists have concluded that the average person blinks between 15 - 20 times per minute, or between 3 – 4 times per second.  When this scientific fact is used as an indicator of the speed of Christ’s second coming, it is alarming, frightening if you will.  The implication is that there will be no time to get ready.  We have to be ready and waiting.

Because of the swiftness of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (the rapture, or the catching away of the saints), many will be caught off guard.  As a matter of fact the Bible tells us “the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night...” (2 Peter 3:10).   I am reminded of the parable of ten virgins, five were wise and five were foolish (see Matthew 25: 1 – 13.  Verse 13 of Matthew 25, admonishes us to “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

Not only will the coming of the Lord be quick, but, He will be coming back to reward one of us based on how we lived our life.  Revelation 22:12  reiterates the rapidity of the Lord’s second coming and affirms that He, Jesus, will be the one to recompense everyone consistent with the life lived.  Revelation 22:12 states that “behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”  There will be no partiality or favoritism; Jesus is the righteous just Judge. 

In conclusion, I want to tell you, my friend, that there will be those (agents of the devil) who will try to distract us by introducing erroneous ideology to facilitate ‘Easy Believism’ and other doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1).  Their sole purpose and intent is that we lose our joy in the Lord and be lost.  But thank God, as believers we are warned to hold on to our salvation.  The bible in Revelation 3:11  tells us “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”  Hold onto your salvation...God bless and keep you.

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    Ezra Bogle

    Pastor for House of Healing Apostolic Ministries. 

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