What's Wrong With Halloween?

It is remarkable that Jeroboam created an IDOLATROUS feast in the "eighth month" which corresponds to our October-November (1 Kings 12:32). Hallowe'en may have come from this counterfeit of the Eighth Day which pictures the RESURRECTION of the DEAD.

"The earliest Halloween celebrations were held by the Druids in honor of SAMHAIN, Lord of the Dead, whose festival fell on November 1." (From Halloween Through Twenty Centuries, by Ralph Linton, p. 4). On October 31, SAMHAIN (Satan), the Lord of the Dead, calls forth hosts of EVIL SPIRITS. When King Saul dabbled in the occult and consulted a WITCH, he died (1 Chr. 10:13). The widespread problem of harmful substances such as razor blades, drugs, poisons, and needles being placed inside Halloween treats is no accident. Testimonies of several ex-SATANISTS show that these children killed and injured by "treats" are sacrifies to Satan (or SAMHAIN). "Thou shalt not suffer a WITCH to live" (Ex. 22:18). Deuteronomy 12:30-31 says, "Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them (pagans), after they are destroyed from before thee, and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? Even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the Eternal thy God; for every ABOMINATION to the Eternal, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods."

Deuteronomy 18:9 says, "When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the ABOMINATIONS of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone ... who useth DIVINATION, or an observer of TIMES, or an ENCHANTER, or a WITCH, or a CHARMER or a consulter of FAMILIAR SPIRITS, or a WIZARD, or a NECROMANCER (communicating with the DEAD), For all that do these things are an ABOMINATION unto the Eternal." "Come out from among them and be ye separate" (2 Cor. 6:17). "Neither give place to the DEVIL " (Eph. 4:27). "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of DARKNESS, but rather reprove them" (Eph. 5:11). "Abstain from all appearance of EVIL " (1 Thess. 5:22). But people tend to imitate what they love and worship -- good or bad.

Jeremiah wrote, "Learn not the way of the HEATHEN ... for the customs of the people are VAIN" (Jer. 10:2). "For the mystery of INIQUITY doth already work" (2 Th. 2:3,7). "Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come except there come a FALLING AWAY first" (2 Th. 2:3). "Take heed that no man DECEIVE you. For MANY shall come in my name, saying I am Christ; and shall DECEIVE MANY" (Matt. 24:4-5) -- "speaking PERVERSE things" (Acts 20:30) "and MANY shall follow their PERNICIOUS ways" (2 Pet. 1:2) "turning the grace of God into LASCIVIOUSNESS" (Jude 3,19) "and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto FABLES" (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

It was the policy of the Catholic Church to choose PAGAN CUSTOMS and call them by CHRISTIAN NAMES. Thus the PAGAN day in honor of the SPIRITS of the dead became a day in honor of Catholic MARTYRS. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "The Church, feeling that every MARTYR should be venerated, appointed a common day for all." "Gregory III (731-741) consecrated a chapel in the basilica of St. Peter to ALL the SAINTS and fixed the anniversary on November 1 ... Gregory IV (827-844) extended the celebration on 1 November to the entire Church. The vigil (Halloween) seems to have been held as early as the feast itself." "All Saints' Day was introduced into the church calendar because the year was not long enough to make it possible to dedicate a special day for each spirit of the Catholic Church ... That the day chosen was one already associated in the popular mind with a thronging of SPIRITS of the DEAD was quite in line with church policy of incorporating harmless PAGAN folk ideas" (Halloween Through Twenty Centuries by Ralph Linton, p. 6). "Certain popular beliefs connected with All Souls' Day are of pagan origin and immemorial antiquity. In many Catholic countries the dead are believed by the peasantry to revisit their homes on All Souls' night and partake of the food of the living."

Aside from pins and razor blades in the candy, and the hazards of not being easily seen on a dark street at night, and eating too many unhealthy sweets, there are spiritual dangers. We should abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thes. 5:22) and do all things to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). When we engage in Satanic practices, we are giving our approval to Satan. It is the same as enjoying a banquet held in honor of our sworn enemy. If we will look at pagan festivities in that light, we may better understand how our involvement is a slap in the face to our Lord. We are in a spiritual world war. Cruelty to animals, vandalism and murders occur with far greater frequency during Halloween. Every Halloween many thousands of animals, and even people, are sacrificed in SATANIC RITUALS worldwide, while millions of other people, including well-meaning Christians, participate in Halloween celebrations. Halloween is a prime recruiting time for WITCHES and SATANISTS. Many people have testified that they were introduced to the OCCULT at a Halloween party. Halloween is very religious, but it is not Christian.To this day, one of the special "sabbaths" for SATAN WORSHIP continues to be October 31st -- HALLOWE'EN! "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:2).

Witchcraft

In Old Testament Israel, witchcraft was a crime punishable by death (Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 19:31; 20:6, 27). The New Testament teaching about the occult is clear. Acts 8:9-24, the story of Simon, shows that occultism and Christianity don't mix. The account of Elymas the sorcerer in Acts 13:6-11 reveals that sorcery is violently opposed to Christianity. Paul called Elymas a child of the devil, an enemy of righteousness and a perverter of the ways of God. In Acts 16, at Philippi, a fortune-telling girl lost her demon powers when the evil spirit was cast out by Paul. The interesting matter here is that Paul refused to allow even good statements to come from a demon-influenced person. Acts 19 shows new converts who have abruptly broken with their former occultism by confessing, showing their evil deeds, bringing their magic paraphernalia, and burning it before everyone (Acts 19:19). Tom Sanguinet, a former high priest in Wicca has said: "The modern holiday that we call Halloween has its origins in the full moon closest to November 1, the witches' new year. It is a time when the spirits (demons) are supposed to be at their peak power and revisiting planet earth… Halloween is purely and absolutely evil, and there is nothing we ever have, or will do, that would make it acceptable to the Lord Jesus."

Haunted Houses & Ghosts

"Enter not into the path of the wicked (Haunted Houses), and go not in the way of evil men (Haunted Houses). Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away" (Pr. 4:14-15) "Regard not them that have familiar spirits (ghosts), neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God" (Lev. 19:31). "And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits (ghosts), and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people" (Lev. 20:6). To engage in revelry associated with such an anti Christ festivity as Hallowe'en is a slap in our Lord's face. Yet because of "vain tradition," Christian parents and even some churches go all out to make Hallowe'en a special time of celebration. Some churches and Christian organizations even go public with "haunted" houses designed to scare the wits out of people for profit in order to finance their programs. Yet God says that He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love and power, and of a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7).

Tis true, tis certain, man though dead retains
Part of himself; the immortal mind remains.
The form subsists without the body's aid,
Aerial semblance and an empty shade.
This night my friend, in battle lost,
Stood at my side, a pensive, plaintive ghost:
Even now familiar as in life he came --
Alas! how different, and yet how like the same!"
-- Homer

I never was a murderer. I never did fight unless put upon. No ghost ever come bothering me.
It was always the other man or me in a fair fight" -- Wild Bill Hickock (Gary Cooper, the Plainsman, 1936)

Bonfire -- Bone Pyre -- Human and Animal Sacrifices

On Halloween, for thousands of years, druid priests have conducted diabolical worship ceremonies in which cats, horses, sheep, oxen, human beings and other offerings were rounded up, stuffed into wicca cages and burned to death. These human and animal sacrifices were apparently required to appease Samhain and keep the spirits from harming them.

While people and animals were screaming in agony, being burnt to death, the druids and their followers would dress in costumes made of animal skins and heads. They would dance, chant and jump through the flames in the hope of warding off evil spirits.

The Druids believed that witches, demons, and spirits of the dead roamed the earth on the eve of November 1st. Bonfires (literally "bone pyres") were lit to drive away the bad spirits. The great bonfires served another purpose as well on this night, unspeakable sacrifices were offered by the Druid priests to their Lord of Death (Samana). The celebration was called "The Feast of Samhain" The Druids would carefully watch the writhing of the victims in the fire (sometimes animals, sometimes humans). From their death agonies, they would foretell the future (divination) of the village. The local householders then each took a portion of the fire to their own hearths for good luck and good crops in the new year.

To protect themselves from the mean tricks of these spirits (like killing livestock), the Druids offered them good things to eat (sometimes food, sometimes female children). The Druids also disguised themselves in order that the spirits would think the Druids belonged to their own evil company, and therefore, not bring any harm to the Druids. They also carried "jack ò lanterns," a turnip or potato with a fearful, demonic face carved into it, to intimidate the demons around them. And, thus, this "tradition" is carried over today as Hallowe'en and is celebrated by dressing up in costumes, playing trick or treat, wearing masks, and carrying jack ò lanterns.

The Bible is very clear as to its position concerning the so called celebrations connected with Hallowe'en "Let no one be found among you who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire, who practices divination [fortune telling] or sorcery [the use of power gained from the assistance or control of evil spirits, especially for divining], interprets omens, engages in witchcraft [the practice of dealing with evil spirits via the use of sorcery or magic], or casts spells, or who is a medium or a spiritist [a male witch skilled in sorcery] or a necromancer [consults with the spirits of the dead]. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord" (Deut. 18:10 12). And, "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God" (James 4:4 5).

Halloween has strong roots in paganism and witchcraft. It began as the Druid festival of Samhain. The Celts considered November 1st the day of death, because, in the Northern hemisphere, this was the beginning of winter, the leaves were falling, it was getting darker earlier, and temperatures were dropping. They believed that their sun god was losing strength and Samhain, the lord of death, was overpowering the sun god. The druids also taught that on 31 October, on the eve of the feast, Samhain assembled the spirits of all who had died during the previous year to return to their former home to visit the living.

By 607 AD the Roman emperor Phocas recaptured the city of Rome. From the time Rome first fell until 607 AD, the Church of Christ had moved into Catholicism. Phocas wanted to insure that Rome remained a part of the Roman empire, so he gave the city to Pope Boniface IV. Boniface reconsecrated the Temple of the Dead, dedicating it to Mary, the "Mother of God".

It was a long standing policy of the Catholic Church to avoid making religious waves among the pagans. The Catholics began to wrongly equate physical growth with spiritual growth, so they would modify Church doctrine in an attempt to make it more pleasing to the pagan. "Certainly", the bishops reasoned, "If the pagan joins the Church, they will be converted to Christ in time". Actually their tactic had the reverse effect, and the Church doctrine became more and more muddied by pagan influence. When the city of Rome was given to Boniface IV, he decided to allow worship of Samhain to continue as long as the pagans joined the Church. The legacy of Boniface and Samhain is that many Catholic Christians, even today, light candles and pray for the dead, just as the druids did nearly 1400 years ago. The Catholics, rather than praying to Samhain, pray to Mary, the Mother of God. This practice, fermented out of the warped religions of the druids, finds no support in the Holy Bible. The druid's day of worship, Hallow's Eve, was modified to be called All Saints Day.

Trick or Treat -- Blackmail and Extortion

The very trick-or-treat ritual is a threat. It is nothing less than extortion. "You either give me a treat or I'll play a trick on you." To obtain their sacrifices, druid priests would go from house to house asking for fatted calves, black sheep and human beings. Those who gave were promised prosperity, and those who refused to give were threatened and cursed. This is the origin of "trick or treat."

The modern custom of going from door to door begging candy, nuts, apples, and money while masked and dressed in grotesque costumes goes back to the pagan new year feast. The spirits that were thought to throng about the houses of the living were greeted with banquet laden tables. At the end of the feast, masked and costumed villagers, representing the souls of the dead, paraded to the outskirts of town leading the spirits away. This was done to avoid any calamities the dead might bring upon them should they not be provided for. Were the living to fail in their provisions, they believed that they might find their lives disrupted by having their livestock die, their milk turn sour, their food spoil, or by some other mischief the spirits of the dead might devise.

This appeasement of the spirits was celebrated in various ways according to locale and custom, with minor differences. One way was to set out bowls of fruit and other treats so they could partake of them and, once satisfied, they would leave in peace. Your child, going door to door, is reenacting that ancient superstition.

Ancient druidism had another practice that, up to now, we haven't discussed. The druids demanded human sacrifice in order to show "proper respect" for Samhain. In order to accomplish this, the druids went from castle to castle and demanded women so that they could be sacrificed. The women were then taken to sacrificial altars and killed (one of the most prominent areas we know of today for human sacrifice was Stonehenge in England). If the sacrifice was willingly given, the druids left a hollow gourd outside of the castle walls filled with burning human fat. This burning fat was supposed to protect the castle from demonic attack. If the druids were refused the sacrifice, they drew a hexagram on the door or wall of the castle and left. Before dawn someone in the castle would be found dead from fear.

First. It was believed that the dead would rise out of their graves and wander the countryside, trying to return to the homes where they formerly lived. Frightened villagers tried to appease these wandering spirits by offering them gifts of fruits and nuts. If not placated, villagers feared that the spirits would kill their flocks or destroy their property. This is the origin of our present day 'trick-or-treat!' It's a custom born out of superstition, and pagan superstitution at that! Furthermore, it's a blasphemous perversion of the Christian belief in the Resurrection. In Christianity, the righteous dead are resurrected in a glorified, immortal body. In Druidism, the dead are raised as horrifying creatures of the night, hideous monsters, decaying skeletons, vampires, etc. They received not glorified bodies, but grotesque ones, not immortal bodies but inhuman ones. Second, Samhain was the supreme night of Demonic jubilation. This was a celebration of the beginning of Winter and darkness, as daylight grew noticeably shorter, and nights lengthier. The hoardes of hell would roam the earth in a wild celebration of darkness and death, all in honor of Samhain! Pity the poor mortal forced to travel on such a night! The only thing the superstitious people knew to do to protect themselves on such an occasion was to masquerade as one of the demonic hoarde, and hopefully blend in unnoticed among them! This is the origin of Halloween masquerading as devils, imps, orgres, and other demonic creatures."

This practice of going "door to door" eventually found it's way into society as a form of Halloween ritual. The earliest settlers in America encouraged their children to go door to door shouting "Trick or Treat", little knowing that they were mimicking ritualized murder of days gone by. The children were given fruit, much like the druids were given human sacrifices. If the children were refused a treat, they were allowed to play a little "trick" on the household. Parents put candles inside of pumpkin gourds (just as the druids put human fat inside of hollow gourds) to commemorate Halloween. By making it all seem like harmless fun, Satan drew both Catholic and Protestant, believer and unbeliever into the web of druidic paganism.

When the Romans conquered the Celts, they combined the festival to Samhain with their own festival honoring Pomona, the goddess of fruit and trees, making apples and nuts an important part of the rituals.

In America however, because of the strong religious convictions of the early settlers, Halloween celebrations were banned. In the early 1800's, as more immigrants of Celtic origin arrived, Halloween celebrations were instituted.

Jack-O-Lantern

The Jack-O-Lantern has its origin in the candle-lit pumpkin or skull, which served as a signal to mark those farms and homes that supported the druids' religion, and thus were seeking the "treat" when the terror of Halloween began. The World Book Encyclopaedia says: "The apparently harmless lighted pumpkin face of the Jack-O-Lantern is an ancient symbol of a damned soul."

The jack o lantern (also known as will o the wisp, fox fire, fairie fire, friar's lantern, and corpse lantern, among other things) was believed to be a wandering soul which could not find refuge because of a particularly evil deed committed in its lifetime. Some believed it to be a malignant imp. The Finns believed that it was the soul of a child buried in the forest. According to ancient folklore, a will o the wisp wanders about swamp areas, enticing victims to follow. Should a person succumb to curiosity and follow its light, he may become hopelessly lost or lead to his death in a bog or pool. There are tales of these mischievous spirits chasing terrified victims through mud and brambles until confused, and then leaving them stranded with the sound of mocking laughter ringing through their ears. Today's Icering pumpkin face is symbolic of that mocking spirit. A corpse candle is said to be a small flame moving through the air in the dark, and is believed by the superstitious to be an omen of the observer's imminent death, or the death of a loved one. These strange fires, thought by the more rational to originate from the atmospheric ignition of swamp gasses, where also known as "Ignus Fastuus," or "Foolish Fire," because only a fool would follow them.

The Ouija Board

The Ouija board, seemingly harmless, is no less than a familiar spirit: Leviticus 20:6-7 "And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God."

Deuteronomy 18:10-13 "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God."

The question that the Christian must ask his or her self is this: "Do I want to play Satan's game? Do I want to participate in a festival that originates from human sacrifice and demon worship? What do I want my children to learn?" Take a hard look at these questions and the evidence presented: your spiritual condition (as well as that of your children) may well depend on your answer.

What makes Ouija boards work? Is it all right to own one?

Ammianus Marcellinus in his History mentions two persons, Hilarius and Patricius, who sought to ascertain the successor to the reigning Emperor Valens by divination. The spirits spelled "THEOD," and concluding that Theodorus was intended, they made no further inquiry, but being found out, they were forced to confess, and, in consequence, Theodorus and other persons whose names commenced in a similar way were put to death (History 29:1:29). Nevertheless the spirits proved to be correct, for after the defeat of Valens by the Goths, THEODOSIUS was proclaimed Emperor of the East.

Ouija boards are becoming quite popular as games for family entertainment nowadays. You find them for sale in drugstores, department stores and variety stores. To help answer your question, we quote from a letter we received:
The woman author of the letter writes, "Someone gave my daughter's child a Ouija board. To them it was just a game. One day 'while [I was} at my daughter's she picked up the board and we began to ask it things and we were having a lot of fun. So she asked, 'Is my husband going to give me a new car this New Year?' Answer: 'No.' We laughed about it a lot and asked the same question over and over with the same negative answer. Finally she laughed and said, 'Do you hate me?'
"Answer: 'Yes.' "Question: 'What's your name?' "Answer: 'Death.' At this we were flabbergasted so I began asking questions.
"Question: 'Where do you get your power?'
"Answer: 'Satan.'
"Question: 'How far does your power go?'
"Answer: 'To the Blood of the Lamb.' "
This woman continues to relate her experience: "At that I quit. Later a girl was at the house. She was (the daughter of a minister of a particular church) but a very worldly one. She wanted to try the board.
"Question: 'Who are you?'
"Answer: 'I am your Lord and Master. You invited my presence. I will be your death. . . Believe in me. Do not fear my power. Now it is yours.' The needle raced across the board so fast for this young lady it took two of us to keep the letters down and separate the letters to form words.

"Question: 'How do you manifest your power?'
"Answer: 'I am providing sonnets of truth from my source.... Believe In me.... You will know all...'
"Question: 'How did I invite you?'
"Answer: 'An open mind is my habitation. Do not fear me. I am the
only answer. In your weakened spirit you are already mine.'

"At this the girl threw the board across the room and left the house without saying another word. My daughter picked up the Ouija board and broke it up and threw it in the garbage."
Others who have used these Ouija boards have had similar experiences when they asked spiritual questions.

This same woman relates that a neighbor had a Ouija board and asked, "Are you a devil '" It replied, "Yes, I am a very powerful and sure devil."

Examples like these prove beyond doubt that there is supernatural influence behind these boards. They are definitely NOT just "children's toys"!
W hat does the living, true GOD say about seeking information from Ouija boards? Notice your Bible answer:
"When they tell you to consult mediums and ghosts that cheep and gibber in low murmurs, ask them if a nation should not rather consult its God. Say, 'Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult the Message and the Counsel of God!' " (See Isaiah 8: 19, Moffatt.) God says DON'T fool around with such so-called "toys." Playing with them is playing around with the wicked spirits 'which joined Satan in his rebellion against God aeons ago. God classifies those who play with Ouija boards -- or take LSD trips -- with those who consult mediums, who deal in witchcraft and sorcery, who deal with "familiar spirits." Those who do so are an abomination to the Lord GOD -- Lev. 19:26; Deut. 18:9·14.
Don't ever take chances by opening up your mind to the influence of outside "spiritual powers" that want to possess your mind.

Count Dracula

Leviticus 7:26-27 says, "ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings. Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people." Those who drink blood are known as VAMPIRES. One of the popular heroes of Halloween, Count Dracula (or Vlad the Impaler), was also a real person. Dracula lived from 1431 to 1476. During his six-year reign, Count Dracula massacred over 100,000 men, women and children in the most hideous ways. He devised a plan to rid his country of the burden of beggars, the handicapped, the sick and the aged by inviting them to a feast at one of his palaces. He fed them well and got them drunk. Then he asked them: "Do you want to be without cares, lacking nothing in the world?" When his guests yelled "Yes!" Dracula ordered the palace boarded up and set on fire. No one escaped this original "house of horror."

Black Cats and Other Talismans

Witches of many persuasions own living talismans animals indwelt by evil spirits, through which they derive their power. Common talismans are dogs, owls, snakes, and swine, but among the most common are cats. The witches invoke the familiar spirits to enter their bodies of their talismans for the exercising of power.The black cat in particular has come to symbolize these familiar spirits, because black represents evil, death, and darkness -- commodities with which evil spirits are obsessed.

Ducking For Apples (Divination)

There were many divination practices associated with Samhain, many of which dealt with marriage, health, and the weather. Ducking for apples was a marriage divination based on the belief that the first to bite into an apple would be the first to marry in the coming year. This is similar to the wedding tradition of the throwing of the bride's bouquet for women and her garter for men. Apple peeling was another type of divination to determine how long one's life would be. The longer the unbroken peel, the longer the life of the one peeling it.

The Word of God

"When you come into the land, which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. 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. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God, for these nations which you will dispossess, listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you the Lord your God has not appointed such for you." (Deuteronomy 18:9-14)

"Teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean." Ezekiel 44:23

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you from being priests for Me; because you have forgotten the Law of your God, I will also forget your children." Hosea 4:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go, then when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

"Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away" (Pr. 4:14-15)

"Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God" (Lev. 19:31).

"And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people" (Lev. 20:6).

"And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers" (Micah 5:12).

"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?" (Isa. 8:19).

"So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And enquired not of the Lord: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse" (1 Chr. 10:13-14).

"For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie" (Rev. 22:15).

"That whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone was hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!" (Matthew 18: 6-7)

"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good." (Romans 12:9)

"Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the Armour of Light." (Romans 13:12)

"You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's Table and of the table of demons." (1 Corinthians 10:21)

"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? What communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? For what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? …Therefore, come out from among them and be separate says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you." (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather expose them." (Ephesians 5:11)

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the Faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies and hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron." (1Timothy 4:1-2)

"Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." (James 1:27)

"Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God." (3 John 11)

Participating in Paganism

Instead of participating in paganism, walking with Wicca, being in harmony with Halloween, having our children celebrate cruelty, and dabbling in a day of death, we should focus our family and congregation on celebrating Reformation Day this 31 October. Jeremiah the prophet wrote, "Learn not the way of the heathen" (Jer. 10:2). Lest those "under grace" think this doesn't apply to the present, they should read Paul's words in 2 Cor. 6:14 18.

Yet we still hear professing Christians claim that, "Letting the kids dress up in costumes, playing trick or treat, wearing masks, and carrying jack ò lanterns doesn't mean anything pagan or occultic to me, so I'll exercise my Christian liberty and partake in all of it." (Some parents even think that somehow God excuses all the evil associated with Hallowe'en as long as the kiddies dress up as Bible characters instead of witches and goblins or have "Harvest" or "Reformation Day" parties!) Obviously, if one were to take such a cavalier approach to the physical world (e.g., "I can drink rat poison because I choose not to regard it as poison"), it would likely lead to a quick physical death. Why then, do Christians think they can avoid spiritual harm by ignoring God's spiritual warnings?"

Thus men go wrong with an ingenious skill,
Bend the straight rule to their own crooked will;
And with a clear and shining light supplied
First put it out, then take it for their guide

Halting on crutches of unequal size,
One leg by truth supported, one by lies;
They sidle to the goal with awkward pace,
Secure of nothing -- but to lose the race. (-- Cowper)

The Protestant Reformation Began On October 31st

It was on 31 October 1517, that Dr. Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses on the door of the Slosskirche (castle church) in Wittenberg, Germany. His bold challenge against the unBiblical practices of the medieval Roman papacy inspired the Protestant Reformation. All Bible believing churches should celebrate the greatest revival of Faith and freedom ever. The Reformation was one the most important turning points in world history. The energies that were released by the rediscovery of the Bible in the common tongue led to the most extraordinary spiritual Revival in history. The Reformation freed the Christians of Northern Europe from the decadence of Renaissance paganism and led to the greatest freedoms and scientific discoveries in history. Every Bible believing Christian should celebrate the Reformation.

No Christian should have part in celebrating the occultic Halloween. We cannot have fellowship with them or involve ourselves in their festivities. There is nothing on earth, least of all some bits and pieces of candy, which can justify embracing Satan in his unholy days celebrations. For too long, Hallowe'en has captivated the minds of Christian children and adults alike to the detriment of their spiritual lives. It's time that pastors and teachers take responsibility to educate their flocks to God's requirement of holiness (separate) for His people. As pastors and teachers have the responsibility of educating parents in the Church, so, too, the responsibility of educating children belongs to parents especially the fathers. But no more so in this age or society than in ages past. The difference is that today children rule many homes, Christian and non Christian alike. For that reason, compromise is the easy way out for parents. Thinking they are showing love by acquiescence, they are really destroying their children's spiritual life. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Prv. 22:6). "whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." This is no trivial matter. Satan is alive, and souls are being lost in great numbers daily. But so, too, is God alive. And He is working His plan of redemption. If we want to be a part of that plan and, just as importantly, if Christian parents want their children to be part of that plan, we must once and for all let God have His way at any expense.

Choose Life

This 31 October, take a stand against Halloween by mobilising your family and congregation to celebrate the Reformation, and to engage in spiritual warfare, earnest prayer, praying the Psalms, and sharing the Gospel with our friends and neighbours, particularly those who may be unthinkingly participating in this occultic celebration of divination, necromancy, human sacrifice and cruelty to animals.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole Armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole Armour of God, that you may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the Breastplate of Righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. Above all, taking the Shield of Faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints." Ephesians 6:10-18

1."Be separate from the world": 1 Peter 4:1-4 "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:"

2. Be transformed: Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

3.Be obedient and holy: 1 Peter 1:14-15 "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

4.Be God pleasers: James 4:4 "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."

5.Be leaders: Ephesians 5:11 "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."

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