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Fall ceremonies for honouring the dead were known to all ancient cultures. They all believed that the period October-November was the time of ghosts. The Biblical flood story gave rise throughout the world to stories about the dead returning to haunt the living.
People would put candles in hollowed out turnips or potatoes to ward
off the evil spirits. One legend stated that an Irishman named Jack tricked the devil into
promising never to come after his soul again. However, he was doomed to wander the earth forever
with his lantern. Thus, pumpkins are presently used as jack-o-lanterns.
Halloween comes from "hallow" and "een" meaning holy eve(ning). It is a pagan festival that was practised by the Celts in Gaul (Western Europe) and the British Isles. Their priests, known as Druids, set aside October 31st to worship their god Samhain.
It was believed that, on this day, Samhain (the lord of the dead) would call together all the recently departed souls of the wicked. Then they returned to the homes of their families to be entertained by the living. If the spirits did not receive an acceptable welcome they would cast evil spells on the living. To avoid this the Celts would disguise themselves. By doing this the spirits would not know who wanted them to leave, and therefore could not cast
a spell on them.
Huge bonfires were ignited and crops as well as animals and humans were sacrificed to keep the evil spirits away. They also wore costumes made out of the skins and heads of the animals. This was all to please Samhain, the lord of the dead.
The Celts would practice trick or treating on their way to the village festival
honouring Samhain. They would stop at homes along the way to get food. If it met their approval,
then the home would have good luck. If they were refused food or were not happy with what they
received, they cursed and threatened the residents.
Naturally then, the Celts chose November 1st as the date of the New Year. November 1st is
also All Saint's Day, the day set aside by the Catholic church to honour the dead souls of
holy people. The Mass said by the Catholic priest on All Saints Day was known as
Allhallowmas. In medieval England the festival was known as "All Hallows;" hence the name
Halloween (Hallow' eve) stood for the preceding day (October 31st).
When the Romans conquered the Gauls (Celts), they added a ceremony to honour the Roman
goddess of fruit and trees. The ceremony provided a means of divining for the future. The custom of
bobbing for apples is derived from this addition.
The background of All Saint's Day is also revealing. While the Celts (Druids) were
worshipping their gods in Gaul and Britain, the Romans were worshipping their own gods in Rome. They
came to the Pantheon to pray for the dead and worship various deities. Later Rome fell to the
barbarians and the Pantheon was neglected. In 607 A.D. it was recaptured by the Roman Emperor
Phocas who gave it to Pope Boniface as a gift. He consecrated it to the Virgin Mary and
other saints. So, now instead of worshipping the pagan gods and goddesses, the people were honouring
the Virgin Mary and other saints.
Halloween has become the night when children (and adults) go from door to door saying, "Trick or treat." Most of North America celebrates Halloween in some fashion. Even churches plan parties for this night because of vandalism and the evil activity that goes on. Who has not
read horror stories of children coming home with razor blades in their apples or drugs in their candy?
Witchcraft is closely associated with Halloween and its customs. It has existed almost from the beginning of time. The "old religion" is a nature cult with rites which often include sexual acts. This is particularly true of the initiation of a new member into a coven.
A coven is a local cell of witches who usually meet once a week. Each coven consists of 12 people and a high priest or high priestess. This is a mockery of Jesus and His 12 disciples. Jesus is widely accepted in the occult as the greatest medium and magician who
ever lived.
They worship gods and goddesses that are no different from those of the Greeks, Romans and Celts. Lucifer (Satan) is one of their main gods. He is considered to be the most beautiful and intelligent one. He is also called Pan. Halloween is Satan's high holy day. Satanists
believe that it is the night when the spirit world can exercise special powers. White witches do not
like to be called Satanists, yet they worship him. They claim that they do not harm anyone
while Satanists do. However, all witches whether black or white are condemned by God's Word,
the Bible. Exodus 22:18 says, "You shall not permit a sorceress (witch) to live."
God specifically warns us against witchcraft and the occult. In
Deuteronomy 18:9-12 God says, "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 abmoninations the LORD your God drives them out from
before you."
Although the devil is real and very powerful, God is the Creator and all-powerful!
Persons who invite Jesus Christ into their lives as their personal Saviour receive the Holy Spirit
and His power within them, (See Romans 8:9, 11; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Acts 1:8). The Bible says,
"He (God) Who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world." (1 John 4:4b). Also,
"In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us."(Romans 8:37)
In Luke 9:1 Jesus "called His twelve disciples together and gave
them power and authority over all demons." Later He sent out seventy more disciples who returned
saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." (Luke 10:17). Jesus
responded, "Behold, I give you... authority... over all the power of the enemy... Nevertheless do
not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are
written in Heaven." (Luke 10:19-20).
The important issue is whether or not you have personally invited
Jesus Christ, and whether or not your name is written down in Heaven. Here are some facts for you to
consider carefully:
1. God has proven His love for me. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John
3:16). "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died
for us." (Romans 5:8).
2. I am a sinner, separated from God. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God." (Romans 3:23).
3. My way to the Father is through Jesus Christ. "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the
truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6).
I must personally invite Jesus Christ into my life. "But as many as received Him, to them
He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." (John
1:12).
You can receive Jesus Christ right now. Just talk to Him in your own words. He knows your
thoughts. Confess your sins to Him. Invite Him to come into your life. According to
His Word, He will come in and live in you forever. What more could anyone want than the peace
and joy that comes when a person accepts Jesus Christ? There is nothing that can surpass Him! Once
you have genuinely done this, share what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for you with someone else.
You can pray to God like this,
"Heavenly Father, I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner. I confess my sins to You. Lord Jesus,
I thank You for dying on the cross for me, as my substitute. I invite You to come into my life right
now and make me Your child. I thank You for Your forgiveness and for cleansing me from sin. Thank
You for giving me the Holy Spirit to be my Helper!"
- Compiled
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