The following is from Joe Kovacs book, "Shocked by the bible"
� 2010 WorldNetDaily
"Easter" is such a pretty-sounding word, isn't it?
It instantly makes many people think of a variety of joyous images such as springtime, sunshine, blooming flowers, pretty dresses and bonnets, colored eggs, cute baby chicks and adorable, little bunny rabbits.
It also brings to mind for countless millions the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave.
They say this is the holiest time of the year, because yes, the Creator of the universe, Jesus Christ, is alive on His heavenly throne after spending three days and three nights completely dead.
I could not agree more with people becoming aware of the story of Jesus' death and return to life. It shows us the path to becoming born into the actual Family of God, as the Bible indicates many sons and daughters will be brought to glory as the immortal "children of God."
But brace yourself, because there's a very dark side to this centuries-old tradition, and it has to do with the famous Ten Commandments of God.
The very first commandment of the Big Ten is perhaps one of the most overlooked in everyday life.
In just eight words, it states: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3)
Sounds simple enough. Christians would never put another god in front of the true God who made the universe � right?
Wrong.
Most Christians, whether knowingly or unknowingly, violate this very first commandment of God each year by placing before God the actual name of a pagan goddess of fertility and the dawn.
In case you haven't figured it out by now, her name is � believe it or not � "Easter."
That's correct, folks. The word Easter is actually the name of an ancient, heathen goddess who represents fertility, springtime and the dawn.
Some of her symbols are flowers, bunnies, eggs, the sun and the moon. Who'da thunk?
In different languages and through a variety of cultures, the name of this deity � who in reality does not even exist � is spelled different ways, including Ishtar, Astarte, Ostara, Eostre and Eastre.
Even in the Bible itself, many of God's own chosen people actually followed the customs of numerous Easter goddesses, with her name spelled in the King James Bible as "Ashtaroth" and "Ashtoreth."
For those who have never seen Easter in this light before, take a look at what Scripture itself has to say. I'm adding emphasis with the modern word in parentheses so you can see what God is really telling you:
"And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth (Easter)." (Judges 2:13)
"And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and If you don't believe me, go ahead and Google it. Or simply open up an encyclopedia or a dictionary to probe the pagan origins. Feel free to ask your preacher. An honest one will have to admit it.
"And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth (Easter) from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." (1 Samuel 7:3)
"And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth (Easter)" (1 Samuel 12:10)
"For Solomon went after Ashtoreth (Easter) the goddess of the Zidonians" (1 Kings 11:5)
"And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth (Easter) the abomination of the Zidonians ..." (2 Kings 23:13)
While Easter may sound like a pretty word, just look again in that list above at some of the terms God associates with Easter and her customs: "corruption," "sin," "abomination" and "evil."
And here's a Bible newsflash for you. We're not even supposed to be saying the E-word.
Crack open your own Bible and read it for yourself:
"Make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth." (Exodus 23:13)
Certainly, Christians today who celebrate Easter don't do so with the intention of worshipping another god besides the true God, and I'm not saying or even implying that. But the fact of the matter is many are bringing the name of a pagan, nonexistent goddess before Him, violating the very first commandment.
Additionally, it's more than just the name that bothers God. He specifically warned His people not to worship Him using heathen customs:
"Be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, 'How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.' You must not worship the Lord your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the Lord hates." (Deuteronomy 12:30-31, NIV)
Perhaps if the springtime holiday were called "Hitler Sunday" or even "Satan Sunday" instead of Easter, people might have an easier time understanding the problem of attaching evil to God. Would people decorate swastikas instead of eggs and hold goose-stepping contests, all the while claiming such customs were now Christianized?
For those who might wonder why the King James Bible mentions Easter in Acts 12:4, keep in mind the Bible was not initially written in English. The word in its original language of Greek is "Pascha," meaning "Passover" and translated as Passover in every other instance, some 28 times. Bibles published since 1611 have corrected this glaring error.
Ladies and gentlemen, it's way past time to dump all this fertility-goddess nonsense when it comes to honoring the true Creator.
Enough with the name of Easter, the coloring of eggs, the Easter egg hunts, baby bunnies and fluffy little chicks. These are all symbols of reproduction which have been associated with the heathen fertility goddess for millennia now.
The apostles did not find a basket of eggs or a chocolate bunny rabbit in Jesus' empty tomb, and they certainly didn't go Easter-egg-hunting while spreading the good news of the kingdom of God.
The maker of all things, Jesus Christ, is offering all of us a spectacular, glorious future as an immortal child of God who will be judging angels and the citizens of the world, reigning alongside Him for eternity.
God not only wants to be worshipped in spirit and in truth, but He wants absolutely nothing to do with this phony baloney goddess.
Is it really worth offending your Maker for the pretty-sounding, colorful lie of the nonexistent, evil chick called Easter?
My point has absolutely nothing to do with the original post! It has everything to do with the attitude expressed in the forums nowadays!
You do not have to be a member of this site to read these forum posts. Now imagine someone that is feeling the pull to become a Christian reading some of the things written in these threads! Do you think it would draw them closer to God, or make them question whether or not they want to be associated with the likes of us?! We are not representing Christianity very well!!
It would serve us all good to carefully think about scenarios such as that before clicking the "submit" button! Are we helping or hurting the cause?
Too much pride, too much self-righteousness, not enough compassion, understanding, and love.
Ole Cattleman, you stated, "i really dont need the calvary backin me up for me personally.. as i have GOD on my side."
I was taught when I thing I have God on myside, I would have God's word to back me up in what I believe.
I hope you will at least admit, Easter is not in God's word. However, if you think it is of God, how come you haven't given the scripture to prove it?
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Therefore, I have not read anyone making much sense on this thread except for the author of this thread, and that is beefcakes.
He is absolute correct when we put anything before the Lord it is idolatry. Since believers are not to put one day above another, {Galatians 4:9} believers are to put Christ above all things every day, for God has not given us to give lip service to one or more days above another. Every day for a believer is a holy day.
You stated, " you're makin like now you was just concerned of my salvation.. and when first confronted you even made like you wasnt really questionin my salvation.. you told an untruth there gary .. as you turned right around and asked me how come i thought i was saved.. so you WERE questionin my salvation.."
So do you now read people's minds and their hearts Ole Cattleman? The reason I asked about your salvation since you stated you do Easter and since it's not in scripture, and should there be a chance you are unsaved because the unsaved observe Easter as well. You should know I have a sincere interest in your salvation as I have done with many all my life and a surprising number of people who thought they were saved, or have not known the way to salvation now have a real relationship by the grace of God and work of Christ becoming the lamb of the world. I am also surprised you would call me a liar for having a genuine interest in your relationship with Christ.
Now that you have called me a liar, that brings to mind the following scriptures that I believe fit this situation perfectly.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
You stated, " lets first take a look back at your words to me gary and the verses you used to personally attack me with.. your implications to me personally here..
your words here gary
Cattleman, you are using your natural mind instead of going to God's word to see what He says."
Yes I did state that Cattleman because since you didn't give any scripture to strengthen your position, I had no alternative and still don't believe any different. But my opinion is certainly not an attact on you, but am surprised you take it that way.
Cattleman you stated, " as i said before i believe the name should be changed to summin besides easter.... but.....
EXODUS 20:3-5 you shall have no other gods before ME.
4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image-any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, now to me if you say JESUS can't have this day or that day for us to worship HIM and celebrate HIM.. because its some other religions gods or goddesses day then isnt that in essence putting another god or goddess before GOD?
i mean you wont let GOD have the day and worship HIM because its special to someone elses god or goddess...
i put no other gods or goddesses before my GOD... i dont have any others matter of fact... i only have GOD .."
Cattleman please read the following scriptures. God has made it plan he does not want us to pay lip service to his death and resurrection but to live it by obeying his word.
Galatians 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Jeremiah 10:2-3 tells us not learn the way of the heathen and the customs of the people are vain.
Here is another important scripture that one can apply to Easter.
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
In addition, both saved and unsaved alike celebrate Easter together in churches.
God says, " 2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"
Someone mentioned I was causing dissention among you for what I have stated, or something to that effect. In regards to that statement, Christ said, "Matthew 10:34 �Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 �For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 �And a man's foes shall be they of his own household." Seems that is what the situation here is. LOL
You stated, " then you uses these verses 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Don't you think that is a good verse and is appropriate for every issue in our lives?
I'ts jus been brought ta my rememberance that you were here afor under another name...same face pix though...The same kinda events where happenin...De Ja Vu...or Memorex...not sure...jus kinda makes me wonder who You really are an what your True motives of been here are...
People can Be an Say anythin on these Web Sites..I would rather believe most are Truthful an God Fearin...BUT...there are those that Creep in an...well....yall know how that goes...Anywho...its not really necessary to quote Scripture here...I'm jus sharein an Observation an Feelin bout this...Nothin personal...
God's Jude, to set your wondering mind to rest; the first time I was on this site as Tomlane, I didn't realize I could use my real name until I was on here for few weeks. So as not to confuse anyone I left it at that. However, when I would write to anyone, I would always sign it with my real name unless I wrote to someone with the idea of not having further contact with that person, I would let well enough alone. This is the only site I have been on where one can use their real name.
I met a very nice lady on here and we thought one day we would be married so I deleted my profile. When that didn't work out as expected I came back on and used my real name since I realized I could now use it.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out if I was trying to hide who I am, I certainly wouldn't have used the same pictures.
I'm amazed you and Ole Cattleman have made an issue out of it and made any insinuations. But that is ok, I don't mind, just amazed. lol
Hello friends, sorry I'm just now getting in on this but just found it.
Here's a little scripture to consider:
2 Timothy 2:24,"For the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient."
Phil 2:14 "Do all things without murmurings and disputings"
John 18:36,"Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence.
1 Cor 13:1-13,"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbol.............."
Point is, enough bickering. The lady was correct when she made mention that you don't have to be a member to read these forums. What if an unsaved person read these and saw all this arguing over something as simple as the name of a holiday? We wold look like a bunch of bickering fools.
I may not have agreed with everything Mr. Cattle has always said, but he said it with conviction and out of love for Christ. He has done a wonderful job minding and contributing to these forums. Though he's a little younger than I, he's very wise and I respect his opinions. It's people like Cattle,Steve, Remp, Drigmtr,GodsJude, and the rest who contribute to the forums that makes it different than those other sites (where anything goes)
Call me a heathern, call me unsaved-(though I'm not), but when I was growing up and going to sunday school, not ONE word was mentioned about worshipping a pagan God. We all KNEW that Easter was a celebration of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Nothing more, nothing less. The Easter egg was a symbol of our rebirth. Nobody associated the term Easter with anything else but Christ. I'll always continue to celebrate Easter, hopefully someday even hiding Easter eggs for my grandchildren. We will all know what the term "Easter" means to us. It don't mean a hill of beans what others think, I'll even celebrate Christmas, and Thanksgiving as well. Sue me, curse me, but don't call me unsaved. Oh yes, I'll be more than happy to give anyone my full testimony. Please ask!
God bess ya'll and please-"Can't we all just get along?"
He is absolute correct when we put anything before the Lord it is idolatry. Since believers are not to put one day above another, {Galatians 4:9} believers are to put Christ above all things every day, for God has not given us to give lip service to one or more days above another. Every day for a believer is a holy day.
mine here
did not make that plain to you thats what i said in my last posts?
my quote from my last post
so if im worshipin on a day and i dont care what day it is, i am only worshipin the ONE AND ONLY GOD..
also you are flip floppin as first you say every day for a believer is a holy day.. yet you say GOD cant have easter sunday...as a holy day.. youre sayin a believer cant have a holy day that day .. so make up your mind which is it? what do you believe?
your words here
So do you now read people's minds and their hearts Ole Cattleman?
mine here
yep i sure can soons they spit it outta their mouths i sure can.. hehe
your words here
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Cattleman please read the following scriptures. God has made it plan he does not want us to pay lip service to his death and resurrection but to live it by obeying his word.
mine here
so when we come together in church on the sunday which happenes to fall on the easter holiday ,,, the sunday when we choose to go to church and worship and observe the sabbath and our LORD and GOD.,which in the verse you just gave you were told not to judge someone for ... and which we gather to praise and give thanks and worship and rejoice in our LORD and SAVIOR..
you dont think we are to praise and thank GOD and rejoice for JESUS resurection then? or as im takin what you been sayin is we cant even gather that day and worship our LORD..
or celebrate his ressurection or rejoice in HIM?
were unholy and unsaved if we do..
to you it may be plain not to but to me its not..
phillipians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
notice it doesnt give a day but yet says always...
1 thessolonians 5:16-19 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
so to me unless you are worshipin another god or goddess in your hearts and not worshippin GOD THE FATHER OR JESUS CHRIST then i see no problem with rejoicin in the LORD always anytime anyday.... and givin praise and thanks for our LORD and SAVIOR.. no matter the day.. thats been my point all along..
your words here
In addition, both saved and unsaved alike celebrate Easter together in churches.
God says, " 2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"
mine here
are you lookin at the whole bible as i am doin..
theres a possibility every time your church doors are opened that the unbelievers or unsaved are gathered amongst you the believers are they not ... and i praise GOD theyre there and were drawn towards JESUS.. and i pray they all come to know JESUS as their LORD AND SAVIOR.. and to make like we shouldnt be there with them feeding them the word .. well i just dont get you..
but if i remember right you dont believe in organized religion, denominations and i think i remember hearing you say you dont go to church on account of it forgive me if i remember wrong.. but im pretty sure i remember you sayin that at one time as tom lane..
you believe your thing and ill believe mine..
matthew 9:9-13 9 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him.
The Disciples Eat with Sinners
Mark 2:15-17; Luke 5:29-32
10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
also i believe you said that you are also self taught the word of GOD...
that can be dangerous ya know .. i am not sayin you are but it could be... kinda like you wasnt sayin i was unsaved but you implied i was.. .. smile
2 peter 3:15-16 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation-as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
by the way its kinda bad when folks remember your old profile not for the good ya done but for the same bad behavior youve been showing here again..
now i am done with you on this .. i dust my feet off..
