3/27/24 BEWARE FALSE PROPHETS

03/27/24 BEWARE FALSE PROPHETS

God deserves better from His people.

 

So-called "Jehovah's Witnesses", deny the physical resurrection of Jesus, but instead "commemorate" their view of the death of Jesus. They also deny the Deity of Christ, therefore they do not believe in the Jesus of the Bible. They are not Christian.

 

Sadly, most American churches, which claim to be Christian, substitute the crucified and resurrected Lamb of God with pagan fertility symbols ("Easter," rabbits, eggs). Most children call that special day of celebration, "Easter" instead of resurrection and they think of rabbits and eggs, rather than Jesus and the empty tomb.

 

In both of the above situations we see the success of Satan in turning people away from the salvation that comes from the resurrected Christ.

 

I grew up calling it "Easter" and I colored, and "hunted" eggs, and I liked getting an Easter Basket with Jelly Beans and Chocolate Bunnies. But when I realized that Christ was being robbed of His honor and glory by honoring symbols of pagan fertility religion, I changed. Unhappily, no one, Christian or otherwise, led me into the truth, I had to come to this position on my own. I did not learn it from cults or Christian teachers, pastors or leaders. I came to realize that it was wrong, detrimental, to refer to the resurrection of Christ in pagan terms, and it was demeaning to celebrate His resurrection

through pagan symbolism. I came to my understanding simply by reading and thinking about the Scriptures, history, culture and the spiritual implications, which are connected with the 'EASTER" and the pagan trappings associated with the Biblical truth of the resurrection.

 

I realize that most Christians have no idea that their use of and focus on "Easter" has pagan roots or that such a focus is used by Satan to undermine faith and understanding in young people. When someone wishes me, "happy Easter," I know they are intending to communicate best wishes, in honor of Jesus and His resurrection. I know this. I usually respond with, "Happy Resurrection." I don't attack someone because of their misinformation or because of their shallow teaching. But neither do I follow them in their darkened understanding.

 

My problem along these lines is not that folks misunderstand, but I hope to help folks see the error incorporating pagan concepts into the greatest Divine event in all of human history, which is the miraculous incarnation, holy life, sacrificial death and physical resurrection of God the Son. I hope folks will stop identifying this Divine and redemptive act in pagan terms.

 

I also realize that few pastors hold my point of view. Again, I do not discount their love for God or their testimony, but I don't accept their lack of understanding as the acceptable standard. I choose rather to look at this issue Biblically and historically, rather than traditionally and socially. It is one thing to not know the truth, it is another thing to reject the truth. He that knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

 

Here is a main problem. When a person encounters light, but refuses to walk in that light, then they are more likely to refuse other light from God. I am especially disturbed when people have been taught, and have been raised in truth, but then choose to turn back to the beggarly (impotent and bankrupt) elements of life. It hurts when I see friends and loved ones accept and incorporate pagan terms and celebrations (which rob God of His glory), especially when it is associated with redemptive work of God. They know better, yet they willingly support and promote such darkness, after having received light. God does not give us light, in order for us to put that light under a basket (in this case, an Easter basket). He gives us light to change our own inner being, our thinking, our speaking and our doing. We are here to lead folks out of darkness, not join or encourage them in their darkness.