“TRICK” or “TRUTH”?

Looking into the history of Halloween, we find it to be filled with pagan customs—masquerading as Christian traditions. Christianity and true Christians do not endorse or embrace this pagan holiday. It started with the ancient Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago, in what is now known as Ireland, Great Britain and Northern France. The Celts were pagan nature worshippers who had many gods, including the sun. These Celts believed that the sun and many gods governed and controlled their work, prosperity and rest time. They believed the sun controlled the earth and kept it beautiful, and caused their crops to grow. The Celts observed the New Year on November 1, which marked the end of summer, the season of sun and harvest, followed by dark winter, the beginning of the season of cold and darkness.

From October 31 to November 2, the Celts celebrated a 48 hour ritual, the Vigil of Samhain –being pronounced “sow-in.” The Celts believed that Samhain, “the pagan lord of the dead,” assembled the souls of those who had died during the previous year, and were now deciding in what form they wanted to be for the next year.

They also believed, these souls would either pass on to human bodies or would live within the animals; being the most evil souls or spirits. The most evil of the bad souls, would take the form of cats, [black cats being on top of the list].

So, for the sake of their safety and their well-being, they put outside of their homes sweets, meat, vegetables, eggs, even honey and wine, so the evil spirits would consume them on their way back to the netherworld. [ the world of the dead; the underworld].

They thought failing to “treat “ these evil spirits might result in a curse to be put on the home or an individual. They literally believed that. So they thought, when these evil spirits came to your door, unless you “treated” them, they would “trick “ you!

This is the true origin of “Trick-or-Treat.” Do you still want to take your kids “Trick-or-Treating?”

How sad, Americans spend $ 2.5 Billion on Halloween each year. Halloween, is the second largest holiday in the United States, after Christmas, and it is catching up so fast…soon to become number one! Now that you know the true origin of Halloween, do you still think it is harmless fun? You might ask, why is it drawing so much attention then? THREE REASONS:

1- FOOD & FUN: Hearing, “ Trick or Treat,” from children, the three words bring back the childhood memories to most adults and they just cannot resist. Add to the sweets, the memories of masquerading as monsters, ghosts, witches, and fairies many adults give-in. The memories of going door-to-door , yelling “Trick-or-Treat,” watching their bags fill up with all sorts of fruits and nuts, candies and other goodies, obviously brings back child-like memories to anybody’s mind. What about those spooky costumes, tricks and colorful parades? It all looks like clean and innocent fun.

2- MONEY & MOTIVE: It is not by accident that some stores start displaying Halloween costumes around the later part of August. The motive obviously is, to build up excitement and anticipation, and in turn building up their bank accounts. It is obvious that those daily casual costumes, before October 30^th will return and contribute $ 2.5 Billion to such a Satanic cause.

3- SATAN & SAMHAIN ( lord of the Dead). What about the so-called, Samhain, the lord of the Dead? The Bible reveals to us who he is. In Hebrews 2:14, we find that he is a defeated foe, and the Lord Jesus had destroyed him. “ …that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Those who celebrate Halloween, thinking they are serving God, are deceived into worshipping the god of this world, Satan, who is the father of lies and religious deception. See also: Galatians 4:8; Revelation 12:9; 2 Corinthians 4:4; and John 8:44. Satan may have had power over death at one time, but he has no power any longer, for we read in 1 Corinthians 15:55 the Apostle Paul states that, “ O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING? O GRAVE, WHERE IS THY VICTORY?”

WHY SOME BELIEVERS ARE GETTING MIXED UP WITH THIS?

The fact is that, a long time ago, the believers decided to celebrate what was known as “All Saints Day,” on November 1^st of every year. It was a special day to commemorate those saints of God who gave their lives to help others. In turn these believers wanted to reach out and help the other believers in dire need—in the name of those saints who had given their lives serving the Lord. The evening before this very important day of November 1^st, was called a hallowed or holy evening-somewhat, a little like Christmas eve. During this, hallowed holy evening (Hallowe’en), the poor could go to the homes of those well to do, and who loved Jesus to ask for food.

Now you see how closely Satan has duplicated, just the day before, on October 31 Satan has come with his own plan to promote his wicked work.

NO TRICKS,…NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH:

LET’S COMPARE:

1- Now, the Trick or Treat that the world offers you tells you, the devil tells you it is no fun, because you have no weird costumes on. The devil also tells you, you just are too young to follow Jesus now, you need to have fun. Jesus Himself knew about Satan’s Tricks. In John 10:10 He said this, “ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I Am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

2- The devil says, you need to make up your own mind, and need to be an adult before you receive Christ. The Bible says Jesus loved children and He wanted them to come to Him. said in Luke 18:16 “…Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” See also: Matthew 18:2-3; 2 Corinthians 6:2 .

3- The devil says, it is a free country, you need to live the way you want to live. The Bible says the way you live, not only effects you, it also effects people around you, especially your parents. The Bible says, you need to live in order to please God ( Galatians 6:7, 8 ).

4- The devil says, there is only one life, so get all you can before you die. The Bible says there is a life eternal, and this eternal life is received through the Lord Jesus (Romans 6:23; John 3:16-17).

5- Now, DO YOU STILL WANT TO TRUST WHAT A PUMPKINHEAD COULD OFFER YOU, OR DO YOU WANT TO TRUST IN JESUS AND THE TRUTH HE IS OFFERING YOU?

6- Now here is how you could pray to receive Jesus Christ.

a) Lord Jesus I know I am a sinner. b) I know that no man could pay for my sins, for all men born of Adam are sinful (Roms 5:12). C) I know you came and died on the Cross for me to pay for my sins. So I put my trust in you to forgive my sins and to receive eternal life. Amen!