Understanding the Link Between Easter and a Pagan Goddess

Hellenized bas-relief sculpture of Ishtar standing with a servant from Palmyra (3rd century AD) – by Jadd Haidar; CC BY-SA 4.0

by Leonard V Johnson

Sunday, the 5th of April, millions of people will once again celebrate a worldly festival called “Easter.”

Do you rightly know where the very name Easter came from?

Why do “Christians” celebrate a holiday derived from a pagan goddess? Because Easter is not ── and never was ── a “Christian” holiday, but rather the very term actually came from ancient paganism and was adopted into Roman Catholicism and Protestantism ──

Easter – The English term, according to the Ven. Bede (De temporum ratione, I, v), relates to Estre, a Teutonic goddess of the rising light of day and spring, … Anglo-Saxon, eâster, eâstron ; Old High German, ôstra, ôstrara, ôstrarûn, … 1

Centuries after changing to Sunday worship, the very name of what was supposed to be the God-ordained observance of Passover was changed - in some Teutonic languages - to Eâster. A variant of the Babylonian sex goddess, often spelled Ishtar but pronounced roughly the same as Eâster. Ishtar was the ‘queen of heaven’ who was celebrated each spring by the ancient Sumerians, the Akkadians, the Babylonians, and even the Assyrians. Various non-biblical elements were part of the Ishtar festival, which is still observed by Catholics and Protestants alike.

And lo and behold ── “Surprise, surprise, surprise” there was even an Ishtar Gate erected in ancient Babylon! So, there are a variety of connections worldwide between that ancient pagan Ishtar celebration and modern Eâster.

In a nutshell, there was a Roman Catholic integration of the Ishtar celebration into this world’s modern Eâster. Now, many aspects of non-biblical symbols have certainly been obscured, yet some truth may cast some light and help set you free.

Ishtar – the sex goddess. And that’s why all of the bunny rabbits and Eâster eggs are all symbols of fertility. Well, “For to be carnally minded [a natural human being, the result someday will be] death, but to be spiritually minded …” – where your mind focuses and is directed towards things of God – or things on a higher level, “…is life [eternal life] and peace [in this life].”

Returning again to the Catholic Online Encyclopedia, the Catholics pull no punches when it comes to many of the various symbols and customs involving their modern Eâster ──

Easter is the principal feast of the ecclesiastical year. Leo I (Sermo xlvii in Exodum) calls it the greatest feast … and says that Christmas is celebrated only in preparation for Easter. …

PECULIAR CUSTOMS OF EASTER TIME …

Easter Eggs … The custom may have its origin in paganism, for a great many pagan customs, celebrating the return of spring, gravitated to Easter. …

The Easter Rabbit … The rabbit is a pagan symbol and has always been an emblem of fertility (Simrock, Mythologie, 551). …

Men and women … On Easter Monday the women had a right to strike their husbands, on Tuesday the men struck their wives, as in December the servants scolded their masters. Husbands and wives did this “ut ostendant sese mutuo debere corrigere, ne illo tempore alter ab altero thori debitum exigat” (Beleth, I, c. cxx; Durandus, I, c. vi, 86).

Which translated means something like ── “so that they may show that they must correct each other, lest at that time one demand from the other the debt of the bed.”

In the Neumark (Germany) on Easter Day the men servants whip the maid servants with switches; on Monday the maids whip the men. …

The Easter Fire … The Easter Fire is lit on the top of mountains … and must be kindled from new fire, drawn from wood by friction (nodfyr); this is a custom of pagan origin in vogue all over Europe, signifying the victory of spring over winter. 2

Indeed, the Roman Catholics throw that word “pagan” out there as if it means nothing! Well … it means a great deal! What is pagan?

Pagan refers to someone who practices a polytheistic religion, often nature-based, that’s distinct from major monotheistic faiths. It originally meant “country dweller,” but evolved to describe non-Christian and non-Jewish beliefs.

The Roman Catholics openly admit that the very name Eâster is derived from a pagan goddess, along with many of its symbols and customs.

Some argue that instead of Ishtar, this Eâster was more directly connected with a pagan-German goddess Ēostre. This pagan goddess was the ── according to linguist Guus Kroonen, the name of the PIE dawn-goddess. In southern Medieval Germany, the festival Ôstarûn similarly gave its name to the month Ôstarmânôth, and to the modern feast of Ostern (‘Easter’), suggesting that a goddess named Ôstara was also worshipped there. 3

Her celebration was each spring, so this certainly would help explain why people who keep and celebrate this worldly holiday, Eâster, do so in the early morning dawn as opposed to just after sunset like that of the LORD’s Passover.

Notice this very interesting bit of information from Leftist-Wikipedia, citing the late 19th-century scholar Charles Isaac Elton ──

The first scholar to make a connection between the goddess Eostre and hares was Adolf Holtzmann in his book Deutsche Mythologie. Holtzmann wrote of the tradition, “the Easter Hare is inexplicable to me, but probably the hare was the sacred animal of Ostara; just as there is a hare on the statue of Abnoba.” Citing folk Easter customs in Leicestershire, England, where “the profits of the land called Harecrop Leys were applied to providing a meal which was thrown on the ground at the ‘Hare-pie Bank’”, late 19th-century scholar Charles Isaac Elton speculated on a connection between these customs and the worship of Ēostre. 4

Now … whether or not the name originally derived from an ancient Babylonian goddess, or a late Germanic one, or some other source ── that is all splitting hares! (pun-intended). The important point: “Eâster” is not biblical! Furthermore, there should be no denying that certain aspects of both the pagan goddesses have been integrated into this modern Eâster celebration.

God’s living and immutable word condemns practices that are associated with this modern Eâster, such as hot Eâster bun/cakes ──

“ ‘The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead the dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger.’” – Jeremiah 7:18.

Asking AI regarding this verse ──

“What do you make of Jeremiah 7:18?”

Jeremiah 7:18 talks about people making cakes for the “Queen of Heaven” and pouring drink offerings to other gods. It’s a warning against idolatry and turning away from God’s commands.

“Yes, what’s the context of that verse?”

It’s part of a larger message where Jeremiah warns the people of Judah about their idolatrous practices. The verse describes families participating in pagan rituals, with each member playing a role ── children gathering wood, fathers lighting fires, and mothers making offerings to the “Queen of Heaven.”

“And who is this ‘Queen of Heaven’ that the Prophet Jeremiah is referencing?”

The “Queen of Heaven” referenced is Ishtar, also known as Ashtoreth or Astarte. She was a fertility goddess worshiped by the Assyrians and Babylonians, and her cult had become popular among the Israelites despite God’s commands against idolatry.

“Well … isn’t that interesting! During Christmas time and even Easter time, women knead dough and bake cakes in the shape of cross buns.”

That’s an intriguing connection, Sir! The tradition of baking cross-shaped buns during Easter actually has roots in ancient pagan rituals similar to what Jeremiah warned against. These buns originally honored spring goddesses like Ishtar, and the cross symbolized fertility and renewal. Over time, the practice evolved but kept its symbolic shape.

“Yes! And what did God say at the end of that very verse?”

At the end of that verse, God says these actions provoke Him to anger.

Exactly, so that would mean the celebration of such festivals as Easter and Christmas does not please the God of heaven!

You've made a thoughtful connection there, Sir. The verse does suggest that God isn’t pleased when people incorporate pagan elements into the worship of Him. 5

God’s living and immutable word condemns practices that are associated with this modern Eâster, such as the worship toward the sun in the east ──

“Then He said to me, ‘Have you seen this, O son of man? Turn again, you will see greater abominations than these.’ 16) So He brought me into the inner court of the LORD’s house; and there, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east.” – Ezekiel 8:15-16.

Asking AI regarding these verses ──

“What do you make of Ezekiel 8:15-18?”

Ezekiel 8:15-18 describes God showing the Prophet Ezekiel even greater abominations in the Temple. It reveals people worshiping the sun, turning their backs on the Temple, which angers God and leads Him to declare that He will no longer show mercy.

Ezekiel’s vision occurred in 592 BC, five years before Jerusalem’s fall. It revealed escalating idolatry in the Temple, from secret chambers to public sun worship, showing how far the people had strayed from God’s commands.

“Yes, and there is a connection between this Eâster sunrise service and what they were doing here in the Book of Ezekiel, chapter 18.”

You’re right to see that connection, Sir. Ezekiel 8:16 describes people worshiping the sun, facing east ── similar to modern Easter sunrise services. Ancient practices influenced modern traditions.

“Yes, and that is a type of sun worship.”

Absolutely, Sir.

“Yes, but it’s also sad because what does God say in verse 18?”

God declares He’ll respond with wrath, showing no pity or mercy. Even their loud cries won’t change His mind.

“So, therefore, modern-day sun worship ── such as Eâster sunrise services ── does not please the God of heaven.”

Based on Ezekiel 8:18, God expresses strong displeasure with sun worship, indicating it doesn’t please Him. The connection between ancient practices and modern traditions remains clear ── there’s a core principle.

“Indeed, the core principle does remain clear, although most people who celebrate modern Eâster would surely say they do not worship the sun.”

You’re absolutely right, Sir. Most people celebrating Easter today aren’t consciously worshiping the sun. The traditions evolved over centuries, blending ancient spring rituals with “Christian” meanings.

“Yes, but it goes back to what you just said. The connections to ancient paganism are crystal clear in some of the customs that are celebrated today in the Eâster sunrise services.”

The connections are indeed clear. Easter sunrise services have roots in ancient pagan rituals of worshiping the rising sun. This practice aligns with spring equinox celebrations that predate “Christianity”. 6

The LORD’s Passover has to do with the Lamb of God being killed for the sins of all mankind ──and all early true Christians kept and celebrated the Passover, not Eâster. □

Sources:

1 Catholic Online Encyclopedia, “Easter,” https://www.catholic.org/. Retrieved 18 Mar 2026.

2 ibid. 1.

3 Wikipedia contributors. "Ēostre." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 31 May. 2025. Web. 18 Mar. 2026.

4 ibid. 3.

5. Alexa.com, 18 Mar 2026.

6. ibid. 5.

The Christmas "MythBuster"

Mithra slaying the bull. The rising sun god of ancient Persia. (Photo by: DenisDoukhan (Pixabay)

Let’s talk today about this Christmas. The Catholic Our Sunday Visitor published the article “Dispelling some common myths about Christmas” by Jimmy Akin back in 2022.

December 8, 2022 

Every year, various myths about Christmas circulate. Some are innocent misunderstandings of things from the Gospels, while others are downright hostile.

One of the most common ideas is that Christmas is based on a pagan holiday, so it’s really “pagan” in origin. 

(https://www.oursundayvisitor.com/dispelling-some-common-myths-about-christmas/).

I think that word pagan in quotes is meant to be sarcastic. 

Well, “Jimmy,” the fact is ── it’s really pagan in origin. True Christians should not have a thing to do with this pagan holiday, nor should they follow myths and try and make those myths say otherwise.

Now, in my office library, I have a “New Catholic Edition” of the Holy Bible that I will be reading from. Notice what the Apostle Peter says ── under absolute divine inspiration of God’s Spirit ──  

“For we were not following fictitious tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of His grandeur.” – 2 Peter 1:16.

To note: I will be adding capitals to words such as “His,” “Him,” “Me,” “You,” and “Your,” when speaking concerning our LORD God. Computer research gave some ridiculous answers as to why some Bible translations do not capitalize the pronouns referring to God. 

Now, DECEMBER 25th was not adopted by the Roman Catholic Church until the 4th century. 

The World Book Encyclopædia ──  

In 354 A.D., Bishop Liberius of Rome ordered the people to celebrate on December 25. He probably chose this date because the people of Rome already observed it as the Feast of Saturn, celebrating the birthday of the sun.

(Sechrist E.H. Christmas. World Book Encyclopedia, Volume III. Field Enterprises Educational Corporation, Chicago, 1966, pp. 408-417). 

It should also be noted that some scholars believe that the celebration in ancient Rome concerning “Christmas” could have begun a few decades earlier, established by Constantine the Great. 

This American Catholic apologist, with a New Age background, also stated in his article ──

Too cold for sheep

It’s sometimes claimed that Jesus couldn’t have been born on Dec. 25 because Luke reports that shepherds were tending their flocks the night Jesus was born (cf. 2:8). It would have been too cold for that in December, so Jesus must have been born in a warmer time of year. 

This is nonsense. …

If it had been December 25th, the shepherds would not have been out in the fields tending their sheep. If it were actually what this world calls December 25th, the shepherds would have taken the sheep, many weeks earlier, down into the lowlands. The shepherds were still in the field because it was still mild weather in late September. There are numerous biblical indications that point out that Jesus Christ was not born on or anywhere near December 25th. Now, while it is not impossible for shepherds to still be in the field in late December, that, however, was not their ancient practice. Shepherds normally stop spending the night with their flocks outside beginning in the fall because of the cold and wet weather. The Catholic Encyclopædia actually acknowledges this ──

The Gospels. Concerning the date of Christ’s birth, the Gospels give no help; upon their data, … The census would have been impossible in winter: a whole population could not then be put in motion…

The definition of impossible is “incapable of being or of occurring.” 1

Also, this self-proclaimed autodidact writes in his article ──  

A pagan holiday 

What about the claim that celebrating Christmas on Dec. 25 is based on a pagan holiday?

Even if that were true, so what? … 

So what? Has he even read and studied God’s living word? I think not! God’s living word outright opposes following pagan practices! 

Let’s notice something that the Prophet Nehemiah declared ── 

“So I separated from them all strangers, …” – 2 Esdas 13:30. 

That word strangers could also be translated as “foreigners.”

True Christians should indeed separate ourselves from “the mixed multitude” that celebrate adopted pagan practices (cf. Nehemiah 13:3).

Our Lord, Savior, and God ── the living Son of God ── teaches us ── 

“’ God is spirit, and they who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.’” – John 4:24.

“’ and in vain do they worship Me, teaching AS DOCTRINE the precepts of men.’” – Mark 7:7.

Again, note that we are still reading from the “New Catholic Edition.” 

Of course, it is in vain to worship our Lord Jesus Christ, teaching as doctrine that Santa Claus is real and lives with his elves at the North Pole. Sorry… spoiler alert. 

The Eternal our God tells us that there is a right Way and there is a wrong way in how to live our life and in the worship of Him ── we should never base this on the concept of “so what! I can worship Him any way I choose!” 

“’ THESE are the statutes and decrees which you must be careful to observe in the land … 8) You shall not do as we are now doing; here, everyone does what seems right to himself.’” – Deuteronomy 12:1, 8.

“’ When the Lord, your God, removes the nations from your way as you advance to dispossess them, be on your guard! Otherwise, once they have been wiped out before you and you have replaced them and are settled in their land, 30) you will be lured into following them. DO NOT INQUIRE regarding their gods [such as Mithra, an ancient Iranian (Persian) deity], ‘How did these nations worship their gods? I, too, would do the same.’ 31) You shall not thus worship the Lord, your God, because they offered to their gods every abomination that the Lord detests, even burning their sons and daughters to their gods.’” – Deuteronomy 12:29-31.

The Lord, our God ── supposedly the same Creator God that the Catholics and Protestants alike worship ── never wanted true Christians to keep and celebrate the adopted pagan custom that is now called “Christmas.” 

Commentary: Does God Accept Lies?

        

We should consider the following that the Apostle Paul wrote ── under divine inspiration ──

“This, therefore, I say and testify in the Lord, that henceforward you are not to walk as the Gentiles walk in the futility of their mind, 18) having their understanding clouded in DARKNESS, estranged from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the BLINDNESS of their heart. 19) For they have given themselves up in despair to sensuality, greedily practicing EVERY KIND OF UNCLEANNESS. 20) But you have not so learned Christ──21) for surely you have heard of Him and have been taught in Him [have you not, Mr. Akin?] (as truth is in Jesus) 22) that as regards your former manner of life you are to put off the old man which is being corrupted through its deceptive lusts.” – Ephesians 4:17-22.

True Christians are to “put off” their former ways of pagan practices and live according to the truth that is in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. 

Our beloved Apostle Paul had also written to the church in Corinth, as well as to us ──

“What then do I say? That what is sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20) No; but I say that what the Gentiles sacrifice, ‘they sacrifice to devils and not to God’; and I would not have become associates of devils. 21) You CANNOT drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of devils; you CANNOT be partakers of the table of the Lord and of the table of devils. 22) Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?” – 1 Corinthians 10:19-22.

So, to further counter Mr. Akin’s blasphemous answer, “So what?” ── from the very source that apparently, he does not read or study, God’s living word tells us that we are not to adopt what the Gentiles sacrifice and or celebrate, surely today unknowingly, to demons.

This sometimes co-host of a podcast examining mysteries in the areas of the paranormal, such as telepathy, ghost hunting, and ufology (who sits alongside Dom Bettinelli, both of whom have as their mission exploring their Catholic faith and that of “pop culture”) also wrote ──

Which pagan holiday? … 

Some sources link Christmas with the Roman holiday Saturnalia, which was a festival in honor of the god Saturn. … 

But there is a major problem claiming that Christmas is an alternative to Saturnalia. This Roman festival was originally celebrated Dec. 17, though by the time of the Republic it extended through Dec. 23. So, Christmas wasn’t held until after Saturnalia was over. 

Well… we should consider that there are many “Christmas” parties before the 25th of December. The ancient celebration of Saturnalia was celebrated for seven days, starting officially on the 17th.

There should be NO EXCUSE to celebrate adopted pagan celebrations that are now disguised as “Christian.” Notice that it would be false teachers who get in the way of God’s living truth ── and this Jimmy Akin is a false teacher ── 

“BUT there were false prophets also among the people, just as among you there will be lying teachers who will bring in destructive sects. They even disown the Lord who bought them, thus bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2) And many will follow their wanton conduct, and because of them the Way of truth will be maligned. 3) And OUT OF GREED they will with deceitful words use you for their gain. Their condemnation, passed of old, is not made void, and their destruction does not slumber.” – 2 Peter 2:1-3. 

So, in conclusion here ── those false teachers who teach that “Jesus is the reason for the season” are lying teachers, deceiving and being deceived. Truly, those who professed Christ and who observed and celebrated those Gentile holidays did not pretend that they were celebrating “Christmas.” This term wasn’t even first used until the 11th century, known as “Cristes mæsse.” The name combines “Christ,” derived from the Greek “Christos,” and “mass,” referring to their religious service. Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival originally celebrated on December 17, evolved and influenced the development of Christmas. 2 

The celebration and the keeping of Christmas are a distraction from what our Lord God commands us to pursue ── 

“’ But seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His justice, …’” – Matthew 6:33.

Christmas is not a CHRIST-CENTERED holiday. 

We should always consider the living and eternal words of our Savior, Elder Brother, and God ──

“Blessed are those who keep His commandments, that they may have the right to eat of the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. 15) But excluded are dogs, and sorcerers, and fornicators, and murderers, and idolaters, and everyone who loves and devises a lie.” – Revelation 22:14-15, NET.

Which are you?

Are you one who keeps God’s holy and righteous commandments, or are you one who loves and practices a lie ── the lie of Christmas? □        

1) Webster M. Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, “impossible” 1996, pp 584.

2) https://more-history.com/saturnalia-the-roman-festival-behind-christmas-traditions/.  

God's Eternal Marks Upon His Covenant People (PART THREE)

by GC LaMar

Only until God the Father calls you, places upon you the gift of repentance, properly baptized, and has hands laid upon you ── receiving the glorious gift of God’s Spirit ── you will remain under Satan the Devil’s authority, regardless of your religious claims.

The very words of our Savior, Jesus Christ ──

“’ Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44) You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.’” – John 8:43-44.

Our Lord Jesus spoke those words to religious people who claimed to know God and that He is their Father. Yet, their outright incredulous disbelief and their disobedience to the LORD God revealed their true father: Satan the Devil.

Again, speaking to those people who claim to be religious ── “’ Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom [from] heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22) Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? 23) And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” – Matthew 7:21-23.

The Greek word for “iniquity” (from the King James Version) is anomia, which means “wickedness, lawlessness, lawless deeds.”

Most who claim to be “Christian” will be rejected by our Lord Jesus Christ, because they practice lawlessness. They are outright, or because of ignorance, rejecting the LORD God’s commandments──including His Sabbaths and Holy Days.

The Apostle Paul ── under divine inspiration, writing to his close companion, Titus ── “For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision [those that are Jewish], 11) whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. … 16) They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.” – Titus 1:10 11, 16. 

Again, the Apostle Paul, writing to Timothy, speaks about people claiming to be religious, yet in the end denying the very God they claim to worship ── they “[have] a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” – 2 Timothy 3:5.

A great many have a form of godliness ── they have a religious appearance ── but they deny the very power of God by either outright refusal, ignorance, or disobedience. In truth, they continue in their religiosity to remain spiritually dead, “belonging” to Satan the Devil. 

The LORD God’s People: Identified by Commandment Keeping

Our Lord Jesus Christ reveals to us in the Book of Revealing ── Revelation, the identity of His people toward the end of this present evil age: by them having within them the Spirit of God, and by their obedience to His commandments.

Romans 8:14 ── “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are [children] of God.”          

Revelation 12:17 ── “And the dragon [Satan the Devil] was enraged with the woman [Judah – the nation today called Israel], and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring [the Church of God], who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” 

Revelation 14:12 ── “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” 

The very nature of the universe is a pairing of positive and negative. Things are dual, and so will be the final conflict: good vs evil. Our Lord Jesus Christ’s people are clearly marked: ‘For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God, along with those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.’ The two groups of people ── even today ── are clearly visible: those who obey the LORD God and those who do not, those who claim faith all the while rejecting obedience to God and the keeping of His commandments. 

Revelation 22:14 ── “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city [New Jerusalem].”   

The Seal of God

The Apostle John ── inspired by a vision while on the Isle of Patmos, was told to write in a book that the LORD God would begin sealing, on their foreheads, their people throughout these two thousand years of all the tribes of the children of Israel ── “Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels [more than likely the four demons that are ‘bound’ at the great river Euphrates that are waiting for God to release them, see Rev. 9:13-15] to whom it was granted [eventually] to harm the earth and the sea, 3) saying, ‘Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.’” – Revelation 7:2-3.

The seal of God marks ownership and divine protection ── spiritually marking throughout these last two thousand years 144,000 servants of God on their foreheads of all the tribes of the children of Israel: From Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph [Ephraim], and Benjamin.

Notice that Dan is not in this group. Dan is most likely the people of Ireland. And, they are sort of hard-headed, and sort of pugnacious – they want to fight, they want to argue. And at the present time – and for a long time – they have been totally bound up in bondage to the Roman Catholic Church. 

For two thousand years – even before Jesus Christ – were servants of God that are going to be in the glorious kingdom of God – and quoting from the King James Version – “ … These are they which [will come after] great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Friends, these are people who will come AFTER tribulation – after trouble, in this end time - and, maybe not even in this end-time, maybe it had been in the Middle Ages (from the 5th to the 15th century), and the plagues which were all around–they were in tribulation.

But to me, the implication is, ‘don’t do any of these terrible things to the earth and the sea until we make sure they possess God’s Spirit.’ So, these people here ── throughout these nearly two thousand years, and even before, have obeyed the LORD God, have been in deep prayers before the LORD God, have properly repented and been baptized, and have had hands laid upon them ── receiving the glorious Holy Spirit of God, which is the seal upon their foreheads.

Revelation 9:1-12 ── “Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven [the atmosphere] to the earth. [Satan the Devil and his demons are being ejected from the atmosphere and being confined only to the earth!]. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. 2) And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. Then the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. 

3) Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4) They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5) And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 6) In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.”   

The LORD God’s seal protects His people from harm and destruction. Without this spiritual seal on your forehead ── the angels (more than likely the four demons that are ‘bound’ at the great river Euphrates) will be given permission to torment people for five months because they have been participating in outright disobedience to the LORD God!

Our Lord Jesus Christ Fulfilled the Law & the Prophets ── Not Abolished

Our Lord Jesus plainly says ── “’ DO NOT THINK that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets [the first five Books of Moses and the Books of the Prophets]. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18) For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away [surely a reference to Revelation 21:1], one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.’” – Matthew 5:17-18. 

He came to fulfill the prophecies that were spoken concerning Him.

Also, He kept and observed His seventh-day Sabbath and kept and celebrated His Holy Days ── providing for us His example. 

Luke 4:16 ── “So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbaths day, and stood up to read.”   

John 7:2, 10, 14 ── “Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. …” – Minister Leonard Johnson speaks concerning why this phrase was said in that way in “Let Us Observe the Feast of Tabernacles!” 10) But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. … 14) Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught.” 

Our Lord Jesus kept His Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Day of Pentecost, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the ‘Last Great Day.’ He never suggested that His feasts were only temporary or would be abolished.

Our Lord Jesus continued ── “’ Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom [from] heaven; …’” – Matthew 5:19.

Our Lord Jesus came to fulfill (to complete, fill to the full, demonstrate the true meaning of) the Law ── not to abolish it. Anyone who breaks even one of His commandments has broken them all ── including the breaking of remembering and keeping the Sabbath holy, and the keeping and celebrating the Holy Days ── they will be called ‘least in the kingdom from heaven.’

Luke 16:17 ── “’ The law and the prophets were until John. …’” – The first five books of Moses and the books of the Prophets were until John the Baptist. “ … ‘Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. 17) And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.’”  

The Apostle Paul explains ── “Do we then make void the law through faith? CERTAINLY NOT! On the contrary, we establish the law.” – Romans 3:31. 

Faith does not nullify the Law of God ── it establishes it. Faith produces good works ── obedience. 

The Apostle James ── inspired by God’s Spirit, explains ── “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11) For He who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the [whole] law.” – James 2:10-11.

We are all judged by the Law of God. Breaking any one point of the law ── including the breaking of the seventh-day Sabbath ── makes you guilty of breaking all of the commandments of God. 

The Church of God Continued Observance After Christ’s Resurrection 

Our Lord Jesus Christ’s apostles continued observing the holy Sabbath and keeping and celebrating the Holy Days even after the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ ──  

Acts 13:14 ── “But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down.” 

Acts 13:42, 44 ── “So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. … 44) On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.” 

So, the Gentiles of the city had asked the Apostle Paul if he would preach again the following Sabbath ── in the first century, Saturday was referred to as “dies Sāturnī” (Saturn’s Day), or rather in Greek, Ημέρα του Κρόνου “Imera tou Kronou” ── it was not Ημέρα του Ήλιου “Imera tou Iliou” – Sun’s Day. If the LORD God’s holy Sabbath had been changed to Sunday, the Apostle Paul had the perfect opportunity here to say to the Gentiles that it had been. Instead, he met with them the following Sabbath.

Acts 17:2 ── “Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” 

Acts 18:4 ── “And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks [Gentiles].”

The Apostle Paul’s ── and to note: He was called “Saul” by our Lord Jesus in the Hebrew language, and was born to a devout Jewish family that was living in Tarsus, which is now a municipality and district of Mersin Province, Turkey ── custom was to keep and observe the holy Sabbath.

And even some 24 years after the death and glorious resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ ── the Apostle Paul, writing to the saints in ancient Corinth ── “Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us. 8) Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” – 1 Corinthians 5:7-8. 

Sincerity and truth, being our Lord Jesus Christ! The Apostle Paul instructs the Gentile converts there in ancient Corinth to observe the feast ── speaking here of the Feast of Unleavened Bread ── not with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread (our Lord Jesus is the bread, the bread of life) of sincerity and truth, for Jews and Gentiles alike. 

Acts 20:6 ── “But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, …” 

The Church of God that was there in Philippi ── a predominantly Gentile congregation ── observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread of the New Covenant, demonstrating continued keeping and observance by the early Church. □

to be continued ....  

God's Eternal Marks Upon His Covenant People (PART TWO)

by GC LaMar

Some people are no longer bearing eternal “marks” that distinguish them as belonging to the LORD God. The very abandonment of God’s appointed times results in loss of identity ── which is also called spiritual death.

The LORD God ── through the Prophet Hosea ── has prophesied judgment. “’ I will also cause all her mirth to cease, Her feast days, Her New Moons, Her Sabbaths ── All her appointed feasts.’” – Hosea 2:11.

Dead to the LORD God: Condition of Disobedience

Those who refuse or outright reject the LORD God’s commandments──including the keeping of His Sabbaths and Holy Days──are spiritually dead, separated from the Life of God. 

The Apostle Paul ── inspired by the Spirit of God tells us ── “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2) in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3) among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” – Ephesians 2:1-3.

In the Epistle to the Colossians, he wrote ── “And you, …” – speaking to true Christians “ … being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all your trespasses.” – Colossians 2:13. 

So, until God the Father calls you, places upon you the gift of repentance, properly baptized, and has hands laid upon you ── receiving the glorious gift of God’s Spirit ── you will remain dead in your trespasses and sins. You, officially, do not belong to the LORD God; instead enslaved to the god of this present evil age.

Satan the Devil: The god of this world and his deceived followers 

The Apostle Paul reveals a shocking truth ── “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are PERISHING, 4) whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.

God’s living word calls Satan the Devil “the god of this age.” And that he has blinded the minds of those people who are perishing. Those who outright reject the LORD God’s holy and righteous commandments ── including the keeping of His Sabbaths and Holy Days ── continue to remain under the blindness and dominion of Satan the Devil and his demons, even if they are proclaiming that they are a “Christian.”

The Apostle John draws a stark red line ── “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned FROM THE BEGINNING. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9) Whoever has been born of God [which means resurrected into the very family of God – into the kingdom of God] does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 10) In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.” – 1 John 3:8-10.

He also defines what the LORD God defines as sin ── “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” – 1 John 3:4.

Those who continue in their transgressions ── the transgression of God’s Law ── are witnessing to the world that they “belong” to the devil, and not to the LORD God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifested. 

The Grave Deception of Worship on Sunday 

Those who claim to be “Christians,” yet observe Sunday as their Sabbath, instead of the seventh-day Sabbath, which is now called Saturday ── are also witnessing to the world that they “belong” to the devil. Sunday observance has no biblical foundation and is but a tradition of men that disobeys the LORD God’s holy command. 

Our Lord Jesus crying out unto those who lay aside His commands for men’s traditions ── “ … ‘Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 7) And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8) For LAYING ASIDE THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD, you hold the tradition of men ──’” – Mark 7:6, 7, 8. 

13) ‘making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.’” 

Our Lord GOD has never changed His Sabbath from the seventh day to the first day. 

Sunday worship originated from pagan sun-worship, and was later adopted by “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” ── the Roman Catholic Church.

Those who observe Sunday, while claiming to be “Christian,” are not children of God, but are rather children of the devil ── and are following man-made traditions. 

The Apostle Matthew recorded for us ── “ …’ Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? … 6) … Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 7) Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, …’” – Matthew 15:3, 6, 7.

Again, in the Epistle to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul warns us ── “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit …” – like someone trying to tell you that “man didn’t land on the moon in 1969,” or “the earth is flat,” or the “Devil’s Tower in Wyoming is one giant petrified tree.” Vain philosophy and empty deceit! “ … according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” – Colossians 2:8. 

The Rejection of the Lord’s Holy Days Because They Are “Jewish”? 

Many who claim “Christianity” outright reject the seven annual Holy Days because they claim they are “Jewish.” Yet, the LORD God specifically calls them “the feasts of the LORD” – Leviticus 23:2, 4. So, they belong to the LORD God, not any ethnic group.

Leviticus 23:2 ── “’ Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, THESE ARE MY FEASTS.’”          

Leviticus 23:4 ── “’ These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations, which you shall proclaim at their appointed times.’”

The LORD God gave these feasts to the children of Israel first, but they were always intended for all people. The false teaching that they are only for the Jews contradicts the living word of God. 

Notice the Apostle Paul, inspired by the Spirit of God, explains ── “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29) but he is a Jew who is one INWARDLY; and circumcision is THAT OF THE HEART, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.” – Romans 2:28-29.

He also explains to us in the Epistle to the Galatians ── “There is neither Jew nor Greek [Gentile], there is neither slave nor free …” – this phrase from the first century AD, the Apostle Paul is emphasizing that there is accountability before the LORD God and equal value of all people. “ … there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” … again, this phrase from the first century AD, the Apostle Paul is emphasizing the unity of all true Christians, regardless of whether you are male or female. 29) And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” – Galatians 3:28-29.

So, true spiritual identity transcends ethnicity, gender, or social status. All who belong to Christ Jesus are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise ── they are spiritual Israel ── and are therefore heirs of the covenant promises, including the commandment of the keeping and observance of the LORD God’s appointed times. 

He reminds us ── “Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh ── who are called Uncircumcision [unclean] by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands ── 12) that at that time you were without Christ, being [strangers] from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and WITHOUT GOD in the world. 13) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. … 19) Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” – Ephesians 2:11-13, 19.

So Gentile believers are “grafted” into the house of Israel, becoming fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. They are no longer strangers and foreigners of the Old and New Covenants of promise. Sadly, to reject the LORD God’s Holy Days because they are “Jewish” is to remain a stranger and a foreigner to the household of God.

Inspired by the Spirit of God, the Apostle Paul explains this to us via the Epistle to the Romans ── “And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18) do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.” – Romans 11:17-18.

This analogy illustrates the relationship between Israel and the Gentiles, where the cultivated olive tree represents Israel, while the wild olive branches represent Gentile believers. The Apostle Paul uses this metaphor to explain how Gentiles have come to share in the promises originally given to Israel, emphasizing the inclusion of Gentile believers in the spiritual blessings and promises. 

Verse 24 ── “For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?”

So, Gentile believers are “grafted” into the spiritual olive tree, which represents the house of Israel. To outright reject the house of Israel’s covenant signs, while claiming that you are “grafted” into the spiritual olive tree, is contrary to God’s living word,  and you are spiritually blind. 

Replacing God’s Holy Days With Pagan Holidays

Not only do most outright reject or explain away the LORD God’s Holy Days, but they also replace them with worldly holidays that originated in paganism. Such as Easter, New Year’s Day, Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, St. Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Mardi Gras, Palm Sunday, St. Stephen's Day, Shrove Tuesday ── and the list is virtually endless! Celebrations with absolutely no biblical basis, but rather have their roots in ancient paganism. 

Such as Saturnalia and the worship of the goddess Asherah ── “Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. 2) Thus says the LORD: ‘Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them. 3) For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. 4) They decorate it with silver and gold; They fasten it with nails and hammers So that it will not topple. 5) They are upright, like a palm tree, And they cannot speak; They must be carried, Because they cannot go by themselves. Do not be afraid of them, For they cannot do evil, Nor can they do any good.’” – Jeremiah 10:1-5.

The Prophet Jeremiah ── inspired by the Lord our God of the heavens and of earth ── is describing a pagan custom of decorating an ancient Asherah pole, decorating it with silver and gold. So, indeed, there are similarities between this world’s modern Christmas tree and what the LORD God is telling us through the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah. The Christmas tree is a symbol. The evergreen tree was a symbol of life and fertility and was a custom of the ancient Sumerians. A practice that was incorporated… again… by “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” ── the Roman Catholic Church.

The LORD God specifically commands us that we are not to worship them in that way ── “’ When the LORD your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, 30) take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, …’” – saying ‘I want to know how this nation worshipped their goddess Asherah (which even more anciently was Semiramis, the wife/mother to Nimrod), because I want to worship God in this manner.’ “ …31) You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. 32) Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.’” – Deuteronomy 12:29-32. 

Again, the LORD our God explicitly forbids anyone adopting pagan practices to worship Him! Yet, this is precisely what the Mother of Harlots ── the Roman Catholic Church and her daughter Protestant churches ── has done! 

We are warned by the Apostle Paul ── inspired by the LORD our God ── “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15) And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16) And what agreement has the temple of God [the Church of Jesus Christ] with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.’ 17) 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.

The LORD our God calls for us to separate ourselves from all pagan practices such as Easter, New Year’s Day, Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, St. Valentine’s Day, and Halloween. □ 

To be continued.         

Some items of related interest may include

Think About This... What is meant, 'until the fullness of the Gentiles'? (Video)

Personal From... Christmas Challenges (Audio Video)

ChristMas... It's Origin (PDF booklet)

Should Christians Keep Halloween? (Video)

True Christians Don't Need To Be Stuffy Concerning Christmas (Article)

Krampus──Not For Christians! (Article)

'In Vain They Worship Me!' (Article)

When Does God's New Year Begin? (Article)

Commentary: X-Mas by GC LaMar (Article w/Audio)

True Christians SHOULD NOT Celebrate St. Patrick's Day! (Article)

Halloween Is Not Christian (Article)

Springtime Days That the Early Christians Kept (Article)

Satan's World (PDF booklet)

St. Valentine's Day ── where did it come from!? (Article)

Commentary: Happy New Year? by GC LaMar (Article w/Audio)

Commentary: History of the Sabbath by GC LaMar (Article)

What Is A True Christian? (Article)

Commentary: A Celebration to Demons! (Article)

Are You But A Traditionalist? (Article w/Audio)

Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Easter - Did the Original Christians Observe These!? (Article)

Should Christians Observe Halloween? (Article)

The Fourth Commandment! by GC LaMar (Article)

'It is a sign' (Article)

Saturday Sabbath with Jews and Sunday with Gentiles? (Article w/Audio)

Commentary: The Day of the Sun by GC LaMar (Article)

A Morning Bible Study: Are You Handling God's Test? (Article) (PDF)

Holy Day Information & Calendar (Lev. 23, Deut. 16) (Article)

Sermon: Should Christians Keep Halloween?

The Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries is pleased to announce our following sermon from our video channels:  

1:04:35

Should Christians Keep Halloween?

The Halloween season will soon be upon us. Stores will sell orange and black greeting cards, costumes, and masks. Children will dress up as witches, ghosts, and vampires. Many people will participate in Halloween customs, but few will know why they do. What are the origins of these strange customs? And should you, as a Christian, take part in them?

Here is a link to our video sermon: Should Christians Keep Halloween?

Satanic Holidays: Birthdays & Halloween

Notice this from an ex-Satanist that is now a nominal Christian ──

Halloween is devil’s holiday and Christians shouldn’t celebrate it, ex-Satanist turned evangelist says 

Published October 30, 2019

Evangelist John Ramirez spent much of his early life with strong ties to the devil--he drank animal blood, conducted sacrifices, was baptized with the devil and got married in a demonic wedding on Halloween. …

“I wonder why people celebrate Halloween these days,” the 55-year-old told Fox News. “Because in essence, I know what Halloween is about. I was in witchcraft for 25 years...selling my soul to the devil, I was a general for the devil...as a warlock.” 

He added: “Have you ever heard a Satanist say, ‘I can't wait for Good Friday to go to church with you?’ So, why would the Christians say, ‘I can't wait for Halloween to say I want to dress up’...It's cheating on God, really.” 

Ramirez, who grew up in the Bronx, was part of a Satanist church from when he was 8 years old to 35 years old. … 

Ramirez said he threw away thousands of dollars’ worth of witchcraft materials in the closet -- including human bones, cemetery dirt, etc. -- and “I left one daddy that I could see, to another that I couldn't see.” … 

“The power of Satan is limited. It's a hoax,” he concluded. “And the power of Jesus is limitless and it brings you to a place of knowing your purpose and destiny of who you really are created to be.”

(https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/halloween-celebrate-christiansatanist-evangelist). 

Certainly, while many are aware of the true origin of Halloween, many are not aware that the very practice of a person's birthday came from Satanism.

Birthdays are considered one of the three most important holidays to Satan worshipers. The two others are ── Walpurgis Night and Halloween.

While not all Satanists share the same beliefs, most do celebrate birthdays. And, those who practice astrology also consider birthdays of great importance.

God’s living word – the Holy Bible – doesn’t actually encourage the celebration of a person's date of birth. Instead, His word tends to speak in a more negative light of such a practice (cf. Matthew 14:6-11; Jeremiah 20:14-18).

Yet, despite all of that, the very practice and celebration of what can be called a birthday celebration was not practiced by early Christians of the Way. Nor has any true Christian ever celebrated what is now called Halloween.

The first-century Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, wrote ──

26. Nay, indeed, the law does not permit us to make festivals at the births of our children, and thereby afford occasion of drinking to excess; but it ordains that the very beginning of our education should be immediately directed to sobriety. It also commands us to bring those children up in learning, and to exercise them in the laws, and make them acquainted with the acts of their predecessors, in order to their imitation of them, and that they might be nourished up in the laws from their infancy, and might neither transgress them, nor have any pretense for their ignorance of them. 1

Now… although there is no specific command against the celebration of a person's birthday within God’s living word, there are astrological implications of the celebration of birthdays, i.e., pagan practices such as astrology are specifically prohibited in God’s law. 

The LORD our God condemns the practice that is associated with astrology ──

“’ You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels; Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, And the monthly prognosticators Stand up and save you From what shall come upon you. 14) Behold, they shall be as stubble, The fire shall burn them; They shall not deliver themselves From the power of the flame; …’” – Isaiah 47:13, 14. 

Astrology is the “interpretation” of an assumed influence the stars (and planets) exert on human destiny. According to astrology, the sign you were born under, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, or Capricorn, impacts your destiny. This is a false belief. The LORD our God forbids it ── 

“’ 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, 11) or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12) 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.’” – Deuteronomy 18:10-12.

Sadly, like so many practices associated with paganism, the children of Israel desired to celebrate and follow the abominations of all those other nations. Essentially, birthdays became celebrated because of the Mother Church’s ── meaning, the Roman Catholic Church ── compromise with pagan practices, such as Mithraism.

And so, beginning around the fourth century, after paganism was intermingled with Roman society and the Nativity of the baby Jesus began to be celebrated publicly, some Catholic Romans of the upper classes began to celebrate birthdays. Do you celebrate birthdays? □        

Additional Items of Relatable Subject Matter:

Letter to our Friends - January 21, 2020

ChristMas... Its Origin

Should Christians Observe Halloween?

1) https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/text/josephus/apion2.html.