HalloWHAT?

NOTE: The following message is an adaptation of one Christ Our Rock Bible Church previously released.

     When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He said, "Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name." (Matt. 6:9)  "Hallowed" is from the Greek word "hagiazo", which means to lift up, to make holy, and to purify.  It is not a word that is used much anymore, except, at this time of year—Halloween.  "Halloween" is a contraction of "All Hallows Eve"—the night before All Saints Day (Nov. 1).  It was also known as "Holy Night" and was the celebration of the New Year in Europe.  But how can a night called "holy" be associated with satanic witches and goblins?  Good question!  Before we take a brief look at the background of this so-called "holy" day or holiday, I would ask you to store a particular Scripture in the foreground of your mind.  Then, try to filter everything you are about to read through it:  "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)  Hallowhat?

     Halloween is actually thoroughly rooted in paganism and the occult.  Its history traces back to the ancient Druids, a religion that was even too evil for Rome.  The Druids of Britain, Ireland, and Gaul, held a celebration on October 31st known as the Festival of Samhaim.  It was a night of ghosts and fairies, and the name itself means "The Lord of the Dead."  Samhaim was a demon of death, perhaps even Satan himself, and was given special homage on Halloween.  Certainly, you have noticed that death symbols, such as coffins, skeletons, ghosts, mummies, and graveyards are very, very popular at this time of year!  Whose definition of "holy" would that fit into?

      It was believed that at this time, the dead would rise out of their graves and wander the countryside, trying to return to the homes where they had formerly lived.  Frightened villagers tried to appease these restless spirits by offering them gifts of fruits and nuts, fearing that they would kill their flocks and destroy their property.  This, obviously, is the origin of our present day practice of "trick or treat."  It is a custom born out of pagan superstition—not true, not noble, not right!  Furthermore, it is a blasphemous perversion of the Christian belief in the resurrection.  In reality, the righteous dead are resurrected to a glorified, immortal body, as explained in I Corinthians 15.  Halloween, on the other hand, focuses on the dead being raised as horrifying creatures of the night.  Even the "Jack-o-Lantern" is an ancient symbol of a damned soul.  The story has it that a man named Jack died, and many of his neighbors didn't believe that he had been good enough to go to Heaven (as if that were the criterion).  So, they hollowed out pumpkins and turnips, put lit candles within them, and placed them by their front gates to scare away the evil spirits who might think that it was Jack.  Sound lovely to you?  What about right?  Hallowhat?

     Halloween remains Satan's high holiday.  There is currently an upsurge of Druidism in Europe, as well as in this country—even though it is oftentimes disguised as the more palatable "New Age."  Anyone familiar with witchcraft will tell you that there are certain incantations and spells that can only be cast on Halloween night.  That is the night when the "veil," believed to separate the living from the dead, is thought to be the thinnest, and futures are more easily and accurately foretold by diviners.  Satanist groups are known to gather on Halloween in order to perform blasphemous rituals and sacrifice animals.  Some S.P.C.A. centers will not even adopt out black cats until after Halloween.  In rural areas, it is not uncommon for farmers to awaken to find cows, calves, chickens, and even horses ritualistically slaughtered in satanic sacrifices.  There are many documented cases of human sacrifices, as well.  The practices that accompany such rites, like the drinking of human and animal blood and urine AND the eating of intestines and organs, are also well documented in police reports.   Hardly anyone scoffs at stories such as these anymore, for they are in the news year after year.  Pure?  Excellent?  Praiseworthy?  Hallowhat?

     Is it not sad that while Satanists, witches, occultists, and police are taking Halloween very seriously, many in the church protest messages such as this, calling them attempts from alarmists to "spoil all of the fun for the children?"  And notice, I have not even mentioned the obvious dangers, such as booby-trapped candy, abductions, and roaming the streets after dark.  I know that many would say they are just having fun with this stuff—they are not worshipping Satan, but, there are only two choices—Jesus and Satan—which is it here?   These things certainly don’t glorify Jesus!  Friends, we betray others and deceive ourselves if we consider this celebration as harmless and innocent.  God says that such things are an abomination (Deut. 18:9-12; Lev. 18:24-30).  The Bible says to abstain from even the appearance of evil (1 Thess. 5:22).  Who can even deny that virtually all the symbols of Halloween are evil?  Christians and the Church are called to be followers and imitators of God (Eph. 5:1), and lights to a sin darkened world.  Many "churches" hold "Hell Houses,"—nothing more than glorified haunted houses—and claim them to be powerful evangelism tools.  But whose tool is it?  Jesus would never have His disciples dress-up as demons to "scare the Hell out of people."  Why do so many do it today in His name?    Listen—there was a day when I tried to "Christianize" Church Halloween parties, but, guess what?  It was still blasphemy.  The Bible still says, "Learn not the way of the heathen...for the customs of the people are vain." (Jeremiah 10:2,3).  In Deuteronomy 18:9, it reads, "When you enter into the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations."  St. Paul warns, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Eph. 5:11)  He also states in I Corinthians 10: 21-22,, "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons.  Are we trying to arouse the Lord's jealousy?  Are we stronger than He?"

     Hallowhat?  Who is really being hallowed and lifted up—Jesus or Satan?  Clearly, we should have nothing to do with Halloween celebrations whatsoever.  If Christians assemble on Halloween it should be to worship, sing, praise, pray, intercede, and wage spiritual warfare.  When we think of October 31st, why do many automatically think of Halloween?  Why do very few even consider the other thing for which that date is famous?  On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther ascended the steps of Wittenberg Church in Germany.  He proceeded to nail to the church door his 95 theses—95 points of error in the Roman Catholic Church.  The Protestant Reformation was born!  The ensuing years would find over 1,000,000 Christians martyred for holding to the truth of God's Word.  If you want to consider "death" at this time of year, consider the multitudes that were burned at the stake, hanged, beheaded, etc. by the "Church"—all for standing firm on the truth.

     This October 31st, hallow God and God alone.  Give Him the praise and the glory.  Come to Him in prayer for the multitudes who need to know Him.  Millions need to repent of their sins, and be born-again by the power of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.  This year, there is something praiseworthy to think on—Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.  Hallowed be HIS name, and HIS name alone—for He alone gives resurrection life—right now!!!

 

The following is a list of resources used in the research of this message: 

The Holy Bible

Encyclopedia Brittanica, p. 46.

World Book Encyclopedia, p. 24-26.

Halloween: Trick or Treat, video—Pagan Invasion Series, Jeremiah Films.

Foxe's Book of Martyrs by John Foxe:  "The History of Martin Luther," p. 153.

 

Throughout the year 2000, we will be providing you with readings from Genesis to Revelation to help you see Him as praiseworthy.

October 1        Acts 9                                      16                    Romans 7-8

2                      Acts 10                                    17                    Romans 9-10

3                      Acts 11-12                              18                    Romans 11

4                      Acts 13-14                              19                    Romans 12

5                      Acts 15-16                              20                    Romans 13-14

6                      Acts 17                                    21                    Romans 15-16

7                      Acts 18                                    22                    1 Corinthians 1-2

8                      Acts 19-20                              23                    1 Corinthians 3-4

9                      Acts 21-22                              24                    1 Corinthians 5-6

10                    Acts 23-24                              25                    1 Corinthians 7-8

11                    Acts 25-26                              26                    1 Corinthians 9-10

12                    Acts 27-28                              27                    1 Corinthians 11-12

13                    Romans 1-2                            28                    1 Corinthians 13-14

14                    Romans 3-4                            29                    1 Corinthians 15-16

15                    Romans 5-6                            30                    2 Corinthians 1-2

                                                                        31                    2 Corinthians 3-4

 

November 1   2 Corinthians 5-6                    3                      2 Corinthians 9-10

2          2 Corinthians 7-8          4          2 Corinthians 11-12