William H. Smith                                                                                              March 11, 2001

1204 Christmas Tree Lane                                                                                      about 750 words

Pearce, Az. 85625

303-36-7671

(520) 826-1029

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easter

By

William H. Smith

 

Easter, during the fourth century Pagans in the Mediterranean area celebrated a religious holiday that followed the Spring Equinox.  The Christian hierarchy during the fourth century created a Christian holiday and called it Easter.  The two events combined the Pagan holiday with the day that Jesus Christ arose from the dead.

The Council of Nicene in 325 AD declared a holiday to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, combining the Pagan holiday with Christianity and proclaimed the day to be called Easter.  Christians were led into celebrating the Spring Equinox holiday, along with the Pagans.  The Christians that aren't hot for Jesus Christ may be in danger of following this work of Satan and loosing sight of our Savior.

            The name Easter probably came from an ancient Goddess of the name Esatre.  The

Pagans used a different God or Goddess for every season, or every event of the year, month, and week.  If they didn’t have a God for a special occasion or day, then they would create one, and/or make a statue for that different God.

Until the fourth century only Jesus Christ rising from the dead and the day of Pentecost were observed as Christian holidays.  The rising of Jesus Christ from the tomb proved he had defeated death.  Forty days after Christ arose (the seventh Sunday) from the dead, “He was taken up and a cloud received him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9).

The Apostles didn't receive the Holy Spirit until shortly after the ascension of Jesus Christ into the air (Acts 1:5).

Passover week (Feast of Unleavened Bread) observed by the Jews, was the week that Jesus was crucified.  The lamb for the Passover meal was eaten on Thursday (During this point in time day followed night, twelve hours of night, and twelve hours of day).  The feast was prepared Wednesday (during the day) and eaten that evening (Thursday night).

Matthew 12:40, Jesus said, “he would be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”  This wasn’t a physical burial; he was explaining that he would be in the hands of his executioners for three nights and three days.

The Jewish Sabbath ended at six o'clock in the evening on Saturday, this ended Jesus' being in the heart (in the hands of his executioners) of the earth, he had guards placed over his burial place, therefore he was still in the hands of his executioners.  The guards were either put to sleep or frightened away, since they couldn't recall the stone of the grave being rolled away.

            John 20:17, Jesus said unto Mary, “Touch me not for I am not yet ascended to my Father.”  Mary had come to the tomb while it was still dark and found the stone removed from the entrance of the grave, and it was empty, she then saw Jesus and he explained to her that he was in the process of being ascended to his Father.  Saturday at the end of the Sabbath (6:00 PM), or some time during Sunday night Jesus started his ascension, and the grave stone was rolled away, and the guards knew nothing.  From the time Jesus was in the hands (Thursday night) of his executioners, until Saturday evening Jesus was in the “heart of the earth” for three days and three nights.

The Feast of Unleavened bread was held once a year and it lasted for seven days, it was also called the Passover that celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people out of bondage from Egypt.  The time for the Passover meal to be eaten was Thursday night (our Wednesday evening).  This tradition followed the Jewish people throughout their years, Jesus being of Jewish birth made the same observances, as did his Apostles.

The four Gospels agree that Jesus Christ was crucified during the Passover week, and that Jesus arose sometime while it was still dark on (our) Sunday morning.  The only occurrence on this special Sunday that should be observed or celebrated is, Jesus our Lord and Savior had arose from the dead, defeating death.

The shame and the remembrance of Jesus Christ wrongfully crucified on the cross will forever be a burden by the Jewish people (non Christians), forever.

The time for Jesus to call his Church to him is getting close.  Are you ready?

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