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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