The Truth About Halloween Part 3 Spirit of Halloween For Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, 1 Sam. 15:23, WITCHCRAFT - SATANISM Witches are for Halloween or for superstitious primitives in seventeenth century Salem. That seems to be the modern outlook sophisticated skepticism and a knowing smile when it comes to witchcraft. And yet Times recent cover story would indicate that witchcraft is not a thing of the past. Satan is not dead. Young people by the thousands are probing seriously the mysteries of the other side, from seances to Satan worship. Leading universities report over-enrolled courses on witchcraft . . . occult book sales have doubled in three years . . . most American high schools have their campus witches and warlocks . . . And occasionally the headlines shatter our complacency with the terror of Manson-style violence. Halloween is celebrated by children in the United States. This issue is becoming debatable inside of Christian circles because of the rise of the occult in America. Witchcraft-Satanism revivals and their obvious tie with pagan holiday causes Christians to question if the church should participate in Halloween. Children are in costumes and masks with Halloween pumpkins of Jack O Lanterns name for (Will Wisps) an ancient symbol of a damned soul, too long considered harmless fun, and innocent pranks. Halloween is celebrated masquerading as Church fund-raising bazaars decorated with black cats and witches; skeletons, scarecrows, haunted houses, bats, vampires and dummies in coffins. It should not be integrated with the holiness of the scared house of God. Its wicked and brings curses, (Deut. 11-36, 28.) Some see it as evil and will have nothing to do with the celebration; others as harmless fun partake fully: costume parties, Halloween decorations and trick-or-treat. Still others try to find a middle approach, allowing trick-or-treat and masquerades, but as Bible characters instead of demonic and occult figures. Some Churches are now seeing the influence of its fruit. One cannot deny the occult-metaphysical nature of Halloween is not in line with the Christian in character. Despite this clear contrast, Christians defend their complicity in the holiday asserting their liberty in Christ from the bondages of legalism, declaring it is only innocent fun! God never gave us liberty to engage ourselves in evil! Learn not the way of the heathen . . . for the customs of the people are vain, (Jeremiah 10:2-3). And what concord hath Christ with Belial or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, (II Corinthians 6:15-17). THE SPIRIT WORLD The Bible clearly teaches that there is both a natural, material world as well as an invisible and spiritual world. The domain of physical human beings is the physical world, whereas the heavenlies are people or occupied by spirit beings. Among these spirit beings there are two classes, the good and the evil. In the Scriptures, both holy and unholy spirit beings are designated as angels (Revelation 12:7). Unusually the unholy angels are referred to as demons, translated in the King James Version as devils. They are called seraphim, cherubim, angels, principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, (Ephesians 6:12), thrones, dominions (Colossians 1:16), fallen angels (2 Peter 2:4), spirits in prison (I Peter 3:18-20), demons, seducing spirits (I Timothy 4:1). There are an innumerable company of angels, (Hebrews 12:22). They are referred to as mighty angels but they are not almighty (2 Thessalonians 1:7). One angel destroyed 185,000 of the Assyrian army in a night (2 Kings 19:35),. One angel rolled away the stone from the tomb of Jesus and one angel will bind Satan and cast him into the bottomless pit. They are glorious beings according to Luke 9:26 and they seem to posses great knowledge but they are not omniscient -- all know. The angels are all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister (serve) for them who shall be heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:13-14). They are also responsible for taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8). The chief of the fallen angels is an archangel who has at least forty names given in Scripture. Some are proper names, others are descriptive. For example, in Revelation 12:10 he is called the accuser of the brethren. He is called that old Serpent, (Revelation 20:2), indicating his guile, Lucifer, Son of the Morning, (Isaiah 14:12), his title when he fell. Devil means accuser or slanderer, and it is of Greek origin (Revelation 12:9). Satan means adversary or resister, and is of Hebrew origin; Apollon, means destroyer, the term Dragon. speaks of his power. He is also called Prince of devils. (Matthew 9:34), Prince of this world, (John 12:31), Belial, is implied to be his title in II Corinthians 6:15. In II Kings 1: 2, 6, 16, he is referred to as Beelzebub, implying a prince of demons. As Dr. Lewis S. Chafer says, In power, prominence and importance, Satan appears in the Bible second only to the Trinity. Two of his most powerful names are: The prince of the power of the air, (Ephesians 2:2) and the god of this world, (age) (2 Corinthians 4:4). Satans origin is shrouded in mystery. There are two passages of Scripture to explain his origin. Ezekiel 28:11-19 and Isaiah 14:12-17. The Bible warns: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, (I Peter 5:8). He is after you, your family and your children! Pastor Pat Holliday
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 14:26:53 +0000