Where Did Halloween Come From?

Shocking Facts about Halloween

Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen -Jer 10:2
Where Did Halloween Come From?

With the loving approval of their parents, children dress up in weird costumes and play pranks on Halloween night--little realizing that for over a thousand years this one evening in the year has been specially dedicated by spirit mediums and witches to the worship of Satan.

Halloween has nothing to do with Christianity. It is a festival which no one—child or adult—should have anything to do with. We need to better understand the origins of Halloween and its dangers.

During the Dark Ages, a number of pagan customs were adopted by the dominant Christian church in Europe. One of these was devil night, which was later named, "Halloween." This special night, celebrated since antiquity as the night when the devils came out and walked about the streets, was a satanic festival on October 31 of each year. The next day was called "All Saints Day" or "All Hallows Day", so "Halloween" was the night before Saints’ day. Like the night before it, All Hallows Day was dedicated to honoring the dead.

Satan Was Worshiped In A Variety Of Peculiar Ways
The Druids were an order of priests in ancient France and Britain. They were devil-worshipers who told the people they must hold an annual celebration to their two leading gods: the Celtic sun god and their lord of the dead. On this night the god who brings death—Satan—was worshiped in a variety of peculiar ways. This October 31 festival was named Samhain or "summer’s end." The next day, the sun god was worshiped.

On the night of October 31, they believed the dead came out of the graves and walked around, so they offered up sacrifices and had special feasts to honor them. The priests of Druid taught them that they must do this or, when they themselves died, they would be reincarnated as animals instead of people.

But pretended communication with the dead is the basis of spiritualism, which is one of the most dangerous practices in society, for it invites the control of demons! We should have nothing to do with anything connected with spiritualism.

Druidic priests became nominally converted to Christianity when, in the early centuries, it entered their land (AD. 432-475), and Druidic practices, including the November 31 festival to devils, came into the church (AD. 558). To pacify the followers of Druid, In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III (731 -741) declared November 1 to be a special feast day honoring the dead. In the ninth century, Pope Gregory IV (827-844) said that it must be kept by all Christians. Church discipline would be enforced on those who refused.

It is of interest that November 1 was the first day of the Druidic New Year. This made the evening before very special. As might be expected, because the night of October 31 had for centuries been dedicated to devils, the new church ruling only intensified the celebrations that took place that night. The devils made sure of that. Soon Halloween (Hallowe’en, All Hallows’ Eve, or Hallows’ Evening), originally a pagan festival, became the outstanding Christian event held every autumn.

Celebrations of all kinds took place. In Ireland, carvings on pumpkins were made, and called Jack-O-Lanterns. The legend was that a man named Jack had played practical jokes on the devil and bothered him, so the devil kept him out of heaven. Jack, therefore, had to live forever on earth carrying a lit lantern, warning people not to offend the devil. The lesson for little children: do not offend the devil.

It Soon Seemed As If All The Devils Came Out!
Yet such teachings did not help either the people nor the morals of society. Throughout Europe, on this one night of the year, it soon seemed as if all the devils came out! Indeed, that was the hidden meaning of Halloween, and the wild excitement and orgies of the people on that night seemed to fulfill it.

The Druids believed that on Halloween, ghosts, spirits, fairies, witches, and elves came out to harm people. These evil creatures must be placated with offerings of food. The Celts would go with their children to one another’s house to gather food for the devil gods.

Animals were feared on that night also. Dogs, owls, snakes, and pigs were particularly worshipped in fear on that night, but among them, the cat was regarded with a special veneration. The Druid priests taught that cats—especially black ones—were sacred. This is why, today, we think of cats, as well as skeletons, pumpkins, skulls, and children with sheets over their heads, when we think of Halloween.

Druids were supposed to be able to cast spells and bring demon spirits into cats and similar animals. By believing these lies, the people came into fear of and bondage to the priests, to do whatever they requested.

The Celtic priests also taught that witches ride on brooms through the skies on that night, and fling down curses on those who do not honor the dead by taking part in the ritual ceremonies of that night.

As might be expected, Satan had introduced a similar October festival on the mainland of Europe among the Finns and Goths. But it was the Druidic festival in Britain, and the date of that festival, which was adopted by the Vatican as the official harvest festivals in honor of the dead.

This Holiday Originated In Paganism Not Christianity

After being adopted by nominal Christianity in the Dark Ages, the festival of Halloween spread throughout Europe and to most countries later colonized by them. Yet few today are aware that this holiday originated in paganism, not Christianity, and that it is the most dangerous "holiday" in the year. For long ages, Halloween has been a night especially dedicated to satanic agencies. Every October 31 we see the clearest evidence of that fact.

The Druid priests in North Wales taught that the devils came out of the fire on this night. So bonfires were lit to bring them out in droves! This is why outdoor night fires are today considered a part of the Halloween experience.

In North Wales, each family was told to build a bonfire, and then throw stones into it to bring out the devils and placate the dead. Prayers were offered. In the Scottish highlands, fortune telling was given by clairvoyants during the bonfire celebrations.

The problem has become so serious in our time, that, a couple years ago in Detroit, Mayor Coleman Young reported that 281 fires had occurred on that night, up 20 percent from the 223 fires set on the previous Halloween.

Another ancient Halloween practice was prognostication. Events of the forthcoming year (which began the next day) were predicted. The spirits were thought to give this information to the priests on that special evening. By accepting these speculations as truth, the people came to fear the power of the priests even more. It is well-known among spiritist mediums that those people who follow horoscopes and go to fortune tellers, are easier to control. If you want devils to harass your life, then go to the prognosticators and fortune tellers.

Even today, it is at the time of this October devil festival that the psychics (a modern name for spiritist mediums) write down and publish their predictions of next years events. (It is of interest that lists of predictions made by these mystics have been compiled and then checked out the following year. Only rarely does even one predicted event occur.) Have nothing to do with fortune telling, astrology, and horoscopes. Remember where they came from and the demon power controlling them.

After the papal edicts were given, adopting and sanctifying the October 31 festival into the church, the people were taught that, the next day, special masses must be said for the dead. Children were sent out to the homes on the evening before. They were told, in exchange for money or some other offering, to offer to fast the next day so-that departed souls might be released sooner from the suffering of purgatory. In this way, the Druidic practice of begging food from home to home continued. The church of the dark ages was expert at absorbing pagan customs, and then calling them Christian.

Christianizing the Devil?

There are those today who have tried to Christianize Halloween even more. They dress their children in Biblical costumes and celebrate Halloween as a harvest festival. But the origin of the nights celebrations remains the same. We should not ape the world in observing special sacred days originated by Satan. Separation is needed, not compromise.

Vandalism on a major scale now plagues our cities on that night. A few years ago, Detroit alone experienced three days of riots, arson, and mass destruction. For three days children and adults seemed possessed, and the city seemed out of control.

Should we today celebrate this pagan night, which every witch, clairvoyant, wizard, and spirit medium will tell you is the outstanding occultic night in the year? It may seem like fun and games. You may be saying now, the information above may be well and fine, but we do not worship the devil and I see nothing wrong with it. Well, don’t forget that it is still "Satan’s Holiday." Far better to keep our children home on that night, and pray to God and read the Bible! Dedicate your life anew to the true God, and shun the amusements and follies of the devil gods. Although very inviting, they will only bring you trouble and misery, confusion of mind and an empty life without happiness.

To conclude this chapter, here are two significant statements by historians:

"Druidic element: Unlike the familiar observance of All Souls. Halloween traditions have never been connected with Christian religious celebrations of any kind. Although the name is taken from a great Christian feast (Allhallows' Eve), it has nothing in common with the Feast of All Saints, and is. instead, a tradition of pre-Christian times that has retained its original character in form and meaning.

"Holloween customs are traced back to the ancient Druids. . Halloween fires are kindled in many places even now, especially in Wales and Scotland. "Another, and more important, tradition is the Druidic belief that during the night of November 1 demons, witches, and evil spirits roamed the earth in wild and furious gambols of joy to greet the arrival of 'their season'-the long nights and early dark of the winter months. They had their fun with the poor mortals that night, frightening, harming . them, and playing all kinds of mean tricks. The only way, it seemed. for scared humans to escape the perecution of the demons was to offer them things they liked. especially dainty food and sweets. Or, in order to escape the fury of these horrible creatures, a human could disguise himself as one of them and join in their roaming. In this way they would take him for one of their own and he would not be bothered. That is what the people did in ancient times. and it is in this very form the custom has come down to us, practically unaltered, as our familiar Holloween celebration: . .

"Roman element: In those countries that once belonged to the Roman Empire there is the custom of eating or giving away fruit. especially apples, on Holloween. It spread to neighboring countries: to Ireland and Scotland from Britain, and to the Slavic countries from Austria. It is probably based upon a celebration of the Roman goddess Pomona, to whom gardens and orchards were dedicated. Since the annual Feast of Pomona was held on

November 1. the relics of that observance became part of our Holloween celebration, for instance the familiar tradition of 'ducking' for apples." -Francis X. Weiser, Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs, 315-316.

"Our pagan forefathers kept several 'cult of the dead' rites at various times of the year. One of these periods was the great celebration at the end of the fall and the beginning of the winter (around November 1). Together with the practices of nature and demon lore (fires, masquerades, fertility cults) they also observed the ritual of the dead with many traditional rites. Since All Saints and All Souls happened to be placed within the period of such an ancient festival. some of the pre-Christian traditions become part of our Christian feast and associated with Christian ideas.

"There is, for instance, the pre-Christian practice of putting food at the graves or in the homes at such times of the year when the spirits of the dead were believed to roam their familiar earthly places. The beginning of November was one of these times. By offering a meal or some token of food to the spirits, people hoped to please them and to avert any possible harm they could do. Hence came the custom of baking special breads in honor of the holy souls and bestowing them on the children of the poor. This custom is widespread in Europe. _ Souls' bread' is made and distributed in Germany, Hungary, and in the Slavic countries.

"In some sections of central Europe boys receive on All Souls' Day a cake shaped in the form of a hare, and girls are given one in the shape of a hen (an interesting combination of 'spirit bread' and fertility symbols). These figure cakes are baked of the same dough as the festive cakes that people eat on All Saints' Day and which are a favorite dish allover central Europe. They are made of braided strains of sweet dough and called "Saints' cakes." (Helligenstrtezel in German, Strucel Swiateczne in Polish, Mindszenti Kalticska in Hangarian)."Francis X. Weiser, Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs, 312-313.

"Nearly all forms of ancient sorcery and witchcraft were founded upon a belief in communion with the dead. . This custom of consulting the dead is referred to in the prophecy of Isaiah: 'When they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? Isaiah 8: 19.

"The same belief in communion with the dead formed the cornerstone of heathen idolatry. The gods of the heathen were believed to be the deified spirits of departed heroes. Thus the religion of the Hebrews was a worship of the dead

"The deification of the dead has held a prominent place in nearly every system of heathenism, as has also the supposed communion with the dead. The gods were believed to communicate their will to men, and also, when consulted, to give them counsel. Of this character were the famous oracles of Greece and Rome.

"The belief in communion with the dead is still held, even in professedly Christian lands. Under the name of spiritualism the practice of communicating with beings claiming to be the spirits of the departed has become widespread. It is calculated to take hold of the sympathies of those who have laid their loved ones in the grave. Spiritual beings sometimes appear to persons in the form of their deceased friends, and relate incidents connected with their lives and perform acts which they performed while living. In this way they lead men to believe that their dead friends are angels, hovering over them and communicating with them. Those who thus assume to be the spirits of the departed are regarded with a certain idolatry, and with many their word has greater weight than the Word of God. .

"Modern spiritualism and the forms of ancient witchcraft and idol worship-all having communion with the dead as their vital principle-are founded upon that first lie by which Satan beguiled Eve in Eden: 'Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, . . ye shall be as gods.' Genesis 3:4-5. Alike based upon falsehood and perpetuating the same, they are alike from the father of lies." -Patriarchs and Prophets, 684-685

PART 2

Dangers of Dabbling in Spiritism

Few people realize how very dangerous it is to dabble in spiritism. Here is a powerful warning, excerpted from the book Great Controversy, that will help you understand the seriousness of the matter:

Immortality, promised to man on condition of obedience, had been forfeited by transgression. Adam could not transmit to his posterity that which he did not possess; and there could have been no hope for the fallen race had not God, by the sacrifice of His Son, brought immortality within their reach. While death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned, Christ hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Romans 5:12; 2 Timothy 1:10. And only through Christ can immortality be obtained. Said Jesus: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life. John 3:36. Every man may come into possession of this priceless blessing if he will comply with the conditions. All who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, will receive eternal life. Romans 2:7.

The only one who promised Adam life in disobedience was the great deceiver. And the declaration of the serpent to Eve in Eden, Ye shall not surely die, was the first sermon ever preached upon the immortality of the soul. Yet this declaration, resting solely upon the authority of Satan, is echoed from the pulpits of Christendom and is received by the majority of mankind as readily as it was received by our first parents. The divine sentence, The soul that sinneth, it shall die (Ezekiel 18:20), is made to mean: The soul that sinneth, it shall not die, but live eternally. We cannot but wonder at the strange infatuation which renders men so credulous concerning the words of Satan and so unbelieving in regard to the words of God.

The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23. While life is the inheritance of the righteous, death is the portion of the wicked. Moses declared to Israel: I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil. Deuteronomy 30:15. The death referred to in these scriptures is not that pronounced upon Adam, for all mankind suffer the penalty of his transgression. It is the second death that is placed in contrast with everlasting life.

In consequence of Adams sin, death passed upon the whole human race. All alike go down into the grave. And through the provisions of the plan of salvation, all are to be brought forth from their graves.

There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust; for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:22. But a distinction is made between the two classes that are brought forth. All that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5:28, 29. They who have been accounted worthy of the resurrection of life are blessed and holy. On such the second death hath no power. Revelation 20:6. But those who have not, through repentance and faith, secured pardon, must receive the penalty of transgression, the wages of sin. They suffer punishment varying in duration and intensity, according to their works, but finally ending in the second death. Since it is impossible for God, consistently with His justice and mercy, to save the sinner in his sins, He deprives him of the existence which his transgressions have forfeited and of which he has proved himself unworthy. Says an inspired writer: Yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. And another declares:

They shall be as though they had not been. Psalm 37:10; Obadiah 16. Covered with infamy, they sink into hopeless, eternal oblivion.

Thus will be made an end of sin, with all the woe and ruin which have resulted from it. Says the psalmist: Thou hast destroyed the wicked, Thou hast put out their name forever and ever. 0 thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end. Psalm 9:5,6. John, in the Revelation, looking forward to the eternal state, hears a universal anthem of praise undisturbed by one note of discord. Every creature in heaven and earth was heard ascribing glory to God. Revelation 5:13. There will then be no lost souls to blaspheme God as they writhe in never-ending torment; no wretched beings in hell will mingle their shrieks with the songs of the saved.

Upon the fundamental error of natural immortality rests the doctrine of consciousness in death, a doctrine, like eternal torment, opposed to the teachings of the Scriptures, to the dictates of reason, and to our feelings of humanity. According to the popular belief, the redeemed in heaven are acquainted with all that takes place on the earth and especially with the lives of the friends whom they have left behind. But how could it be a source of happiness to the dead to know the troubles of the living, to witness the sins committed by their own loved ones, and to see them enduring all the sorrows, disappointments, and anguish of life? How much of heavens bliss would be enjoyed by those who were hovering over their friends on earth? And how utterly revolting is the belief that as soon as the breath leaves the body the soul of the impenitent is consigned to the flames of hell! To what depths of anguish must those be plunged who see their friends passing to the grave unprepared, to enter upon an eternity of woe and sin! Many have been driven to insanity by this harrowing thought.

Fundamental Error!

When, in answer to his prayer, Hezekiah's life was prolonged fifteen years, the grateful king rendered to God a tribute of praise for His great mercy. In this song he tells the reason why he thus rejoices: The grave cannot praise Thee, death cannot celebrate Thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for Thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise Thee, as I do this day. Isaiah 38:18, 19. Popular theology represents the righteous dead as in heaven, entered into bliss and praising God with an immortal tongue; but Hezekiah could see no such glorious prospect in death. With his words agrees the testimony of the psalmist: In death there is no remembrance of Thee: in the grave who shall give Thee thanks? The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence. Psalms 6:5; 115:17.

But when about to leave His disciples, Jesus did not tell them that they would soon come to Him. I go to prepare a place for you, He said. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself. John 14:2,3. And Paul tells us, further, that the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. And he adds: Comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.

Before any can enter the mansions of the blessed, their cases must be investigated, and their characters and their deeds must pass in review before God. All are to be judged according to the things written in the books and to be rewarded as their works have been. This judgment does not take place at death. Mark the words of Paul: He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead. Acts 17:31. Here the apostle plainly stated that a specified time, then future, had been fixed upon for the judgment of the world.

Jude refers to the same period: The angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. And, again, he quotes the words of Enoch: Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all. Jude 6,14,15. John declares that he saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: . . . and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books. Revelation 20:12.

But if the dead are already enjoying the bliss of heaven or writhing in the flames of hell, what need of a future judgment? The teachings of Gods word on these important points are neither obscure nor contradictory; they may be understood by common minds. But what candid mind can see either wisdom or justice in the current theory? Will the righteous, after the investigation of their cases at the judgment, receive the commendation, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord, when they have been dwelling in His presence, perhaps for long ages? Are the wicked summoned from the place of torment to receive sentence from the Judge of all the earth: Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire? Matthew 25:21, 41. Oh, solemn mockery! Shameful impeachment of the wisdom and justice of God!

Nowhere in the Sacred Scriptures is found the statement that the righteous go to their reward or the wicked to their punishment at death. The patriarchs and prophets have left no such assurance. Christ and His apostles have given no hint of it. The Bible clearly teaches that the dead do not go immediately to heaven. They are represented as sleeping until the resurrection. 1 Thessalonians 4:14; Job 14:10-12.

In the very day when the silver cord is loosed and the golden bowl broken (Ecclesiastes 12:6), mans thoughts perish. They that go down to the grave are in silence. They know no more of anything that is done under the sun. Job 14:21 . Blessed rest for the weary righteous! Time, be it long or short, is but a moment to them. They sleep; they are awakened by the trump of God to a glorious immortality. For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible. . . So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 1 Corinthians 15:52-54. As they are called forth from their deep slumber they begin to think just where they ceased. The last sensation was the pang of death; the last thought, that they were falling beneath the power of the grave. When they arise from the tomb, their first glad thought will be echoed in the triumphal shout: 0 death, where is thy sting? 0 grave, where is thy victory? Verse 55.

The doctrine of mans consciousness in death, especially the belief that spirits of the dead return to minister to the living, has prepared the way for modern spiritualism.

The fallen angels who do his bidding appear as messengers from the spirit world. While professing to bring the living into communication with the dead, the prince of evil exercises his bewitching influence upon their minds. He has power to bring before men the appearance of their departed friends. The counterfeit is perfect; the familiar look, the words, the tone, are reproduced with marvelous distinctness. Many are comforted with the assurance that their loved ones are enjoying the bliss of heaven, and without suspicion of danger, they give ear to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.

When they have been led to believe that the dead actually return to communicate with them, Satan causes those to appear who went into the grave unprepared. They claim to be happy in heaven and even to occupy exalted positions there, and thus the error is widely taught that no difference is made between the righteous and the wicked. The pretended visitants from the world of spirits sometimes utter cautions and warnings which prove to be correct. Then, as confidence is gained, they present doctrines that directly undermine faith in the Scriptures. With an appearance of deep interest in the well-being of their friends on earth, they insinuate the most dangerous errors. The fact that they state some truths, and are able at times to foretell future events, gives to their statements an appearance of reliability; and their false teachings are accepted by the multitudes as readily, and believed as implicitly, as if they were the most sacred truths of the Bible. The law of God is set aside, the Spirit of grace despised, the blood of the covenant counted an unholy thing. The spirits deny the deity of Christ

Lying Claims of Spiritualism

But none need be deceived by the lying claims of spiritualism. God has given the world sufficient light to enable them to discover the snare. As already shown, the theory which forms the very foundation of spiritualism is at war with the plainest statements of Scripture. The Bible declares that the dead know not anything, that their thoughts have perished; they have no part in anything that is done under the sun; they know nothing of the joys or sorrows of those who were dearest to them on earth.

Furthermore, God has expressly forbidden all pretended communication with departed spirits. In the days of the Hebrews there was a class of people who claimed, as do the spiritualists of today, to hold communication with the dead. But the familiar spirits, as these visitants from other worlds were called, are declared by the Bible to be the spirits of devils. (Compare Numbers 25:1-3; Psalm 106:28; 1 Corinthians 10:20; Revelation 16:14.) The work of dealing with familiar spirits was pronounced an abomination to the Lord, and was solemnly forbidden under penalty of death. Leviticus 19:31; 20:27. The very name of witchcraft is now held in contempt. The claim that men can hold intercourse with evil spirits is regarded as a fable of the Dark Ages. But spiritualism, which numbers its converts by hundreds of thousands, yea, by millions, which has made its way into scientific circles, which has invaded churches, and has found favor in legislative bodies, and even in the courts of kings this mammoth deception is but a revival, in a new disguise, of the witchcraft condemned and prohibited of old.

There are few who have any just conception of the deceptive power of spiritualism and the danger of coming under its influence. Many tamper with it merely to gratify their curiosity. They have no real faith in it and would be filled with horror at the thought of yielding themselves to the spirits control. But they venture upon the forbidden ground, and the mighty destroyer exercises his power upon them against their will. Let them once be induced to submit their minds to his direction, and he holds them captive. It is impossible, in their own strength, to break away from the bewitching, alluring spell. Nothing but the power of God, granted in answer to the earnest prayer of faith, can deliver these ensnared souls.

All who indulge sinful traits of character, or willfully cherish a known sin, are inviting the temptations of Satan. They separate themselves from God and from the watchcare of His angels; as the evil one presents his deceptions, they are without defense and fall an easy prey. Those who thus place themselves in his power little realize where their course will end. Having achieved their overthrow, the tempter will employ them as his agents to lure others to ruin.

Says the prophet Isaiah: When they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isaiah 8:19,20. If men had been willing to receive the truth so plainly stated in the Scriptures concerning the nature of man and the state of the dead, they would see in the claims and manifestations of spiritualism the working of Satan with power and signs and lying wonders. But rather than yield the liberty so agreeable to the carnal heart, and renounce the sins which they love, multitudes close their eyes to the light and walk straight on, regardless of warnings, while Satan weaves his snares about them, and they become his prey. Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved, therefore God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. 2 Thessalonians 2:10, 11.

Many will be confronted by the spirits of devils personating beloved relatives or friends and declaring the most dangerous heresies. These visitants will appeal to our tenderest sympathies and will work miracles to sustain their pretensions. We must be prepared to withstand them with the Bible truth that the dead know not anything and that they who thus appear are the spirits of devils.

Just before us is the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Revelation 3:10. All whose faith is not firmly established upon the word of God will be deceived and overcome. Satan works with all deceivableness of unrighteousness to gain control of the children of men, and his deceptions will continually increase. But he can gain his object only as men voluntarily yield to his temptations. Those who are earnestly seeking a knowledge of the truth and are striving to purify their souls through obedience, thus doing what they can to prepare for the conflict, will find, in the God of truth, a sure defense. Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee (verse 10), is the Saviour's promise. He would sooner send every angel out of heaven to protect His people than leave one soul that trusts in Him to be overcome

The prophet Isaiah brings to view the fearful deception which will come upon the wicked, causing them to count themselves secure from the judgments of God: We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves. Isaiah 28:15. In the class here described are included those who in their stubborn impenitence comfort themselves with the assurance that there is to be no punishment for the sinner; that all mankind, it matters not how corrupt, are to be exalted to heaven, to become as the angels of God. But still more emphatically are those making a covenant with death and an agreement with hell, who renounce the truths which Heaven has provided as a defense for the righteous in the day of trouble, and accept the refuge of lies offered by Satan in its stead, the delusive pretensions of spiritualism.

Terrible Spiritual Blindness of Our Times!

Marvelous beyond expression is the blindness of the people of this generation. Thousands reject the word of God as unworthy of belief and with eager confidence receive the deceptions of Satan. Skeptics and scoffers denounce the bigotry of those who contend for the faith of prophets and apostles, and they divert themselves by holding up to ridicule the solemn declarations of the Scriptures concerning Christ and the plan of salvation, and the retribution to be visited upon the rejecters of the truth. They affect great pity for minds so narrow, weak, and superstitious as to acknowledge the claims of God and obey the requirements of His law. They manifest as much assurance as if, indeed, they had made a covenant with death and an agreement with hell, as if they had erected an impassable, impenetrable barrier between themselves and the vengeance of God. Nothing can arouse their fears. So fully have they yielded to the tempter, so closely are they united with him, and so thoroughly imbued with his spirit, that they have no power and no inclination to break away from his snare.

Satan has long been preparing for his final effort to deceive the world. The foundation of his work was laid by the assurance given to Eve in Eden: Ye shall not surely die. In the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3:4, 5. Little by little he has prepared the way for his masterpiece of deception in the development of spiritualism. He has not yet reached the full accomplishment of his designs; but it will be reached in the last remnant of time. Says the prophet: I saw three unclean spirits like frogs; . . . they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Revelation 16:13, 14. Except those who are kept by the power of God, through faith in His word, the whole world will be swept into the ranks of this delusion. The people are fast being lulled to a fatal security, to be awakened only by the outpouring of the wrath of God.

Saith the Lord God: Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. Isaiah 28:17, 18.

Few people realize how very dangerous it is to dabble in spiritualism. It may seem like innocent fun, but is it? Lets look at what God’s Word says about it:

"When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee." Deuteronomy 18:9-12

They Are All An Abomination To God
Did you notice that it is talking about fortune telling, horoscopes, trying to communicate with the dead, etc. They are all an abomination to God, and we need to avoid them.: RETURN

Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen -Jer 10:2 Where Did Halloween Come From?

PART 2

Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen -Jer 10:2
Where Did Halloween Come From?