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Resurrection on Sunday?
Another reason why "Easter Sunday" could not have
been celebrated by the early Christian Church may
be found in the fact that Christ was not resurrected
on a Sunday morning.
l.
What did J esus say about the length of time he
would be in the grave? Matt. 12:39-40; Mark 8:31.
Did he fu1fill that sign "as he said"? Matt. 28:6.
COMMENT: The only sigo Christ gave to prove he
was the Messiah was the 1ength of time he would be
dead and buried- a period of three days and three
nights, or 72 hours.
But according to the Easter tradition, Christ was
crucified Friday afternoon and resurrected Sunday
morning- a period of only a
day and a ha/f.
or 36
hours!
Since Christ did fu lfill bis sigo (Matt. 28:6), the
Good FridayjEaster Sunday tradition is just that- a
tradition
and not a fact!
If
you are not afraid of the
facts that prove Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday,
and rose from the dead 72 bours later- late
Saturday afternoon- write for our free booklet
The
Resurrection Was Not on Sunday!
Non-Christian Orlglns
But what about the various customs and traditions
associated with Easter ? Most assume that the
customs of this most-important religious holiday of
the Western world carne from "Christian" origins.
Shocking as it may sound, Easter and its customs
date
long before
the birth of Jesus. Easter was
observed nearly 2,000 years befare the beginning of
the Christian era!
"Easter" is actually a slightly changed English
spelling of the name of the ancient Assyrian goddess
lshtar.
It
was pronounced by the Assyrians as we
pronounce
Easter
today.
The New Funk
&
Wagnalls Encyclopedia
(article
" Easter") explains that Easter "embodies traditions
of an ancient time antedating the rise of
Christianity.... [It] was celebrated on the day of
the vernal equinox [about March 21, the beginning
of spring in the Northern Hemisphere], and
traditions associated with the festival survive in the
familiar Easter bunny, symbol of the fertile rabbit,
and in the equally fami liar colored Easter eggs
originally painted with gay hues to represent the
sunlight of spring.... Such festivals [as Easter], and
the myths and legends which explain their origin,
abound in ancient religions."
The traditions associated with Easter, such as
colored eggs, hot cross buns, the Easter bunny and
attending sunrise services are pre-Christian and
pagan
in origin!
J.
A traditional custom of Easter today is to
attend an Easter sunrise service. Does the prophet
Ezekiel make reference to such a practice occurring
during bis time- more than 500 years before the
birth of J esus? Ezek. 8:16. Does God approve of this
custom? Verses 15, 17.
COMMENT:
It
was an ancient heathen custom to
May
1985
gather at sunrise and worship the rising sun. Such
services were being observed in Ezekiel's day by tbe
nation of Judah . They had "borrowed" sorne of the
heathen customs, in spite of God's strict command
not to follow pagan practices in worshiping him!
Does Easter Honor Christ?
Many who understand that Easter evolved from
pagan customs originally honoring a pagan goddess
will say that they observe it to "honor" Christ.
J.
What does God warn about learning and
following the customs and traditions of the heathen?
Deut. 12:29-3 1; Jer. 10:2.
CoMMENT: God plainly commands bis people not to
adopt the practices of pagan nations. God will not
accept this kind of worship, even thougb intended in
his honor!
2. Did Christ say it is possible to worship him and
sti ll do it in vain? Matt. 15:9. What did he tell bis
disciples about following man's ideas on how to
worship God? Mark 7:7-9.
COMMENT: God does not want people trying to
honor Christ by following traditions and custorhs
devised by men. Notice again God's command, "You
shall not worship the Lord your God in that way"
(Deut. 12:31 , Revised Authorized Version).
If
you would like to know more about the true
origins of Easter and related customs than could be
presented in this short study, be sure to request
The
Plain Truth About Easter.
This booklet is also free
for the asking.
And don't forget to enroll in the free Bible
Correspondence Course mentioned below!
- Richard
A.
Sedliacik
ENROLL NOW IN
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This course can help you begin to understand the
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befare. Interesting topics are
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you.
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