Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Is America Setting Up For The Mark Of The Beast?

The mark of the beast system is what will bring about
total economic control.


There are three things the government needs to be in
control of in order to have total economic control:
1. control over banking
2. health care
3. food




Hyperinflation: In economics, hyperinflation is inflation
which is "out of control", a condition in which prices
increase rapidly as a currency loses its value.


The more we print money, the more the value of the
dollar decreases.


Economists' in America are warning of hyper inflation
because of debts owed to the banks. Ultimately the banks
are losing money on loans and don't know how to manage
it and this will be the reason for calling for a New World
Order or a global currency.


I'll use Germany as an example of hyperinflation:


1928 - 650,000 were unemployed and by 1933 6,100,000
men were out of work.


1922 to mid 1923 prices increased over 100 times. In November
of 1923 prices increased a million times.


Stamps are a good example of the increase. In 1920 the
highest price for a stamp was 4 marks. In 1923 the price
was 50 billion. Yes, 50 billion.


In 1921 there were mortgages worth 10 billion in US dollars
but by 1923 they were only worth 1 penny in American currency.


In Germany, those who did have work, were paid every hour.
This was done because they knew the longer they waited,
the higher the cost would be for something they would need.


 Certain banks in America today are being told not to lend money to churches. They're also calling loans in on churches who have never missed a payment. This is all government enforced. The government is controlling the banks.
(The Census Bureau put out that 4,000 churches a year are closing and only 1,000 new churches are being started.) 


On March 23, 2010 the "Affordable Care Act" became law (www.healthcare.gov). The government will be controlling healthcare.


On December 21, 2010 The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act was signed. (
The government will be controlling food supply.


For a while now I've been sharing with the people around me the urgency I believe God has placed on my heart to stock up on canned goods, water and seed. It wasn't until I finished my study on prophecy and Revelations that I was able to tie everything together and realize exactly what it was God was trying to say. He's saying "Be prepared".



The RFID Chip or the Mark of the Beast:


At a conference Perry Stone held on prophecy teaching he spoke about the RFID chip and shared a conversation that he had with a fellow preacher and partner of his.


The preacher was on a flight leaving a state he had been speaking in and was seated next to a doctor and a full bird Colonel. The doctor started up a conversation with the preacher by asking him what he did and where he was going. So the preacher told him what he did and asked the doctor about himself. The doctor said that he was going down to xxx in xxx to meet with 3000 doctors about the medical chip. Intrigued, the preacher asked what the medical chip was. The doctor told him it's a chip that will be inserted into your right hand or forehead. When the preacher heard this he really started to pay attention. The doctor proceeded to tell him that they had been working on the chip for years but there were certain blood types that were rejecting it and it had to be perfected before it could be released. They believed it had been perfected now and he was meeting with this group of doctors to show them the final product. These other doctors were not just "normal" doctors. They were leaders and administrators of hospitals. The doctor said that people will come into the hospital and it would only take about 8 seconds in order for the chip to be implanted, the chip would contain all of your medical information. He said the Obama administration is demanding that it be finished by the end of the year. The preacher asked him if he was being serious and the doctor replied that he was and also said, "you know what this means don't you? There will be nowhere to hide." At this point the Colonel looks at the doctor and is not happy about what he is hearing. He said it was interesting that the doctor was saying that because the meeting he was headed to was in preparation for riots and the burning down of American cities. Now of course, being in the military, he wasn't able to give much information. When they got to questioning him he was either very vague or didn't answer at all. After a while the preacher told the Colonel that it almost sounded like something out of the bible. The Colonel agreed and said that there were going to be food shortages, people were not going to be able to get their food transported to them, they wouldn't get their government stamps and he also told them he was investing in gold and guns because "all hell is about to break loose". He then told them that Martial Law would be declared and that when it did people were going to panic and the meeting he was on his way to was in preparation for all these events. The preacher later found out that the Colonel was a fellow believer in Christ.


The big question on this whole health care thing has been "how do you pay for it" and the government never has an answer, think about it!


Something to look for: When the federal government passes the new health bill and they get everything situated how they want it the insurance companies are going to DEMAND that everyone get this chip. They'll sell it by saying it's going to "save paperwork" or enable you to get in faster to appointments, etc.


Surprise, they'll charge you for your "health information storage". Say it's $10 a month for your information storage. At 12 months per person it's $120.00 a year, add that up with 300 million Americans having to have the chip and you've got how the government plans on paying for the health care.


This is real people! This is going on in America right now! 


http://article.wn.com/view/2010/02/10/Va_Bill_Would_Prevent_Involuntary_Microchipping_Richmond/


http://www.prisonplanet.com/lawmaker-joins-fight-to-outlaw-human-microchip-implants.html




Not only is the going on in America right now but 250,000 people in the world already have this chip implanted. Mexico has the highest amount of chip implantation for immigration, health care and law enforcement purposes and is in the process of the chip being made mandatory for all citizens as I write this.


http://www.informationweek.com/news/global-cio/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=23901004


http://cagecanada.blogspot.com/2008/01/mandatory-chip-implants-in-mexico.html


I was speaking to someone close to me a week or so ago and I was telling her about all of this and how it played into what the Holy Spirit had been heavily pressing on my heart. She made a comment that people have been talking about this supposed "chip" implantation being done for over twenty years. She is correct, they have been and I understand her resistance to this line of thinking. However, everything that is created has to go through a "testing" process. Like the doctor said, they've been testing it for years but certain blood types rejected it. Think about it, even shampoo is tested on animals before it is released to the public. Well, in the past decade they started using the chip at first in livestock and as of about 5 years ago our household pets. Whose next in line?


The person I was speaking to is proclaimed to be an unbeliever, but they did once know the Lord. She also told me that if this were to happen she wouldn't even get this chip and that many people wouldn't stand for it for one reason or the other. Whether it be for privacy issues or for "God" issues and I do believe that there will be many people who refuse it. But the comment she made sent me down a completely different road of revelation and understanding of why God has been revealing so much to me about the movement that is sweeping across America in the church itself. A movement that proclaims Jesus, but not the Truth of Jesus. The movement that says anyone can find salvation simply through belief in his existence.


The churches and leaders that are involved with this type of false doctrine teaching and New Age mentality are raising up a group of so called "believers" who are not grounded in the Word of God and will not see the scriptural wrong in this chip. I would go as far as to say that in these types of churches the leadership would even tell the congregation that it is a good idea and quote the scripture passage about obeying the laws of the land. This is why I stress the importance of praying for wisdom, conviction, guidance and revelation for the leadership in our Country, not just in government, but in the church!  




It is my own personal belief that Jesus will come back to rapture his church before the chip would become mandatory meaning you have to take it or be put to death. I do, however, believe that the chip "system" will be in place before the rapture. With it being in place I believe that we will experience food shortages, extremely high prices for buying food or even be faced with not being able to buy it because we do not have the chip.


There is so much speculation about the rapture and the 7 year tribulation, that I am not going to get into but I will refer to this passage of scripture:


"Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth." (Revelation 3:10 this is where I believe the rapture would occur)


and thereafter, in the 7 year tribulation period:
"He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666" (Rev. 13:16-18).


"A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: 'If ANYONE worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name. This calls for patient endurance on the part of THE SAINTS who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus' " (Rev. 14:9-12).
At any rate, I once heard someone say "I will drown in a pool of my own blood before they put a chip in my right hand or forehead". I will have to stand in complete agreement with that statement.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Jude 1:3 (Brothers and Sisters open your eyes. Contend for the faith!)



"Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people." Jude 1:3

Those of you who know me personally are probably aware that it's not often that I am rendered speechless. But when I stumbled across this link posted on the facebook wall of a church all I could do was sit there and stare at the screen with my mouth hanging open and my head shaking.

 http://artiedavis.com/2010/05/04/7-steps-stop-complaining-in-the-church/


The problem that I have isn't simply the fact that this was posted from the leadership of a church that I know personally, it's the realization that if this particular church is leading like this, then how many others are too?


I'd like to point out that this step by step program has no backing in scripture! This is not biblical! We, as followers of Christ, do not ostracize people because they don't agree with something that's going on or question it! In fact, Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 , "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good reject every kind of evil". The Bereans in the bible did exactly that! When the Apostle Paul arrived in Berea and taught the Bereans, he had this to say of them, "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."  Acts 17:11.  This "program" provides a glimpse into the characteristics that can be found in the "Last Days" church or "New Age" church. A church that turns away from the true gospel and preaches a paraphrased humanistic gospel. A church that's fallen into apostasy.


All I can say, after seeing this post aimed towards a church congregation, is that Artie Davis and the pastor who posted this do not speak for me. They may be sincere. They may be well-intentioned. But I believe, with every fiber of my being, that a church that is involved in this kind of program is in the process of leading the Church into a New Age plan for a New spirituality. It is spiritual. It is a spirit that convinces us that we are doing God's will when we follow it's leading. It is a spirit that hides behind the banner of God's purposes while it tries to deceive us into accomplishing it's purposes. It is a spirit that comes in the name of Christ but actually opposes Jesus Christ.

The Bible warned us about all this. Paul was stunned that the Church in Galatia was starting to accept a new gospel that wasn't the true Gospel. "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ." (Galatians 1:6-7) Paul warned that if anyone introduced the false teachings of "another gospel," this person should be disregarded "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!" (Galatians 1:8-9) He told them that if he was only trying to please men, he wouldn't be the servant of Christ "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."(Galatians 1:10)

The true Jesus Christ also warned that on Judgement Day many people calling themselves Christians, and claiming to have done works in Jesus' name, will be stunned to find out that they had been following "another spirit." "another Jesus," and "another gospel." Matthew 7:21-23, " <span>Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’"

Paul had felt compelled to  by the Holy Spirit to warn the church that in the last days people would depart from the true Christian faith because they would be led by seducing spirits and false doctrines, not by the Holy Spirit of the one true God. "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons."  (1 Tim 4:1) He said that people would accept teachings and doctrines that were not from God because they would find teachers who would tell them what they wanted to hear. He warned that these false teachers would turn people away from the truth. "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."(2 Tim 4:3-4) Paul warned that in the last days false teachers and false teachings would have the appearance of godliness but would lack the authentic power that comes from the Holy Spirit. He urged believers to turn away from these things, "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2 Tim 3:5)

Lastly, John warned that people who abandon the truth of sound doctrine abandon Chirst and God by saying "Anyone who runs on ahead [of God] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ [who is not content with what He taught] does not have God; but he who continues to live in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ [does have God], he has both the Father and the Son.If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [is disloyal to what Jesus Christ taught], do not receive him [do not accept him, do not welcome or admit him] into [your] house or bid him Godspeed or give him any encouragement.For he who wishes him success [who encourages him, wishing him Godspeed] is a partaker in his evil doings." (2 John 9-11)

Deception is the enemies attack on intimacy with Jesus. How many people are being led to hell by their own church leadership? It's an alarming question to ponder. But I really do want you to take encouragement in the fact that you do not have to be deceived! Take the berean approach to what you are taught, don't just believe everything you hear. Even what I have just said! Take what you are taught straight to the Word of God. Pray for discernment, pray for wisdom. Take full advantage of your relationship with God and utilize the Word and promises He has given you!

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5

'O Holy Night', near and dear to my heart

I originally wrote this on Christmas Eve 2010, in giving thanks and praise to our Heavenly Father for His son and in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, I came to put on some christian carols. 'O Holy Night' is and has been for so long one of my favorites carols and I'd like to share with you some history on it.

The words and lyrics of the old carol 'O Holy Night' were written by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure in 1847. Cappeau was a wine seller by trade but was asked by the parish priest to write a poem for Christmas. He obliged and wrote the beautiful words of the hymn. He then realised that it should have music to accompany the words and he approached his friend Adolphe Charles Adams(1803-1856). He agreed and the music for the poem was therefore composed by Adolphe Charles Adams. Adolphe had attended the Paris conservatoire and forged a brilliant career as a composer. It was translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight (1812-1893).


"O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

His power and glory ever more proclaim!"



I've come to realize that no matter how many years pass and how much the "music scene" changes I am still drawn and can feel a powerful anointing on our christian hymns and carols of old.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love contemporary christian and worship music. However, I do believe the reason why the anointing on these old hymns is still so powerful after even hundreds of years is because of how theologically sound they are and that it is absolutely ridiculous to do away with them. These hymns and carols are works of art that lovingly and wonderfully worship our Almighty God. If they were pleasing to Him then, they are still pleasing to Him now.

Signs of the antichrist coming

Taken from the topic "Signs of the antichrist coming" from the Full Life Study Bible (NIV) page 1872

Unlike the rapture, the coming of the antichrist will not be without warning. Several signs point to his coming and his appearance.  At least 3 events must occur before he appears on earth: (1) The secret power of lawlessness must intensify on earth (2Th 2:7); the "rebellion" must come (2Th 2:3); (3) "the one who now holds it back must be removed" (2Th 2:7).

(1) The behind the scenes activity of evil powers throughout the world will increase until it reaches it's climax in the complete ridicule of and disregard for any standards and commands held sacred in the bible. Because of a prevailing spirit of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold (Mt 24:10-12; Lk 18:8). Yet a faithful remnant will remain loyal to the apostolic faith as revealed in the NT (Mt 24:13, 25:10; Lk 18:7). Through these people, the church will remain a "warrior" church, wielding the sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:10-11).

(2) The "rebellion", literally meaning "departure," "falling away" or "abandonment" will occur. In the last days, many within the professing church will depart from biblical truth.
    (a) Both Jesus and Paul paint a dismal picture of most of the visible church - morally, spiritually, doctrinally- as the present age closes (Mt 24:5, 10-13; 1Ti 4:1; 2Ti 4:3-4). Paul in particular stresses that the churches will be invaded by godless elements in the last days.                                                                                                                   (b) This "rebellion" within the church will have 2 dimensions. (i) Theological apostasy is the departure from and a rejection of a part or all of the original teachings of Christ and the apostles (1Ti 4:1; 2Ti 4:3). False leaders will offer "salvation" and cheap peace and ignore Christ's demand for repentance, separation from immorality, and loyalty to God and His standards (2Pe 2:1-3, 12-19).  (ii) Moral apostasy is the severing of one's saving relationship with Christ and returning to sin and immorality.  Apostates may proclaim right doctrine and NT teaching, yet abandon God's moral standards (Isa 29:13; Mt 23:25-28).  Many churches will tolerate almost anything for the sake of numbers, money, success and honor. The gospel of the cross with it's call to suffer (Php 1:29), radically renounce sin (Ro 8:13), to sacrifice for God's kingdom and to deny oneself will become rare (Mt 24:12; 2Ti 3:1-5 4:3).

(3) When the one (The Holy Spirit) who holds him back is removed,  When the restrainer is taken out of the way, the day of the Lord can begin (2Th 2:6-7).  When the Holy Spirit's restraining influence is removed at the beginning of the great tribulation, the antichrist will be able to reveal himself.

Halloween: where it came from, what we partake in.

 I've always rather enjoyed Halloween. Something about cold fall nights, wind and the adrenaline of being scared by the unknown. Not to mention candy, I love candy! Free candy is even better!  Even as a Christian I didn't think much of it. It's not like I was taking part of satanic worship. I was just enjoying the blustery fall nights and letting my kids get candy while they played dress up. No big deal. Right?



About six months ago my Father-In-Law gave me a teaching series by Perry Stone. The series was called "Satan's Counterfeit Feasts". On the front cover it showed all kinds of "Halloweeny" images to which I just rolled my eyes and took with a grain of salt. I pushed it aside as my Father-In-Law trying to discourage me yet again about letting the kids trick or treat, no big deal.



My family and I drove the 14 hour drive to Myrtle Beach in May. Several hours into the trip I looked around to see my  husband snoring beside me and my daughter sawing logs behind me. I'd already listened to my new Misty Edwards cd like 100 times and was completely hyped up on wanting to get to our hotel. So, instead of pulling over and taking a nap, I put in the Perry Stone cd with the mindset of I was not defeated in my view of trick or treating/Halloween, I was just bored.



I am extremely thankful for the things that I learned in the two hours of Perry Stone's teaching. First, it showed me that my Father-In-Law loves us enough to try to get us informed. Most importantly, it showed me that the reality of our lives are more than what we see. It's kind of like an iceberg, only about 10 percent of the iceberg actually sticks out of the water but the real danger is the other 90 percent below that we can't see. On the surface, my prior view of the traditions of Halloween were fine. It wasn't until I dug a little deeper that I realized what exactly I was letting myself and my children be a part of.



A summary of Perry Stone's "Satan Is a Counterfeiter" is this:



WHY DOES IT SEEM LIKE OPPRESSION AND DEPRESSION STRIKE PEOPLE MORE AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR?  SATAN IS THE MASTER COUNTERFEITER.  GOD SELECTED SEVEN TIMES EACH YEAR WHEN ISRAEL WOULD SET ASIDE AN APPOINTMENT WITH HIM.  IN THE OCCULT WORLD, SATAN HAS INSPIRED HIS FOLLOWERS TO SET ASIDE CERTAIN DAYS IN A YEAR TO BE "SATANIC HOLY DAYS."  CHRISTIANS NEED TO UNDERSTAND SATAN'S COUNTERFEIT FEAST DAYS, WHICH ARE MARKED EACH YEAR, AND KNOW HOW TO REINFORCE OUR TIME OF PRAYER AND FASTING DURING THESE SEASONS.  WE CAN OVERCOME OPPRESSION, DEPRESSION AND FEAR BY UNDERSTANDING WHEN THESE SATANIC CYCLES OCCUR!



I'm not going to go over all the dates and counterfeit feasts, just Halloween. This is something I feel God has laid heavily on my heart because of Halloween being right around the corner and because I know that so many people really just don't know what the big deal is or where these traditions even stem from. 





WHAT IS HALLOWEEN AND WHERE DID IT COME FROM?



History traces Halloween back to the ancient religion of the Celtics in Ireland. The Celtic people were very believed to be very conscious of the spiritual world and had their own ideas of how they could gain access to it - such as by helping their over 300 gods to defeat their enemies in battle, or by imitating the gods in showing cleverness and cunning.



One of their two main feasts was Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween) at the end of summer (Nov. 1). They believed Samhain was a time when the division between the two worlds became very thin, when hostile supernatural forces were active and ghosts and spirits were free to wander as they wished.



"During this interval the normal order of the universe is suspended, the barriers between the natural and the supernatural are temporarily removed, the sidh lies open and all divine beings and the spirits of the dead move freely among men and interfere sometimes violently, in their affairs" (excerpt from "Celtic Mythology", p. 127).



The Celtic priests who carried out the rituals in the open air were called Druids, members of pagan orders in Britain, Ireland and Gaul, who generally performed their rituals by offering sacrifices, usually of crops and animals, but sometimes of humans, in order to appease gods; ensuring that the sun would return after the winter; and frightening away evil spirits.





When Christianity spread to parts of Europe, instead of trying to abolish these pagan customs, people tried to introduce ideas which reflected a more Christian view. Halloween has since become a confusing mixture of pagan culture and Christian tradition.



By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. During their rule of the Celtic lands, Roman festivals were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain. The Romans observed the holiday of Feralia, intended to give rest and peace to the departed. Participants made sacrifices in honor of the dead, offered up prayers for them, and made oblations to them. Another festival was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.



As the influence of Christianity spread into Celtic lands, in the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV introduced All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs, to replace the pagan festival of the dead. It was observed on May 13. In 834, Gregory III moved All Saint's Day from May 13 to Nov. 1 and for Christians, this became an opportunity for remembering before God all the saints who had died and all the dead in the Christian community. Oct. 31 thus became All Hallows' Eve ('hallow' means 'saint').



Sadly, though, many of the customs survived and were blended in with Christianity. Numerous folk customs connected with the pagan observances for the dead have survived to the present.



In 1517, a monk named Martin Luther honored the faithful saints of the past by choosing All Saints Day (November 1) as the day to publicly charge the Church heirarchy with abandoning biblical faith. This became known as "Reformation Day," a fitting celebration of the restoration the same biblical faith held by the saints throughout church history.



Trick or Treating



This can be traced back to pagan ritual for Samhain, the supreme night of demonic jubilation. They believed spirits of the dead would rise out of their graves and wander around, trying to return to the homes where they formerly lived. Villagers who were frightened tried to appease these wandering spirits by offering them gifts of fruit and nuts (treats). They put their finest foods in front of the home on plates, as gifts, to appease the hunger of the ghostly wanderers. They believed if the ghosts were no pleased they would kill destroy their land and kill their livestock (this is the trickery from "trick or treat").



The problem was if the souls of dead loved ones could return that night, so could anything else,human or not, nice or mean. The only thing these superstitious people knew to do to protect themselves  was to dress up themselves as one of the demonic hoard, and hopefully blend in unnoticed among them. Wearing masks and other disguises and blackening the face with soot were originally ways of hiding oneself from the spirits of the dead who might be roaming around. (This is the origin of Halloween masquerading as devils, imps, ogres, and other demonic creatures.)



In many parts of Britain and Ireland this night was known as ''Mischief Night'', where people were free to go around the village playing pranks without fear of being punished. Many of the different customs were taken to the United States by Irish and Scottish immigrants in the nineteenth century, and they developed into 'trick or treat'.



JACK O'LANTERNS



The Jack-o-lantern is the festival light for Halloween and is the ancient symbol of a damned soul. Originally the Irish would carve out turnips or beets as lanterns as representations of the souls of the dead or goblins freed from the dead.



When the Irish came to America they couldn't find many turnips to carve into Jack O'Lanterns but it they found pumpkins in abundance. They used the pumpkins as a substitute for the turnips and they have been an essential part, if you will, of Halloween celebrations since.



Pumpkins were cut with faces representing demons and were originally meant to frighten away evil spirits. It was said that if a demon or such were to encounter something as fiendish looking as themselves that they'd run away in terror,thus sparing the houses dwellers from the ravages of dark entities. They would have been carried around the village boundaries or left outside the home to burn through the night.



**snipit of info that's not that important. Even Bats, Owls and other nocturnal animals that are now popular in Halloween theming were feared back then because they believed these animals were able to communicate with the dead.**



I could go into the whole "Witch" part of the tradition but I'm not going to because I figure, as Christians, we already know that this isn't okay.



COUNTERFEIT FEAST



In Perry Stone's teaching he talks about Halloween being one of satans ATTEMPTS to duplicate a holy day as a day that serves his agenda. Perry goes on to talk about how because this day is such a big deal to satan that demonic energy is working overtime. Meaning that on this day we need to be more on guard and prayed up for the things we cannot see. God, in His infinite wisdom, has allowed Satan to operate in this world (within the boundaries God has set for him) and has allowed Satan to operate with an agenda. Satan has an agenda for October 31st even without all the historical backing of Halloween. It's important that we remember there is more to our world than what we can see with our physical eyes. We should be careful of the things we partake in and weary of opening up a door that let's the enemy get a foothold on our life. We are the enemies of darkness, we can't expect them not to come after us. We can't expect if we open up a door for them to come in that they will turn away. Be aware of the reality, be aware of what's beyond your human eyes.



Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."



Be assured, Halloween is serious business for Satanists and witches. Those who oppose Christ are known to organize on Halloween to observe satanic rituals, to cast spells, to oppose churches and families, to perform sacrilegious acts, and to even offer blood sacrifices to Satan. While some may say, "But we only do this in fun...we don't practice witchcraft," those things that represent Satan and his domain cannot be handled or emulated "for fun". Participation places you in enemy and forbidden territory and that is dangerous ground.

Tom Sanguinet, former high priest in the Celtic tradition of Wicca said "The modern holiday we call Halloween has its origins in the full moon closest to November 1, the witches’ New Year. It was a time when the "spirits" (demons) were supposed to be at their peak power and revisiting the earth planet." He went on to say, "Halloween is purely and absolutely evil, and there is nothing we ever have or will do that would make it acceptable to the Lord Jesus." [The Dark Side Of Halloween]











BACKIN' IT UP WITH SCRIPTURE...JUST SAYIN'





As believers, we are called to "Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)  Come on, witches, monsters, vampires (even the sparkling ones), ghosts, ghouls, goblins, devils and demons all portray evil. Christians are supposed to"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." (Ephesians 5:11)



So I had to ask myself, is Halloween just an time of dress up and candy fun for the kids that does no harm? Police officials everywhere report a great increase of disturbances on Halloween (you can Google it if you want). There are horrifying accounts of poisoned candy and fruits booby-trapped with razor blades and needles. Some hospitals offer free X-rays of Halloween treats in order to prevent children from being harmed. Who but Satan could inspire such monstrous actions?





When we  celebrate the Festival of Samhain and the powers of darkness by dressing up as evil creatures or decorating our homes with occult (pagan) symbols, Satanic power is glorified.



The sort of practices celebrated on Halloween are what defiled the ancient nations (check out Leviticus 18:24-30). The Israelites were warned against such practices when they entered the Promised Land, "When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there." (Deuteronomy 18:9)





Are we embracing an evil day of satan, with the pranks, demon faces on pumpkins, clothing of ''death'' being worn, and calling it fun? By participation in Halloween are we sending the message to our children that witchcraft, demonism, satanism and the occult are harmless? Or worse yet, fun? One of my favorite authors, C.S. Lewis, wrote that one of Satan's most deceptive tactics is to convince people that he doesn't exist. Apparently he has done a good job in his deception. Many people I've talked to think of the devil simply as a "symbol" of something evil.



A year ago I was the person who not only participated in this days festivities but I also defended it by saying it was "harmless".

The Bible says, "Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed." (John 3:19-20)



RANDOM FACTOIDS I FIND DISTURBING

**Americans spend $21 million on Halloween candies yearly second only to Christmas in total sales.

**Halloween is the Number 1 season for selling humorous greeting cards.

**In North America, some 25 million cards are sold annually. (Peter Smith, "By the Numbers," The Toronto Star, 2002-OCT-27.) **Halloween is the third-largest party occasion next to Christmas and New Year's Eve.





SIMPLIFIED AND AMPLIFIED

Halloween does not have even one single redeeming virtue. It is custom born out of pagan superstition. It is a demon-inspired, devil-glorifying, occult festival. It is an evening holy unto evil, death, and divination. The Scriptures tells us to "Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1Thess. 5:22)



Let's wake up as Christians and realize this is a night of evil and as the beloved of Christ we should have nothing to do with it. I STRUGGLED with giving it up because it was "fun" and my children LOVED the opportunity to dress up and get candy. It's important to remember that we are all accountable for our choices and decisions. But this is my conviction and you don't have to take my word for it. Pray and ask God to show you what He would have you do. Something as simple as:



Heavenly Father, I turn my will and my life over to Your care, and may Your Holy Spirit lead and guide me in all the things I think , do and say. I'm Yours and You are mine. Father, please use me that I might help others come to know and love Your Son Jesus Christ. Thank you for saving me. Amen