03/23/2017
Please enjoy this short Ann Graham Lotz video!
ARE WE READY?
MUST WATCH !!!*******************************************
Resurrection Day
Recognizing Truth and Living by Truth
In the spring of each year believers share their reverence and celebrate the Holiest day of the year. This
is the day that our Lord and Savior was raised from the dead, as a testament to the Glory of God the
Father and to His promise made to all believers in their resurrection, when our Messiah calls. However,
this wonderful day of celebration has been blurred by a cloud contrived by the hand of men as directed
by the earth’s great deceiver. The deceiver satan has succeeded in hijacking Our Messiah’s Holy Day.
So, how can one make a statement like this when millions of God’s people celebrate Easter?
For those who have eyes to see and ears to hear;
let us address this factual statement.
The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8:
“7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you
truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover was sacrificed for us.
8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, not with the leaven of
malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
NKJV [1]
Simply Stated:
“For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
Therefore, let us keep the Festival.”[2]
As the Apostle Paul says above, Yeshua, Jesus Christ is our Passover lamb and His resurrection is our
Passover. Our Heavenly Father wants us, as believers, to keep the Festival. First we keep the Festival
for the remembrance of our Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ, and secondly we should also remember the
lessons learned from the original Passover that brought the release of the people of Israel from Egypt.
For about 800 years the resurrection day of our Lord and Messiah, Jesus Christ, has been known by all
believers as, Passover or pascha (Greek) and pesch (Hebrew) [3]. Since Christ’s passion and
resurrection occurred at the time of the Jewish Passover, the first Messianic Jews and Christians
observed their celebration of Christ’s resurrection at the same time [4]. It is historically known that in
the early centuries the annual observance was called the pascha, the Greek word for Passover, and it
focused on Yeshua Messiah, Jesus Christ, as the paschal Lamb [4].
Christianity was spreading across the world, but at the same time it was being challenged by manmade
forces that were bring change to the original and pure doctrine. A trend began in the 8th century A.D.
with European Saxon believers that began weaving pagan ideas into the resurrection day celebration.
These people gradually began using a different name to recognize our Messiah’s Resurrection Day.
This name is Easter, and the word is of Saxon origin. Eastra or Eastre, the pagan goddess of spring was
still being worshiped by many, in Europe. Christian and Messianic Jewish believers were celebrating
pascha or Passover at about the same time of the year that the pagans celebrated the goddess of spring
2
and fertility, Eastra(e). Both celebrations were connected to the spring equinox. The pagan Saxons
would honor this so-called goddess, Eastra(e), with sacrifices and pagan rituals that were described as
immoral and repulsive. It appears that over time these two separate events coalesced into what is known
today as Easter. The merging of paganism with pascha became accepted by the Church of England, in
1611. This point is proven by the original publication of the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
This new Bible for the Church of England contains the word Easter substituted for the original Biblical
word, Passover, in Acts 12:4.
What’s So Bad About This Eastra, Eastre, etc.
Eastre is identified as a pagan goddess whose character and type goes back in Biblical history for several
thousand years. This so-called goddess has taken on many characteristics that are offensive to our God.
The following Biblical note identifies Eastre and provides the relationship and connection to this
Biblically mentioned idol or deity. This Biblical note (addressing Easter used in Acts 12:4, in the 1611
King James Version) was prepared by the Biblical scholar, E. W. Bullinger [5]:
“Easter. Gr. to pascha, the Passover. Easter is a heathen term, derived from
the Saxon goddess Eastre, the same as Astarte, the Syrian Venus, called
Ashtoreth in the O. T.”
Who is this Eastre or Astarte or Ashtoreth?
A Biblical note, Jerimiah 7, pg. 1012, explains who this is [1]:
“7:18 Queen of heaven is a term used for a vile heathen goddess, mentioned only
in two passages in the Bible, here and in Jer. 44:15-30. The prophets declare
God’s wrath on all who worship her. She is probably the same as Ashtoreth, a
heathen deity referred to in Judg. 2:13; 10:6; 1 Sam. 31:10; 1 Kin. 11:5, 33; and
in 2 Kin. 23:13 where she is called “the abomination of the Sidonians.” NKJV
What is our God’s response to goddesses like Eastre?
Jerimiah 7:17 – 20, NKJV: And God said to the people of Israel:
“17 “Do you not see what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of
Jerusalem? 18 “The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the
mothers knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and they pour out
drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger. 19 “Do they
provoke Me to anger?” says the Lord. “Do they not provoke themselves, to the
shame of their own faces?” 20 “Therefore thus says the Lord God “Behold, My
anger and My fury will be poured out on this place---on man and on beast, on the
trees of the field and on the fruit of the ground. And it will burn and not be
quenched.” 21 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: . . .” NKJV
In the above, does verse 18 sound familiar? Think of Easter activities at home and in churches.
How Did This Pagan Word “Easter” Get Into God’s Bible?
After several centuries of unrest and reform in Christianity, numerous things were still happening that
both degraded and strengthened the religion. James VI, King of Scotland became James I, King of
England in 1603 [6]. He was deeply involved in church affairs, in Brittan. He was recognized, as all
British monarchs, as being chosen by God to lead His country and its religion [6]. Queen Elizabeth,
who ruled before James, peacefully settled many of the religious issues related to the Roman Catholic
Church in England with the establishment of the Anglican Church [6]. However, many church issues
were still unsettled, and James needed to finish the job. Aside from the Roman Catholic groups still
remaining in England there were a number of divergent groups within the new Anglican Church. Some
of these groups had significant power. One was a large group of Puritans who applied a great deal of
pressure on James, and he conceded to have a new translation of the Scriptures made [7]. This resulted
in the 1611, King James Version of the Bible, and this is when the demonic altering of His word,
Passover, took place.
So far, I have not been able to determine exactly how the word, Easter, became substituted for the
correct word Passover in Acts 12:4. However, I propose the following ideas:
- It was a mistake in editing the Bible.
- It was done deliberately by a translator or scribe who wrote the text.
- It was placed into the Bible as a favor to some person or religious group.
- It was the result of anti-Semitism.
- It was slipped into the Bible by the printer.
- It may have been a combination of any of the above.
Evidence Supporting the Return to Passover:
Study of the Greek English Interlinear Bible, Vol. IV, New Testament, shows that the actual Greek word
used in the original Scriptures was the word representing Passover [8]. The Strong’s Concordance
number for this word is #3957. Strong’s definition follows [9]:
3957. pascha, pas' –khah; of Chald. Or. [comp. 6453]; the Passover (the meal, the day, the
festival or the special sacrifices connected with it): --- Easter, Passover.
[JRL note: At the end of the above definition Strong’s added Easter in connection with what was
published in the original 1611 King James Bible. It should not be taken as a part of the pure and true
definition that precedes but as a statement that the word appeared in a Bible. Also, the word Easter
appears in Strong’s Concordance referencing only Acts 12:4.]
Strong’s Concordance shows that the Greek word, pascha or Passover, is used 28 times in the New
Testament with reference to the word number #3957. Additionally, Strong’s used the same word
number #3957 only one other time within its text. This time for the word Easter that Strong’s
Concordance defines as “Passover.”
Some publications of the King James Version of the Bible still carry this ill-used, abomination of a word
(Easter), used to replace the Holy word Passover only in the text of Acts 12:4.
Currently, the New King James Version, the New International Version, the Roman Catholic Bible, the
Moffatt Bible, various Messianic Jewish Bibles, as well as The Living Bible have either always used the
word Passover or have reverted back to using the original word, Passover, in Acts 12:4.
What Does Our Heavenly Father Want Us to Celebrate?
Our Passover Lamb or Easter
Your decision is important to our Heavenly Father. Reflect on what God the Father (Elohim, Abba)
says in Jeremiah 7 and what the apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8. Verse 8 – “Therefore let us
keep the feast, not with old leaven, not with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the
unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
We should avoid any possibility or appearance of an
unrighteous act. See God’s warning in Romans 1:18.
Test: Is there a clear Biblical Scripture and definition for the words Passover and Resurrection Day?
Is there a clear Biblical Scripture and definition for the word Easter?
Make your decision and let your pastor know! Don’t let satan blind you!
God’s Many Blessings: James R. Lawson, Elder
Nancy A. Lawson, Review & Edit
References:
[1] “The Scofield Study Bible,” New King James Version, Oxford University Press, Inc., New York, NY,
2002.
[2] “Christ in the Passover,” Benjamin Galan, ISBN 978-159636-185-0, Hendrickson Publishers, Rose
Publishing, Peabody, MA, 2008.
[3] “The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary,” Merrill F. Unger and R.K. Harrison et.al. Editor, N. M. DenisBoulet,
Christian Calendar 1960. Moody Publishers, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, IL., 1988.
[4] “Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary,” Editors Chad Brand, et. al., Fred A. Grissom, Holman Bible
Publishers, Nashville, TN, 2003.
[5] “The Companion Bible,” Appendix 111, King James Version, Authorized 1611 Version, from pg.
1607, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Originally Published, 1922.
[6] “A Survey of European Civilization,” Wallace K. Ferguson, & Geoffrey Bruun, Third Edition,
Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA, 1958.
[7] “Church History, In Plain Language,” Bruce L. Shelly, revised by R. L. Hatchett, 4th Edition, Thomas
Nelson, Nashville, TN, 2013.
[8] “The Interlinear Bible,” Hebrew and Greek to English, Volumes I through IV, Jay P. Green, Sr.,
General Editor & Translator, Hendrickson Publishers, sixth printing, Peabody, MA, 2014.
[9] “The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible,” by James Strong, LL.D. S.T.D., Thomas
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Welcome to what is 'in-process' of becoming our New
Signs and Times Reporting
(compliments of Mr. Randy Lawson, Sr. Elder First Christian Church of Kittery Point
The latest world news reports the following: Terrible storms, earthquakes, famine, stars falling from the skies (UFOs?), insane brutal acts, wars and rumors of wars.
What does Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, and Revelation say about the above? We must be very serious about our beliefs in our Heavenly Father (YHWH, Elohim, Adonai) and our Lord Jesus Christ (Yeshua Messiah). I do not wish to sound like some kind of prophet and do not want anyone to perceive that idea. I am simply wanting to provide some thoughts that relate to the times we are experiencing. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus (Yeshua) warns us to be watchful, and the only way that we can be watchful with meaning is by understanding the critical Scriptures that Adonai and Yeshua want us to know. Above all, we must love the Lord our God and Jesus more that all things on earth and in heaven. We must educate ourselves in the “Word of God” and arm ourselves with the “Armor of God.” Otherwise we will not know the “truth” and will be easily deceived and taken by the evil one. If you are reading this you should know that satan, the great deceiver does exist, and is hard at work.
If we are not in the end times, we are certainly in a period that reflects the initial tribulations spoken of in the Scriptures referenced in the list above. This is a time when we must all take to heart the teachings of the whole Bible, the Torah through The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Yeshua Messiah). We, who are truly believers, are evangelists who through the “Great Commission” are ordered to spread the “Good News” across the world. Right now the world is in great need of the “Word” and the “Truth.” Full denominations are removing the masculine references to our “Father” from their Bibles and from their hymns. Sinful pagan behavior has again corrupted many churches, and we see around us the church of Ephesus encircling us with the hated works of the Nicolaitans. Apostasy is rampant, taking our sisters and brothers deeper into the world of self-satisfaction and the “Me Syndrome.”
All of these things are happening today around us. Reports from a U.S. Senator, a Pentagon Intelligence Officer, and a U.S. Navy pilot of as many as 20 shining objects (UFO’s) falling from the sky and hovering around the USS Nimitz Aircraft Carrier Battle Group. These serious times require us to reach out to others and reinforce the teachings of the “Gospel.” It also requires us to insure that the “Truth” of the Holy Scriptures is maintained and taught. We must be reaching out to people and bringing them to our Lord “Adonai” through Jesus Christ (Yeshua Messiah), and it is critical to eternal life and death that the “Armor of God” is taught to all and more importantly, put into practice.
Paul wrote and preached about our protection with the “Armor of God” in Ephesians 6
1. The Belt of Truth, 2. The Breastplate of Righteousness, 3. Feet with the Gospel of Peace
4. The Shield of Faith, 5. The Helmet of Salvation, and 6. The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God
All of the above are critically important to each “Believer,” and we must insure that we are “In Truth” the Believers who we say we are. People who think they are believers and do not in “Truth” learn and follow our Lord according to our Lord’s teachings will not be acceptable in heaven. See Matthew 7:21-23.
We Must Be Ready!!! Additional messages to follow.
Author: Mr. J. R. Lawson is a Christian and Elder of his church. Served with the United States Air Force and a reserve unit: law enforcement and security. A retired U.S. Government scientist with more than 35 years conducting research and special investigations for the nation. He actively continues research into the Holy Scriptures and stays abreast of science and engineering activities. He is an amateur astronomer and presents lectures on “Our Universe, The Power of God Revealed.” He has received many national awards and U.S. Government awards and has been an invited speaker at national and international conferences.
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