βGod that made the world and all things thereinβ¦ he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;β (Acts 17:24,25).
May we never forget the true meaning of Eastertime!
Satan is the master counterfeiter: from Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures reveal how the devil schemes to βbe like the most Highβ (Isaiah 14:14). Whatever God does, Satan defiles that work by introducing false doctrine, distracts mankind from Godβs truth by mimicking His actions, discourages Godβs people from His ministry by using incorrect thinking patterns, and so on. Why? Satan wants the worship that God alone deserves (Matthew 4:8-10; Luke 4:5-8).
Consider Christmastime. Centuries before Christ, Satan had pagans worshipping the birth of the sun god in early winterβnear the date that Jesus Christ (God the Son) took upon human flesh in the virgin Maryβs womb! Now, consider Eastertime. Centuries before Christ, Satan had pagans worshipping fertility deities and new life in early spring, near the date that Jesus Christ (God the Son) died for our sins and resurrected victoriously over sin, death, hell, and Satan to give us new life! (To Satanβs delight, todayβs average church member is not mindful of relevant sound Bible doctrine during Christmastime and Eastertimeβthe devilβs distractions have never lost their efficacy!)
The God of the Bible instituted in Israel a festival, Passover (the killing of a spotless lamb and its bloodshed in early spring), while they were still in Egypt (Exodus chapter 12)βPassoverβs annual observance reminded them of JEHOVAH delivering them from Egyptian slavery unto new life. Israel did not understand its meaning until 1,500 years later. The true Passover lamb, Jesus Christ, died and shed His sinless blood during that annual Passover feast (early spring), and He resurrected in new life to give them spiritual life and liberty.
Yes, the pagans may have βhijackedβ this time of year for the devilβs glory, but we can disregard their ignorance: spring is Godβs season for new life. We can still use this season to bring the God of the Bible glory by remembering that He has given us physical life (todayβs Scripture), and He offers us new life (that is, spiritual life) through Jesus Christβs death and resurrection! source
