Richard F. Ames

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Three Deceptions Satan the Devil Uses to Deceive Humanity

Can you imagine public schools in the United States supporting Satan the devil? In October 2016, the Portland, Oregon chapter of The Satanic Temple won permission from local authorities to bring its after-school program, called “After School Satan,” to Sacramento Elementary School in the Parkrose School District. CBS News reported, “Doug Mesner, the Satanic Temple’s co-founder, told USA Today that the group has reached out to nine school districts located near local Satanic Temple chapters and is targeting schools that ‘have hosted, or are now hosting, Good News Clubs.’ He said that since the Washington Post first reported on the program, the Satanic Temple has been inundated with emails from potential volunteers looking to help establish After School Satan clubs.”

Does it matter that some of America’s children are learning to worship Satan? Does a spirit being named Satan really exist? Or is he just the imagination of artists, sculptors, and fiction writers? My friends, one of the greatest deceptions would be the idea that this deceiver does not really exist. When we review the history of the world, and the deceptions of various religions we find strong evidence that the devil called Satan has been very active in history, and that he is very active even now. Have you been deceived? Your Bible makes this astounding statement: REVELATION 12:9, 

“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world.”

My friends, you need to know the truth. Your Bible warns of even greater deceptions to come. Will you and your family be deceived? You need to know the devil’s deadly deceptions, and you need to BEWARE!

Stay tuned!

One of the Greatest Worldwide Deceptions is Religion

Warm greetings to all our friends around the world.

Have you ever been deceived? All around us, countless con artists are out to defraud and to steal. Law enforcement agencies continually warn us of scams and deceptive practices that rob unsuspecting victims. 

But there is one major sector of our lives that requires even more vigilance on our part. One of the greatest and most pervasive forms of deception is that of religious deception. Your Bible warns us to beware of the great deceiver called in your Bible the serpent, Satan the Devil. If you have your Bible, turn to 2 CORINTHIANS 11:13. The Apostle Paul warned the Corinthian Church against false religious ministers: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! [Listen to this!] For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.”

The devil has many disguises. He counterfeits himself as an angel of light. Others present him as goat-headed. In August of 2018, members of the Satanic Temple in Little Rock, Arkansas, protested the Ten Commandments with their so-called “Baphomet” statue, a creature with the horns and head of a goat, with a young boy and girl on either side, in his arms, under his wings. Is the Satanic Temple trying to deceive? One news report described their Baphomet protest in this way: “The Satanic Temple says its mission is to encourage benevolence and empathy among all people, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense and justice, and be directed by the human conscience to undertake noble pursuits guided by the individual will.”

Will you be deceived? Does Satan represent benevolence and empathy? Your Bible says that Satan and his demons have vast powers and will even fight in an unseen spirit war as it tells us in Revelation 12:7, “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.”

Yes, a great spirit war will take place in heaven. So, my friends, realize that this dragon, Satan the devil, has great powers. He has power to deceive the whole world, as the next verse states. Revelation 12:9, “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

That statement may even be shocking to you. How has Satan deceived the whole world? And what are the devil’s deceptive tactics and schemes that he uses striving to deceive you? On today’s program we’ll be answering those questions. And we’ll be offering you an exciting, revealing FREE booklet titled, Satan's Counterfeit Christianity. This free booklet will help you in your study of the Bible and your search for BIBLICAL Christianity. One of Satan’s tactics is to deceive millions, if not billions, through false religion. In this eye-opening booklet, you’ll see how pagan practices inserted themselves into various religions, and led to counterfeit forms of Christianity. You need this revealing and vital booklet! Be sure to write down the phone number on your screen. You can also order this free booklet on our website at TOMORROWSWORLD.ORG.

On today’s program, let’s consider several ways in which Satan the devil deceives the world. You need to be on guard in his attempt to deceive you personally, and you need to know the deceptions that will deceive future masses of people around the world.

First let’s look at Bible prophecy and events that will soon center on the coming Beast power in Europe. Regular viewers of Tomorrow’s World are aware of the prophesied revival of a Roman Empire. Turn in your Bible to Revelation the 17th chapter. Here, in verse 12, God reveals a symbolic Beast. “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

As we have explained in previous programs, this end-time superpower will be a revival of the Roman Empire. This symbolic beast is also described in Revelation the 13th chapter. Several Bible commentaries have also identified the Beast of Revelation as the Roman Empire. This includes the New Catholic Edition of the Holy Bible translated from the Latin Vulgate, generally called the DOUAY-RHEIMS version. It makes this comment concerning the beast of Revelation 17:11, quote “The beast spoken of here seems to be the ROMAN EMPIRE, as in chapter 13,” End of quote. This Catholic Bible also comments concerning Revelation 13:1 as follows, quote: “The picture of the first beast is based on the seventh chapter of Daniel. This beast is the figure of kingdoms of the world, kingdoms founded on passion and selfishness, which in every age are antagonistic to Christ and seek to oppress the servants of God. IMPERIAL ROME represents this power,” End of quote. Yes, even the Douay-Rheims Bible admits to the identity of the beast.

Revelation 17:3–4 describe a harlot woman riding the Beast. A woman in biblical symbolism is described as a church. Here, she is called Mystery Babylon, representing a false religious system, a counterfeit Christianity. My friends, will you be deceived by a counterfeit Christianity? In Matthew 24:4, Jesus warned: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.’” 

My friends, you need to beware of the devil’s deadly deceptions. To help you identify those deadly deceptions we’d like to offer you this vital free booklet, SATAN’S COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANITY. It will document how pagan practices were absorbed by various professing Christian groups. And it will help you in your study of the Bible. This free booklet will help you to prove from the Bible, what comprises the true Christianity of Christ and the Apostles. So, pick up the telephone right now, and request your free copy of SATAN’S COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANITY. You can also order this booklet on our Web site at TOMORROWSWORLD.ORG -- or you can write to us at one of our regional addresses.

AVOID the Deception of FALSE Doctrine

In the first part of our program, we saw that one of the greatest worldwide deceptions is religious. What do some scholars say about the Devil? Quote, “According to Henry Ansgar Kelly, a research professor from the University of California, Los Angeles, there is actually ‘no evidence’ to suggest the devil should be portrayed as evil.… Professor Kelly suggests Christians have got it wrong and Satan was actually trying to do good and is on God’s side, but got ‘overzealous’ in his judgements… A strict reading of the Bible shows Satan to be less like Darth Vader and more and more like an overzealous prosecutor.’” SOURCE: “SHOCK CLAIM: Christians were WRONG to brand Satan evil,” London Daily Express, July 22, 2017.

Is Satan trying to do good? Absolutely not! Revelation 12:9 warns us that Satan has deceived the whole world. Turn in your Bible again to 2 Corinthians 11:13. The Apostle Paul warned the Corinthian Church against false apostles. We read this earlier in the program: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.”

My friends, be aware of counterfeits and appearances that hide falsehood and error. Notice the next verse. 2 Corinthians 11:15, “Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”

My friends, as shocking as it may be to some of you, your Bible warns of religious ministers who appear righteous, but are ministers of Satan. How can you know the difference? Our free booklet that we are offering you today will give you a thorough biblical and historic foundation to identify the counterfeits. Be sure to order your free copy of SATAN’S COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANITY. This is a powerful booklet that reveals how paganism has crept into various segments of professing Christianity. You can identify true servants of God from the false. How? Compare professing religious teachings to that of your own Bible. On Tomorrow’s World, we ask you not to just take for granted what we say, but to check up on us from your own Bible.

If you are a Bible student, you know that one of Satan’s religious deceptions is FALSE DOCTRINE. The Apostle Paul prophesied that religious people would seek teachers to preach what THEY want to hear, rather than teachers who would preach the truth of the Bible. Turn in your Bible to 2 TIMOTHY 4:2. The Apostle Paul exhorted the young evangelist Timothy: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears AWAY from the truth, and be turned aside to FABLES.”

My friends, are you willing to be guided and corrected by the Bible? Or will you be turned aside to fables? One of the major errors of professing Christianity is the practice, by some, of pagan traditions. We’ve documented them on previous programs. Easter eggs are a pagan symbol of fertility; decorated trees, holly wreaths, and mistletoe were pagan traditions; December 25 was celebrated as the birth of Mithras, the sun god. It was never the date of Jesus’ birth. Should Christians observe Valentine’s Day? In 496AD, Pope Gelasius I established the Feast of St. Valentine on February 14. Previously, since the days of ancient Rome, young lovers had often observed the Lupercalia -- the feast of Lupercus, a fertility god -- on February 15. 

What other pagan traditions have crept into some forms of professing Christianity? Our vital free booklet, SATAN’S COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANITY, will give you the answers. Be sure to request your free copy.

The historian Will Durant gave his analysis in the book, The Story of Civilization: “Christianity did not destroy paganism; it adopted it. The Greek mind, dying, came to a transmigrated life in the theology and liturgy of the church; the Greek language, having reigned for centuries over philosophy, became the vehicle of Christian literature and ritual; the Greek mysteries passed down into the impressive mystery of the Mass. Other PAGAN CULTURES contributed to the syncretist result…. Christianity was the last great creation of the ancient pagan world.” [pp. 595, 599]

My friends are you practicing pagan traditions in the name of Christianity? Remember Jesus’ warning to the Pharisees and scribes concerning certain religious customs. He warned them in MARK 7:9 , “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.”

Study your Bible to AVOID the deception of FALSE DOCTRINE.

We’ll discuss more of Satan’s deceptions in the next part of our program, but first, I’d like to offer you an amazing free booklet titled, SATAN’S COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANITY. What deceptions have crept into many forms of professing Christianity? This free booklet will give you the historical and biblical documentation you need. You need this vital information. Request your free copy of SATAN’S COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANITY”! Call now! 

Satan will use Dreams, Visions, Miracles, Witchcraft and the Occult to Deceive

Bible prophecy warns of a great false prophet that will lead the world into total deception. He’ll perform amazing miracles, but NOT by the power of Christ. Previously, we read this amazing statement in 2 Corinthians 11:14, “For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” The form and the ritual may look good, but does it match the Bible’s teaching, or in fact could that religion be deceptive? Even Jesus stated in Matthew 24:24, that “… false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” 

Another of Satan’s deceptions is that of False Dreams, Visions, and Miracles. How many times have individuals told me their dreams or visions that were obviously Satan inspired? Some thought they had seen Jesus. But the Jesus of the Bible did not have long hair. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 CORINTHIANS 11:14, “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man [has] long hair, it is a shame unto him?” That’s the KJV. Jesus escaped out of crowds on several occasions because he looked like the average Jew of His day. The Apostle John instructs us not to accept every appealing message that comes our way. He wrote in 1 JOHN 4:1, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” My friends, be on guard against false dreams, visions, and miracles.

What other practices can deceive us? The occult appeals to many people. The Harry Potter books, featuring witchcraft and occult practices have sold millions. Others look to séances, tarot cards, channeling, and astrology for power and insight. Millions of people dabble in the occult and seek answers from soothsayers and mystics. These dark practices are deceptive. God Almighty condemns witchcraft and sorcery. Just read Deuteronomy 18:9–14 and Galatians 5:20, for example.

Satan will use dreams, visions, miracles, witchcraft and the occult to deceive people. The Apostle Paul warned of a great false religious leader who promotes the mystery of lawlessness. If you have your Bible, turn to 2 Thessalonians 2:9. Here, the Apostle Paul describes the DECEPTIVE POWERS of this religious leader. “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Many religious people who desire to see signs and miracles will be easily deceived by this false prophet. He will use lying wonders to deceive. The book of Revelation also describes the great false prophet who will arise soon. Be sure to read this in your own Bible. REVELATION 13:11, “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb [this is a counterfeit of Christ] and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.”

My friends, don’t you be deceived! Religious leaders will perform great signs and miracles. Be sure that you test all such leaders with the Bible, the word of God. That’s why we say, believe your Bible, check up on us! As it says in Isaiah 8:20, “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” My friends, avoid the Satanic Deception of False Dreams, Visions, Miracles, witchcraft, and the occult!

Frankly, my friends, religious forces are now developing that will lead to a great end-time religious deception. We’ve shared those prophecies with you on this program. But you need to study into it for yourself. To help you in your study of the Bible, and to help you be informed about religious deception, I’d like to offer you our eye-opening free booklet titled: SATAN’S COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANITY. This free booklet will give you the historical and biblical documentation you need. Listen to some of the topics covered in this booklet: “The Two Babylons,” “Counterfeit Religion Spreads,” “The Da Vinci Code,” “A Modern ‘Babylon’ Created,” and “Have Protestants ‘Come Out’ of BABYLON?” This booklet will help you in your study of the Bible and your quest for God’s biblical truth. So, pick up the telephone right now, and request your free copy of SATAN’S COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANITY. You can also order this booklet on our Web site at TOMORROWSWORLD.ORG -- or you can write to us at one of our regional addresses.

Don't You be Deceived by Satan!

The Bible warns us of demonic activity, but you CAN be protected from the influence of Satan. God promises those who stay close to Him that He will deliver us from the evil one. Perhaps you follow the outline prayer in Matthew the sixth chapter. Jesus taught us to pray “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” That’s Matthew 6:13.

Yes, God will protect us, but we must do our part. Ephesians the sixth chapter also gives us encouragement. EPHESIANS 6:10, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

God will give His faithful servants spiritual protection. My friends, you need that protection and power from God! But we must do our part! Continue reading in Ephesians 6:14, “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Yes, my friends, you too can overcome the wicked one, by knowing the word of God, the Bible, and by living by it. The Apostle James gives us this encouraging promise: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” That’s James 4:7–8. 

You can OVERCOME the temptations, the challenges, and the deceptions of the occult and false religion. As the Apostle Paul encourages us in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” May God empower YOU to go forward in faith. May you live NOT by the dark deceptions of this world, but by the light of truth, God’s word

My friends, you need to be prepared for the future and the deceptions of the great false prophet who will deceive billions of people. Don’t you be deceived! Be sure to request our eye-opening free booklet titled: SATAN’S COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANITY. It will help you in your study of the Bible, and it will help you to face the future with faith, hope, and truth! We look forward to the coming announcement in Revelation 11:15, “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” We look forward to the day when the King of kings, Jesus Christ will return to this earth and bring it lasting peace and prosperity, and to bring light to a dark world. 

We invite you to join us every week on Tomorrow’s World, or on-line any time. In the challenging and stressful times in which we live, you need the solid guidance that comes from your Bible. Gerald Weston, Wallace Smith, and I, along with our guest presenter Rod McNair, will continue to share with you the teachings of Jesus Christ, the good news of the coming Kingdom of God, and the exciting end-time prophecies and their meaning. So, be sure to join us again next week, right here, at this same time!

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Not All Holidays Are Christian

Everyone loves a holiday. Holidays sometimes give us a break from the routine of a full-time job. And perhaps they give us an opportunity to spend time with relatives and friends we have not seen for a while. Some holidays are associated with historic national events. And other holidays feature sporting events such as football, soccer, baseball, tennis, and cricket.

Many religions celebrate holy days. And that’s how we came to use the term HOLI-days. But are many of those religious days really “holy”? Easter celebrations feature customs from pagan traditions. Easter eggs are a pagan symbol of fertility. Do rabbits really lay eggs? What is the meaning of all this?

Many of the traditions we’ve learned from our parents and the culture of our nation or region, have roots in paganism. Often, they hide the real truth of first century Christianity. Is the popular holiday of Easter really in the Bible? This amazing free booklet, EASTER: The Untold Story, will help you sort out the truth from error and give you the biblical facts and sequence of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Be sure to order your free copy!

When we were children, we generally accepted religious appearing customs without question. But as adults and mature professing Christians, do we really want to mix pagan customs with biblical Christianity? Which should we observe? Holidays or Holy Days? Or both? What should we do about Easter?

Stay tuned!

Many Holidays, Like Thanksgiving, Are Perfectly Acceptable

Warm greetings to all our friends around the world!

Many national holidays remind us of our historical roots. Other holidays are more entertaining in purpose. Some religious Holy Days help us to know our meaning in life, especially if those days are mandated in the Holy Bible. But even some professing Christian holidays or proclaimed Holy Days are saturated with pagan customs.

Should we observe those days, or avoid them? On today’s program we’ll be answering that question and we’ll be offering you an eye-opening free study guide, Easter: The Untold Story. This booklet will inspire you with the untold story of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and will also reveal the incredible insertion of pagan customs into the day called Easter. Be sure to write down the contact information to order your free copy of this inspiring and eye-opening booklet, Easter: The Untold Story.

We all appreciate a holiday that gives us an opportunity to visit family, travel to a distant mountain resort, or a coastal beach. Some national holidays are rooted in significant historic events such as the July 4th Independence Day in the United States; the Guy Fawkes Night in England, Scotland, and Wales; November 11 signifies the end of World War I and is called Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom and Canada. Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand honors the military who served in World War I. The American Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May, honoring those who sacrificed their lives in the armed forces.

These national holidays should give us perspective and help us understand our national purpose. They should also help to learn the lessons of history to avoid the monumental mistakes of the past!

How many nations in our modern world honor the God of creation? Who gave them their greatest blessings? On October 3, 1789, President George Washington made a Thanksgiving Proclamation. He stated in that proclamation: “It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor.” [from Founder’s Quote Daily]

The time IS coming when the Kingdom of God will rule all nations in peace and prosperity. As it tells us in Zechariah 14:9, “And the Lord shall be King over all the earth.” My friends, your Bible reveals significant annual festivals and holy days that outline the future of the world. You will want to watch upcoming Tomorrow’s World programs on that inspiring subject, the true biblical festivals and holy days.

President George Washington and President Abraham Lincoln each proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God. Thanksgiving weekend is a time when Americans are supposed to count their blessings! Millions of Americans thank God for the blessing of living in a prosperous nation. We in the Western world have been abundantly blessed with prosperity and freedom! At the Thanksgiving holiday, we celebrate the prosperity and freedom our God Almighty has given us.

On the fourth Thursday of November, the United States celebrates its annual Thanksgiving Day. The tradition stems from the Pilgrims’ three-day festival, organized by Plymouth governor William Bradford in 1621. Other nations also celebrate Thanksgiving. Canada instituted its Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday in 1879—and, since 1957, Canada celebrates its Thanksgiving Day on the second Monday in October.

Originally, Thanksgiving was established as a time to express our deep gratitude to God, but do we truly recognize GOD as our provider? Or do we look to our personal possessions and power for security? Thanksgiving is a good time to reflect on our blessings, our purpose, and our future, both individually and nationally. Yes, there are some national holidays that intend to honor the God of the Bible. But does the Bible itself outline godly festivals and holy days? We’ll answer that question in the next part of our program, but first I’d like to offer you this inspiring free booklet, EASTER: The Untold Story. Was Jesus really crucified on Friday and resurrected on Sunday morning? Then how do you explain Jesus’ statement that he would be in the “heart of the earth” or the tomb for three days and three nights? The answer from your own Bible will astound you. You need this inspiring information. This booklet is free of charge. Just call the number on your screen, or order it online at TomorrowsWorld.org. Request this amazing free booklet, EASTER: The Untold Story. Call now!

Historical Proof That Some Popular Holidays Are NOT Christian

In the first part of our program, we saw that some national holidays honor those who have served their country. And we saw that some national holidays strive to acknowledge Almighty God and express thanks for His benefits and blessings on their country. But does specifically God want us to observe certain holy days and biblical festivals?

Muslims worship of Friday and follow the call to prayer five times a day. Jews around the world have worshipped for thousands of years on the Sabbath, or the day we call Saturday. Professing Christians meet for Sunday church services, proclaiming this is the true day for worship.

Should religious people set aside any special day as HOLY? Does your Bible COMMAND us to observe Sunday as a day of worship? Or should we just follow non-biblical traditions?

Until recent years, public buildings posted copies of the Ten Commandments. Perhaps you even learned them as a child. The fourth Commandment states the following:

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:8–11).

God set apart the seventh-day Sabbath at creation. That’s why He states, “REMEMBER the Sabbath day.” But should New Testament Christians observe the seventh day, Saturday, as a holy day? We’ve answered that question on previous programs. But it also raises the question: What is the source of your belief and religious practice? Is it church tradition that may include questionable pagan customs? What does the Bible teach concerning the seventh day Sabbath?

The historic records can also give us understanding as to the origin of Sunday observance by professing Christians. The Christians of the first century AD, observed the seventh-day Sabbath. But when was it changed to Sunday? And WHO popularized Sunday observance?

The Catholic Encyclopedia, on the topic of “Sunday,” states this, quote: “Tertullian (202 [AD]) is the first writer who expressly mentions the Sunday rest: ‘We, however (just as tradition has taught us), on the day of the Lord’s Resurrection ought to guard not only against kneeling, but every posture and office of solicitude, deferring even our businesses lest we give any place to the devil’” (Volume XIV, p. 335). Sunday observance was not even mentioned until 202 AD, more than 170 years AFTER the beginning of the New Testament church!

My friends, you need to consider the source of your beliefs. The first and second century Christian churches observed the seventh day Sabbath! Then we find a tiny hint that some churches began to observe Sunday as a day of worship. Even much later, in the fourth century AD, the Emperor Constantine ENFORCED Sunday worship throughout the Roman Empire. Constantine had been a pagan sun-worshipper. He gave the following edict in 321 AD, “On the venerable day of the SUN let all magistrates and people ... REST” [Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, article “Sunday Legislation,” Volume XI, p. 147].

Just a couple years later, the Roman church also passed a startling decree in the Council of Laodicea. They declared: “Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday, but shall work on that day; but the Lord’s day they shall especially honour, and, as being Christians, shall, if possible, do no work on that day. If, however, they are found Judaizing, they shall be shut out from Christ” (A History of the Councils of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 316). In other words, Christian Sabbath-keepers were declared to be heretics.

But on what authority did the Roman Church make this change? The noted Catholic theologian, James Cardinal Gibbons, wrote this bold statement: “But you may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday. [Listen to this!] The Scriptures enforce the religious observance of Saturday, a day which we never sanctify” (Faith of Our Fathers, 1876).

In other words, Gibbons is saying, if the Bible is your authority, you have NO basis for observing Sunday. The Scriptures, as he states, “enforce the religious observance of Saturday.” We agree with his statement. Do you? What Gibbons and other Catholic authorities state is that, it is the authority of the Catholic Church that changed observance in the Christian world from Saturday to Sunday, NOT the New Testament scriptures! And that occurred in the Council of Laodicea in the middle of the fourth century!

My friends, when you review the facts of history and you also study the teaching of your Bible, you will see a major difference in what days we should observe as religious festivals and Holy days. What days should we observe, and what days should we NOT observe?

My friends, are you willing to be guided and corrected by the Bible? Or will you be turned aside to fables? One of the major errors of professing Christianity is the practice, by some, of pagan traditions. We’ve documented them on previous programs. Easter eggs are a pagan symbol of fertility; decorated trees, holly wreaths, and mistletoe were pagan traditions; December 25 was celebrated as the birth of Mithras, the sun god. It was never the date of Jesus’ birth. Should Christians observe Valentine’s Day? In 496AD, Pope Gelasius I established the Feast of St. Valentine on February 14. Previously, since the days of ancient Rome, young lovers had often observed the Lupercalia—the feast of Lupercus, a fertility god—on February 15.

What other pagan traditions have crept into some forms of professing Christianity? The historian Will Durant gave this analysis in his book, The Story of Civilization: “Christianity did not destroy paganism; it adopted it. The Greek mind, dying, came to a transmigrated life in the theology and liturgy of the church; the Greek language, having reigned for centuries over philosophy, became the vehicle of Christian literature and ritual; the Greek mysteries passed down into the impressive mystery of the Mass. Other PAGAN CULTURES contributed to the syncretist result…. Christianity was the last creation of the ancient pagan world” (pp. 595, 5990.

My friends, are you practicing pagan traditions in the name of Christianity? Remember Jesus’ warning to the Pharisees and scribes concerning certain religious customs. He warned them in Mark 7:7, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.” Where did the Easter tradition come from? We’ll learn more in the next part of our program, but first I’d like to give you another opportunity to order this amazing free study guide, EASTER: The Untold Story. The Resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, is a fact of history and the hope of our future. But are millions supposedly honoring God with questionable customs and traditions? Evangelist Gerald Weston, the author of this inspiring booklet states this: “Every year, professing Christians celebrate the holiday known as Easter, but few understand its true origins. How is it that a day supposedly picturing the resurrection of Jesus Christ came to be known by the name of the pagan goddess, Eostre? What are the origins of celebrating the day with rabbits and colored eggs and how did they come to be associated with it? What do these have to do with the resurrection of Christ?”

You need to know the untold story of one of the most dramatic and historic events of all time. Just call the number on your screen, or order it on-line at TomorrowsWorld.org. Request this amazing free booklet, EASTER: The Untold Story. Call now!

Pagan Holidays, Like Easter, Deny Jesus Christ and the Resurrection

We rejoice in the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. But does the holiday of Easter accurately celebrate the untold stories relating to these awesome historic events? Celebrations of Easter Sunday vary around the world. Easter customs include the coloring of eggs and the popular Easter egg hunt. Surprisingly, many celebrate the myth that rabbits laid those eggs. We all know that rabbits do not lay eggs, but parents teach their children these fables anyway. Some regions celebrate the day with a new set of clothes and display the fashion of an Easter bonnet or creative hat.

But what do those customs have to do with the resurrection of Christ? Absolutely nothing! But the Easter fertility symbols are associated with the pagan goddess Eostre! Listen to this; “Easter is nothing more than another spelling for the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre, but where did this goddess originate? The New World Encyclopedia suggests a connection between Eostre and Easter with the very popular and ancient goddess Ishtar: ‘Scholars likewise speculate that Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of Spring whose name later gave rise to the modern English “Easter,” may be etymologically connected to Ishtar’ (article “Ishtar”). Interestingly, the Melkite Greek Catholic Church admits this about the origin of the name Easter, but gives a slightly different spelling from that of Ishtar. Our modern English word ‘Easter’ comes from Old English, and referred originally to the Norse goddess of fertility, Istra—who was symbolized by a rabbit” (Easter: The Untold Story, p. 2).

If you are a professing Christian, why would you celebrate the resurrection of Christ in the name of a pagan goddess? Several Protestant churches have noted the profane connection to the resurrection of Christ and no longer celebrate Easter Sunday; they now call it “Resurrection Sunday.”

Some consider the rising sun symbolic of the Son of God. Many professing Christians observe an Easter sunrise worship service.

But was Jesus resurrected on Sunday morning? If you are a Bible student, you may be familiar with the history of what is called Passion Week. Remember that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb Sunday morning. Did she witness a sunrise resurrection? If you have your Bible, turn to John 20:1. What did Mary see? John 20:1, “Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.’”

Notice that it was still dark Sunday morning, and Jesus was not there! He was not resurrected Easter Sunday morning according to your Bible!! Did Jesus accurately predict the time of his interment in the tomb? Remember the Pharisees and Scribes demanded a sign from Jesus to prove that He was the promised Messiah. And what did Jesus say? Do you personally recognize the sign He gave? Turn in your Bible to Matthew 12:38, “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, ‘Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.’ But He answered and said to them, ‘An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.’”

Do you realize, my friends, that a traditional Friday crucifixion and an Easter Sunday morning resurrection deny the very sign Jesus gave? Are you personally denying that sign? My friends, Jesus did fulfill that sign just as He said. And we’ll show you How He fulfilled that sign in the conclusion of our program. But first I’d like to offer you this absolutely vital and inspiring free booklet, EASTER: The Untold Story. You need to read the untold true story of Christ’s resurrection. The center of the booklet features a chart clearly demonstrating the three days and three nights Jesus was in “the heart of the earth.” He was resurrected from the tomb or the grave exactly 72 hours after He was laid to rest, just as He said. He kept His word. Jesus Christ is “the resurrection and the life” as He stated in John 11:25. You need to study this vital biblical truth for yourself. So, pick up the telephone right now and order your free inspiring booklet, EASTER: The Untold Story. You can also order this booklet on our Web site at TomorrowsWorld.org. Order your free copy now.

Which Holidays Should You And I Observe To Honor God?

On today’s program we’ve examined various holidays, national and religious. We’ve seen the problem that various pagan celebrations were adopted by the church during the Roman Empire. The most popular of professing Christian holidays, Easter, features several pagan customs including the very name “Easter.” When was Jesus crucified and buried? Was it on a Friday? Notice John 19:31, “Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.”

The high day, John referred to was NOT the weekly Saturday Sabbath, which many wrongly assume. The high day was an annual Sabbath on Thursday of that week. Was Jesus in the tomb three days and three nights?

We’ve explained this on previous programs. Let’s count:

• Jesus eats the Passover with His disciples Tuesday night after sundown. Then, Wednesday afternoon, He is crucified and entombed shortly before sundown, late Wednesday afternoon.
• During the Annual High Day Sabbath of Wednesday night and the day part of Thursday, Jesus is in the tomb. That’s one day and one night.
• After sundown Thursday, the Annual Sabbath is over, and the women are free to begin buying spices and preparing them for applying to Jesus’ body according to Jewish tradition. That workday—the evening part of Thursday and the daylight portion of Friday—brings the total to two days and two nights with Jesus in the tomb.
• At sundown on Friday, the women must rest again due to the start of the weekly Sabbath. Friday night and the daylight part of Saturday bring the time Jesus has been entombed in the heart of the earth to three days and three nights!
• With 72 hours completed—all three days and all three nights—Jesus was then resurrected right before sundown, late Saturday afternoon! This is why the tomb is ALREADY EMPTY when Mary Magdalene finally arrives early Sunday morning while it is still dark (John 20:1).

Jesus indeed fulfilled the only sign proving that He is the true Messiah! The truth of the Bible is absolutely inspiring. Jesus and the apostles observed the BIBLICAL festivals and holy days, not pagan holidays. But you need to study into it for yourself. Be sure to request our thoroughly documented free booklet Easter: The Untold Story. You need the complete story, the UNTOLD story of Jesus’ resurrection. This is biblical inspiration that will encourage your life with faith and hope. And be sure to watch our program, the first in a series by Evangelist Gerald Weston, explaining the meanings of the seven biblical festivals and the seven biblical holy days that New Testament Christians observe to this day. You won’t want to miss the Tomorrow’s World programs on that inspiring subject, the true biblical festivals and holy days.
We invite you to join us every week on Tomorrow’s World, or online any time. In the challenging and stressful times in which we live, you need the solid guidance that comes from your Bible. Gerald Weston, Wallace Smith, and I, along with our guest presenter Rod McNair, will continue to share with you the teachings of Jesus Christ, the good news of the coming Kingdom of God, and the exciting end-time prophecies and their meaning. So, be sure to join us again next week, right here, at this same time!