Did You Ever Wonder…?

The heartrending stories of human suffering that often dominate the daily news cycle can burden us heavily. From that perspective, it is refreshing to run across some lighthearted comment or humorous nugget that brings a smile, just when you need it. Some time ago, I found a list of fun, thought-provoking questions to ponder. You might enjoy them, too.

Did you ever wonder…

• why glue doesn’t stick to the inside of the bottle?
• why there are Interstate Highways in Hawaii?
• why the man who handles your money is called a “broker”?
• why abbreviated is such a long word?
• why you turn down your car radio when looking for an address?

Jokes like these can bring a smile in those quiet moments when they come to mind. But there are also weighty questions that we should ponder. Did you ever wonder…

• why Christians revere a celebration of the resurrection of the Messiah with a day named for Ishtar, a pagan goddess, telling children that rabbits lay colored eggs?
• why any Christians observe an autumn holiday that features ghosts, witches, and Satanic symbols as children go out at night to “trick or treat?”
• why the birth of Christ is celebrated with evergreen trees, feasting, and gift-giving as ancient peoples did on December 25, the winter solstice?
• why Christian churches have steeples?
• why Protestant and Catholic churches worship on Sunday when Jesus Christ observed the seventh-day Sabbath?
• Why ministers proclaim that believers go to Heaven when they die, even though Jesus said, “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven” (John 3:13)?

Did you ever wonder if the Creator God thinks about what is happening on this beautiful orb that He created for mankind? While musings about humorous questions are entertaining, thoughts about the origins of customs that impact our lives are important. Many cherished traditions have elements associated with them that seem totally incongruous.

There are answers in the Bible if one believes what it plainly states. For example, the Bible doesn’t mention Ishtar, but it prohibits customs that honor Astarte, a pagan goddess widely venerated in the ancient Middle East. This goddess of fertility and war had other names in different cultures, such as Inanna, Venus, and Ishtar. Exodus 20:1–5 plainly states that God prohibits idolatry. Jesus Christ observed the Passover, setting us an example.

The dark customs of Halloween hearken back to a misunderstanding of what happens when people die. The Bible reveals that the dead are “asleep” in the grave, awaiting a resurrection (Ecclesiastes 9:10). However, there is a spirit world from which Satan and his demons influence and deceive those who choose to interact with them. Ephesians 6:12 refers to “the rulers of the darkness of this age… hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Anciently, God prohibited sorcery and calling on spirits (Leviticus 19:31).

The cherished customs of Christmas originated long before the birth of Christ. The prophet Jeremiah described the pagan significance of these customs, including decorating a tree (Jeremiah 10:2–5). The shepherds in Israel who came to see the Christ would not have been in the field in winter (Luke 2:8–15).

As ancient peoples worshipped false gods, they sought out high places where their rites involved licentious sexual behavior, symbolized by the erection of “sacred pillars and poles” and worshipping under “every green tree.” These practices were specifically forbidden by God (Deuteronomy 12:3–4; 2 Kings 17:9–10).

Catholic, Protestant, and Evangelical churches extol worshipping on the first day of the week, which is in direct opposition to the Fourth Commandment (Exodus 20:8–11). God’s people were instructed to remember the seventh day and to keep it holy. Matthew 12:8 states that “the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Other scriptures reveal that Christ habitually observed the Sabbath—again, setting us an example.

Finally, most of “Christendom” believes that at death, one’s “soul” wafts off to heaven or someplace less desirable. Yet the Bible reveals that “here is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). The dead await a resurrection (John 5:28–29). Those who are called, chosen, and faithful to the end will be resurrected at Christ’s return to reign with Him for a thousand years of restoration and refreshing on the earth. At the end of that time, those who lived and died without comprehending God’s plan of salvation will physically rise into a different world—one without the influence of Satan—and have their first opportunity to accept or reject God’s plan (Revelation 20:4–6). After the final judgment, the incorrigibly wicked will be executed in the lake of fire described in Revelation 21:8.

The questions posed in this brief summary give a glimpse that hopefully will motivate you to look into these matters more deeply, and to find the ultimate source of “good news” that looks beyond the troubles we see today. The Living Church of God, sponsor of the Tomorrow’s World telecast and magazine, has study guides on these subjects, all free of charge. You can access these resources right here at TomorrowsWorld.org.