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Lesson 3 Hope of Israel Ministries BIBLE Correspondence Course 3

The Pagan Origins of Easter and Halloween

LESSON 3 2. Why was YEHOVAH God against the
practices of the heathen? Had they defiled the
Israel Warned very land they lived in? Leviticus 18:26-30.
3. Did YEHOVAH God therefore punish
Since the time of Babel -- and continuing the heathen by casting them from their land?
into our modern twentieth-first century -- the Verse 28. See also Leviticus 20:23.
false religion of Nimrod has dominated the COMMENT: YEHOVAH God is no
world! respecter of persons. Whichever people practice
After YEHOVAH God scattered the pagan customs and defile themselves by
nations at Babel (Gen. 11:8) and especially after observing pagan holidays He punishes! Notice
the death of Nimrod, his followers continued what He told Israel in Deuteronomy 8:19-20.
their rebellion in secret. They developed an 4. What was the penalty for observing
intricate symbolism called the “mysteries.” This the customs of the heathen? Leviticus 20:1-2.
pagan system hinged on the careful re-naming of Isn’t the penalty for sin still the same today?
all phases of their worship. In order to deceive Romans 6:23.
the people, the priests of Nimrod began calling COMMENT: YEHOVAH God says “I
their wicked customs by names which seemed to change NOT!” (Malachi 3:6.) He still exacts the
honor YEHOVAH God Himself! death penalty for those who WILLFULLY
Nimrod took the name “Lord,” which continue to disobey Him and observe pagan
translated into Hebrew became “Baal” and into customs after they have learned the truth.
Greek became “Adonis.” In Old Testament Israel the civil
Nimrod’s wicked mother, known to government of the nation executed sinners.
historians as Semiramis, took the name of the Today YEHOVAH Himself places the guilty
“Mother of God,” and was worshipped as Ishtar person under the spiritual penalty of eternal
-- the mother goddess of dawn or light death until he REPENTS of his past sins and
(Lempriere’s Classical Dictionary, article, begins to KEEP YEHOVAH God’s
“Adonis”). Her new name, “Ishtar,” was commandments.
pronounced just as we pronounce the word 5. Were YEHOVAH’s people
“Easter” in English! She was worshipped in the commanded to keep His statutes? Leviticus
spring -- her feast day a rite of fertility! You will 18:5.
want to read all about the origin of Easter in our COMMENT: Among the statutes
free article, Where Did Easter Come From? YEHOVAH God has given for His people are
Notice how widespread the worship of His HOLY DAYS (Leviticus 23, especially
Nimrod and Semiramis had become in the time verses 14, 21, 31, and 41) -- days which reveal
of Moses -- and what YEHOVAH God says the way to eternal life to those who KEEP
about it. THEM.
1. Did YEHOVAH God warn His people
to avoid the ways of Egypt -- a land rife with Israel Adopted Pagan Rites
pagan customs and traditions? Leviticus 18:3,
first part. Did He also warn them not to adopt the 1. Does YEHOVAH God promise to
customs of Canaan? Same verse. bless His people abundantly if they will keep His
Holy Days? Read Leviticus 26:1-13, especially

The Pagan Origins of Easter and Halloween