Halloween….. What is the truth about ‘trick or treat’? It’s really a matter of LIFE or Death

How can we be sure that we will receive a treat instead of a trick on Halloween? How can we be assured that we will be protected from all that is ‘bad’ these days? How can we be safe from accidents, attacks, calamities, or any other ‘evil’ that lurks in the shadows or in someone’s mind?

Occultists believe that Halloween is a time of transition between life and death. They believe that the spirits or ghosts of those who have died come alive at Halloween, so they would carve faces in pumpkins to scare away the spirits and would also leave treats outside to appease them. This ‘end of summer harvest’ was originally called the “feast of the dead” in Celtic countries. Wiccans celebrate their Lord of Death on this night.

However, death was swallowed up on the cross at Calvary, when Jesus Christ was crucified.  He was resurrected and arose from the dead, and now sits at the Father’s right hand.

Romans 8:34 … It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

There has been a growing fascination with vampires, witches, werewolves, zombies etc. in recent decades leading up to a crescendo of captivation in the last few years. Do not be fooled! These spirit entities are based on a past truth. (We will delve into this topic at a later date.) However, the death culture that is associated with these entities is alive and well today. We would never throw rotten tomatoes at those who (innocently) find some ‘fun’ in scary movies or books. Why? Because we, who believe in Jesus, are under His grace and not the law. He already died for our sins once and for all. However, do you truly want to associate with this death culture….. even if in jest? Vampires and zombies are the embodiment of eternal damnation. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather celebrate the eternal life we can have in Jesus as our Savior.  

Our assurance is in Jesus Christ, who has conquered death and given us life, and that life is to be at its fullest, free from fear and full of hope.

John 10:10 (NKJV)
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

1 Corinthians 15:54 (AMP)
And when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then the Scripture will be fulfilled that says, “Death is swallowed upon victory (vanquished forever).

1 Corinthians 15:25-26 (AMP)
For Christ must reign [as King] until He has put all His enemies under His feet.  The last enemy to be abolished and put to an end is death.

So, who is the real treat on Halloween and always? Jesus is because of the gift of true eternal life that begins the moment you believe in Him.
How can we be assured to be protected from the ‘trick’, from all that is bad these days… the vampires, the zombies, the werewolves? This death culture permeates the media, technology, education and communication in all forms. How can we be protected and protect our children and loved ones from this onslaught, so that they are not swallowed up by the darkness?

Our only HOPE is belief in Jesus Christ and His finished work. His promises are true. His life is full of abundant joy as opposed to morbid perverseness.

The Message Bible gives an account from I Peter with which we wholeheartedly agree:

1 Peter 5:8-11 The Message (MSG)
He Gets the Last Word.
Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.

~Joanne and Sarah

Coming Up Next

Thank you to all who offered positive feedback on our new blog, The Herald of Hope. Along with that encouragement came a few requests for future topics of interest.   So, our next topic will be on securing Protection in this world which appears to be growing more violent. We're sure this is a subject which will take several articles to cover fully. In the meantime, we continue to wish you all peace and grace in the One who was and is and always will be, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Where to Find Real Peace

Would you like to have PEACE in: Your Life? Family?  Home? Occupation?
Some people pursue peace in their lives through various means: exercise, meditation, observing nature, studying scripture, or other texts. Some feel peace can be found through socializing with friends or relaxing with their families. While it is true that contentment can be found through these means; is it true that lasting peace can be attained? What if while molding yourself into that perfect yoga pose you strain a muscle? What if while spending time with family an argument breaks out about spending too much on groceries? What happens when you support your favorite political candidate only to be spurned by those who you thought were your friends? If all these worldly conditions have the potential to prevent peace, what's a person to do?

The scriptures tell us to seek peace and pursue it:
Psalm 34:14(NKJV) “Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it."

How do we do that?


1 Peter 3:11(NKJV) “Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.”
Even if we live a good life and ‘do no evil’ can we really achieve peace?  How do we pursue peace for ourselves, our home, our family, our job/occupation or anything we are involved in?
There is a PERSON we can seek after who will give us that desired peace.  His name is Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God.
 Romans 10:9 (NKJV)  “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:13 (NKJV) For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
Jesus tells us that He has given us His peace, even if there is unrest or turmoil around us that affects our lives.
John 14:27 Amplified Bible (AMP) Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

John 16:33 Amplified Bible (AMP)
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
 How can we stop becoming disturbed when things go wrong or when we suddenly have anxious or fearful thoughts?

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

This PEACE OF GOD that comes through our Lord Jesus Christ can be ours when we trust in Him.
Can we completely trust our:  Employment? Schools?  Institutions? Churches? Clubs? Social media?
There is only One whom we can fully trust, if we believe on Him: Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  When we pursue Him and focus our thoughts on Him, He will keep us in perfect peace. Remember, there is NO prerequisite to trusting Jesus and making HIM your Savior. It doesn't matter where you came from, what you wear, what you did in your past or what you did this morning. Jesus wants you to come to Him just as you are and let Him do the rest.  Let Him give you peace.
 Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) “ You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”
 ~ Joanne and Sarah

Want Peace?

Even if we live a good life and ‘do no evil’ can we really achieve peace?   Some people pursue peace in their lives through various means: exercise, meditation, observing nature, studying ancient text etc. How do you pursue peace for yourself, your home, family, job or anything you are involved in?  Tune in tomorrow to learn more on achieving REAL and lasting peace…. You may be surprised!

 

Do you know if you are going to heaven?

There is a teaching that is both confusing and deceptive that says, ‘good people go to heaven.’

Just being ‘good’ is not ‘good enough’ according to the scriptures. You would want a guarantee, right?

If heaven is where God the Father resides, how do we get there?

In John 14:6, Jesus says:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

There is a seal from the Holy Spirit that guarantees entrance into heaven. This guarantee does not come from just being a ‘good person’.

The Greek word for “sealed” is sphragizo and according to Strong’s Concordance, means: to put a mark on an object, to show possession, authority, identity, or security.

I would want such a secure guarantee. How about you?

This seal, or mark is a spiritual one that is not visible in the natural world. It comes from the Holy Spirit of God. You may have heard about the “mark of the beast” that may also be a spiritual seal or mark, that will come from a spirit being who will be revealed in the earth (a topic we will address in a later discussion).

It is reassuring to know you are sealed for eternity in heaven.

Ephesians 1:13-14 Amplified Bible (AMP)"In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and [as result] believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit [the One promised by Christ] as owned and protected [by God]. The Spirit is the guarantee [the first installment, the pledge, a foretaste] of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own [purchased] possession [His believers], to the praise of His glory.”

Do you still want to ‘count on just being a good person’?

How do you know you have ‘believed on Him’ who is Jesus Christ?

John 3:16 Amplified Bible (AMP)
“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

We love ‘good people’ and we know oodles of ‘good people’. Many are no doubt sealed by the Holy Spirit, but not all. How do we know? What is the point of being ‘sealed’ by the Holy Spirit? ......  It is your guarantee. The truth is:

2 Corinthians 5:5 New King James Version (NKJV)
"Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee."

That’s how you know you are going to heaven.
~ Joanne and Sarah

Hello

Welcome
to our new blog titled The Herald of Hope. My friend Joanne and I share a deep concern for the body of Christ. We both believe that biblical prophecy makes it clear that we are living in the End Times (more on that subject later) and we have both been witness to the deception and confusion that has crept into the church. We also both long to see current non-believers turn their attentions and then their lives to the truth, the life and the way which can only be found through Jesus Christ. (More on that topic later as well.)

Through the articles written on this blog we hope to offer both hope and enlightenment to people living in what certainly appears to be a lost and dying world. Over the next weeks, months and possibly years we plan to cover topics such as: “The Hope found in Psalm 91”, the “Tribulation vs. The Great Tribulation or Wrath”, “Who is the Restrainer?”, “The Hope of the Harpazo”, The Seal of the Holy Spirit”, “The Name and Blood of Jesus Christ” and much more.

Just as we all have read about people who are “prepping” for impending doom (you may even be physically preparing or know some of those folks yourself), we aim to help you to spiritually prepare for the promise Jesus spoke of more than any other subject; His return to earth for a second time.  We also aim to help clarify what seeking His kingdom means so we can do so diligently and with great hope.
~ Sarah