IS EASTER IN THE BIBLE?

IS EASTER IN THE BIBLE ?
Every question in life has both a short and a long answer. Well, let me give you the 'Good News-Bad News' about our subject at hand.

A DICTIONARY DEFINITION
The best dictionary definition of Easter is found in the root of its meaning from the mythical goddess 'EOSTRE' (also known as Ostara or Ishtar), a goddess of the dawn and spring.

A FERTILE EGG ?
The story begins supposedly that an angelic being descended from the heavens in a fertile egg (sound familiar?) to bring blessings to all the inhabitants of the earth. Somehow, by the time Christianity assumed a major role in society (around the third and fourth century A.D.), the leaders, also known as the church fathers, began to hunt for some form of symbolism to associate themselves with the Resurrection of The LORD Jesus Christ. Thus, the fragmented and fictional account of 'Eostre' has become embroiled with the factual account of the Resurrection of our LORD.

THE HOLY BIBLE
To give credence to what has already been said, we find inserted in The King James translation of The Holy Bible (Acts Chapter 12 and verse 4), the term 'EASTER', which in reality should properly say 'PASSOVER'.

WRONGFULLY INSERTED
The above reference to Easter (wrongfully inserted of course) appears only once in the entire Holy Bible. Yet, with all the carrying on in reference to Easter parades, Easter bunnies, Easter eggs, Easter sunrise services, Easter this and Easter that, ad infinitum, one would expect that THE HOLY BIBLE would be replete with Scripture after Scripture mentioning the word 'EASTER'. It's not. If anything should have been spoken of and written about, even celebrated, in connection with The Resurrection of Our Messiah, The LORD Jesus Christ, it should have been the 'PASSOVER'.

CUSTOMS OF THIS WORLD
Oh, I know that one should not fight against City Hall, or better stated, go against the 'ESTABLISHED RELIGIOUS ORDER', but, I must confess that the more I hear about this holiday and its theme, the more I am compelled to state my case against this marriage between Christianity and the traditions and customs of this world.

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS
You might be asking yourself, 'Does Dr. Hidalgo believe in The RESURRECTION OF JESUS or not?', my answer is loud and clear. Yes, I believe with full assurance and perfect faith that The Messiah of Israel, The LORD Y'shua (Jesus), died on a cross for our sins according to The Scriptures, He was also buried according to The Scriptures, and on the third day He rose from the dead triumphant and glorious according to The Word of God. Today, He is at the right hand of God making intercession for all who believe and accept this wonderful message of salvation. I believe this with all my heart, and I preach and teach the same to all who will listen.

I DON'T AGREE
What I don't agree with is the inclusion of a pagan mythical goddess (Eostre), and all of the trappings that go along with it; the mixing of pagan and heathen customs with The Resurrection of Our LORD Jesus Christ.

WORSHIP OF THE SUN?
Therefore, Easter, and the eggs, and the bunnies, and the sunrise services (worship of the sun and not the SON) are all opposite to the Scriptural and truthful meaning of The Resurrection of The LORD Jesus Christ. By the way, if you read correctly the account describing when Y'shua (Jesus) rose from the dead, you will then understand that the resurrection took place while it was yet dark (night-time). So, why do those who represent Christianity insist on remembering The Resurrection after the sun rises?

I'LL TELL YOU WHY
Because of the pagan influences. Not only of the mythical goddess 'Eostre', but also the heathen practice of worshipping the sun as another mythical and pagan god.

OPPOSED TO THE TERM
I am totally opposed to the term 'EASTER', as well as, all of its pagan involvements, especially the commercial and eclectic involvement of bunnies, eggs, parades, and on and on.

THE RESURRECTION OF MESSIAH
What I promote wholeheartedly is that we should remember, daily, that Our Blessed Saviour rose from the dead according to The Word of God. We need to remember The Resurrection of Our LORD Jesus Christ not just once a year. I believe we need to honor Our Risen LORD and Redeemer every day of the year. In reality, our faith and our salvation depends totally and completely upon the finished work of Our LORD Y'shua (Jesus). The blessed Gospel (Good News) of the Lord Jesus Christ is, that He died for our sins, was buried and on the third day rose from the dead, all in accordance with the prophecies from the Old Testament Scriptures, as well as, the New Testament teachings of Jesus while He was on earth.

THE RESURRECTION....NOT EASTER
As we honor and pay homage to our Lord on this day, may we learn to say, "Thank the Lord for the Resurrection Day", instead of the common greeting "Have a Happy Easter". I believe The LORD is honored and pleased that we have extricated that which is ungodly from the beautiful and glorious majesty of His Resurrection.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO
JOHN 20: 1, 11-17

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre ..... But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.