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Easter? Pascha? What Is It? — 44 Comments

  1. Maybe I am crazy but it seems strange to me that we as Seventh-day Adventists don't celebrate the resurrection of Christ in some way. And why shouldn't we? Paul makes a very powerful point about the connection between the resurrection of Jesus and our hope for a future life:

    For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.
    17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!
    18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
    19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
    20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Co. 15:16-20 NKJV)

    In spite of the fact that the world has covered Easter with pagan tradition the core truth of the event still shines through that Christ won the battle, gained the victory, and has broken the shackles that Satan had sought to enslave us with. For all intents and purposes that event answered the great controversy and we have been in mop-up mode ever since waiting for the final event when the saints inherit the promises and sin and sinners are a thing of the past.

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    • Hi Tyler,

      I agree about acknowledging Easter. The concept is still one of my favorites in the Bible. When I was young and attended the Catholic church, I remember going to the stations of the cross on Good Friday.
      I didn't know what they meant and I didn't understand why Jesus died, but I loved church and it seemed sacred to me to ponder these ideas. Then Easter came and I didn't understand the resurrection but I loved the idea best of all of the teachings in that church. We always dressed in our best for church, including white gloves. We didn't shop or do anything too secular on Sunday. So Easter was a big celebration for us.

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    • Seventh-day Adventists do celebrate Christ's Resurrection. We celebrate it as He instructed.

      God has given to us a rite, a ritual, a celebration, a worship service that is meant to remind us of Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection!

      Romans 06:3-11
      Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death so that -- as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father -- we also should walk in newness of life.
      5 Because, if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,6 knowing this, that our old life was crucified with Him, so that the body of sin might be done away, so that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 Because, one who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now, if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ -- having been raised from the dead -- dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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      • Good morning, Teodora. You have touched my heart with your response about easter. You could not have explained the celebration better! Why? Because it's 'BIBLE'! Glory to Lord God Jehovah! I love it when a response to questions for and from Christians is straight up from the BIBLE!!! I just love it!!!!! Hallelujah!!! AMEN! Choose to have a blessed day and a blessed 'resurrection day' everyday that you choose to live for the Master!!!!

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    • Tyler, mop-up mode? I'm not sure what that means, but I do understand why the "waiting for the final events" is still in effect. We are the delay, perhaps because we have missed the true meaning of Jesus' resurrection.

      I agree with Teodoro, we DO acknowledge Jesus' resurrection as the Bible defines this recognition; when we are baptized and walk in the New Life by faith and the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom 6:1-7) We don't need the drama and pageantry so often connected with this most solemn and holy event that verifies Jesus' act of ushering in everlasting righteousness, and bringing eternal life to every repentant sinner. Look how many attend such ceremonies, but how many are living like Jesus in their daily life? For many, Easter Sunday is one of 2 times they attend church at all, while life goes on as usual in between them.

      I don't think we need to condemn the practice of others, but we can demonstrate the power of God unto salvation for all who believe as we ourselves become partakers of the Divine nature through faith, and allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within as we exercise the same mind as Jesus, by taking up our cross and following Him (Gal 2:20). It is only through the true demonstration of Jesus' resurrection in our own lives that this wonderful event can be seen as a blessing for others, and not just another "celebration" in the common manner of this world, while living unchanged. It is such people that Jesus is waiting for, so He can come and receive them unto Himself, and take them to dwell with His Father. Jesus' death was for this purpose, and His resurrection validates it. He looks for His people to validate it as a witness to those still lost.

      "...worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness". (Ps 29:2)

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      • Mop-up mode: What follows after a major operation in taking care of any other minor operations. Cleaning up after a disaster.

        As for us being the delay, that has always bothered me. I keep asking myself, "is God shackled by us so that He cannot move?" I thought He was the one truly sovereign God who can do anything including the impossible? Didn't Jesus say, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out" (Lk. 19:40 NKJV). I always thought that what we do as witnesses was a privilege where God allows us to enter into His work and that the Holy Spirit was the one doing 99% of it like a small child helping daddy build something. Besides in the end, "He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the LORD will make a short work upon the earth" (Rom. 9:28 NKJV).

        I think what we need to remember is that Pentecost was the product of the Holy Spirit from beginning to end and not of man's doing. The timing was right, it didn't happen before or after the ideal point for witness just as, "in due time Christ died for the ungodly" (Rom. 5:6 NKJV) and "when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son" (Gal. 4:4 NKJV). Man had nothing to do with the timing of those things and He will likewise come back when the time is right all the way around, not before or after.

        What I think could be said in favor of our involvement is, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9 NKJV). In this sense we should be about our Father's business and have the same interest He has.

        Now for baptism as a celebration of Christ's resurrection; I have never heard it presented that way during a baptism. The focus seems to always have been on the old man of sin being crucified and the new man raising in newness of life which to me is the emphasis that Paul puts on it in Rom 6. I don't see him in that chapter establishing baptism as a sacrament, an ordinance, or a celebration concerning the resurrection of Christ - certainly not in the same way that Jesus did for communion (Lk 22:19). For Seventh-day Adventists it seems to be more of a public declaration of a person's acceptance of the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus but it is also a symbolic washing that has its roots in the sanctuary laver with the water being a symbol of the Holy Spirit (Jn 7:38-39).

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        • Without the transforming power of God seen in the life of the born-again, we celebrate Jesus' resurrection in vain. It is this new life that follows the example of Jesus who lived as we can by the same power that reveals the power of His resurrection, which all the celebrations, dramas and preaching can never show without it. Self must be renounced and the Holy Spirit found dwelling within, which was the reason Jesus died according to John 3:16. If we are not saved from sin, we are found guilty of holding the truth in unrighteousness, which will only receive the wrath of God. (Rom 1:18)

          As for the delay in Jesus' return, we find a clear explanation in Revelation 7:1-3. Only when God's servants are sealed can the final events unfold, which the angels are now bidden to hold back.

          Imagine Daniel 3 happening without the 3 Hebrews being found faithful. It was their faithful obedience to God's Law that allowed God to be glorified and His name hallowed. Without the victory in Daniel 1, this could not have happened as shown by the fact that none of the other Jews on the plain remained standing. Only those 3 were cast into the flames for their acknowledgement of the truth.

          So why would the last great test be brought upon a people not yet prepared to stand, no matter what? God's people will be found "without guile" and robed in white before Jesus returns to claim them. This is the seal of God; a spotless life through faith in the power of God. The mopping up will come after the 1000 years with the final reckoning of those found eternally unrepentant. God wants to end all suffering and wipe away every tear, but must wait before He can. How meaningless all the "celebrations" must seem to the holy angels and sinless beings who look on as suffering must continue still. How many generations since 1844? Jesus said it would take only 1 (faithful) generation. Jesus' messenger to this remnant people said He could have come already had His professed people been found faithful.

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    • We Adventist celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus but different from the world. We celebrate His resurrection everyday and every Sabbath because we recognize Jesus as our own personal Savior: 3 Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death so that — as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father — we also should walk in newness of life 5 Because, if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection(Romans: 3,4 & 5). We walk by Faith and by Faith and with the help of The Holy Spirit we practice what we believe through our character, words and actions. "The archenemy quoted a promise of God as security, that Christ might with safety do this on the strength of the promise. Jesus met this temptation with Scripture: “It is written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” In the same way Satan urges men into places where God does not require them to go, presenting Scripture to justify his suggestions"( Ellen G. White; devotional). Have a blessed day 🙂

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    • Please use full names in the future thank you. Fist names only may fail to be published.

      As far as, I know, Jesus said that as often as, you celebrate the communion, you are celebrating or remembering Him. Like wise baptism is also a reminder or is it that we just want to follow after the World. What is more important now is to get the Three Angels Message out. Blessings.

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    • Well Tyler i guess we do cerebrate the resurrection of Jesus. only that we dont have to Have a specific day for that. every time we tell this story evry time we testify on this good new about resurrection we are cerebrating because we do that with joy and love.

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    • Easter is mentioned only once in the Bible, and was not for the resurrection of Christ, it was talking about the Passover, so if we are not celebrating the passover which is nailed to the Cross so was Easter.

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      • Willie, I am sorry but I am having a lot of problems finding the word "Easter" in the Bible. Perhaps it is the translation I am searching in; what translation are you using?

        Along with that problem, I may be wrong but I have always understood that the communion service replaced the Passover meal rather than Easter replacing it. Besides, I brought out the Passover only because of the question of the preparation day as it relates to the three day prophesy and really for no other reason.

        Incidentally, it is my understanding that the Passover wasn't nailed to the cross, the traditions and commandments of men were (please consider the entire second chapter of Colossians, especially Col 2:8 and Col 2:22). Even though the Passover was instituted as an act of faith concerning the protection God would give His people during the last plague of Egypt and after that time looked back on that event it was also looking forward to what was to come. The reason why we don't celebrate it is because we feel that it is with the rest of the law of Moses that symbolized the salvation to come and if we continued to do it we would essentially be denying the reality and saying that we are still waiting for the sacrifice for our sins. For the Jews I believe they look at it from both views, as a memorial of the past and a hope for the future.

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        • I'm not sure where to jump in, so I will do it here. As I understand things, neither the Passover or communion/foot washing have anything to do with Jesus resurrection. They only point forward and backward to His death and His human Example of Godliness for sinners. The passover lamb was never resurrected and the bread and grapes are never restored to their former state once crushed and broken for us. However, in both cases, they give us life.

          The resurrection shows His power over death, that His sacrifice is accepted by God on our behalf, and teaches us to walk in a new life, demonstrating the power of His resurrection to all who will "see, and fear, and trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40:3)

          (For Tyler, the Passover as given to Israel in Exodus 12 was a shadow, and thus fulfilled by Jesus' death. It is no longer required of God, and in effect, nailed to the cross as one of the "holydays".[Col 2:14-17] We now serve our unleavened bread with grape juice in remembrance. That is how I have come to understand it.)

          This has been an interesting turn from the original post by Tony, and has revealed the thoughts of many minds on this matter of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. Perhaps we can reset our thinking to the wonderful Gift of Life we have received in Christ our Lord and let the matter be given over to His leading in each of our lives as we show the power of His resurrection however He leads us to. For some it might be sharing with a friend on Easter Sunday, for others it might be a victorious life that will draw others to the risen Savior. Romans 14:23 tells us that whatever is not of faith is...well, you know the rest.

          Thank you everyone for giving me many things to consider. Thank you Tony for arresting our attention with God's grace given in Jesus Christ, before the world began.

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        • Hi Robert,

          I appreciate your sharing. 🙂

          You wrote:

          Perhaps we can reset our thinking to the wonderful Gift of Life we have received in Christ our Lord and let the matter be given over to His leading in each of our lives as we show the power of His resurrection however He leads us to. For some it might be sharing with a friend on Easter Sunday, for others it might be a victorious life that will draw others to the risen Savior.

          I would just like to suggest that I don't see it as an either/or choice. If we do not have Christ living within us, there is little "sharing" we can do, and if we do have Christ living within, He will make us sensitive to the best ways of approaching people. And for some it may, indeed, mean attending an Easter service together.

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    • Tyler, Easter Sunday is the BEST time to witness to our Sunday-keeping family and friends about the validity of Christ's death and resurrection. I look past the paganism and don't engage in all the fiduciary components of the Pagan celebration and focus solely on Christ.

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  2. The bottom line is, we as a people called by His name should have nothing to do with this Easter (Ishtar) celebration, introduced in the name of Jesus Christ for the ultimate sacrifice Christ offered to save all who will believe in Him. We should remember the death and ressurection of Jesus on every Babtism, Communion, and every Sabbathday. Be not conform to the worlds customs and traditions especially when it is disguise with the precious name of Jesus. When we are made aware of the idolitrous truth in these customs, we are accountable by God on our participation. Ephesians 5:11, "Have no fellowship with the works of darkness, but rather exposed it." The Death and the Resrrection of our Lord and Saviour its been mocked by the symbol of frutality and sex of Ishtar ( egg & bunny). Where did the playboybunny got its logo from? The very sex symbol of Ishtar. Too filthy to even touch and associate our precious redeemers Ultimate Sacrifice with. May we constantly unite with Christ through the Holy Spirit for the Power of God that alone enable us to discern the Truth in these final hours of this earth's history we're living in. Cheers!!

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    • Jay, they say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have a feeling that the same thing can often be said of evil.

      When I read Tony's post, I was moved to experience the utter despair of the disciples at the crucifixion, and then I was lifted to the heights of joy at the resurrection. How blessed we are to have such a Lord and Savior -- one who personifies self-renouncing love in His very Person!

      Paul gave wise counsel when He wrote that we are to think of whatever is pure, honorable, right, pure, lovely , of good repute, "and if there is an excellence, and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things." Phil 4:8

      The devil is so crafty he gets people to focus on evil in the name of fighting it, but if we remember the counsel of Paul, we need not be deceived.

      And a godly little woman also gave this counsel a little over 100 years ago:

      It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross. (Desire of Ages, p. 83)

      It was to aid you in this thoughtful contemplation of the life of Christ that we published this reflection by Tony. I would like to invite you to enter into the spirit of contemplating His life, rather than the distractions that the devil would offer to you. Then you will be blessed and be a blessing:

      As we associate together, we may be a blessing to one another. If we are Christ’s, our sweetest thoughts will be of Him. We shall love to talk of Him; and as we speak to one another of His love, our hearts will be softened by divine influences. Beholding the beauty of His character, we shall be “changed into the same image from glory to glory.” 2 Corinthians 3:18. (https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_DA.83"Desire of Ages, p. 83) https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_DA.83.4

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      • Inge, I would guess that Jay shares your general opinion, but perhaps he has seen where such "celebrations" can often lead. The world loves to emphasize drama and view everything in a sentimental way, but the true experience is often missing in the distraction of such things. In a society that lives to be entertained, whatever we do should be with the approval of heaven, and in harmony with the example of Jesus, not the world.

        What you quote is very appropriate and personal, as it should be. While some are comfortable with the public celebrations, others are not, and it's our individual experience that makes the difference. While I would not condemn the practice of others, I will excuse myself quietly when I can't appreciate what is presented at times. We can politely decline an invitation to be involved without condemning the actions of others or assuming wrong motives. The Holy Spirit is the best for convincing others of their need, and we must never get in the way.

        I would also add this, you and Jay seem to be talking apples and oranges. If I'm not mistaken, he is addressing the commercial and common "celebration" by the public at large. Many churches will have easter egg hunts. Yes...even on Sabbath in some SDA churches. I understand Jay's caution completely. I would guess you have seen more appropriate services.

        Romans 14 comes to mind.

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  3. Jay, I know where you are coming from because I was once there only probably more strict than you are. There are a lot of reasons why I am no longer that way. One of them is in the New Testament where Paul was faced with a question very similar to what you are posing. In the Corinthian church one group in the church thought that the other group was involving themselves in paganism.

    Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled (1 Cor. 8:4-7 NKJV)

    Here Paul is speaking of the Jew who was much more straight-laced than either of us are. To them eating food that was offered to an idol was essentially worshipping the idol. The path that Paul took in counseling the two different groups involved came from two different directions. To the Gentiles who were eating sacrificed food he said:

    But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble (1 Cor. 8:9-13 NKJV)

    And yet further on in the letter he said:

    Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake; for "the earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness." If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience' sake. But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols," do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience' sake; for "the earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness. Conscience, " I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience? But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:25-31 NKJV)

    You see the two sides. The Gentiles were hurting the Jews who couldn't see past the whole thing and could only think of it as forbidden. The Jews on the other hand were wrongfully condemning the Gentiles and because of all of this the church was split over the issue.

    I think that we as a people tend to separate ourselves too much from those on the outside in much the same way the Pharisees were separating themselves from both the Samaritans and the Gentiles. Because we do that we often lose the opportunity to be salt to the world and lights to the Gentiles. Often we need to socialize with them as Jesus did for He ate with publicans and sinners and if that means attending an Easter service in their church consider it as breaking down barriers that often block our witness even though we are convicted concerning the pagan attachments. A friend can do far more than an enemy when it comes to winning a soul; in fact, an enemy will only chase them away.

    I believe Heaven is going have a lot of surprises in store for us when we see who is admitted to the marriage supper of the Lamb and who is cast out and I dare say that some who will be there will have been involved in Paganism. As Jesus said, "And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness" (Matt. 8:11-12 NKJV).

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    • You share some good thoughts Tyler. I would also point out that Paul also wrote 2 Cor 6:14-18, and Romans 14. The church has often blurred the line between Christ and the world, and His faithful servants will need heavenly wisdom to walk the narrow path Jesus' leads His people on. It's not a clear issue for many and a right application of scripture is needed at all times.

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    • Tyler,
      Thank you for your comment. The whole Easter eggs/bunny deal came up in our family over the weekend, and we felt like it was difficult choosing a 'side' so to speak (we did have a church egghunt on Sunday). Christmas and the winter solstice came up as well. We were wondering as parents of young children what to do: do we forego all the 'fun' to show we do not compromise, but at the risk of making them bitter, or do we join half-heartedly, at the bigger risk of giving the impression that we are of the world, not just 'in' the world?
      The light you shed on the subject will give us something to stand on when it's time to explain these things to them, the difference of being in and of the world.

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      • I would like to share my thoughts on your comments and questions. I, too, celebrated as the world does. However, when I learned the truth I no longer wanted to displease the Lord. I taught my children what I learned and showed them we would no longer practice those traditions in our home. They got over the disappointment. It's sad that our churches send double messages to our children. This is why we must train them in the Bible. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord and give up the traditions of man. Not an easy thing to do. However, in Christ Jesus, all things are possible. The Lord requires us as parents to train up our children in Him and Him alone. There are other denominations with the truth about pagan holidays and their children grow spiritually healthy without the pagan holidays. I truly respect them.

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  4. I will be honest with you Jay. I think that Satan gets a lot more press than he needs. If there is any opportunity to spread the good word about the resurrection of Jesus, particularly when people are most receptive about it then I think we should take it. Easter is essentially a spring festival and about renewal and what an opportunity to talk about the renewal of the resurrection. In Australia churches have spring festivals in September - far enough away from Easter to not be bothered by pagan associations but essentially they are the same thing - an opportunity to talk, sing, pray, think about the renewal of the resurrection, and to share about the love of Christ.

    Do not let the pagan associations ambush our mission. We need to strategically seize every opportunity to spread the gospel. It is *not* about eggs and bunnies.

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    • Ashton, I don't agree with u. I think we compromise so quickly in the name of winning souls for Christ. None can convert another, only the Spirit converts a person. We only cooperate with God. Like old Israel, we r a peculiar ple n shud remain so.

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      • Isaac; Are you really saying that we should not preach the resurrection of Christ at Easter time? Why should Satan claim a long weekend to himself?

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        • Preaching the risen Lord is not the compromise Isaac is referring to. How would that be a compromise with error when it's the Truth? Satan is claiming every weekend for himself and most go along with his plan. Only as we renounce him completely can we gain the victory over self and be living letters for others to see the truth as Jesus lived it. It's by our victorious life daily that we truly reveal the power of His resurrection. Why focus on only one weekend a year?

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  5. While we do not celebrate Easter as the world celebrates it, this is a great time to witness to the world exactly what we should be celebrating. That our lives can be transformed by developing an intimate relationship with The One who came and died for us all and took the sin of the world on His sinless shoulders, so that we could be saved. We should never miss an opportunity to spread the Gospel of peace and to take advantage of this opportunity, where the story of Calvary is often told to a world that otherwise chooses to ignore Christ. This time is less wrapped around spending and eating as Christmas is, so the "soil" may be more fertile to plant the seed of the Gospel at Easter than at any other time.

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  6. i totally agree with u maurice. Satan has always found a way to produce a counterfeit to poison the things that are reverent and holy. Easter in itself, the pagan part should have no relevance to the true Christian but having grown up learning that it was at this so called period of time(spring) that the epic STORY OF LOVE was culminated then we should truely use it to help others understand what we know. Im sorry but I love Easter. My church uses this time to hold a cantarta to spread this message, and the kinds of people that come to see this production end up accepting the message and i must add this too, Hot cross buns taste so good lol

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  7. Indeed Easter has been adulterated with the "bunny" concept to divert the masses attention from the real meaning. However, God has faithfully guarded His truth... we know what Easter is really about. Our purpose.... use the opportunity to unveil the fallacy of the bunny concept and point people to the truth. Looking the other way and not participating makes things worse. The truth is that we must deliver the good news of Easter to all in the midst of all the deception camouflaged with unnecessary festivities with no real meaning. Eventually, satan will admit his defeat. God bless you all abundantly!!!

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  8. I would like to say, there should be only one concern of all Seventhday Adventist today, ant that Jesus is risen. Our task is to preach Christ at all seasons. Paul wrote in Philippians 1;15,18 Some indeed; preach Christ even in envy and strife; and some also, also of good will. .....What then? Not withstanding, every way; whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached. Let us not get bogged down in customs and traditions

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  9. I too am in conflict with Easter, knowing its association with Ishtar/ Astarte/ Eoster. How can we eat Eoster's chocolate eggs? This year I was moved not to eat this food sacrificed- read dedicated- to idols. Ask yourself- why can atheists & agnostics happily partake in the egg & bunny symbolism? Because unconsciously they know there are no Christian elements to this. But we Christians have somehow swallowed this lie- it tasted as sweet as chocolate in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour (see Rev 10:10 for authentic quote!). And in for the sake of ecumenical peacemaking and to keep church fun for our children we have community in error and perpetuate a lie.

    I always feel a sense of absence at this time of year, when the Passover is celebrated- Jesus our Passover lamb being slain at the time of the Paschal lamb. With the symbols of unleavened bread, bitter herbs and the lamb, we have the unexplored symbolism our pastors should be leading us through. Surely this is the best time of year for celebration and footwashing communion... the very time and occasion Jesus did it?

    The protection of the Lamb's blood on the Egyptian door jambs and lintel (Exo 12:7) was a type fulfilled in the crucifixion, and today we live a type of Egypt with another angelic (Rev 9:4) judgement to come, that will start with God's people (Eze 9:4, 6).

    Passover (week of 15th-22nd Nisan) and the pagan Easter can be a month apart. As Abraham's seed, which will you and your house celebrate, and why?

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    • First of all, i like all the comments, but least we forget, Adventist always celebrate what the world celebrates as Easter. This we do in our communion and foot washing service. there is no need for us to go about jumping and going on about as if the scriptures states this time of the year we shall celebrates Christ death. 1 Cor 11:23-26.

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  10. Rom 14:1 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.
    Some of us SDA think that to be "in safe mode" we must be right all the time.
    I think that to have faith is to be open for others. The truth will overcome by truth power; not dependent on our safe mode.
    If world celebrate Christ's resurrection, that is good opportunity.
    Roman Catholics are our brothers in faith in danger to be decieved by false Christ. So, contact with faith SDA have to give them warning.

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    • Goran, I love your comment that "truth will overcome by truth power; not dependent on our safe mode."

      Externals are essentially meaningless without the power of Christ transforming our lives. And when He is living within, He can, through us, use all sorts of occasions to break down the gates of hell. We do not need to remain in "safe mode."

      Thanks for the thought. 🙂

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  11. [Moderator Note: Please use full name when commenting]
    Hi Jane Sirignano,
    I agree with you. I was born into a Catholic family and remembered that going to church on Good Friday was the highlight of our Christian lives. We never did go to church on Christmas day. Today as a Seventh-day Adventist Good Friday and Easter Sunday is still a beautiful reminder of what Christ has accomplished for us. Hope of eternal life with Him. God Bless

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  12. I hear about celebrating easter, but not as the world, and using the opportunity to preach Christ crucified. Can someone tell me how will we celebrate and what will we be preaching that we are not doing?

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  13. Remembering the death and resurection of Christ should be with us always so that we may know that our sins made the son of man to die on the cross. However I have a big problem with the ''easter and good friday'' celebration since they don't add up at all. 3 days and 3 nights! God's time is complete not half a day so a 24 hour day to make 3 days and 3 days means we have 72 hours. Does this really add up in that easter celebration death and resurrection? Just thinking

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    • Nelly, it is quite well known by theologians that the Jews reckoned any part of a day as a full day which is also the way they calculated the reigns for kings. We also know through scripture that Christ died on the preparation day (sixth day) before the Sabbath and rose on Sunday (the first day of the week). Now a lot of people believe that the Passover was on Thursday which to them accounts for the three day prophesy.

      The problem is that in the entire Bible I can find no place that even hints of a preparation day for the Passover and in the New Testament the term "preparation day" (παρασκευή, ῆς, ἡ preparation, i.e. day of preparation for a festival, Friday Mt 27:62; Mk 15:42; Lk 23:54; J 19:14, 31, 42) is only found in six places all having to do with the crucifixion. The lamb was to be selected four days prior then at the beginning of the Passover at the setting of the sun the lamb was to be killed and roasted in fire and eaten that night (Ex 12:1-8; Deut 16:6; Joshua 5:10).

      Furthermore, note the timing:
      Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn (Matt. 28:1 NKJV)
      Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath (Mk. 15:42 NKJV)
      That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.
      56 Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. (Lk. 23:54,56 NKJV)
      Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen (Mk. 16:1-2 NKJV)

      Therefore, there is no question in my mind that Jesus was crucified on the preparation day of the seventh day Sabbath, rested in the tomb during the Sabbath hours "according to the commandment ", then was resurrected just before dawn on the first day of the week. So any way we wish to look at it we still do not come up to a literal 72 hours as we would calculate it and the resurrection is still on Sunday, the first day of the week whether it was reckoned according to the Jewish day (starts at sundown) or the Roman day (starts at midnight).

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  14. [Moderator Note: Please use full name when commenting]
    Tyler you may be right but look @ it this way: why not celebrate the birth of our Savior on x-mas although in actual fact Tamuz the son of Nimrod was born on that day.
    Why not worship on Sunday, after all Jesus rose on that day.
    Remember that unity with the world is enmity wish God. You can celebrate the rising of Jesus from the dead each and every day by doing good hence making his resurrection worthy. Be blessed

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  15. Why should we start creating feast days to celebrate Christs death, Jesus never told us to establish a day to commemorate his death.

    The death of Christ gives us the power to overcome sin, the greatest act we can do in the celebration of Jesus resurrection is to truly overcome sin by living victorious lives and going on to preach the word to as many as possible.

    We are not even coming up to speed with observing the Sabbath as commanded and truly appreciating the significance of the holy communion, we where given to observe and here we are pontificating to create additional days.

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    • I do not think that anybody in this forum is promoting the creation of a feast day to commemorate Christ's death. Easter does however provide an opportunity to share with others at a time when they are predisposed to listening to what say about Jesus. There are two times a year when more people are likely to go to Church, Christmas and Easter. Even here is secular Australia, church attendance increases at these times. What message should we give to people at these times? Should we say to them, "Go Home, We do not celebrate pagan festivals!", or "Welcome, let us share with you what Christ has done for us!"

      I am not sure where you are coming from on Sabbath observance, but if you are saying that we need to learn to share it more with others, then I agree. Sabbath shared is the best way we can honor Christ.

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    • Greg, you are right, Jesus never gave us a direct command to establish a day to commemorate His death but He did give us the communion service which does.

      From what I see there is nothing wrong with celebrating a past event - we do it all the time concerning national events or important people and no one I know is complaining about it. I know of no Adventist that demands that they should work when he/she is given time off because of a holiday in memory of an event or person.

      The fact is that God gave the Israelites a lot of celebration days commemorating specific events in their history. What is wrong with Christians doing something similar? To me the greatest danger we have is that we forget what God has done for His people in the past. Celebrating some of the major turning points in the history of the church to me is remembering what God has done and praising Him for those things. After all we already have times and seasons in remembrance of certain things such as religious liberty and Black history month in the US.

      To me if there is anything we should be cautious about it would be that we don't celebrate those events the way the world does with all the drunken revelry, debauchery, and self centeredness. If there is any precedent in the Bible concerning celebrating to me that would be the wedding at Cana where Jesus gave His stamp of approval on that festive occasion by adding up to 300 gallons of unfermented wine.

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  16. Romans 8:39. This text has great value to me also. Because He lives I can justifiably hold onto my crown. Revelation 3:11. Because He lives, I can hold onto His sleeve. Zechariah 8:23...and because He lives I know that neither death, nor principalities, nor things to come can separate us from God. When He comes to call us home I'll get carried away, I'll rise above the clouds and shout for joy. How about you my friend what are your plans for life after death?

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