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GWEA Monthly Messages
Halloween, All Saints Eve and the Great Tribulation
REVEREND GORDON WILLIAMS, OCTOBER 2017
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October is a reminder to all Christians of Jesus' sovereignty over the heavens and the earth; and those who have received His Salvation and the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit," are living proof of Jesus' promise - (the evidence of) His authority and equipped to do ministry.
"And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized (with the Holy Spirit) will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned' (Mk. 16:15–16).
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mk. 16:17–18).
Halloween and "All Saints Eve" is a yearly reminder to Christians of Jesus' authority and power. When Christians became the majority of the population, they renamed or replaced the other religions' special days with holy days and Christian names.
 For instance, Halloween, (which originally was called "Holy Evening"), replaced several pagan, non-Christian holy days. As a result, the other religions (whose gods were really demons) were put aside and quickly forgotten. Apostle Paul confirms this when he wrote, "... I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God (1 Cor. 10:20)."Holy Evening" (Halloween) signified to people that Jesus was Lord, Savior and God. No longer did they have to live in fear of demonic spirits. Christians opened their doors to the needy for food, clothing, money and Bibles. Biblical tracts were distributed to the poor and the "unsaved" were led to Salvation. Holy Evening replaced the pagan religions that worshipped demons, and their fear was recouped with God’s love (Rom. 5:5) and the promise of eternal life.
Aside to Halloween, "All Saints Day" signifies a memorial day for all Christians (Saints) who have been killed in the past centuries – martyred in the name of Jesus (Rev. 7:14).
Many Christians today are mistakenly waiting for the "great tribulation" in which Jesus said started the day after the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed (70 AD; Dan. 8-11 ). “For then there will be great tribulation such has never been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be” (Matt. 24:21).
Our life is a life of tribulation. There are fifty-four verses in the New Testament that uses the word "tribulation" in Greek. The word "tribulation" is translated in King James Version, seventeen times; the Revised Standard Version, nineteen times; and the New International Version, one time. Jesus said, “For the gate is narrow and the way is tribulation that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matt. 7:14).
Look at our past history and the multitude of Christians who had died daily for Jesus. In the last few years
alone, millions of Christians have been martyred. When Jesus said, “If any man (woman) would come after me, let him (her) deny himself (herself) and take up his (her) cross and follow me” (Matt. 16:24). ".... for they loved not their lives even unto death" (Rev 12:11).
Many believers don't recognize that they
are living in the times of great tribulation. They often dodge their own tribulation, and Jesus' requirement to be Baptized with the Holy Spirit. Jesus instructed His disciples (first believers) before he ascended into Heaven, not to leave the city until the Comforter (Holy Spirit) came upon them: "And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). He knew that without the Holy Spirit guiding them, they were powerless against the enemy, and would not be able to live a life of victory in times of tribulation.
Both "Halloween" and "All Saints Day" are victory days, and our yearly reminder that "Jesus is Lord" not only over our lives, but over every day and every night!
Let us celebrate and rejoice singing the old praise hymn, "Victory in Jesus!"
I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory, How He gave His life on Calvary To save a wretch like me; I heard about His groaning, Of His precious blood's atoning, Then I repented of my sins And won the victory. Chorus:
O victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever. He sought me and bought me With His redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew Him And all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood. Let this Halloween (Holy Evening) be a celebration of what Jesus has done in your life. Share your testimonies and the "good news" Gospel with your family, friends, neighbours and the community.
 If you, a family member, loved one, and/or a friend, have not yet received Salvation, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, or need prayer or a miracle in your life, please contact me.
If you need prayer, guidance or encouragement to hear the "Voice of the Holy Spirit", please contact me. "He who has an ear, let Him hear what the Holy Spirit says to the church!"
Yours in Jesus Christ,
 Copyright © 2017. The Gordon Williams Evangelistic Association. All rights reserved
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 October 31st is known as “Halloween”, a Christian name meaning “Holy Evening” or “All Saints Eve”. As the early church grew, the leadership replaced “all other religious” celebrations and holy days with Christian names that replaced old pagan gods that were forgotten and cast aside.
People had mistakenly believed that the devil and the spirits of the dead people and/or demons would be set free to roam around the earth while haunting and terrorizing people. Jesus Christ changed all that when he died on the Cross of Calvary. The dead stay dead, and their souls/spirits reside either in Paradise (Lk. 23:43) or in a temporary hell (called tartarus) until Jesus returns to raise the dead for eternal life.
"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory.
O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Cor. 15:51–58)
Dead spirits are not free to come back to haunt and terrorize people. Before the Christians came, non-Christian people were full of fear; locking their doors, turning off their lights, and hiding in darkness. Some foolish Pastors and so-called believers still encourage others to do this today! “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:6-7)
When the Christians took control of this night, they renamed it “Halloween” meaning “Holy Evening”. Their lights in their homes were kept on and their doors opened. They welcomed the poor with food, money, and/or clothing. Bibles were also handed out and the Gospel of Jesus Christ was shared with neighbours and strangers (Matt. 25:31–46).  |
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