“And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.”

Acts 12:4

With the Lord’s grace, mercy, and truth we shall look at first the erroneous view (worlds) of this holiday called Easter which has absolutely nothing to do with any true Christian or Biblical principles. (“But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matt. 15:9) Beware when worldly perspectives (men’s views) are placed with or along the Word of God. Intertwining them (world & The Word) together to corrupt God’s Word and men’s minds. Example: Easter: this world’s holiday of heathen teachings mixed with Christian principles. Wrong.

 Our main verse above was a holiday that the Romans and the world observed. It was a heathen holiday. All one needs to do is study this online or out of an old encyclopedia. You will find this world’s Easter holiday is steeped in heathen and pagan teachings, such as:

• Eostre or Ostara – spring goddess or as such goddess of fertility. Biblical term “queen of heaven” known as Ishtar or Astarte. (Jer. 7:18) You will find in much study opposite viewpoints. Nevertheless, the Word of God is true and ought not be corrupted or intertwined with the ungodly. (II Cor. 6:14-18) The Roman Catholic needed to conquer the German tribes; the tribes wanted their pagan holidays. Thus, the Catholic adopted pagan teachings and practices with Christian teaching of Christ’s death and resurrection. Wicked. Also, it has been said the Catholic Lent is nothing more than the weeping for the goddess Tammuz. (Eze 8:14)
• Bonfires -where heathen ceremonies, and vile illicit relations took place.
• The Hare – the rabbit to insinuate fertility. This writer does not like or believe in over much indulgence in the study of the pagan practices. The Lord tells us to be simple concerning evil. (Romans. 16:19) Also, not to learn the way of the heathen. (Jer. 10:2) You teach correct and sound doctrine and when false teachings come, saints will know it and beware of it. (I John 2:20)
• The Egg -Again the insinuation of fertility. All this does is to get people’s minds and hearts corrupted and promote sin. It is brought to the people as something innocent as easter egg hunts, sunrise services, facing the sun which is connected to pagan practices. (Eze. 8:16; Jer. 8:2)

 My friend, you will find in study much debate and diverse viewpoints. Remember God is not the author of confusion but of peace. (“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” I Cor. 14:33) This writer believes the proof is in the pudding. Ask folks on the street about Easter and what it means. You will find mostly about is easter eggs and family. (See Prov. 22:6)

 If we are to observe and celebrate certain holidays, let us do our due diligence and study sound doctrine to see if they really began in true honor of and true adoration of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. (II Tim. 2:15) Remember as a dear friend of mine said, “You don’t have to stick your head in a trash can with the garbage to know it stinks or get a dime.” (Rom. 16:19) Amen.

 Now, on another issue that relates to this holiday called Easter is the teachings of the Catholic religion, how Christ died on Friday and rose on Sunday. It is somewhat funny, but when I was a kid, I often wondered how you can get three days and three nights from Friday to Sunday. You cannot. So, what some have done is sown the seed of doubt and teach, “Did the Lord really mean three days and nights? Then go on into heresy teaching what the Lord really meant. Balderdash! Wicked. (Matt. 28:17; Rom. 2:15)

 The key is to study and rightly divide the Word of Truth, not to doubt it. The problem does not lie with Christ, or His Word, the problem is faithless hearts. Believe his Word and ye shall be established. (II Tim. 2:15)

 Following this devotional is a chart we will attempt to explain. We will find the Lord truly meant “three days and three nights.” The Lord gave His life for our sin on Wednesday and rose on our Saturday evening sunset (Jewish time: each new day begins at sunset). The Catholic teaching is man made and wrong. Let us study this chart: “The Death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus.”

• Notice the Time Dial. Our Noon (12:00pm) is the 6^th hour Jewish Time. Sunset is around 6pm our time and the 12^th hour Jewish time. Each new day begins at sunset and ends the next day at sunset, Jewish time.
• (“And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.” Luke 23:44) The 6^th hour is 12:00pm our time. The 9^th hour is 3:00pm our time. Thus, from noon to 3pm our time there was darkness. (Note 1a on chart)
• (“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Matt. 27:46) Oh my, the agony of our Blessed Saviour. (Lord, forgive us) The 9^th hour, 3:00pm our time. (Note 1b on chart)
• (“And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,” Mk. 15:42) This even would have been around (3:00-6:00pm) our time and (9^th-12^th ) hour Jewish time. (Note 1c on chart)
• (“There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.” John 19:42) It was the Preparation Day: (day our Saviour died for us, Amen) and the preparation day for the Passover. Remember the Lord said He would be in the heart of the earth (laid) three days and three nights. (See Matt. 12:40) Thus, Wednesday night (sunset) began this time interval. (Note 2a on chart)
• (“The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.” John 19:31) Remember the Jewish day begins at sunset (evening) time. Therefore, they wanted to get the Lord in the tomb before the Sabbath day began that Wednesday evening. It was Wednesday at sunset the Lord was laid in the tomb, just before the Sabbath began. This Sabbath was a high day for it was the first day of the Passover that the Lord commanded the Jews to observe and keep, a Holy Convocation Day. (see Ex. 12:1-16) (Note 2b on chart)
• (“In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord’s passover.” Lev. 23:5) Wow. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. (“And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” Ex. 12:13) Oh! What a marvelous and great salvation: our Saviour Jesus Christ. Suffering, dying, shedding His blood for your sin and mine. (Blessed art thou Oh, Lord) Amen! The 14^th day during sunset, of the first month, Abib (April). The High Day, the Sabbath, a Holy Convocation Day, the first day of the Lord’s Passover begins, (Wednesday evening at sunset, our time; Thursday beginning, Jewish time) (John 18:28; Ex. 12:16; Lev. 23:4-5) (Note 3a on chart)
• (“Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matt. 12:38-40) Side notes: God desires and honors faith, not signs. Putting God in control and honored, not man. Another side note: (“…In the heart of the earth.”) This is where the Lord led captivity captive. Paradise brought up from in the earth to the throne of God in heaven. (Eph. 4:7-10) Also, the Lord did not go to the fiery side of hell to pay for sin! Wicked! As some teach under the false doctrine of hyper-dispensationalism. Hell was in two parts: Paradise (Saved, Believers, Prophets of old, etc. went to before the cross) Fiery Side (Eternally damned, unbelievers, lost and undone, went to and still go today, (Rev. 20:11-15)

 The Lord went into the heart of the earth three days and three nights. Thus, it was our time Wednesday night, Thurs-day/night, Fri-day/night, Satur-day. (Arose from the grave Saturday evening at sunset). (Jewish time: Wednesday evening died (sunset), Thursday night/day, Friday night/day, Saturday night/day) Remember days begin in Jewish time at even, sunset (Night). Thus, three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Saturday even at sunset our time, and in Jewish time: the first day of the week, Sunday began, when the Lord arose; Hallelujah, from the grave. This all united together beautifully with the first day of the Passover (Lev. 23:5): The High Day, the first Sabbath Day of the Passover (John 19:31), the Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:32), and a Holy Convocation Day unto the Lord (Ex. 12:16). Amen. (Note 4 on chart)

• (“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.” Matt. 28:1) Here are the two Mary’s going to the sepulchre in the early morning of the first day of the week (Sunday). The second Sabbath of the Passover, a regular Sabbath day (Saturday, last day of the week and day of rest) had ended, Saturday even at sunset, when Christ our Saviour arose. They would find the tomb empty, Glory. Amen. (Note 5 on chart)
• (“And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.” Mk. 16:1) With (“And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.” Luke 23:56) This first Sabbath that had past was the first Day of the Passover (Thursday). Then they bought the spices and prepared them on Friday, so they may rest on the second Sabbath (Saturday). Then in the early morning (sunrise) of the first day of the week (Sunday) they went to the sepulchre. (Mk 16:2) (Note 6ab on chart) The Lord had Risen! Glory. Remember their Sunday began our Saturday evening at sunset.

 We are not to adhere or savor the things that be of men or this world’s religious teachings. (Matt.16:22-23; Acts 4:19) There will always be a price in taking a scriptural and Biblical stand. Yet much reward. (Matt. 16:24-25; Luke 18:30; Rev. 22:12) (Many of these teachings in this book taught to me by a dear friend, Pastor Fred R. Fowler, and may be found by other men of God online which concur.)