Centuries before the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, pagan nations celebrated the annual springtime festival of Ishtar (Ashtur, Eastre, Easter), the goddess of fertility. The origin of Easter dates back to ancient times, shortly after the great flood recorded in Genesis 6-9 of the Bible. It was in the city of Babel that the people created a tower in order to defy God. The biblical record tells us that Nimrod created Babel, Ninevah, Asshur and other cities, all known for lifestyles that promoted wickedness and perversion. Nimrod was known as the Sun-god (or Baal), his wife Semiramis was known as the queen of heaven (Ishtar or Easter), and her son Tammuz was known as the savior (or Nimrod reborn). Rites of spring were celebrated in Ishtar's honor at the vernal equinox (first day of spring). The first Sunday after the first full moon succeeding the vernal equinox was also sacred to her, and this pagan holiday was given her name -- Eastre. The full moon represented the "pregnant" phase of Eastre -- she was passing into the fertile season and giving birth to the Sun's offspring. Popular traditions such as the Easter Bunny and the Easter egg can be traced back to the practices established by pagans long before the Christian era. Due to their prolific nature, rabbits have long been associated with fertility and its goddess, Ishtar. Dyed eggs were already being used as part of pagan rituals at the dawn of history in various civilizations. When the Roman Emperor, Constantine “The Great” (A.D. (285)306-337), used the corrupt manuscripts of Eusebius (A.D. 260-340) and Origin (A.D. 184-254) to merge Paganism with Christianity in the fourth century, the Roman church quite naturally incorporated pagan customs and rituals into her many unscriptural doctrines (praying to saints, use of images in worship, purgatory, Mary worship, Sunday sacredness, celibacy of the clergy, etc.). And, unlike the disciples in the New Testament who suffered rejection and persecution for the word of God and their faithfulness to the scriptures 1 Peter 4:3 1 Peter 4:4, many apostate Christians simply accepted these false doctrines and teachings and chose to observe anti-biblical pagan holy days (holidays), thus limiting or avoiding persecution altogether. There is not a single verse in the Bible instructing us to celebrate Christ's resurrection, death or even his birth. If God had wanted us to keep these days holy, one would think that at least one verse would mention it. There are no Bible examples of the apostles or the disciples keeping any of these pagan “holy days” or practicing any of these heathen customs. There are, however, a number of scriptures in the Bible instructing us not to borrow the customs of the heathen or pagans to worship the true God: “Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen... For the customs of the people are vain:”(Jer. 10:2),(Jer. 10:3). “Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them... and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God:”Deut. 12:30 Deut. 12:31. “that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.”(Lev. 18:30). Just why do so many professing “Christians” celebrate un-biblical/anti-biblical pagan holidays? Compromising the commandments of God with the comfort of the world is almost as old as man himself.

Adding a few notes here, do we pay homage to Constantine because he brought many pagan's over to Christ? We were not there knowing all the effect that this had but we do know God want's no mixture of the two because his word is pure an unleavened. We can't judge his results then but today we can because if we have any of these rituals while we celebrate anything that Christ did then we are really caught under Constantine's early attempts to convert us Pagans again? Initially, we can't judge him for his actions then but we all need to judge ourselves for our actions now. Complete what Constantine started, don't embrace this junk in the name of Christianity. We are to put away our childish ways and grow up as Christians. Not all of us knowing Satan's devices for 2000 years and doing all the research that maybe every minister should research and explain these origin of holidays. We are being tricked all the time. First, people have to know what the way of the heathen were. It does appear that Jesus did not want us to celebrate these holidays like this. Even as we are used to it yearly, these events included with our Easter morning on Sunday, but now knowing the term "Easter" and celebrating year after year, can we cut the activities down at least? After reading the above, should we call it Easter anymore? I heard some minister's say, the eggs as a sign of new life. However, we should recall that type of new life is a flesh representation. Jesus' resurrection is of the Spirit and we were supposed to be crucified with him so why express the flesh so much - like the rapid reproduction of bunnies that we all have heard jokes about and the egg sign of fertility. This is how Jesus' great victory for us is diluted.

Here we have children doing Easter Egg rolls or hiding the eggs after their mom's dye the eggs every year. So how can they grow up and think of Jesus' new spirit body resurrection especially when all they are forced to believe is flesh, flesh, flesh. Now we use bunnies, one of the earth's cutest creatures. We can't hate bunnies but they will divert kids attention for sure. We should explain how great God was to create such and kids can have them as pets given some other time of the year. Also, another cute animal, the lamb, was killed for our sins. Tell kids how horrible that seems because we are so bad that he required a blood sacrifice for us. So now here we have Jesus as the slain lamb of God for all.

Now we super pagans have another animated creature the Easter Bunny places and hides eggs - which at this point, almost as bad as Santa Clause. This is where mothers should not be trying to thrill themselves by making sure their kids have so much fun. It's damaging to you mom's and much to the kids. Men, you should know about this and you certainly will now. This is why God's forbids this because he knows how our emotions and belief systems are linked - watching man for 6000 years which he created. How do you think he feels when he sees his children behaving towards the practices he hates? I was given an Easter basket full of goodies as a kid. All the candy, like Halloween and Christmas, glutton the belly. Is my young heart towards Jesus then or my belly to goodies? This does not have the same effect as fasting - right? Was I to look forward to those yellow marshmallow chicks next year rather than his resurrection? Then one Easter, I was given about a half dozen baby chicks as a present. So now where is my young attention drawn to? By the way, maybe God intervened then and my neighbor's dog came and ate them all. Actually, my parents didn't take the hint, they went out and bought another half dozen and I never knew the difference.

Attention all - here it comes, one of the songs that came out when I was an early teen that you may not recognize? As I try to grow up, this puts me back a few years?

I'm sure he does - sugar sweet no doubt that will set his stomach afire and his mind adrift.

Colored eggs for sister Sue
I'm sure he does, train her mind on the fertility rites even though she is too young to understand.

There's an orchid for your mommy
I'm sure he will. We must seduce mother again or we won't get anywhere with her kids. Flowers for the ladies - how nice. Men, you let anyone give your wife flowers or even hint at it - especially from a large male rabbit?

And an Easter bonnet too.
I'm sure he will. We could also seduce mother by a fancy hat. Why she might even wear this in a parade - let's call it the Easter parade? We can have the adults watch all this spring attraction because their mind might become to Christ oriented after a Sunday Church service. Making fun of Christ's crown of thorns Satan? Yes ladies, his crown was different than your new bonnet. Can you still relate?

Oh! Here' comes Peter Cottontail
Satan needs to remind us that it's Peter - don't forget.

Hippity hoppity Happy Easter Day
No way Satan - the path is straight and the way is narrow. Bunnies hop in all directions.

Look at him hop and listen to him say,
I am listening Satan, listening to every word. Of course this is your mini forerunner of making the image of the beast to talk like all your other phony fantasy friends - Frosty the Snowman, etc.

"Try to do the things you should"
How does a child know what to do unless his parents teach him. What do you mean Satan try? You know they can't really until they repent later in life. Quit putting more burden on them. These kids answer to their parents, not you. Shame you didn't obey your parent.

Maybe if you're extra good
No maybe Satan, Jesus guarantees. Right there kids, his "maybe" means he may not keep his promises.

He'll roll lots of Easter eggs your way
Wow, how El-cheapo can you get Satan since you have all the kingdoms of this world? Of course you'll pick on the young innocent minds. That's OK, you won't even be able to promise them Easter eggs when your kingdom is gone.

You'll wake up on Easter morning
I hope you do kids because most of your Christian parents haven't.

And you'll know that he was there when you find those choc'late bunnies that he's hiding ev´rywhere,
If not Satan, you'll try this similar scheme scene in a bigger way later in the year. Don't you call it Christmas?

Oh! Here' comes Peter Cottontail
OK, now Satan reminds us the 3rd time that this is Peter. Is he making fun of Peter who denied Jesus 3 times before Peter was really converted?

We rejoice of his victory in church but have we got the victory away from Church? Could this celebration be one of the obstacles he mentions to overcome in the book of Revelation - these pagans celebrations. As parents, Proverbs22:6 If we bring them up wrong, will they also not depart from it? As parents, Revelation21:8 Time to get serious? Next, we will present the detailed account of the Chronology of Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection.