Starts @ 1:40 Iran just invited Egypt to an open alliance against Israel, a decision to made Someone in the comment section asks … when is the rapture? Some say any day now Another quotes Jesus … “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” Rapture picture around the day of the dead. Halloween :whistle: - Fair Use - What's the difference between Halloween, All Saints, All Souls, Day of the Dead?: Everyone knows the secular holiday of Halloween, which happens this year on Monday night, Oct. 31. Americans dress up in costumes, decorate their homes and welcome trick-or-treaters to their doors by handing out candy. Not everybody knows Halloween derives from a holy day, All Saints' Day on Nov. 1, which is followed by All Souls' Day on Nov. 2. The root word of Halloween is ''hallow,'' which means ''holy.'' All Souls' Day is a day to pray for all souls. Among Catholics, prayers are offered for those in purgatory, waiting to get into heaven. On All Souls' Day, Catholic churches have a Book of the Dead, in which parishioners have an opportunity to write the names of relatives to be remembered. Most Episcopal churches will observe All Saints' Day on Sunday. Churches often read the names of those who have died in the last year. More than a thousand years ago in Ireland and Britain, a common custom of Christians was to come together on the eve of the feast of All Hallows Day to ask for God's blessing and protection from evil in the world. Often, they would dress in costumes of saints or evil spirits and act out the battle between good and evil around bonfires. That's the source of the modern observance of Halloween. https://www.al.com/living/2016/10/whats_the_difference_between_h_1.html KS Rajan from Five Doves: The Attack on Israel is Religious, Meant to Awaken Islamic Messiah Mahdi: . . . .Biden’s gift of $6 billion to Iran guaranteed war would result, given their theology. See below… Shia Muslims Believe Massive War Saves World: that unless a colossal war comes to engage Israel, then their savior, the Mahdi, cannot reappear to bring the peace and blessings promised for 14 centuries. The Iranians behind these attacks feel uniquely placed to render the end times, achieved by the return of the Mahdi from deep sleep. Iranians are almost wholly Shia Muslim, who believe in a mystical character named the Mahdi: The Fervid Desire of Iran to release the curative of the pseudo-Christ Mahdi, to heal the world and bring peace by, ironically, destroying all non-Muslims, as often explained by past Iranian President Ahmadinejad: “ Ex-President Ahmadinejad said the "Islamic Republic has no other mission but to prepare for the establishment of a world government . . . as the Imam [Mahdi] runs and manages the universe." And the "Mahdavi perception [Mahdism] and view are the perfect method for the administration and direction of the world." He defined Mahdism as the "defining strategy of the Islamic Republic," a "comprehensive plan and strategic policy," and a "political regime and world view." Within that context, it's determined the Mahdi's advent is "inevitable" but also that it can be "accelerated" through human action. Peace by Death: It’s important to accept that the Islamic path to peace is achieved by killing every person who is not Muslim. Halloween is a holiday celebrated each year on October 31, and Halloween 2023 will occur on Tuesday, October 31. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats. Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “sow-win”) is a pagan religious festival originating from an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition. It is usually celebrated from October 31 to November 1 to welcome in the harvest and usher in “the dark half of the year.” Celebrants believe that the barriers between the physical world and the spirit world break down during Samhain, allowing more interaction between humans and denizens of the Otherworld. Most folks know Samhain as Halloween, but for many modern Pagans, Samhain is considered a Sabbat to honor the ancestors who came before us, marking the dark time of the year. It's an excellent time to contact the spirit world with a seance because it's the time when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest. According to Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary: "The timing of contemporary Samhain celebrations varies according to spiritual tradition and geography. Many of us celebrate Samhain over the course of several days and nights, and these extended observances usually include a series of solo rites as well as ceremonies, feasts, and gatherings with family, friends, and spiritual community. In the northern hemisphere, many Pagans celebrate Samhain from sundown on October 31 through November 1. Others hold Samhain celebrations on the nearest weekend or on the Full or New Moon closest to this time. Some Pagans observe Samhain a bit later, or near November 6, to coincide more closely with the astronomical midpoint between Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice." Around the eighth century or so, the Catholic Church decided to use November 1st as All Saints Day. This was a pretty smart move on their part. The local pagans were already celebrating that day anyway, so it made sense to use it as a church holiday. All Saints’ became the festival to honor any saint who didn’t already have a day of his or her own. The mass which was said on All Saints’ was called Allhallowmas, the mass of all those who are hallowed. The night before naturally became known as All Hallows Eve, and eventually morphed into what we call Halloween. The Witches' New Year This is a good time for us to look at wrapping up the old and preparing for the new in our lives. Think about the things you did in the last twelve months. Have you left anything unresolved? If so, now is the time to wrap things up. Once you’ve gotten all that unfinished stuff cleared away, and out of your life, then you can begin looking towards the next year. Samhain is a time-honored tradition followed by witches, Wiccans, ancient druids, and countless other modern pagans across the world, and celebrated as October turns to November. Samhain is a festival of the dead, meaning “Summer’s End,” and though you’re probably tempted to pronounce it “sam-hane,” it’s actually pronounced saah-win or saah-ween. FAIR USE All of this came from secular websites. Per Patricia's and Yohanan's informative posts ~ * ...would dress in costumes of saints or evil spirits and act out the battle between good and evil around bonfires Pagan holidays and festivals were so entrenched that new converts found them to be a stumbling block to their faith. To deal with the problem, the organized church would commonly move a distinctively Christian holiday to a spot on the calendar that would directly challenge a pagan holiday. The intent was to counter pagan influences and provide a Christian alternative. But most often the church only succeeded in "Christianizing" a pagan ritual—the ritual was still pagan, but mixed with Christian symbolism. That's what happened to All Saints Eve—it was the original Halloween alternative! Into that dark, superstitious, pagan world, God mercifully shined the light of the gospel. Newly converted Christians armed themselves with the truth and no longer feared a haunting from departed spirits returning to earth. In fact, they denounced their former pagan spiritism in accord with Deuteronomy 18: There shall not be found among you anyone...who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord (Deut 18:10-13). Nonetheless, Christian converts found family and cultural influence hard to withstand; they were tempted to rejoin the pagan festivals, especially Samhain. Pope Gregory IV reacted to the pagan challenge by moving the celebration of All Saints Day in the ninth century—he set the date at November 1, right in the middle of Samhain. Pagans are superstitious; Christians are enlightened by the truth of God's Word. Evil spirits are no more active and sinister on Halloween than they are on any other day of the year; in fact, any day is a good day for Satan to prowl about seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet 5:8). But "greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). God has forever "disarmed principalities and powers" through the cross of Christ and "made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them through [Christ]" (Col 2:15). Like any other day of the year, Christians should exercise caution as wise stewards of their possessions and protectors of their families. Christians should respond to Halloween with gospel compassion. Witches, ghosts, and evil spirits are not terrifying; God's wrath unleashed on the unforgiven sinner—now that is truly terrifying. Christians should use Halloween and all that it brings to the imagination: death imagery, superstition, expressions of debauched revelry - as an opportunity to engage the unbelieving world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ultimately, Christian participation in Halloween is a matter of conscience before God. Whatever level of Halloween participation you choose, you must honor God by keeping yourself separate from the world and by showing mercy to those who are perishing. (Grace to You) Are there things about Halloween that are anti-Christian and should be avoided? Absolutely! If parents are going to allow their children to participate in Halloween, they should make sure to keep them from getting involved in the darker aspects of the day. If Christians are going to take part in Halloween, their attitude, dress, and most importantly, their behavior should still reflect a redeemed life (Phil 1:27). There are many churches that hold "harvest festivals" and incorporate costumes, but in a godly environment. There are many Christians who hand out tracts that share the Gospel along with the Halloween candy. The decision is ultimately ours to make. But as with all things, we are to incorporate the principles of Rom 14. We can’t allow our own convictions about a holiday to cause division in the body of Christ, nor can we use our freedom to cause others to stumble in their faith. We are to do all things as to the Lord. (Got Questions) Darkness cannot remain in the light of God’s truth. Whether we expose unfruitful works of darkness in the church or shine light into a lost and dying world, we are fulfilling our mission on earth—transforming darkness into light as those living in darkness become people of the light (Is 42:6–7, John 12:46, 2 Cor 4:6, 1 Pet 2:9; 2 Pet 1:19). (Got Questions) Starts @ 1:37 HAMAS is armed with American weapons meant for Ukraine, while Israel introduces the “Iron Sting” - Fair Use - Starts @ 1:43 Russia is giving Iran all access to its air bases to land all cargo (arms) planes to attack Israel Comment section: A former major in the IDF said almost ALL their military are believers in Jesus Another said I’ve seen them read their bibles and praying Someone else asked what is your point? Another replied God will have to defend Israel, like He will when Ezekiel 38 is fulfilled. - Fair Use - I got family in the Middle East. Please say a prayer for them. Thank you. Thank you for your prayers everybody. thank you Sonya. :rose: - Fair Use - Two Elderly Israeli Women Hostages Released by Hamas: Two elderly Israeli women held hostage in Gaza were released Monday by Hamas with the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The Associated Press reports: The release of the two hostages, 85-year-old Yocheved Lifshitz and 79-year-old Nurit Cooper, was confirmed by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The two women, along with their husbands, were snatched from their homes in the kibbutz of Nir Oz near the Gaza border in Hamas’ Oct. 7 rampage through towns of southern Israel. Their husbands were not released. The Jerusalem Post also reports: The women had been freed after 20 trucks of humanitarian aid entered Gaza, and amid reports that Qatar separately had secured the release of some 50 hostages with foreign passports. These two women were both Israeli and were not part of that deal.
by Russian and China
The suffix "een" is an abbreviation of "evening." Halloween refers to the Eve of All Hallows, the night before All Saints' Day, the Christian holy day that honors saintly people of the past.
Sunset on Samhain is the beginning of the Celtic New Year. The old year has passed, the harvest has been gathered, cattle and sheep have been brought in from the fields, and the leaves have fallen from the trees. The earth slowly begins to die around us.
* would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts
* to welcome in the harvest and usher in “the dark half of the year.” Celebrants believe that the barriers between the physical world and the spirit world break down
* marking the dark time of the year...an excellent time to contact the spirit world with a seance because it’s the time when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest
* Allhallowmas, the mass of all those who are hallowed
* Samhain is a time-honored tradition followed by witches, Wiccans, ancient druids, and countless other modern pagans
* Samhain is a festival of the dead
The elderly women were released into the care of the ICRC in Egypt at the Rafah border crossing and were met there by Israeli officials, according to the Jerusalem Post.
