Doves,I actually wrote this article two years ago, but I do believe that it has very important relevance, so I thought I'd share...Joseph foretold the baker and cupbearer's dreams, only to wait two more years in the dungeon before being "called up"The patience of the saints...Out of the Eater, Something Sweet
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So he said to them, "Out of the eater came something to eat,
And out of the strong came something sweet." But they could not tell the riddle in three days.Judges 14:14
Is Christmas a Pagan Holiday?
Christmas has many pagan roots. The most prominent of these is the worship of the sun (god). This has much to do with Winter Solstice. Winter, which is obviously cold, seems like it would stand in stark contrast to the sun, which personifies warmth – would it not? Apparently, at first glance. However, if you understand the concept of the new moon, then you will understand why the sun has much to do with Christmas and Winter solstice. Let me explain.
Winter Solstice
The length of days heading into winter gradually shortens. This continues until we reach the day with the least “light” in it, which is Winter Solstice (December 21st this year). Once this event occurs, the sun seemingly “stands still” for three (3) days. Solstice means “to come to a stop” or to “stand still.” This is a type of death.
New Moon Similarities
The most prominent new moon is the Feast of Rosh Hashanah, or the Feast of Trumpets. This is considered the “New Year.” This occurs when the first “sliver” of moon is seen from Jerusalem. Utilizing a similar concept, we now apply this to the sun instead of the moon. The sun on December 21st seemingly is going “dark.” For three (3) days it is like death. On December 25th the length of days begins to grow again, and hope is restored – a resurrection of sorts. This is when it is celebrated that Jesus came to “Tabernacle” with us – Immanuel. Seven days later is New Year’s Eve.
Whose Holiday is it anyway?
On one hand this looks like a great allusion to Jesus. Three days death, and then a resurrection! On the other hand, this looks like a holiday knee deep in pagan rituals. What a contrast!!!
Let’s take a step back and just look at what we know of Christmas in our own time. Is there a battle over Christmas? Yes! Secular Humanists and others most certainly are trying to take the “Christ” out of Christmas. Mangers are being destroyed and banned. Carols, decorations and any direct reference whatsoever is under attack. “Happy Holidays” and “Winter Break” are the politically correct vocabulary.
There most certainly is a fierce war going on, and often Jesus is left standing by himself. Anyone with anti-Christian sentiments is clearly in favor of getting rid of the “Christ” in Christmas. Yet, are Christians standing firm and battling back? For the most part – No! Most Christians and theologians when asked about “Christ and Christmas” will give a very notable disclaimer that “Jesus was of course not born on December 25th.” While I understand the logic, this admission also has us losing the battle. If Jesus truly was not born on this day then we have no “true” ground to stand on. Jesus being born on Christmas has become a “Santa Claus” type myth that is protected from children, but mocked in adult circles. What story has more credibility - toys being made at the North Pole, or a historical baby Jesus on Christmas? Forgive my sarcasm, but my point is we can no longer defend something the Christian community clearly doesn’t believe in. If this was the day Jesus was conceived on, then given the battle against abortion, it may be even more important to stand our ground.
It is outside of the scope of this writing to research and report on any direct evidence that Jesus may have in fact been born on December 25th. But, I do hope it’s obvious that something is very wrong with the situation as it stands now. I think many times in theological study, we become closed minded too quickly. This is led many times by experts who basically formulate the crowd mentality, that anything outside of what has become the “prophetic norm” is a fool for breaking ranks. I say Hogwash! Let me ask this question of the reader – Who made the sun? Who makes the seasons? The rising and the setting of the sun? The One and only true God and His Son Jesus! So who is the originator of the model of the three (3) day death and resurrection? Who owns it? God or Satan? God. So does the model of the 3 day resurrection belong to pagans? Vehemently, no!
There is truly a spiritual battle being waged over this day.
Apollo 8
Apollo is the pagan god of the sun. This would be the antithesis, of Christ, or the anti-christ. If Christ is the Son of God, then He is the creator of the sun, the center of our Solar System (John 1:1-3).
On December 21st 1968, which was Winter Solstice, Apollo 8 was launched. On December 24th, Christmas Eve, on the largest worldwide broadcast to date, the Astronauts read the first ten (10) verses of Genesis declaring the glory of God (the One true God of the Bible, by reading His Word). The very next day an atheist sued NASA, and God was lost from the space programs. The battle wages on…Son God (Jesus) vs. sun god, Apollo (Satan).
Christmas is the pinnacle of the contrast that is the Church. The Church was born on Pentecost (or Shavuot). On this feast, leaven is in the bread that is waved. Leaven clearly stands for sin. Christmas is a very wonderful time to spread the Gospel. Yet, at the same time it is filled with pagan rituals and symbols. Is this not the bread containing the leaven? Surely, God knew his ultimate purpose. It was for His Son Jesus to redeem mankind from our sins. It is the great sin, which provides the great need of a Savior. When we say “Christmas” is not eligible for Rapture consideration because it is a pagan holiday, are we not throwing the baby out with the baptism water? Remember the Pharisees saying Jesus couldn’t be the Messiah because he was healing on the Sabbath or he was uneducated and hung out with sinners? How is tossing out Christmas different? What about child-like faith. Have you ever talked to an innocent child about Christmas? Do they believe in Christmas miracles? The books and shows do. Listen, we live in a cesspool world overflowing with sin, and we NEED that baby in manger – Immanuel!!!
Key of David
What is the “Key of David?” I could write a whole article on this topic alone, but it is summarized very quickly in Psalm 51. King David, after all the magnificent things he had done in faith, had fallen. He committed the sin of adultery, murder and covering it all up by means of his God-bestowed position. Horrible. So, how can Jesus sit on the seat that David established?
As I have written before thirteen (13) stands for both rebellion and God’s restoring love. Let’s just go straight to Psalm 51 verse 13:
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Before we complicate things, let’s go back to the original argument between God and Satan. Satan said something resembling this to God: “You don’t have a right to rule me, and you are not love.” Let’s be clear, God does not need our righteousness. Self righteousness is “Satan.” It is one and the same. God seeks to redeem us. Consider the parable of the Prodigal son, and the other brother. Does the parable point out any fallible sins of the other brother? Who is it that leaves the house to live in sin? Yet, who is it that receives redemption? Let me propose to you there is only conceit, and contrite.
This is the “Key of David”:
Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
God needs nothing from us. However his love will accept and provide for us. Jehovah Jireh. Amen!
Sampson
Sampson means “of the Sun.” There are many parallels of Sampson to Jesus. His birth was foretold to his mother through an angel while his people were oppressed, and in great need of a Savior. His willing death, destroyed many pagans who were mocking him. This also could be the subject of an article in itself, but I want to focus on Sampson and his riddle. Keep in mind this riddle was given during a marriage feast.
Here is the riddle again:
Judges 14:14 So he said to them, "Out of the eater came something to eat, And out of the strong came something sweet." But they could not tell the riddle in three days.
In the passage the persons at the wedding, who were told by Sampson’s wife, identified the “eater” as a lion and the “sweet” as honey. This is a start. However, this passage bears huge prophetic significance. Remember Sampson has taken a gentile bride. This is a picture of the Church. Sampson also “hid” the lion and the honey from his natural Israelite parents.
Let’s break it down.
Who is the lion? Although Jesus is the Lion of Judah, Sampson, who killed the lion, is a picture of Jesus. So, who is the lion? Let scripture interpret scripture:
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
The lion is Satan. Satan is the “eater.” How fitting.
How about the “sweet” – honey??? Again, let’s look at God’s word:
Proverbs 24:13-14 Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
Proverbs is always a good place to start when seeking out God’s wisdom! The first proverb tells us that honey is likened to wisdom, and also gives us a great promise.
Proverbs 27:7 He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.
This second proverb gives us even more depth of understanding. This is a varied description of the difference between the “other brother” and the “prodigal son.” If one is self righteous, he is not in need of a savior. No need. No hunger. Whereas, the desperate simply desire food. The prodigal hungered over the pigs food. A far cry from honey. How much sweeter is honey for the desperate? Yet the full, according to this proverb are in no need at all.
Proverbs 16:24-25 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
To us it seems that righteousness coming from deeds and an absence of sin is the best way. But, to God brokenness is best. This is the honey…
Song of Solomon 4:11 Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb, my bride; milk and honey are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments is like that of Lebanon.
Once Solomon has described for us so good in Proverbs what honey is, we find it on the bride’s lips in a book well known for Rapture wedding references.
Psalm 19:9-11 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
It is the “fear of the Lord” that is the beginning of wisdom. It is an acknowledgement of sin and brokenness. Honey is made from the nectar of flowers. It is flowers that neither “spin nor toil,” as Jesus aptly pointed out. In other words, no “works” will do. Conceit or Contrite? Its written throughout the Gospels. So are we going back to the Seven Feasts laid out in the Torah for the Church to be raptured? Maybe (I’m an avid watcher of all of them myself). But then again, maybe not. Maybe it will be Christmas or New Years Eve.
Consider the parallels with Sampson and Christmas. Sampson’s name means “of the Sun,” and he clearly is a prototype for Christ. His riddle is not answered for three days. This is a tie in with Jesus’ death and resurrection, which is portrayed by Winter Solstice. Is this a Gospel message to the Gentile Nations?
"Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet."
Can something “sweet” come out of the “Pagan” Christmas carcass? For me, I believe the prophetic answer to this riddle is “Christmas.”
Isaiah 1:18 “Come let us reason together says the Lord, though your sins are like scarlet, I will make you white as snow, though they are as crimson, I will make you as wool.”
Merry Christmas Maranatha,
Tony Els