Before the Foundation of the World
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (1Pe 1:18-20)
The Old Farmer’s Almanac (founded 1792) highlights the Easter Season with these words: “WHAT IS EASTER SUNDAY? Easter is the most important holiday on the Christian calendar—and has been regularly observed from the earliest days of the Church. Easter Sunday celebrates Christ’s resurrection from the dead, following crucifixion. It marks the end of Holy Week, the end of Lent, and the last day of the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday), as well as the beginning of the Easter season of the liturgical year. The resurrection represents the triumph of good over evil, sin, death, and the physical body.”
It is obvious that the celebration of the resurrection of Christ has been tainted with paganism, with a rabbit that supposedly lays eggs and excites children to find them. Wikipedia says: “An English monk Bede, wrote, referring to a goddess named Eostre, in whose honour feasts were celebrated in that month. However, it is possible that Beded was only speculating about the origin of the term since there is no firm evidence that such a goddess actually existed.” (Wikipedia).
As a kid, we dyed eggs and had fun hiding them, wondering what the rabbit had to do with eggs and the resurrection of Christ from the dead. On the farm, all our eggs came from chickens, ducks, and turkeys…never from rabbits. I still wonder who “hatched” the story and I’m not going to help parents get off the hook who can’t explain the ridiculous story to their youngsters. Nevertheless, the term: “Easter” holds its own as an established word signifying the resurrection of Christ from the dead.
The big story in today’s text about Easter is that its origin was established before the earth was made by the hand of the Lord. The Lamb of God whose blood was shed for our sins was ordained to that role before the foundation of the world. Then, John, the writer of Revelation says that during the Great Tribulation Period of Revelation, Satan will empower the beast, or political/religious world leader of that time so that he will be healed of a mortal wound and show himself to be alive. As a result, the whole world will embrace him, admire him, and worship him.
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Rev 13:8)
The lost people of the world who have already made up their minds to go against God, will worship this creature. Their names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Easter was established before the creation of the world. This is a bigger story than the rabbit, don’t you think?
I’ve heard a lot of preaching. In my earlier years I heard it said that God made man and discovered that man had messed up in the garden with the Adam and Eve thing. So, there was a council in Heaven on what to do about it. God’s Son came forth and volunteered to go down and pay the price for their sin. The only problem with that story is that it’s not true.
Before earth was made, in the mind of God the Lamb of God was already slain; before there was earth or man and before sin. This is the beginning of the story of Easter. God did not get Himself into a sin jam because He failed to think it through ahead of time. He knew what was going to happen and provided a way for man to be forgiven before there was a need.
The story of Easter is the greatest story ever told. Easter is the most important holiday on the Christian calendar—and has been regularly observed from the earliest days of the Church. Easter Sunday celebrates Christ’s resurrection from the dead, following crucifixion. Ω
Read Through the Bible in a Year
APRIL 10, 2017 – MONDAY
A.M. 1Sam 4-6 P.M. Luke: 12:35-59
(Bible Gateway will read this to you if you like. Look for the speaker icon.)
Memory Verse This Month:
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Act 2:36)
Song for Today:
How Firm a Foundation (1:19) – (Elementary Choir) (C.M.C. Southern Pines, NC)
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