The information I am about to share can easily be found in any library, on the internet or in historical books and dictionaries. The facts are undeniable, but that does not seem to affect today's lukewarm, modern-day believer.

The following quote comes directly from my book, "The Church Has Divorced Itself From Its Roots", which I urge you to order: “When Rome conquered the world, the various forms of the Babylonian religion were absorbed into the Roman Empire, becoming what is known as PAGAN ROME. Emperor Constantine was successful in uniting Christianity at Rome with the pagan Babylonian religion (Baal worship). In 325 A.D. he set up the ‘Council of Nicaea’ and presided as the ‘Summus Ponitifex’ (the official title of a pope)."

“One of the trademarks of the era of Constantine is that he changed the Biblical seasons and Feasts. He also set himself up to be the head of the State Church. Constantine was a sun worshipper until the day of his death. He was never born again, and yet the whole Church fell into his trap. In the book of Daniel 7:25, we read that the Antichrist will change the times and the seasons. Constantine was a type of Antichrist. He forbade to celebrate Passover and instead instituted Easter, a feast and name derived from the Babylonian goddess Ishtar. He also changed the day of rest to Sunday instead of the Shabbat, (Friday night to Saturday night), because he was a sun worshipper that worshipped his ‘god’, the sun, on Sunday.” (Page 29)

The Passover Season includes Passover, fulfilled by Jesus dying on the cross as our sacrificial lamb; Unleavened Bread, fulfilled by Jesus who removes our sin; First Fruits, fulfilled by Jesus coming back to life from the grave, which should be called according to the Scriptures, Resurrection Day; and, finally, Pentecost, fulfilled by Jesus when He sent us the Holy Spirit to give us guidance and power. A “favorite holiday that the Roman Church refused to give up was...Easter (from Astarte, the Queen of Heaven), who was a pagan fertility goddess who gave birth to the sun god. This is why this holiday was observed on a Sunday, facing the east, worshipping the sun. History records the words of Hyginus, an Egyptian, who was the librarian at the Palestine library in Rome during the time of Caesar Augustus. An egg of wondrous size is said to have fallen from heaven into the river Euphrates. The fishes rolled it to the bank, where the doves, having settled upon it, hatched it, and out came Venus, who afterwards was called the Syrian goddess. That Syrian goddess was named Astarte, from whom the title “Easter” came. After Isthar/Astarte ascended to heaven, she is said to be escorted by rabbits who lay colored eggs. The rabbits have long been a pagan fertility symbol because of their procreation habits, and the eggs traditionally represent the symbol for new life or new beginning. What does Ishtar, a pagan fertility goddess, have to do with Jesus' resurrection? Nothing, except it provides the leaven the devil needs to transfer worship his way. Instead of calling it Easter Sunday, which is a demonic holiday, just say, "Resurrection Day". (ibid: Pages 53-54)

Yes, fellow believers, some Christians are boycotting Pepsi, Starbucks, and other companies who support homosexuality. I applaud these people and parents for taking that position, but I also urge you not to compromise on the far more serious issue of calling Christian holidays by pagan names. We are celebrating Resurrection Day, and should not use its pagan name, Easter. We also must not follow the pagan customs of Easter bunnies and Easter eggs that again have very pagan and immoral roots and detract from our focus on our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ.

If we don't stop compromising by adopting what we think are innocent yet very dangerous practices like the Easter bunny and Easter eggs, which bring the fertility goddess into our lives, then we should not be surprised when our children grow up and continue the practice of compromise and fall into sins such as pregnancy out of wedlock and even divorce to cover up the original sin of living a compromised life with all of its consequences

Dr. Jonathan Hansen

© 2014 World Ministries International