Ghouls, apparitions, ghosts, and affiliated blood, gore, violence, and death are made into decorations and fun this time of year – the scarier the better. Pumpkins, gourds, and sunflowers take a backseat to the thrill of evil. This is quite a change from how Halloween (Hallows Eve) started – as a day for prayer and fasting in preparation for the following day, All Saints’ Day. Now, beginning right after 4^th of July, you begin seeing frightful displays in every store, catalogue, and online retail outlet. Halloween is a twelve-BILLION-dollar industry in the US. (This is up from a mere 3 billion dollars 20 years ago.) Even the entertainment industry gets in on the gig with ghoulish movies, songs, and shows making an entrance, or a reprise.

As the “spooky season” began this year, it occurred to me that some of the icons of the season are also found in the Bible. And God puts an interesting twist on all things Halloween!

He puts the beat-down on the scary, evil, devilish darkness and shines His light!

• “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6

While human bodies deteriorate and eventually become skeletons, God reverses this process in scriptures! He restores life to dry bones.

• “The Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” Ezekiel 37:5b-6

Zombies, those walking around even though they are dead in their sins, are made alive through God’s grace!

• “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way…But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2: 1-3, 4-6

God opens the graves of His people and brings them out!

• “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘You, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live’”. 37:13-14a

Instead of our fearing the Grim Reaper, God says that when we follow Him, death is a joyous thing because heaven is an eternal celebration of being with Him.

• I heard a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come”… Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb. Revelation 19:6-7,9

In the season that celebrates fear and death, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the light of LIFE, that is eternal and abundant. Hold the cross of Christ as your assurance of victory over evil spirits. Remember that when Hallows Eve is over, then comes the day that honors the Saints of the Lord – zombies who have come alive!! We who are alive in Christ will one day feast forever in the Light of His presence!