Halloween may not be directly to do with the devil, but for those of us who believe in his existence, the Prince of Darkness is certainly alluded to in the sinister, scary and implicitly evil characters depicted in the festival in the form it is now celebrated. It originates from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain which marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. Those ancient celebrators also believed it to be a time when the spirits of the dead (including evil ones) were most likely to break into the physical world👻. The name itself derives from the Eve of All Hallows, a Christian festival established by the early church to be held on 1^st November, commemorating all “saints” believed to be in heaven, October 31st being a day set apart to prepare for it.

As to why I suggest that it is not entirely inappropriate for the leader of the realm of darkness  be commemorated by Christians, my previous post supplies most of the answers. To summarize, if it were not for Satan, forget Halloween, there would be no Christmas or Easter either. The “Word of God” would not have temporarily been made “a little lower than the angels” and taken on human flesh. If Satan had not successfully deceived Eve and Adam, then mankind would not have had the need of a Saviour. At worst they may have required a divine Leader as their Example, but not One who would go on to die for sin, be resurrected and further glorified.

The ascent of man

But then the stupendous implications of verses, especially some found in Hebrews, could not apply:

“For it was fitting for (Christ), for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the Forerunner of their salvation through sufferings. ¹¹ For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them His own brethren” Heb2:10-11)

I ask you, to which of the angels would Jesus have made that last statement? None, I suggest, not even to the former Arch-Angel Lucifer prior to his rebellion. Indeed, that is likely why he rebelled, i.e. God’s incredible plan to raise the sons of earth to heights that even the angels of Heaven may not attain (cf. Rev3:21 & 19:7😲). For what were the ingredients  for such children of dust to be raised to divinity as Christ’s kith and kin and corporate bride? I have highlighted them above: sin, suffering and sanctification through Christ’s blood, none of which would have been available if evil and oppression had not entered the world.

The Lackey of God

Satan’s treachery has effectively facilitated God’s Plan for the people who were the source of that former angel’s resentment. For God is incapable of sin and could never be legally responsible for initiating evil and suffering in the world. Yet as just demonstrated from Scripture, such was beneficial, even necessary in fulfilling God’s plans for humanity, starting with those God has chosen for Christ (Jn17:6). Satan has thereby unintentinally become the Lackey of God, facilitating the preparation for the glorious ascent of those he most hates and resents.

Nevertheless, he still exercises authority in the world, not through Halloween’s witches, vampires and zombies but via certain human beings whom, like Cain of old, he possesses and controls (1Jn3:12). Satan is still an awesomely powerful being, the ruler of the forces of darkness with which Christians in particular must wrestle (Eph6:12). In terms of the relatively harmless spooky-fun festivities of the season, if Satan is to be thought of at all it should certainly be with a sense of wariness and caution, but in view of the above, perhaps also with a measure of derision and pity.

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