The world transitioned to April 1st TODAY. On the heels of this transition, we wanted to re-post some historic words…penned by Gwen…that offer a wonderful history lesson and, as always, a Godly perspective of TRUTH about what has transpired over history. Please share this with your families as we continue to learn more and more about GOD’S perfect will!
From Weigh Down Ministries and Remnant Fellowship founder GWEN SHAMBLIN
The history of April Fool’s Day or All Fool’s Day is called “uncertain” by the writers of today and a variety of theories abound, yet here is what I believe to be true. It began around 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX. The Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and God’s ordained New Year’s Day was moved from March 25 through April 1 (new year’s week) to January 1.
Communication traveled slowly in those days and some people were only informed of the change several years later. Others who were more devout and devoted to God refused to acknowledge the change and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration, April 1. These people were labeled “fools” by the general populace, were subject to ridicule and sent on “fool errands,” sent invitations to non-existent parties, and had other practical jokes played upon them. The subjects of these pranks became known as a “poisson d’avril” or “April fish” because a young, naive fish is easily caught. In addition, one common practice was to hook a paper fish on the back of someone as a joke.
Since the time of Moses, all the world had recognized that God had ordained Passover / Resurrection month as the New Year. So only 500 years ago did the tradition change. How can this happen? When people are afraid of ridicule and persecution—then Satan can make people deny God and His wants and wishes. But if you are strong and you stand up to persecution and ridicule and do not worry about what people think—but rather about what God thinks – then the laws of God will come back into history and His laws will be protected. When raising your children, you should show disapproval if they go against the wishes of God.
As a body, we will never celebrate or continue the pranks that are played out on April Fool’s Day. The irony is that the fools were those that moved God’s New Year right into the coldest and grayest part of the year. That shows you that it was not God who made that decision. We must honor this time and year and His calendar and make sure that we teach our children correctly.
We are wrapping up a beautiful and meaningful time of observation, introspection, and history – the Palm Sabbath and now the end of the Passover Week and Feast of Unleavened Bread – which represented the time that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a humble donkey to face His persecutors. During this time in Jesus’ life, the people celebrated and loved Jesus one minute and then betrayed Him the next because of the threat of the authorities. If your children are being pulled by the world—warn them that this is a major test from God to see if you love Him more. We must love God more than man. By the way, the site that I found some of this information described those that would not change the calendar as “Rebellious.” It is always opposite world.
Enjoy God’s NEW YEAR and may God bless you and your family.
Your servant—Gwen
3 Comments
Thank you! Praising God! This makes TOTAL SENSE! 🙂
Thank you for sharing this history so we can know the truth !!!
I am so grateful for the revealing of yet another “not-so-well known” history lesson of how man has twisted God’s Will through worship of other idols or selfishness. How amazing that the majority of this world follows traditions without any knowledge of its meaning. I am blessed to be worshipping in a church where the truth is being lived out by its members each day. Praise God for Remnant Fellowship!