Is there anything wrong with
Valentine’s Day? Because there is no biblical basis for its observance, we must
look to secular history to determine its origin.
History
Centuries before Christ, the Romans
celebrated the evenings of February 14 and 15 as an idolatrous and sensuous
festival in honor of Lupercus, the “hunter of wolves.” They called it
“Lupercalia.” The custom of exchanging valentines and all the other traditions
in honor of Lupercus—the deified hero-hunter of Rome—was also linked anciently
with the pagan practice of teenagers “going steady,” usually leading to
fornication. This, according to the Encyclopedia American article titled “St.
Valentines Day,” closely parallels today’s societal decline.
When Constantine made Christianity the
official religion of the Roman Empire, there was much talk of doing away with
the pagan free-for-all, but the Roman citizens would not hear of it. Only the
more grossly sensual observances were toned down. By Pope Gelasius’s reign, the
holiday had become a “Christian” custom appropriating the name St. Valentine in
place of Lupercus (Lavinia Dobler,
Customs and Holidays Around the World).
Valentine, or Lupercus, the hunter, was
none other than “the mighty Hunter” Nimrod (Genesis 10:9). But why would the
Romans set aside a day in his honor, albeit under a different name, St.
Valentine? The word valentine comes from the Latin word valentinus derived from
the word valens meaning “to be strong,” according to Webster’s Dictionary.
Literally implying “strong, powerful, mighty,” Nimrod was their hero—their
strong man—their valentine! Other names for Nimrod from the Greeks, Phoenicians
and Semites confirm this.
An interesting point is that hearts
were associated with honoring Nimrod. In the Babylonian tongue, the word for
heart was bal (see Young’s or Strong’s Concordance). The heart—bal—was merely a symbol of Nimrod—the
Baal or Lord of the Babylonians!
Another name for Nimrod is Saturn, a
Latin word derived from the Semitic-speaking Babylonians meaning, “be hid, hide
self, secret, conceal.” According to ancient tradition, Saturn (Nimrod) fled to
the mountains of Italy and even briefly hid where Rome would later be built.
Rome’s name, before it was rebuilt in 753 b.c., was Saturnia—the site of
Saturn’s hiding. There he was found and slain for his crimes. Later,
“Christians” made Nimrod a saint and continued to honor him under the name of a
“Christian” martyr.
Nimrod—Baal or sun god of the ancient
pagans—was said to have been born at the winter solstice, which anciently
occurred on January 6, not December 25. It was the custom for the mother of a
male child to present herself for purification on the 40th day after the day of
birth. Forty days takes us to February 15, the celebration of which began on
the evening of February 14—the Lupercalia, or St. Valentine’s Day. Semiramis,
the mother of Nimrod, was said to have been purified and to have appeared for
the first time in public with her son as the original “mother and child.”
The Roman month of February derives its
name from the “februa,” which the Roman priests used in rites celebrated on St.
Valentine’s Day. The “februa” were thongs made from the skins of sacrificial
animals with which they struck women in order to take away their infertility.
Cupid, meaning “desire,” resulted from
Semiramis lusting after her own son Nimrod, and as monuments in ancient Egypt
bear out, she may have even married him. Later, as he grew up, Nimrod became
the child-hero of many women who desired him. Ezekiel says that he provoked so
many women to jealousy that an idol of him was often called the “image of
jealousy” (Ezekiel 8:5).
As we can see, the observance of
Valentine’s Day is rooted in pagan traditions. The celebration of Valentine’s
Day is not commanded in the Bible. Rather, because it is based on the
traditions of men, Christians should never participate in any of its abominable
practices! • (credit:
thetrumpet.com)
The Christian
James 1:27 says: Pure religion and
undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows
in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted
from the world.
Are you a Christian? Are you ‘spotted’’
with valentine celebration? If Valentine celebration is Christian as some of us
try to justify, why is it noted for sexual immorality rather than holiness and
righteousness? God will not create a situation for destruction of His children
through an immoral celebration or institute a celebration marked by immorality!
(1 corin. 6:18)
1Pe:4:3-5
says “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have
wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts,
excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries v4: Wherein
they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot,
speaking evil of you v5: Who shall give account to him that is ready to
judge the quick and the dead”.
Love is a continuous expression rather
than a one-time ‘show’ celebration. True
love cannot be based on human principles but God’s principles. The real meaning
of love can be found in 1Corinthians 13:1-13 (please read). Check whether you are exhibiting these ingredients of
love in your relationships.
God is merciful
but does not entertain sin (Rom. 6:1, 2).
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