Trick or Treat: Why I Believe Martin Luther Nailed the 95 Theses on October 31, 1517

Halloween was a word that didn't come into the dictionaries of people before the Reformation. But here's a piece of my mind on why Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses on October 31 of all the dates during the year of 1517. I don't think people went dressing up as witches and demons and candy back then. Now I want to talk why I believe Martin Luther chose October 31. Plus, I think he may have done on it on purpose.

Halloween originally meant All Hallow's Eve. The following day after October 31 is November 1 or All Saints' Day. November 2 is All Soul's Day. As a former Roman Catholic myself, it was common to purchase indulgences or prayers for one's departed loved ones when it was October. Johannes Tetzel made the clever deception of, "When a coin in the coffer clings, a soul from Purgatory springs." The deception was so well-made that it made forgiveness look like it was for sale. But Luther nailed the theses on October 31 just one day before November 1 which October 31-November 2 are three days in observance for all those whom Rome recognizes as saints and for the deceased.

I think his reason for doing so was because what better way to ruin the whole scam was to attack it on the first day of the three days. People had to realize this fact that forgiveness was not for sale. It really upsets me to think of how people are still praying for their deceased loved ones for decades. One generation passes away and prayers are still being said. I've experienced seeing my Roman Catholic relatives still praying for their deceased relatives for decades. Whether it'd be their death anniversary or October 31 up to November 2 they still continue offering masses and it's been for decades. This contradicts what Hebrews 9:27 has to say that once a person dies that person is immediately passed to judgment. If you've died in Christ then it's straight to Heaven and if you've died without Christ then it's straight to Hell. 

Perhaps the biggest scam of Purgatory is that the priest may never tell these people that the Masses were enough. Every time they ask for the condition of their deceased loved one, they may only hear that the person needs more prayers and more money must be given. It's pretty sickening to how such practice makes salvation something that can be bought with money. No, salvation is not for sale and Purgatory mocks the finished work of Christ on the cross. Hebrews 10:12 says that one sacrifice is enough for all sins to be forgiven which makes Purgatory nothing more than an unnecessary state in the afterlife for those who are already destined to enter Heaven. Even if Roman Catholics may say that they do believe that there's no second chance after death but they have to realize that Purgatory downplays Christ's redemptive work on the cross.