Historicallly, we believe this to be so, because each is a Descendant of Abraham, whose Faith in the ONE TRUE GOD well documented in the Holy Scriptures. And, in developing their Culture around Abraham's basic belief, they all have this theology of the ONE TURE GOD (or Monotheism) as the core of their Religion.
In contrast, the Pagan Peoples of the wicked world tend to hold to polytheism--that there are many gods and spirits to be worshipped and served. Consequently, they tend to hold and worship all kinds of idols and images, that represent these deities. And, many magical signs and symbols are used to summon the presence and power of these spirit beings. Such is the Religion of Primative Peoples.
However, in the eyes of the Hebrew Peoples (Jews, Christians, and Muslims), such Pagan beliefs are spiritual adultery: a perversion so bad that it should be avoided at all cost! And, we can see their reasoning from history! The defection of the majority of Mankind to Paganism is recorded in the Holy Scriptures (Genesis 6:5-6), resulting in their destruction of the Great Flood. Later, Jacob's purge of his own Family's idolatry, which had brought about the gang rape of his daughter Dinah, was done in desparation to deliver them all (Genesis 35:2-5). Then, the Children of Israel were ensnared by Egyptian Idolatry and subjected to cruel bondage (Exodus 1:8-11), needing Moses to deliver them. And, when Israel fell to Idolatry, Josiah made a desparate purge, to save the People from being carried away captive (II Kings 23:4-6). But, the tide of Idolatry continued to rise, so God delivered them over to conquest, and to slavery, where they went away to Babylon. Thus, because of these bitter lessons, the Hebrew Peoples usually hold a strong Idoloclastic (destroying of idols) attitude.
But, where are we today? The RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENT spends its time, telling us that we should vote this president out and vote this congressman in. Or, we shold bomb this (abortion) clinic and then support that (genetic) research. Or, run these (undesirable) members out of the congregtion and but ordain these so called holy gay men (and women). Sorry, but it sure seems to me that most of them are missing the boat! God hardly cares about these minor issues! What HE wants are the MAJOR things taken care of first!
So, is the Idoloclastic Movement Major?
Well, as we have just seen, down through history, it has been a Major component of the core of the Hebrew Peoples. So, shouldn't this be a strong value among the modern churches? Or, are they no longer Hebrew Peoples? (And thus, cast offs from the Faith.)
Moreover, this Idolacastic Purge is so near and dear to GOD's heart, that HE wrote it as the Second Commandment, right after the first Commandment to Love HIM or the Sh'MaH. For the Holy Scriptures clearly state:
Moreover, the Apostles also sternly warned the New Believers concerning idolatry. Hah-RahV Shouhul (the Apostle Paul) sternly warns the People to flee idolatry (I Corinthians 10:14-23, Galatians 5:19-21, and Colossians 3:5-6). And, the Apostle John is also very much against Idolatry (I John 5:21 and Revelations 2:14, 20 and 9:20-21). Thus, the early Teachers of the Faith were very much Idoloclastic! And, we should be, too.
So, how come the modern spokesmen for God are ignoring it?
All around us, today, there is a rising tide of Pagan Idolatry! The Devil and his workers are running about our land and setting up FLAGS, idols or immages, that let them CLAIM our Country. And, from these Spiritual Beacons, they broadcast the demonic influences upon Our People, near them! Yet, no one does anything about it. The sheep dogs slumber, while the wolves are setting their snares to entrap the whole flock!
Even worse, some of the modern churches consider themsleves so liberated from being RELIGIOUS, that not only do they ignore giving God's Warning about Idolatry, but they are, in fact, teaching the lessons of magic and witchcraft for doctrines, and passing it off as part of the Judeo-Christian Heritage (and claiming to be a church of God). Such abominal filth ought to be stopped and stamped out! God's People are not to be Idolators!
Do not be deceived! If you do the works of the Devil, then you are the Devil's worker! No matter what anyone calls it.
However, the bitter experience of bondage in Egypt to those Idols caused Moses to set forth a stern WARNING, that because of these paractices, the Canaanites were being expelled from the Holy Land, before the Children of Israel (Deuteronomy 9:3-4). And, that the People of God should NOT take up any of their Idolatrous Practices (Deuteronomy 4:15-28)! So, heed the WARNING.
Moreover, in case anyone should forget what these evil practices were, Moses set forth a list, to point out to the People of God what was gross Idolatry. The list was clearly recorded in the Holy Scriptures. And we would do well to frequently read it and remember what to avoid:
Furthermore, also included in this ban is sorcery, or the use of magical, hallucinogenic, or illegal drugs (Isaiah 47:9-14, Jeremiah 27:9-10, Malachi 3:5, Acts 8:9-11, and Revelations 9:21 and 18:23). For, these wicked potions often open the spiritual doorways to demonic oppression (if not full possession). So, it needs to be strongly avoided, too!
Now, why aren't the spokesmen for God warning you about these things? (Because they like the Drug Lords putting money in the Congregation plate!)
While the RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENT is ignoring the raising of Idolatrous FLAGS all around them, many of them have joined together to suppress what they view as the real works of the Devil: the Pentecostal or Charasticmatic (or Full Gospel) Movement(s). For, it is commonly claimed that those who exercize any of the so called GIFTS, do so under the inspiration of the Devil? What rubbish! ENGIFTMENT is clearly documented in the Holy Scriptures (I Corinthians 12:1-25). And we are admonitished to not despise nor limit the prophetic utterances that God's Holy Ghost may inspire (I Corinthians 14:39 and I Thessalonians 5:19-20). Moreover, we are told that the Full Gospel is for all Time, all generations, and all Peoples (Acts 2:38-39).
CHARISMATIC GIFTS:
Thus, to attack the GIFTS as demonic or idolatrous is way off base!
In fact, it is approaching to the WARNING Y'Shua or Jesus gave the
Religious Establishment of HIS Day, concerning the Blasphemy of the
Holy Ghost (Matthew 12:24-32). So, be very careful! And do NOT speak
out against the Working of God's Holy Ghost. Neither attempt to call
it idolatry!
RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS:
In this same light, God has many signs and symbols that HE keeps to
HIMSELF and which help to invoke the Presence of HIS Holy Ghost. Many
of these are commonly known: such as the Cross, the Star of David
(MoGeN DahBeyD), The Menorah (7-sticked candlelabra), Cherubim
(Angels), the Dove, etc. So, these should not be identified as
idolatrous nor condemened as a Pagan Practice. However, some modern
spokesmen for God go so far as to claim that the Cross should be
removed and not displayed! (And, other Godly symbols are also under
attack.) What kind of craziness is this? And, this at a time when
Pagan FLAGS or Idols are being ignored and allowed to be planted and
grow! (Whose side are these guys really on, any way?)
BUT, DEFINITELY IDOLTRY:
In the same vein, there are many signs and symbols used by the Devil
all down through history. These should, indeed, be avoided and
destoyed, if possible. For example, the up-side-down cross, inverted
5-pointed stars (with its horns in the air), the goat-god, the
Swastika, etc. All these should be stamped out! But, some of these
so called spokesmen for God not only allow them, but often decorated
themselves, their clothing, and their buildings with such tokens of
idols! (And, this at a time when they are claiming to be getting rid
of the Cross and other Godly symbols because they are idolatry!) Do
not be deceived! The guys in the black hats, who display the FLAGS
and symbols of the Devil are, indeed, the Devil's workers!
Even more amazing, a few years back, we attempted to start an Outeach Program to the New Age and those involved in the old Occult. But, these so called spokesmen for God had fits, that we should be attempting to win souls away from the Devil (and to God)! And there has been no end to the condemnation and harassment of these so called men of God upon us, for attempting to do the Lord's work. Sorry, but I think nothing shows more dramatically whose side they are really on, when they stop the winning of souls from the Devil's dominion. For, those who protect the Devil's realm, surely are the Devil's workers! Do no let them deceive you.
Now, the issue becomes: WHAT DO WE DO WITH THAT PRECI0US METAL? Unfortunately, greed can get a hold of us too easily! So, listen carefully as to what should be done with it:
Then, what shall be done with it? Well, King David seems to have come up with a way that is pleasing to God. And God blessed him with many successes in battle, because the Lord knew exactly what David would do with the idols that he captured. He purged it or melted it in the fire, as was required (Numbers 31:21-23 and I Chronicles 14:12) and then dedicated it to God and set it in the Temple Tressury, to be used of God in Works against Idolatry (II Samuel 8:10-11 and I Kings 15:15). And, for his Faithfullness against Idolatry, God blessed him greatly, with military successes!
Now, while you may think that this is just a historical anomoly or quirk, it was used by others, with the same dramatic success. The Spansish Conquistadors, Cortez and Pizarro, used this Program in their conquests of the Aztecs (Mexico) and the Incas (Peru), repectively. And God honored their efforts against Idolatry and blessed them with astounding, miraculous success! In addition, the early success of the Muslims, seems to be related to this as the Arabs purged their conquered lands of the venerated images that the corrupt church had allowed its followers to worship! So, heed the lessons of history!
Moreover, this Program of melting idols and giving the precious metals (and jewels) of them into God's Treasury, is what pleases God! (Not, allowing the idol to stand or just ignore it!) For, this is what Joshua set forth, in God's Word:
PURGE OF PAGAN SLAVES:
In addition, King David seems to have
come up with another Idoloaclastic Program that God approved of. In
the above command, God told them to kill all of the Pagans or
Idolaters. So, David would sort the conquered People's out into two
lines. One line (the sheep) would be the ones that would repent and
recant of their Idolatry (and these he saved alive, for technically
they weren't Pagans, but converts). The second line (or goats) were
those Pagans who were so committed to their false gods that they would
not repent nor recant, but were willing to die for their devotion to
their false-gods, so these he had destroyed (II Samuel 8:2 and Matthew
25:31-34, 41). It is a sobering campaign, but one that God
seems to honor, for those leaders with the strength and courage to do
as God Commanded.
However, as the Mediavel world (developed by the Northmen) spread throughout Europe, the Catholic Church picked up this previous practices and formed an Inquisition of their own. And, while the original Inquisition was aimed solely at Pagans and Idolators, the Catholic Inquistion drifted into persecuting the Jews, and then any dissentor of the Latin Church (who was then branded a heretic)--with the Spqanish Inquistion degenerating into attacking anyone that they did not like! Consequently, it was not as effective in suppressing Idolatry and the influence of Pagan Religious beliefs, as was Rurrik and Ivar's campaigns.
Thus, now, in Our Times, with Our RETURN of the Northern Nations pf Israel, it seems appropriate that we embark on an Inquistion of Our own. To aid and support the inquiry or investigation into reports of Idolatry and Pagan Practices among the various Congregations. So, if you are finding Idolatry or the practice of Pagan religious beliefs in your congregation, we would like to know about it. (Sometimes, even just making it known is enough of a pressure to shame a Congregation to reform!)
So, keep us informed of what Idolatry you find.
And, E-Mail us at: zdkf@gorge.net (Please, mark subject box INQUITSAR!)
Or, contact us by the more conventional routes, below:
Or, phone (509) 493-1674
Stay in contact and keep us posted of developments.
(NOTE: ZDK or The NORDESEL Name(s) and its Programs and Practices may NOT be used without our direct knowledge, expressed permission, and adaquate supervision by Our duely appointed officials!)
COPYRIGHT 1997, 2002, 2003 by Daniel Shaddox. All rights reserved.
Published by Lampstand Media of ZDK.F
Rated: *** PG ***
Dated: Feb '97 . . . Up-dated 03-16-03