Final thoughts on idols and idolatry

     Recall Jeremiah’s final warning for those clinging to idolatry.

     “Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them which they will not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them.  Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to whom they offer incense, but they will not save them at all in the time of their trouble…’”  Jeremiah 11:11-12

     Note the ‘I wills,’ ‘I will surely bring calamity on them,’ ‘I will not listen to them.’  Idolatry has devastating consequences.  God confirms that Judah and Jerusalem will cry out to their gods for deliverance; however, their gods are totally powerless to do anything.

     “So do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry out to Me because of their trouble.”  Jeremiah 11:14

     Judah and Jerusalem had reached the point of no return.  There was no remedy for them but rather the foretold deportation to Babylon had arrived.

     In current times many may attempt to compromise, i.e. claiming to be citizens of the Kingdom while clinging to idols.  Many times idols are not recognized as such.  Jesus spoke of the futility of duel alliance.

     “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon (riches).”  Matthew 6:24

     The Apostle Paul stated that everyone served idols before turning to the true God and His Son.

     “…and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.”  1 Thessalonians 1:9b

     In the above Scripture passages the Greek for ‘serve’ includes such synonyms as bondage, devoted, and lust.

     And the Apostle John stated very succinctly:

     “…keep yourselves from idols.”  1 John 5:21

     Idols are false gods.  They can represent anything that rules the thoughts and desires, whether tangible or a concept of the mind.  As such they are imaginary deities and falsely worshipped. 

     Very simply stated, they are not God.

     Just as God told Jeremiah not to pray for those who wouldn’t forsake their idols, such applies to those in the latter days.

     Idolaters will not inherit nor enjoy a part in the millennial kingdom; rather they will be raised to stand before the great white throne judgment.

     “But the cowardly, unbelieving abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”  Revelation 21:8

     Likewise, such idolaters will not reside in the New Jerusalem which will descend out of heaven.

     “But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”  Revelation 22:15

     While God will give freely from the fountain the waters of life to everyone who thirsts for it, the ‘world’ seeks to prepare for the future by assembling idols.

     Only God can deliver from death.  Only God can tell the end from the beginning.  Only God is God.

     The world and particularly America is in utter chaos.  Many are claiming that the answer to survive through an uncertain future is to buy and hoard gold or silver.

     God told the Israelites in the Old Testament that the idols of the nations were made of silver and gold.  He reminded them that such were totally impotent to speak, see, or hear.  They had no ability to provide wisdom or speak of future events.  They were completely dead.

     What can a thousand Krugerrands do to deliver a person from the righteous judgment of God?

     Israel and Judah would not forsake their idols until finally God told Jeremiah not to pray for them inasmuch as they had passed the point of remedy.

     The very same challenge faces America today, i.e. are we also so dependant on idols that we as a nation have passed the point of no return?  Or do we even recognize the influence of idols surrounding us?

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