Testimony…
Listen for 7 min
Worshiping leaders is worshiping idols
Worshiping leaders is worshiping idols You shall have no other gods.” Exodus 20:3
The king said, “Can the LORD deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?” 2 Kings 18:35
Faith said, “It is right to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29
The Bible clearly states: “We know that we belong to God and that the whole world lies in the hand of the evil one; and we also know that the Son of God has come and has given us wisdom so that we may know the true One, and we are also in him who is true, that is, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” 1 John 5:19-21 tells us clearly here The following points:
1. Christians are separated as holy by the world. Sovereignty rests with God, not earthly kings. “Peter and John said: Listening to you instead of God, whether it is reasonable or not before God, you should decide for yourselves! What we have seen and heard, we must say.” Acts 4:19-20
2. Spiritual The battle is going on until the return of Christ Jesus. We are called to be in the Lord and to engage in this fierce battle. “Put on the whole armor of God, and you will be able to resist the wiles of the devil. For we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, powers, rulers of this dark world, and spiritual demons in the heavenly places. ’” Ephesians 6:11-12
3. This war will focus on forcing idolatry and rejecting idolatry. It seems that the advantages are in the hands of the king of the world, but confidence says: the opposite is true. The Lord Jesus declared: “The prince of this world is coming, and he has nothing in me. all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” John 14:30, Matthew 28:18
4. If you know the true God, you will be able to overcome. The key to victory is to be careful and self-controlled, avoiding idols.
What are idols in a biblical context? It is all the people, things, and things that are artificially exalted and try to replace God.
Idols are not only pagan clay sculptures and wood sculptures, but also emperors of the empire, their own children, personal hobbies, money and power, literature and art, celebrities, etc. Everything that leads to worship and then replaces the honor of God may become an idol.
Behind it is the power of darkness, the demon who rules the dark world, and the spiritual energy of the sky. The evil one is manipulative, and all the unregenerate are under his power. People are not only like the walking dead but also like cruel and treacherous wolves. This is true whether it is the common people or the king and head of state. “You were dead in trespasses and sins, and He made you alive. Then you walked in it after the course of this world, after the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience. We once And among them they all indulged the lusts of the flesh, following the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest.” Ephesians 2:1-3
Other idols are often temptations and deceptions, but in empires alone, The tyrant will use naked coercion. Therefore, religion will compromise and exalt the king as a god. The monks in the Qing Dynasty flattered Emperor Gaozong of the Qing Dynasty as a Bodhisattva. Everyone has vanity, and those in high positions have even more inflated pride, so they are very happy when they hear it, and they are rewarded and given a special status.
True faith knows that only God is good, the human heart is deceitful above all things, and man cannot save himself from sin. Exalting people is tantamount to harming others, and touting the king is actually killing people.
It’s a pity that since ancient times, loyal words have been harsh to the ears, and the truth has always pierced the heart and offended pride. So, it is often the case that darkness rejects light. In peacetime, people will slander and say that the Gospel is narrow and extreme, and in times of persecution, they threaten prison, torture, or even death. This is a common thing. The Lord told us long ago: “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world will love what belongs to itself; because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, and therefore the world hates you. Remember what I said to you before: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if you keep my word, Keep your word.” John 14:18-20
Who is God?
God is the Creator of all things, the everlasting Almighty; the source of all goodness and wisdom, the light of the world, and the merciful Savior. What we believe in is the only true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of faithfulness. His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
If someone says that he is omnipotent, infallible, able to bring happiness to mankind, and omniscient, he is either a mentally ill patient or a tyrant. The former wants mercy and gives proper healing; the latter wants mercy and at the same time refuses to worship. In that way, if someone is about to commit suicide, you will send a large cup of poison. If he harmed the other party, he also had a part in his death. A tyrant is also a human being, fragile, small, lonely, and fearful. They are constantly deceived by the people around them, and at the same time they stretch out their hands to do evil. Instead of hating King Kim of Joseon, we should pity him and pray for him.
The Lord said: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and fabricate all kinds of evil things against you because of me. Rejoice and be happy, because you are in heaven. The reward is great. The prophets before you were persecuted in the same way.” Matthew 5:10-12
Because of ignorance, kings would lose control and force Christians to worship themselves. The first step is to guide brainwashing in terms of culture and education, and then use profit to lure and lead, the third step is to suppress threats to facilitate internal division, and finally, it is to persecute and persecute. At that time, it is an attempt to destroy physically and destroy spiritually. What they do is like kicking a thorn with their feet, which is of course difficult.
If people want to touch the people of Israel or the children of God, they want to touch the pupil of God’s eyes, and they are directly opposing God. “This is a clear proof of God’s righteous judgment, so that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you have suffered. Since God is just, He will repay tribulation to those who afflict you.” 2 Thessalonians 1: 5-6
Satan is a murderer from the beginning, facing the children of God, he will be as ferocious as a roaring lion. Because it has powerful resources on earth, including political power, and can kill people, the threat is real, and the persecution is cruel and long-lasting. But we need to know: “The Lord is faithful and will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3 More than 2,500 years ago, the king of the Babylonian Empire, the superpower in the world at that time, was out of pride in his heart and for the sake
of Consolidate the regime and build a huge golden statue on the plain, ordering all people to worship the golden statue at the specified time. In order to show authority, it was decreed that whoever does not worship the golden statue will be thrown into the fiery kiln and burned to death. Three Jews who were captives in Babylon as children refused to worship the golden statue. King Nebuchadnezzar felt very ashamed, but because he liked the three young men, he gave them a chance, as long as they did not worship on purpose, they would not be executed, but now they had to worship the golden statue, or they would bear the consequences.
These three faithful servants of the Highest God were firm in their faith, strong and courageous, without fear. “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego said to the king, Nebuchadnezzar, we need not answer you in this matter. Even so, the God we serve can deliver us from the fiery furnace. He will deliver us from your hand, O king; and if not, know that we will not serve your God, nor worship your golden image!” Dan 3:16-18
It is believed that there is no room for negotiation on the matter of not worshiping idols because there must be no compromise on matters of this nature. They believe that God has the power to keep them from dying and out of danger. The most touching thing is that they fear God and are willing to submit to His sovereignty. Even if God wants to take them back to their heavenly home immediately, they are willing to obey. Of course, it is far better to die and be with the Lord. The “if not” here is a great statement that makes Satanic powers tremble and fear.
Because the words had come first, the king had no choice but to order these three great men of faith to be thrown into the fiery furnace. The amazing thing is that they experienced the presence of the Lord in the fire without any damage. This miracle was a testimony of splendor and beauty, and it astonished the king greatly. Then, “Nebuchadnezzar said, Blessed, be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who sent his messengers to save his servants who trusted in him, who disobeyed the king’s command and gave themselves up, in the presence of their gods. He refused to serve or worship other gods. Now I decree that no matter where, what country, or what kind of people, whoever slanders the gods of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, he will be cut down, and his house will be destroyed. become a dung heap, because no other god can save like this.” But in 3:28-29
we can see how wonderful it is that the king of Babylon, who believed in pagan gods, came to testify for God himself. Daniel and his three friends had no fear and love for nothing but God, and they worshiped only the true God. Such a beautiful aspiration is worthy of our imitation, and such a beautiful testimony should be spread.
There is nothing new under the sun.
Dynasties have been changing, and emperors are constantly rotating. People’s hearts have never changed, and persecution has never been uncommon. Worshiping leaders, seemingly unimportant, is a kind of culture, and it is a last resort to “bow at the temple gate”. In fact, it is idolatry in the Eastern style. Because people will shout Long live, learn his thoughts every day, and think that the leader is absolutely right and unquestionable. And frenziedly crack down on those who refuse to worship and retain independent and free thinking. This is an inevitable social phenomenon in a crooked and perverted generation, and it is not surprising.
Christians must submit to those in authority. This obedience is reflected in acknowledging that their authority comes from God, treating them with respect and not seeking to overthrow a tyrannical government, and fulfilling their civic duties by paying taxes and paying taxes, rather than worshiping leaders as idols. To do so is to follow others in doing evil, and to oppose God. God cannot be underestimated. If killing the body cannot destroy the soul, there is no need to be afraid of him. Only God deserves all worship and praise, while humble humanity needs to be reminded and advised. Get ready and refuse to worship all visible and invisible idols.
The Lord said, “I am sending you as sheep among wolves; therefore be as wise as serpents, and as gentle as doves. Beware of men, for they will hand you over to the Sanhedrin and scourge you in their synagogues; and you You will be sent before princes and kings for my sake, to be a witness to them and to the Gentiles. When you are handed over, do not worry about how you will speak, or what words to say. At that time, you will be given what you have to say, because it is not What you speak yourselves, it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” Matthew 10:16-20
