20161029 Saturday, October 29 2016
1 John 05: Imagination Worship

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken My Law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My voice, neither walked therein; But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim"

The English-language words "idol" and "idolatry" originated from a Latin word, idolum, that itself originated from a more-ancient Greek word, pronounced eidolon, that meant to imagine, or an idea.

"Idol" is used to translate a number of Hebrew words of the Holy Scriptures, including:

The Hebrew word, pronounced el-eel, which means nothing. Example:

"16:26 For all the gods of the people are idols [i.e. nothing]: but the LORD made the heavens." (1 Chronicles 16:26 KJV)

The Hebrew word, pronounced mif-leh-tseth, which means horrible thing. Example:

"15:13 And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol [i.e. horrible thing] in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron." (1 Kings 15:13 KJV)

The Hebrew word, pronounced seh-mel, which means a likeness i.e. a portrait statue of someone. Example:

"33:7 And he set a carved image, the idol [i.e. a likeness - a portrait statue of someone] which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:" (2 Chronicles 33:7 KJV)

The Hebrew word, pronounced ghil-lool, which means a carved log or tree trunk. Example:

"17:12 For they served idols [i.e. a carved log or tree trunk], whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing." (2 Kings 17:12 KJV)

The Hebrew word, pronounced aw-tsawb, which means an image of someone or something. Example:

"115:4 Their idols [i.e. an image of someone or something] are silver and gold, the work of men's hands." (Psalm 115:4 KJV)

The Second Commandment is about not foolishly worshiping imaginary gods. The LORD (see The Identity Of The LORD God and The Christian Ten Commandments) is real.

"20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments." (Exodus 20:4-6 KJV)

The apostle John closed his first Biblical epistle with an admonishment to worship the true and living God, not mere idols of their imaginations: "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen."

"5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen." (1 John 5:1-21 KJV)

Fact Finder: When are all idols, physical and imaginary, going to be trashed forever?
See Trash Day For Idols