AntiChrist RZ 12/02 - Tomorrow's World

engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the LORD
your God” (Leviticus 26:1). God was continually against every
form of idol or image used in worship. However, lest some misunderstand,
let us pause at this point to note that God does not condemn
art or sculpture, but rather the setting up of any picture or
image or representation “to bow down to it.” In the original command
in Exodus 20:4–6, God is not condemning every picture and
image, but, as the command continues, “you shall not bow down
to them nor serve them.” So it is the use of art or sculpture as a
form of worship or “aid” to worship that God condemns! The real
basis of all idolatry is that self-willed, rebellious mankind refuses to
surrender himself to worship the true God in the way that He commands!
Not really knowing the true God, then, nor having His
Spirit, human beings think they need some “aid” or “representation”
to help them worship their humanly devised concept of God.
Notice that this second commandment is not speaking of the worship
of an idol, which is forbidden in the first commandment. This
second commandment forbids the use of physical “aids” or “helps”
in worshiping the invisible God.
A Truly Converted Person Knows God
The Second Commandment
No one who really knows God as Father—no one who is living
in daily communion with Him—needs a picture or image to help
with prayer. If someone thinks he needs this kind of help, it is
simply because he has not come to know God—and undoubtedly
is not filled with and led by the Holy Spirit of God. In order to
worship God in spirit, you must have the Holy Spirit. “Now if
anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His” (Romans
8:9). But God gives His Holy Spirit only after genuine repentance
and baptism—and only to those who “obey Him” (Acts 2:38;
5:32). Very few men in this day and age have truly surrendered
themselves to obey God, to walk with Him, to let Him rule their
every thought and word and action. Therefore, they are not actually
acquainted with God. He seems far off—unreal—nebulous.
They look instead to a physical “reminder” in front of them to
help them realize that He exists and is there to hear their prayers!
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