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Altars and Idols

All of my family on my mother's side, being Italian were catholic. Italian Catholics often consider that they are more spiritual than other Catholics because after all, the Pope is in Rome. There is what they consider a certain amount of spiritualism that a good catholic will embrace. The church will frequently promote this and typically because it can be a means to raise money This spiritualism is purely external and consists of statues, pictures, images and medals to name a few.

Our home had a crucifix in each room. We even had one in the hall that would open to reveal the items needed for last rites. After all, a catholic wouldn't want to die without receiving last rites. A crucifix is supposedly the image of Jesus on the cross. At least it's a politically correct image that won't scare children too much. I say this because if you read Isaiah 52:14, you will see that Jesus was marred more than any man.

Isaiah 52:vs. 14 As many were astonied at thee: his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

Psalm 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

After Palm Sunday, Catholics would make a cross out of the palm fronds and then place that cross behind the cross on the wall. During Christmas it was considered to be beneficial to receive a Christmas card with the three wise men on it. That card would also be placed over a door to remain until the following year. Saint Christopher medals were placed in vehicles or worn on chains because he would insure safety during travel.

We certainly had the picture of the sad, wimpy Jesus on our wall in the living room. That picture looked nothing like the description of Jesus in Revelation 2:18

Revelation 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

In my mother's bedroom was a dresser that had various statues on top. These were about 24" tall. One was a baby Jesus dressed in a robe with a crown on His head. He was holding an orb with a cross at the top. He had changeable clothing that my mother would switch depending on the holiday season. She also had the obligatory statue of Mary, also with changeable clothing. This was my mother's "altar". Outside, throughout our city, it was quite common to see a statue of Mary in the landscape. My mother also gave my two oldest sisters a "Nun" doll for a Christmas present. This was a large doll that was dressed in full formal nun's habit. These dolls were a prized possession and were not meant for play.

At our church, The Saint Joseph the worker Catholic Church, in New Castle, we had three altars to choose from. The contemporary Jesus was at the main altar. Mary had her own altar where you could purchase candles to light in front of her so that she would answer your prayers. The placement of her altar was just outside of the confessionals so it was convenient for penance. Joseph also had an altar, but his was simple and off to the side.

The Catholic church considers the Ten Commandments as a main part of their catechism. The Ten Commandments were a part of the Law that Moses handed down from God. If you look in Leviticus 26:1 you will see the following " Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am Lord your God." Furthermore in vs. 30 you see "And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you."

To move to the new testament, in I Corinthians 10:14 you will see simple instructions; " Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from Idolatry". The Spirit of God describes your statues and images in Psalm 115:4-8

vs. 4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

vs. 5 The have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:

vs. 6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:

vs. 7 The have hands but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.

vs. 8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.

The follow verse tells us what to do..

vs. 9 O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.

Our confidence/faith needs to be in one thing, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Gospel IS the power of God. Praying to images and using them to ward off evil is Idolatry, witchcraft, and spiritual whoredoms.

I pray that through the power of God, the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus, all images, groves, high places and altars will be utterly destroyed in the land. That spiritual whoredoms in the hearts of the people will be exposed and cast out. That we are redeemed from idolatry to serve the living God.