The lesson covers the topic of idols/images and how to identify and avoid them, especially in relation to the second coming of Christ. It examines biblical examples like the golden calf incident (Exodus 32) and Jesus’ confrontations with the Pharisees as idols/false teachers during his first coming. It explains that idols have physical characteristics like being man-made, unable to truly speak/see/hear/live, yet still worshipped – spiritually, idols represent false teachers who teach lies. The lesson looks at prophecies about a “rock” smashing idols (Daniel 2) and the one who overcomes being given a “white stone” with authority to judge (Revelation 2:17). It connects these to Christ as the living stone who judges the Pharisees at his first coming, and a future prophetic messenger who will judge idols/false teachers at the second coming by opening the sealed book of Revelation. It also warns against moral idols like greed, lust, evil desires which are forms of idolatry that must be put to death (Colossians 3:5). The main goal is equipping believers to truly discern and avoid idolatrous influences, both literal and figurative, in order to prioritize God alone in the end times.

 

Study Guide SCJ Bible Study

Secrets of Heaven: Figurative Idol (Image)

We’re going to be covering a very interesting and profound topic today. This topic will help us to engage in self-reflection, not only about ourselves personally but also about our environment. What surrounds us? And how can we overcome those challenges? It’s going to be a deep exploration for today.

 

Idol and image have the same meaning, so keep these two terms in mind.

 

I want us to truly contemplate what we believe an idol is, but let’s examine it through the lens of scripture. What does the Bible say an idol is? Our hope for today is to be able to identify and avoid idols and images at the second coming because, guess what? It’s not as easy as we might think. It’s actually a lot harder than we might imagine. And I pray that we’ve come to that realization as we’ve been studying.

 

We may feel like we’ve mastered our life of faith. We’ve got this. We know what we’re doing. And then we open the Word, and we’re like, “Oh, there’s a little bit more to this, isn’t there?” It’s not as easy as we thought. But when we’re equipped with the Word, we can overcome those challenges because Satan intentionally makes it not easy.

 

That’s the point. That’s what makes him crafty, the craftiest of all the animals that God made, right, from Genesis.

 

So, let’s understand idols today.

Now, let us shift our focus. We will examine examples and warnings related to idols.

Examples and Warnings

Jesus conveys a truly important mindset here. What did he say? “You cannot serve two masters. You will either love the one and hate the other, or love the other and hate the one.”

 

Then, Jesus gave the example of the two masters that are commonly served: God and money. You either serve one or the other, and you cannot serve both. So, what is Jesus implying when he says you cannot serve money?

 

He then goes on to explain. Did not the Father promise that He will take care of the things that you need? If you seek Him and follow Him, don’t the birds of the air find the food they need? Aren’t the plants beautifully dressed in beautiful colors? They do not store or put money in banks or invest, but they are well taken care of.

 

Are we not at a higher level than the ants on the ground, the birds of the air, and the salamander that climbs up the tree, which are taken care of by God? What is our true master? This is how idolatry is commonly discussed.

 

We’ll actually look at a deeper understanding of idolatry as well because we think physical things that we might put above God can become idols, certainly. But there’s a deeper understanding too. Let’s examine some of the mistakes that those in the past made, which we should definitely avoid.

Woeh, some astonishing events are unfolding in this chapter, aren’t they?

Remember, these are the same people who, just 12 chapters earlier in Exodus chapter 20, said, “We will obey the covenant.”

And what was the first of the Ten Commandments? What was the first covenant? Number one, “Do not worship any other gods before me.” Yet, 12 chapters later, where is Moses?

 

He has been gone for a long time. The people are impatient. Aaron, Moses’ brother, who walked with him and helped Moses lead the people out of Egypt, that very Aaron. Instead of saying, “Go away, you foolish people, wait for Moses,” what did he do?

 

Consider the situation Aaron was in. Aaron is not Moses. Aaron does not hear from God directly like Moses does. So he’s probably the one Moses put in charge as his trusted brother, to lead when Moses goes up the mountain to spend time with God, which he did regularly. Aaron was likely overwhelmed by all these people, thousands probably, coming at him, screaming, “Where is Moses? What’s happening? We’re in this desert. What’s going on?” And instead of Aaron being strong and firm, waiting on the word of the Lord through Moses, he caved in.

 

He asked for their earrings and jewelry. And he fashioned it into a golden calf.

And he said, “These are your gods.” Did you catch one more thing the people did when they saw that calf?

Verse 5, let’s read it once more. “When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, ‘Tomorrow there will be a festival to the Lord.'”

We’re going to build a golden calf, call it a god, and then offer worship to God?

What kind of backward thinking is that?

And how do you think God felt? “Look at these people. I’m going to strike them right now,” and he would have been in every right to do so, and ultimately, he did.

Right? 40 years? The consequences were severe.

 

“Moses, go down and talk to these people because I’m really upset. Because after all of these things I’ve done for them, they cannot wait a few weeks while I’m with you and speaking to you.”

“You can’t wait for a short period of time?”

So what warning and example can we take from this event? Because people today are not fashioning physical objects and worshipping those things; other things have taken the place of the golden calf.

 

In our lives. And while we too are also waiting. Waiting patiently for the One to come down the mountain.

 

We too may become impatient and put other things before God and then still turn around and worship God as if he’s going to be okay with it.

 

Let us learn from the mistakes of those in the past.

Because we cannot be those who repeat the same mistakes today. To think “Oh, those foolish people” means, “This person is not self-reflecting.”

We should not be thinking of others when we’re hearing the word. We should primarily be thinking about ourselves.

 

“How am I doing? Am I actually doing the same thing? Oh, let me change. Lord, I’m hearing you. Let me change like that.” Because idols do appear at the time of the second coming.

 

They too are in the book of Revelation. That’s why we’re studying.

Let’s turn to the book of Revelation 21:8, to see the consequences of those who actually do the same thing as these people here.

God, through Apostle John, is telling us about the types of people who will definitely not make it to heaven. He mentions many things. One of the interesting things at the beginning of the verse is the cowardly.

 

What does it mean to be cowardly in relation to the word? It refers to one who hears the truth but steps away from it because of the fear of what others might think around them.

 

It’s like saying, “Oh, I really like this, but I’m afraid of what this person will say if they find out I believe this.” And so they step back, acting as a coward. That person is not going to enter the kingdom. But what else does it say?

 

It mentions idolaters. Those who put other things before God will not make it.

 

We cannot be like that. So, how can we know and ensure that we avoid being idol worshippers at the time of the second coming? Knowing what they are is essential.

 

Because Satan is not going to put a golden calf in front of you; that would be too obvious. You would say, “What is that? That’s a toy. Get that toy away from me.”

That strategy worked thousands of years ago for those people, but Satan evolves his strategy for the people of the current time.

He can’t put a toy in front of you and tell you that toy is God. It won’t work like that.

 

But he can put money in front of you, which is much more effective. So, how can we be sure to avoid these things? And guess what?

It’s more than just physical things that we need to avoid.

Main Reference

In Revelation 13:8, we observe that all the inhabitants of the earth worship the beast. Those whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, belonging to the Lamb, will be slain from the creation of the world. So, the question arises: if we are among those who worship a beast, an idol, what consequences will we face?

The beast gives breath to the idol, allowing the beast that is worshiped to have the idol worshiped as well. And the beast will give the idol the ability to speak. What does this mean? This sight appears terrifying, doesn’t it? However, remember all that we’ve studied so far, and it will become much clearer. We’ve already learned about the beast. Alright, do you remember what the beast represents? It’s not just me remembering. What is the figurative beast?

 

A false pastor or a person who does not understand the word.

 

So, is this an idol? A golden toy?

I don’t know. It could be something much more.

That’s logical. Let’s examine the physical characteristics of an idol so we can truly discern an idol in our time.

1. Physical Characteristics of an Idol or Image

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Several things are described about an idol. Let’s note each one that is mentioned about an idol.

 

1. It is crafted, made, or established by men.

2. It has a mouth, but it cannot speak. 

3. It has eyes, but it cannot see.

4. It has ears, but it cannot hear. 

5. It has no breath, no life. It is dead.

 

However, despite all these failings of an idol, 

 

6. it is still respected and worshiped by men.

 

As you consider these physical characteristics, you should start to contemplate, “Okay, what is God trying to convey to me about a figurative idol?”

 

By examining the physical characteristics of a physical idol made by men—having a mouth but unable to speak, having eyes but unable to see, having ears but unable to hear, having no breath, no life, being dead, yet still respected—what can we understand these attributes to represent figuratively? Because we should be thinking, “Okay, God is trying to tell me something about something or even someone that I should not be following, respecting, or worshipping.” 

 

So, let’s now explore the spiritual characteristics.

2. Spiritual (True) Meaning of Idol or Image

Did you catch the clue mentioned in this passage? Let me read it again.

 

“Of what value is an idol since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies?” I thought it could not speak. How can it teach if it cannot speak? This is from the book of Habakkuk, a book of prophecy. So, what kind of language is being used? Figurative language. All of these things are still true about this entity, even though it teaches. But it cannot truly speak the truth.

 

John 17:17. What do you call someone who cannot speak the truth? Unfortunately, you call them a false teacher or pastor.

 

A false teacher or pastor becomes an idol.

 

Okay, if that’s the case, then we should think, “Oh, crafted by men. Got it. I went to this place, studied this thing under this person or that person. Self-appointed.”

 

It has a mouth but cannot speak the truth. It has eyes but cannot see the truth. It has ears but cannot hear the truth or understand. It has no breath. We’ll get to figurative breath very soon. It has no life, it is dead. But yet, it is still respected and worshiped. Keep these things in mind. 

 

A figurative idol is a false teacher. 

 

Let’s explore more about this false teacher so that we can truly understand and discern false teachers or false pastors in scripture.

 

Let’s turn to the book of Isaiah, chapter 41, and see how God confronts idols.

You know, when you’re confident that you’re right or that you cannot be defeated, you challenge the person to come at you anyway, right? So, if you’re an older sibling or a younger sibling, and you’re much older than your younger or older siblings, and they say, “Alright, let’s race,” then it’s like, “Okay, let’s race.” You have no worries because you know you’re going to win.

 

Similarly, God also has that same level of confidence. There is no one greater than Him. He says, “Help me present your case. Who are you? Bring in your idols.” So, what does God mean by “present your case”?

 

Did you catch the things that God asked these idols to do? When He said, “Present your case,” He said, “Tell me of the future.” Interesting. What does the future hold? “Tell us.”

 

“Well, tell me the outcome.” These should be ringing alarm bells for how we can discern an idol from one who speaks the truth. What is the top one? What does “the top one” also mean?

Prophecy.

 

And what about the final outcome?

Testimony fulfilled.

 

Tell me of the future and tell me how it was fulfilled. An idol will not be able to do such things. A physical idol, of course, cannot speak. But God is also thinking figuratively. Bring forth those that you hold in high regard and have them tell me what is going to happen and its final outcome. Explain prophecy and fulfillment.

 

God knows that He is the only one able to do such things. This is the ultimate test for proving whether or not one is true. So, at this time, we’re living in a time when there are many explanations for this book, that book, especially for Revelation. Many have their own thoughts and opinions on these things.

 

But it is only through the future and its outcome that we can know the truth. The outcome is so critical, everyone. How was it fulfilled? 

 

Like we talked about in the last lesson. What is fulfillment in detail? Who, what, when, where, why, how? Those are the details we need. Who are the people? What were their names? Where did they come from? What did they do? Where did they appear? How did they do the things that they did? That is what fulfillment is.

 

And one who is not able to do this is like an idol if they presume to teach. This is the reason why James said in James 3:1-5, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers because you know that teachers will be judged more strictly.” Because they have a very important job to do: to lead the people in the way that they should go, to lead them in the way of righteousness. 

 

One should not presume to do these things without making sure, absolutely sure that they are speaking the truth. God will hold that person to a higher account. This is why I work very hard because I cannot stand up here and mislead you. I can’t do it. God will not be happy with me.

 

So, we have to make sure we’re understanding from Scripture but also what has taken place and what has taken place in accordance with what has been recorded. An idol will not be able to do this. We’ll look at the realities of idols at the time of the first coming and idols at the time of the second coming so we can avoid them.

3. Reality at First Coming

Let us examine the example mentioned. We shall refer to the book of Daniel in the Bible. Let us proceed to the book of Daniel.

Let’s provide some context here. This is about Daniel’s vision or Daniel interpreting the dream of the leader of Babylon.

 

He describes a giant statue. You should notice that the statue is not built of one material. No, it is mixed, just like the sea.

 

The problem with constructing something out of different materials is that if not done properly, it compromises the strength of the thing. Combining different materials together requires a lot of engineering expertise. That’s a nerdy perspective from an architect’s point of view. But this statue is mixed, made of different materials: gold, silver, bronze, iron, and clay. And this statue has a dazzling, big appearance.

 

Similar to the ones that they tried to make Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego worship, right? And they, of course, would not do such a thing. But this isn’t a dream, which means figurative language, parables, are being used. So this mixed statue is present. And it is judged by something. Did you catch what it’s judged by? What judges the statue?

 

A rock that was cut out but not by human hands. What does this rock do? It smashes the idol and breaks it into pieces. But the rock is not done, right? We should be thinking of the last lesson. That rock is not done, is it? What then does that rock become? A huge mountain. Come on!

 

Glory to God! How amazing is that? You should be putting these parables together now because they’re all connected. God makes no accidents. And if you’re thinking, “I need to review or rewatch this lesson,” please do so. Ask your evangelist. We’d be glad to play this for you again. Figurative of rock and mountain.

 

Very important. What is the rock? The word of judgment and a pastor who received the authority to judge. What is the mountain? The Church. So that is the parable, but now let’s see the reality of the first coming.

 

Following this exact same image or picture, at the first coming, who were the idols that established themselves that people worshiped? The Pharisees, Sadducees, and teachers of the law. They would dress in the finest materials, and people would come from far and wide to listen to their words, to be dazzled by the words of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

 

And they would receive the best seats in the house, would be welcomed with the best food. People treated them with super high regard. Yet these people could not speak the truth. What did Jesus say in Matthew 15:14? “Leave them, for they are blind guides.” Blind like idols that cannot see.

 

And what else did Jesus say about them in Matthew 23:15?

So, how was Jesus carrying out the judgment? Jesus, of course, was the rock, wasn’t he? Jesus was the rock that was cut out, not by human hands.

 

Jesus judged the Pharisees and Sadducees with the word he had received from God, with the authority to judge that he received from the Lord. And then, what did Jesus become? A huge mountain.

 

Glory to God. The prophecy was fulfilled. However, this prophecy was fulfilled at the time of Jesus’ first coming. So, let’s explore how it will be fulfilled further. But first, let’s take a step back.

 

Let’s revisit 1 Peter 2:4-7 once more, about how Jesus was the living stone and how he made others living stones as well.

Peter truly brought together many important prophecies. Did everyone note the 5W1H (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How) in this prophecy and how it was fulfilled? He identified the details: Who? Jesus. Where? Israel. How? By becoming the living stone promised in prophecy. Similarly, Paul, Peter, John, and James provided precise details.

 

Jesus came and did this specific thing at this particular location with these specific people. Like this. Through this. They gave very detailed accounts of how the prophecies were fulfilled. This is how fulfillment should be presented, even in our time.

 

When they shared these accounts, they could spread the gospel and tell others how the living stone came and what he accomplished. Then others desired to become living stones too. That’s how the gospel spread. That’s how that rock, cut out not by human hands but only by the hands of God, became a vast mountain. Do we understand how that dream or prophecy was fulfilled?

4. Reality at Second Coming

Now, let’s examine the reality surrounding the second coming, as a similar event must occur in our time to destroy idols. Let’s explore the reality at the time of the second coming.

Jesus promises to give a white stone, a stone or rock cut out, not by human hands, to the one who overcomes. As mentioned earlier in the lesson, the one who overcomes is referenced many times in the book of Revelation, which is important for us to understand. However, first, let’s comprehend all the things this person must receive so that we can identify them when they appear. A white stone was given, representing authority to judge, according to John. This authority can only come from the Word, particularly the Word that has been opened.

 

To illustrate this, we’ll draw the picture once more, depicting the process of how Revelation was opened, where it started, and where it is now. The book of Revelation begins with God, originating from God, and it is in His hand in a sealed state, sealed with seven seals, as described in Revelation 5:1-3. In the vision, Apostle John sees a little scroll, sealed with seven seals, in God’s hand. Books of the Bible were often compared to scrolls and were indeed scrolls until they were compiled into a single book, which is the meaning of the word “Bible” – a collection of books.

 

The question arises: How does the Word go from being sealed to open? Who receives it next? It goes from God to Jesus. When Jesus receives it, He has the special job of taking that sealed book and opening it, as the only one in heaven or on earth worthy to do so. In Revelation 6 and Revelation 8:1, Jesus opens that sealed book, one seal at a time. As He opens each seal in Revelation 6, events take place, entities are revealed, and judgment is carried out. Opening means fulfillment, one and the same thing.

 

However, Jesus does not keep the open book in His hand alone. He then gives that book to the mighty angel, who takes it in his hand, as described in Revelation 10:1-2. This angel has an interesting appearance, with his right foot on the sea and left foot on the land, holding the book in his hand. Yet, he does not keep the book to himself but gives it to someone else.

Looking at this, let’s remember Acts 8:34, which says, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about? Himself or someone else?” In the vision, in the prophecy, is it Apostle John doing these things or seeing these things? It is Apostle John. However, Apostle John is no longer around. He hasn’t been around for 2,000 years. He was the last living disciple and the only one to die of old age. Every other disciple died through martyrdom: beheadings, hanging on the cross, and many other horrific ways, such as being thrown out of a window. They died in horrific ways, but Apostle John survived so that he could record the book of Revelation. Then, he was allowed to die and join them.

 

Since Apostle John is not around anymore, how can these things in Revelation be fulfilled? Because Revelation is told from a first-person perspective: “I saw,” “I heard,” “It was shown to me.” This was revealed. “I heard this,” “I heard that,” “I went to this location and was shown this,” right? It’s told from the perspective of a person. So, when it is fulfilled, it must be fulfilled from the perspective of a person.

 

In fulfillment, it will not be Apostle John, but a New John. A New John who will live out these things, who will eat the scroll and then have a job to do. What did Verse 11 say? “Then I was told, ‘You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.'” So, the word that you received, which is like a white stone, you must then judge idols who are like false teachers. And so, we will understand how this is done through the rest of Revelation, which we have not yet covered, like Revelation 12, 13, and 16, which jumps into these details.

 

We will study them very soon. But the goal is to destroy idols, to free people who don’t realize they’re in captivity under these idols, like that. Okay, so reality at the second coming will play out like this. We studied these things that seem very grandiose, “Wow, these are the things that are happening.” These are the things that need to be fulfilled. And they will be fulfilled according to Scripture, with every verse accounted for.

 

But I want to then take this and bring it back home a little bit more. Bring it back to us because we need to be able to take what we’re learning and apply it to ourselves in our daily lives. How can we make this tangible? So, we learned about idols in prophecy. But let’s take a moment to look at idols in moral teachings, similar to how we started the lesson by looking at God and money. Let’s continue down that same path so we can examine ourselves.

God, through Apostle Paul, describes idolatry. And what does he say? He instructs, “Put to death,” meaning eliminate, everything which is part of our earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed. Greed is idolatry.

 

Interestingly, this connection makes a lot of sense. If you look at the origin of all sins, sin originated from the one who once thought, “I wonder what it would be like to be God.” What were the things that plagued that spirit, that angel? The one who fell and is now, of course, our enemy. Two things: Pride and Greed. Pride is the belief “I am so great,” as if one is responsible for their own greatness.

 

“You? I gave you the clothes that you are wearing. I gave you the hair on your head. I gave you the body you have. I gave you this. I gave you that.” Right? Like a child who boasts, “Look at me, I’m the best.” It’s like saying, “These are my lips. This is my nose. These are my eyes.” I gave those things to you as they are. You cannot be prideful about who you are, as if you’re responsible for who you are, because you are not.

 

This is why God does not approve of pride. But the fallen angel also had greed. Though he had a lot already as a high-ranking angel, he wanted more. So greed is not just, “I want more money.” Greed is much more expansive. Pride and greed are the root of all sin. Every sin can be traced back to the origin of pride and greed. Every sin, all of them, because they originated from those.

 

And what does God say? These things are idol worship. It may not be greed for money for some people. It may be greed for relationships, greed for people, greed for stature, greed for high rank, greed for acclaim, fame, striving for this or that. Those things that take time away from one who can commit that time to God, God considers as greed.

 

Wanting more than he has already given you. Those are forms of idol worship today. So not only should we avoid false teachers, we should avoid the things that take our time and energy away from God, especially the things of the flesh. Those things we should strive to eliminate every day. And it is not easy, but it is a fight we must undertake.

 

I mentioned relationships. Relationships are actually a really big stumbling block. It’s one of the bigger things that causes people to stumble. It has caused people to stumble all throughout the Bible, from the very first Adam and Eve, from the very beginning. Relationships have been causing people to stumble throughout history. And it is still an issue for believers today.

 

So we really need to understand this and pray that God helps us to have strong, godly relationships that build us up instead of holding us back.

 

And this was actually on the mind of Jesus when he said something quite strong. Our last passage for today.

When I first began studying the Bible more deeply, I invited someone to study with me because I thought, “You must hear this amazing word.” One of the early lessons we read was a passage that offended the person I invited. This made me take a step back and think about that situation.

 

Imagine this scenario: Your father has passed away, and you really want to follow Jesus, but you also want to go and bury your father. However, Jesus tells you, “No.” How would you react in that situation? We often need to put ourselves in that position and ask ourselves, “Do I really want to be a disciple of Jesus that badly?”

 

However, we must also consider Jesus’ perspective because we typically view it from the perspective of the person being spoken to, thinking, “I don’t know if I could do that if asked.” Instead, we should try to understand Jesus’ perspective. In Matthew 8, Jesus had just started preaching. His ministry had begun only four chapters earlier. It was a brand new ministry, and Jesus was starting to give life to those who were spiritually dead.

 

He was just beginning to raise these infants in their faith, these newcomers to the faith. If you send an infant away on a journey that may have taken days, weeks, or months to complete, what would happen to that infant who had just been born, who had just received life? It would not survive. It’s like taking a baby out to the desert and saying, “I’ll come back in a couple of days. You’ll be just fine.” No, it won’t be fine.

 

Jesus was saying, “You have received life. Let the spiritually dead bury their own physically dead. This is more important.” That was Jesus’ perspective. Do you understand? Because Jesus cared about his disciples’ spirits, which he knew would die when they went to those who were spiritually dead. So, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own physically dead.” The first “dead” refers to those who are spiritually dead, spiritually indebted. Let the spiritually dead bury their own physically dead.

 

Instead, you stay with life. Remain with life. That’s what Jesus was saying. Let’s not be offended because we don’t fully understand what is being said. What does this mean for us? We’re not saying don’t go bury your parents. Please do so, as it is very important. But also prioritize life. Prioritize nourishing your own spirit. And don’t let worldly things, and oftentimes it’s not the death of a parent, but silly things like going out with friends, watching a movie, taking a break – all of these things that might get in the way. Choose life.

 

So let us be those who continue to receive life at this time and avoid idols, which is greed. I also mention some moral teachings: greed. We need to kill all those things so that God and the Word remain our priority. And when God and the Word remain our priority, all these other things work themselves out. But you have to believe that God will keep His promises, and He will.

 

Idols that teach lies. Overcome your idols, whatever they may be in your life, and whoever they may be in your life. Overcome and find the one given the white stone and flee to the mountains. Matthew 24:15-16

Memorization

Let’s Us Discern