Daily Word: Idolatry Part 3

For the last two days, we have examined some types of things that could be considered idols. Our text is Shemoth (Exodus) 20:3-4 which says: You have no other mighty ones against My face. You do not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of that which is in the heavens above, or which is in the earth beneath, or which is in the waters under the earth.... (The Scriptures) Today, we look at a carved image that is in most churches. Matthew 27:31, 35 say: And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified. Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: "They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots." (NKJV) The underlined words are not in the Greek text. No where in the original words will you find crucify, cross, or crucifixion. What you will find is the Greek word stauros which means "an upright pale or stake."

According to Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary, a very mainstream and conservative resource, "Both the noun and the verb stauroo, 'to fasten to a stake or pale,' are originally to be distinguished from the ecclesiastical form of a two beamed 'cross.' The shape of the latter had its origin in ancient Chaldea, and was used as the symbol of the god Tammuz...." Tammuz was a name for the ancient Babylonian sun-god. This will be a theme as we examine over the next few days some images of idolatry that have crept into the true fellowship of believers. The "cross" is the symbol for the Babylonian sun-god. Now think about how far believers have drifted. Think about some of the hymns that cause the singer to proclaim, "Keep me near the cross." Now none of this takes away from the sacrifice of Yeshua. Candidly, the true method of execution was even more horrifying. However, the truth is, it was the pagans that brought the symbol of the cross into the church. Vine explains: "In order to increase the prestige of the apostate ecclesiastical system pagans were received into the churches apart from regeneration by faith, and were permitted largely to retain their pagan signs and symbols. Hence the Tau, in its most frequent form, with the cross-piece lowered, was adopted to stand for the 'cross' of Christ."

Do you still want truth? Or, as the crusty general in a Few Good Men, proclaimed: "You can't handle the truth!" Tomorrow, more truth is revealed.