Separating the Sacred and Profane

	IAUA End Time Ministry
	Preparing for the End of Time
	The Lord is Coming!   Are you ready?
Home

Second Commandment Many churches obey the second commandment by not displaying images for worship. Is this complete obedience to the intent of the commandment? 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. 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; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:4-6 Verse 4 indicates it is a sin to make any image. Opponents of the Ten Commandments mock the churches for their inconsistent application. This is one of the two commandments that religious organizations most often violate. It is very difficult to find a church in North America that does not display some object which is a likeness of a crucifix, dove, host, cross, burning bush, a saint, the Holy Family or some other entity found in heaven or earth. "...our churches are filled with them, from crosses to crucifixes to tabernacles to ambreys to icons to stations of the cross." Alan M. Dershowitz, "Ten Commandments Aren't Gun Control Politics: Religion isn't a constitutionally acceptable alternative," Los Angeles Times, 1999-JUN-20. Any study of supposedly religious symbols will determine that many have well known pagan roots. The use of any religious symbol puts one at great risk of profanity. The profane display of religious images and symbols certainly should not appear in our churches. Secular or pagan images also must not appear in our places of worship. Is there a place for it in our homes? I think not. Do we worship God in our home? I am opposed to the use of any images or symbols at all in a place of worship. This includes crosses, flags, stained glass windows and pictures. I am opposed to the use of any religious images or symbols anywhere. We are to show others our religious devotion by our lives not in images or symbols. God has already provided a perfect way to show our religious devotion. One of the statutes is still not restored, even by most who believe in the statutes. Tzitzit.

Fourth Commandment Do we actually follow the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy? Do we show reverence to God, when on a Sabbath day or in a place of worship, we discuss current events, political issues, and social or recreational activities? I think not. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 Things we ought not to think about certainly ought not to be talked about! Some of the common topics of conversation don't even deserve to ever be discussed whether it is a Sabbath or not. What about hero worship, gossip and idolatry of sports, entertainment, politics, and a dozen other areas?

Pagan Holidays What about the profane observance of pagan holidays? How often have you heard the excuses? It is just a traditional celebration. We are not worshipping idols or pagan gods. It doesn't hurt anything. Do you believe that ignorance is bliss? Is it still bliss when you choose to ignore the truth when you hear it? Does it work to dismiss it and look the other way? 26 And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in ignorance. 29 Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them. 30 But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 31 Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him. Numbers 15:26,29-31 Christmas We are celebrating the birthday of the Messiah! Oh? Is that a fact. On the day of the birth of the sun, the winter solstice. Yeah, right. Where does the Bible record observing any birthday? Where does the Bible record a birthday celebration? Where does the Bible record giving gifts on a birthday? Oh? You say that the wise men gave the Saviour gifts. Well... It probably wasn't on His birthday. And... The gifts were given to Him! One person told me this. It is such a nice holiday. The lights are so nice. The giving of gifts is so nice. People are so kind on Christmas. The decorated Christmas trees are so pretty. There is such a spirit of joy and happiness. My reply was this. When something is based on a lie and deception, it doesn't matter how nice it is. When practices are based on heathen paganism, it doesn't matter that people have forgotten or don't know the truth. This is a Roman Catholic holiday with a psuedo-religious veneer placed over a pagan holiday. Churches make a half-hearted attempt to provide religious teaching of what this is all supposed to be about. Let us note the idolatry of pagan symbols. Christmas Tree What does this have to do with the Messiah? This travesty invades even some of our churches. 2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. Jeremiah 10:2-4 Do you recognize the tree described? There are ten verses that describe idol worship done "under every green tree". God says these places are to be destroyed. I wonder whether "under the ever green tree" is the correct translation? Pray for understanding from the Holy Spirit. 2 Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: Deuteronomy 12:2 Deuteronomy 12:2 1 Kings 14:23 2 Kings 16:4 2 Kings 17:10 2 Chronicles 28:4 Isaiah 57:5 Jeremiah 2:20 Jeremiah 3:6 Jeremiah 3:13 Ezekial 6:13 Christmas Lights What about the lighted candles? Replaced in modern times by electric lights. You realize don't you that December 25'th was originally intended to be the date of the winter solstice. This is the equivalent of the New Moon. It is the rebirth of the Sun. Modern astronomy tells us that the actual winter solstice is closer to December 22. Christmas Gifts The traditional practice of the Christmas holiday is to give gifts to each other. It has become so cynical that it is even called "exchanging" gifts. A very interesting practice using the "birthday" of "Christ" as an excuse. In some churches a gift is collected for the Saviour. This is a half-hearted excuse to "sanctify" "Christmas". Some churches even display a Christmas tree and collect the gifts on the tree. How cute. Where in the scriptures are we ever to celebrate a birthday? The Jewish people have no birthday holidays for any of the great men of their faith. I suspect that the celebration of birthdays is of a pagan origin also. I have not studied this yet. The parties, gift giving, and all the other trappings look suspiciously familiar to other known pagan customs. What is the religious basis? Where are the spiritual lessons? Easter (unfinished) Halloween (unfinished) Valentines (unfinished)

Conclusion Separating the sacred and the profane is a far deeper topic than this simple presentation. What about the profane display of dress, makeup, jewelry, tattoos, piercings, and a dozen other items? What about the profaning of God's temple in our bodies with unclean and unhealthy foods? Next: The Final Events

Revised 2004-12-04