TITLE: WORSHIPPING THE CREATION RATHER THAN THE CREATOR

Subtitle: A Perfect Illustration Of "Getting The Cart Before The Horse"

Old sayings usually contain a common sense message within them and the "getting the cart before the horse" is a good example. The absurd picture of a horse trying to push a cart (wagon) rather than pulling it is illustrative of getting things out of their proper order. We find this principle mentioned by the Apostle Paul in the following text:

"For God's [holy] wrath and indignation are revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who in their wickedness repress and hinder the truth and make it inoperative. [19] For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them. [20] For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made--His handiworks. So [men] are without excuse--altogether without any defense or justification; [21] Because when they knew and recognized Him as the God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God, or give Him thanks. But instead they became futile and godless in their thinking--with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning and stupid speculations--and their senseless minds were darkened. [22] Claiming to be wise, they became fools--professing to be smart, they made simpletons of themselves. [23] And by them the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God were exchanged for and represented by images, resembling mortal man and birds and beasts and reptiles. [24] Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their [own] hearts to sexual impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, abandoning them to the degrading power of sin. [25] Because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshipped and served the creature (that which was created) rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever! Amen--so be it" Romans 1:18-25 (Parallel Bible, KJV/Amplified Bible commentary, ((Insert) and emphasis mine).

The Greek word translated "creature" is ktisis, Strong’s #2937  ktis'-is; from Greek 2936 (ktizo); original formation (properly the act; by implication the thing, literal or figurative) :- building, creation, creature, ordinance.

The phrase "worshipped and served the creature" (the created thing) leads us to believe Paul may have had Satan in mind. But in any case, it is beyond dispute that much of mankind today continues to be guilty of pantheism--identifying the various forces and workings of nature as being part of God and worshipping them. But since Satan is also a created being, all who worship "nature" are indirectly worshipping the devil!

An illustration of the inclination for humans to turn or deviate from that which is intended can be seen whenever toddlers are given a new toy. Very often they will wind up playing with the box it came in rather than the toy! Why do you suppose this is true? I think it is probably due to a failure to grasp the intended function of the toy. They choose the box because it is quite simple and makes pleasing sounds when you bang on it or crush it against the floor!

And because they are spiritually dead, unregenerate individuals are unable to recognize or appreciate or differentiate between the Creator and that which He created. As a result, many wind up worshipping the material universe because it is what they can see and experience with their senses. And the innate human need for sensory confirmation is the major reason why pantheism in one form or another, is at the heart of all pagan religions.

Perhaps the most obvious example of this type of belief can be seen in Hinduism, where adherents worship a veritible plethora of gods. They, along with all Gnostics, believe in reincarnation--cycles in which the soul comes back to live again in a body. And that body may turn out to be anything from an ant to an elephant! That is why they refrain from killing "sacred cows," rats, monkeys, etc.--because any living thing may be uncle Charlie reincarnated! The concept of "karma" governs the level of each cycle of reincarnation--that is, the total effect of one's conduct determines whether you will come back as an ant, elephant, or finally escape reincarnation and reach the ultimate, blissful state of Nirvana.

At the very heart of the world's growing emphasis upon environmental issues is a belief that "Mother Gaia" (the Earth) is being overpopulated and depleted of her resources. Proponents also insist global warming will destroy us if something is not done quickly. But while some of these claims appear to be based upon scientific observation, the truth of the matter is that the overall issue is being driven by Gnostic pantheism. To which, the God of the Bible has this to say:

"While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease" Genesis 8:22 (KJV)

"Through which the world that then [existed] was deluged with water and perished. [7]  But by the same word the presentheavens and earth have been stored up (reserved) for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly people" 2 Peter 3:6-7 (Parallel Bible, KJV/Amplified, emphasis mine).

So to insist puny man is going to destroy his nest is a pernicious lie born in the pit and promoted by occult Gnosticism! Pollute it and deplete its resources, yes, but God has reserved its ultimate destruction (renovation by fire) to Himself. A new heaven and a new earth will be the outcome:

"Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" 2 Peter 3:12 (KJV)

"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them" Rev. 20:11 (KJV, emphasis mine).

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea" Rev. 21:1 (KJV, emphasis mine).

And before this final act of judgment takes place, Jesus Christ is going to rule the Earth as King of kings and Lord of lords for a thousand years.

"And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, [3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. Rev. 20:2-3 (KJV, emphasis mine).

Seated upon David's throne in Jerusalem, He will rule with "a rod of iron":

Psalm 2:9 (KJV)
    Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

Rev. 2:27 (KJV)
    And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

Rev. 12:5 (KJV)
    And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

Rev. 19:15 (KJV)
    And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

The elect believers among the nations (both Jew and Gentile) who survive the Tribulation Period and God's judgment at Armageddon, will enter the Kingdom to populate it. At that point mankind will finally experience Utopia--the ideal so many have longed for. The earth will be restored to its Edenic beauty and man's environment will be perfect in every respect. Justice will be meted out swiftly (the rod of iron) and no overt sin will go unpunished. (For a more in-depth study of this subject, please refer to previous article "The Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ" at: https://www.cuttingedge.org/articles/p196.htm).

But intentionally obscured by a smokescreen of environmental issues is the horrible probability of evil men taking matters into their own hands. Gnostic Illuminism has long planned to rule the world by placing their "christ" on the throne. And it is their stated intent to decrease the world's population by two thirds. England's Prince Phillip, father of Prince Charles, is the present head of Scottish Rite Freemasonry throughout the world. And he has been quoted as saying his wish was to be reincarnated as a deadly virus, so he could come back and help correct the problem of overpopulation! Yet most people still do not understand why Princess Diana was so afraid of that pack of "royals". But once she gave them an "heir and a spare" her usefulness ended.

Free men (or at least those who think they are) have never taken kindly to oppression and it just makes sense to Illuminists that they must be destroyed if their plan is to succeed. After all, to their way of thinking the millions killed in a takeover will be reincarnated--perhaps to a better life than before--so removing them is justified. Such draconian logic follows the adage of "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." And, as was the case with Princess Diana, the free world--especially America--is very likely to be eliminated when we are no longer useful. When nations become a liability to ungodly and totally unscrupulous men, liberty and justice for all will be trampled  without hesitation.

Must believers rise up in righteous indignation and bear arms against this foe--a second American Revolution? The Patriot Movement of pre-Waco and Oklahoma City days "rattled sabers" and preached along those lines, but today they are relatively silent. Brutal tactics by government forces swiftly quelled such notions and demonstrated a willingness to kill any who would dare to try. So God's people must not be tempted to engage in rebellion against our government because that is never a scriptural option. Romans 13:1-2 expressly forbids it and God's intent is that the bad guys are going to win the battle, but lose the war!

"Let every person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God's appointment. [2] Therefore he who resists and sets himself up against the authorities resists what God has appointed and arranged [in divine order]. And those who resist will bring down judgment upon themselves [receiving the penalty due them]. Romans 13:1-2 (Parallel Bible, KJV/Amplified, emphasis mine).

Bible prophecy tells us that a temporary victory by the forces of antichrist is as sure as death and taxes. And we must get used to the idea and direct all our energy and resources to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ while we can--not vain attempts to "take back America". We must work while there is yet light, because darkness is rapidly descending.

But in spite of the very large handwriting on the wall, many pastors continue to preach patriotic sermons and exhort their flocks to do great things through the ballot box. Beloved, be good citizens and vote your conscience as long as the privilege lasts--but wake up to reality and understand that doing so is roughly analogous to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic! This past Presidential election was precious little different than that which formerly faced voters in the old U.S.S.R--they had a choice of one candidate which guaranteed the outcome and we had two! Are we lucky, or what?

Is such a viewpoint fatalist and/or pacifist for the child of God? I respectfully submit to all concerned that it is realism based upon common sense and restrictions placed upon us by the Scriptures. Nowhere in the New Testament will anyone find justification for rebellion against civil authority. Oh, but what about Peter and John's comments to the Sanhedrin Council in Acts, chapter four and Peter's words in Acts, chapter five?

"But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. [20] For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. Acts 4:19-20 (KJV).

"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men" Acts 5:29 (KJV).

Under Roman rule, the Sanhedrin had very little, if any, civil authority. They were allowed to practice their religion and rule on matters pertaining to those beliefs, but could not impose the death penalty--as was clearly demonstrated by their taking Jesus Christ to the Roman ruler Pontius Pilate to ask that He be condemned and executed. If Peter, John, and the other Apostles had refused to obey Pilate, there would doubless have been dire consequences! So all preachers who try to use the Apostle's refusal to obey the Sanhedrin as scriptural justification for rebellion against our government need to rethink their position.

"But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Matthew 5:39 (KJV, emphasis mine).

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16 (KJV).

"As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter" Romans 8:36 (KJV)

All people have a basic right to defend and protect themselves against individuals who would do them bodily harm. But for the Christian that right does not apply where governmental authority is concerned. "The powers that be are ordained of God" and we must not engage in active, physical resistance against them. Sooner or later believers are going to be faced with a "convert or die" edict by the forces of antichrist and the only scriptural option at that time will be to flee--not fight back. If caught, they must respectfully refuse to take the mark of the beast and by faith depend upon God to give them grace to face death bravely and calmly. When ancient Rome put believers to death in the Coliseum, it was often said of them that they "died well." Torn to pieces by wild animals and slaughtered by gladiators the martyrs died with praise for the Lord upon their lips. And because of their actions, only eternity will reveal just how many spectators were convicted and converted because they knew what they had witnessed was far beyond normal human behavior.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints" Psalm 116:15 (KJV)

So bear in mind that history often repeats itself and stay spiritually prepared to face whatever the future may hold.

If you have been born again and received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, but have been very lukewarm in your spiritual walk with Him, you need to immediately ask Him for forgiveness and for renewal. He will instantly forgive you, and fill your heart with the joy of the Holy Spirit. Then, you need to begin a daily walk of prayer and personal Bible Study.

If you have never placed your trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior, but have come to sense His reality and the approaching End of the Age, and want to receive His FREE Gift of Eternal Life, you can do so now, in the privacy of your home. Once you truly believe in Him as Lord and Savior, you are spiritually Born Again, and are as assured of Heaven as if you were already there. Then, you can rest assured that the Kingdom of Antichrist will not touch you spiritually. If you would like to become Born Again, turn to our Salvation Page now.

We hope you have been blessed by this ministry, which seeks to educate and warn people, so that they can see the coming New World Order—Kingdom of Antichrist—in their daily news.

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