The Beast From The Sea

John's Revelation makes it abundantly clear that the people of God will be opposed, persecuted and killed, but they will prevail and ultimately win the victory. And so now comes an agent of the dragon, the Beast!

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. - Rev 13:1-2

The prophet Daniel had received a vision of four great beasts coming up out of the sea, pointing to the four great empires that were to follow (best understood as the Assyrian, Median, Medo-Persian and Greek). The sea from which the beasts arise is a symbol of chaos and destruction (Isa. 27:1), but the LORD is in full control of that sea (Psa 89:9; Prov. 8:29; Jer. 5:22). He leads his people safely through it and destroys their enemies (Psa 66:6; 78:13). Nevertheless the enemies of God and his people continue to rise from the sea. The Revelation to John appears to be an update to that of Daniel. John's beast appears as a composite of Daniel's four. His first was like a lion with eagle's wings, the second like a bear, the third like a leopard and a fourth with iron teeth and ten horns (Dan. 7:3-8).  To the Johannine beast the dragon, the devil, gives his power, throne and great authority. John continues,

One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?"- Rev 13:3-4 ESV

Daniel's prophecy pointed to the Seleucid Empire that began with the collapse of Alexander the Great's. The Roman Empire replaced the Seleucid and in John's day became the great anti-Christ. The role of Daniel's fourth beast had been filled by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who desecrated Jerusalem's temple in 167 B.C. by sacrificing a pig to Zeus/Baal upon its altar. Now John's beast from the sea represents Rome, the world power opposing the reign of Christ.

And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. - Rev 13:5-6 ESV

Beginning with Julius Caesar, Roman emperors had been declared gods, the early ones after their deaths, but later emperors even during their lifetime. Emperor Domitian required that people address him as "our master and god."

The Holy Roman Emperor

The "mortal wound" that was healed refers to the Nero legend. The 32-year-old Nero committed suicide in A.D. 68. The earliest legend claimed that Nero did not really die, but fled to Rome's greatest enemy, Parthia. From there he would return with a large army to Rome to destroy it. Thus the mortal wound was "healed" and the beast continued to utter blasphemies against God, God's name and dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.

The Lord Jesus had predicted that false christs and false prophets would arise and perform signs and wonders so as to lead men astray (Mark 13:21-22). He also predicted the destruction of Jerusalem, an event a generation prior to John's Revelation (Mark 13:14-20). But the opposition to Christ and his people continued as the beast was allowed to make war on the saints, throwing God's word in their faces. In mockery they cried, "Who is like the beast?" and "Who can fight against it?" These words are parodies of the words of the worshippers of the true God, "Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods?" (Exod 15:11; Deut 33:26; 1 Kings 8:23).

John points to the beast receiving a blasphemous mouth and authority from the dragon. That authority is world wide, "over every tribe and people and language and nation." However note carefully what John also says,

Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear: - Rev 13:7-9 ESV

Four times in vv. 5-7 John points out that the beast "was allowed" or "was given" (Greek - edothē). So John reminds his readers, "If anyone has an ear, let him hear." Not even the Antichrist can escape God's plan and time frame. His time and power are limited. He is given forty-two months (3 1/2 years - Rev 11:2; 12:6). After that he loses his authority. He continues only until his time is up. 

The same lessons apply in our day as beasts and anti-christs of various kind arise to persecute and kill the people of God. But we are comforted. They cannot, they will not prevail, but Christ's kingdom will. That is the great message proclaimed throughout John's Revelation. 

The Promised Morning Star

We continue to review John's letters to the churches of Anatolia. The next is that to Thyatira (Acts 16:14), a town known for dyed goods, trade guilds and workers in bronze.  The overseer/pastor of Thyatira is to pay strict attention to this letter, because it comes from the Son of God, "who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze" (Rev. 2:18).

"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. "'I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' - Rev 2:18-29 ESV

What does that tell us about the LORD Jesus? We've heard him pictured that way earlier (Rev. 1:14-15). Note carefully that John does not write that his eyes were flames of fire, but rather that they were like fire. The same is true for his feet that were like bronze. The point? Fire and bronze are symbols. When Israel left Egypt they were under the protection of the LORD who went before them as a pillar of cloud by day to guide and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light (Exod 13:21-22). Before the Exodus the angel of the LORD appeared to Moses in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush (Exod 3:2). I take it that the LORD's flaming eyes point us to the fact that He sees ahead. He knows all and is ever leading His children on their journeys to the Father's House.

The word for burnished bronze (χαλκολίβανον) is a technical term used by metal workers. It is a compound word, probably referring to some metal alloy, shining like gold, if not more precious. The same man appeared to Daniel with feet like burnished, shining bronze (Dan. 10:6). He is no mere mortal, but the great I AM who rules in splendor and power over all.

The church in Thyatira is made up of people who love and trust in this their LORD and serve Him with patient endurance. But the congregation had a fault. They tolerated that woman Jezebel. They put up with her. Or is the reference to the pastor himself putting up with her? Could she even have been his wife? The text is not clear. The point, however, is clear. This Jezebel character was allowed to prophesy and teach among them and her teaching was leading the LORD's servants astray. They were committing acts of immorality and eating things sacrificed to idols.

The woman is called Jezebel and thus compared to the Old Testament Queen, the Phoenician woman married to King Ahab. She corrupted Israel with the many whoredoms and sorceries of her country's gods, Baal and Astarte (1 Kings 16:31-33; 2 Kings 9:22). So this contemporary Jezebel led the Thyatiran Christians into idolatry with her teaching. The LORD gave her time to repent of her prostitution—a word that likely also refers to idolatry. This was a common way for the prophets to speak about Israel, the bride of the LORD, as she turned again and again to false idols (Hos. 1:2).

Jezebel and Naboth

This Jezebel was even overcome with some malady that put her on a sickbed. But she still did not repent. She had an opportunity at that time, but she would not. Now comes the judgment and it will not only be upon this Jezebel, but also all who commit adultery (idolatry) with her. Not only will they face tribulation and persecution, they will also die!

The problem these Christians faced was tied to their livelihood. The various guilds gathered for feasts and ceremonies in the pagan temples. There they ate the meat of animals sacrificed to their gods. This was a real dilemma. What were believers to do? If they did not participate in the feasts they would probably be shut out of their guilds. They would lose their way of making a living. Consequently they faced economic suicide. The same questions must be faced by every generation of Christians. How far shall we go to accept and adopt the morality, the standards and the practices of the world in which we live? And what happens when we refuse to do so?

Some called this teaching in that day the deep things of Satan? The temptation to pursue such deep things continues. Satan tempted our first parents, challenging them to question the LORD's Word (Gen. 3:1-5). In the same manner he and his teachers continue to this day to tempt us by suggesting that there are unexplored deep things to be learned from complete sexual licentiousness, from the hidden knowledge of the gnostics, from knowledge obtained through astrology and contact with ancient spirits. These teachings are still around and still used by Satan to destroy faith in Christ.

However, two rewards are promised to those who conquer these temptations, who keep the LORD's works until the end (Matt. 24:13; John 8:31-32; Heb 10:38-39). Those who do not hold to this teaching will in the end receive authority over the nations and the morning star.  What does that mean?

Hold fast! The word from the LORD:

The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.

This is the consistent promise throughout the Revelation. There is a great battle going on between the Kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world led by Satan and his forces. But the satanic forces are doomed, even though at times they seem to be the conquerors (Rev. 11:16-18; 14:8-20; 19:13-21; 20:9-15). The saints, those washed in the Lamb's blood, will reign forever with Him.

And they will receive the morning star ! The morning star is the planet Venus appearing in the eastern sky at sunrise as the herald of the new day after a night of darkness. It was the symbol of victory and of imperial authority in Roman legions.

Symbol associated with Roman goddess Venus

Jesus is described as the bright morning star (Rev. 22:16) In Him the new day has begun (Matt.2:2-10). Meanwhile, as Peter encourages, we have God's prophetic word and we do well to pay attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place until the morning star arises in our hearts (2 Pet. 1:19).

The Hidden Manna And The White Stone

In my area of suburban Houston there is a Christian counseling service that calls itself Whitestone Associates. It is led by a psychiatrist, Dr. Paul Looney.

In the letter to the church in Pergamum the Spirit refers to the white stone in this way:

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.' - Rev 2:17 ESV 

Manna, as most of us know, was the mysterious food that appeared each morning on the ground as the Children of Israel made their way to the promised land (Exod 16:32-34). The word may be translated into English as "what is it?" They knew not whence it came nor why. They only knew that the LORD supplied their daily needs. In like manner these believers would conquer by God's power and be privileged to eat the hidden manna. It is not visible now, but will be available in abundance when they are blessed in that great day to eat the Bread of life forever (John 6:30-35). Jesus, the great I AM, is that Bread of life (John 6:48-58). Those who feed on Him will live forever.

 Besides the hidden manna, the Risen Christ promises to give them each a white stone with a new name written on it. White is a symbol of holiness (Rev. 1:14; 3:4-5,18). A white stone was often prized in those days as an amulet, an object with power to protect its wearer from harm, especially if it had the name or image of some deity engraved on it or was a mark of membership in a special group. We cannot tell for certain what John's revelation implies, but it seems that in the future, when they conquer in the name of Jesus, believers will receive their own white stone, known only to the conqueror (Rev. 19:12), the secret name of Jesus. They will then be granted entrance into His eternal kingdom. By grace even eunuchs and foreigners will be accepted into the LORD's house of prayer.

And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." - Isa 56:6-7 ESV 

Priest-Martyr Antipas Commemorated April 11

Such are the promises of "him who has the sharp two-edged sword" (Rev. 1:16; 2:16; Hebr 4:12). His Word is all-powerful. It reveals the deepest motives of the heart. And there in Pergamum were those who did not deny faith in the Risen Christ "even in the days of Antipas, my witness." We are not told who this Antipas was, because this is the only Biblical reference to him. There is, however, a tradition that says that John the Apostle ordained Antipas as the Bishop of Pergamum during the reign of Roman Emperor Domitian. According to this tradition Antipas was martyred in ca. 92 AD by being burned in a brazen bull-shaped altar, used locally to cast out demons. This is the only martyr mentioned by name in John's Revelation, though others are acknowledged (Rev. 6:9-11).

Others were not as faithful, however. Some held the teaching of Balaam; others the teaching of the Nicolaitans. During the Exodus, when Israel camped in Shiitim, east of the Jordan river and northeast of the Dead Sea, many began to worship Baal of Peor, the god of Moab (Num 25:1-3). This worship included sexual immorality, whoring "with the daughters of Moab" and eating food ritually sacrificed to the Moabite gods. Something of this nature was going on in Pergamum, even by those who also claimed to be followers of Christ.  Sexual immorality, adultery and idol worship were all inter-mingled, as it had often been in the days of the Old Testament (Rev. 9:21; 17:2; 18:3,9; 21:8,15; Isa. 57:3). Jeremiah put it this way:

Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, - Jer 7:9 ESV 

For the land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land mourns, and the pastures of the wilderness are dried up. Their course is evil, and their might is not right. - Jer 23:10 ESV

We have examined the works of the Nicolaitans in an earlier blog. Exactly what the teaching of these Nicolaitans was is unclear. Obviously it had to do with some form of idolatry. One website I found goes through a rather strange process to conclude that John refers to a secret cabal and that there are still Nicolaitans at work in modern times. The writer concludes that they are the modern-day Illuminati or High-Degree Freemasons, the worshippers of Santa Claus and various ancient Roman gods as well as Jewish Kabbalists, etc. —all under the control of Satan. I will not link my readers to the site. The reasoning is quite strange. Nevertheless, the warning John lifts up is real enough. All believers in Christ must ever be prepared to repent and re-examine their beliefs and life-styles in the light of God's Holy Word. We will have occasion to consider these issues in our study of the next letter.

How The Devil Does His Evil Work

As noted in my previous post, Jesus took Satan seriously and urged us to pray daily that we be delivered from his schemes. Two questions arise from such a prayer. What are the schemes of the devil? In other words, how does he and his minions go about their devious work? And the second question, how does the heavenly Father deliver us from the evil one? We focus upon the first today.

The best way to understand Satan is to examine the Biblical examples. The three temptations of Jesus in the wilderness serve as a summary. Note well that Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ... And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." - Mat 4:1 ESV

Jesus Tempted - by James Tissot (1836-1902)

Earlier I wrote about the word used for being led or brought into situations where we might be tempted:  Why Do We Pray, "Lead us Not Into Temptation." I urge you to review that blog. As I said there, "The Father does not take us out of the world, but rather permits us to be tempted in order that we may grow in faith and trust. He wants us to grow up in Christ. This is part of the discipling process, the training for life here and now AND for the life we will live in the age to come."

Satan's temptations can be divided into three major categories:

1. Lust: putting bodily appetites above all else: And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." - Mat 4:3 ESV 

2. Impatience: trying to manipulate God: Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" - Mat 4:5-6 ESV

3. Idolatry: tempting us to worship other gods: Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." - Mat 4:8-9 ESV

The biblical word for lust (epithymia) refers to any strong bodily appetite or desire, including hunger, thirst, hate, coveting, and sex. A second word, passion (pathēma), complements it. That word may even refer to the sufferings of Christ, as well as the suffering one who follows Christ may have to endure. But in its negative usage, it refers to the pain and anger that arise when you are frustrated and unable to satisfy any bodily desire or appetite. So Satan or the demons assigned to us urge us to do whatever it takes to satisfy our appetites. Give in to those urgings and you will be led to complain, mock, steal, commit adultery, find sex outside marriage, hurt others bodily and even murder. Follow that path and you will ultimately receive what you ask for. God gives you up to the lusts and passions of your sinful heart (Rom. 1:21-32).

The Biblical opposite of impatience is makrothymia, translated as patience or in the KJV as long-suffering. It is what the Children of Israel were unwilling to exercise when they complained about being thirsty and having no food in the wilderness. They did not trust that the LORD would care for their needs. Instead they grumbled and quarreled with Moses (Exodus 17:1-7). Other ways of putting God to the test include living recklessly or taking extreme risks in sports. Taking dangerous and extreme risks financially could also be included. 

The third major category of sin is idolatry. New idols constantly arise to promise anything and everything from fun and excitement to riches, power and glory. An idol is anything that takes our focus away from the LORD God who has revealed Himself to us in His Son Jesus. Many would make money or sex and pleasure their gods. Fame, power, glory and prestige are worshipped by many others.   Almost anything you can name has and can become a god. Jesus went so far as to point out that we are even in danger of making our families into idols or gods. 

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. - Mat 10:34-37 ESV

Satan's temptations are subtle, hidden and dark, but always present. This is why the Apostles remind us to "be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." - 1Pe 5:8 ESV

In my next post we will consider how the LORD God delivers us from these temptations.

Man Is Made In The Image Of God

Using the ancient church father Athanasius of Alexandria, we continue our study of Christ's coming among us in human flesh and blood. We continue to ask, Why did the eternal Word of God, by whom and for whom all things were and are made become a man?

As noted above, we children of Adam and Eve are not merely highly developed animals. We are made in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:26; Eph. 4:24). It was His original intention that through this gift of God-likeness in ourselves we might be able to perceive Him who is the very Image of God in all its fullness, namely the Lord Christ. This is what Paul writes as he speaks of Christ.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. - Col 1:15-17 ESV

To know Christ is to know our Maker and Creator. And through knowing and believing in Christ we come to know His Father, for to see Christ is to see, to know and rejoice in the Father. And to be in fellowship with the Father is what a happy and blessed life is all about. So Jesus taught His disciples that He came to reveal the Father.

. . . not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. - John 6:46 ESV 

Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. - Jhn 14:8-11 ESV

But what do we foolish men do? We invent other gods to worship. We worship the creature rather than the Creator (Rom. 1:25). Primitive men worship objects of wood and stone to this very day. Sophisticated, scientifically oriented men worship objects they themselves have made, like powerful cars, airplanes, computers and ultimately themselves. They kneel before great athletes, pop stars, physicians, wise men, scientists and—yes—even politicians to offer their children and their wealth. These idols are the guides and source of wisdom. And when they fail men turn to astrology, palm readings and tarot cards to unlock the future and to learn how to live.

Seattle Indians Offer Psychic Readings

Yet while all this goes on the very heavens above us declare by day and by night the glory and wonder the God who spoke His Word and called all this into existence, as the King David said.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. - Psa 19:1-4 ESV

However, as is the rule rather than the exception, men study the sky, the weather, the stars and the immensity of the universe, but do not worship and honor the Creator. Surely such study should lead them to recognize the eternal Creator who brought it into being and continues to rule over it (Rom. 1:20), but it does not. Instead, many who ponder it's wonder, merely celebrate its complexity and refuse to give thanks to the Creator of it all. They reject even the idea that there is a Creator. As one atheist puts it, "The truth is that an atheistic worldview is at least as compatible with the human sense of spirituality as any religious worldview is." What the author means by spirituality is unclear.

Beyond that the Creator has given us His Law, written first on human hearts. Our philosophers and law makers speak about natural law. They claim that there is a rule of right and wrong written in our hearts and natures, a law that accuses and excuses our actions. Many wise men, dating back to the days of the ancient Greeks, have written about it. Much can be learned from their writings. Thousands of laws are wisely based upon these writings. But do these laws lead men to the true God? Does natural law cause men to ask who put it into human hearts and lead men to humble worship and obedience? Obviously not, because our world bulges with law breakers.

To make His will even more clear God revealed His Law through His prophets. The Jews were entrusted with such oracles (Rom. 3:1-2; Gen. 17:4-5) They were not to keep them to themselves, but to spread them throughout the world. They were commissioned to lead men to worship the one true God and Father of all.

Three ways are thus open to all men to obtain the knowledge of God.

1. The harmony and wonder of creation should lead men to know the Creator, the Word of the heavenly Father who rules over and guides all things. To know Him is to know the Father. 
2. Wise men know about natural law. It is written in men's hearts. Surely men should acknowledge that a Creator has put His Law within us.  
3. Finally God has revealed His holy Law through Israel's prophets. They offer us all a sacred school of the knowledge of God and how to live a spiritual life. 

In spite of all this the Word of God is not acknowledged and honored. The worship of idols, the pursuit of pleasure and power and the love of the creatures continues to this very moment. And yet every man, woman and child on this earth is made in the Image of God, created to reflect the Word of God in all they say and do. Granted, the Image is clouded and the knowledge of God is hidden, but the fact remains. Men are not mere animals. They are made in God's Image. How then should God free His children from this slavery to the lies of all the multitude of idols and the deception of evil spirits led by the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4)? Men cannot, for they are only made after the Image. They are not the Image Himself. Angels cannot do it, for they are not made in the Image of God. So who is left? Only He who is the very Image of the heavenly Father (Col. 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-4). Only He can recreate man after the Image.

I will take up the process of re-creation in my next post.  


  

Werewolves, Vampires And Other Abominations

In November, 2009 New Moon, the next film in the Twilight series appeared in theaters. In the film Edward leaves Bella after an attack that nearly claimed her life, and in her depression she falls into yet another paranormal relationship—this time with werewolf Jacob Black.

Werewolves? Moons? Paranormal? What is all this? Here are some notes from Wikipedia:

Clinical lycanthropy is defined as a rare psychiatric syndrome that involves a delusion that the affected person can transform into, has transformed into, or is a non-human animal.[1] Its name is connected to the mythical condition of lycanthropy, asupernatural affliction in which humans are said to physically shapeshift into wolves. The terms zoanthropy and therianthropy are also sometimes used for the delusion that one has turned into another animal in general and not specifically a wolf.[2]

The legend of the werewolf is very ancient. We all know the story of Liitle Red Riding Hood.  This innocent child becomes the victim of a werewolf who dresses in Grandma's clothing with the intent of eating her. Many such stories exist. And often the mystical power of the moon is involved.

Some claim the Bible has a story of a king who was changed into a wild beast, perhaps even a werewolf. The king was Nebuchadnezzar II.

And in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with all his army against Jerusalem and laid siege to it. And they built siegeworks all around it. So the city was besieged till the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. - 2Ki 25:1-2 ESV

In the book of Daniel, one of the Jews carried to Babylon after the destruction of Jerusalem, King Nebuchadnezzar turns to Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) for an interpretation of a strange dream he had. Daniel tells him that his kingdom would eventually fall and that he would be turned into a wild beast for seven years because of his immense pride.

Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws. 

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?" At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble. - Dan 4:33-37 ESV

So what lessons are there for us in all of this? Obviously it is clear that we are to have no other gods before the LORD. This is the first of all the commandments. Anything or anyone who is worshipped and placed above and before the LORD God is an idol. Babylon's king made himself a god, an idol to be worshipped. He was therefore justly condemned. This is also why the Bible strictly forbids believers to turn to the occult, magic and other related dark powers.

"When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. And because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God, - Deu 18:9-13 ESV

From a Biblical viewpoint the whole vampires and werewolves phenomena surfacing in these days must be seen and evaluated as an abomination. We are warned to avoid such things in the same way we detest and condemn the sacrifice of our children to some god or goddess, the worship of an idol, homosexuality, adultery and the murder of unborn infants.

Genocide Or Justice?

One blasphemous website mocks the LORD God. The author writes,

Why would anybody worship the god of the Bible? He lies, cheats, and kills with impunity. But, he loves us! His mythical son Jesus is a little better, but he wants to torture people forever. The story of Jesus' crucifixion is a horrible story of human sacrifice, and Christians even celebrate it by ceremoniously drinking his blood and eating his body. This is ritual vampirism and cannibalism.

The site goes on to describe what it calls genocide commanded by the LORD as recorded in numerous places in the Old Testament. The author estimates that God killed roughly 33 million people, including many children! Why, he asks, would anyone want to worship such a God?

This is not a casual question. It is one that pastors often are asked. In my last post we looked at Elisha and the murderous bears. Let's look at another frightening slaughter commanded by the LORD, a story taught to every little child in Sunday School.

So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city. Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword. - Jos 6:20-21 ESV

This is the well-known story of the fall of Jericho's walls after Joshua and his army had marched around the city for seven days, led on the final day by the priests and the ark of the covenant. The city and all within it was devoted to the LORD for destruction. The bloody massacre of everything alive followed. I'm confident that most Sunday School teachers do not invite their students to picture in their minds Israel's soldiers chopping and slashing through Jericho's women and children with their swords. Many similar stories of slaughter follow in the history of the Children of Israel's capture of the Holy Land (Num 31:7-17; Deut.2:33, 34; 3:6; 20:13-18; Jos 6:21, 24; 8:24, 25; 10:2-40;11:11-23; 1Sa 15:3-9; 27:8-11). How shall we respond to the atheists who mock us for worshipping such a God?

To comprehend all this we must have some background. The principle cited to Israel by Moses applies:

"Do not say in your heart, after the LORD your God has thrust them out before you, 'It is because of my righteousness that the LORD has brought me in to possess this land,' whereas it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is driving them out before you. Not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart are you going in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations the LORD your God is driving them out from before you, and that he may confirm the word that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Know, therefore, that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stubborn people. - Deu.9:4-6 ESV

What was so wicked about these nations in Canaan? Their polytheism, the worship of numerous gods and goddesses stood at the root of an utterly immoral and depraved population. Sacred prostitution, child sacrifice and snake worship abounded. Consider some of the gods, what was taught about them and how they were worshipped.

The word El is a generic name for 'god' in the Semitic languages of the time (Hebrew and Ugaritic). It was applied to the God of Israel by Joshua: The Living God, Joshua 3:10. In the Canaanite religion the god El was the head of their pantheon. Their gods reflect influences both from Egypt to the west and Mesopotamia to the north and east. This region was the site of numerous wars fought by the nations of these regions to control the land. Further, since the great bulk of the populace lived an agrarian life great emphasis was upon the fertility of the crops, their flocks and, of course, of humans. So we have many myths about how to please the gods and obtain their blessings and protection. Samples include:

<—Asherah - Mother goddess, wife of El, Queen of heaven. Her images were found in forests, carved on living trees or in the form of poles beside altars at the side of roads. Many references throughout the OT refer to Asherah images and condemn worship of the goddess (Isa.17:8; 27:9; Jer.17:2; Micah 5:14).


Ashtoret (Hebrew) goddess —> of fertility sexuality and war, known also among the Greeks as Astarte or Aphrodite and among the Romans as Venus or Diana. Among Phoenicians and Babylonians she was Ishtar, courtesan of the gods, worshipped in a cult involving sacred prostitution. Many other goddesses could be mentioned. As Israel settled into the land Moses sternly warned them about the practice of having intercourse with women or men devoted to these goddesses. He does, in fact, use a word we translate as 'holy' (qadesh), when referring to women and men set apart to serve as prostitutes.

None of the daughters of Israel shall be a cult prostitute (qadeshah), and none of the sons of Israel shall be a cult prostitute (qadesh). - Deut. 23:17 ESV

Baal - lord, master, son of and successor to El, Lord of heaven, god of rain, storm and thunder, giver of fertility. He fights with Mot (god of death, drought and adversity) to revive the land. 108 times the OT refers to the Baals (e.g. Exod.14:2; Num 22:41; Num 25:3; Num 25:5; Jos 11:17; Jos 12:7; Jdg 6:25; Jdg 6:28; Jdg 6:30; Jdg 6:31-32 ESV).

Moloch - one of the baals or lords. The primitive title of this god was very probably "king" (melech in Hebrew) the consonants of which came to be combined through derision with the vowels of the Hebrew word bosheth, "shame". The chief feature of worshipping this god was to put a fire inside the god's metal image with outstretched hands. When the idol was red hot a child would be put between the hands and burnt. The worship of this god continued long after Israel occupied the land. One special centre of such atrocities was just outside of Jerusalem, at a place called Tophet ("place of abomination"), in the valley of Gehennom. According to 1 Kings 11:7, Solomon erected a high place for Chemosh (Kemosh in Hebr.) the abomination of Moab and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, "on the mountain east of Jerusalem." On this account Solomon is at times considered the monarch who re-introduced the impious cult into Israel. Thus in the NT one of the words for hell is gehenna - after the valley of Gehennom (Matthew 5:22,29,30). 

We could go on and on about the many gods worshipped in this land, including Reshep - god of plague and the underworld, Shulman -god of health, Koshar or Hothar - god of crafts, Marqod - god of dance, Yaw - god of sea and river, Yarikh - god of the moon, etc. 

The point to all of this is that Canaan was totally and radically idolatrous. This worship of false gods touched every aspect of marriage, home, family, the raising of children, culture, economy, travel —everything they said and thought and did. For 40 years they had heard of the Israelites out in the wild places, the people whom the LORD God had delivered from slavery in Egypt. In Jericho only the prostitute Rahab accepted the stories and put her and her family's life into the hands of Israel and Israel's God. Thus she was spared to become an ancestor of Jesus Christ (Joshua 6:17,25; Matt. 1:5). 

Let atheists mock the true God. Let them accuse God of genocide or whatever they want. Like us all they will stand before God to give an account of their unbelief, their self-centered pride and their idolatrous worship of human intelligence. The story of Jericho and others like it are given to warn us that there is but one God. No others will be nor may be permitted to rival Him. Those who mock Him and worship idols will surely perish and die and will be separated eternally from Him and from all hope. 

But ours is also a God of mercy and forgiveness. In spite of it all He would have none perish. For this reason our LORD took upon Himself our human flesh and offered up His life in our place. We who put our trust in Him and in His sacrifice are surely forgiven and do indeed inherit life eternal (John 3:16-18; Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 1 John 4:10).