Topical Bible: Idolatry: Destruction of, Promised

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Idolatry, the worship of idols or false gods, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, consistently condemned by God as a grievous sin. The promise of its destruction is a testament to God's commitment to purify His people and establish His sovereignty. The Bible provides numerous instances where God promises to destroy idolatry, emphasizing His desire for exclusive worship and the eradication of false religious practices.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites are repeatedly warned against idolatry. The First Commandment explicitly states, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). Despite this clear directive, the Israelites often fell into idol worship, leading to severe consequences. God, through His prophets, promised the destruction of idols and the judgment of those who worship them.

One of the most vivid promises of the destruction of idolatry is found in the book of Isaiah. The prophet Isaiah declares, "In that day men will cast away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and gold—the idols they made to worship" (Isaiah 2:20). This imagery illustrates the futility and worthlessness of idols, which will ultimately be discarded and abandoned.

Jeremiah also speaks of the impending destruction of idolatry, warning the people of Judah of the consequences of their unfaithfulness. "The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth will perish from this earth and from under these heavens" (Jeremiah 10:11). This passage underscores the impotence of idols compared to the sovereignty of the Creator God.

In the New Testament, the theme of idolatry's destruction continues. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, admonishes believers to flee from idolatry, emphasizing the incompatibility of idol worship with the Christian faith. "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry" (1 Corinthians 10:14). The early church is urged to remain steadfast in their devotion to Christ, rejecting any form of idolatry.

The book of Revelation provides a prophetic vision of the ultimate destruction of idolatry in the end times. The fall of Babylon, a symbol of idolatrous nations, is depicted as a decisive act of divine judgment. "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality" (Revelation 14:8). This passage signifies the final eradication of idolatry and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.

Throughout Scripture, the promise of the destruction of idolatry serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness and His demand for exclusive worship. It is a call for His people to remain faithful, rejecting all forms of idolatry and embracing the true worship of the one, true God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 36:25
Then will I sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 13:2
And it shall come to pass in that day, said the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Fact that Idolatry Has Been Subverted by the Name of Christ ...
... Chapter XXVI."Of the Fact that Idolatry Has Been ... idols, who has commanded their
destruction, who by ... faith of Christians, has ordered, promised, and exhibited ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxvi of the fact that.htm

Knox and the Scottish Revolution, 1559
... Argyll and Lord James then promised to join the brethren, if the Regent ... no Perth
people should be troubled for their recent destruction of idolatry "and for ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter x knox and the.htm

Numbers
... against Moses, which ended in the destruction of the ... to bring the people into the
promised land"a ... at once succumbed to the seductions of idolatry and impurity ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/numbers.htm

Moses' Prayer to be Blotted Out of God's Book.
... Israel had fallen into idolatry while Moses was on the mount ... be destroyed and not
reach the promised land ... in their stead, and by his destruction and annihilation ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon vii moses prayer to.htm

Letter xiv. To Heliodorus, Monk.
... sacrifice acceptable to God." [202] Fraud is idolatry, or else ... he be not perfect
when he has promised God to ... deliver me to Satan, "for the destruction of the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xiv to heliodorus monk.htm

Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
... of David again ruled over the whole extent of the promised land; idolatry was destroyed ...
and to the nation, who were unworthy of him, a fierce destruction. ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon ix jeremiah a lesson.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... Chaldeans which ended in the destruction of Jerusalem ... his rapine, covetousness,
iniquitous oppression, and idolatry. ... chap.1), and the promised deliverance from ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

Deuteronomy
... would already have been devoted to destruction,[1] ix.1 ... to be used in the Jehovah
worship; idolatry is to ... which blessings of many kinds are promised to obedience ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/deuteronomy.htm

The Fruits of Grace
... to the Lord of hosts; one shall be called the city of destruction. ... It is promised
to Egypt ... The Egyptians were a peculiarly debased people as to their idolatry. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the fruits of grace.htm

The Mediator's Threefold Prayer
... to lead them, for His presence could only be destruction. ... in which the stern avenger
of idolatry poured out ... entrance of the nation into the promised land which ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the mediators threefold prayer.htm