The 2nd Commandment: Graven Images and Idolatry

[@yeshuaourlivingmanna5393]

That is exactly the 2nd commandment I was taught as a kid at a Catholic school, I was a 2nd grader when a nun came to us with one of the lessons that it was replaced by the Vatican to " Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain" and as kids we're kinda shocked about it for the moment. Later on in my life, a friend invited me to their Christian Church where it was an opener to me about how should we follow our Lord Jesus Christ.

[@arturorangel62]

Agreed the Vatican should not have anything to do with that, to change what we know was the original intention is misleading and of the opposition.

[@EDMRemakesFL]

How does this pertain to crosses? Such as a necklace or wall fixture of a cross meant to show your worship of Jesus Christ. Would these be considered as idols and representations of God which are typically worshipped? I was raised as a Christian and want to come closer to God, and am worried about making the wrong choices and/or interpreting things incorrectly.

[@Lifehopeandtruth]

Thank you for your comment! We believe the Second Commandment forbids using objects to aid our worship of God the Father and Jesus Christ. The symbol of the cross actually predates Jesus Christ and was used as a religious symbol in many pagan religions. It’s also not definite that Jesus was even crucified on a cross. There is evidence that the device could have been an upright stake. You can read more about why we take this position in this article: lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/10-commandments/idolatry-second-commandment/is-it-okay-to-wear-a-cross/

[@terrellking4174]

@@Lifehopeandtruth bless u for the lesson question I just bought a Kjv study Bible it has 3 or 4 pictures of Jesus should I get rid of that Bible

[@poblethee51-a27]

Thank you so much for this!

[@yachtboy6756]

Crosses in the church auditorium. Do they represent God? Do they represent Christ? Or is a across an image or symbol of the Christian faith? I lean more toward not having one. Part of worshipping in spirit and in truth is focusing on the spiritual, not symbols and the physical. Or am I overthinking things?

[@Lifehopeandtruth]

Hello and thanks for your comment. We agree that crosses shouldn’t be used in Christian worship. As you correctly pointed out, God wants us to focus on the spiritual and not physical objects (John 4:24). We also recognize that the cross has deep roots in ancient paganism. You can learn more about our position here: lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/10-commandments/idolatry-second-commandment/is-it-okay-to-wear-a-cross/.

[@Ms.ZachiaJohnson-Moses1992]

I realized that jesus is NOT the only way to heaven, but only the true God is.

[@Lifehopeandtruth]

@@Ms.ZachiaJohnson-Moses1992 Hello, Zachia. The Bible is clear that the only path to salvation is through the Son of God, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). However, the Bible does not define salvation as going to heaven. In fact, Jesus said no one, other than Himself, has ascended to heaven (John 3:13). The end result of salvation is receiving eternal life at Christ’s return and inheriting the earth (Psalm 37:9; Matthew 5:5; Revelation 5:10).

[@sabakes]

My niece asked me a very difficult question. She asked "Is Jesus white?" She asked this because many churches portray Jesus as a white man. That has always been a struggle for us as black people. And I believe this is one of the things Yahweh was referring about when He putting this command. We have a lot of unlearning to do.

[@bawbjusbawb6471]

A fitting reply: If you saw Yeshua, you have seen the Father... We are ALL made in the image of YeHoVaH... (Black, White, Red, Brown, Yellow)

[@fernandogallardo3458]

The nations idols are in the flag and the flag is high and lifted up on a flag pole, and those who are serving the flag are serving idols. The flag is made of images, in the likeness of heaven above, or of images, in the likeness of the earth below. The nations idols of wood and stone, were replaced with idols of fabric. The nations made images of the stars of heaven, of the moon, of the sun, of birds and four footed beasts, in the likeness of heaven above, or in the likeness of the earth below, and set the images in the flag, to serve them. Idolatry is through the pledge of allegiance to the flag and anthem. When the king of babylon the great played the anthem at the sound of music the babylonians bowed down to the ground and worshipped the image of the golden statue of the earth. When the US plays the anthem at the sound of music the US stand on their feet and worshipped the image of the star spangled of heaven with a song. The god of the US is the image of the star spangled of heaven, and the image of the bald eagle of the earth. The god of Japan is the image of the sun of heaven. The god of Israel is the image of the star remphan of heaven Acts 7:43 The god of Canada is the image of the leaf of the maple tree of the earth. The god of Mexico is the image of the eagle and serpent of the earth. To avoid idol worship we must believe what God said in Exodus 20:3-5, and deuteronomy 4:15-19

[@lucaslindsey2386]

Hallelujah. Hallelujah Jesus. Many people in South America worship God through vain images. They pour drink offering to them and have candles and beads and things to them. They break Gods commandment. It will be hell if they are disobeying. But they mighty not have heard the Bibles commandments. Then they would need repentance and obedience.

[@al7oat]

What about the image of Jesus in the church??!!

[@visamap]

thank you all

[@LDshadowladys_Snitch]

We can have favorite kpop idols but we cant worship them right?

[@magiliwalas8316]

I have a question, is it okay if I drew an image of Jesus because of a school project? Nothing harmful right? If it is then I'll throw it right away

[@Lifehopeandtruth]

We believe it is inappropriate to draw images of Jesus for two major reasons. First, Jesus is God, and the Bible prohibits us from making images of God. Second, the Bible doesn’t reveal what Jesus looked like. See lifehopeandtruth.com/god/who-is-jesus/what-did-jesus-look-like/.

[@magiliwalas8316]

@@Lifehopeandtruth thanks, I'll throw the drawing for the project I made.

[@Dragonfire1911]

So then that church painting that Michelangelo painted is a Sin ?

[@Lifehopeandtruth]

We’re not sure which of Michelangelo’s many paintings you are referring to, but we do believe it would be breaking the 2nd Commandment to artistically portray God the Father or Jesus Christ.

[@jzak5723]

@@Lifehopeandtruth The Commandment is about making graven images AND worshiping them in place of the One True God. How is making a painting of God or Jesus breaking that Commandment?

[@Lifehopeandtruth]

@@jzak5723 Hello John. We believe the commandment prohibits any attempt to represent God artistically because it is impossible to capture God’s glory and power in art. Another problem with painting pictures of the Father and Jesus is that Their exact appearance hasn’t been revealed. So what you are viewing is not the Father or Jesus, but the artist’s concept of the Father or Jesus. Man-made images attempting to represent God and Jesus cause people to think of Them as the artist imagines Them, not according to truth.

[@jzak5723]

@@Lifehopeandtruth I'm quite sure that nobody thinks that a painting of God or Jesus is what they actually look like.

[@lucaslindsey2386]

@@jzak5723 In the scriptures God tells us to put away our images of Him. Usually people worship images of Jesus Christ in the same context as idolatry, however it IS okay to have a picture of Jesus Christ, because He does look like that. The argument is about worship. And we Christians worship God in Spirit and Truth. Which is Bible prophecy, and prayer.

[@Rotisiv]

And yet they make images out of the Virgin Mary and crucifix of Christ and they pray to them and even if they weren’t necessarily revering those images it’s still considered paganism cause the point of Abrahamic religions is to believe in an INVISIBLE GOD and to NOT associate other gods (idols) with Him and to AVOID images and idols on the whole.

[@briancarbajal8232]

Catholics do not pray to images but pray to god in the presence of images. Paintings and sculptures bearing the religious content and symbols can be regarded as windows open in heaven. These windows help to direct out prayers to god and our will towards the good. The image contains words expressed in the language and shapes. The Bible contains the spoken words it is not wrong to pray to god with the Bible in hands. Prayer in the presence of religious symbols is not wrong too.

[@Dragonfire1911]

Jesus has been seen by the eyes of sinners so it's not the same

[@henryphilipmachas1307]

If that is the case, why did catholic tempered and removed completely the 2nd law of God? There is something fishy here...

[@victoriaoneill15]

Amen.

[@bri.t16]

So question, I have a prayer candle that I like to light whenever in worship, it has an image of Jesus on the side but also has a prayer that basically is asking for wisdom and grace from God and thanking Him for the blood (of Jesus)... I don’t like idolize the candle or anything but is that wrong? Because I’m really more focused on the prayer and lighting the candle just helps keep that focus, which is what I think the purpose of it is but idk it still has the “image” of Jesus

[@Lifehopeandtruth]

Hello, Brisayda. We believe the spirit of the Second Commandment teaches us to not use images or objects to aid our worship. We’d recommend you continue studying this subject in your Bible and base your decisions on the solid foundation of God’s Word. Here’s a resource you may find helpful: lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/10-commandments/idolatry-second-commandment/

[@Dragonfire1911]

Jesus has already been seen by the eyes of sinners where no sinner has seen Gods face. So it may not be the same.

[@jasonmunoz334]

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” (Deut. 4:2.). Catholics. Stop it. You removed the 2nd so you can be like the guys who praises carve statues. Read bible. Its the word of God so you will not be deceived.

[@DanielMatthew89]

Great video my brother

[@LDshadowladys_Snitch]

I want to be a kpop Idol but I hate when people worship me

[@nabilrady6767]

I am bit confused, isn't it ok to depict jesus in churches? Doesn't that contradict the second commandment?

[@Lifehopeandtruth]

Nowhere does the Bible tell us to have pictures of Jesus, and no one who has tried to depict Him even knows what He looks like. See our article “What Did and Didn’t Jesus Look Like?” (lifehopeandtruth.com/god/who-is-jesus/what-did-jesus-look-like/). For more about the Second Commandment, see “Second Commandment: You Shall Not Make a Carved Image” (lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/10-commandments/idolatry-second-commandment/).

[@Dragonfire1911]

Jesus has been seen by the eyes of sinners so it's not the same

[@jzak5723]

@@Lifehopeandtruth How do you know that nobody has seen Jesus since Apostolic times?

[@Lifehopeandtruth]

@@jzak5723 Hello John. We do not believe Jesus has physically revealed Himself to human beings since apostolic times (see John 20:29; 1 Peter 1:7-8). We believe His next appearance will be when He returns and begins His rule on earth (Hebrews 9:28).

[@jzak5723]

@@Lifehopeandtruth I don't know how you can be so certain that Jesus has not revealed Himself to at least one person in 2000 years.

[@azukarzuchastux8066]

Revelation 13:15 King James Bible And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

[@DannyPluto.]

I just want to know if buying a gold pendent chain go against this commandment. Please serve me with scripture. KJV only please

[@Lifehopeandtruth]

Danny, the Second Commandment is about images used in worship: “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them” (Exodus 20:5). Gold chains are mentioned in connection to godly men, such as Joseph (Genesis 41:42) and Daniel (Daniel 5:29). So, it seems that gold chains would not in themselves be idolatrous. I don’t know what type of pendant you are referring to, so I cannot answer that from Scripture.

[@jzak5723]

@@Lifehopeandtruth I think its probably referring to a chain with a cross or crucifix attached to it.

[@lynnbennett6848]

How do people not understand what "Engraven Image" i.e. STAMPED words mean?

[@Lifehopeandtruth]

Hello Lynn. The New King James Version translates it “carved image,” and many modern English versions use the word “idol.” It is translated from the Hebrew word “pecel,” which means a carved image or an idol. The commandment isn’t talking about the engraving of words on a hard surface.

[@beverlyhand7330]

Almighty God Heavenly Father is a Holy spirit who lives in Heaven.

[@user-pe9gz8si8k]

No. God is god. The Holy Spirit is one with God, as is the son.

[@stevehutson2815]

Jving...

[@bailujen8052]

Visiting sins to the children is like punishing children for parents sins by putting inevitable sins to children

[@khenbornagain]

Broken laws have lasting punishment, cut out God from your life and you punish your own self.

[@dignerds]

Its immoral to judge a future generation for the sins of people in the past. They are their own people with their own thoughts and intentions.

[@bawbjusbawb6471]

Deuteronomy 24:16 - Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin. Sins carry consequences... This is how future generations are punished for the sins of their fathers...

[@lynnbennett6848]

#2 Words.

[@lynnbennett6848]

"Thou shalt not kill," means thou shalt not kill. Period. Even I am a hypocrite, please help me.

[@Dragonfire1911]

Back then the word kill meant murder, So Thou shalt not murder. It doesn't mean your not allowed to defend yourself or hunt or slaughter animals for food.

[@khenbornagain]

@@Dragonfire1911 idk about that…. Jesus literally says let God bring Justice. Personally I won’t risk it. Killing feels wrong for a reason, Gods Holy Law is written on our hearts. Of course we can use animals how we please as long as it’s done with compassion, because killing an animal isn’t the same thing as killing a human.

[@Dragonfire1911]

@@khenbornagain let God bring Justice means he will bring justice after death. Your allowed to defend yourself Psalm 82:3 Exodus 22:2 & no matter what we will always be hated Matthew 10:22

[@janoliverart]

Really big stretch. Even the image you appear in the video is a graven image. God filled artists and craftsmen with gifts to paint and create beauty. The commandment is not to create something you BOW DOWN a to or SERVE them. Your interpretation would make every image or figurine a sin.

[@suspiciouswatermelon7639]

Every image, statue, figurine, etc. is in fact a sin.

[@Sumtingwongbruh123]

👍👍👍 Is this really the truth? Hmmm Gonna test this🙂

[@dominotruth]

Okay, I’ve been searching for answers for a good while now about religions (which were all created by man and not the Almighty Creator). The only way to salvation is through the Creator and not through Jesus or any other false idol. Jesus was supposedly the Son of God, (half God, half man), and of flesh & bone, so technically a Demi God and not the Creator. The True Creator would not let us see its face. When Christians pray and call out to Jesus, they are praying to an idol and breaking the 2nd Commandment. I don’t care how you slice it, it’s idol worship. There is also pretty convincing evidence that points to him being a fictional character that was taken from Pagan “sun” worship. In the Old Testament the Creator says we should talk directly to him in a private place, not in a church amongst a congregation and definitely not to a priest. All organized religions are a trap, because they all have false idols that are worshipped. Everyone needs to wake up to the greatest deception ever perpetuated, before it’s to late.

[@zoreyaswain1133]

You missed it. The commandment says nothing of limiting nor of boxes, but everything about honoring him. You make a human argument and focus on the wrong intention, not to mention advertising to make coin in his name. Shame!

[@Lifehopeandtruth]

Zoreya, thanks for your comment. We do not charge anything or make any money from our material. If you saw an ad from KZbin, please know that we did not place it or profit from it. You are right that the Second Commandment, along with the First Commandment, is about honoring God in the way He wants to be honored. You can read more about this in our article lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/10-commandments/idolatry-second-commandment/ and related material.

[@zoreyaswain1133]

Life, Hope & Truth @ how can you twist one of the most concrete statement from God from it’s simple clarity, into something having to do with not limiting/putting God in a box. You do this and peddle for book sales?

[@nicksundby]

Claptrap

[@fmas1978]

hateful

[@Rotisiv]

And you’re miserable.

[@Dragonfire1911]

You can't call religious people hateful without hating them yourself.

[@fmas1978]

@@Dragonfire1911 maybe you... I don't need to be happy to call others happy, but the religious love the rules ;-) have a phenomenal weekend all

[@Dragonfire1911]

@@fmas1978 You say we are the bad guys so You do hate us, you are very judgmental