Civil Government: Power, Nations, and Constitutional Order: War in the Gates

The Dangers of Old Age - Part 2

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Civil Government

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2025-11-30

Synopsis: In this sermon, John Weaver continues his study of 1 Kings 11, focusing on why Solomon turned to the false gods Milcom (Moloch) and Chemosh in his old age. He argues that Moloch worship represents a political power religion of total state control, while Chemosh worship reflects a fallen desire for conquest and domination. Weaver applies these ancient idolatries to modern dangers, warning that older people may seek rejuvenation, power, or control through sinful means rather than turning to God. He emphasizes that all government is inherently religious, that multiculturalism leads to idolatry, and that true power belongs only to God.

[John Weaver] All right, let's open our Bibles again today to First Kings chapter 11. I preached the first message on losing your wisdom and losing your mind. And then last week I dealt with the first part of the dangers of old age. And so today I'm dealing with the second part of the dangers of old age. So let's begin reading with verse one of First Kings 11. But King Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites, of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, You shall not go into them, neither shall they come in unto you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods. Solomon claimed to these in love, and he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass when Solomon was old that his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not perfect with the Lord God, as was the heart of David his father.

[John Weaver] For Solomon went after Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom, the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

[John Weaver] And likewise did he for his strange wives, which burn incest and sacrifice unto their gods. And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, who had appeared unto him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he kept not that which the Lord commanded. Wherefore, the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done in thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding, in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake, but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. Howbeit, I will not rend away all the kingdom, but will give one tribe to thine to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen." Now, last week I began pointing out Solomon's failures, defections, and apostasy when he was old.

[John Weaver] There are indeed dangers to old age according to the scripture. We need to be aware of those dangers. Solomon has now built altars to all of these false gods that his wives worship And he actually joined into the worship as well, according to First Kings chapter 11. So I have asked, and I did ask this last week, why specifically are these three false gods mentioned in this passage?

[John Weaver] We read about Ashtoreth, Milcom and Chemosh. You have to remember that there were many, many false gods. Let me just read to you one passage. 2 Kings chapter 17, verses 30 and 31. Listen carefully. And the men of Babylon made Succoth-Binoth, and the men of Kuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Eshema, and the Abites made Nibaz and Tartac, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anamelech, the gods of Sepharbon. So obviously there were plenty of false gods. And these were just some that happened to be mentioned. But out of all these false gods, these three are prominent. Ashtoreth, Moloch, and of course, Hemosh. So why these three? Well, last week I pointed out that Ashtoreth was known by many names. She's named and known by the name of Ashtoreth, Ashtaroth, Ishtar, Venus, and Asherah and many other names. In fact, you're going to find that many of these same false gods are worshipped under different names.

[John Weaver] It's kind of like my name is John, but if I were in Mexico, they'd be calling me Juan. If I happen to be in Greece, they'd be calling me Johan. So it's the same name, but it's pronounced differently by different ethnic groups. So these false gods went by many different names as well. So I remind you that Asheroth or Asherah was known as the goddess of sex and fertility.

[John Weaver] She was also worshipped under the figure of a pole or tree. She was associated with the moon and she was supposed to be the consort or the wife of Baal. I must remind you that Solomon now had 700 wives that were princesses, and I discussed last week about these wives, and 300 concubines. He may have had others beside, I do not know. But I can assure you one thing, by the time Solomon was 50 or 60, he was well, well spent. And as I pointed out last week in discussing the age of Solomon, he could not have been any more than 65 when he died. and probably he died even earlier than that.

[John Weaver] The problem was he began reaching downward to all of these false gods, I would say to the pit of hell, in order to revive and rejuvenate himself in his power and his abilities. And he did not seek after God. I pointed out last week how God restored the bodies of Abraham and Sarah. He also restored the bodies of Manoah and his wife. as well as Zachariah and Elizabeth, and then there was Hannah as well. So there's a multitude that God certainly restored.

[John Weaver] But probably what is happening today in a lot of older people, middle-aged people, is they're doing exactly like Solomon. They're reaching down to try to rejuvenate themselves and going to fornication, adultery, pedophilia, perversion, all kinds of things. instead of seeking the one true and the living God. And so obviously it is indeed idolatrous in nature. And to be honest, I have been absolutely shocked to see the pictures and the names of older men and sometimes older pastors that have been caught engaging in prostitution, pedophilia, and all this other kind of perversions. It is absolutely unreal. So while one may not attend, the worship of Asherah or Ashtoreth, still when they go after these perversions and go after that which God has forbidden, it is still a form of idolatry because you're placing your will, your desire, and your way before God.

[John Weaver] And I told you last week that I would encourage everyone to read Proverbs chapter 5, 6, and 7 until it is thoroughly, indelibly printed on your heart. And then, of course, for married couples, they should be reading 1 Corinthians 7, verses 1-5 on a regular basis as well. So the question today is this, why in the world did Solomon turn to Milcom and to Chemosh? We understand why he turned to Ashtoreth, that is for sure. By the way, now the Bible calls Moloch here Milcom. Once again, Moloch is known by different names in the Bible. He's called Moloch, he's called Malcolm, he's called Melech, he's even called Malak. It's all different names that are used in the Bible just like different names for Ashtoreth, but yet it's the same God. So Ashtoreth was supposed to be the consort of Moloch and Baal as well. In fact, Moloch is a type of Baal worship anyhow. And so ritual prostitution And perversion, of course, was all involved in this worship. Now, the name Moloch, or Malcolm, or Melech, actually is derived from the Hebrew word melech, which means king, and the vowel bosheth, which means shame.

[John Weaver] As I pointed out last week, all the false gods, all the idols, were known as shameful things or abominable things as well. What are the complaints of old age? I asked that question last week. Well, there's also a loss of virility, but there's also a loss of power. There's a loss of control. There's a loss of abilities. When you stop and think about this, Solomon experienced power and control almost like no other king ever experienced power and control. That would be a human king. and it seems as if Solomon was more concerned about losing control than anything else. Now there's a verse that is found in Ecclesiastes chapter 8 and verse 4 and you have to remember the book of Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon. So here's what it says, where the word of a king is there is power and who may say unto him what doest thou? In other words Solomon just simply said, Steve, you do this and you did it. Or else, if you didn't do it, you were dead. It's just that simple.

[John Weaver] And so if you and I were able to speak to someone and control them and dominate them in that way, then we would be exercising power over their lives because we would be demanding submission and subjection of them on every hand so to speak. So the truth of the matter is this. Solomon had been slipping in many ways but this loss of power and control evidently bothered him greatly and instead of going to the Lord he went to the worship of Moloch.

[John Weaver] Now let me point out the fact that this truth still affects us today because one of the complaints of older people is they have lost control over their children. Their children are grown. Their children are adults. But it's an absolutely frustrating thing, especially for a Christian parent who has a wayward child, or a child that will not listen, or a child that is in sin and will not turn from that sin, and the parent is absolutely helpless. He cannot do one thing. And so basically he understands that he has now lost control. I never will forget years ago, I met a young man and he had several young children.

[John Weaver] And he was speaking to them and they were obeying instantly. And he looked at me and said, I'm training my children to obey. I said, I'm so glad of that and I'm thankful for that. But let me caution you, wait until they're teenagers. And then you're going to find that they're developing a mind of their own and they want to do what they want to do instead of what you tell them.

[John Weaver] So let me begin by telling you why Solomon went after Moloch. First of all, Moloch worship is a political power religion. So let me say that again. Moloch worship is a political power religion. It is a religion of power politics where everything is centered in the king, and since we do not supposedly have a king in this country, it's now centered in the state or in the federal government, so to speak.

[John Weaver] Now, the Greek word politikos is where we get our English word politics. So, politikos literally means of a citizen. That's literally what it means. So politics, then, requires the involvement of citizens, and it ultimately involves the worship or homage of the citizens, whether to the one true and living God or to the state or to the government, which would be a humanistic God. So here is a principle that we must grasp. Listen carefully. government is religious. There is no such thing as a non-religious government.

[John Weaver] Now the truth of the matter is this, you cannot separate government and religion. You may separate government and churches in the sense that we do not have to have a state church. We do not have to have a national church like England has the Anglican Church. And so many people tend to think, well, just because we don't have a state church, or just because we do not have a national church, therefore we have religious freedom in this country. But that's not necessarily true, because although you do not have to have a state church or a national church, all government is still inherently religious. Why?

[John Weaver] because behind every law, every rule, every regulation, every statute, is a determination of right and wrong, good and evil. And ever who is making that law is determining right and wrong, good and evil, based upon their own religion. So it is obviously impossible to have a non-religious government. So we may have a government that is bound to and follows the Christian religion, following the principles and precepts of the Word of God, or we may have a government that is following its own rules, its own statutes that are just simply made up out of the whims and the desires of fallen men, and therefore we have a pagan government or simply a humanistic government.

[John Weaver] So we need to understand this principle. All government is religious in nature. Now, the pagan religious idea of government is prevalent today. In order to understand that statement, we must understand the nature of Moloch worship. So, Moloch worship, once again, was a political power religion. It was the worship of the state, or the worship of the king as God. The king, or the civil ruler, to the extent that he exercised total and absolute power, to that extent, he was worshipped as God. So in the pagan religion, Moloch worship, the king was the divine and human link between heaven and earth.

[John Weaver] Now, I'm going to ask you to pay attention. And so those of you who cannot see, who are just listening in, I'm going to try to describe this for you. In order to understand Moloch worship and where we are today, you have to understand the philosophy of monism. Mono, of course, simply means one. So here's what I want you to do. I want you to envision in your mind a pyramid and I want you to start at the bottom of that pyramid and just make lines, horizontal lines across. I'm going to hold up a picture of this and if you see this picture of this pyramid with the horizontal lines. I've written on the very bottom line, dirt. Then I put plants. The next line is trees. After that, insects. After that, animals. After that, poor. After that, educated. After that, wealthy. After that, rulers.

[John Weaver] And then there's a star at the top. Because monism is the philosophy that everything is one. So in monism, they would teach that dirt, plants, trees, insects, animals, man, the rulers, all are made of one stuff, one ooze. The difference is some have more stuff or more ooze than others. Everything is one, but just some happen to have more stuff than others. I want you to understand something. The pagans always use the pyramid to picture man ascending out of the earth and becoming God. So this is why you have the king right at the top because he is the go-between. He is a mediator.

[John Weaver] There are numerous words used for this. He's sometimes called the Axis Mundi. He's also called the Cosmic Axis, or the World Axis, or the World Pillar, or the Center of the World. He is the one who is the go-between between Heaven and Earth.

[John Weaver] Now, if you're wondering, if you're wondering where the Divine Rite of Kings originated, If you're wondering where the philosopher kings originated, if you're wondering why you have a ruling elite who believe that they have the right to rule everybody and to dictate to everyone, this is where it comes from, from the philosophy of monism. They believe that they have more stuff than anyone else and therefore they have the absolute right to rule. Think of Bill Gates. Think of George Soros. Think of Paul Schwab. Think of Mark Zuckerberg. Think of the Clintons. They believe that they have the absolute right to conform everything and everyone to their thinking.

[John Weaver] Now, let me point something out, and that is this. The War of Northern Aggression actually began because of this philosophy. So now you have the New England states who've rejected the Word of God, and they have embraced rationalism and transcendentalism, and notice if you would, they are now thinking that they are smarter than everyone else, and they can remake everything according to their perception and according to their imperfect reality.

[John Weaver] And so they were trying to force this upon the South. By the way, There is, and I've got a message on, the great revival in the Southern armies. And I quote many pastors that were alive back then who were talking about the spiritual aspect of that war. And since the South lost the war, when you come to the period of Reconstruction, once again, they're still imposing their thoughts and their will and their way upon the South.

[John Weaver] Now, let me show you another picture. The pagans wanted to picture the gods coming down, joining or meeting those who were ascending out of the earth. You have the two pyramids meeting. So if you can picture an hourglass. But right in the middle is the king or the ruling elite. So you have the gods coming down, you have man ascending up toward godhood, which is Mormonism. But notice if you would please, now right in the middle was what we would call the axis mundi, or the mediator, or the go-between, which happened to be the king.

[John Weaver] He was the one who held the universe together. He was the one that controlled social unrest. He was the one that had economics, even salvation in his hands. So, I don't know if you remember this, but in 17 BC, Augustus Caesar had a decree sent out that said simply this, there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby you must be saved other than the name of Augustus Caesar. So, when Luke wrote the book of Acts and Peter was preaching in Acts chapter 4 and verse 12 and Peter said there's none of the name given under heaven among men whereby we must be saved other than the name of Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] He was declaring war upon the Roman Empire. He was declaring war and saying no Caesar is not Lord Jesus Christ is Lord himself. So I want you to understand How this applies to us today, here it is very clearly. Do you understand what is happening with the digital ID and with the digital money? It will end up in basically absolute and total control. You cannot move without them knowing where you are.

[John Weaver] Even that technology is already existing in your cell phone. they can track you just a bit by your cell phone. But once you have digital money, they can cut you off anytime. They can control what you buy and control whether or not you spend whatever. In fact, this whole attitude comes from ordinary people because When you think about Moloch worship, it's really tyranny and totalitarianism. And so you hear people say, when something is not done the way they would think it should be done, they'll come up with something like this.

[John Weaver] They ought to make a law about this. Or they ought to make a law against this. Well, what do they say? Who are the they? It's the ruling elite. It's the state. It's the government. In other words, I don't have to do anything about it. They ought to do something about it. When you talk about monism, it is a philosophy that everything is made of one stuff, one ooze, but those who are the highest have the most stuff, or the most ooze, therefore they have a right to rule. So there you come forth with the divine right of kings and the ruling elite and the bureaucrats. Now, monism, necessitates the concept of continuity. So if I held this up again, everything you can see there is continuity. In other words, it's proceeding from the lowest to the greatest. But it's one continuous stuff is what it amounts to. The Bible teaches discontinuity. In other words, God may be seen in his creation But God is not to be confused with his creation. He is transcendent.

[John Weaver] He is above and beyond his creation. And so we have discontinuity. So, ah, look at this.

[John Weaver] Now, when these two pyramids that have met each other, one coming up, one coming down, when they merge, you end up with the six-pointed star. Now the six-pointed star is known as the Star of David. David had absolutely nothing to do with this star. Nothing. It is not the Star of David, never has been, and never will be.

[John Weaver] Now there's an excellent little book written by O.J. Graham titled The Six-Pointed Star. It is probably still available. If you would like to know more about The Six-Pointed Star, I suggest you read that book. But if you do not have time, or you cannot find that book, well, don't worry, because the Bible teaches you and shows you exactly where that star came from. So, I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Amos, chapter 5, and the book of Acts chapter 7. So it's Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos and then after we look at Amos we're going to go to Acts chapter 7 and then we're going to come back to Amos. So look if you would first at Amos chapter 5 and look if you would please at verse 26. Amos chapter 5 verse 26.

[John Weaver] This is a wonderful passage. In fact, if you look at verse 21, God is really excoriating his people. He says, I hate and I despise your feast days and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though you offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them, neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. He says, take away from me the noise of thy songs. For I will not hear the melody of thy vows." In other words, everything in this passage God ordained. Now God says, I hate it, I despise it, I will not have it. And here's why in verse 24, he says, but let judgment run down as waters and righteousness as a mighty stream.

[John Weaver] They were not righteous and they were certainly not just. And then he asks this question in verse 25. Have you offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness, forty years, O house of Israel? No, they did not. Look what he says in verse 26, But you have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch, and she of your images, the star of your God, which you made to yourselves. Now, if you will turn over to Acts chapter 7, and look if you would please there at 43, verse 43, And here we have it again.

[John Weaver] There's one word different, which I will explain. Acts chapter 7, verse 43, Yea, you took up the tabernacle of Moloch and the star of your God, Rimphraim, figures which you made to worship them, and I will carry you away beyond Babylon. So he said they made this star in the wilderness. And here the difference is in verse 43, He is called Rimfan. He talked about Moloch, but then Rimfan. If you'll go back now to Amos chapter 5 and verse 26, he says, but you have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chion, your images. Now, how in the world did it get changed to Rimfan?

[John Weaver] Well, the answer is very simple. The Septuagint. The Septuagint. The Septuagint is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. And so Chion is translated as Rimfan in the Septuagint and that is what Lew is quoting. Notice if you would please back in Acts chapter 7 he says Rimfan now in Amos 5 in verse 26 he says Chion your God.

[John Weaver] Now so Solomon then came to worship Moloch and his star when he was old. Why? Because the loss of power, the loss of control, the loss of ability, and that certainly affects some people far more than others. And Solomon experienced power like no other human has ever experienced probably in his entire life. And so When he began to lose power, when he began to lose control, instead of reaching up to heaven and asking God for grace and mercy and help, he goes down after Moloch and trying to exhibit absolute and total power at the expense of the one true and the living God.

[John Weaver] Now, let me put it to you plainly. In Moloch worship, the state is viewed as the true and the ultimate order. So the king then, or ruler, becomes God to the extent that he manifests absolute power. So the power manifested in the political realm was the manifestation of divine power on the part of the king. So the state then, or the civil ruler, demanded total sacrifice because he viewed himself as God. And you will find in Moloch worship, as well as Chemosh worship, children were sacrificed unto Moloch. Moloch was a large brazen image He sat there with his arms rolled out like this, and a fire was kindled down below, and the brass was heated till it was raging red hot. Then they would take a little child and put on his arms, which were extended, and the child then would roll down into the mouth of Moloch, into the belly where the fire was raging, and be consumed.

[John Weaver] Now this was done in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom. That valley is also called Tophet. You'll find that in the Bible. The reason it's called Tophet is the word Tophet means to roll as a drum. So they would play the drums to drown out the cries of the child as he was being burned alive is what it amounts to. Total sacrifice. Now not all children were burned alive.

[John Weaver] Some were just simply passed over the fire in what was known as a lustration. And thus that child then was dedicated to the service of the state. So the state then, in Moloch worship, or the king in Moloch worship, controlled everything, education, economics, every area of life. So you have actually have Moloch worship in Rome. However, you did not necessarily have to have a statue of Moloch, but you still had Moloch worship. Why?

[John Weaver] Because you had the emperor cult. So, in Rome, you could believe whatever you wanted to believe. If you wanted to worship Ashureth, have at it. If you wanted to worship Anuq, have at it. If you wanted to worship Timosh, have at it. If you wanted to worship Jesus Christ, have at it. they could care less whom you worship just so once a year. You swore allegiance to the Caesar cult and you said Caesar is Lord.

[John Weaver] Now, Christians were not put to death in the Roman Empire just because they were Christians. They were put to death in the Roman Empire because they were considered traitors and treasons to the emperor cult because they refused to say that it's Caesar's lord. They would say Jesus Christ's lord. And thus they were counted as treasonous. In other words, the Roman emperor demanded total allegiance, total submission, total control, even over religion, and if you did not swear allegiance to him, then of course you were killed.

[John Weaver] By the way, I hope you know that most of these Caesars then, when they did die, were supposedly made into gods. So you have Moloch worship there. So when a government then claims total jurisdiction, as the modern state does, it's claiming to be God, the total governor of man and the world. So it either claims or acts as if it has total jurisdiction from the cradle to the grave, from the womb to the tomb, over all things. And since the state then claims to be the true and the ultimate order, it is claiming jurisdiction over welfare, over farming, over family, over education, over business, over law, over capital, over labor, over every sphere of life.

[John Weaver] So let's suppose, Lorraine, you have a knack at cutting hair, and you are actually good at cutting hair. And you think, well, I'm going to open me a slot and just see how many heads of hair I can cut and see how many people appreciate my abilities. You try that without first getting a license and you try that without first getting some type of certification and you're going to find out once you open your little salon you're going to be arrested because the state claims total jurisdiction over that business just like it does any other business. That's why you have to have a business license. And may I tell you the definition of a license? You can find it in Black's Law Dictionary, Bouvier's Dictionary. License, permission from a competent authority to do that which otherwise would be unlawful to do. So they are the competent ones because they are the philosopher kings. They are the bureaucrats They're the ones who simply say we have to have total control.

[John Weaver] And so what we have is eminent domain in every area of life. Eminent domain usually we think about applies just to property. But no, when you're playing God, you're trying to exercise absolute total control. So, Moloch worship is nothing but tyranny and totalitarianism. Let me say this another way. The one world government, the new world order, is nothing more than Moloch worship. It's kind of like Klaus Schwab said, you will have nothing and you will be happy. That means we're going to control everything. And by the way, if you have nothing, someone else has everything. So anyhow, Moloch worship is a political power religion.

[John Weaver] So let me give you two quotes. The first one is by Rush Tooney. He said this, the state claimed total jurisdiction over man. It was therefore entitled to total sacrifice. For a state to claim total jurisdiction, as a modern state does, is to claim to be as God, to be total governor of man and the world. The Moloch state is the product of apostasy. When a people reject God as their king and make man or the state their king, God declares the consequences. And I might add those consequences are not beautiful by any stretch of the imagination.

[John Weaver] The second quote is by Henry L. Lincoln, and he wrote this in 1926. He said, if the state, has taken on a vast mass of new duties and responsibilities. It has spread out its powers until they penetrate to every act of the citizen, however secret. It has begun to throw around its operations the high dignity and impeccability of a state religion. Its agents become a separate and superior caste with authority to bind and loose and their thumbs in every pot.

[John Weaver] But it still remains, as it was in the beginning, the common enemy of all well-disposed, industrious, and decent men. Now, I want to go back and point something out. He said in this quote, its agents, think bureaucrats, its agents become a separate and superior caste with authority to bind and loose. Well, let me give you a good illustration of this. Years ago, our church, was attacked by the state government. I had two state agents in my office. One was the man who was trying to oppress and entangle our church, and he had a witness. And I had my men in the office as my witnesses. And so the state agent, the bureaucrat, said this. He said, Pastor, He said, I do not want to argue with you about religion or about the Bible. He says, you know more about the Bible than I do.

[John Weaver] And I agreed with him because I did. And I said to him, look, I will make a deal with you. I said, we have so many constitutional issues to discuss. I will be willing not to bring up religion if you will not bring up religion. But when you bring it up, I have the absolute right to bring it up as well. He said, that's fine. I said, well, let's begin.

[John Weaver] I said, let me ask you one question. And I asked the question. And here was his response of just the first part of it. I still have it on tape. His first response was this. Well, pastor, you see. The state in its infinite wisdom And when he said that, I slapped my desk hard as I could. I said, stop, stop right there. You said you were not going to bring up religion. You just did. You just declared who your God was. Infinity does not belong to the state. It belongs to the one true and the living God.

[John Weaver] I said, here is the difference between us. You worship the state. I worship the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a religion. And the bureaucrats or a separate and superior caste to which we must bow. That is Moloch worship. Moloch worship involved total sacrifice because it was a tyrannical, totalitarian, political power religion. And it still demands child sacrifice in indoctrination in government schools. And it still demands total sacrifice even in the loss of lives in wars for which we have no business fighting when those wars are over oil wells or money or control of foreign countries. I'm just simply saying we do not have anything today other than a Moloch political power religion in our land.

[John Weaver] The Bible says in the book of Psalm Psalm 7 in verse 9, Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish thou the just. So if we really want the wickedness to come to an end, we need to learn to pray against the Moloch mentality and ask the God of heaven and earth to establish the Lord Jesus Christ, his people, and his word because he is the only just one. So we cannot go down, we must go up.

[John Weaver] So, let me cover the second thing very quickly, and that is this. Solomon did not only just simply build an altar to Ashereth and Moloch, he also built one to Chemosh. Chemosh is known as the abomination of the children of Moab. Chemosh was the god of Moab. He is associated with Moloch. Both are known for receiving human sacrifices. Chemosh was the supreme deity of the Moabites, a people who lived in the region east of the Dead Sea in ancient times. The name Chemosh actually means destroyer or subduer. He was also sometimes associated with a fish god, but he reflects also a warlike nature and was viewed as a god of conquest. So the Moabites then, held Chemosh as supreme and they believed that his smile in battle assured victory. His frown in battle assured defeat. So Chemosh is called the god of the Moabites in Numbers 21 verse 29. Jeremiah 48, verse 7, verse 13, and verse 46. And scripture calls him, in 1 Kings 11, verse 7, the abomination of Moab. And certainly, Chemosh worship was closely connected there with Moloch worship.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to think about something. Since Chemosh was more involved in conquest, subjugation, or what you and I would call conquering. You have to understand that conquest, subjugation, and dominion is not always linked to war. We think about war when we think about conquest and dominion. But you also have to remember that man is a fallen creature, but he was created with a dominion orientation. He was created with a desire to conquer and to dominate. In fact, Adam was given dominion over all of creation. We lost the right dominion in the fall and we can only have it now in Jesus Christ being regenerated and renewed. But the point I'm trying to make is this, even fallen man still has a dominion orientation he still wants to conquer he still wants to dominate however now it is not a domination or a conquest from a biblical standpoint but from a humanistic and fleshly and lustful and wicked standpoint because he no

[John Weaver] longer is interested in doing anything for God he's interested in doing it for himself this is why older people elderly people oftentimes have what is known as bucket lists. You know what a bucket list is? A bucket list is things that you want to do before you die. It could be dangerous. It could be exciting and exhilarating. It's a desire to experience something spectacular, something that you have never done before. In fact, This desire to conquer, to dominate, to subjugate, oftentimes leads even older people to do not only stupid, but dangerous and crazy things. It does not necessarily have to be evil things, but what I would call crazy things.

[John Weaver] Let me give you an illustration. This is from the Chicago Tribune. Listen carefully. Ottawa, Illinois. A 104-year-old Chicago woman is hoping to be certified as the oldest person to ever skydive after leaving her walker on the ground and making a tandem jump in northern Illinois. Age is just a number, Dorothy Hoffner told the cheering crowd Moments after touching the ground Sunday at Skydive Chicago in Idaho, about 85 miles southwest of Chicago, the Chicago Tribune reported a 104-year-old woman skydiving. Why? She wanted to be the oldest woman on record to skydive.

[John Weaver] The problem was, before they could verify everything, She died a week later. But she did get to skydive at 104. I also read about an 80-year-old woman, a 100-year-old woman, and a 102-year-old woman that were skydiving. And if you remember, it was George Herbert Walker Bush who skydived when he was 90 years of age. So let me ask you a question.

[John Weaver] Have you ever thought about this? What is it that drives older people sometimes to do fantastic or crazy things? They still have a desire to conquer. They still have a desire to dominate. They still have a desire to experience things they've never ever experienced before.

[John Weaver] Now let me tell you how this plays out in a practical manner. Have you ever considered the fact that many acts of adultery, fornication and rape do not actually derive from simple lusts but from a desire to conquer and subjugate and dominate. I have read and I have known some who kept lists of their conquests. It meant nothing to them other than a number. I've gotten 15, I've gotten 20.

[John Weaver] And that's with men and women. That is a perverted use of dominion orientation that God created man with.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to think about this as well. Well, you consider that these false gods were worshipped in many fleshly and wicked ways, such as temple prostitution, perverted sex, infliction of pain. The impetus many times was just simply conquest and subjection and control. Solomon not only lost his wisdom, he lost his mind. He turned to Ashtoreth, to Moloch, and the Kemosch for virility, for power, and for conquest.

[John Weaver] We shame him for those things. But the truth of the matter is many people do the same thing that Solomon did. They go down instead of seeking after God. Instead of asking God for ability, instead of asking God for strength, instead of asking God for virility, they go to that which is wicked and wrong. It's just like people going to the horoscopes or tarot cards or Ouija boards or whatever. It's just simply, totally and completely wicked and wrong.

[John Weaver] Now, here's a passage I want you to jot down. Psalm 62, verse 11. Psalm 62, verse 11. Here it is. God has spoken once, yea, twice have I heard this. Power belongeth unto God. There is no power except that which is from God. These false gods are powerless. The sins are powerless. They do not empower. They ensnare. They entrap. They destroy. They're destructive. I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, to Psalm 115. Psalm 115. And I want you to follow me, please, as I read beginning there with verse 3. Look in Psalm 115.

[John Weaver] It's a very important point. Psalm 115, look in verse three. The Bible says, but our God is in the heavens. He has done whatsoever he has pleased. By the way, this verse teaches you God's absolute sovereignty. Only God can do as he pleases. I've told you this before, I remember when I was a teenager and even a young child, I had to work all the time. And I'm really thankful the Lord let me work most of the time.

[John Weaver] But I never will forget the fact that when I got to be 16, 17, you know, I couldn't wait to get out from under my parents, not from the fact that they were mean, ugly. No, they were loving. They were kind. They took care of me. I had no problems with my parents whatsoever. But I wanted to do what I wanted to do. And then there at home, I had to do what my father told me and what my mother asked me to do. I did. I couldn't wait to get married. When Alice and I got married, I thought, man, now I can do what I please. No, no, no.

[John Weaver] Now I found out I have to do what I have to do. I don't have time to do what I please. Only God can do as he pleases. We have to do what we have to do. Oh, boy. Well, look back at verse three again. Psalm 115, verse three. But our God is in the heavens. He has done whatsoever He is pleased. Now look at this. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

[John Weaver] They have mouths, but they speak not. Eyes have they, but they see not. They have ears, but they hear not. Noses have they, but they smell not. They have hands, but they handle not. Feet have they, but they walk not. neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them, so is everyone that trusteth in them, as they are dumb." So he said those that make them are dumb and those that trust in them are dumb.

[John Weaver] They're useless, they're worthless, they're idols, they're false gods. Why in the world would you waste your time going down when you could go up? Why would you waste your time over something that is false and useless when you could worship the one true and living God who held all power and all authority in heaven and earth? Wow. Well, let me make some applications. Here's the first one.

[John Weaver] I hope you're picking up on this already. Number one, there are dangers to old age. Elihu spoke the truth in Job 32 in verse 9 when he made this statement. Listen carefully. Great men are not always wise, neither do the aged understand judgment. So just because someone happens to be great or just because someone happens to be elderly and has tons of experience, does not mean that he's learned wisdom. Neither does it mean that he understands God's justice and judgment. So great men are not always wise and neither does the age always understand judgment. So we have to seek then, even in old age, for God to give us his wisdom still and his understanding that we may understand his judgment and his justice. Here's a second one.

[John Weaver] It should be understood and evident that other cultures do have an impact upon the nation. I'm going to say the same thing in another way just momentarily. But Israel was in a covenant relationship with God. Although God told all of Israel this truth, he specifically told Solomon this truth. Do not marry these people. Do not engage with these people. Do not covenant with these people. Do not do this.

[John Weaver] He said they'll turn away your heart after their gods. And the truth of the matter is this. When you look at how Israel as a nation associated with the pagans affiliated with the pagans, and this is exactly what Solomon was doing in 1 Kings chapter 11, it changed the nation and it changed Solomon. Let me say this again. You're going to hear me say it next week or the week after. I'll probably say it two or three times, but please understand this.

[John Weaver] when a Christian hooks up with a pagan, with an unbeliever. It's not that the Christian pulls the unbeliever up, the unbeliever always pulls the Christian down. That's a fact. That's a fact.

[John Weaver] Now, so make sure then that you understand that Solomon lost his kingdom, lost his life, probably lost a lot of his family because of his sins. You cannot sin against God and escape God's chastisement and God's judgment. So the same thing would apply to us. Here's the third application, and that is this. Multiculturalism does have a price. It divides, it weakens, It compromises. It leads to sensuality and to idolatry.

[John Weaver] I hope you can see what is going on in England. What is going on in Minnesota? What is going on in Michigan? And what is going on in Texas? They've just built the largest Muslim complex in the state of Texas. I'll quote next week or the week after Governor Abbott who is now trying to extricate Texas from the hook of the Muslims because Islam is rapidly encroaching on everything. even Sharia courts in Texas, as well as Minnesota, and as well as Michigan, and all over in England.

[John Weaver] So multiculturalism does have its price. We cannot, we cannot and we must not try to absorb all of those wicked and pagan cultures and syncretize them and unite them somehow with Christianity. It does not work. It will destroy us just like it destroyed Israel and just like it destroyed Solomon. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we ask for your grace, your mercy, your goodness, your kindness.

[John Weaver] Lord, help us, teach us about the dangers of old age and keep us, Lord, on the path of righteousness and holiness and obedience. In the name of Jesus Christ we ask and pray. Amen.

The Dangers of Old Age - Part 2

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	121025195057774
Subject	Civil Government
Course	Civil Government: Power, Nations, and Constitutional Order: War in the Gates
Genre	Sermon
Date	2025-11-30
Dictation Name
Book	Book 011: The Dangers of Old Age — Chapter 2
Source Timed Segments	77

Formatted Transcript

Introduction and Review

Weaver introduces the second part of his series on the dangers of old age, reviewing Solomon's apostasy and the worship of Ashtoreth, Milcom, and Chemosh.

All right, let's open our Bibles again today to 1 Kings chapter 11. I preached the first message on losing your wisdom and losing your mind. And then last week I dealt with the first part of the dangers of old age. And so today I'm dealing with the second part of the dangers of old age. So let's begin reading with verse one of 1 Kings 11. But King Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites, of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, You shall not go into them, neither shall they come in unto you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods. Solomon clave unto these in love, and he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass when Solomon was old that his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not perfect with the Lord God, as was the heart of David his father.

For Solomon went after Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom, the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, who had appeared unto him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he kept not that which the Lord commanded. Wherefore, the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding, in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake, but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. Howbeit, I will not rend away all the kingdom, but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen." Now, last week I began pointing out Solomon's failures, defections, and apostasy when he was old.

There are indeed dangers to old age according to the scripture. We need to be aware of those dangers. Solomon has now built altars to all of these false gods that his wives worship, and he actually joined into the worship as well, according to 1 Kings chapter 11. So I have asked, and I did ask this last week, why specifically are these three false gods mentioned in this passage?

Why Solomon Turned to Ashtoreth

Ashtoreth was the goddess of sex and fertility; Solomon sought rejuvenation through forbidden means instead of seeking God.

We read about Ashtoreth, Milcom, and Chemosh. You have to remember that there were many, many false gods. Let me just read to you one passage. 2 Kings chapter 17, verses 30 and 31. Listen carefully. And the men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima, and the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim. So obviously there were plenty of false gods. And these were just some that happened to be mentioned. But out of all these false gods, these three are prominent. Ashtoreth, Moloch, and of course, Chemosh. So why these three? Well, last week I pointed out that Ashtoreth was known by many names. She's named and known by the name of Ashtoreth, Ashtaroth, Ishtar, Venus, and Asherah and many other names. In fact, you're going to find that many of these same false gods are worshipped under different names.

It's kind of like my name is John, but if I were in Mexico, they'd be calling me Juan. If I happen to be in Greece, they'd be calling me Ioannis. So it's the same name, but it's pronounced differently by different ethnic groups. So these false gods went by many different names as well. So I remind you that Ashtoreth or Asherah was known as the goddess of sex and fertility. She was also worshipped under the figure of a pole or tree. She was associated with the moon and she was supposed to be the consort or the wife of Baal. I must remind you that Solomon now had 700 wives that were princesses, and I discussed last week about these wives, and 300 concubines. He may have had others beside, I do not know. But I can assure you one thing, by the time Solomon was 50 or 60, he was well, well spent. And as I pointed out last week in discussing the age of Solomon, he could not have been any more than 65 when he died, and probably he died even earlier than that.

The problem was he began reaching downward to all of these false gods, I would say to the pit of hell, in order to revive and rejuvenate himself in his power and his abilities. And he did not seek after God. I pointed out last week how God restored the bodies of Abraham and Sarah. He also restored the bodies of Manoah and his wife, as well as Zacharias and Elizabeth, and then there was Hannah as well. So there's a multitude that God certainly restored.

But probably what is happening today in a lot of older people, middle-aged people, is they're doing exactly like Solomon. They're reaching down to try to rejuvenate themselves and going to fornication, adultery, pedophilia, perversion, all kinds of things, instead of seeking the one true and the living God. And so obviously it is indeed idolatrous in nature. And to be honest, I have been absolutely shocked to see the pictures and the names of older men and sometimes older pastors that have been caught engaging in prostitution, pedophilia, and all this other kind of perversions. It is absolutely unreal. So while one may not attend the worship of Asherah or Ashtoreth, still when they go after these perversions and go after that which God has forbidden, it is still a form of idolatry because you're placing your will, your desire, and your way before God.

Moloch Worship as a Political Power Religion

Moloch worship is a religion of power politics where the state or king is worshiped as God, demanding total control and sacrifice.

Now let me point out the fact that this truth still affects us today because one of the complaints of older people is they have lost control over their children. Their children are grown. Their children are adults. But it's an absolutely frustrating thing, especially for a Christian parent who has a wayward child, or a child that will not listen, or a child that is in sin and will not turn from that sin, and the parent is absolutely helpless. He cannot do one thing. And so basically he understands that he has now lost control. I never will forget years ago, I met a young man and he had several young children.

And he was speaking to them and they were obeying instantly. And he looked at me and said, "I'm training my children to obey." I said, "I'm so glad of that and I'm thankful for that. But let me caution you, wait until they're teenagers. And then you're going to find that they're developing a mind of their own and they want to do what they want to do instead of what you tell them."

So let me begin by telling you why Solomon went after Moloch. First of all, Moloch worship is a political power religion. So let me say that again. Moloch worship is a political power religion. It is a religion of power politics where everything is centered in the king, and since we do not supposedly have a king in this country, it's now centered in the state or in the federal government, so to speak.

Now, the Greek word politikos is where we get our English word politics. So, politikos literally means "of a citizen." That's literally what it means. So politics, then, requires the involvement of citizens, and it ultimately involves the worship or homage of the citizens, whether to the one true and living God or to the state or to the government, which would be a humanistic god. So here is a principle that we must grasp. Listen carefully. Government is religious. There is no such thing as a non-religious government.

Now the truth of the matter is this, you cannot separate government and religion. You may separate government and churches in the sense that we do not have to have a state church. We do not have to have a national church like England has the Anglican Church. And so many people tend to think, well, just because we don't have a state church, or just because we do not have a national church, therefore we have religious freedom in this country. But that's not necessarily true, because although you do not have to have a state church or a national church, all government is still inherently religious. Why? Because behind every law, every rule, every regulation, every statute, is a determination of right and wrong, good and evil. And whoever is making that law is determining right and wrong, good and evil, based upon their own religion. So it is obviously impossible to have a non-religious government. So we may have a government that is bound to and follows the Christian religion, following the principles and precepts of the Word of God, or we may have a government that is following its own rules, its own statutes that are just simply made up out of the whims and the desires of fallen men, and therefore we have a pagan government or simply a humanistic government.

So we need to understand this principle. All government is religious in nature. Now, the pagan religious idea of government is prevalent today. In order to understand that statement, we must understand the nature of Moloch worship. So, Moloch worship, once again, was a political power religion. It was the worship of the state, or the worship of the king as God. The king, or the civil ruler, to the extent that he exercised total and absolute power, to that extent, he was worshipped as God. So in the pagan religion, Moloch worship, the king was the divine and human link between heaven and earth.

Now, I'm going to ask you to pay attention. And so those of you who cannot see, who are just listening in, I'm going to try to describe this for you. In order to understand Moloch worship and where we are today, you have to understand the philosophy of monism. Mono, of course, simply means one. So here's what I want you to do. I want you to envision in your mind a pyramid and I want you to start at the bottom of that pyramid and just make lines, horizontal lines across. I'm going to hold up a picture of this and if you see this picture of this pyramid with the horizontal lines. I've written on the very bottom line, dirt. Then I put plants. The next line is trees. After that, insects. After that, animals. After that, poor. After that, educated. After that, wealthy. After that, rulers.

And then there's a star at the top. Because monism is the philosophy that everything is one. So in monism, they would teach that dirt, plants, trees, insects, animals, man, the rulers, all are made of one stuff, one ooze. The difference is some have more stuff or more ooze than others. Everything is one, but just some happen to have more stuff than others. I want you to understand something. The pagans always use the pyramid to picture man ascending out of the earth and becoming God. So this is why you have the king right at the top because he is the go-between. He is a mediator.

There are numerous words used for this. He's sometimes called the Axis Mundi. He's also called the Cosmic Axis, or the World Axis, or the World Pillar, or the Center of the World. He is the one who is the go-between between Heaven and Earth.

Now, if you're wondering, if you're wondering where the Divine Right of Kings originated, if you're wondering where the philosopher kings originated, if you're wondering why you have a ruling elite who believe that they have the right to rule everybody and to dictate to everyone, this is where it comes from, from the philosophy of monism. They believe that they have more stuff than anyone else and therefore they have the absolute right to rule. Think of Bill Gates. Think of George Soros. Think of Klaus Schwab. Think of Mark Zuckerberg. Think of the Clintons. They believe that they have the absolute right to conform everything and everyone to their thinking.

Now, let me point something out, and that is this. The War of Northern Aggression actually began because of this philosophy. So now you have the New England states who've rejected the Word of God, and they have embraced rationalism and transcendentalism, and notice if you would, they are now thinking that they are smarter than everyone else, and they can remake everything according to their perception and according to their imperfect reality. And so they were trying to force this upon the South. By the way, there is, and I've got a message on, the great revival in the Southern armies. And I quote many pastors that were alive back then who were talking about the spiritual aspect of that war. And since the South lost the war, when you come to the period of Reconstruction, once again, they're still imposing their thoughts and their will and their way upon the South.

Now, let me show you another picture. The pagans wanted to picture the gods coming down, joining or meeting those who were ascending out of the earth. You have the two pyramids meeting. So if you can picture an hourglass. But right in the middle is the king or the ruling elite. So you have the gods coming down, you have man ascending up toward godhood, which is Mormonism. But notice if you would please, now right in the middle was what we would call the axis mundi, or the mediator, or the go-between, which happened to be the king.

The Philosophy of Monism and the Divine Right of Kings

Monism teaches that everything is one continuous substance, with rulers at the top having the right to rule; this undergirds Moloch worship.

The Six-Pointed Star and Its Origin

The six-pointed star is not the Star of David but originated from the worship of Moloch and Chiun/Remphan, as shown in Amos 5 and Acts 7.

Now, when these two pyramids that have met each other, one coming up, one coming down, when they merge, you end up with the six-pointed star. Now the six-pointed star is known as the Star of David. David had absolutely nothing to do with this star. Nothing. It is not the Star of David, never has been, and never will be.

Now there's an excellent little book written by O.J. Graham titled The Six-Pointed Star. It is probably still available. If you would like to know more about the six-pointed star, I suggest you read that book. But if you do not have time, or you cannot find that book, well, don't worry, because the Bible teaches you and shows you exactly where that star came from. So, I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Amos, chapter 5, and the book of Acts chapter 7. So it's Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos and then after we look at Amos we're going to go to Acts chapter 7 and then we're going to come back to Amos. So look if you would first at Amos chapter 5 and look if you would please at verse 26. Amos chapter 5 verse 26.

This is a wonderful passage. In fact, if you look at verse 21, God is really excoriating his people. He says, "I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols." In other words, everything in this passage God ordained. Now God says, I hate it, I despise it, I will not have it. And here's why in verse 24, he says, "But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream."

They were not righteous and they were certainly not just. And then he asks this question in verse 25. "Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel?" No, they did not. Look what he says in verse 26,

Scripture Reading — Acts 7:43

"But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves."

Now, if you will turn over to Acts chapter 7, and look if you would please there at 43, verse 43, and here we have it again. There's one word different, which I will explain. Acts chapter 7, verse 43,

Scripture Reading — Acts 7:43

"Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon."

So he said they made this star in the wilderness. And here the difference is in verse 43, He is called Remphan. He talked about Moloch, but then Remphan. If you'll go back now to Amos chapter 5 and verse 26, he says, "but ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images." Now, how in the world did it get changed to Remphan?

Well, the answer is very simple. The Septuagint. The Septuagint. The Septuagint is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. And so Chiun is translated as Remphan in the Septuagint and that is what Luke is quoting. Notice if you would please back in Acts chapter 7 he says Remphan now in Amos 5 in verse 26 he says Chiun your god.

Now so Solomon then came to worship Moloch and his star when he was old. Why? Because the loss of power, the loss of control, the loss of ability, and that certainly affects some people far more than others. And Solomon experienced power like no other human has ever experienced probably in his entire life. And so when he began to lose power, when he began to lose control, instead of reaching up to heaven and asking God for grace and mercy and help, he goes down after Moloch and trying to exhibit absolute and total power at the expense of the one true and the living God.

Moloch Worship in Modern Government

Modern state claims total jurisdiction over all areas of life, mirroring Moloch worship through licensing, eminent domain, and bureaucratic control.

By the way, I hope you know that most of these Caesars then, when they did die, were supposedly made into gods. So you have Moloch worship there. So when a government then claims total jurisdiction, as the modern state does, it's claiming to be God, the total governor of man and the world. So it either claims or acts as if it has total jurisdiction from the cradle to the grave, from the womb to the tomb, over all things. And since the state then claims to be the true and the ultimate order, it is claiming jurisdiction over welfare, over farming, over family, over education, over business, over law, over capital, over labor, over every sphere of life.

So let's suppose, Lorraine, you have a knack at cutting hair, and you are actually good at cutting hair. And you think, well, I'm going to open me a salon and just see how many heads of hair I can cut and see how many people appreciate my abilities. You try that without first getting a license and you try that without first getting some type of certification and you're going to find out once you open your little salon you're going to be arrested because the state claims total jurisdiction over that business just like it does any other business. That's why you have to have a business license. And may I tell you the definition of a license? You can find it in Black's Law Dictionary, Bouvier's Dictionary. License, permission from a competent authority to do that which otherwise would be unlawful to do. So they are the competent ones because they are the philosopher kings. They are the bureaucrats. They're the ones who simply say we have to have total control.

And so what we have is eminent domain in every area of life. Eminent domain usually we think about applies just to property. But no, when you're playing God, you're trying to exercise absolute total control. So, Moloch worship is nothing but tyranny and totalitarianism. Let me say this another way. The one world government, the new world order, is nothing more than Moloch worship. It's kind of like Klaus Schwab said, you will have nothing and you will be happy. That means we're going to control everything. And by the way, if you have nothing, someone else has everything. So anyhow, Moloch worship is a political power religion.

So let me give you two quotes. The first one is by R.J. Rushdoony. He said this, "The state claimed total jurisdiction over man. It was therefore entitled to total sacrifice. For a state to claim total jurisdiction, as a modern state does, is to claim to be as God, to be total governor of man and the world. The Moloch state is the product of apostasy. When a people reject God as their king and make man or the state their king, God declares the consequences." And I might add those consequences are not beautiful by any stretch of the imagination.

The second quote is by Henry L. Mencken, and he wrote this in 1926. He said, "If the state has taken on a vast mass of new duties and responsibilities, it has spread out its powers until they penetrate to every act of the citizen, however secret. It has begun to throw around its operations the high dignity and impeccability of a state religion. Its agents become a separate and superior caste with authority to bind and loose and their thumbs in every pot."

But it still remains, as it was in the beginning, the common enemy of all well-disposed, industrious, and decent men. Now, I want to go back and point something out. He said in this quote, its agents, think bureaucrats, its agents become a separate and superior caste with authority to bind and loose. Well, let me give you a good illustration of this. Years ago, our church was attacked by the state government. I had two state agents in my office. One was the man who was trying to oppress and entangle our church, and he had a witness. And I had my men in the office as my witnesses. And so the state agent, the bureaucrat, said this. He said, "Pastor," he said, "I do not want to argue with you about religion or about the Bible." He says, "You know more about the Bible than I do."

And I agreed with him because I did. And I said to him, "Look, I will make a deal with you. I said, we have so many constitutional issues to discuss. I will be willing not to bring up religion if you will not bring up religion. But when you bring it up, I have the absolute right to bring it up as well." He said, "That's fine." I said, "Well, let's begin." I said, "Let me ask you one question." And I asked the question. And here was his response of just the first part of it. I still have it on tape. His first response was this. "Well, pastor, you see. The state in its infinite wisdom..." And when he said that, I slapped my desk hard as I could. I said, "Stop, stop right there. You said you were not going to bring up religion. You just did. You just declared who your God was. Infinity does not belong to the state. It belongs to the one true and the living God."

I said, "Here is the difference between us. You worship the state. I worship the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a religion. And the bureaucrats are a separate and superior caste to which we must bow. That is Moloch worship." Moloch worship involved total sacrifice because it was a tyrannical, totalitarian, political power religion. And it still demands child sacrifice in indoctrination in government schools. And it still demands total sacrifice even in the loss of lives in wars for which we have no business fighting when those wars are over oil wells or money or control of foreign countries. I'm just simply saying we do not have anything today other than a Moloch political power religion in our land.

Chemosh Worship and the Desire for Conquest

Chemosh was a god of conquest and subjugation; Solomon turned to him out of a fallen desire to dominate, which manifests in older people through bucket lists and sinful conquests.

So, let me cover the second thing very quickly, and that is this. Solomon did not only just simply build an altar to Ashtoreth and Moloch, he also built one to Chemosh. Chemosh is known as the abomination of the children of Moab. Chemosh was the god of Moab. He is associated with Moloch. Both are known for receiving human sacrifices. Chemosh was the supreme deity of the Moabites, a people who lived in the region east of the Dead Sea in ancient times. The name Chemosh actually means destroyer or subduer. He was also sometimes associated with a fish god, but he reflects also a warlike nature and was viewed as a god of conquest. So the Moabites then held Chemosh as supreme and they believed that his smile in battle assured victory. His frown in battle assured defeat. So Chemosh is called the god of the Moabites in Numbers 21 verse 29. Jeremiah 48, verse 7, verse 13, and verse 46. And scripture calls him, in 1 Kings 11, verse 7, the abomination of Moab. And certainly, Chemosh worship was closely connected there with Moloch worship.

Now, I want you to think about something. Since Chemosh was more involved in conquest, subjugation, or what you and I would call conquering. You have to understand that conquest, subjugation, and dominion is not always linked to war. We think about war when we think about conquest and dominion. But you also have to remember that man is a fallen creature, but he was created with a dominion orientation. He was created with a desire to conquer and to dominate. In fact, Adam was given dominion over all of creation. We lost the right dominion in the fall and we can only have it now in Jesus Christ being regenerated and renewed. But the point I'm trying to make is this, even fallen man still has a dominion orientation. He still wants to conquer. He still wants to dominate. However, now it is not a domination or a conquest from a biblical standpoint but from a humanistic and fleshly and lustful and wicked standpoint because he no

longer is interested in doing anything for God. He's interested in doing it for himself. This is why older people, elderly people, oftentimes have what is known as bucket lists. You know what a bucket list is? A bucket list is things that you want to do before you die. It could be dangerous. It could be exciting and exhilarating. It's a desire to experience something spectacular, something that you have never done before. In fact, this desire to conquer, to dominate, to subjugate, oftentimes leads even older people to do not only stupid, but dangerous and crazy things. It does not necessarily have to be evil things, but what I would call crazy things.

Let me give you an illustration. This is from the Chicago Tribune. Listen carefully. Ottawa, Illinois. A 104-year-old Chicago woman is hoping to be certified as the oldest person to ever skydive after leaving her walker on the ground and making a tandem jump in northern Illinois. "Age is just a number," Dorothy Hoffner told the cheering crowd moments after touching the ground Sunday at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, about 85 miles southwest of Chicago, the Chicago Tribune reported. A 104-year-old woman skydiving. Why? She wanted to be the oldest woman on record to skydive.

The problem was, before they could verify everything, she died a week later. But she did get to skydive at 104. I also read about an 80-year-old woman, a 100-year-old woman, and a 102-year-old woman that were skydiving. And if you remember, it was George Herbert Walker Bush who skydived when he was 90 years of age. So let me ask you a question. Have you ever thought about this? What is it that drives older people sometimes to do fantastic or crazy things? They still have a desire to conquer. They still have a desire to dominate. They still have a desire to experience things they've never ever experienced before.

Now let me tell you how this plays out in a practical manner. Have you ever considered the fact that many acts of adultery, fornication and rape do not actually derive from simple lusts but from a desire to conquer and subjugate and dominate. I have read and I have known some who kept lists of their conquests. It meant nothing to them other than a number. I've gotten 15, I've gotten 20. And that's with men and women. That is a perverted use of dominion orientation that God created man with.

Now, I want you to think about this as well. Well, you consider that these false gods were worshipped in many fleshly and wicked ways, such as temple prostitution, perverted sex, infliction of pain. The impetus many times was just simply conquest and subjection and control. Solomon not only lost his wisdom, he lost his mind. He turned to Ashtoreth, to Moloch, and to Chemosh for virility, for power, and for conquest.

The Powerlessness of Idols and the Sovereignty of God

Psalm 115 teaches that idols are worthless and those who trust them become like them; true power belongs only to God.

Now, here's a passage I want you to jot down. Psalm 62, verse 11. Psalm 62, verse 11. Here it is.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 62:11

"God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God."

There is no power except that which is from God. These false gods are powerless. The sins are powerless. They do not empower. They ensnare. They entrap. They destroy. They're destructive. I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, to Psalm 115. Psalm 115. And I want you to follow me, please, as I read beginning there with verse 3. Look in Psalm 115.

It's a very important point. Psalm 115, look in verse three. The Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 115:3-8

"But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased."

By the way, this verse teaches you God's absolute sovereignty. Only God can do as he pleases. I've told you this before, I remember when I was a teenager and even a young child, I had to work all the time. And I'm really thankful the Lord let me work most of the time.

But I never will forget the fact that when I got to be 16, 17, you know, I couldn't wait to get out from under my parents, not from the fact that they were mean, ugly. No, they were loving. They were kind. They took care of me. I had no problems with my parents whatsoever. But I wanted to do what I wanted to do. And then there at home, I had to do what my father told me and what my mother asked me to do. I did. I couldn't wait to get married. When Alice and I got married, I thought, man, now I can do what I please. No, no, no.

Now I found out I have to do what I have to do. I don't have time to do what I please. Only God can do as he pleases. We have to do what we have to do. Oh, boy. Well, look back at verse three again. Psalm 115, verse three.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 115:3-8

"But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased."

Now look at this.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 115:3-8

"Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands."

"They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them." So he said those that make them are dumb and those that trust in them are dumb. They're useless, they're worthless, they're idols, they're false gods. Why in the world would you waste your time going down when you could go up? Why would you waste your time over something that is false and useless when you could worship the one true and living God who holds all power and all authority in heaven and earth? Wow. Well, let me make some applications. Here's the first one.

Applications and Warnings

Weaver applies the lessons: old age has dangers, great men are not always wise, multiculturalism leads to idolatry, and Christians must not be unequally yoked.

I hope you're picking up on this already. Number one, there are dangers to old age. Elihu spoke the truth in Job 32 in verse 9 when he made this statement. Listen carefully.

Scripture Reading — Job 32:9

"Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment."

So just because someone happens to be great or just because someone happens to be elderly and has tons of experience, does not mean that he's learned wisdom. Neither does it mean that he understands God's justice and judgment. So great men are not always wise and neither do the aged always understand judgment. So we have to seek then, even in old age, for God to give us his wisdom still and his understanding that we may understand his judgment and his justice. Here's a second one.

It should be understood and evident that other cultures do have an impact upon the nation. I'm going to say the same thing in another way just momentarily. But Israel was in a covenant relationship with God. Although God told all of Israel this truth, he specifically told Solomon this truth. Do not marry these people. Do not engage with these people. Do not covenant with these people. Do not do this.

He said they'll turn away your heart after their gods. And the truth of the matter is this. When you look at how Israel as a nation associated with the pagans, affiliated with the pagans, and this is exactly what Solomon was doing in 1 Kings chapter 11, it changed the nation and it changed Solomon. Let me say this again. You're going to hear me say it next week or the week after. I'll probably say it two or three times, but please understand this.

When a Christian hooks up with a pagan, with an unbeliever, it's not that the Christian pulls the unbeliever up, the unbeliever always pulls the Christian down. That's a fact. That's a fact. Now, so make sure then that you understand that Solomon lost his kingdom, lost his life, probably lost a lot of his family because of his sins. You cannot sin against God and escape God's chastisement and God's judgment. So the same thing would apply to us. Here's the third application, and that is this. Multiculturalism does have a price. It divides, it weakens, it compromises. It leads to sensuality and to idolatry.

I hope you can see what is going on in England. What is going on in Minnesota? What is going on in Michigan? And what is going on in Texas? They've just built the largest Muslim complex in the state of Texas. I'll quote next week or the week after Governor Abbott who is now trying to extricate Texas from the hook of the Muslims because Islam is rapidly encroaching on everything, even Sharia courts in Texas, as well as Minnesota, and as well as Michigan, and all over in England.

So multiculturalism does have its price. We cannot, we cannot and we must not try to absorb all of those wicked and pagan cultures and syncretize them and unite them somehow with Christianity. It does not work. It will destroy us just like it destroyed Israel and just like it destroyed Solomon. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we ask for your grace, your mercy, your goodness, your kindness.

Study Guide

Major Themes

Dangers of Old Age

Summary: Old age brings temptations to seek rejuvenation, power, and control through sinful means rather than relying on God.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'There are indeed dangers to old age according to the scripture.' He describes Solomon's turn to false gods as a pattern for modern older people.

Idolatry as Political Power Religion

Summary: Moloch worship represents a state religion where the government claims total jurisdiction and demands total sacrifice, akin to modern statism.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Moloch worship is a political power religion. It is a religion of power politics where everything is centered in the king... or in the federal government.'

The Inherent Religiosity of Government

Summary: All government is religious because laws are based on determinations of right and wrong, which stem from someone's religion.

Evidence: Weaver argues, 'Behind every law... is a determination of right and wrong, good and evil. And whoever is making that law is determining right and wrong... based upon their own religion.'

Monism and the Divine Right of Rulers

Summary: The philosophy of monism, which sees all reality as one continuous substance, undergirds the belief that ruling elites have more 'stuff' and thus the right to rule.

Evidence: Weaver explains the pyramid illustration and says, 'They believe that they have more stuff than anyone else and therefore they have the absolute right to rule.'

The Powerlessness of False Gods

Summary: Idols like Moloch and Chemosh are powerless and destructive; only God holds true power.

Evidence: Weaver cites Psalm 115 and says, 'These false gods are powerless. The sins are powerless. They do not empower. They ensnare. They entrap. They destroy.'

Multiculturalism Leads to Idolatry

Summary: Associating with pagan cultures leads to compromise, sensuality, and idolatry, as seen in Solomon's life and modern examples.

Evidence: Weaver warns, 'Multiculturalism does have a price. It divides, it weakens, it compromises. It leads to sensuality and to idolatry.'

Key Arguments

Solomon's Turn to Moloch Was Driven by Loss of Power

Summary: Solomon, having experienced unparalleled power, turned to Moloch worship to regain control when he felt it slipping in old age.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Solomon experienced power and control almost like no other king ever experienced... it seems as if Solomon was more concerned about losing control than anything else.'

Moloch Worship Is Inherently Totalitarian

Summary: Moloch worship demands total sacrifice and control, mirroring modern government overreach and the push for a one-world order.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'The one world government, the new world order, is nothing more than Moloch worship.'

The Six-Pointed Star Originated in Pagan Worship

Summary: The so-called Star of David is actually the star of Moloch and Remphan, as shown in Amos 5:26 and Acts 7:43.

Evidence: Weaver reads Amos 5:26 and Acts 7:43, explaining that the star was made in the wilderness as part of idol worship.

Chemosh Worship Reflects a Fallen Dominion Orientation

Summary: Man was created with a desire to conquer, but after the fall, this drive becomes perverted into sinful domination, as seen in Solomon's turn to Chemosh.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Even fallen man still has a dominion orientation. He still wants to conquer. He still wants to dominate... from a humanistic and fleshly and lustful and wicked standpoint.'

Older People Often Seek Conquest Through Sinful Means

Summary: The desire for conquest in old age can lead to dangerous bucket-list activities or sexual conquests, rather than seeking God.

Evidence: Weaver gives examples of elderly skydivers and says, 'Many acts of adultery, fornication and rape do not actually derive from simple lusts but from a desire to conquer and subjugate and dominate.'

Christians Must Not Be Unequally Yoked with Pagans

Summary: When a Christian associates closely with unbelievers, the unbeliever pulls the Christian down, not the reverse.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'When a Christian hooks up with a pagan, with an unbeliever, it's not that the Christian pulls the unbeliever up, the unbeliever always pulls the Christian down.'

Scripture References

1 Kings 11:1-13

Context: The passage describing Solomon's many foreign wives, his turn to false gods in old age, and God's judgment.

2 Kings 17:30-31

Context: Lists various false gods worshiped by different nations, showing the multitude of idols.

Ecclesiastes 8:4

Context: Solomon's own words about the power of a king, illustrating his concern with control.

Amos 5:21-26

Context: God rejects Israel's worship because they bore the tabernacle of Moloch and Chiun, the star of their god.

Acts 7:43

Context: Stephen's speech referencing the tabernacle of Moloch and the star of Remphan, confirming the idolatry in the wilderness.

Psalm 7:9

Context: A prayer for the wickedness of the wicked to end and for the just to be established.

Psalm 62:11

Context: Power belongs to God; He alone is the source of true power.

Psalm 115:3-8

Context: Contrasts the sovereign God with powerless idols; those who trust idols become like them.

Job 32:9

Context: Great men are not always wise, nor do the aged always understand judgment.

Numbers 21:29

Context: Chemosh is called the god of the Moabites.

Jeremiah 48:7, 13, 46

Context: References to Chemosh as the god of Moab.

Historical References

Augustus Caesar's decree (17 BC)

Context: Augustus claimed there was no other name under heaven by which men could be saved, a claim later countered by Peter in Acts 4:12.

Roman Emperor Cult

Context: Christians were executed for refusing to say 'Caesar is Lord,' as this was considered treason against the state religion.

War of Northern Aggression (U.S. Civil War)

Context: Weaver claims the war began because New England states embraced rationalism and transcendentalism, seeking to impose their philosophy on the South.

R.J. Rushdoony quote on the Moloch state

Context: Rushdoony stated that the state claiming total jurisdiction is a product of apostasy and leads to total sacrifice.

Henry L. Mencken quote (1926)

Context: Mencken described the state as a common enemy with agents who become a superior caste with authority to bind and loose.

Dorothy Hoffner, 104-year-old skydiver

Context: Example of an elderly person seeking conquest through a dangerous bucket-list activity.

George Herbert Walker Bush skydiving at 90

Context: Another example of an older person pursuing a thrilling conquest.

Modern Muslim complexes and Sharia courts in Texas, Minnesota, Michigan, England

Context: Weaver cites these as evidence of multiculturalism leading to idolatry and societal compromise.

Important Quotes

Moloch worship is a political power religion. It is a religion of power politics where everything is centered in the king, and since we do not supposedly have a king in this country, it's now centered in the state or in the federal government, so to speak.

Significance: Defines Moloch worship and applies it to modern government, a central thesis of the sermon.

Behind every law, every rule, every regulation, every statute, is a determination of right and wrong, good and evil. And whoever is making that law is determining right and wrong, good and evil, based upon their own religion.

Significance: Argues that all government is inherently religious, a key argument for understanding Moloch worship today.

The one world government, the new world order, is nothing more than Moloch worship.

Significance: Equates modern globalist ambitions with ancient idolatry.

When a Christian hooks up with a pagan, with an unbeliever, it's not that the Christian pulls the unbeliever up, the unbeliever always pulls the Christian down.

Significance: A practical warning against unequal yoking, drawn from Solomon's example.

These false gods are powerless. The sins are powerless. They do not empower. They ensnare. They entrap. They destroy.

Significance: Contrasts the impotence of idols with the power of God.

Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.

Significance: Quotes Job 32:9 to emphasize that age does not guarantee wisdom.

Discussion Questions

In what ways do older people today 'reach downward' for rejuvenation instead of seeking God, as Solomon did?

Context: Weaver describes Solomon's turn to Ashtoreth for virility and compares it to modern sins like fornication and perversion.

How does the concept of Moloch worship as a political power religion manifest in current government overreach?

Context: Weaver argues that modern state licensing, eminent domain, and total jurisdiction reflect Moloch worship.

What does the Bible teach about the origin of the six-pointed star, and why is this significant?

Context: Weaver uses Amos 5 and Acts 7 to show the star's connection to Moloch and Remphan, not David.

How can a fallen 'dominion orientation' lead older people into dangerous or sinful behaviors?

Context: Weaver discusses bucket lists and sexual conquests as perverted expressions of the desire to conquer.

Why is it impossible to have a non-religious government, according to Weaver?

Context: Weaver explains that all laws are based on someone's determination of right and wrong, which is inherently religious.

What are the dangers of multiculturalism as illustrated by Solomon's marriages and modern examples?

Context: Weaver warns that absorbing pagan cultures leads to idolatry and compromise, citing England and U.S. states.

Applications

Seek God for Renewal, Not Sinful Substitutes

Summary: Instead of turning to perversion or idolatry for rejuvenation, older believers should ask God for strength and restoration.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Instead of asking God for ability, instead of asking God for strength, instead of asking God for virility, they go to that which is wicked and wrong.'

Recognize and Resist Moloch Worship in Government

Summary: Christians should understand that government overreach is a form of idolatry and pray against the Moloch mentality.

Evidence: Weaver urges, 'We need to learn to pray against the Moloch mentality and ask the God of heaven and earth to establish the Lord Jesus Christ, his people, and his word.'

Avoid Unequal Yoking with Unbelievers

Summary: Do not enter close partnerships or marriages with pagans, as they will pull you down spiritually.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'When a Christian hooks up with a pagan... the unbeliever always pulls the Christian down.'

Trust in God's Power, Not Idols

Summary: Recognize that false gods and sinful pursuits are powerless and destructive; only God can truly empower.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Psalm 115 and says, 'They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.'

Pursue Wisdom and Judgment in Old Age

Summary: Age does not automatically bring wisdom; we must continually seek God's wisdom and understanding of His justice.

Evidence: Weaver cites Job 32:9 and says, 'We have to seek then, even in old age, for God to give us his wisdom still.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T16:20:43Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T06:58:28Z

Clean Transcript

The Dangers of Old Age - Part 2

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

All right, let's open our Bibles again today to 1 Kings chapter 11. I preached the first message on losing your wisdom and losing your mind. And then last week I dealt with the first part of the dangers of old age. And so today I'm dealing with the second part of the dangers of old age. So let's begin reading with verse one of 1 Kings 11. But King Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites, of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, You shall not go into them, neither shall they come in unto you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods. Solomon clave unto these in love, and he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass when Solomon was old that his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not perfect with the Lord God, as was the heart of David his father.
#1 | 0:00 to 1:10 | cleaned
For Solomon went after Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom, the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.
#2 | 1:10 to 1:34 | cleaned
And likewise did he for his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, who had appeared unto him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he kept not that which the Lord commanded. Wherefore, the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding, in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake, but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. Howbeit, I will not rend away all the kingdom, but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen." Now, last week I began pointing out Solomon's failures, defections, and apostasy when he was old.
#3 | 1:34 to 2:38 | cleaned
There are indeed dangers to old age according to the scripture. We need to be aware of those dangers. Solomon has now built altars to all of these false gods that his wives worship, and he actually joined into the worship as well, according to 1 Kings chapter 11. So I have asked, and I did ask this last week, why specifically are these three false gods mentioned in this passage?
#4 | 2:39 to 3:09 | cleaned
We read about Ashtoreth, Milcom, and Chemosh. You have to remember that there were many, many false gods. Let me just read to you one passage. 2 Kings chapter 17, verses 30 and 31. Listen carefully. And the men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima, and the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim. So obviously there were plenty of false gods. And these were just some that happened to be mentioned. But out of all these false gods, these three are prominent. Ashtoreth, Moloch, and of course, Chemosh. So why these three? Well, last week I pointed out that Ashtoreth was known by many names. She's named and known by the name of Ashtoreth, Ashtaroth, Ishtar, Venus, and Asherah and many other names. In fact, you're going to find that many of these same false gods are worshipped under different names.
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It's kind of like my name is John, but if I were in Mexico, they'd be calling me Juan. If I happen to be in Greece, they'd be calling me Ioannis. So it's the same name, but it's pronounced differently by different ethnic groups. So these false gods went by many different names as well. So I remind you that Ashtoreth or Asherah was known as the goddess of sex and fertility.
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She was also worshipped under the figure of a pole or tree. She was associated with the moon and she was supposed to be the consort or the wife of Baal. I must remind you that Solomon now had 700 wives that were princesses, and I discussed last week about these wives, and 300 concubines. He may have had others beside, I do not know. But I can assure you one thing, by the time Solomon was 50 or 60, he was well, well spent. And as I pointed out last week in discussing the age of Solomon, he could not have been any more than 65 when he died, and probably he died even earlier than that.
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The problem was he began reaching downward to all of these false gods, I would say to the pit of hell, in order to revive and rejuvenate himself in his power and his abilities. And he did not seek after God. I pointed out last week how God restored the bodies of Abraham and Sarah. He also restored the bodies of Manoah and his wife, as well as Zacharias and Elizabeth, and then there was Hannah as well. So there's a multitude that God certainly restored.
#8 | 5:42 to 6:14 | cleaned
But probably what is happening today in a lot of older people, middle-aged people, is they're doing exactly like Solomon. They're reaching down to try to rejuvenate themselves and going to fornication, adultery, pedophilia, perversion, all kinds of things, instead of seeking the one true and the living God. And so obviously it is indeed idolatrous in nature. And to be honest, I have been absolutely shocked to see the pictures and the names of older men and sometimes older pastors that have been caught engaging in prostitution, pedophilia, and all this other kind of perversions. It is absolutely unreal. So while one may not attend the worship of Asherah or Ashtoreth, still when they go after these perversions and go after that which God has forbidden, it is still a form of idolatry because you're placing your will, your desire, and your way before God.
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And I told you last week that I would encourage everyone to read Proverbs chapter 5, 6, and 7 until it is thoroughly, indelibly printed on your heart. And then, of course, for married couples, they should be reading 1 Corinthians 7, verses 1-5 on a regular basis as well. So the question today is this, why in the world did Solomon turn to Milcom and to Chemosh? We understand why he turned to Ashtoreth, that is for sure. By the way, now the Bible calls Moloch here Milcom. Once again, Moloch is known by different names in the Bible. He's called Moloch, he's called Milcom, he's called Melech, he's even called Malak. It's all different names that are used in the Bible just like different names for Ashtoreth, but yet it's the same god. So Ashtoreth was supposed to be the consort of Moloch and Baal as well. In fact, Moloch is a type of Baal worship anyhow. And so ritual prostitution and perversion, of course, was all involved in this worship. Now, the name Moloch, or Milcom, or Melech, actually is derived from the Hebrew word melech, which means king, and the vowel bosheth, which means shame.
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As I pointed out last week, all the false gods, all the idols, were known as shameful things or abominable things as well. What are the complaints of old age? I asked that question last week. Well, there's also a loss of virility, but there's also a loss of power. There's a loss of control. There's a loss of abilities. When you stop and think about this, Solomon experienced power and control almost like no other king ever experienced power and control. That would be a human king. And it seems as if Solomon was more concerned about losing control than anything else. Now there's a verse that is found in Ecclesiastes chapter 8 and verse 4 and you have to remember the book of Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon. So here's what it says, "Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?" In other words, Solomon just simply said, "Steve, you do this," and you did it. Or else, if you didn't do it, you were dead. It's just that simple.
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And so if you and I were able to speak to someone and control them and dominate them in that way, then we would be exercising power over their lives because we would be demanding submission and subjection of them on every hand, so to speak. So the truth of the matter is this. Solomon had been slipping in many ways but this loss of power and control evidently bothered him greatly and instead of going to the Lord he went to the worship of Moloch.
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Now let me point out the fact that this truth still affects us today because one of the complaints of older people is they have lost control over their children. Their children are grown. Their children are adults. But it's an absolutely frustrating thing, especially for a Christian parent who has a wayward child, or a child that will not listen, or a child that is in sin and will not turn from that sin, and the parent is absolutely helpless. He cannot do one thing. And so basically he understands that he has now lost control. I never will forget years ago, I met a young man and he had several young children.
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And he was speaking to them and they were obeying instantly. And he looked at me and said, "I'm training my children to obey." I said, "I'm so glad of that and I'm thankful for that. But let me caution you, wait until they're teenagers. And then you're going to find that they're developing a mind of their own and they want to do what they want to do instead of what you tell them."
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So let me begin by telling you why Solomon went after Moloch. First of all, Moloch worship is a political power religion. So let me say that again. Moloch worship is a political power religion. It is a religion of power politics where everything is centered in the king, and since we do not supposedly have a king in this country, it's now centered in the state or in the federal government, so to speak.
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Now, the Greek word politikos is where we get our English word politics. So, politikos literally means "of a citizen." That's literally what it means. So politics, then, requires the involvement of citizens, and it ultimately involves the worship or homage of the citizens, whether to the one true and living God or to the state or to the government, which would be a humanistic god. So here is a principle that we must grasp. Listen carefully. Government is religious. There is no such thing as a non-religious government.
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Now the truth of the matter is this, you cannot separate government and religion. You may separate government and churches in the sense that we do not have to have a state church. We do not have to have a national church like England has the Anglican Church. And so many people tend to think, well, just because we don't have a state church, or just because we do not have a national church, therefore we have religious freedom in this country. But that's not necessarily true, because although you do not have to have a state church or a national church, all government is still inherently religious. Why?
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Because behind every law, every rule, every regulation, every statute, is a determination of right and wrong, good and evil. And whoever is making that law is determining right and wrong, good and evil, based upon their own religion. So it is obviously impossible to have a non-religious government. So we may have a government that is bound to and follows the Christian religion, following the principles and precepts of the Word of God, or we may have a government that is following its own rules, its own statutes that are just simply made up out of the whims and the desires of fallen men, and therefore we have a pagan government or simply a humanistic government.
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So we need to understand this principle. All government is religious in nature. Now, the pagan religious idea of government is prevalent today. In order to understand that statement, we must understand the nature of Moloch worship. So, Moloch worship, once again, was a political power religion. It was the worship of the state, or the worship of the king as God. The king, or the civil ruler, to the extent that he exercised total and absolute power, to that extent, he was worshipped as God. So in the pagan religion, Moloch worship, the king was the divine and human link between heaven and earth.
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Now, I'm going to ask you to pay attention. And so those of you who cannot see, who are just listening in, I'm going to try to describe this for you. In order to understand Moloch worship and where we are today, you have to understand the philosophy of monism. Mono, of course, simply means one. So here's what I want you to do. I want you to envision in your mind a pyramid and I want you to start at the bottom of that pyramid and just make lines, horizontal lines across. I'm going to hold up a picture of this and if you see this picture of this pyramid with the horizontal lines. I've written on the very bottom line, dirt. Then I put plants. The next line is trees. After that, insects. After that, animals. After that, poor. After that, educated. After that, wealthy. After that, rulers.
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And then there's a star at the top. Because monism is the philosophy that everything is one. So in monism, they would teach that dirt, plants, trees, insects, animals, man, the rulers, all are made of one stuff, one ooze. The difference is some have more stuff or more ooze than others. Everything is one, but just some happen to have more stuff than others. I want you to understand something. The pagans always use the pyramid to picture man ascending out of the earth and becoming God. So this is why you have the king right at the top because he is the go-between. He is a mediator.
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There are numerous words used for this. He's sometimes called the Axis Mundi. He's also called the Cosmic Axis, or the World Axis, or the World Pillar, or the Center of the World. He is the one who is the go-between between Heaven and Earth.
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Now, if you're wondering, if you're wondering where the Divine Right of Kings originated, if you're wondering where the philosopher kings originated, if you're wondering why you have a ruling elite who believe that they have the right to rule everybody and to dictate to everyone, this is where it comes from, from the philosophy of monism. They believe that they have more stuff than anyone else and therefore they have the absolute right to rule. Think of Bill Gates. Think of George Soros. Think of Klaus Schwab. Think of Mark Zuckerberg. Think of the Clintons. They believe that they have the absolute right to conform everything and everyone to their thinking.
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Now, let me point something out, and that is this. The War of Northern Aggression actually began because of this philosophy. So now you have the New England states who've rejected the Word of God, and they have embraced rationalism and transcendentalism, and notice if you would, they are now thinking that they are smarter than everyone else, and they can remake everything according to their perception and according to their imperfect reality.
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And so they were trying to force this upon the South. By the way, there is, and I've got a message on, the great revival in the Southern armies. And I quote many pastors that were alive back then who were talking about the spiritual aspect of that war. And since the South lost the war, when you come to the period of Reconstruction, once again, they're still imposing their thoughts and their will and their way upon the South.
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Now, let me show you another picture. The pagans wanted to picture the gods coming down, joining or meeting those who were ascending out of the earth. You have the two pyramids meeting. So if you can picture an hourglass. But right in the middle is the king or the ruling elite. So you have the gods coming down, you have man ascending up toward godhood, which is Mormonism. But notice if you would please, now right in the middle was what we would call the axis mundi, or the mediator, or the go-between, which happened to be the king.
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He was the one who held the universe together. He was the one that controlled social unrest. He was the one that had economics, even salvation in his hands. So, I don't know if you remember this, but in 17 BC, Augustus Caesar had a decree sent out that said simply this, there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby you must be saved other than the name of Augustus Caesar. So, when Luke wrote the book of Acts and Peter was preaching in Acts chapter 4 and verse 12 and Peter said there's none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved other than the name of Jesus Christ.
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He was declaring war upon the Roman Empire. He was declaring war and saying no, Caesar is not Lord, Jesus Christ is Lord himself. So I want you to understand how this applies to us today, here it is very clearly. Do you understand what is happening with the digital ID and with the digital money? It will end up in basically absolute and total control. You cannot move without them knowing where you are.
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Even that technology is already existing in your cell phone. They can track you just a bit by your cell phone. But once you have digital money, they can cut you off anytime. They can control what you buy and control whether or not you spend whatever. In fact, this whole attitude comes from ordinary people because when you think about Moloch worship, it's really tyranny and totalitarianism. And so you hear people say, when something is not done the way they would think it should be done, they'll come up with something like this.
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"They ought to make a law about this." Or "they ought to make a law against this." Well, what do they say? Who are the "they"? It's the ruling elite. It's the state. It's the government. In other words, I don't have to do anything about it. They ought to do something about it. When you talk about monism, it is a philosophy that everything is made of one stuff, one ooze, but those who are the highest have the most stuff, or the most ooze, therefore they have a right to rule. So there you come forth with the divine right of kings and the ruling elite and the bureaucrats. Now, monism necessitates the concept of continuity. So if I held this up again, everything you can see there is continuity. In other words, it's proceeding from the lowest to the greatest. But it's one continuous stuff is what it amounts to. The Bible teaches discontinuity. In other words, God may be seen in his creation but God is not to be confused with his creation. He is transcendent.
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He is above and beyond his creation. And so we have discontinuity. So, ah, look at this.
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Now, when these two pyramids that have met each other, one coming up, one coming down, when they merge, you end up with the six-pointed star. Now the six-pointed star is known as the Star of David. David had absolutely nothing to do with this star. Nothing. It is not the Star of David, never has been, and never will be.
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Now there's an excellent little book written by O.J. Graham titled The Six-Pointed Star. It is probably still available. If you would like to know more about the six-pointed star, I suggest you read that book. But if you do not have time, or you cannot find that book, well, don't worry, because the Bible teaches you and shows you exactly where that star came from. So, I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Amos, chapter 5, and the book of Acts chapter 7. So it's Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos and then after we look at Amos we're going to go to Acts chapter 7 and then we're going to come back to Amos. So look if you would first at Amos chapter 5 and look if you would please at verse 26. Amos chapter 5 verse 26.
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This is a wonderful passage. In fact, if you look at verse 21, God is really excoriating his people. He says, "I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols." In other words, everything in this passage God ordained. Now God says, I hate it, I despise it, I will not have it. And here's why in verse 24, he says, "But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream."
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They were not righteous and they were certainly not just. And then he asks this question in verse 25. "Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel?" No, they did not. Look what he says in verse 26, "But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves." Now, if you will turn over to Acts chapter 7, and look if you would please there at 43, verse 43, and here we have it again.
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There's one word different, which I will explain. Acts chapter 7, verse 43, "Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon." So he said they made this star in the wilderness. And here the difference is in verse 43, He is called Remphan. He talked about Moloch, but then Remphan. If you'll go back now to Amos chapter 5 and verse 26, he says, "but ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images." Now, how in the world did it get changed to Remphan?
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Well, the answer is very simple. The Septuagint. The Septuagint. The Septuagint is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. And so Chiun is translated as Remphan in the Septuagint and that is what Luke is quoting. Notice if you would please back in Acts chapter 7 he says Remphan now in Amos 5 in verse 26 he says Chiun your god.
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Now so Solomon then came to worship Moloch and his star when he was old. Why? Because the loss of power, the loss of control, the loss of ability, and that certainly affects some people far more than others. And Solomon experienced power like no other human has ever experienced probably in his entire life. And so when he began to lose power, when he began to lose control, instead of reaching up to heaven and asking God for grace and mercy and help, he goes down after Moloch and trying to exhibit absolute and total power at the expense of the one true and the living God.
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Now, let me put it to you plainly. In Moloch worship, the state is viewed as the true and the ultimate order. So the king then, or ruler, becomes God to the extent that he manifests absolute power. So the power manifested in the political realm was the manifestation of divine power on the part of the king. So the state then, or the civil ruler, demanded total sacrifice because he viewed himself as God. And you will find in Moloch worship, as well as Chemosh worship, children were sacrificed unto Moloch. Moloch was a large brazen image. He sat there with his arms rolled out like this, and a fire was kindled down below, and the brass was heated till it was raging red hot. Then they would take a little child and put on his arms, which were extended, and the child then would roll down into the mouth of Moloch, into the belly where the fire was raging, and be consumed.
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Now this was done in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom. That valley is also called Tophet. You'll find that in the Bible. The reason it's called Tophet is the word Tophet means to roll as a drum. So they would play the drums to drown out the cries of the child as he was being burned alive is what it amounts to. Total sacrifice. Now not all children were burned alive.
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Some were just simply passed over the fire in what was known as a lustration. And thus that child then was dedicated to the service of the state. So the state then, in Moloch worship, or the king in Moloch worship, controlled everything, education, economics, every area of life. So you actually have Moloch worship in Rome. However, you did not necessarily have to have a statue of Moloch, but you still had Moloch worship. Why?
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Because you had the emperor cult. So, in Rome, you could believe whatever you wanted to believe. If you wanted to worship Ashtoreth, have at it. If you wanted to worship Anuk, have at it. If you wanted to worship Chemosh, have at it. If you wanted to worship Jesus Christ, have at it. They could care less whom you worship just so once a year you swore allegiance to the Caesar cult and you said Caesar is Lord.
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Now, Christians were not put to death in the Roman Empire just because they were Christians. They were put to death in the Roman Empire because they were considered traitors and treasonous to the emperor cult because they refused to say that Caesar is Lord. They would say Jesus Christ is Lord. And thus they were counted as treasonous. In other words, the Roman emperor demanded total allegiance, total submission, total control, even over religion, and if you did not swear allegiance to him, then of course you were killed.
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By the way, I hope you know that most of these Caesars then, when they did die, were supposedly made into gods. So you have Moloch worship there. So when a government then claims total jurisdiction, as the modern state does, it's claiming to be God, the total governor of man and the world. So it either claims or acts as if it has total jurisdiction from the cradle to the grave, from the womb to the tomb, over all things. And since the state then claims to be the true and the ultimate order, it is claiming jurisdiction over welfare, over farming, over family, over education, over business, over law, over capital, over labor, over every sphere of life.
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So let's suppose, Lorraine, you have a knack at cutting hair, and you are actually good at cutting hair. And you think, well, I'm going to open me a salon and just see how many heads of hair I can cut and see how many people appreciate my abilities. You try that without first getting a license and you try that without first getting some type of certification and you're going to find out once you open your little salon you're going to be arrested because the state claims total jurisdiction over that business just like it does any other business. That's why you have to have a business license. And may I tell you the definition of a license? You can find it in Black's Law Dictionary, Bouvier's Dictionary. License, permission from a competent authority to do that which otherwise would be unlawful to do. So they are the competent ones because they are the philosopher kings. They are the bureaucrats. They're the ones who simply say we have to have total control.
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And so what we have is eminent domain in every area of life. Eminent domain usually we think about applies just to property. But no, when you're playing God, you're trying to exercise absolute total control. So, Moloch worship is nothing but tyranny and totalitarianism. Let me say this another way. The one world government, the new world order, is nothing more than Moloch worship. It's kind of like Klaus Schwab said, you will have nothing and you will be happy. That means we're going to control everything. And by the way, if you have nothing, someone else has everything. So anyhow, Moloch worship is a political power religion.
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So let me give you two quotes. The first one is by R.J. Rushdoony. He said this, "The state claimed total jurisdiction over man. It was therefore entitled to total sacrifice. For a state to claim total jurisdiction, as a modern state does, is to claim to be as God, to be total governor of man and the world. The Moloch state is the product of apostasy. When a people reject God as their king and make man or the state their king, God declares the consequences." And I might add those consequences are not beautiful by any stretch of the imagination.
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The second quote is by Henry L. Mencken, and he wrote this in 1926. He said, "If the state has taken on a vast mass of new duties and responsibilities, it has spread out its powers until they penetrate to every act of the citizen, however secret. It has begun to throw around its operations the high dignity and impeccability of a state religion. Its agents become a separate and superior caste with authority to bind and loose and their thumbs in every pot."
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But it still remains, as it was in the beginning, the common enemy of all well-disposed, industrious, and decent men. Now, I want to go back and point something out. He said in this quote, its agents, think bureaucrats, its agents become a separate and superior caste with authority to bind and loose. Well, let me give you a good illustration of this. Years ago, our church was attacked by the state government. I had two state agents in my office. One was the man who was trying to oppress and entangle our church, and he had a witness. And I had my men in the office as my witnesses. And so the state agent, the bureaucrat, said this. He said, "Pastor," he said, "I do not want to argue with you about religion or about the Bible." He says, "You know more about the Bible than I do."
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And I agreed with him because I did. And I said to him, "Look, I will make a deal with you. I said, we have so many constitutional issues to discuss. I will be willing not to bring up religion if you will not bring up religion. But when you bring it up, I have the absolute right to bring it up as well." He said, "That's fine." I said, "Well, let's begin."
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I said, "Let me ask you one question." And I asked the question. And here was his response of just the first part of it. I still have it on tape. His first response was this. "Well, pastor, you see. The state in its infinite wisdom..." And when he said that, I slapped my desk hard as I could. I said, "Stop, stop right there. You said you were not going to bring up religion. You just did. You just declared who your God was. Infinity does not belong to the state. It belongs to the one true and the living God."
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I said, "Here is the difference between us. You worship the state. I worship the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a religion. And the bureaucrats are a separate and superior caste to which we must bow. That is Moloch worship." Moloch worship involved total sacrifice because it was a tyrannical, totalitarian, political power religion. And it still demands child sacrifice in indoctrination in government schools. And it still demands total sacrifice even in the loss of lives in wars for which we have no business fighting when those wars are over oil wells or money or control of foreign countries. I'm just simply saying we do not have anything today other than a Moloch political power religion in our land.
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The Bible says in the book of Psalm, Psalm 7 in verse 9, "Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just." So if we really want the wickedness to come to an end, we need to learn to pray against the Moloch mentality and ask the God of heaven and earth to establish the Lord Jesus Christ, his people, and his word because he is the only just one. So we cannot go down, we must go up.
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So, let me cover the second thing very quickly, and that is this. Solomon did not only just simply build an altar to Ashtoreth and Moloch, he also built one to Chemosh. Chemosh is known as the abomination of the children of Moab. Chemosh was the god of Moab. He is associated with Moloch. Both are known for receiving human sacrifices. Chemosh was the supreme deity of the Moabites, a people who lived in the region east of the Dead Sea in ancient times. The name Chemosh actually means destroyer or subduer. He was also sometimes associated with a fish god, but he reflects also a warlike nature and was viewed as a god of conquest. So the Moabites then held Chemosh as supreme and they believed that his smile in battle assured victory. His frown in battle assured defeat. So Chemosh is called the god of the Moabites in Numbers 21 verse 29. Jeremiah 48, verse 7, verse 13, and verse 46. And scripture calls him, in 1 Kings 11, verse 7, the abomination of Moab. And certainly, Chemosh worship was closely connected there with Moloch worship.
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Now, I want you to think about something. Since Chemosh was more involved in conquest, subjugation, or what you and I would call conquering. You have to understand that conquest, subjugation, and dominion is not always linked to war. We think about war when we think about conquest and dominion. But you also have to remember that man is a fallen creature, but he was created with a dominion orientation. He was created with a desire to conquer and to dominate. In fact, Adam was given dominion over all of creation. We lost the right dominion in the fall and we can only have it now in Jesus Christ being regenerated and renewed. But the point I'm trying to make is this, even fallen man still has a dominion orientation. He still wants to conquer. He still wants to dominate. However, now it is not a domination or a conquest from a biblical standpoint but from a humanistic and fleshly and lustful and wicked standpoint because he no
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longer is interested in doing anything for God. He's interested in doing it for himself. This is why older people, elderly people, oftentimes have what is known as bucket lists. You know what a bucket list is? A bucket list is things that you want to do before you die. It could be dangerous. It could be exciting and exhilarating. It's a desire to experience something spectacular, something that you have never done before. In fact, this desire to conquer, to dominate, to subjugate, oftentimes leads even older people to do not only stupid, but dangerous and crazy things. It does not necessarily have to be evil things, but what I would call crazy things.
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Let me give you an illustration. This is from the Chicago Tribune. Listen carefully. Ottawa, Illinois. A 104-year-old Chicago woman is hoping to be certified as the oldest person to ever skydive after leaving her walker on the ground and making a tandem jump in northern Illinois. "Age is just a number," Dorothy Hoffner told the cheering crowd moments after touching the ground Sunday at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, about 85 miles southwest of Chicago, the Chicago Tribune reported. A 104-year-old woman skydiving. Why? She wanted to be the oldest woman on record to skydive.
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The problem was, before they could verify everything, she died a week later. But she did get to skydive at 104. I also read about an 80-year-old woman, a 100-year-old woman, and a 102-year-old woman that were skydiving. And if you remember, it was George Herbert Walker Bush who skydived when he was 90 years of age. So let me ask you a question.
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Have you ever thought about this? What is it that drives older people sometimes to do fantastic or crazy things? They still have a desire to conquer. They still have a desire to dominate. They still have a desire to experience things they've never ever experienced before.
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Now let me tell you how this plays out in a practical manner. Have you ever considered the fact that many acts of adultery, fornication and rape do not actually derive from simple lusts but from a desire to conquer and subjugate and dominate. I have read and I have known some who kept lists of their conquests. It meant nothing to them other than a number. I've gotten 15, I've gotten 20.
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And that's with men and women. That is a perverted use of dominion orientation that God created man with.
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Now, I want you to think about this as well. Well, you consider that these false gods were worshipped in many fleshly and wicked ways, such as temple prostitution, perverted sex, infliction of pain. The impetus many times was just simply conquest and subjection and control. Solomon not only lost his wisdom, he lost his mind. He turned to Ashtoreth, to Moloch, and to Chemosh for virility, for power, and for conquest.
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We shame him for those things. But the truth of the matter is many people do the same thing that Solomon did. They go down instead of seeking after God. Instead of asking God for ability, instead of asking God for strength, instead of asking God for virility, they go to that which is wicked and wrong. It's just like people going to the horoscopes or tarot cards or Ouija boards or whatever. It's just simply, totally and completely wicked and wrong.
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Now, here's a passage I want you to jot down. Psalm 62, verse 11. Psalm 62, verse 11. Here it is. "God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God." There is no power except that which is from God. These false gods are powerless. The sins are powerless. They do not empower. They ensnare. They entrap. They destroy. They're destructive. I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, to Psalm 115. Psalm 115. And I want you to follow me, please, as I read beginning there with verse 3. Look in Psalm 115.
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It's a very important point. Psalm 115, look in verse three. The Bible says, "But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased." By the way, this verse teaches you God's absolute sovereignty. Only God can do as he pleases. I've told you this before, I remember when I was a teenager and even a young child, I had to work all the time. And I'm really thankful the Lord let me work most of the time.
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But I never will forget the fact that when I got to be 16, 17, you know, I couldn't wait to get out from under my parents, not from the fact that they were mean, ugly. No, they were loving. They were kind. They took care of me. I had no problems with my parents whatsoever. But I wanted to do what I wanted to do. And then there at home, I had to do what my father told me and what my mother asked me to do. I did. I couldn't wait to get married. When Alice and I got married, I thought, man, now I can do what I please. No, no, no.
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Now I found out I have to do what I have to do. I don't have time to do what I please. Only God can do as he pleases. We have to do what we have to do. Oh, boy. Well, look back at verse three again. Psalm 115, verse three. "But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased." Now look at this. "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands."
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"They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them." So he said those that make them are dumb and those that trust in them are dumb.
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They're useless, they're worthless, they're idols, they're false gods. Why in the world would you waste your time going down when you could go up? Why would you waste your time over something that is false and useless when you could worship the one true and living God who holds all power and all authority in heaven and earth? Wow. Well, let me make some applications. Here's the first one.
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I hope you're picking up on this already. Number one, there are dangers to old age. Elihu spoke the truth in Job 32 in verse 9 when he made this statement. Listen carefully. "Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment." So just because someone happens to be great or just because someone happens to be elderly and has tons of experience, does not mean that he's learned wisdom. Neither does it mean that he understands God's justice and judgment. So great men are not always wise and neither do the aged always understand judgment. So we have to seek then, even in old age, for God to give us his wisdom still and his understanding that we may understand his judgment and his justice. Here's a second one.
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It should be understood and evident that other cultures do have an impact upon the nation. I'm going to say the same thing in another way just momentarily. But Israel was in a covenant relationship with God. Although God told all of Israel this truth, he specifically told Solomon this truth. Do not marry these people. Do not engage with these people. Do not covenant with these people. Do not do this.
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He said they'll turn away your heart after their gods. And the truth of the matter is this. When you look at how Israel as a nation associated with the pagans, affiliated with the pagans, and this is exactly what Solomon was doing in 1 Kings chapter 11, it changed the nation and it changed Solomon. Let me say this again. You're going to hear me say it next week or the week after. I'll probably say it two or three times, but please understand this.
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When a Christian hooks up with a pagan, with an unbeliever, it's not that the Christian pulls the unbeliever up, the unbeliever always pulls the Christian down. That's a fact. That's a fact.
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Now, so make sure then that you understand that Solomon lost his kingdom, lost his life, probably lost a lot of his family because of his sins. You cannot sin against God and escape God's chastisement and God's judgment. So the same thing would apply to us. Here's the third application, and that is this. Multiculturalism does have a price. It divides, it weakens, it compromises. It leads to sensuality and to idolatry.
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I hope you can see what is going on in England. What is going on in Minnesota? What is going on in Michigan? And what is going on in Texas? They've just built the largest Muslim complex in the state of Texas. I'll quote next week or the week after Governor Abbott who is now trying to extricate Texas from the hook of the Muslims because Islam is rapidly encroaching on everything, even Sharia courts in Texas, as well as Minnesota, and as well as Michigan, and all over in England.
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So multiculturalism does have its price. We cannot, we cannot and we must not try to absorb all of those wicked and pagan cultures and syncretize them and unite them somehow with Christianity. It does not work. It will destroy us just like it destroyed Israel and just like it destroyed Solomon. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we ask for your grace, your mercy, your goodness, your kindness.
#76 | 59:35 to 1:00:14 | cleaned
Lord, help us, teach us about the dangers of old age and keep us, Lord, on the path of righteousness and holiness and obedience. In the name of Jesus Christ we ask and pray. Amen.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T16:20:43Z

The Dangers of Old Age - Part 2

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

In this sermon, John Weaver continues his study of 1 Kings 11, focusing on why Solomon turned to the false gods Milcom (Moloch) and Chemosh in his old age. He argues that Moloch worship represents a political power religion of total state control, while Chemosh worship reflects a fallen desire for conquest and domination. Weaver applies these ancient idolatries to modern dangers, warning that older people may seek rejuvenation, power, or control through sinful means rather than turning to God. He emphasizes that all government is inherently religious, that multiculturalism leads to idolatry, and that true power belongs only to God.

Introduction and Review

Weaver introduces the second part of his series on the dangers of old age, reviewing Solomon's apostasy and the worship of Ashtoreth, Milcom, and Chemosh.

Why Solomon Turned to Ashtoreth

Ashtoreth was the goddess of sex and fertility; Solomon sought rejuvenation through forbidden means instead of seeking God.

Moloch Worship as a Political Power Religion

Moloch worship is a religion of power politics where the state or king is worshiped as God, demanding total control and sacrifice.

The Philosophy of Monism and the Divine Right of Kings

Monism teaches that everything is one continuous substance, with rulers at the top having the right to rule; this undergirds Moloch worship.

The Six-Pointed Star and Its Origin

The six-pointed star is not the Star of David but originated from the worship of Moloch and Chiun/Remphan, as shown in Amos 5 and Acts 7.

Scripture Reading — Acts 7:43

"But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves."

Scripture Reading — Acts 7:43

"Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon."

Moloch Worship in Modern Government

Modern state claims total jurisdiction over all areas of life, mirroring Moloch worship through licensing, eminent domain, and bureaucratic control.

Chemosh Worship and the Desire for Conquest

Chemosh was a god of conquest and subjugation; Solomon turned to him out of a fallen desire to dominate, which manifests in older people through bucket lists and sinful conquests.

The Powerlessness of Idols and the Sovereignty of God

Psalm 115 teaches that idols are worthless and those who trust them become like them; true power belongs only to God.

Now, here's a passage I want you to jot down. Psalm 62, verse 11. Psalm 62, verse 11. Here it is.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 62:11

"God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God."

It's a very important point. Psalm 115, look in verse three. The Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Psalm 115:3-8

"But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased."

Scripture Reading — Psalm 115:3-8

"But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased."

Now look at this.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 115:3-8

"Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands."

Applications and Warnings

Weaver applies the lessons: old age has dangers, great men are not always wise, multiculturalism leads to idolatry, and Christians must not be unequally yoked.

I hope you're picking up on this already. Number one, there are dangers to old age. Elihu spoke the truth in Job 32 in verse 9 when he made this statement. Listen carefully.

Scripture Reading — Job 32:9

"Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment."

The Dangers of Old Age - Part 2

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	121025195057774
Subject	Civil Government
Course	Civil Government: Power, Nations, and Constitutional Order: War in the Gates
Genre	Sermon
Date	2025-11-30
Dictation Name
Book	Book 011: The Dangers of Old Age — Chapter 2
Source Timed Segments	77

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction and Review: Weaver introduces the second part of his series on the dangers of old age, reviewing Solomon's apostasy and the worship of Ashtoreth, Milcom, and Chemosh.
Why Solomon Turned to Ashtoreth: Ashtoreth was the goddess of sex and fertility; Solomon sought rejuvenation through forbidden means instead of seeking God.
Moloch Worship as a Political Power Religion: Moloch worship is a religion of power politics where the state or king is worshiped as God, demanding total control and sacrifice.
The Philosophy of Monism and the Divine Right of Kings: Monism teaches that everything is one continuous substance, with rulers at the top having the right to rule; this undergirds Moloch worship.
The Six-Pointed Star and Its Origin: The six-pointed star is not the Star of David but originated from the worship of Moloch and Chiun/Remphan, as shown in Amos 5 and Acts 7.
Moloch Worship in Modern Government: Modern state claims total jurisdiction over all areas of life, mirroring Moloch worship through licensing, eminent domain, and bureaucratic control.
Chemosh Worship and the Desire for Conquest: Chemosh was a god of conquest and subjugation; Solomon turned to him out of a fallen desire to dominate, which manifests in older people through bucket lists and sinful conquests.
The Powerlessness of Idols and the Sovereignty of God: Psalm 115 teaches that idols are worthless and those who trust them become like them; true power belongs only to God.
Applications and Warnings: Weaver applies the lessons: old age has dangers, great men are not always wise, multiculturalism leads to idolatry, and Christians must not be unequally yoked.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Solomon's Turn to Moloch Was Driven by Loss of Power

Solomon, having experienced unparalleled power, turned to Moloch worship to regain control when he felt it slipping in old age.

Weaver says, 'Solomon experienced power and control almost like no other king ever experienced... it seems as if Solomon was more concerned about losing control than anything else.'

Moloch Worship Is Inherently Totalitarian

Moloch worship demands total sacrifice and control, mirroring modern government overreach and the push for a one-world order.

Weaver states, 'The one world government, the new world order, is nothing more than Moloch worship.'

The Six-Pointed Star Originated in Pagan Worship

The so-called Star of David is actually the star of Moloch and Remphan, as shown in Amos 5:26 and Acts 7:43.

Weaver reads Amos 5:26 and Acts 7:43, explaining that the star was made in the wilderness as part of idol worship.

Chemosh Worship Reflects a Fallen Dominion Orientation

Man was created with a desire to conquer, but after the fall, this drive becomes perverted into sinful domination, as seen in Solomon's turn to Chemosh.

Weaver says, 'Even fallen man still has a dominion orientation. He still wants to conquer. He still wants to dominate... from a humanistic and fleshly and lustful and wicked standpoint.'

Older People Often Seek Conquest Through Sinful Means

The desire for conquest in old age can lead to dangerous bucket-list activities or sexual conquests, rather than seeking God.

Weaver gives examples of elderly skydivers and says, 'Many acts of adultery, fornication and rape do not actually derive from simple lusts but from a desire to conquer and subjugate and dominate.'

Christians Must Not Be Unequally Yoked with Pagans

When a Christian associates closely with unbelievers, the unbeliever pulls the Christian down, not the reverse.

Weaver states, 'When a Christian hooks up with a pagan, with an unbeliever, it's not that the Christian pulls the unbeliever up, the unbeliever always pulls the Christian down.'

Scripture References

1 Kings 11:1-13: The passage describing Solomon's many foreign wives, his turn to false gods in old age, and God's judgment.
2 Kings 17:30-31: Lists various false gods worshiped by different nations, showing the multitude of idols.
Ecclesiastes 8:4: Solomon's own words about the power of a king, illustrating his concern with control.
Amos 5:21-26: God rejects Israel's worship because they bore the tabernacle of Moloch and Chiun, the star of their god.
Acts 7:43: Stephen's speech referencing the tabernacle of Moloch and the star of Remphan, confirming the idolatry in the wilderness.
Psalm 7:9: A prayer for the wickedness of the wicked to end and for the just to be established.
Psalm 62:11: Power belongs to God; He alone is the source of true power.
Psalm 115:3-8: Contrasts the sovereign God with powerless idols; those who trust idols become like them.
Job 32:9: Great men are not always wise, nor do the aged always understand judgment.
Numbers 21:29: Chemosh is called the god of the Moabites.
Jeremiah 48:7, 13, 46: References to Chemosh as the god of Moab.

Historical References

Augustus Caesar's decree (17 BC): Augustus claimed there was no other name under heaven by which men could be saved, a claim later countered by Peter in Acts 4:12.
Roman Emperor Cult: Christians were executed for refusing to say 'Caesar is Lord,' as this was considered treason against the state religion.
War of Northern Aggression (U.S. Civil War): Weaver claims the war began because New England states embraced rationalism and transcendentalism, seeking to impose their philosophy on the South.
R.J. Rushdoony quote on the Moloch state: Rushdoony stated that the state claiming total jurisdiction is a product of apostasy and leads to total sacrifice.
Henry L. Mencken quote (1926): Mencken described the state as a common enemy with agents who become a superior caste with authority to bind and loose.
Dorothy Hoffner, 104-year-old skydiver: Example of an elderly person seeking conquest through a dangerous bucket-list activity.
George Herbert Walker Bush skydiving at 90: Another example of an older person pursuing a thrilling conquest.
Modern Muslim complexes and Sharia courts in Texas, Minnesota, Michigan, England: Weaver cites these as evidence of multiculturalism leading to idolatry and societal compromise.

Important Quotes

Moloch worship is a political power religion. It is a religion of power politics where everything is centered in the king, and since we do not supposedly have a king in this country, it's now centered in the state or in the federal government, so to speak.

Defines Moloch worship and applies it to modern government, a central thesis of the sermon.

Behind every law, every rule, every regulation, every statute, is a determination of right and wrong, good and evil. And whoever is making that law is determining right and wrong, good and evil, based upon their own religion.

Argues that all government is inherently religious, a key argument for understanding Moloch worship today.

The one world government, the new world order, is nothing more than Moloch worship.

Equates modern globalist ambitions with ancient idolatry.

When a Christian hooks up with a pagan, with an unbeliever, it's not that the Christian pulls the unbeliever up, the unbeliever always pulls the Christian down.

A practical warning against unequal yoking, drawn from Solomon's example.

These false gods are powerless. The sins are powerless. They do not empower. They ensnare. They entrap. They destroy.

Contrasts the impotence of idols with the power of God.

Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.

Quotes Job 32:9 to emphasize that age does not guarantee wisdom.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

In what ways do older people today 'reach downward' for rejuvenation instead of seeking God, as Solomon did?

[Context]

Weaver describes Solomon's turn to Ashtoreth for virility and compares it to modern sins like fornication and perversion.

[Question]

How does the concept of Moloch worship as a political power religion manifest in current government overreach?

[Context]

Weaver argues that modern state licensing, eminent domain, and total jurisdiction reflect Moloch worship.

[Question]

What does the Bible teach about the origin of the six-pointed star, and why is this significant?

[Context]

Weaver uses Amos 5 and Acts 7 to show the star's connection to Moloch and Remphan, not David.

[Question]

How can a fallen 'dominion orientation' lead older people into dangerous or sinful behaviors?

[Context]

Weaver discusses bucket lists and sexual conquests as perverted expressions of the desire to conquer.

[Question]

Why is it impossible to have a non-religious government, according to Weaver?

[Context]

Weaver explains that all laws are based on someone's determination of right and wrong, which is inherently religious.

[Question]

What are the dangers of multiculturalism as illustrated by Solomon's marriages and modern examples?

[Context]

Weaver warns that absorbing pagan cultures leads to idolatry and compromise, citing England and U.S. states.

Applications

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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T06:58:28Z