“Every man cast away his idols — How, When, and Why?”
This phrase echoes a great prophetic truth about the purification and restoration of God’s people.
Let’s explore it deeply through the Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Shepherd’s Rod message.
“In that day shall a man cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats.”
— Isaiah 2:20
This prophecy unfolds how, when, and why every man will finally cast away his idols — literal and spiritual.
“And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” — John 16:8
The first step in casting away idols is conviction.
The Holy Spirit exposes the false gods that rule the heart — pride, wealth, pleasure, position, and even religious traditions.
“The idols which have been cherished are overthrown, and the sinner, with humble heart, seeks pardon and peace from Heaven.” — Steps to Christ, p. 27
“The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” — Isaiah 2:11
When men behold the glory and majesty of God, their idols lose their charm.
Light reveals vanity; truth exposes deception.
“As men behold the cross of Christ, their human pride and self-sufficiency are humbled in the dust.” — DA 58
Thus, the idols are cast away when divine glory shines into human hearts.
“I will turn My hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin.” — Isaiah 1:25
The “casting away” is not just individual — it is collective, a purification of the people of God.
God will “cleanse His people from all idols” (Ezekiel 14:6–8; Zech. 13:1–2).
“In the purification of the church God will remove those who have been the cause of weakness and disunion.” — 5T 80
Isaiah repeatedly says “in that day” (Isa. 2:11, 17, 20), referring to the great and dreadful day of the Lord —
the judgment for the living, when God begins to purify His church.
“In that day shall a man cast away his idols…” — Isa. 2:20
This is the same period described in:
Ezekiel 9 — the sealing and slaying in the house of God;
Malachi 3 — the purifying of the sons of Levi;
Zechariah 3 & 13 — iniquity removed in one day; unclean spirits and idols taken out of the land.
🕊 In short:
The idols are cast away during the purification of the church — the judgment begins at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17).
“And the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” — Isa. 2:17
Before the establishment of the kingdom (the purified church, Dan. 2:44; Micah 4:1–2), all idols — human and institutional — must be overthrown.
Every false dependence on man, money, church hierarchy, or human wisdom will be exposed.
“Every false refuge will be swept away. Men will no longer lean upon human power, but upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.” — PK 371
“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart…” — Ezekiel 14:3
Idolatry is not only bowing to images — it is placing anything or anyone above God.
This includes love of self, worldly ambition, religious pride, and trust in human systems.
“Anything that takes the place of God in the affections becomes an idol.” — PP 306
So God must remove idols to restore spiritual fidelity.
“They shall go into the holes of the rocks… for fear of the Lord, when He ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” — Isa. 2:19
Idolatry blinds the spiritual eyes, hinders prayer, and separates man from God.
The Lord cannot pour out His Spirit upon an idolatrous people.
“When the church allows the world to attract her affections, she separates from God.” — 5T 217
“And the remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies… for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.” — Zephaniah 3:13
Before the establishment of Christ’s purified kingdom, every idol — personal and corporate — must be gone.
Only then will the Lord’s name be glorified among His people.
“In that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts.” — Zech. 14:21
“Men have long been worshiping idols of human devising — self, church, and tradition — but in the great and dreadful day of the Lord, all such idols will be cast away to the moles and bats, symbols of eternal darkness.” — 1TG 5:15
Bro. Houteff teaches that:
Idols represent human systems of worship and leadership that have replaced divine authority.
When God purifies His church, men will “cast them away” because they see the futility of trusting in flesh.
“The call to ‘cast away idols’ is a call to come out of every system that substitutes human ideas for divine revelation.” — 2TG 44:33
Question
Answer
Key Texts
How?
By conviction of the Spirit, revelation of God’s glory, and purification of the church
John 16:8; Isa. 1:25; Zech. 3
When?
In the Day of the Lord — during the judgment of the living and purification of the church
Isa. 2:11, 20; 1 Pet. 4:17; Ezek. 9
Why?
Because idols defile the soul, cause separation from God, and must be removed before the kingdom is established
Ezek. 14:3; Zech. 13:2; Zeph. 3:13
“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” — Isaiah 2:22
When the Lord arises to shake the earth, when truth shines in full light, and when judgment begins at His house, every man will cast away his idols — trusting no longer in man, but in the Lord alone.
“The Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” — Isaiah 2:17