More than half a mile above Butte, Montana is a huge religious statue. In our so-called Christian country where false doctrine abounds, that 90 foot tall statue, finished in December 1985, is of Mary. It has been dubbed Our Lady of the Rockies by the authorities and is well lit up and visible at night through spotlights. Imagine living in the town of Butte and seeing that grieving statue up on the mountain, day and night! (Paul was grieved over the idols he saw in Athens, Acts 17:16)
Is it by coincidence that Our Lady of the Rockies is 90 feet high, the same height as the golden idol set up in Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 3:1)? Back in the days of the prophet Daniel, the king passed a new law regarding that idol:
As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace. (Dan 3:5,6)
What a test of fidelity to God. It was physical life in idolatry or physical death in the king’s blazing furnace! Of all the many Jews there, only three ignored the king’s new law. They were Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. When the king asked about their behavior (or lack of behavior) regarding it, Christians get a super blessing:
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Dan 3:16-18)
They were steadfast and unmovable. They were NOT going to commit idolatry even if they had to die in the king’s blazing furnace. Their winning attitude was that of an overcomer. They have been heros of the faith and role models for God’s people for thousands of years because of their unyielding faithfulness! Imagine being tested that way.
If we are the last generation, you will be similarly tested. It will be, commit idolatry and take the mark of the beast or get decapitated! To get your head cut off is how you overcome, and to extend your physical life is to be the sad loser and the one thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur (Rev. 14:9-12). That is how serious this is and shows the kind of price many paid to die with a pure heart (Mt. 5:8) before God.
In spite of the heavy Catholic influence in Butte, Montana, a Christian (a possessor of eternal life) should unashamedly stand for Bible truths even in the face of Our Lady of the Rockies!
