What Are Relics?

 

Relics stems From Holy Symbols to Hidden Idolatry
Unveiling the Forgotten History, Spiritual Drift, and the Enemy’s Oldest Trick

“You shall not make for yourself an idol… You shall not bow down to them or worship them.” — Exodus 20:4–5

PART I: The Word “Relic” — Where Did It All Begin?

The word relic comes from the Latin reliquiae, meaning “remains” or “left behind.”
Early Christians used the term to describe physical remnants of saints, martyrs, or sacred moments — bones, ashes, garments, and even blood-stained cloths.

By the time of Medieval Latin and Old French, the word had evolved to mean sacred leftovers — something to be preserved and venerated.

But pause and ask yourself:

Could it be that what started as a symbol of sacrifice…
Slowly became a substitute for the Savior?

PART II: Relics in the Early Church (100–400 AD)

Why Did They Matter?

During brutal Roman persecution, the early Church found courage in the stories—and the remains—of those who died for their faith. Relics became spiritual markers of the cost of belief:

Martyrs’ bones were kept in catacombs.

Cloths soaked in their blood were passed down.

Tombs of the faithful became sacred gathering spots.

It wasn’t superstition—at first. It was remembrance.
But let’s ask a bold question:

Were these mementos of faith…
Or were they planting seeds of misplaced devotion?

PART III: The Rise of Relic Culture (400–1500 AD)

When Constantine legalized Christianity in 313 AD, something shifted.

Suddenly, relics weren’t just spiritual anymore—they became political and profitable:

Churches embedded them in altars.

Cathedrals competed for the rarest ones.

Pilgrims traveled for blessings, and churches grew rich from the offerings.

Relics of the time included:

The “True Cross”

The Crown of Thorns

Apostle bones

Mary’s milk (yes, really)

Jesus’ blood in vials

Holy nails and grails

Relics became trophies. Sacred merch. Superstitious tools.

Could it be… that the Church became more obsessed with what Jesus touched than with who Jesus actually is?

PART IV: When Relics Went Too Far

By the 15th century, things got out of hand:

Relics were sold as spiritual tokens.

Some claimed touching them would reduce purgatory time.

Others promised healing, prosperity, or protection through physical objects.

Then came Martin Luther.

“We should honor saints… but not worship their bones, hair, or nails as if they were divine.”

The Reformers weren’t just reacting to doctrine—they were pushing back against the idolization of relics.

PART V: Modern-Day Relics — New Names, Same Trap

We may not bow to bones anymore, but the spirit of idolatry lives on.

Let’s be honest…

We now see modern relics across denominations—charismatic, evangelical, even mainline:

Anointing Oils

Biblical in practice—now sold in designer bottles.

Are we trusting the oil more than the Anointer?

Prayer Cloths

Inspired by Acts 19—but now commercialized.

Do we believe the cloth heals… or Christ?

Holy Water

Symbolic in meaning—sprinkled like a magic fix.

Is the Spirit in the water… or in the Word?

Church Buildings

Sacred spaces for worship—treated like divine zones.

Have we made buildings holier than obedience?

Pastors & Prophets

God’s servants—often exalted like demigods.

Do we follow their voice more than the Shepherd’s?

Let’s ask ourselves:

Have we updated the props…
But kept the same spiritual dependency?

PART VI: Satan’s Oldest Strategy — Ancient Tactic, Modern Dressing

Satan’s plan hasn’t changed. He just updates the packaging.

From Eden to today, the goal is the same:

Distract us from God by elevating what God made.

Let’s follow the pattern:

Genesis 3: Eve traded trust in God’s voice for attraction to a tree.

Exodus 32: Israel built a golden calf when they thought God was taking too long.

Judges 8: Gideon made a priestly ephod; Israel turned it into an idol.

Daniel 3: A golden image demanded all knees.

Acts 8: Simon tried to buy the Holy Spirit.

Revelation: In the end times, humanity will again worship an image.

Same trick. Different age.

PART VII: Can Relics Still Have Meaning?

Absolutely—if used rightly.

Relics, symbols, and sacred objects can:

✔️ Inspire reverence
✔️ Teach history
✔️ Remind us of great faith

But here’s the warning:

When reverence replaces relationship…
When symbolism turns into superstition…
Then even the holiest object becomes a spiritual trap.

Jesus Didn’t Die to Give Us Relics. He Died to Give Us Himself.

Let that hit you.

He didn’t go to the cross so we could stockpile oil, cloths, or souvenirs.
He rose so we could walk daily in the presence of His Spirit.

So let’s ask…

Have we replaced communion with Christ…
With rituals, relics, and religious tokens?

PART VIII: Breaking the Power of Modern Nehushtans

In 2 Kings 18:4, King Hezekiah smashed the bronze serpent—once used by God—because people began to worship it. He called it what it had become: Nehushtan—just a piece of brass.

What do we need to call out and break today?

Ask yourself:

Am I chasing spiritual effects… more than spiritual intimacy?

Do I depend more on a cloth, bottle, or building than on the Spirit within me?

Has emotion and tradition replaced truth and transformation?

Use Tools, But Worship Christ Alone

Relics aren't evil. But when they become central to our faith, they become distractions.

“You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.” — Matthew 4:10

The Church must return to:

• Spirit-led faith
• Word-rooted living
• Christ-centered worship

Not superstition.
Not sensationalism.
Not shrine-building spirituality.

Let’s Talk

Have you noticed modern relics creeping into your walk or church culture?

What tools have become crutches?

Share your thoughts in the comments if you’re ready to break your Nehushtan.

Follow Church History Chronicles for more truths that awaken and realign the Bride of Christ.

We weren’t saved to chase shadows.
We were saved to know the Savior.