Now take a look at North Korea. A nation given over to the worship of another Father and Son, pretenders to the Throne. Such vast differences between the two Kingdoms. In Heaven, the love for God is genuine, freely given, and motivated by the Truth Who He is. In North Korea, the “affection” is gained by thorough brainwashing and distortion of truth from cradle to grave. It is further enhanced by guns and imprisonment. Torture. Loss. Shame. Fear. In Heaven the One worshiped is worthy. The more He is known, the more He is worshiped. Eternity will not reveal all the depths of that worth.

But in North Korea, the subjects of lavish pomp and programs, kissing and bowing, buttons and banners, statues and signs… are not worthy. Oh every head of state is worthy of honor, mind you. This is God-ordained. But no head of state is worthy of worship. This is God-cursed and brings judgment on a nation. And the more North Koreans find out about the ways they have been deceived, the less they praise. Eventually the full truth, gained when exiting the country, causes them to loathe, not lavish praise.

May the North Korean government read the following and weep, as we read it and rejoice, the old Isaac Watts hymn:

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun doth his successive journeys run;

His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

To Him shall endless prayer be made, and endless praises crown His head;

His name like sweet perfume shall rise with every morning sacrifice.

People and realms of every tongue dwell on his love with sweetest song,

And infant voices shall proclaim their early blessings on His name.

Blessings abound where’er he reigns; the prisoner leaps to loose his chains;

The weary find eternal rest, and all the sons of want are blest.

Let every creature rise and bring his grateful honors to our King;