The gods have been considered fantasies designed to accommodate the needs of those who created them. Being numerous and varied and serving as a bridge between the spiritual and natural worlds, a supernatural entity can certainly provide the means for creative expression, but are all gods a fantasy?
Who would form a god or mold an image that profits him nothing?
ISAIAH 44:10
As supreme authorities and supernatural forces, the gods are believed to exist outside the realm of the natural world and yet in some way have a connection to it. Having taken on many forms, identities, characteristics and roles they have formed an integral part of the lives of those who worship them. Often regarded as distant, unknowable and changeable, these spiritual entities have been honored and placated through various activities and rituals in an effort to control their perceived influence and in doing so, provide the basic needs for survival, a sense of value and purpose in life and the prospect of immortality.
There has been a God however who has sought to reveal Himself to humanity whom He created. Reflected in the construct and substance of the natural world, His character and purpose have remained the same having been spoken of throughout the course of history as the supreme spiritual authority, the creator of heaven and earth, the source of all goodness and life and God of love and compassion who desired all to know Him and be with Him. Those who knew Him would interact with Him personally and experience the reality of who He was in their lives as He would make known to them His intent and purpose to act on their behalf in accordance with who He was, then fulfil those acts supernaturally. Others however would create their own gods.
Carved out of wood, metal and stone that could neither see, hear, smell, touch, talk or walk, images of creation or formations not found in the natural world were enshrined and venerated as the divine spiritual authority who would look after and provide for those who worshipped them. Supernatural entities resembling characteristics and behaviors of a people living according to their own ways would often emerge and change over time in accordance with perceived ideals and motives in an effort to control the uncontrollable, account for the unaccountable or provide the means to connect with that which encapsulated the notion of ultimate meaning and purpose. But God would continue to reveal Himself.
Foretelling of a moment in time when He would step into His own creation as a human being, He would confirm what had been spoken of Him, that He was real, almighty, all powerful yet one who engaged with people personally. Everyone would see Him, not as a god who controlled and needed placating but as the God of love and compassion of whom all could partake, affirmed by His supernatural acts of healing, deliverance and provision, the creator of everything good who, by His very nature fulfills the needs and desires of all who would receive Him.