REVELATION
LESSON 41
ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?
Revelation 17.5 5 And upon her forehead was a
name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of
Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth.
In this section the revelation concentrates
on the influence of Babylon religiously. The religion of Babylon was in the
form of a secret religious rite in which they worshiped certain idols. It
requires divine revelation to understand completely what they held.
The wife of Nimrod, who was the founder of
Babylon, headed up the mystery religion which characterized Babylon. She was
given the name of Semiramis and according to the adherents of belief she had a
son conceived miraculously whose name was Tammuz. He was portrayed as a savior
who fulfills the promise of deliverance given to Eve. However, this was of
course a satanic description which permeates pagan religions.
This harlots title reveals where she came
from and what she will do. She came from Babylon and she will go back to
Babylon during the tribulation period. She will be known as the mother of
harlots and the mother of abominations. The harlot which is the one world
religious system, originated at the tower of babel.
Which is located at old testament Babylon.
Babylon was destroyed, but is rebuilt. Nimrod whose name means, “let us
revolt”, attempted to establish a one world religion based upon astrology,
sorcery and the mysteries or legends of Semiramis and Tammuz in order to have
fellowship with them, she, the prostitute, drinks the wisdom of many religions.
Whether this is Buddhism, Hinduism or Islam
all are welcome by the harlot Babylon. It makes no difference that the Lord
Jesus is still the only way to God the father. If it is not Christ crucified then
it is labeled by the Lord as harlots and abominations. Regrettably that
includes much of modern Christianity as well.
Revelation 17:6 6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with
the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great
admiration.
The harlot will not only make others drunk,
but she too will be drunk on the blood of the tribulation saints. This great
ecumenical religious system will be actively involved in the persecution and
death of Gods people.
She will be so determined to establish her
one world religion that she will actually be filled with the blood of the
saints. Obviously, mystery Babylon, the apostate pagan church of the last days
will not develop overnight.
Such an ecumenical organization involving
many diverse religious groups will be created by negotiation and conferences
over a number of years leading up to the beginning of the seven-year
tribulation period.
It is therefore quite probable that we will
witness the initial steps toward this one world church of the last days before
the rapture takes the Christians home to heaven.
Revelation 17:7 7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will
tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which
hath the seven heads and ten horns.
Gods angel saw that John was astonished and
probably even confused so he told John that he would explain these two things,
which were the mystery of the woman and the mystery of the beast with the seven
heads and ten horns.
The remaining verses of chapter 17 are about
the meaning of the beast and the identity of the woman. It is important to keep
in mind that at the rapture all believers will be caught up the to the Lord
from the earth to heaven. Leaving no believers on the earth.
The earth will be without born again
Christian leaders or members, regardless of what church to attend. As we
discuss the world church after the rapture it would obviously be apostate
teachings.
Revelation 17:8 8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend
out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the
earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the
foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and
yet is.
As we previously discussed the references to
the beast as one who once was and yet will come has been taken as proof that
the world leader is one who was, will ascend out of the bottomless pit. The beast
will have satanic ties to the subterranean abode of demonic spirits since he
will come out of the abyss. He will eventually go to his destruction since God
will cast him into the lake of fire.
He will take his followers, the inhabitants
of the earth whose names that have not been written in the Lambs book of life.
When the fifth trumpet sounds, Satan will
open the bottomless pit and releases the demonic spirits being held there. A world
leader will quickly arise on the international scene promising to bring peace
and economic stability. He will receive the support of the European community
and eventually control the whole world.
Revelation 17:9 9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are
seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
Interpreting this verse requires spiritual
understanding of scriptures, not of world geography. The seven heads on the
beast are seven mountains on which the woman sits. This might seem simple
enough however, it is not as it appears.
Chapter 17:10 the next verse, tells us these
seven mountains are not even actual mountains but are seven kings, ie kingdoms
or world governments. Here is the problem, is this the religious system that
sits on seven mountains, or seven kings or both?
The bible tells us that hills or mountains
are a symbol of kingdoms, therefore, the seven mountains must be seven kings or
kingdoms. Some say the seven mountains are a reference to Rome. The city on
seven hills. Even if this is right this is only saying the harlot will be in
control and be supported by Rome.
Until our next lesson,
Stay in the word.
Brother Andy
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