I may be on my ‘lonesome’ (except for truly born-again believers); however, my personal impression, based in my belief as to the validity of Scripture, is that the WHOLE world is being led by its nose to the slaughter. And we must not overlook the ‘directorship’ of Satan in this bacchanalia of death.

Therefore, what I am about to write immediately places me within the realms of mirthful fantasy by much of the world at large.

I clearly understand this as I accept the commission given all believers in the Atoning Grace of Jesus, ‘that we teach Christ crucified, the perfect paschal lamb of sacrifice, the son of God, given by Himself of Himself, to a Godless world as one sacrificial act of perpetual redemption.’ In giving Him the victory, it requires that each day, we must walk the lonely, narrow road carrying our own personal Cross.

As believers in the teachings of Jesus and the Word of God in general, we hold the view (through faith in the authenticity of the Word) that this world is (prophetically speaking) on ‘borrowed time.’

Mankind, in all his many hues and belief systems, increasingly denies the existence of God, let alone a ‘supreme being and creator.’ Further, the world of man increasingly subscribes to the view that there is no such thing as sin.

So far has this premise recently been accepted in the Western world, that ‘policing’ has become emasculated and toothless. The result is that there is no longer enforcement of many laws that previously were seen to play a significant part in the regulation and the good governance of society. A measure seen to help develop and enhance a sense of neighborliness in community.

Increasingly, many such laws are, in fact, disappearing from the Statute books at both State and Federal level. Offenses that were classified in the serious category of ‘felony’ have either been ‘watered down’ or else swept away completely.

Social reforms, commencing at infancy, have seen parents lose the parental right of discipline of the unruly behavior of their own children. Conversely, they have seen these same rights given to teachers and assorted bureaucracies. Many of the latter wave the banner of Godless Marxist Socialism and are directly focused upon the destruction of the family unit. Particularly those in which Christian values are taught.

What has been the result?

Immediate conflict within the home.

Loss of parental control over the family environment.

Concepts introduced to the home that are not simply alien to the parents (particularly Christian parents) but are anathema. This has led to a viable increase in homeschooling and certainly a move away from the infrastructure of the public school system.

Godless education and the removal of God as the ultimate authority and literal head of our nation have led directly to the collapse of the ‘glue’ that, for some centuries, has successfully held our nations together. That glue was God and the Judeo-Christian ethic of worship/family and hard work.

Was it a perfect system?

No, it wasn’t.

It certainly has had its warts, and these, in turn, have led to conflict from time to time. Yet it was a system that, in the main, within the constraints of a social democratic framework (where family played a dominant role), not only worked but saw our nations prosper.

Historically, the Judeo-Christian ethic and the rule of law itself was based on the Ten Commandments that God gave Moses at Sinai.

At the same time, Godless Socialism has taken the helm of society. And in consequence and proportionately, family and community life has collapsed. This is because Socialism (in giving all power to the State and taking control of all assets) has not been able to replace God and the family with any model that remotely appears to work. Perhaps, because it is based on terror, induced fear and coercion at all levels.

Increasingly, it is forced to resort to State-induced punishments and coercive measures. These include (in China) the deprival of the right to seek work. Surely, this is the basic right of every individual.

China has taken this to a new level of evil.

In order to actually survive, the individual (seen only as a unit of production) must be electronically seen to comport to an ‘approved’ State criteria. In that environment, your life is governed by a point system. Fall below the permissible minimum, and you literally become persona non-gratia, a non-person whom the State no longer recognizes as a unit of value. Under this system, you have no intrinsic value because of your humanity. Your value to the State is bound to that which you are seen to both produce and the degree to which you obey the set norms of the State.

You have no right of existence other than that.

God is thus sublimated and replaced within the displayed edifice of the ‘State.’ And all power is vested in the hands of a ruling elite. None is permitted in the individual at large unless a Party functionary and a tightly ruled hierarchy see that each one of them is always under surveillance by both his immediate subordinate and superior.

THE PANDEMIC ACCORDING TO THE ‘STATE’

It has been manifestly obvious to many of us that there are not only grave doubts as to the origin of the COVID-19 virus but also as to whether it is a naturally occurring viral infection or the result of a ‘State’ having manipulated the genome itself.

A ‘genome’ is an organism’s complete set of genetic instructions. Each genome contains all of the information necessary to build that particular organism. An organism’s complete set of DNA is called its genome. Virtually every single cell in the body contains a complete copy of the approximately 3 billion DNA base pairs or letters that make up the human genome.

With its four-letter language, DNA contains the information needed to build the entire human body.

It is no secret (in fact, the proud boast) that medical science is doing all that is possible to understand the physiological building blocks of life. It is also no secret that this ‘understanding’ has led to a series of virtually uncontrolled experimentation in the study of viral infections. And in turn, some of that experimentation has focused on the concept of biological warfare.

In China, one such center was located in Wuhan, where it would appear that perhaps two types of experimentation were occurring and for two different, divergent purposes. One to validate existence. The other, aimed at its destruction.

Many western scientists have contributed to the ‘work’ going on at Wuhan, and the World Health Organization (W.H.O), led by a Marxist, may now be tainted and compromised.

Of course, China was not and is not the only State rapidly expanding research in this area. A number of countries are attempting to so alter the DNA of mankind as to recreate it in such a manner as to optimize the human capacities/capabilities of mankind to wage war – ergo, the creation of the ‘super soldier.’

Russia is heavily invested in this research, and so is America. Viral research is, from what I have read, an essential component of both diverse aims.

Somewhere, out of this dubious, Godless and doubtful morass of evil, a viral infection is now sweeping the world.

Is it naturally occurring?

Did it escape from a laboratory or some cross-over from a black bat or monkey?

Or is it indeed a man-manipulated genome deliberately released and whose ultimate aim is the destruction of mankind?

I cannot and make no attempt to answer these questions. I state them as a backdrop of factual information as Government (within our nation-States) increasingly appears to have lost control of the situation. However, alongside of this, I offer my view that it is extremely doubtful that they ever were in control of it. Few, if any, serving politicians would bring such expertise to the Cabinet Table.

THE LITANY OF ERROR:

• A race to develop a vaccine that would effectively prevent or destroy the virus by stopping it dead in its otherwise inexorable tracks.
• The business decision to ‘fast-track’ production. Was it tainted by perceived profit margins balanced against more altruistic motivations? Or by political leaders in panic mode?
• The release of ‘alleged’ vaccines without anywhere near the stringent testing normally done to safeguard the public at large.
• An emerging number of worrisome side effects, with some leading to death.
• The co-emergent phenomenon of vaccinated people now apparently going on to develop the virus, apparently unchallenged by the presumed efficacy of the ‘alleged’ vaccine.
• The attempts to silence the voices of a number of eminent virologists who have challenged both the science and rollout of the ‘alleged’ vaccines.
• Some of these long-respected and well-published experts have had their careers either threatened or ruined for ‘not toeing the Party Line’ orchestrated by their representative State. Fortuitously, this has failed to silence them, and their voices are now being heard as the alarm bells ring not only in medical circles but even amongst some of our peerless leadership.

AUSTRALIA:

It would appear also that the proverbial ‘penny’ is now commencing to drop at the level of the hitherto docile complacent (let’s all race and get the jab) public.

And though I reserve grave personal doubts about the efficacy of all three of the current vaccines, I do NOT and WOULD NOT decry the right of anyone who holds a different view to accept inoculation. At least certainly whilst we still have that choice of free will.

The rollout of the vaccines now appears to be coming to a grinding halt in Australia as doctor’s surgeries that were authorized to inoculate with the AstraZeneca jab are now EMPTY.

For instance, since the side effects from the AstraZeneca became known, there has been a major backlash, and people are no longer turning out to accept the jab. My heart, therefore, goes out to Health professionals whose livelihood is dependent upon them having attained the ‘passport’ to work that inoculation provides them.

What about the rest of us?

This is where it then begins to get ‘interesting.’ There are now millions of ‘doses’ of the ‘vaccines’ in storage. The State (at both State & Federal level) appears to be getting itself into a contradictory flap as to how they intend to handle this.

Already, some politicians are espousing a number of ‘unspecified’ draconian steps to make us accept it.

In my case, I will risk arrest in my personal resistance to this. And they will have to hold me down to administer it. In the meantime, I have begged both my extended family (some who have other health issues) and my contacts to avoid it like the plague until time and further testing dictate that appropriate safety standards have been reached. I do NOT accept that the general populace should be the unsuspecting guinea pigs in lieu of long-term clinical tests in a totally controlled environment.

And ‘No,’ I am not someone with a long opposition to vaccination in general. I have had various inoculations since I was a child and had my normal flu and pneumonia shots at the recommended periods. I had trust in them. I have none in these ‘vaccines.’

PROPHETIC VALIDATION:

Jesus warned us that in these times (the hour now being definitively apparent), such plagues would descend upon us.

On what do I base that assumption?

Certainly on the Word itself in which Jesus described the end of this time when specifically asked that question by His disciples.

The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age

(Matthew 24:3-8, New King James)

“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’

“And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.'”

The ‘sorrows’ befall us because, both metaphorically and literally, ‘we have been given enough rope and have hung ourselves.’ 

There are two cups that we are free to drink from.

1: The cup of depravity: NOW FULL TO OVERFLOWING, and mankind has clearly demonstrated his attempt to drain it to the last dregs left in the bottom of the cup.

2: The cup of saving grace: this cup is personified of those who, having received the Word (have then in brokenness), fallen in repentance at the foot of the Cross in the name of Jesus.

THE WORD IS NOW PREACHED IN ALL CORNERS OF THE EARTH. THAT CUP IS ALSO FILLED AND OVERFLOWS WITH THE SAVING GRACE OF CHRIST’S ATONEMENT.

Jesus bought that atonement (forgiveness) for us. He freely chose to become one perfect blood sacrifice for the sins of any human being who would believe in Him and so declare it publicly.

God long ago declared that life is in the blood. In the beginning, he gave us an example that one day it would only be a human sacrifice of a perfect human being without sin that would suffice.

He did this by commanding Abraham to slay Isaac and then sacrifice him as a burnt offering.

At the last moment (thus testing the faithful fidelity of his servant Abraham who was prepared to carry it out), God forbade that he do so and substituted a ram instead. However, we clearly see that mankind is given a vision of that which would come with Jesus.

From the Word itself, these two cups are the precursor to the close of the chapter of this present Age. However, many claiming to know and love Jesus have fallen asleep along with their churches. Nominally claiming to be Christians, it is not difficult to identify them:

• They are falsely pastored in ways clearly apparent to the congregation in general.
• They readily & knowingly accept, without censure, the impost of an unrepentant sinner to the pulpit, whether that be because of sexual sin or other sinful error.
• They do NOT study the Word other than when asked to open the Bible to follow the Service, and that…maybe, once a week.
• Prayer is confined to their congregational following of the Service doctrine in whatever denomination is espousing it. They rarely bother to pray on a daily basis or give thanks.
• They are not taught prophecy.
• And eschatology (the study of prophecy) is not part of the doctrine they are regularly taught.
• Alternatively, they are taught that all ancient prophecies were rendered with the birth, advent, ministry and execution of Jesus.
• Were prophecy taught (or so attempted in order to confront them), they would vote with their feet, and taking with them their tithe, abandon that church promptly.
• I suggest that their heresy is conceivably much worse than in someone who does not, in any way, call themselves ‘followers of Jesus, the Christ King.’
• For ‘knowing’ that they sin, they have determined NOT to change or repent from lifestyle choices. So I am speaking to ‘nominal’ believers who wantonly ignore the path Jesus implored us to follow.
• This allows them to accept, in good conscience, false teachings that appeal to their senses, and tickling the sense of their own omnipotence, to manipulate Scripture to ‘suit themselves.’
• Abortion thus is seen as conscionable (particularly with many false pastors now arguing in favor of these sacrifices to Moloch).
• They have made a pact to accept homosexuality/fornication in general, in all its embracing forms — same-sex unions/gender re-identification and all that Satan has conspired in his attempt to destroy the human race; his age-long plan.
• Church represents both their comfort zone and the setting of their place at the apex of community life virtue.
• Paragons of virtue in their own lunchtimes, church attendance is therefore seen as a reputation enhancer and/or a once-a-week period of ‘neighborly’ community and conviviality.

Some tie their ‘godliness’ to ‘good works. This is a dangerous spiritual road if such ‘works’ are transparently performed to enhance ‘self’ rather than performing an act of charitable humility in the furtherance of the injunction of Jesus to respect and nurture the poor and render aid to the sick.

I do not excuse my own shortcomings, for I have been so represented herein – God forgive me!

There are many, many ways in which to deny God and the deity of Jesus. I guess that old pre-Rock ‘n’ Roll ballad, “O Yes, I’m a Great Pretender,” that the ‘Platters’ released in 1955 says it all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCfxMHLsoBU

Oh oh, yes, I’m the great pretender
Pretending that I’m doing well
My need is such I pretend too much
I’m lonely but no one can tell

Oh oh, yes, I’m the great pretender
Adrift in a world of my own
I’ve played the game but to my real shame
You’ve left me to grieve all alone

Too real is this feeling of make-believe
Too real when I feel what my heart can’t conceal

Yes, I’m the great pretender
Just laughin’ and gay like a clown
I seem to be what I’m not, you see
I’m wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you’re still around

Too real is this feeling of make-believe
Too real when I feel what my heart can’t conceal

Yes, I’m the great pretender
Just laughin’ and gay like the clown
I seem to be what I’m not, you see
I’m wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you’re still around

God Speed and prayerfully,

Bon Voyage, my fellow travelers.

Denis Bowden

denisjbowden@gmail.com

(Daniel, Jesus, and John)

John is given a new vision in Revelation 14, where we fast forward from the middle of Jacob’s trouble to the very end. “Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads” (Revelation 14:1). This is the same group of Jewish believers that he saw in Revelation 7:4 that were sealed by God during the beginning of Jacob’s trouble, for the purpose of divine protection from the judgments of God and the persecution by the world government.

This vision appears to be taking place during the start of Jesus’ millennial kingdom where these Tribulation saints will enter the kingdom in their natural bodies. They will continue their service to Jesus as priests of the Lord. “These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God” (Revelation 14:4-5).

The 144,000 Jewish saints have the name of God the Father written on their foreheads, which is the seal that protected them from God’s judgments and the beast’s persecution. This is just the opposite for those who have taken the mark of the beast. They will die a horrible death and will spend eternity in the lake of fire, forever separated from God.

Revelation 14:6-11 describes three different angels that make proclamations to the inhabitants of the earth. The first angel is seen flying in the air, preaching the gospel to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people – saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water” (Revelation 14:7). This is not the gospel of salvation but is the gospel of judgment for the wicked, and deliverance for those who love the Lord.

The second angel followed, saying: “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication” (Revelation 14:8). This verse is a proclamation of the upcoming destruction of political Babylon, which is the capital of the Antichrist.

The third angel proclaims a warning to anyone who worships the beast and receives the mark on their forehead or hand. “They will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name” (Revelation 14:10-11).

In Revelation 14:13, John heard another pronouncement; “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.'” It’s interesting to me that the Spirit is talking aloud here. This verse is referring to those who die a martyr’s death in the last 3.5 years of Jacob’s trouble. Upon death, these martyrs go immediately to heaven and will be greatly blessed. This is the 5th instance of a voice from heaven in the book of Revelation. It is indeed indicative of the grace of God.

“The parenthetical section of Revelation 14:12-14 closes with an overall vision of Armageddon and God’s judgment on the world. Revelation 14:14-20 is obviously talking about divine judgment, and the symbolism of the harvesting of grapes is taken as an illustration. The evil in the world has come to the ripe point where God can judge it at the time of Armageddon. Accordingly, the harvest is pictured as if they were gathering grapes and throwing them into the winepress, which represents God’s wrath. When the grapes are pressed, the blood is said to flow as high as the horses’ bridles.” {1}

Revelation 15 is a prelude to the bowl judgments, which occur during the second half of Jacob’s trouble. John sees another great and marvelous sign in heaven. He sees 7 angels having the 7 last plagues, and in them the wrath of God is complete. John saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, “and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb” (Revelation 15:2-3).

John looked and beheld the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. Moses’ tabernacle in the wilderness was fashioned from this heavenly one. “And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed” (Revelation 15:6-7).

A loud voice from the temple told the 7 angels to go and pour the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth. The 1st bowl judgment creates a foul and loathsome sore upon everyone who has the mark of the beast and those who worship his image. The 2nd bowl judgment turns the sea into blood, as of a dead man, and every living creature in the sea dies. This catastrophe is similar to the 2nd trumpet judgment, only more severe as it affects all of the sea and all of the sea creatures.

The 3rd angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. The angel of the waters said, “You are righteous O Lord, the One who is and who was and who is to be, because You have judged these things. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due. And I heard another from the altar saying, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments” (Revelation 16:5-7). This judgment is similar to the 3rd trumpet, as it finishes the job of polluting all the rivers and springs of water.

The 4th angel poured out his bowl on the sun, causing the sun to intensify to the point where it scorched people like a fire would. “And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory” (Revelation 16:9). The 5th judgment occurs when the 5th angel pours his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom goes dark. The beast’s subjects gnaw their tongues because of the pain and blaspheme the God of heaven, and they do not repent of their wicked deeds.

With the 6th bowl judgment, we witness Jacob’s trouble nearing its inevitable end with Armageddon on the horizon. “Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Revelation 16:12-14).

The evil spirits that look like frogs are actually demons who obey the word of Satan and his main man, Antichrist. These demons are sent throughout the world to persuade the kings of the world to join in the great world war that will culminate in the Holy Land.

“The gathering of the armies is in preparation for the second coming. Apparently, Christ Himself proclaims the warning to be prepared, “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed” (vs.15). Though many events precede the second coming, and Satan himself is aware that it is impending, many will be unprepared – naked and shamefully exposed – as far as God’s righteousness is concerned.

The armies from all the world are gathered geographically to the Holy Land, apparently to fight it out for power. The locale of the war is described as Armageddon. The term Armageddon geographically refers to the area eastward from Mount Megiddo in northern Israel and includes the large plain of Esdraelon. Megiddo is, in the Hebrew, a corresponding title to the Greek, Armageddon. This area has been the scene of great battles in the past, including that of Barak and the Canaanites (Judges 4) and the victory of Gideon over the Midianites (Judges 7). Saul and Josiah also were killed in this area.

The valley is rather large, being 14 miles wide and 20 miles long. Large as this area is, it obviously cannot contain the armies of millions of men, and it seems to be a marshaling point. Actually, the armies are scattered up and down the Holy Land for a length of some 200 miles. What Satan is actually doing is gathering all the military power of the world in a vain effort to contend with the army from heaven.” {2}

With the commencement of the 7th bowl judgment, God’s wrath is satisfied. This judgment includes flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake (a repeat of the conditions of the 7th trumpet judgment). “No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake” (Revelation 16:18). The final earthquake that occurs before the 2nd Coming of Christ surpasses all that has gone before. This will cause the city of Jerusalem to split into three parts, while the city of Babylon will suffer the full wrath of God. “Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath” (Revelation 16:19).

This world-shattering earthquake that will shake Jerusalem is also described in Zechariah 14:4-5. The earthquake is felt throughout the earth. “Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great” (Revelation 16:20-21).

According to Jesus, in Matthew 24:29, a worldwide blackout will also occur at this time. I believe this blackout at the end of days will last for 3 days, as it did in ancient Egypt in the time of Moses during the 10 plagues of God. This darkness was the 9th plague (judgment) against apostate Egypt. After the 3rd day, God told Moses; “About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt; and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the hand mill, and all the firstborn of the animals” (Exodus 11:4-5). This was the 10th and final plague against Egypt and resulted in the release of God’s people.

According to Exodus 11:4, Jehovah (pre-incarnate Jesus) himself is the instrument of death (the destroyer in Exodus 12:23) that kills the firstborn of the Egyptians. “And it came to pass at midnight that the Lord struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock” (Revelation 12:29).

Both the earthquake and the blackout of this end-time judgment of God are also described in Joel 3:14-17. The 21 judgments of God will have ended at this point, after approximately 2,490 days (1,230 + 1,260) from its start, when the Antichrist first confirmed the peace covenant with Israel. Soon after the blackout of Matthew 24:29, Jesus will return to the earth at the battle of Armageddon. Matthew 24:30 describes the 2nd Coming of Jesus. “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Just as Jehovah (pre-incarnate Jesus) came and destroyed the pagan idol-worshipping Egyptians, so Jesus will come and destroy the worshipers of the Antichrist after a time of darkness upon the earth. It’s ironic (but not with God) that at the original Passover in Egypt, Jehovah/pre-incarnate Jesus was the destroyer, and at the crucifixion in Jerusalem, Jesus was the destroyed. Jesus Christ will once again resume his role as the destroyer when he returns to the earth at Armageddon. We will discuss the 2nd Coming in more detail when we get to Revelation 19.

All of the 21 judgments (seal, trumpets, bowl) of God are in chronological order; however, not all of the events of Revelation are in order. Revelation 17 is one such example. The timing of this chapter takes us back to the first 3.5 years of Jacob’s trouble and describes the apostate world religion (Ecclesiastical Babylon) that develops after the Rapture of the true Church. This false religion is called a ‘whore’ that sits upon many waters (international). It is called a whore because she compromises the true faith with many different people and nations for material gain.

“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, ‘Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication'” (Revelation 17:1-2).

The angel carried John away in the spirit into the wilderness (Babylon), and John saw the woman sit upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having 7 heads and 10 horns (the civil government of the first half of Jacob’s trouble). The woman was rich with wealth. “The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication” (Revelation 17:4).

Unlike the 144,000 Jewish evangelists of Revelation 14 that had the name of God written on their foreheads, the woman has the name “Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth” written on her figurative forehead. According to Revelation 17:6, Ecclesiastical Babylon will persecute and kill the saints (Tribulation believers in Jesus Christ) during the first half of Jacob’s trouble.

“John saw a woman on a scarlet-colored beast with 7 heads and 10 horns. The beast is obviously the political empire described in 13:1-10. The fact that she is seated on the beast indicates that she is working with the beasts to attain common ends, that is, the subjugation of the entire world to their authority, and that the political power is supporting the apostate church. The woman wears the trappings of ceremonial religion in which purple and scarlet are prominent and often enhanced with precious stones.

From the title written on her forehead, she is linked with the mystery of Babylon the Great. In referring to this identification as a mystery because its ultimate truth is learned only by divine revelation, the influence of Babylon for evil is supported in Scripture from as early as Genesis 11 and continues through the relation of the destruction of the city in Revelation 18.

Babylon is the title that covers all false religions that claim to be Christian in their content. Babylonian influence clearly crept into the church (Roman Catholic), and much of its ritual is similar to the Babylonian religious rites. When Babylon was introduced in Genesis 11, her true character was revealed as rebelling against God and attempting to build a tower in recognition of the worship of heathen deities. Because this was contrary to the will of God, He confounded the language the people were using at that time so that they could not understand each other; hence, the term Babel, meaning confusion, applies to the subsequent history of Babylon.

After the death of Nimrod, the founder of Babylon, his wife Semiramis headed up the mystery religion that characterized Babylon. According to the adherents’ belief, she had a son conceived miraculously whose name was Tammuz. He was portrayed as a savior who fulfills the promise of deliverance that was given to Eve (Genesis 3:15). This was, of course, a satanic description that permeates pagan religions. The concept of woman and child was incorporated in various religious rites that were conducted by a priestly order that worshipped the woman and the child. The whole false religion found in Babylon is satanic in its origin and therefore is closely related to the demon world.

Throughout Scripture, references are found concerning Babylonian worship, such as Ezekiel’s protest against weeping for Tammuz (Ezekiel 8:14-15). Jeremiah objects to the heathen practice of offering cakes to Semiramis as the queen of heaven (Jeremiah 7:18). Offering of incense was also made to her as the queen of heaven (44:17-19, 25). An offshoot of this was the worship of Baal, which was one of the pagan religions of Canaan, and Baal is often identified as the same person as Tammuz.

The prophecy concerning Babylon here, as well as other allusions to religion in the book of Revelation, demonstrates that apostasy will have its final form in the great tribulation in the worship of the world ruler and Satan. In the period of the first half of the seven years leading up to second coming of Christ, Babylon combined with Romanism becomes a world religion – Christian in name, but not in content. Those who do come to Christ will be subject to her persecution of those who have a true faith in Christ. Those who come to Christ in the end time will have the double problem of avoiding martyrdom at the hands of the political rulers and at the hands of the apostate church.” {3}

Randy Nettles

nettlesr@suddenlink.net

Endnotes:

{1} Every Prophecy of the Bible by John F. Walvoord, David C. Cook Publishing, pg. 574

{2} I.B.I.D. pg. 581-582

{3} I.B.I.D. pg. 586-588