The legend around her, ‘Sedet super universum’, means ‘The whole world is her seat’.
“And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” Revelation 17:5.
The Roman Church speaks of herself as the “mother of all churches”, and in doing this, she is revealing herself to be the harlot woman.
From the Catholic book ‘Ecumenism, Theology and History, we read, “In the universal joy that will ensure when reunion has been achieved, it will be realised that the attempt to rediscover the light was only the result of failing to look for it in the right place, and that the orphan’s gesture of despair was only a bad dream.
If the Spirit deigns to make her reality clear to the minds of those who do not now see her, the true Church of Christ will appear as ‘the woman clothed with the sun’, for the mother is still alive. She has never ceased to hope, to watch and to wait, far into the long night. She has pondered in her heart and before God what could have so wounded some of her children that they went away from her to those unlikely regions.
But now in the interval of uncertainty that divides the darkness of the Cross from the light of the Resurrection, many of her children are coming back to her; their hearts have become sensitive to a voice that says to them: ‘Doubt has become impossible:
BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER.” Bernard Lambert p520. Ecce Mater tua
Many are going back to Rome, not the least being, one thousand priests of the Church of England. Mother calls and they heed her voice.
However, there is something many do not realise about this name – a mother has children, and Rome is the “mother of harlots”. Revelation 17:5.
But who are Rome’s daughters?
Surely they are not the churches that left Rome in the Reformation?
The answer is twofold -- No.
And -- Yes.
When Martin Luther and all the Reformers left the Catholic Church, they were standing for the truths of the Bible as far as they understood them. They were not daughters of Rome in any way.
Although they had partaken of Rome’s false doctrines, the Lord in His mercy revealed the truths of Scripture and they left the harlot church. Not every Reformer understood all the truth, but they brought out what had been revealed.
You will remember that the Christian believers in Rome were infiltrated with false brethren who corrupted the new church group. When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, that corruption was not obvious, but as time went on, the “son of perdition” become bolder.
Eventually the “mystery of iniquity” matured to such a degree as to allow “that Wicked (to) be revealed.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7.8.
Paul made it clear that before the coming of Christ there would be a “falling away” in Christendom, “that (the) man of sin be revealed”. 2 Thessalonians 2:3. This was fulfilled in Rome itself.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _LINE OF THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
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These years have been called the Dark Ages, not because there was no light at all, for as you will recall, discoveries and inventions were made in many areas of life.
But spiritually, the people remained in darkness. The Bible was locked away, chained to the pulpit and in a dead language.
Yes, spiritually it was very dark.
When a man is in darkness for a long time, he cannot be brought to the light at once or he will go blind. It was the same for Maria Monk, Charlotte Eckler and other escaped nuns, in what they were capable of eating. For some time they could only subsist on bread and water, even though plenty of good food was available. It took many months before they could eat a good meal.
So with the Reformers; they did not see the truth all at once.
Luther finally understood that righteousness with God was not through flagellation, penance, pilgrimages, the sacraments, or any deeds of the flesh.
Thus his message was – the just shall live by faith.
Later he came to realise that “the dead know not any thing”, and that purgatory and limbo were pure fiction. Ecclessiastes 9:5.6.10. (The Catholic Church has since dispensed with Limbo, the place for babies and the mentally retarded)
He also realised the pope was the Antichrist. After the Bull of excommunication was received, Luther said, “Already I feel great liberty; for I know now that the pope is antichrist, and that his throne is that of Satan himself.” History of Martin Luther. (So believed all the reformers)
But there were many areas of truth he did not discover.
His colleague, Andrew Carlstadt, understood the seventh-day Sabbath, but was deficient in other truths. Certain men realised the necessity of believer’s baptism, and followed the Ana-baptists, who had practised immersion for centuries.
Although the reformers differed in their understanding of Scripture, they were true believers in the authority of the Bible and the gospel of Christ for salvation.
Sadly, the followers of Luther stopped reforming where their leader died. Instead of continuing to search for truth, they lost their zeal for reformation and study.
It was the same for those who followed John Knox and the Presbyterians; they ceased to move on. So it was for the Methodists, the Baptists, and other reformation churches.
The church in England was established on truth from the time of the apostles, however, it fell captive to Rome’s missionary endeavours. Today the Anglican Church is thoroughly indoctrinated in Rome’s teachings, communicants even genuflecting (bending the knee) as they pass the altar. And, having stepped completely from righteousness, the Church of England has even ordained homosexuals as priests. (Other churches are also guilty or this sin)
All the mainline churches, and others that once stood for truth as far as they had discovered it, ceased to reform. Thus, in clinging to Rome’s dogmas, and acknowledging her supremacy, these once-true churches have become daughters of “Mystery Babylon the great, the mother of harlots”. Revelation 17:5.
“As the Protestant churches have been seeking the favor of the world, false charity has blinded their eyes… Instead of standing in defense of the faith once delivered to the saints, they are now, as it were apologizing to Rome for their uncharitable opinion of her, begging pardon for their bigotry…
God’s Word has given warning of the impending danger; let this be unheeded, and the Protestant world will learn what the purposes of Rome really are, only when it is too late to escape the snare.
She is silently growing into power.
Her doctrines are exerting their influence in legislative halls, in the churches, and in the hearts of men. She is piling up her lofty and massive structures in the secret recesses of which her former persecutions will be repeated.
Stealthily and unsuspectedly she is strengthening her forces to further her own ends when the time shall come for her to strike. All that she desires is vantage ground, and this is already being given her. We shall soon see and shall feel what the purpose of the Roman element is. Whoever shall believe and obey the word of God will thereby incur reproach and persecution.” The Great Controversy p572.581. 1911 edition.
God still has His people in the Roman Church and apostate Protestant churches, and they must be called out before it is too late.
“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.” Revelation 17:6. (The Greek word ‘admiration’ means ‘to wonder’)
What a horrible description, but how accurate.
Remember, this verdict is given of the fullness of her cup of iniquity, which means some of that blood could belong to you and me!
We need to understand that the harlot woman hates the Protestant churches. She detests those who believe the true gospel and claim the righteousness of Christ.
John Fialka, a reporter with the ‘Wall Street Journal’ wrote in his book ‘Sisters: Catholic Nuns Making America Catholic’, “Protestantism, the murderous hag, is slowly dying of corruption and congenital rottenness, and will not much longer encumber the earth.” p36.
With history before us, we should not be surprised.
“And the angel said unto me, Wherefore (why) 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.” Revelation 17:7.
Before we move on to the beast, let us read two other verses that refer to the woman. “And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues…” Revelation 17:15.
“And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” Revelation 17:18.
Yes, it is the great city of Rome that sits on the many waters of the nations of the world.
“Marvelous in her shrewdness and cunning is the Roman Church…. She bides her time, seeing that the Protestant churches are paying her homage in their acceptance of the false sabbath and that they are preparing to enforce it by the very means which she herself employed in bygone days… Every principle of the papacy that existed in past ages exists today… Let none deceive themselves….
She possesses the same pride and arrogant assumption that lorded it over kings and princes, and claimed the prerogatives of God. Her spirit is no less cruel and despotic now that when she crushed out human liberty and slew the saints of the Most High.” The Great Controversy p580.1.
Now we will deal with the beast.
“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.” Revelation 17:8.
Here is where we begin to see the differences, but before dealing with them, we will look at the rest of the beast’s characteristics.
“And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.” Revelation 17:9.
From these verses, we see that the woman is sitting on seven hills, although Vatican Hill is not one of the seven hills. The seven hills are on the East of the Tiber River and the Vatican is on the West.
However, Rome is the city of seven hills, made clear in the Catholic Encyclopedia, and according to its author, “the entire area of Vatican state proper is situated in Rome called the city of seven hills.” Catholic Encyclopedia, quoted by Catholic, Karl Keating in Catholicism and Fundamentalism, under heading Rome. Nelson 1976.
(Vatican Hill (Vaticanus) was outside the city limits, and thus could house Nero’s Circus and a cemetery. St Peter’s Basilica was built over the cemetery, as it was believed Peter was buried there. During the reign of Pope Leo IV, the walls were extended and Vatican Hill was included as part of Rome)
The fact that the beast has seven heads, tells us it relates to the previous beasts, and ‘kings’ represent ‘kingdoms’.
So again, they are seven successive kingdoms, and five have fallen; their time of rule has past. In our studies we have learned that each prophecy adds to the previous ones, so we do not need to find completely different kingdoms than past prophecies have identified.
However, this is where there is a point of difference. They will be shown clearly and the reasons why. But at the end, you will see a resolution.
View 1 believes the five fallen kings are: Babylon
Medo-Persia
Greece
Rome -- pagan
Rome -- papal
View 2 believes the five fallen are: Babylon
Medo-Persia
Greece
Rome -- pagan and papal
Illuminati.
(There are other views, one of which begins with Assyria, then Babylon, Medo Persia, Greece, Rome (pagan and Papal), however, this does not correspond with the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, so we will not consider it)
After speaking of the five that have fallen, the prophecy says “and one is”. Revelation 17:10. The next power (or head) to rule, is the United States of America, making it the 6th head.
What kingdom is the 7th head?
Note first that when he comes he will “continue a short space”. Revelation 17:10. Keep this in mind, as we will mention it again.
In our study of Revelation 13, we discovered that the people of the United States will, in a time of crisis and false miracles, demand that the nation “make an image to the beast”, and from this we see that it is the image that will follow the sixth head. Revelation 13:14.
Thus the 7th head is the “image to the beast”.
Although it is still the United States, when the image is formed, it will be an entirely different rule, for the nation will then speak “as a dragon”. Revelation 13:11.
In a similar way that the Papacy is recovering from her “deadly wound”, and her power is increasing, so the United States is building her strength for when the image is formed. Revelation 13:3. (In actual fact, the leaders are already working towards it)
John Fialka wrote, “The pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ Himself hidden under the veil of the flesh.” ‘Sisters: Nuns Making America Catholic’ p35.
When George Bush was asked what he saw when he looked into Pope Benedict’s eyes, replied without any hesitation, “God”. www.zenit.org. Apr 13.2008.
“And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.” Revelation 17:11. This is the last verse in the identification of the beast, and it is another controversial one.
First of all, notice that it is not another head. There are only seven heads, however, the beast is seen as the eighth.
View 1 believes the beast is the Papacy, and therefore the eighth. The reason for this understanding is because it received a deadly wound and was as good as dead, but it is rising again. Looking at a previous verse: “The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit…. the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.” Revelation 17:8.
This view believes the Papacy ‘was’ prior to the deadly wound, ‘is not’, while it is healing, but ‘shall ascend’ when it has healed fully. As the number 8 represents ‘resurrection or new beginning’, this view sees the number as significant to new life.
View 2 believes the beast is the Illuminati, and therefore the eighth. The reason for this understanding is because it was forced to go underground, and is at present in hiding, although still operating behind the scenes. This view believes the Illuminati ‘was’ during the French Revolution, ‘is not’ while it works undercover, but ‘shall ascend’ when the time is right.
View 1 sees the colour of the beast as perfectly fitting the Papacy, dressed in scarlet and committing heinous sins.
View 2 sees the colour as fitting for the blood-thirsty beast of the Illuminati that beheaded thousands on the guillotine.
View 2 believes its main evidence is that the Illuminati-beast comes out of the “bottomless pit”. Revelation 11:7. 17:8. The problem with this is that the Illuminati was not historically on the same beast as the Papacy. The Papacy is on the Roman beast, but the Illuminati arose in opposition to the Papacy.
We will leave this part of the prophecy for a moment.
“And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.” Revelation 17:12.13.
You may remember from the very first prophecy of Daniel 2, that God said the ten divisions of Rome would not “cleave one to another”, as clay and iron cannot mix. Daniel 2:43.
The nations of Europe have changed over the years, and the world has extended considerably. Today there are almost two hundred known nations in our world.
At first the division related to the Roman Empire, but as time progressed, it referred to the whole world. The prophecy stated clearly that “in the days of these kings” (meaning a divided kingdom), that “the God of heaven (would) set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed.” Daniel 2:44.
Well, the world is still divided, but not without its challenges.
As you know the European Union has attempted to defy the prophecy, and although it is officially a single government, there are rumours that not all is well at Brussels.
One news reporter said in December 2009, even after the signing of the Lisbon Treaty, “Forget the spirit of European unity: Eastern Europe is at odds with Western Europe, small countries bickering with larger neighbours, and nationalists are locking horns with utopians who dream of a United States of Europe.” Spiegel Online. Dec 3 2009.
He also said not long after, “The dream is beginning to crumble”, which was an interesting statement in the light of the prophecy of Daniel 2.
However, the attempt is being made to unite the world by forming various unions – the European Union, the North American Union (with Canada and Mexico), the Pacific Union (including Australia and NZ), an African Union, and others. At the end, they can all be joined together to form a one world government.
Repeating the prophecy of Revelation 17 again. “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.” Revelation 17:12.13.
The “ten horns” represent the nations of the world, which has been divided up into ten regions, stated by the Club of Rome to be, ‘ten kings’, as in the prophecy. Not only has the world been divided into ten, but also the United States of America.
Remember, the woman – the Catholic Church – is a political entity in her own right, having power to meet with heads of state at any time to discuss world affairs.
Pope Benedict XVI said that the world needs a new financial system. In an address to Italian businessmen, he reinforced his call for a new global financial order. He stated that the ongoing global financial crisis “can be considered as an opportunity for the revision of development models and the reorganization of global finance…” Vatican Information Service. Mar 18.2010.
In his third encyclical Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth), which is the highest form of papal writing (spoken ‘ex cathedra’ and claimed to be infallible), Pope Benedict stated that the worldwide recession was because of greed and an amoral fascination with technological progress for its own sake; that the current economic crisis is “clear proof” of the “pernicious effects of sin.” Although a theological treatise, it is the first time Benedict has dealt exclusively with economic and social issues.
After his election as president of the European Union, Herman van Rompuy stated at a press conference that “2009 is also the first year of global governance with the establishment of the G20 in the middle of a financial crisis; the climate conference in Copenhagen is another step towards the global management of our planet.” Wikipedia on Herman Rompuy.
This is a very interesting statement. How many of us were aware that 2009 was our first year of global governance? We heard about the G20 meetings and the Copenhagen Summit, but little realised the extent and progress of the work being done behind the scenes.
It is not difficult to see how the “ten horns” or kingdoms of the world, “give their power and strength unto the beast.” Revelation 17:13. They “have one mind”, for they agree with the aims of the beast.
When the “horns” give their strength to the beast, the world kingdom will be fully formed.
This is the fulfilment of the “image to the beast”, or as we call it today, the New World Order.
Make no mistake about it – the global government will be religious.
The global government will be a full union of church and state, and as you know, this will bring persecution upon the remnant.
Due to their decision to accept the maxims of the Papacy, the nations connected to the beast will “receive power as kings one hour with the beast.” Revelation 17:12.
Here is when the ‘iron and clay’ sticks together. Does it mean God has made a mistake? No. In His wisdom, He will allow the nations of the world to join together for a short period of time.
Remember that the seventh head will “continue a short space”. Revelation 17:10. This is that short time – “one hour”.
It is possible that it is portion of a prophetic hour, which is 1/24th of a day, and equal to 15 days. Or it could refer to a short time of two or three weeks, about the same.
What will Big Brother do when unity is achieved?
“These shall make war with the Lamb.” Revelation 17:14.
P e r s e c u t i o n
We have spoken about this many times because God wants us to understand that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12.
This persecution will continue until Jesus (the Lamb of God) steps in to cause the supporters of Rome to turn from their allegiance. (This is not the return of Christ)
We do not know what will happen, but suddenly “the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.” Revelation 17:16.17.
Let us go back to the identity of the beast.
Remember, View 1 believes the beast is the Papacy; the woman representing the ecclesiastical arm of the Roman Church, and the beast her political arm. However, this means the beast (who is the Papacy) will turn on the woman (who is the Papacy) with loathing. This appears a contradiction.
View 2 believes the beast is the Illuminati that is carrying or supporting the woman (the Papacy). At the appropriate time, the beast (the Illuminati) will turn on the woman (the Papacy) with loathing. This seems more logical.
Both views are correct on certain points, but both fall down on other points.
There is no question God is revealing the church riding the state in this prophecy. We have spoken of it many times, but in no previous prophecy have we seen a double picture of Rome as religious and political at the same time.
During the 1260 years, the church and the state were combined, but it did not show specifically in the prophecy. At the very end, when Rome has fully regained her power, it will be a combination of church and state – using the United States to achieve her end.
At this present time, while the 7th head is preparing for Rome’s final role in endtime events, the Papacy is guiding her political power to secretly move everything into place. When this is achieved, they will clasp their hands and form the “image”.
This is the 7th head.
They will do this by passing a Sunday law in the United States that will be accepted and passed by every nation around the globe. As we have said, ‘blue laws’ are already on the books of most countries, so whether these laws will be put into effect, or a new Sunday law will be passed, perhaps by international treaty, we do not know.
In 1993, the subject was introduced to the European Union. It came up again in 1996, but was rejected. Since that time it has come up again and again.
In March 2010, a conference called Community of Bishops’ Conference of the European Community (COMECE) was held in the European Parliament to relaunch the debate on Sunday protection at the European level. (The German word for Sunday – ‘Sonntag’ – was largely displayed)
At the first session of the COMECE in 2009, the Archbishop of Dublin in his key address made the salient point, “it is time for Catholics to further develop their own European strategy”. From website called Resurgence – Popular Catholic Action for the Common Good. (The author of the site suggested that COMECE should be CCOMECE -- Catholic Commission of Bishops’ Conference of the European Community’. Yes, he is right)
The 2010 ‘Conference for the Protection of work-free Sunday’ was the first citizens’ petition initiative under the new Lisbon Treaty provisions. If they collect one million signatures, the European Commission must make a formal response. www.free-Sunday.eu/
“There must be a common day of rest for the adjustment of social behaviours”, said German Friedhelm Nachreiner.
Austrian bishop Ludwig Schwarz appealed, “Let us not devote all of our time to consumption and shopping. Protecting Sunday also means guaranteeing the respect of human rights and the respect of the spiritual and religious dimension of the human person.” He emphasised that the “third commandment” is “not only a religious, but also a social rule”. (The Sabbath commandment is the third in the Catholic decalogue, which is to them Sunday)
In the end there will be agreement, for all will “have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.” Revelation 17:13.
The harlot woman riding the beast directs the animal where she wants it to go, and it obeys.
But, when Christ causes the nations of the world to hate the woman, the beast can be identified as the same one that rose at the time of the French Revolution, for it “shall ascend out of the bottomless pit” – the Illuminati. Revelation 17:8.
Many Bible scholars favour the second view because the verse says he “is of the seven”, meaning the 8th must have already been one of the seven. However, it is just as valid to see the words “is of the seven” as an emphasis that there are only seven heads and not eight.
At the appropriate time, the beast becomes the same anti-religious power that overtook France in the late 18th century.
The leaders of the Revolution were filled with hate for the Catholic Church, and they turned on her with loathing. In their revulsion they banned religion completely. Of course, many others paid for it with their lives.
At the very end, the same aversion towards Rome will take place, and all who are working with this secret organisation will cause another blood bath far worse than during the three and a half years in France.
This will be World Revolution.
This is why “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.” Revelation 17:8.
Those who have the “mark of the beast” will work in harmony with Rome to persecute the remnant, but when they see the change, they will be horrified and fearful. Who could have imagined a resurgence of the horrors of the French Revolution?
No one will be safe.
It has been stated by many Americans that guillotines have been seen in transit all over the States. Not overtly, but a chance viewing here and there; a broken box on railroad wagons, a delivery by an innocent party.
The new form of the beast will certainly turn on the woman in hatred and wrath, but just as in the French Revolution, many will die. Even the King, Louis XVI and his queen Marie Antoinette lost their heads, as did true Christian men and women.
So at the end, God’s true remnant will suffer at the hand of this beast, for Scripture says, “I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands…” Revelation 20:4.
(John is not seeing disembodied souls or spirits; but men and women who have died. The word for ‘soul’ in Greek is psuche, which can refer to the mind, the spiritual life, life itself, and the full person. If you would like more on the state of man in death, ask for DVDs on the subject)
I am sure you noticed how these people died – by the guillotine. They were part of God’s faithful remnant, but they too suffered under the blade. The apostle Paul was beheaded, as well as many other Christians, but in today’s sophistication, we use instruments built especially for this purpose.
It is important to remember that before the close of probation many of God’s beloved remnant will die, and for some it will be under the blade of the guillotine.
However, as the rise of the 8th will not be until the fifth or sixth plague, no Christian will die under its power. For them the papal beast and rider is the enemy. Remember, it is the lost who will fear the beast when it is called the 8th.
Reader, where are we today?
We are sitting in the middle of two verses – “not yet come” and “as yet”, waiting for the world kingdom and the image. Revelation 17:10.12.
Note that the “whore” rides a beast with seven heads and ten horns -- familiar territory.
But now there are no crowns. You will see why as we progress.
The beast is also “scarlet” and “full of the names of blasphemy”. Revelation 17:3. Scarlet represents sin in the Bible, as shown in Isaiah, “though your sins be as scarlet”. Isaiah 1:18.
Back to the woman.
“And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication.” Revelation 17:4.
If you have seen an official ceremony of Rome, such as the funeral of Pope John Paul II, the inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI, you would have noticed the purple and scarlet robes of the bishops. The gold and precious stones are also part of the woman’s attire as we have already seen in other studies.
The golden cup in the hand of the Catholic Church is symbolic of all her wickedness, including false doctrines, such as the trinity, the immaculate conception, Sunday sacredness, sprinkling, the immortality of the soul, righteousness by works, the continual sacrifice of Christ in the Mass. Every doctrine taught by Rome comes from paganism.
Every Christian must make certain they have the true gospel, the true Spirit, and the true Jesus, for there are counterfeits.
Paul wrote, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8. It is repeated for emphasis in the next verse.
He also said, “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:4.
There is no question the Catholic Church has another gospel another Spirit, and another Jesus.
John’s epistle concentrates on whether Jesus is the Son of God. “Who is a liar, but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is an antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.” 1 John 2:22.
So it is that Rome, the greatest of all antichrists, “denieth that Jesus is the Christ…(and) … denieth the Son… (and) … denieth the Father and the Son”. 1 John 2:22.23.
Does Rome really deny these?
We need to ask ourselves the question – Did God send His only begotten Son in the world?
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9.10.
But, did He have a Son to send?
The question is far deeper than many suppose. The Catholic Church formulated the creed that deals with the Son in the early fourth century. The New Catholic Encyclopedia states, “The formulation ‘on God in three Persons’ was not solidly established, certainly not fully assimilated into Christian life and its profession of faith prior to the end of the 4th century. But it is precisely this formulation that has first claim to the title of the Trinitarian dogma. Among the Apostolic Fathers, there had been nothing even remotely approaching such a mentality of perspective.” New Catholic Encyclopedia. 1967. Vol XIX.p299.
How many Protestant churches stand on the Creed of Nicea?
The Bible tells us clearly that God gave and sent His Son.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16.17.
“He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” 1 John 5:10.11.
Please consider this subject carefully.
The golden chalice has become an enigma in many areas, a mysterious riddle to be solved. But in the Mass, the wine is a problem for the priests. As the people are not permitted to receive the wine, it is drunk by the officiating priest, causing alcoholism among thousands of Catholic priests. (As the bread of communion is unleavened, so too should the grape juice be unfermented, for both in this setting represent sin)
In the ancient Mysteries, the golden cup was an essential part of the Babylonian system. “To drink of mysterious beverages…was indispensable on the part of all who sought initiation in these Mysteries… The primary object was to introduce privately, by little and little, under the seal of secrecy and the sanction of an oath, what it would not have been safe all at once and openly to propound…
The Chaldean Mysteries can be traced up to the days of Semiramis, who lived only a few centuries after the flood, and who is known to have impressed upon them the image of her own depraved and polluted mind.” Two Babylons p4.5. (Note the secrecy)
Pliny, who died in the early 2nd century, wrote that the cup of Semiramis, which fell into the hands of the victorious Cyrus, was said to be of gigantic proportions. This must have made it famous among the Babylonians and the nations with whom they had associations. It weighed fifteen talents, or 1200 pounds. (544 kilograms) Plinii, History. Nat.lib. xxxiii. Cap 15. Ibid p5.
Jeremiah described Babylon of old. “Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.” Jeremiah 51:7.
This is a play on words by the prophet because you can see that the cup is being held by Babylon and not the Lord. John makes it clear that the cup belongs to Babylon. However, God did use Babylon to destroy His sinful people, so in this sense, the cup was held for His purposes.
In 1825, on the occasion of the jubilee, Pope Leo XII, struck a medal, bearing on the one side his own image, and on the other, that of the Church of Rome symbolised as a woman, holding in her left hand a cross, and in her right a cup.
The is the symbol for the European Union. It is quite amazing, however, the beast is not the same as the Bible beast, as it lacks six other heads. But it is very significant.
No.27.
In this booklet we will go back to Revelation 17. Although most of the chapter is clear, there are certain aspects that are controversial, and more than one view will be given.
To begin, we meet the scarlet woman.
“And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” Revelation 17:1.2.
Of course you already recognise this woman.
She has “committed fornication and lived deliciously” with the kings of the earth, and is soon to be judged.
The prophet is told he will see “the judgment of the great whore”, and what follows is the reason for the verdict. Revelation 17:1. In a court of law, the evidence of the jury precedes the executive judgment, and in the case of the woman, we see the reason for the execution in Chapter 18. (Note, Revelation 18, or the judgment of the great whore, is not the final judgment. We will study that in Revelation 20)
“So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.” Revelation 17:3.
John is taken into the “wilderness” to see the woman. In Revelation 12, the wilderness was a secluded place where the pure woman was protected from the enemy. Revelation 12:6.14. The pure woman was hidden for her protection; the evil woman is not hidden, but operates in secret.
When the people of the world learn that the Antichrist is the Papacy, they will be horrified. Most have no idea. The scarlet woman hides her corruptions well.
Contents Revelation 17 Next Study
Do You Want to Know the Future?