Mystical Babylon Rev. 17:1-18

[BanjoPicker]

LENT

Which is observed for forty days ending with Easter is derived from the Babylonian system of mysteries. It is also observed today by devil worshippers of Kurdistan who obtained it from the same source as did Rome. Humboldt found it practised among the pagan Mexicans and Wilkinson informs us that it was a custom in ancient Egypt. Both Easter and Lent were introduced into the church 519 A. D. "The observance of Lent had no existence so long as the Church remained inviolate"--Cassianus. At the same time of the year that Romanism observes it the heathen observes it for different purpose as a celebration of the Rape of Proserpine in which culminated a period of unbridled lust after forty days of enforced abstinence in preparation therefor. How well does God liken Romanism to a wh-ore, who professes to be the sole spotless bride of Christ, but in reality, is the final great apostate religious system linked with the world and exercising power over the nations of the world under the ten kings until Antichrist comes to full power and destroys her in the middle of the Week (Rev. 17:16, 17).

 

[BanjoPicker]

NAMES OF MYSTERY-BABYLON

1."The Mother of Harlots" Rev. 17:5. This name is certainly appropriate to Romanism. Hundreds of different branches of Christendom have been formed since the reformation. The word "HARLOTS" no doubt refers to these branches which will become more apostate as the age ends and will finally become untiled with Rome again to fulfill this revelation of "things after the churches." This is the present trend in the church world. Many religious unions have been formed in recent years and many churches are looking to Rome even now.

 

[BanjoPicker]

2. "The Mother of the Abominations of the Earth"

Rev. 17:5. This too is very appropriate of Romanism. The many abominations started and practiced by the ancient Babylonian cult and her present successor go far to identify this woman as a symbol of Romanism.

 

[BanjoPicker]

3. The great wh-ore"

Rev. 17:1-2. She is called such because of her illicit intercourse with the kings of the Earth in religious practices and superstitions, and which will give her influence over the nations of the ten kings.

 

[BanjoPicker]

4. 'That great city"

Rev. 17:18. This expression further identifies this woman as Romanism. This verse literally reads, "And the woman whom thou sawest is the city, the great, which has a kingdom over the kings of the earth" This proves she is not a political system but a religious with political aspirations and with headquarters in the great city. Should people not look for a literal city as in the case of the New Jerusalem which is called "the bride, the Lamb's wife" in Rev. 21:2, 9-10? Rev. 17:18 must refer to Rome, the religious headquarters of Romanism.

 

[BanjoPicker]

OTHER MARKS OF IDENTITY

The attire of mystical Babylon designates her as Romanism

Rev 17:4. Scarlet is the color of Romanism being reserved for the pope and the cardinals. This religious denomination is the richest on Earth as pictured in this verse.

The drunkenness of this wh-ore proves her to be Romanism

Rev. 17:6, 7. This finger of accusation is no mere accident. While it refers to the martyrdom of saints "after the churches" by Romanism still is not common knowledge that this same persecution has gone on in past ages? It has been estimated that more than 200,000,000 people have been slain by Romanism in the past. The terrible days of persecution will come again, at least after the rapture of the church, and before Christ comes to Earth Rev. 6:9-11; 7:9-17.

 

[BanjoPicker]

The following heresies are deviations from the true gospel of God. They were adopted and perpetuated by the Roman Catholic Church in the course of 1600 years. In reality, the Romanists are the heretics of past ages instead of the people they have murdered because they would not conform to these heresies. The dates mentioned below are in many cases approximate. Many of the heresies had been current in the church years before but only when they were officially adopted by the Church Council and proclaimed by the Pope as dogma of faith did they become binding on Catholic. At the reformation in the 16th Century these heresies were repudiated as having no part in the religion of Jesus as taught in the New Testament.

 

[BanjoPicker]

LIST OF HERESIES

1. Of all the human inventions taught and practiced by the Roman Catholic Chruch which are contrary to the Bible, the most ancient are the prayers for the dead and the sign of the cross. Both of these began over 300 years after Christ.

2. Wax candles were introduced in churches about 320 A. D.
3. Veneration of angels and dead saints began about 375 A. D.
4. The Mass as a daily celebration was adopted in 394 A. D.
5. The worship of Mary the mother of Jesus and the use of the term Mother of God, as applied to her, originated in the Council of Ephesus in 431 A. D.

6. Priests began to dress differently from the laity in 500 A. D.
7. The doctrine of Purgatory was first established by Gregory in 593 A.D.
8. The latin language as the language of prayer and worship in the churches was also imposed by Pope Gregory I in the year 600 A. D.

9. The Bible teaches that WE PRAY TO GOD ALONE (Jn. 16:23-26). In the primitive church prayers were never directed to Mary or to the dead saints. This practice began in the Roman Church about 600 years after Christ.

10. The Papacy is of pagan origin. The title of pope, or UNIVERSAL BISHOP was first given to the BISHOP OF ROME by the WICKED EMPEROR PHOCAS in the year 610 A. D. Jesus did not appoint Peter to the headship of the apostles and He did expressly forbid any such notion (Lk. 22:24-26; Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:18; 1 Cor. 3:11).

11. The kissing of the Pope's feet began in the year 709 A. D. It had been a pagan custom to kiss the feet of emperors. The Word of God forbids such practices (Acts 10:25, 26; Rev. 19:10; 22:9).

12. The temporal power of the popes began in the year 750 A. D. Jesus expressly forbad such a thing and He Himself refused worldly kingship (Mt. 4:8, 9; 20:25, 26; Jn. 18:36).

13. Worship of the cross, images and relics was authorized in788 A. D. Such practice is called idolatry in the Bible and is severely condemned (Ex. 20:2-6; Deut. 27:15; Ps. 115; Rom. 2:22; 1 Cor. 8).

14. Holy water, mixed with a pinch of salt and blessed by the priest, was authorized in the year 850 A. D.

15. The veneration of St Joseph began in the year 890 A. D.
16. The baptism of bells was instituted by Pope John XIV in 965 A. D.
17. Canonization of dead saints, first by Pope John XV in 995 A. D. Every believer and follower of Christ is called saint in the Bible (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2).

18. Fasting on Fridays and during Lent was imposed in the year 998 A. D. by popes said to be interested in the fishing industry. see Matt. 15:10; 1 Cor. 10:25; 1 Tim. 4:1-8; Col. 2:14-17; Rom. 14:1-23.

19. The Mass was developed gradually as a sacrifice and attendance made obligatory in the 11th Century after Christ. The gospel teaches that the sacrifice of Christ was offered once and for all, and is not to be repeated but only commemorated in the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11; Heb. 7:27; 9:26-28; 10:10-14).

20. The celibacy of the priesthood was decreed by Pope Hildebrand and Boniface VII in the year 1079 A. D. Jesus imposed no such rule, nor did any of the apostles. On the contrary St Peter was a married man (Mt. 8:14-15) and St Paul says that bishops were to have a wife and children (1 Tim. 3:2-5, 12; Titus 1).

 

[gordon 2]

And, since you seem to have some fondness for the "did you know" form and approach, did you know it is forbidden in the law for the High Priest to rend his garments as Caiaphas did?

Do you see how all cannot but appear guilty before God under the law...even while claiming to uphold it? Do you see loss of authority by man to enforce the law ("we have a law" they told Pilate).

A man cannot take his stand upon the law to condemn another man as under that law when the first man has abandoned his authority himself in very abrogation of that law.

Above all, the God who knows precisely what He is doing at all times...is not stupid.

And so only two men are growing "in the earth" and the head of each is purposed to their full revelation...one joyfully in all patience abounding...one...not. That one, furiously working.

The earth is the Lord's...and the fullness thereof.

The covering, the cloak, of the priest was anointed with a perfume. Caiaphas must of thought that Jesus had contaminated it with blasphemy to such an extent that is was as if Caiaphas had touched or come into contact with something unclean, or that his garment's anointing perfume was now with such stench for the blasphemy that it could not recover or he was acting to hide his sins and his true self disrobed. He identified with the people more than with righteousness.

( The practice of tearing one's garment was a sign of disgust in the culture of those days. People would do this. And yes it would be sacrilegious for a priest to rend his anointed garment.) It was something like smashing a perfectly good functioning guitar on stage...because some artist has some disgust for some reason(s) and with disregard to the facts that many kids everywhere would like to own one but their parents can't afford it right now.

The spiritual law was an instrument of fear but also of guidance. The original sin of the Hebrews was hefty, it was the sin of a people, not just one man. Because a good portion of the forefathers got themselves exterminated because they wanted to remain stiff necked and did not want a close relationship with their redeemer, the law was there to help avoid such a fate as was the ancients'.

 

[BanjoPicker]

21. The rosary or prayer beads was introduced by Peter the Hermit in the year 1090 A. D. This practice was copied from Hindoos and Mohammedans. The counting of prayers is a pagan practice and is expressly condemned by Christ (Mt. 6:5-13).

22. The inquisition of heretics was instituted by the Council of Verona in the year 1184 A. D. Jesus never taught the use of force to spread his religion (Mt. 5 and 10).

23. The sale of indulgences commonly regarded as a purchase of forgiveness and a permit to indulge in sin began in the year 1190 A. D. The Christian religion as taught in the gospel condemns such traffic and it was the protest against this traffic that brought on the Protestant Reformation in the 16th Century.

24. The dogma of transubstantiation was decreed by Pope Innocent III in the year 1215 A. D. By this doctrine the priest pretends to perform a daily miracle by changing a wafer into the body of Christ, and then he pretends to eat Him alive in the presence of his people during Mass. The gospel condemns such absurdities for the Holy Communion is simply a memorial of the sacrifice of Christ (Lk. 22:19, 20; Jn. 6:35; 1 Cor. 11:26).

25. Confession of sins to the priest at least once a year was instituted by Pope Innocent III in the Lateran Council in the year 1215 A. D. The gospel commands us to confess our sins direct to God (Ps. 51; Isa.1:18; Lk. 7:48; 15:21; 1 Jn 1:8, 9).

26. The adoration of the wafer, (host) was invented by Pope Honorius in 1220 A. D. So the Roman Church worships a god made by hands. This is plain idolatry and absolutely contrary to the spirit of the gospel (Jn. 4:24).

27. The Bible was forbidden to laymen and placed in the Index of forbidden books by the Council of Toledo in 1229 A. D. Jesus and the apostles commanded that the Scriptures should be read by all (Jn. 5:39; 1 Tim. 3:15-17).

28. The scapular was invented by Simon Stock, and English monk, in 1287 A. D. It is a piece of brown cloth, with the picture of the Virgin and supposed to contain supernatural virtue to protect those who wear it on the naked skin from all dangers. This is fetichism.

29. The Roman Church forbad the cup to the laity in the Council of Constance in 1414 A. D. The gospel commands all Christians to celebrate Holy Communion with bread and wine (Mt. 26:27; 1Cor. 11":26-29).

30. The doctrine of purgatory was proclaimed as a dogma of faith by the Council of Florence in 1439 A. D. There is not one word in the Bible that would teach the purgatory of priests. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sins (1 Jn. 1:7-9; 2:1, 2; Jn. 5:24; Rom. 8:10; Rev. 1:5; Eph. 1:7).

 

[BanjoPicker]

31. The doctrine of seven sacraments was affirmed in 1439 A. D. The gospel says that Christ instituted only two sacraments, baptism and the Lord Supper (Mt. 28:19, 20; 26:26-28).

32. The Ave Maria or the addition of part of the last half, was made in 1508 A. D. It was completed 50 years afterward and finally approved by Pope Sixtus V, at the end of the 16th Century.

33. The Council of Trent held in the year 1545 A. D. declared that tradition is of equal authority with the Bible. By tradition is meant human teachings. The pharisees believed the same way, and Jesus bitterly condemned them, for by human traditions they nullified the commandments of God (Mk. 7:7-13; Col. 2:8; Rev. 22:18).

34. Six apocryphal books were added to the Bible by the Council of Trent in 1546 A. D. This is contrary to the Bible (Rev. 22:18, 19).

35. The creed of Pope Pius IV, was imposed as the official creed of Catholics in 1560 A. D. True Christians will retain the Holy Scriptures as their creed. Hence their creed is 1,500 years older than the creed of the Roman Catholics. (See Gal. 1:8; Rev. 22:18, 19; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:15-17).

 

[BanjoPicker]

36. The immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary was proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in the year 1854 A. D. The gospel states that all men, with the sole exception of Christ, are sinners. Mary herself had need of a savior (Rom. 3:23; 5;12; Ps. 51:5; Lk. 1:30, 46, 47).

37. In the year 1870 A. D. Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of papal infallibility.
38. Pope Pius X, in the year 1907 A. D. condemned, together with "modernism," all the discoveries of modern science which were not approved by the church. Pius IX had done the same thing in the syllabus of 1864 A. D.

39. In the year 1930 Pius XI condemned the public schools.
40. In the year 1931 the same Pope Pius XI reaffirmed to doctrine that Mary is "the Mother of God." This doctrine was first invented by the Council of Ephesus in the year 431 A. D. This is a heresy which is contrary to Mary's own words (Lk. 1:46-49).

 

[BanjoPicker]

What will be the next invention of the Roman Church? Catholics say their church never changes yet it has done nothing but invent new doctrines which are contrary to the Bible and has practiced rites and ceremonies taken wholly from paganism. At least 95% of the rites and ceremonies of the Roman Church are of pagan origin.

 

[BanjoPicker]

Carinal Newman, in his book (Page 359) "The development of the Christian religion Admits that Temples, incense, oil lamps, votive offerings, holy water, holidays and seasons of devotions, processions, blessings of fields, sacerdotal vestments, the tonsure (of priests, monks, and nuns), images are all of pagan origin." Let any honest heart find Scripture for the above practices and see for himself that Romanism is not scriptural. The above chronological list of human inventions disproves the claim of the priests of the Roman Church that their religion was taught by Christ and that the popes have been the faithful custodians of that religion.

 

[BanjoPicker]

Literal Babylon is definitely the subject of Rev. 16:17-21 and 18:1:24.
Mystical Babylon is another subject inserted between these two passages, a parenthetical one to explain the religious aspect to Babylon.
The fact that the great Wh-ore is called mystery Babylon proves a connection with literal Babylon (Rev. 17:5).
Literal Babylon is the site the first great rebellion against God after the flood of Noah (Gen. 11) and it will be the site of the last great rebellion (Rev. 14:8; 16:17-21; 18:1-24).
Literal Babylon is always associated with demon religions and idolatry in Scripture (Isa. 21:9; 47:9, 10; Rev. 18:2, 3, 23).
Many prophecies concerning literal Babylon in both testaments are yet unfilled (Isa. 13:1-22; 14:1-27; 43:14; 47:1-15; 48:20; Jer. 50-51; Zech. 5:5-11; Rev. 14:8; 16:17-21; 18:1-24 on the other hand the city of Rome is not once mentioned in any prophecy, fulfilled or unfulfilled.

 

[formula1]

We don’t have to fear a supposed description of a false Babylon. Christians should not be deceived.

Babylon falls! To Jesus Christ. World systems fall to Jesus Christ. We are not afraid because of Jesus Christ. Worship God and Him only should you serve! Stay away from the wolves!

 

[BanjoPicker]

Of all the empires taking part in the times of the Gentiles Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, Revised Rome, and Revised Greece, the capital city of only one (Babylon) is mentioned in prophecy with latter day fulfillment. Memphis, Ninevah, Shushan, Rome, are completely ignored in prophecy, while the capital city Babylon is mentioned repeated.

 

[BanjoPicker]

Never has it been necessary to re-identify any city named in prophecy. Predictions in Scripture about Sodom, Gomorrha, Nivevah, Tyre, Sidon, and others have been fulfilled regarding the cities known by the names referred to in the various passages. Why should Babylon be an exception? The word mystery simply defines the religious aspect of the literal city---Babylon.

Literal Babylon is the only city in Scripture called the lady of kingdoms (Isa. 10 Babylon is the only city of the last days that will be the headquarters for every demon and unclean spirit (Rev. 18:2). If this be true, then Rome or no other city will be the center of false religions fulfilling prophecy.

Babylon is the only city named making all nations drunk with the wine of her fornication (Rev. 18:3). The great Who-re unnamed is the only other Babylon causing nations to be drunk with the wine of her fornication, so the references must be to the same city---mystery Babylon being the religious aspect of literal Babylon (Rev. 17:2).

 

[BanjoPicker]

Babylon is the only city in the last days to be the center of sorceries, enchantments (Rev. 18:23; Isa. 47:9, 10, 12-13(. Rome could not take Babylon's place in this.

Babylon is the only named city singled out as the object of God's wrath and plagues (Rev. 16:19; 18:4, 6). If Rome was to be the great city fulfilling such prophecy it surely would have been mentioned instead of Babylon, for Rome was as well, known as Babylon at that time John wrote the Revelation. The very absence of the name of Rome is no mere accident. God never leaves us in doubt as to the true meaning of His revelation of events to come.

 

[BanjoPicker]

Babylon is the only city God commands His people to come out of, in the last days (Rev. 18:4; Jer. 50:4-9; 51:4-8, 5). The application of this to Rome is out of harmony with Scripture.

Heaven is commanded to rejoice over the destruction of literal Babylon because God has taken vengeance on her (Rev. 18:20). This is the same as judging the great Who-re of Rev. 17, proving that the great who-re or mystical Babylon is the same as literal Babylon as far as a place or a city is concerned (Rev. 19:2). The only difference is that the great who-re is the religious aspect of the city of Babylon.