Category Archives: Mystery Babylon

The Faithful City Has Become a Harlot, Isaiah chapters 1 and 2, Part 3 of 5

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Harlotry is a big subject in Scripture, and Harlotry in the Old Testament Hebrew sense, includes not only women, but also men, and it includes all types of promiscuous behavior.

Also there is the Great Harlot in Scripture. She is symbolized by ancient Tyre and Sidon. She is a Religio-Commercial-Political entity which has dominated world trade, and many nations, evidently since pre-Christian times.

But God is going to relieve Himself of His enemies, and is going to restore the Jews to faithfulness in His Messiah, Rabbi Jesus of Nazareth. Scripture tells us these things will happen at some point in the Christian Age, when the Jews are in great distress.

Audio lesson”

Listen to this audio lesson here, or click on the Audio Player to download as an MP3 file.

These issues are dealt with in detail in my third book, Jewish Chronicles. The discussion there starts with how the Jews got off track from faithfulness to their God, and where this has led, and where this is going.

Available from your bookseller. See also reviews at this website under the “About the Books” tab.

Prayer, 3 of 5

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Things are not really Out of Control.

They are just out of OUR control.

The Bible tells us of a couple of Christian Age long entities that Scripture calls the Mystery of Lawlessness, and Mystery Babylon the Great. These are powerful, hidden, occult groups. We might view these groups as like rival mafia groups, which, when it is convenient, cooperate with each other.

These groups are powerful, but in different ways, dangerous, and ruthless. They completely outclass the average Christian, or the average citizen. Thus the need for prayer.

Christ does overrule our world, and you and me, from His throne in heaven!

God does frequently overrule the men and objectives of these groups from time to time. They will never have the full victory they desire, until God allows it

An audio lesson.

Listen to this audio lesson here, or click on the Audio Player to download as an MP3 file.

My first book, Prophecy Principles gives general information on the nature of the world’s “mystery religions.”

My second book deals in more detail the Mystery of Lawlessness and Mystery Babylon the Great.

Available from your bookseller.

Prophecy, Knowing Changes Behavior, 7 of 15, Lot

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Abram and Lot had parted ways. Their herds and their flocks had been too much for them to stay anywhere close to each other. Abram had given Lot the choice. The plain of the Jordan valley was what Lot chose. It was rich and fertile in those days of long ago. And Sodom, where was Sodom? No knows for sure for no trace of the city was left after God destroyed it. Many seem to think that it is now below the waters of the Dead Sea.

It was surely a good livelihood living there.
However, there were problems.

“Now the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinners against Yahweh.”
Gen 13:13

Finally God decided to destroy these wicked cities. When God made this decision known to Abraham it caused him to earnestly plea to God that these cities would be spared. Abraham knew some good men there. God finally agreed that if there were ten good men in Sodom, He would spare these cities, Gen 18:32.

Incredibly, Lot had NOT been morally infected by Sodom and Gomorrah.

Peter tells us of Lot,

“(for that righteous man dwelling among them, was tormented in his righteous soul from day to day with seeing and hearing lawless deeds):”
2Pe 2:8

Peter calls Lot “righteous” twice, and “godly” once. Still, evidently these were still difficult things for Lot. He was told by the angels,

“for we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is grown great before Yahweh. Yahweh has sent us to destroy it.”
Gen 19:13

The angels says they are the ones who will destroy this place. Lot’s first response is to try to get his perspective sons-in-law to abandon Sodom for Yahweh was about to destroy it. Similarly, when we learn from God’s word that His is soon to destroy this place, that is, this universe, we will try to get those we care about to not stay under destruction, for,

“the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment;”
2Pe 2:9

Believing the message of future things changes us,
changes our actions.

If indeed we are convinced. Lot believed the message, but evidently it was still difficult, even as it is for us at times. After all, despite the wickedness, this was now his home, and all his possessions that he was about to abandon. So, though a righteous and godly man, it says,

“But he lingered; and the men laid hold on his hand, and on the hand of his wife, and on the hand of his two daughters, Yahweh being merciful to him; and they took him out, and set him outside of the city.”
Gen 19:16

The pull of our Babylons can be very hard on us.

We are warned,

… “Come out her, my people, that you have no participation in her sins, and that you don’t receive of her plagues,”
Rev 18:4

Believing what God says in prophecy should change behavior! It is an ethical matter.

Scriptures are from the World English Bible (WEB), a copyright free revision of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

Prophecy, Knowing Changes Behavior, 6 of 15, The Home Owner

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In the context of of knowing about when Jesus the Christ will come again, Jesus tells all of us,

“But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.”
Mtt 24:43

In this case we are indeed the homeowner, knowing things will happen but not knowing when. There are great many things that are unknown to us. There are for sure things which we are not told.

“The secret things belong to Yahweh our God; but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
Deut 29:29

What is revealed to us in prophecy is for the purpose of our being able to act as we should, respond to coming events in intelligent and responsible ways.

Our Master, Our God, Yahweh Lord of Hosts
is the absolute Master of all !

Additionally, we are told His grand plans, so that we can act in line with them … if we will. We are not just slaves in the house, but we friends, and were born to rule with Him

“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for EVERYTHING that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.”
Jn 15:15 nf

And the Greeks word used here is “slave” (doulos), not just one of the many words for a servant. We should remember that we are dealing with recurring patterns of actions and reactions during the Christian age. Mystery Babylon the Great is described in Revelation and in the prophets as a religio-commercial entity which dominates the governments. It is implied (but not clearly stated), that she is already in existence during the first century of our age. Still, it is clear that she only reaches the height of her power toward the end of our age, and that she is fully active until very near the end of the Christian age (see Revelation chapters 17 and 18).

Similarly, the “mystery of lawlessness already works,” in the very first century of our age, 2Thes 2:7. These mysteries are to some extent restrained during most of our age, so that they “may be revealed” at the right time, 2Thes 2:6.

So these allied but opposing mystery religions have been seeking for over two thousand years to set in place their ultimate “fixes,” but with failure after failure, despite their seeming dominance in history. We do not know which of the cycles and events will produce the results which are prophesied. We are merely told what to look for.

Prophecy is NOT an optional extra. Believing what God says in prophecy does matter! It is an ethical matter. Or to put another way,

“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:”
Lk 24:25 KJV

KJV is the King James Version, 1611.

Unless otherwise noted, Scriptures are from the World English Bible (WEB), a copyright free revision of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

nf is my own translation based on the WEB.

The Kingdom of Glory: Jesus Rules Over ALL Kings, Nations, Peoples, 6 of 15

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We are not really sovereign in ourselves. Paul says this pretty plainly, speaking of,

“14 … our Lord Jesus Christ; 15 which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and ONLY Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; ”
1Tim 6:14-15

“Ruler” in the WEB, is the Greek word dunastes which is about one who has power, might, and ability. The NASB, the NET, and the ESV translate the phrase as “ only Sovereign,” which is really pretty good. The NKJV translates it “only Potentate,” which is also pretty good. Any way you take it, the passage in 1Timothy 6 is saying that Jesus is the only one who really has the power to do anything He pleases.

Yes, we can, and do, make some decisions.

We are urged in Scripture to turn from our evil ways and make God our only master. John the Baptist tells men that “decisions” cannot be superficial things without us really changing our lives.

“Therefore bring forth fruit worthy of repentance!”
Mtt 3:8

And John the Baptist speaks as if the decision to “bring forth fruits worthy of repentance,” as if it is something that can be done! Even so, Scripture also acknowledges how much trouble we may have really carrying out decisions. Paul writes,

“18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good. 19 For the good which I desire, I don’t do; but the evil which I don’t desire, that I practice.”
Rom 7:18-19

In truth there many limitations on our “free will.”

We have been foolishly led to confuse
our limited decision making ability,
with omnipotence.

Many talk about “free will” as if it means that we can do anything we want. But free will really only means we can will / want whatever we want to.

And Jesus over rules us all.

You and I and every ruler and power broker on earth, can want, and do many things. Still, in the end we are all very limited beings. God in His blessings, or His mercy, or His wrath, may at any time either help, or obstruct, or even defeat us, as He may desire.

“… All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or tell him, What do you?”
Dan 4:35

Even the worst of bad men are subject to His influences.

The ten horns (rulers) and the beast himself of Revelation will destroy Mystery Babylon the Great within history.

“For God has put in their hearts to do what he has in mind, and to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished.”
Rev 17:17

Jesus literally has the whole world in his hands.

And the time in between is to give us space to repent, if we will.

Scriptures are from the World English Bible (WEB), a copyright free revision of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

Prophecy Practice: Out of Egypt, 5 of 5

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An audio lesson.

How the end of the world is in many ways like when Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt. They were going to the earthly promised land of Canaan, and we are going a heavenly promised land in the New Heavens and the New Earth, Isa 65:17, and Isa 66:22, and 2Pe 3:13.

Listen to this audio lesson here, or click on the Audio Player to download as an MP3 file.

The basics of how Bible prophecy works is discussed in detail in Prophecy Principles.Available from you bookseller.

Psalm 22 makes an excellent example of how prophecy works, and it more fully discussed in “Prophecy Principles” in the section “Time and Image in Prophecy,” and in “Revealing the Christian Age” in the section “Balking at the Symbolism.”

Prophecy Practice: Out of Egypt, 3 of 5

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An audio lesson.

How the end of the world is in many ways like when Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt. They were going to the earthly promised land of Canaan, and we are going a heavenly promised land in the New Heavens and the New Earth, Isa 65:17, and Isa 66:22, and 2Pe 3:13.

Prophecy Practice: Out of Egypt, 3 of 5

Listen to this audio lesson here, or click on the Audio Player to download as an MP3 file.

The basics of how Bible prophecy works is discussed in detail in Prophecy Principles.Available from you bookseller.

Psalm 22 makes an excellent example of how prophecy works, and it is more fully discussed “Prophecy Principles” in the section “Time and Image in Prophecy,” and in “Revealing the Christian Age” in the section “Balking at the Symbolism.”

The Kingdom of Glory: Is Real, 3 of 15

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The Mystery of Lawlessness, and Mystery Babylon the Great is studied in some detail in Revealing the Christian Age. These are really competing secret religions, which oppose and try to use each other. Available from your bookseller.

It starts here in the hearts of men.

“20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The Kingdom of God doesn’t come with observation; 21 neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.”
Lk 17:20-21

Many kingdoms and powers exercise great authority without the source of the power being visible, or noticed, at least by most. The occult powers are especially aware of many powers exercising their influence and control without being seen. Two great mystery religions of the Christian Age exercise considerable influence and control all through the Christian Age. Some call these the “Deep State.” They are the Mystery of Lawlessness of 2Thessalonians 2, and Mystery Babylon the Great of the book of Revelation.These are important world swaying powers. The Mystery of Lawlessness is basically a Satanic group. I call Mystery Babylon the Great a “a religio-commerical entity” in Revealing the Christian Age.

So also the Kingdom of God Exercises
Power to Transform ALL.

“He spoke another parable to them. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, until it was all leavened.”
Mtt 13:33

So once again we have a verse of this Kingdom in time influencing this entire world to the point that (which is yet in the future for you and me) the leaven of this Kingdom is an influence all over this world “until it was all leavened.” There is to come a world-wide influence of Christianity which has not been seen so far.

The present time is the selection of the chosen,
the elect, to live and rule in a world
which is yet to come.

The author of Hebrews speaks of these things, and says,

“For he didn’t subject the world to come, whereof we speak, to angels.”
Heb 2:5

You see this present universe will pass away. In Hebrews 1 it picture God as rolling up this present universe like an old coat and putting it away, Heb 1:10-12. Peter tells us of,

A New Universe Will be Without Sin and Death

“But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which dwells righteousness.”
2Pe 3:13

Isaiah also speaks of this perfect place.

“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”
Isa 65:17

What will it be like?

“23 They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for calamity; for they are the seed of the blessed of Yahweh, and their offspring with them. 24 It shall happen that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox; and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, says Yahweh.”
Isa 65:23-25

A real world, without decay or things running down. A world which some call “heaven.”

Scriptures are from the World English Bible (WEB), a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

Prophecy Practice: Out of Egypt, 8 of 15

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Now Pharaoh’s magicians also turned water into blood,

as Moses had, but I think without the wide spread results that Moses showed. Still it says,

“… Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he didn’t listen to them; as Yahweh had spoken.”
Ex 7:22

Then Moses plagued Egypt with frogs

“and the river shall swarm with frogs, which shall go up and come into your house, and into your bedchamber, and on your bed, and into the house of your servants, and on your people, and into your ovens, and into your kneading-troughs:”
Ex 8:3

Amazingly, the magicians of Egypt were also able to do the same with their “enchantments,” Ex 8:7. The Hebrew word is lat, and it a secret or secret things. Perhaps the New American Standards “secret arts,” is as good as anything. Then Pharaoh reluctantly called for Moses to take away the frogs. Moses agreed and let Pharaoh set the time when the frogs would disappear, and that is what happened! However when the hardship was over, he again hardened his heart. How like us Pharaoh was at times. When the pressure lets up, and we again turn to our favorite sins!

Then another plague fell on Egypt

“16 Yahweh said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.’” 17 They did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were lice on man, and on animal; all the dust of the earth became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.”
Ex 8:16-17

Once more then the magicians tried to bring forth lice out of dust, but they couldn’t, and there was lice on everyone and every creature.

Then the magicians said to Pharaoh,
“This is the finger of God:”

But Pharaoh was still hardened. Even so, in both history and our personal lives there comes a point where, for good or ill, we have no choice but to acknowledge it is the hand of God who is influencing events. From this point on the plagues of Egypt seem to get worse.

Mystery Babylon the Great in Revelation

is a world wide religio-political-commercial power. She is clearly pictured in Revelation chapter 18 as facilitating and dominating world trade. The imagery is taken mainly from the prophet Ezekiel talking about earlier dominating commercial powers: Tyre and Sidon. Mystery Babylon is evidently already in place in the first century of our age, and will last until just before the end of our age. A partner of Mystery Babylon, “the beast” and ten horns/kings, will be used by the Lord God to destroy her within history, Rev 17:16-17, near the end.

She will use “sorcery”/witchcraft (pharmakia is the Greek word) to mislead ALL the nations of this world. Worse, she the instigator of all the conflicts and wars on the earth, clearly to make money. In her is found “… the blood … of ALL who have been slain on the earth,” Rev 18:23-24.

Sorcery has age long evil effects.

Scriptures are from the World English Bible WEB, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901.

The Rapture? Part 3 of 3. There is no Pre-Tribulation “rapture.”

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There will be many special problems near the end of this present universe. Near the end of our present age the mystery of lawlessness (2Thes 2:7) and a religio-economic-political entity called Mystery Babylon the Great will be able gain absolute control of this world by God’s permission.These will be severe times for the entire world for 42 months, 1260 days, 3-1/2 years. The entire world will be forced to worship the beast or not be able to buy food Rev 13:17 or even exist!

Special protection is given the faithful in those days.

In Revelation chapter eleven those days are discussed under the imagery of the temple. Now the physical temple of the Jews was divided into two main parts. The temple over all is called the hieros. When for instance it says in Mtt 21:12 that Jesus entered the temple, it says that he entered the hieros. This included those parts which all believers could go, and much of Jesus teaching preaching was in the hieros. This part is what in Rev 11:2 is call the court or courtyard of the temple.

Even so, the innermost part of the temple is called the naos. This is that part of the temple where only the priests could go, and it included the holy place, and also even more secluded holy of holies where the ark of the covenant was supposed to rest. Now in Christianity ALL believers are priests and have access to God, Heb 4:16, etc.

In Revelation 11 only the naos is given protection. The rest of the temple will be destroyed.

“Leave out the court which is outside of the temple, and don’t measure it, for it has been given to the gentiles. They will tread the holy city under foot for forty-two months.”
Rev 11:2

It seems that the inner part of the temple, the naos, represents the true and dedicated believers, and it indicates they will be protected. On the other hand, the outer courts represents those who claim to believe, but have not really given their lives to the Lord. And it indicates that they will given over to their enemies.

Similarly, Revelation 12 points to the faithful
as being protected.

The faithful of God’s people seem to represented by a woman. Then it says of this woman,

“The woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that there they may nourish her one thousand two hundred sixty days.”
Rev 12:6

So the woman flees into the woods to place prepared by God, for protection during those 1260 days during which the beast rules the world. Once again, indicating special protection for those who really belong to the Lord during that terrible 3-1/2 years.

But the church, those who are really faithful, are still there,
are still in the world during those time.

Yes they are given special protection, special nourishment, but she is still in the world, she is still hiding out in the wilderness from the beast. She is still undergoing stress and temptation.

But there is no special Pre-Tribulation “rapture.”

Scriptures are from the World English Bible WEB, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901.