Very enlightening scripture! I see it so many times at work and in life, where you have people trying to take the short cut to their career. They avoid the hard way.
They want things to come easy. They refuse to go to college so they get a job. Some get a job and skip very important steps in an effort to get done faster. They don't want to wait on their wives for sex, rather than, they have adulterous affairs. This way has been done so much that it seem like the only way to go. But, I challange everyone who read this to avoid the wide road to destruction.
It is wide indeed because so many people is on it. Not many are on the narrow road. That is why it is narrow. Just like the a smaller class compared to the larger class, you get more individual attention which leads to a better education.
KNOCK, AND IT SHALL BE OPENED UNTO YOU
One man said: “I don’t believe in God , I know that God exists.”
Few hours ago I was standing in my room with two unsolvable problems (in the last 48 hours I put only 1 l of milk in my mouth). In the total desperation I said loud: ”I seek for your kingdom and your justice, and please help me God if You want”. About an hour later they called from the hospital, one problem was solved totally, and the other may be not the problem at all, I only have to bare a pain for some time and it will pass. If it is a real problem I entered a routine for solving it.
So God please help somebody else like You did today to me, to easy me spreading Your word.
THANK YOU GOD.
P.S. Greetings for Judy Hoover. You have such a pure heart and soul. I read your comments and maybe I do not agree with you in total but please go on just the way you are. GOD BLESS YOU.
Presiding Elder Ricky Smith on Matthew 7 - 14 years ago
Miss Betty,Obama IS the BEAST according to REV13:3-7 as you tie scripture with DAN7:25 note phrase"change times and
"mr.obama has gone AGAINST
GOD and his Divine Order of male/ female relations/marriage
/
by passing laws enabling same sex marriage allowing
and lesbians to openly serve in the military and has appointed more sodomites,lesbians,and
transgenders to more government jobs
any
President in history,(all while claiming to be a christian)making him the ENEMY"""ENEMY"of GOD!
On what are you basing your thoughts that Obama might be the false prophet? Has the Holy Spirit given you an unction that this might be the case or are these random thoughts? "By their fruits you shall know them...." Where is your knowledge coming from?
Penny - you're not the only one thinking that, quite a few of my "tuned in" friends, (Christian, political and those that are both), are saying/thinking the same thing!
Veterans Day, I was sitting at the mall in the food court. I noticed three or four young, uniformed men. They were standing in the middle of the food court. Some people would walk up to them and shake their hand; others would speak to them for a few minutes.
I noticed one young man walk over to a table and extend his hand to an elderly man and woman. The elderly man shook his head no and did not extend his hand. The woman shook her head no also. The young soldier walked away.
How could someone refuse an outstretched hand? What if you differ with someone else's view, can you still honor the other person? Can you esteem the person without rejection? Or will you be filled with animosity and contumacious against love? Will you disdain the outstretched hand?
As I sat and watched, I saw one young, uniformed soldier walk over to a table and take the cup of someone seated and take it to Chic-Fil-A and have it refilled. He walked it back to the table and gave it to the seated man.
As I thought on this, I remembered the elderly man shaking his head no to the outstetched hand. Was the soldier extending his hand to the elderly man asking him did he want his cup refilled? Or was the young soldier extending his hand to the elderly man in acquaintance? I cannot tell for sure.
Many times we can judge what we see with our eye without seeing perfectly clear.
Faith alone your Soul cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. Eph. 2:8&9 , you cannot read the word Soul that through faith, this Soul can enter into heaven. Obeying the Ten Commandments or the Law of Moses also cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. To enter into the kingdom of Heaven is to obey/follow the Commandments of Jesus Christ or His words equal Salvation of our Soul.
You are saved by grace..NOT by the law...it is impossible for us to fulfill the law becdause of our sinful nature. That's why Jesus said even to think evil we have committed that sin already. The law was only our schoolmaster to bring us to grace. No one can fulfill the law...only Christ did fulfill the law..see Ephesians 2:8 and 9.
"It is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous." Rom. 2:13 The small narrow gate into God's kingdom is actually law that has been added to the law by Jesus' crucifixion. Salvation from the penalty of sin is predicated upon the faith to obey this added law. The gospel of God explains the Way to obey this law, but no contemporary church's gospel is the gospel of God. That is why only a few find the gate.
The time of his coming is so close I see this scripture beung fullfilled daily I see those that use to be on fire for God slip away and go thru motions they are crying Lord Lord and living the life of a sinner though their sins are'nt big sins it is still sin will keep them from the face of God.
Matthew 7:21.Many cry,Lord,Lord today.Satan as a angel of light cries Lord,Lord.His false minsters also cry Lord,Lord.Satan beceives millions of souls today by crying Lord,Lord,from some pulpit.Thats why Jesus said not every one that cries Lord,Lord.Now give me ten % of your wages.Satan and his minsters are very cunning,but Christ no those who are his.
Indeed God is true to all his scripture as it is writtren in 2Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. To GOD be all the glory and honor!
Babylon the Great as stated here is not the U.S, neither the ancient City of Babylon.BABYLON THE GREAT HERE IN REVELATION IS SYMBOLICALLY USE TO THE EMPIRE OF FALSE RELIGION.
Revelation was written at the end of the first century C.E and describes events that would reach down to our day. The city of Babylon was taken by the Persians under Cyrus the Great in 539 B.C. Later Alexander the Great planned to make Babylon the capital of his eastern empire, but after his death Babylon gradually lost importance. Today the city (near Baghdad Iraq, is an uninhabited ruin.
In the symbolism of Revelation, Babylon the Great is referred to as a "great city", a "kingdom" that rules other kings.(Rev.17:18) Like city, it would have many organizations within it: and like a kingdom that includes other kings in its domain, it would be in international in scope. It is described as having relations with political rulers and contributing much to the wealth of men in commerce, while itself being a third element that "has become a dwelling place of demons" and a persecutor of "prophets and of holy ones".- Rev.18:2,9-17,24
History of ancient Babylon was outstanding noted for its religion and its defiance of Jehovah God- the God of Hebrew.(see Exodus 6:3 and Psalms 83:18)
At Gen.10:8-10, " Nimrod...displayed himself a mighty hunter in opposition to Jehovah...And the beginning of his kingdom came to Babel [later known as Babylon].
At Daniel 5:22,23- Belshazzar-Babylonian king exalted himself against the Lord of heavens and 'have praised mere gods of silver and of gold," etc...."that are beholding nothing or hearing nothing". but the God who gave breath and everything to Belshazzar , he have not glorified.
Ancient cuneiform inscription reads; "there are Babylon 53 temples of the chief gods,55 chapels of Marduk,300 chapels for the earthly deities, 600 for the heavenly deities, 180 altars for the goddess Ishtar, 180 for the gods Nergal and Adad and 12 other altars for different gods"- Quoted in THE BIBLE AS HISTORY (New York, 1964), W. Keller,p,301.
THE ENCYCLOPEDIA AMERICANA COMMENTS: "Sumerian civilization [which was part of Babylonia] was dominated by priests; at the head of the state was the "LUGAL"(literally 'great man'), the representative of the gods."-(1977).Vol.3,p.9.
REASONABLY, therefore, BABYLON THE GREAT as referred to in REVELATION is RELIGIOUS.Being like a city and an empire, it is not limited to one religious group but includes ALL RELIGIONS that are in OPPOSITION to Jehovah, the true God.
ANCIENT BABYLONIAN RELIGIOUS CONCEPTS AND PRACTICES ARE FOUND IN RELIGIONS WORLDWIDE.
"Egypt, Persia, and Greece felt the influence of the Babylonian religion...The strong admixture of Semitic elements both in early Greek mythology and in Grecian cults is now so generally admitted by scholars as to require no further comments. These Semitic elements are to a large extent more specifically Babylonian."- THE RELIGION OF BABYLONIA AND ASSYRIA (Boston, 1898) M. Jastrow, Jr.pp699,700.
THEIR GODS: There were triads of gods, and among their divinities were those representing various forces of nature and ones that exercised special influence in certain activities of mankind. (Babylonian and Assyrian Religion, Norman, Okla.; 1963, S.H.Hooke,pp.14-40).
" The PLATONIC TRINITY, itself merley a rearrangement of older trinities dating back to earlier peoples, appears to be the rational philosophic trinity of attributes that gave birth to the three hypostases or divine persons taught by the Christian Churches... This Greek philosopher's [PLATO] conception of trinity...can be found in all the ancients [pagan] religions."- Nouvea Dictionnaire Universe (Paris, 1865-1870), edited by M.Lachatre, Vol 2,p.1467
USE OF IMAGES: [In Mesopotamian religion} the role of the image was central in the cult as well as in private worship, as the wide distribution of cheap replicas of such images shows. Fundamentally, the deity was considered present in its image if it showed certain specific features and paraphernalia and was cared for in the appropriate manner."- Ancient Mesopotamia-Portrait of a Dead Civilization ( Chicago, 1964), A.L. Oppenheim,p.184
POSITION OF THE PRIESTHOOD; "The distinction between priest and layman is characteristic of this [Bayblonian} religion."- Encyclopedia Britannica (1948),Vol 2,p.861
BELIEF REGARDING DEATH; "Neither the people nor the leaders of religious thought [in Babylon] ever faced the possibility of the total annihilation of what once was called into existence. Death was a passage to another kind of life."- The Religion of babylonia and Assyria,p.556.
PRACTICE OF ASTROLOGY,DIVINATION,MAGIC,AND SORCERY: Historian A.H. Sayce writes: " In the religion of ancient Babylonnia...every objecy of force of nature was supposed to have its "zi" or spirit, who could be controlled by the magical exorcisms of the Shaman, or sorcere-priest." "The Chaldeans{Babylonians} made great progress in the study of astrology through an effort to discover the future in the stars. This art we call 'astrology."-says The Dawn of Civilization and Life in the Ancient East.
BABYLON THE GREAT IS LIKE AN IMMORTAL HARLOT, ONE LIVING IN SHAMELESS LUXURY;
Rev.17:1-5 says, "Come hither; "I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters[means PEOPLES]:With whom the kings [means political leaders] of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. ...And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Rev. 18:7 adds that "she glorified herself and lived in shameless luxury."
*It is true that the dominant religious organizations have made it a practice to consort with political rulers for power and material gain, though this has resulted in suffering for the common people? Is it not also true that their higher clergy live in luxury, even though many of the people to whom they should minister may be impoverished?
WHY CAN RELIGIONS THAT PROFESS TO BE CHRISTIAN PROPERLY BE VIEWED AS A PART OF BABYLONIAN THE GREAT HARLOT, ALONG WITH THOSE WHO KNOW NOTHING OF THE GOD OF THE BIBLE?
JAMES 4:4 (please read the verse in your copy). So though they know what the Bible says about God, they make themselves enemies of God if they CHOOSE friendship with the world by imitating its ways.)
Also at 2 Corinthians 4:4; 11:14,15 (read in your copy) The god of this world is Satan and "Satan keeps on transforming himself into an angel of light" and so Satan's ministers also transforming themselves as ministers of righteousness... THUS< JEHOVAH"S chief adversary, Satan the Devil himself, is really being honored by all who do not worship the true God in the manner that He has appointed, even though they may claim to be Christian. See also 1 Cor.10:20 and Matthew 7:21-23
THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO GET OUT OF BABYLON THE GREAT WITHOUT DELAY:
Just as Rev.18:4,21 then compare Luke 21:36, (anyone serious of worshiping God of the Bible in spirit and truth) or people of God must get out of Babylonian type worship as NOT to receive the PLAGUES for her.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW THE BIBLE TRUTH BUT LIVED AND DIED IN THE PAST AS PART OF BABYLON THE GREAT?
ACTS 17:30 SAYS: "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
I Tim. 1:8 & 9 is literally speaking. Faith to the Lord Jesus Christ is not suited to use these two verses. It is clearly stated that the law is not made for a righteous man. So, the law was made for the lawless, for ungodly and for sinners. Then, if you are saved through our faith in Jesus Christ reconcile Matthew 7:21 - that said "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven". This verse mean you have to work.
"If you seek God, my best advice is to move away from the bronze age and look more closely at the things that make us a unique species and leave behind you the fear and guilt of man made, self serving religion." This has been made almost impossible to do by the scientific community b/c people who believe the Bible will want to find a way to relate science to God and in the religion of Science, there is no God. Science is god. According to secular scientists, the two are mutually exclusive. That is why there are so many atheists in modern science (look at Richard Dawkins for example). How can you "find God" through modern science if it specifically excludes God?
Also, there are REAL scientists out there searching for Biblical truth and how it relates to science. Unfortunately they are usually ostracized by the secular scientific community or branded as quacks, and phonies. The scientific community refuses to see the possibilities of their dating techniques, etc. simply because they do not agree with what they've decided is consensus. This is bad scientific practice.
Scientists are supposed to be open to new science, even if it contradicts current thinking. Most often it is how revolutions and new discoveries are made in scientific theory. Modern secular scientists are closed-off to any science that disagrees with their theories. It is either ignored or summarily dismissed. In their view, theories are to be tested, but if the science fails the prevailing theory, don't keep searching, throw it out. That is the opposite of the OBJECTIVE of scientific theory. How ironic.
Religious institutions and "tradition" ARE EXACTLY man-made self serving religion. I agree with you. They are the creation of humans, not God, and therefore they are fallible, and many times (most times) get things wrong. Jesus wouldn't (and doesn't) agree with that. He wouldn't stand for religious holy wars, and persecution of people of other religions. Jesus came in love to humanity and preached love. Love your neighbor (fellow humans) as yourself. Turn the other cheek. This was very different than the Old Testament "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" way of doing things, and animal sacrifices to make us clean before God.
Jesus revolutionized our relationship with God as humans, but religious institutions and traditions, specifically Catholic teachings, cover that up, and even deny the personal nature of God's relationship with humans. They declare you can't access God without their priests', Virgin Mary's, and saints' intermediation, etc. But Jesus declared HE was the intermediator for us and God. He said "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father, but through ME." John 14:6
Christianity before it was politicized and institutionalized by Constantine and the Roman empire, was very different. The first generations of Christians showed Jesus' spirit of humility, meekness, and LOVE for their enemies by allowing themselves to be sacrificed by the thousands before Roman mobs and in other places throughout the known world. They also showed an unwavering and courageous loyalty to Christ; enough to allow their physical bodies to be martyred simply because they believed in Him. Not for glory, but b/c they were CHANGED by Christ being in their lives and new a better life awaited them.
If you don't believe in man-made religious institutions, then I challenge you to find the REAL Christianity, one created by Christ himself and his example. If you are openminded and seeking Truth, you will find it. Don't close yourself off to the Truth, or even the possibility of the Truth because of the failures of humans and the institutions they have created (guided perhaps unknowingly, though sometimes on purpose, by Satan). It takes a much bigger person, and more personal spiritual searching, to find the truth of Jesus and how it applies us personally, than to dismiss it off-hand b/c other people have failed. Find answers for YOURSELF. Don't believe those institutions. Humans may fail you, but God will never fail you.
In the end an excuse of choosing not to believe at ALL b/c some versions of Christianity were perverted by men (or even b/c you were misled by those men!) will not hold water. You must take responsibility for yourself. Life in Christ is a personal spiritual journey each person must make for themselves. I can not make it for my husband, my children, my sister, my neighbor, my parishioner, my father, my mother-in-law etc. Whatever the case, each person must decide for his or herself, where they stand with God. In the end it will be YOU in front of God as Judge, and you will only be able to answer for yourself. There will be no excuses.
Do not rejoice in it, but know that those who mislead others spiritually, and those who are themselves misled will not be accepted by God. Everything I have been writing about being misled by man-made religions is perfectly summed up by Matthew 7:15-23. "15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Yes, there is no contradiction in the bible, so, reconcile these two verses Eph. 2:8 & 9, faith w/o works to James 2:17, faith w/o works is dead. Speaking the life of Timothy the desciple of Apostle Paul,he has already benefitted this kind of faith in Eph. 2: 8&9. About his faith to the Lord Jesus Christ no one can surpass. But in, ITim. 4:16, Timothy is working for his own Salvation. " The question is " What kind of Salvation did Timothy worked ?.
in verse 21 the faith in Jesus Christ is not enough to enter into heaven basing this verse. To enter into heaven is dual faith in Jesus Christ & faith to his word to work This verse 21 is contradicting in Ephesian 2 :8 & 9 faith alone you are saved. In Eph. 2:8&9 you will never read that your Soul be saved through faith but we can read our Soul be saved through to our own/individual work basing the words of Jesus Christ. Prophesied in Exeq. 14:14, 14:20, & in Exeq. 18:27 a living person is commanded to repent all his wrong doings. This verse, dead person is not able to do this. So, saving the Soul through the works of other persons is also cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. In the new testament there are verses that we can read to save our own Soul is a great works through his words. Ref. verses : Acts 2:40, Col. 2:12, I Tim. 4:16 & James 1:21 & 22.
love this chapter soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much
Ecclesiastes 12:13," Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep hIS commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man." Exodus 16:28 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS and my laws? Exodus 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS. Leviticus 22:31 Therefore shall ye KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, and do them: I [am] the LORD. Leviticus 26:3 If ye walk in my statutes, and KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, and do them; Deuteronomy 5:10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS. also ( 1 Kings 9:6; 2 Kings 17:13; Nehemiah 1:9; Proverbs 3:1; Proverbs 4:4; Proverbs 7:2; John 14:15; John 15:10) Matthew 7:21," Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
all through out the Bible God has given us plenty of chances to see what is coming and to prepare.
not just in Revelations. John 3:3 I am telling you the truth: no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again(of the Holy spirit) John 3:5 no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is Born of water( babtized) and the Spirit John 3:15 so that everyone who beleives in him may have enernal life.
Read your Bible all is there for thoes who seek the truth. Gods word is all you need to relize that without Jesus you are setting yourself up for the wrath of God, throught out the Bible people have done things that have not pleased him you can still turn your life around and seek his salvation, before the time of Revelation's come.
Matthew teaches what God expects of us all, pay special attention to matthew 7:7 and 7:13 and 7:21. stay in his word morning and night. worpship the Lord your god and serve only Him.
Action speaks louder than words, if one is of the lord Jesus, Jesus will do works of obedience through them for God and their salvation; not works of men for men.
They want things to come easy. They refuse to go to college so they get a job. Some get a job and skip very important steps in an effort to get done faster. They don't want to wait on their wives for sex, rather than, they have adulterous affairs. This way has been done so much that it seem like the only way to go. But, I challange everyone who read this to avoid the wide road to destruction.
It is wide indeed because so many people is on it. Not many are on the narrow road. That is why it is narrow. Just like the a smaller class compared to the larger class, you get more individual attention which leads to a better education.
One man said: “I don’t believe in God , I know that God exists.”
Few hours ago I was standing in my room with two unsolvable problems (in the last 48 hours I put only 1 l of milk in my mouth). In the total desperation I said loud: ”I seek for your kingdom and your justice, and please help me God if You want”. About an hour later they called from the hospital, one problem was solved totally, and the other may be not the problem at all, I only have to bare a pain for some time and it will pass. If it is a real problem I entered a routine for solving it.
So God please help somebody else like You did today to me, to easy me spreading Your word.
THANK YOU GOD.
P.S. Greetings for Judy Hoover. You have such a pure heart and soul. I read your comments and maybe I do not agree with you in total but please go on just the way you are. GOD BLESS YOU.
"mr.obama has gone AGAINST
GOD and his Divine Order of male/ female relations/marriage
/
by passing laws enabling same sex marriage allowing
and lesbians to openly serve in the military and has appointed more sodomites,lesbians,and
transgenders to more government jobs
any
President in history,(all while claiming to be a christian)making him the ENEMY"""ENEMY"of GOD!
military,allow for faggots to adopt baby bo
I noticed one young man walk over to a table and extend his hand to an elderly man and woman. The elderly man shook his head no and did not extend his hand. The woman shook her head no also. The young soldier walked away.
How could someone refuse an outstretched hand? What if you differ with someone else's view, can you still honor the other person? Can you esteem the person without rejection? Or will you be filled with animosity and contumacious against love? Will you disdain the outstretched hand?
As I sat and watched, I saw one young, uniformed soldier walk over to a table and take the cup of someone seated and take it to Chic-Fil-A and have it refilled. He walked it back to the table and gave it to the seated man.
As I thought on this, I remembered the elderly man shaking his head no to the outstetched hand. Was the soldier extending his hand to the elderly man asking him did he want his cup refilled? Or was the young soldier extending his hand to the elderly man in acquaintance? I cannot tell for sure.
Many times we can judge what we see with our eye without seeing perfectly clear.
Jesus said, "Judge not..." ( Matthew 7:1)
We all should be careful in our judgment.
New Living Translation (©2007)
"Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don't throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.
Not every sinner can be saved we live in a world that what we say can be used against us for controversy anger and discouragement in ones beliefs it is important to pray for those who are lost to be saved and to ask from the holy spirit to guide you to lead u in those that the lord has chosen does not mean you will not encounter forces against you but you filled with the spirit will overcome
who do you think Jesus will say this to?
Acts Chap 22 V6-9
Acts Chap 26 V12-15
if u read and analyze what is said, you will find something interesting
Revelation was written at the end of the first century C.E and describes events that would reach down to our day. The city of Babylon was taken by the Persians under Cyrus the Great in 539 B.C. Later Alexander the Great planned to make Babylon the capital of his eastern empire, but after his death Babylon gradually lost importance. Today the city (near Baghdad Iraq, is an uninhabited ruin.
In the symbolism of Revelation, Babylon the Great is referred to as a "great city", a "kingdom" that rules other kings.(Rev.17:18) Like city, it would have many organizations within it: and like a kingdom that includes other kings in its domain, it would be in international in scope. It is described as having relations with political rulers and contributing much to the wealth of men in commerce, while itself being a third element that "has become a dwelling place of demons" and a persecutor of "prophets and of holy ones".- Rev.18:2,9-17,24
History of ancient Babylon was outstanding noted for its religion and its defiance of Jehovah God- the God of Hebrew.(see Exodus 6:3 and Psalms 83:18)
At Gen.10:8-10, " Nimrod...displayed himself a mighty hunter in opposition to Jehovah...And the beginning of his kingdom came to Babel [later known as Babylon].
At Daniel 5:22,23- Belshazzar-Babylonian king exalted himself against the Lord of heavens and 'have praised mere gods of silver and of gold," etc...."that are beholding nothing or hearing nothing". but the God who gave breath and everything to Belshazzar , he have not glorified.
Ancient cuneiform inscription reads; "there are Babylon 53 temples of the chief gods,55 chapels of Marduk,300 chapels for the earthly deities, 600 for the heavenly deities, 180 altars for the goddess Ishtar, 180 for the gods Nergal and Adad and 12 other altars for different gods"- Quoted in THE BIBLE AS HISTORY (New York, 1964), W. Keller,p,301.
THE ENCYCLOPEDIA AMERICANA COMMENTS: "Sumerian civilization [which was part of Babylonia] was dominated by priests; at the head of the state was the "LUGAL"(literally 'great man'), the representative of the gods."-(1977).Vol.3,p.9.
REASONABLY, therefore, BABYLON THE GREAT as referred to in REVELATION is RELIGIOUS.Being like a city and an empire, it is not limited to one religious group but includes ALL RELIGIONS that are in OPPOSITION to Jehovah, the true God.
ANCIENT BABYLONIAN RELIGIOUS CONCEPTS AND PRACTICES ARE FOUND IN RELIGIONS WORLDWIDE.
"Egypt, Persia, and Greece felt the influence of the Babylonian religion...The strong admixture of Semitic elements both in early Greek mythology and in Grecian cults is now so generally admitted by scholars as to require no further comments. These Semitic elements are to a large extent more specifically Babylonian."- THE RELIGION OF BABYLONIA AND ASSYRIA (Boston, 1898) M. Jastrow, Jr.pp699,700.
THEIR GODS: There were triads of gods, and among their divinities were those representing various forces of nature and ones that exercised special influence in certain activities of mankind. (Babylonian and Assyrian Religion, Norman, Okla.; 1963, S.H.Hooke,pp.14-40).
" The PLATONIC TRINITY, itself merley a rearrangement of older trinities dating back to earlier peoples, appears to be the rational philosophic trinity of attributes that gave birth to the three hypostases or divine persons taught by the Christian Churches... This Greek philosopher's [PLATO] conception of trinity...can be found in all the ancients [pagan] religions."- Nouvea Dictionnaire Universe (Paris, 1865-1870), edited by M.Lachatre, Vol 2,p.1467
USE OF IMAGES: [In Mesopotamian religion} the role of the image was central in the cult as well as in private worship, as the wide distribution of cheap replicas of such images shows. Fundamentally, the deity was considered present in its image if it showed certain specific features and paraphernalia and was cared for in the appropriate manner."- Ancient Mesopotamia-Portrait of a Dead Civilization ( Chicago, 1964), A.L. Oppenheim,p.184
POSITION OF THE PRIESTHOOD; "The distinction between priest and layman is characteristic of this [Bayblonian} religion."- Encyclopedia Britannica (1948),Vol 2,p.861
BELIEF REGARDING DEATH; "Neither the people nor the leaders of religious thought [in Babylon] ever faced the possibility of the total annihilation of what once was called into existence. Death was a passage to another kind of life."- The Religion of babylonia and Assyria,p.556.
PRACTICE OF ASTROLOGY,DIVINATION,MAGIC,AND SORCERY: Historian A.H. Sayce writes: " In the religion of ancient Babylonnia...every objecy of force of nature was supposed to have its "zi" or spirit, who could be controlled by the magical exorcisms of the Shaman, or sorcere-priest." "The Chaldeans{Babylonians} made great progress in the study of astrology through an effort to discover the future in the stars. This art we call 'astrology."-says The Dawn of Civilization and Life in the Ancient East.
BABYLON THE GREAT IS LIKE AN IMMORTAL HARLOT, ONE LIVING IN SHAMELESS LUXURY;
Rev.17:1-5 says, "Come hither; "I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters[means PEOPLES]:With whom the kings [means political leaders] of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. ...And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Rev. 18:7 adds that "she glorified herself and lived in shameless luxury."
*It is true that the dominant religious organizations have made it a practice to consort with political rulers for power and material gain, though this has resulted in suffering for the common people? Is it not also true that their higher clergy live in luxury, even though many of the people to whom they should minister may be impoverished?
WHY CAN RELIGIONS THAT PROFESS TO BE CHRISTIAN PROPERLY BE VIEWED AS A PART OF BABYLONIAN THE GREAT HARLOT, ALONG WITH THOSE WHO KNOW NOTHING OF THE GOD OF THE BIBLE?
JAMES 4:4 (please read the verse in your copy). So though they know what the Bible says about God, they make themselves enemies of God if they CHOOSE friendship with the world by imitating its ways.)
Also at 2 Corinthians 4:4; 11:14,15 (read in your copy) The god of this world is Satan and "Satan keeps on transforming himself into an angel of light" and so Satan's ministers also transforming themselves as ministers of righteousness... THUS< JEHOVAH"S chief adversary, Satan the Devil himself, is really being honored by all who do not worship the true God in the manner that He has appointed, even though they may claim to be Christian. See also 1 Cor.10:20 and Matthew 7:21-23
THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO GET OUT OF BABYLON THE GREAT WITHOUT DELAY:
Just as Rev.18:4,21 then compare Luke 21:36, (anyone serious of worshiping God of the Bible in spirit and truth) or people of God must get out of Babylonian type worship as NOT to receive the PLAGUES for her.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW THE BIBLE TRUTH BUT LIVED AND DIED IN THE PAST AS PART OF BABYLON THE GREAT?
ACTS 17:30 SAYS: "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Also read Acts 24:15 and Job 34:12.
Also, there are REAL scientists out there searching for Biblical truth and how it relates to science. Unfortunately they are usually ostracized by the secular scientific community or branded as quacks, and phonies. The scientific community refuses to see the possibilities of their dating techniques, etc. simply because they do not agree with what they've decided is consensus. This is bad scientific practice.
Scientists are supposed to be open to new science, even if it contradicts current thinking. Most often it is how revolutions and new discoveries are made in scientific theory. Modern secular scientists are closed-off to any science that disagrees with their theories. It is either ignored or summarily dismissed. In their view, theories are to be tested, but if the science fails the prevailing theory, don't keep searching, throw it out. That is the opposite of the OBJECTIVE of scientific theory. How ironic.
Religious institutions and "tradition" ARE EXACTLY man-made self serving religion. I agree with you. They are the creation of humans, not God, and therefore they are fallible, and many times (most times) get things wrong. Jesus wouldn't (and doesn't) agree with that. He wouldn't stand for religious holy wars, and persecution of people of other religions. Jesus came in love to humanity and preached love. Love your neighbor (fellow humans) as yourself. Turn the other cheek. This was very different than the Old Testament "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" way of doing things, and animal sacrifices to make us clean before God.
Jesus revolutionized our relationship with God as humans, but religious institutions and traditions, specifically Catholic teachings, cover that up, and even deny the personal nature of God's relationship with humans. They declare you can't access God without their priests', Virgin Mary's, and saints' intermediation, etc. But Jesus declared HE was the intermediator for us and God. He said "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father, but through ME." John 14:6
Christianity before it was politicized and institutionalized by Constantine and the Roman empire, was very different. The first generations of Christians showed Jesus' spirit of humility, meekness, and LOVE for their enemies by allowing themselves to be sacrificed by the thousands before Roman mobs and in other places throughout the known world. They also showed an unwavering and courageous loyalty to Christ; enough to allow their physical bodies to be martyred simply because they believed in Him. Not for glory, but b/c they were CHANGED by Christ being in their lives and new a better life awaited them.
If you don't believe in man-made religious institutions, then I challenge you to find the REAL Christianity, one created by Christ himself and his example. If you are openminded and seeking Truth, you will find it. Don't close yourself off to the Truth, or even the possibility of the Truth because of the failures of humans and the institutions they have created (guided perhaps unknowingly, though sometimes on purpose, by Satan). It takes a much bigger person, and more personal spiritual searching, to find the truth of Jesus and how it applies us personally, than to dismiss it off-hand b/c other people have failed. Find answers for YOURSELF. Don't believe those institutions. Humans may fail you, but God will never fail you.
In the end an excuse of choosing not to believe at ALL b/c some versions of Christianity were perverted by men (or even b/c you were misled by those men!) will not hold water. You must take responsibility for yourself. Life in Christ is a personal spiritual journey each person must make for themselves. I can not make it for my husband, my children, my sister, my neighbor, my parishioner, my father, my mother-in-law etc. Whatever the case, each person must decide for his or herself, where they stand with God. In the end it will be YOU in front of God as Judge, and you will only be able to answer for yourself. There will be no excuses.
Do not rejoice in it, but know that those who mislead others spiritually, and those who are themselves misled will not be accepted by God. Everything I have been writing about being misled by man-made religions is perfectly summed up by Matthew 7:15-23. "15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
not just in Revelations. John 3:3 I am telling you the truth: no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again(of the Holy spirit)
John 3:5 no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is Born of water( babtized) and the Spirit
John 3:15 so that everyone who beleives in him may have enernal life.
Read your Bible all is there for thoes who seek the truth. Gods word is all you need to relize that without Jesus you are setting yourself up for the wrath of God, throught out the Bible people have done things that have not pleased him you can still turn your life around and seek his salvation, before the time of Revelation's come.
Matthew teaches what God expects of us all, pay special attention to matthew 7:7 and 7:13 and 7:21. stay in his word morning and night. worpship the Lord your god and serve only Him.