Audio recording Nov 29, 2009

Audio recording December 6, 2009

(NOTE: This is a lengthy chapter that we will spend several weeks studying. I recommend  that you print this and use it as a study for several weeks if possible.)

The purpose of this chapter, and indeed this book, is to bring the invisible spiritual realm, both good and evil, to the surface so that you may clearly see it.

Satan's spiritual exploits have too often been veiled not only from unbelievers, but also even from believers in Jesus, even Spirit filled believers.  My life has passed through some very difficult phases, and through them God has given me revelation on what I had been through not only from a spiritual point of view, but also He has revealed to me specific demonic forces that were at work.  I certainly am not an expert, but I know what things He has revealed to me, and I want to share them with you.

Spiritual Babylon.
Spiritual Babylon has always been the demonic force behind Satan's counterfeits. In Isaiah chapter 47 God, through Isaiah, speaks to spiritual Babylon destructive words, especially words that will uncover her operations.  I have prayed this chapter out loud for 30 years on a regular basis.  Here is a sample of it.  I urge you to read and speak the entire chapter.

Isaiah 47:1, 2,9,10,11
“1 “Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon; Sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans! For you shall no more be called Tender and delicate.
2 Take the millstones and grind meal. Remove your veil, Take off the skirt, Uncover the thigh, Pass through the rivers.”
“9 But these two things shall come to you In a moment, in one day: The loss of children, and widowhood. They shall come upon you in their fullness Because of the multitude of  your sorceries, For the great abundance of your enchantments.
“10 “For you have trusted in your wickedness; You have said, ‘No one sees me’; Your wisdom and your knowledge have warped you; And you have said in your heart, ‘I am, and there is no one else besides me.’”
“11 Therefore evil shall come upon you; You shall not know from where it arises. And trouble shall fall upon you; You will not be able to put it off. And desolation shall come upon you suddenly, Which you shall not know.”

Spiritual Babylon is the combination of evil governmental, political and spiritual leaders.
This chapter will uncover Spiritual Babylon's history from antiquity, its role in the coming end-times season, and its eventual destruction.

The cast of characters.
There are many wonderful books and commentaries by men and women who have spent their lives studying end times issues.  Many of them do not agree on the interpretation of end time events and characters.  I believe that God wants us to know some things about the times, seasons and events.  However, it has been and can be a great distraction from our relationship with the Lord if we become obsessed with having to discover and understand everything and every detail.  Therefore, in this chapter you will discover that there are certain things that I just will not attempt to pin down to the detail.  That is not the purpose of this chapter or this book.

We can however discover some interesting things about the cast of characters.
Satan has always counterfeited God's designs.  Look at this comparison.

God's design
The Father
The Son Jesus, seed of woman, Genesis 3:15.  He was resurrected
Holy Spirit, testifies to the Son
The Church, His Bride
The Kingdom of God.

Satan's counterfeit
Satan, the Dragon
Antichrist, seed of Satan, Genesis 3:15, a supernatural coming back to life.  The Beast who rules the new Roman Empire, also called the Little Horn.
False Prophet testifies to Antichrist. Another Beast.
The Harlot, Mystery Babylon, as opposed to a bride
The one world government operated by the Antichrist and the former kings

History declares that within the world's system, that the spiritual forces of religion and politics have often, if not always, aligned to bring about world domination.  This is like a counterfeit of God's idea of priests and kings.  Priests are the bridge between God and man, and kings operate in the natural realm of government, national defense and politics.

All the physical kings of the past have died.  However their spiritual foundation still exists and they have been ruling this world system.  The Bible tells us how they will this time gain world dominion, at least for a little while.  However, this time they will see their final defeat.

Before their defeat, the Bible tells us that all these past spiritual kingdoms will unite their political power with a one-world religion.  These spiritual plans have been in place for a long time.  The antichrist system and the Antichrist will have world power for a period of time, most likely a short period.  I don't think that anybody knows for sure about the timing of these events, the duration of them, and the timing of the demise of the antichrist structure, and the coming of the Lord.  But we should be warned because we really have no assurance that we will not be on earth during some of these end time events.

First we will look at history.

This chapter will describe the history, not in detail but in summary form, of the demonic institutions of religion and politics, and how they were manifested in the natural realm.  It may be surprising to see the truth behind the veils behind which Satan has operated.

Then we will look at the future.
I will project what I believe Scripture says about the future of these spiritual forces of religion and politics during the last days.  The dreams of Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar in the Book of Daniel project what this last demonic kingdom will look like, and those dreams are supported by many parts of the Book of Revelation.  I will not attempt to project, as in prophecy, the exact timing and nature of the end time events, but rather will give an overview.

First look at what Revelation 1:1 says,
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John.

Notice the above Scripture says that the primary purpose of the Book is to reveal Jesus Christ.  I am not sure what "shortly take place" means in terms of time, however I do believe that God's primary purpose for this unique revelation of His Son Jesus was not only to give John the overcoming power during his suffering, but that John should record what he saw so that you and I could also see Jesus in this new and unique way.  While I do believe that we can obtain a lot of knowledge from the Book of Revelation about the future history of this world and its political and religious systems and end-time events, I do not believe that is the primary purpose of the Book.  Shortly, for me and for those others who are suffering, means "shortly," like now.

The Lord saved me while reading the Book of Revelation together with a Hal Lindsey book about the Book of Revelation, titled There Is A New World Coming.  That book and many others like it project what the authors believe to be a very detailed description of end time events.  I thank God for those authors and those books.  However, after my walking with the Lord for 30 years (now 2009) I know that there is much that I do not know.  I do not believe that anybody knows for sure about a lot of the details and the timing of end time events.  

After a few years of passionate seeking on my part of the details of end time events, the Lord spoke to me one day about that subject and said, "Larry, its time to put that aside and lets work on your character."  What those years of study of end time events and prophecy taught me beyond all things is that the Word of God is perfect and it can be relied upon.

Then one day several years later, as I was going through some very painful challenges and sufferings in my life, the Lord began to show me the book of Revelation in a new light.  He took me through the "open door" in Revelation chapter 4:1, and gave me a view into Heaven.  I realized that John had written this book while he was suffering greatly, not only as a slave on the Isle of Patmos, but also knowing that the churches that he had started were being greatly persecuted, and that some believers were falling away under the great persecution.

The Lord began to show me the current day application of the Book of Revelation to my own life, rather than simply a book about history and end-times events.  It was about my life and the life of every suffering saint who was experiencing his/her own tribulation now.  

The Book of Revelation tells me that no matter what this world is going through, no matter what I am going through, that if I enter into the "door standing open in heaven," I will see that Jesus is the King of all history, and He is the One who opens the seals, the only one who is worthy.  The seals look like disaster to us, however Revelation chapter 5:6 says that when we go through that door we also see the Lamb who took our curse and the curse of the world.  The point is that Jesus is in control even when you are in your own tribulation.

The door open in Heaven.
My opinion of what John saw, as recorded in Revelation chapter 4, through the "door standing open in Heaven," is the Kingdom of God on earth.  It is interesting that the door was standing open, and that John did not need to struggle to tear it down, or even ask God or an angel to open it.  That is our invitation to go see what John saw.  It says that John saw the Throne.  Of course the Throne of God is in Heaven, but I submit that John saw its relevance to the people here on earth as well.  Thrones are for kings, and kings are for kingdoms.  I believe that John entered into a similar experience as Isaiah did as recorded in Isaiah chapter 6, which is the theme of this book, Has Your King Died?  When our lives hit a breaking point, as was the cases of Isaiah and John, then we can see the Kingdom of God.  Living and functioning in the Kingdom of God, here on earth, is the way God desires us to live our lives.  In future chapters I will explain this more.  In short, it means what is described in Mark 4:11, the mystery of the Kingdom of God, is embedded in the Parable of the Sower.  God speaks a Word to us, it is planted as a seed in our hearts, and if we persist, fruit is produced.

Notice that John and Isaiah saw the same creatures praising God in the same way.  Revelation 4:8 says,

“8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!””

Isaiah 6:2-3 says,
“2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.”
“3 And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!””

The twenty-four elders.
As for the twenty-four elders referred to in Revelation chapter 4, I believe that represents the witnesses here on earth, or we who are operating in the Kingdom of God on earth.  I do not say that as an absolute, however, during a very painful experience in my life, the Lord used that understanding to give me victory.  I believe that the number two represents the testimony of, or the existence of witnesses to truth.  I believe that the number four means earth, i.e., the four corners of the earth.  "The number four for example illustrates the universality of something.  Derived from the four compass directions being all points, all directions, or everywhere."  (See quote below).

A quote from the online resource http://www.mountainretreatorg.net/bible/numbers.html:
When we look through the scriptures we find that God often uses the number two as a signification for agreement, and by implication, truth. And because God has declared that the Church is the pillar and ground of the truth (1st Timothy 3:15), this number is also often used in association with it. It's the numerical symbolism of a faithful (truthful) witness or testimony. i.e., one being in agreement or a "confirming" witness of another. For example, the two witnesses spoken about in the book of Revelation chapter eleven. They are the Lord's faithful witnesses who bear testimony to the truth! Therefore are they spoken of as "two" witnesses, signifying that they come with the truth. In fact, we can readily see that the designation of two witnesses has always been the guide post that God has used for "establishing agreement of truth." From scripture we see that from the very beginning God instituted this number as the guide post for truth.

The number four for example illustrates the universality of something. Derived from the four compass directions being all points, all directions, or everywhere.

John was translated into another dimension that he could only describe in terms of Hebrew pictures.  The Lord spoke another word to me.  He said, "I am changing your thinking from Western to Eastern so that you can relate to what John saw."  Too often, we in the Western culture attempt to put too much emphasis on exactly what this or that horn or seal means in terms of how our minds work.  We too often attempt to put events in their proper timing and even try to project when certain things will happen.

Many believers in Poland during the pre-WW II years believed that Hitler was the Beast and Mussolini was the False Prophet.  They said to one another, "Don't worry, before we will see any suffering, God is going to rapture us out of here."  Many lost their faith when Nazi troops marched into Poland.  Others had projected that China had to be the only possible nation to attack Israel from east of the Euphrates (Revelation 16:12).  However, since then, 25 years later, the nations of Iraq and Iran have risen from dust to great armies, even a nuclear power.  The point of the Book of Revelation is to invite us to go through the "open door" and live our lives in the lifestyle that transcends human history, even our own painful human history.

Many who will be reading this book may be living in nations that have the freedom to worship as Christian.  Many live in nations where they are persecuted for being Christians.  It matters not where you live.  Jesus will be there for you.  Paul and Silas learned that lesson.

Paul and Silas obtained a preview look into what John saw several years before as recorded in Acts chapter 16.  They were living under tyrant kings; their own people cast them out.  They had dared to come against very powerful demonic powers. A certain slave girl was being utilized by her masters who were fortunetellers.  They had a profitable business.  Paul cast the demon from the girl, and then he and Silas were jailed, beaten to a pulp and put into a hopeless situation.  As far as they knew their lives could have ended within hours.  Then they entered into the life that transcended their human history.

Acts 16:25, 26 says,
“25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.”

The one thing I do know, and wish to convey to you is this.  Jesus is the victor, He is there in your most painful affliction, He will be there in all the tribulation to come, nothing takes Him by surprise, and He reigns as the ultimate King.  You need not fear, if you take His advice and mine.  That is, to turn (repent) from the kingdom of the world as your source and see the Kingdom of God and Jesus as your source.

Having said all of that, I do believe that there are some valuable lessons to be learned by looking at the Book of Revelation as future history.  I just do not believe we should limit it to that.  The main thought I want to convey in this chapter is that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to religion, politics, and past and future history.  It is my goal to strip the the "veil" from the demonic forces.

During the writing of this book, things in this world are changing rapidly.  The antichrist system and the Antichrist seem to be knocking at the door.  The world is changing faster towards a one world government than it ever has.  I have no idea what you will face in your life that will be a major challenge, perhaps even economically.  But you better be ready for the coming of a new economic system!  Don't just drift along thinking that the Lord will take care of you.  No, you must turn to the Kingdom of God now.

Do not assume that the Lord will take you out of this life before encountering severe trials and tribulation from the new-world order.  There are believers in many nations that are currently undergoing torture even unto death for the sake of the Gospel.  Many of their families are being raped and dismembered before their eyes.

As in the days of Noah.
Luke 17:26, 27 says,
“26 “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:
27 “They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.”

Jesus was warning you and me, that there will be sudden destruction in the last days.  We should be like Noah, not like the others who did not get into the ark.  The Ark is Jesus!  

I am going to discuss the two major components of the historic and the future world system.  Those are the Beast and the Harlot.  I am referring to Revelation 17:3-5.
“3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.
5 And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”

History of the Beast.
The history of the "Beast," goes back to the Tower of Babel, or maybe even as early to the sons of Noah as described in Genesis chapter 10.  This Beast will be ruling in a new way during the end times.  He, through the Antichrist, will rule the entire world under a one-world government.

Daniel 7:19-20 says,
“19 “Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet;
20 “and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.”

Recall what I wrote in Chapter 2 of this book about the ancient kingdoms seen by Daniel culminating in a last days kingdom controlled by the Antichrist.

This final kingdom is very different and "interesting."
The fourth kingdom started with the Roman Empire, which dominated the world and continues today, as a component of the entire beast, under different labels and guises.  However the spiritual foundations of all the kingdoms still exist, but were rendered subordinate to the Kingdom of God at the Cross and resurrection of Jesus.   That is why its feet are depicted as both iron and clay.  It's natural manifestation was and is like iron, but the truth about its spiritual foundation is that it is as clay.  Daniel said that all the spiritual components of these gold, silver, bronze and iron kingdoms would be destroyed by the Kingdom of God.

The spiritual combining of these four past kingdoms of the earth is shown in Revelation 13:1-2, which says, "Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority."

The new Roman empire is being revived in this present time, 2009.  The coming together of the European union, the Euro currency, and the great push by recent popes for full European unity, is further evidence.  I am not proposing that this empire is limited to Rome or even Europe.  I do not believe it is.  However, the roots of it, I submit, are buried in the old Roman Empire.

In his detailed and revealing book, The Principality and Power of Europe (pp. 36-37), British author Adrian Hilton explains what is now happening:

While visiting Austria in 1983, the Pope spoke out against the national and artificial borders all over Europe. He added:
'Europeans should overcome the menacing international confrontations of states and alliances, and create a new united Europe from the Atlantic to the Urals.'

In 1988, he continued this theme when he addressed the European parliament in Strasbourg; an occasion at which many asked why a perceived spiritual leader was addressing the issues of political unity. The Sunday Telegraph, in 1991, summed up the Pope's plans for the 'evangelization' of Europe. It stated:

'He is calmly preparing to assume the mantle which he solemnly believes to be his Divine Right that of new Holy Roman emperor, reigning from the Urals to the Atlantic.'

Daniel's dream foretold of the future antichrist world domination, and the Book of Revelation confirms it.  The ten horns stands for the new world government.  This might mean that ten is the number of man's government while twelve is the number for the Kingdom of God.  Or, it may mean that there will be ten primary rulers under the Antichrist, three of which fall away, leaving seven.  It really matters not how you interpret it.  There is an additional horn called the "little horn" by Daniel in Daniel chapter 7.  Most commentators agree that this represents the Antichrist.
Here are several Scriptures that refer to the ten horns.

Daniel 7:7,20,24 says,
“After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.
20 “and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.
24 The ten horns are ten kings Who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first ones, And shall subdue three kings.
Revelation 13:1
Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.
Revelation 17:3,7,12,16
So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.
12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.
16 “And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.

The little horn.
After describing the four great ruling kingdoms of the Gentile world, Babylon, Media-Persia, Alexander's Grecian Empire and finally Rome, Daniel then describes a "little horn" coming up among the resurrections of the Roman Empire.

Daniel 8:9-11 says,
“9 And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land.”
10 And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them.
11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down.

Most commentators believe that the Little Horn is the Antichrist.

Who has control?
Most commentators on Daniel and Revelation believe that the Little Horn is indeed the Antichrist, although some disagree and believe it is the apostate religious system, or Mystery Babylon.  I believe that the Little Horn is the Antichrist. However, I further believe that the activities of the Little Horn, the Antichrist described in Daniel chapter 7 and 8 represent the "joint activities" of the Antichrist and Mystery Babylon. Why?  Because as described in Revelation 17:3, Mystery Babylon (the Woman) is riding on the Antichrist (the Beast).

When a person rides a horse, the rider controls the horse by a bit and bridle.  I believe that at this point in history, Daniel chapter 7, Mystery Babylon and the Beast (the world political system) were in "joint venture" with one another.  I believe that this joint venture continues through a point in the future tribulation that is described in Revelation 17:16-18 when the Beast, at that time the Antichrist and his system, will turn on Mystery Babylon and "destroy her."  I am not sure what that means, but after that the Antichrist is operating on his own without a bridle in his mouth.

Revelation 17:16-18 says,
“16 “And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
17 “For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.
18 “And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.

It appears that for a time the control is in the hands a joint venture between Mystery Babylon (the apostate church), and the Antichrist and his system.  Then the Antichrist destroys Mystery Babylon.  In the end however, Jesus Christ is in control behind the scenes.

Another beast appears.  He is the false prophet in my opinion
The false prophet exercises all the authority of the first Beast, the new one world order, the revived Roman Empire, the Beast in Revelation 17, the Antichrist.  He performs great signs and wonders to convince people that he is a spiritual giant.  
Sometimes it is difficult to follow the cast of characters, but if you think about it, the reason is that several different names are given to the same character.  Flip back a few pages and look at the table I inserted for the cast of characters.

Revelation 13:11-18 says,
“11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.
12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.
14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.
15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,
17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is six hundred and sixty-six.”

History of the Harlot.
The Harlot is the apostate religious system, the false church.  I believe it consists of many false forms of religion.  Scripture says this Harlot will be riding the Beast and will martyr, or has martyred, millions of people.   She is also called Mystery Babylon, and her history goes way back to the Tower of Babel and ancient Babylon.  I submit that it actually goes back to the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve used fig leaves as their way to satisfy God.

This harlot, the apostate church, sits astride a political, economic and governmental system encompassing many nations and peoples.  I believe that when her history is uncovered, you will find roots of Islam, Catholicism, new age and other religions. I also believe that included in her are many of the heresies that even some mainline denominations get into.   Here is a summary Scripture that speaks about the Harlot, or Mystery Babylon.

Revelation 17:1-7,15
“1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters,
2 “with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”
3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.
5 And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.
7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.”
“15 Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.”

Throughout the New Testament, the term "woman" is used as a symbol for a church. For instance, the Apostle Paul writes the Church of God at Corinth.
2 Corinthians 11:1,2 says,
“1 Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly--and indeed you do bear with me.  For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”

The true church is here described as "betrothed" to Jesus Christ‚ and the position of an engaged woman to her fiancé who is Jesus Christ. This church, "sitting on a scarlet beast" is truly a spiritual "harlot."  A harlot is a prostitute, a woman who does not have or submit to a husband, but rather earns money by giving her pleasures to others.  False religion is intended to give pleasures to satisfy the inbred desire that each of us has for an intimate relationship with our Creator.  Notice that she is also a "mother," as she gives birth to many apostate religions.

Who is this Harlot?
Quote from By Roderick C. Meredith - Who Is the Harlot of Revelation 17?

Historically, do we read about a great church that did persecute millions of people during the Middle Ages? Did such a church actually exist?
In his well-documented book, A Woman Rides the Beast (pp. 243-244), author Dave Hunt describes what the "woman" did for hundreds of years during the Middle Ages:
Thus Roman Catholicism became "the most persecuting faith the world has ever seen‚ as [commanding] the throne to impose the Christian [Catholic] religion on all its subjects. Innocent III murdered far more Christians in one afternoon‚ than any Roman emperor did in his entire reign." Will Durant writes candidly: "Compared with the persecution of heresy in Europe from 1227 to 1492, the persecution of Christians by Romans in the first three centuries after Christ was a mild and humane procedure.

Making every allowance required by an historian and permitted to a Christian, we must rank the Inquisition, along with the wars and persecutions of our time, as among the darkest blots on the record of mankind, revealing a ferocity unknown in any beast.
So when John saw this "woman" or apostate church "drunk with the BLOOD of the saints," he was certainly not exaggerating. Even scores of Catholic writers have been mightily embarrassed about what their church practiced for hundreds of years. For with the vast record of priests sodomizing young men, of many popes openly maintaining mistresses and fathering illegitimate children all over Italy, high offices in the church being offered and bought for money‚it has seemed to many objective historians that this powerful church was the veritable embodiment of evil in nearly every aspect.


Catholicism.
It is not my goal to attack Catholics.
The Inquisition by Catholics in the16th Century was a severe and widespread mass murder of people of differing faiths.  It most likely fulfilled several end time prophecies about the mass killing of Christians. I personally know Catholics who are precious saints of God, some Spirit filled, many other who I know are going to Heaven with a real faith in Jesus Christ.  The wonderful, godly sacrificial service towards humanity made by people like Mother Teresa, and many other Catholic men and women is something that I stand in awe of.  The humanitarian work done by Catholics around the world is inspiring, and we should all stand up and honor them for it.

However, having just been in Europe at the writing of this book, I have personally met many Catholic people who put the Virgin Mary above Jesus.  They believe they need a mediator between God and man.  Jesus, in Revelation 2:15, said, “Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate."  God's idea for us is to return us to normal, not to some religion. Normal is having what Adam had, a close intimate and personal contact, conversation and relationship directly with God.  The death and blood of Jesus and His resurrection gives us the right to be filled with His Holy Spirit and thus enjoy that intimacy.  If you are a Catholic reading this, please understand that my goal is not to criticize you, but rather to lead you to Jesus, personally.

Many popes have claimed that they are here in place of Christ on earth.  Many popes have been very good people and good Christians.  However far too many have been corrupt.  The Church has put the pope into a far too important place here on earth, and has actually deified them in place of Christ.  The term that is used for popes is Vicar, or in place of Christ here on earth.  The Holy Spirit has been given to us as our "Vicar" or our representative of Christ here on earth.

John 14:15-17 says,
“15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
16 “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--
17 “the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”

Dave Hunt describes the blasphemous pretensions of the papacy:
The total submission that Rome requires has been expressed by many popes, but none said it more clearly than Nicholas I (858-67):
It is evident that the popes can neither be bound nor unbound by any earthly power, nor even by that of the apostle [Peter], if he should return upon the earth; since Constantine the Great has recognized that the pontiffs held the place of God upon earth, the divinity not being able to be judged by any living man. We are, then, infallible, and whatever may be our acts, we are not accountable for them but to ourselves. (A Woman Rides the Beast, pp. 153-154).

So the popes have claimed that they hold "the place of God on earth"! And what is most frightening is that they continue to make such claims‚and even get away with it in our so-called "modern" world. For because the Roman Catholic Church is such an omnipresent and powerful entity, the media usually treads very lightly in attacking even the most outrageous and blasphemous claims of the modern popes and clergy.

Perhaps the meaning of changing the times and law refers to the fact that the Catholic church proclaimed that the Ten Commandments were subject to their authority and that the pope always has the last word.  That would be the "changing of the law."  Perhaps "changing the times" refers to the fact that the Catholic church changed the observed Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday.

Historian Will Durant writes,
"The serious temper of the Jewish Sabbath was transferred to the Christian Sunday that replaced it in the second century" (The Story of Civilization, vol. 3, 1972, p. 599). How did this happen? A Roman Catholic study course tells us that "the [Roman] Church transferred the obligation from Saturday to Sunday" (Father Smith Instructs Jackson). The Catholic Mirror agrees: "The Catholic Church… by virtue of her Divine mission, changed the day from Saturday to Sunday" (Sept. 23, 1893).

Islam is included in the apostate religious system.
Allah is the moon God.  That is why Islam has the crescent moon as its symbol. The major deity called "Sin." Sin (Akkadian: Suen, Sin) or Nanna, was the god of the moon in Mesopotamian mythology.  This became Baal and Baal worship.  Oddly enough, I believe that the historic roots of the Harlot have both Catholic and Muslim elements.
I have met many friendly Muslims who do not believe in the radical elements of their religion.  God's Word states that God will reveal Himself to all, and He will especially attract those who have "good hearts."  I pray that they, and the radical Muslims, will be delivered from their works based religion and will find peace, healing and security in the Lord Jesus who loves them and gave His life for them.

Quote from Rodereck C. Merideth - http://www.hlinc-zionsake.org/Babylon/10-Islam-Babylon-Rome.html

Islam and the Roman Connection
Despise denying the worship of all images, Islam has some remarkable similarities to the Mysteries. These are to be expected due to the pagan origin of the worship of Allah. However, we shall see that certain features cannot be explained in terms of the fairly distant link between the moon god Allah and the Babylon Mysteries.

The teaching of Islam is a mixture of a variety of sources, which were widely available in Arabia around 620 AD. Scholars have shown the Quran to have drawn on not only Sabean, Jewish and Christian sources, but also from eastern mysticism of Hinduism and Zoroastrianism. The Christian sources were heretical works of Gnostics, who we saw before were deeply infected by the false religion of the Mysteries (See Papacy#Gnostics). Therefore, it is not surprising that Islam denies the Trinity and proclaims that Jesus was only a man, though a great prophet. The denial of the Trinity was a feature of the Gnostics. However, it is strange to find that the Quran teaches that Christians believe in the "Father, the Mother and the Son. A further peculiar teaching of the Quran is that Mary gave birth to Jesus under a palm tree. It should be noted that in the Mysteries the palm tree (the original form of the Christmas tree) symbolized Nimrod's rebirth. These things show that the form of professed Christianity Muhammad had contacts with, was distinctly Babylonish in nature.

The Islamic system of salvation is essentially one of justification by works, which is similar to the teaching of the Mysteries and the Church of Rome. The Quran teaches that on the day of judgment, good and bad works will be weighed up in a balance to decide whether or not someone goes to heaven or hell. This is just like the scales of Anubis or of St. Michael the Archangel. In fact, the Islamic concept of heaven is a place full of fleshly indulgences - really naive to believe, as we see in the Bible.

Islam has a special place for Mary the mother of Jesus, which is well known to the Church of Rome. Furthermore, the teachings in the Quran about Mary are not far removed from those of the papacy, and this is being exploited by the Church of Rome to attract Muslims.

In Islamic states there is no division between religion and politics. This merger of secular and sacred is similar to the Church of Rome, where the sovereign Pontiff is both head of the religion and a reigning monarch.
A common feature of the Romanist and Islamic theology lies in the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, who was a pupil of Plato. Aristotle was the author of an intellectual system that, through the centuries, became the support and vehicle for both medieval Christian (= Romanist) and Islamic scholastic philosophy. It was his system that Luther and other Reformers confronted with Biblical truth.

A final similarity with the Church of Rome is persecution, firstly of Jews, and secondly of Christians. The Jews were granted full citizenship in 212 AD. However, when the Empire became nominally Christian under Constantine a 100 years later, this toleration of Jews declined and persecution began. This was the start of a long history of terrible persecution of Jews by the Church of Rome. Likewise, early in his career Muhammad started attacking and massacring Jews. Muslim armies also greatly reduced the power of Rome's great rival the Orthodox Church, which was the official church of the Eastern Empire based in Constantinople.

Islam and the Vatican

According to an ex-Jesuit by the name of Rivera, there is a DIRECT link between Islam and the Church of Rome. He claims that whilst he was a Jesuit, he was briefed in the Vatican on many of the deepest secrets of the Church of Rome. This included the Vatican's involvement in creating a new religious movement among the Arabs with the aim of capturing Jerusalem, over which the Eastern Empire and the Persians had fought bitterly. The Jews were also a major impediment on the Vatican's designs on Jerusalem. This new movement among the Arabs, although not Romanist, could be used to achieve Rome's ends and would lead the Arabs ultimately to Rome.

It is widely known that when Muhammad was 25 he married a rich widow called Khadijah, who was nearly 15 years older than him. It was through her that Muhammad gained wealth and influence. When at the age of about 40 Muhammad received visions (not surprisingly, in a cave), Khadijah supported and encouraged him to share them with his family, who became his first converts. However, before Khadijah married Muhammad, she was a devout Romanist, who had given her wealth to the Church and lived in a convent. Subsequently, she was sent back into the world with her wealth to find a young man who could be used by the Vatican as an Arab messiah. A cousin of Khadijah's, Waraquah, was also a devout Romanist; together they had a profound influence on Muhammad. Muhammad's followers were also supported by the Romanist king of Abassinia - due to Muhammad's favorable views on the Virgin Mary.

Following Muhammad's death the Muslim armies made astonishing military advances outside Arabia. Rivera claims that the Pope supported the Muslim generals, giving them permission to invade North Africa on condition that they eliminated Christians and Jews, protected Romanists and their shrines and conquered Jerusalem for the Vatican. However, Rome's plans miscarried; the Muslims, buoyed by their victories, turned against Rome. They eventually built the Mosque of Omar on the Temple Mt. on the site of the 2nd Temple.

Future judgment and destruction of the Harlot, Mystery Babylon.
John sees the Beast coming in Revelation 17 with the Harlot riding on it.  The angel tells John that he is showing him this vision so that he may see the judgment that the Harlot finally receives after thousands of years.  However, before the Harlot's judgment, I believe that this combination of the Beast and the Harlot, their economic, political and governmental authority, will be very powerful on earth like never before.  That is because, if you remember the dreams in the Book of Daniel, this last worldly kingdom will be different and powerful.  It will be the only world kingdom that has ever ruled the entire world.

Revelation 17:16-17  says,
16 “And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
17 “For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

The above Scripture shows the Mystery Babylon, the apostate religious system, is destroyed by the Beast upon which she rides, the antichrist system and the Antichrist himself.  This really shows who is in control!  One may think that these apparently very powerful spiritual and governmental kingdoms are really in control, but look; God put it into the Antichrist's heart to destroy Mystery Babylon, the Harlot.  
Perhaps this dividing of the two is the downfall of their combined kingdom.  When unity is destroyed power leaves.  The people at the Tower of Babel were gaining very powerful spiritual authority by their unity, but God confused their languages and they became disunited.  The same will occur in this future kingdom.   How does God do that?  He is more awesome and powerful than any human can conceive.  At the same time His character is a type of love that we cannot fully comprehend either.

Future destruction of the Beast, Babylon.
I believe that there are some mysteries regarding the destruction of the Beast and his kingdom.  Notice in verse 7:26 below that it says that his (the Beast's) dominion will be destroyed gradually and suddenly.  As I have written in our other books, especially Junk to Jewels, as we the believers in Jesus overcome our trials and sufferings, we take away some of the dominion of the evil empire in our realm of influence.  I referred to it as the Cosmic Courtroom.

Notice that verse 7:26 refers to a defeat by the court of the Most High.

Daniel 7:19-28 (Amplified Bible)
19 Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast--which was different from all the others, exceedingly terrible and shocking, whose teeth were of iron and its nails of
20 And about the ten horns [representing kings] that were on its head, and the other horn which came up later and before which three of [the horns] fell, the horn which had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things and which looked greater than the others.
21As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them
22 Until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High [God], and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.
23 Thus [the angel] said, The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms and shall devour the whole earth, tread it down, and break it in pieces and crush it.
24 And as for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise; and another shall arise after them, and he shall be different from the former ones, and he shall subdue and put down three kings.
25 And he shall speak words against the Most High [God] and shall wear out the saints of the Most High and think to change the time [of sacred feasts and holy days] and the law; and the saints shall be given into his hand for a time, two times, and half a time [three and one-half years].
26 But the judgment shall be set [by the court of the Most High], and they shall take away his dominion to consume it [gradually] and to destroy it [suddenly] in the end.
27 And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heavens shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions shall serve and obey Him.
28 Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my [waking] thoughts troubled and alarmed me much and my cheerfulness of countenance was changed in me; but I kept the matter [of the interpreting angel's information] in my heart and mind.

Also notice another reference to the "courtroom defeat."

Daniel 7:9-11
“9 “I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire;
10 A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened.
11 “I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame.”


Gradually and suddenly.
Daniel 7:26says,
But the judgment shall be set [by the court of the Most High], and they shall take away his dominion to consume it [gradually] and to destroy it [suddenly] in the end.

Revelation chapter 18 reveals the sudden destruction as well.  It is possible that this destruction in one day very well could be the conclusion of the final war as described in Ezekiel chapter 39.  
Here are two verses in Revelation chapter 18 that summarizes this defeat.

Revelation 18:8,21
“8 “Therefore her plagues will come in one day--death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.”
“21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore.”

A very interesting verse in Revelation 18 tells us that Babylon is trading, buying and selling, in the souls of men.

Revelation 18:13
[Describing Babylon's merchandise] “13 “and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men.”

The entire chapter of Revelation 18 is an amazing and interesting description of the former activities of Babylon, both political and spiritual.  I have inserted it in here, but as an endnote for your convenience.   

What do I do now, you might ask.
Your job is to live the overcoming lifestyle and function in the Kingdom of God now in this life.  I have been witness to the fact that far too many Christians do not really understand what living in the Kingdom of God means.  I am not saying that with any pride or arrogance.  However, I feel that I have learned how to do this through me desperation.  One of the main purposes of this book is to explain that very simply. I will go into more detail on what that exactly means in future chapters.

I want to you to focus on two things for now.

1.  The fear of the Lord.  
Proverbs 1 says that if we do not listen to the Lord's convicting voice to turn from our worldly ways, that He will "laugh when calamity comes."

Proverbs 1:20-29 says,
“20 Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares.
21 She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words:
22 “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.
23 Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
24 Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,
25 Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke,
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes,
27 When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you.
28 “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD,”

2.  Praise.
For now, just realize that in the face of Mystery Babylon, Ten Horns, The Little Horn, The Antichrist and even Satan himself, that praise from a pure heart gives you victory.

Psalms 8:2 says,
“2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.”

Matthew 21:16 says,
“16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?””

Notice in Psalms 148 that God orders everything on earth to praise Him, eventually.  Even Kings of the earth and all peoples and princes, both good and evil must one day praise him.  In the meantime, your praise puts defeat, in your realm of influence, on all the enemies of God.  Do it!  It will please Jesus and give you victory!

Psalms 148:1-14:
“1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights!
2 Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!
3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light!
4 Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created.
6 He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away.
7 Praise the LORD from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths;
8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9 Mountains and all hills; Fruitful trees and all cedars;
10 Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and flying fowl;
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth;
12 Both young men and maidens; Old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven.
14 And He has exalted the horn of His people, The praise of all His saints--Of the children of Israel, A people near to Him. Praise the LORD!”