"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel... By which also ye are saved... unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

Introduction

"And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do." (Genesis 11:6)

In TIME Magazine, February 5, 2001, under "TECH WATCH", there is an article titled "MACHINE TRANSLATION – Speaking in Tongues" . It says:

Too lazy to learn a foreign language? The U.S. Office of Naval Research may have just the thing for you. The O.N.R. is currently funding research to develop a mobile, lightweight language translator. The device, which will be small enough to be worn on a belt, is capable of making real-time English translations to and from Arabic, Bosnian, Korean and Mandarin Chinese, as well as major European languages. In addition to word-for-word translations, the device can understand conversations in context. The technology is intended for use by Navy personnel during foreign operations.

When we think of technology such as this we are no doubt reminded of the words of the prophet Daniel who spoke concerning "the time of the end" saying, "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased " (Daniel 12:4). Certainly with the Internet, or rather, the Information Highway, we can clearly see that there is a technology boom in these very days. This boom undoubtedly has to do with the uninhibited exchange of information.

We can also see how this technology quickly gets into the hands of the common folks. Perhaps we would remember the technology that the USA used in the Gulf War of 1990, to shoot missiles within feet of their targets from hundreds of miles away. This technology was called Global Positioning System (GPS), which uses an array of satellites thousands of miles above the earth's surface to pinpoint the latitude, longitude and altitude of any given object. But within a few short years this product was in the hands of the consumer and today the device that uses this technology can be purchased for around a hundred dollars.

When we see the language barrier breaking down as it is today, it may also remind us of the words of Moses in the book of Genesis concerning the origin of the nations.

"And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar ; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower , whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded . And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth : and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. " (Genesis 11:1-9)

Because the world was one language at that time, there was the ability to exchange information uninhibited in their own language, and we were told by the Lord Himself, "now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do." Already available for some time now on the Internet are translation devices that will decipher any written message within seconds from the most common languages into another. One of these programs interestingly enough is called "Babel Fish" . But now, we see on the horizon a portable device that will be able to translate to us in our own language, an audible translation of any foreigner talking to us. Absolutely amazing!

Perhaps we can remember watching television when the United Nations had gathered together for some great conference, and the leaders of the world who sat around those tables all had a little headset on as those of other nations in their languages addressed the assembly. On that headset was a human translating for those leaders what was being said, but now an electronic device will be able to do this for them without the aid of an individual who has before had to learn both languages. This device will be compact enough to take anywhere on the belt of the individual rather than bringing an entourage of human translators.

It was the above-mentioned article in Time Magazine that stimulated my thoughts once again to reflect on what the Scriptures have to say about Babel. When we see the things that are happening today, when the language barrier begins to vanish away and the people of the nations begin thinking together on the lines of world government and religion, it leads me to think that the rise of antichrist in our generation is a great possibility. This possibility though also brings to mind our "blessed hope" that the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. "For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry" (Hebrews 10:37).

So it is from here that we would like to venture on a brief study concerning the origin of the nations and the history of the world, this side of the flood, up to the present time, in relation to religion and politics. The Lord Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would "shew you things to come" (John 16:13), so we would also like to look into what the near future might bring, and this we may do with the utmost confidence for "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place" (2Peter 1:19).

The World that then Was

Peter tells us "the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished" (2Peter 3:6). After 1656 years from the beginning of the creation, the Lord judged the world with a great flood. "GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). "The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth" (Genesis 6:11-12). Because mankind had totally forsaken his Creator, it grieved God at His heart that He had made man. It appeared there was no hope left, for man had become completely reprobate. Yet as God looked among the children of men He saw one man who found grace in His eyes. That man was Noah.

God gave Noah instructions to build an ark that would carry all those who would believe into the new world. While Noah was building the ark he preached the righteousness of God. "The longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing" (1 Peter 3:20). God delayed judging man with the flood for 120 years (Genesis 6:3), but when it was time to enter the ark only Noah and his family fled from the wrath to come.

Only those who were in the Ark were saved. "All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died" (Genesis 7:22). When the floodwaters abated "the ark rested … upon the mountains of Ararat" (Genesis 8:4). From here God blessed Noah, his three sons, and their wives, and instructed them saying, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth … bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein" (Genesis 9:1, 7).

Instructions in the New World

The instructions for man in the new world were very simple. The apostle Paul said several thousand years later that God "hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth , and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us" (Acts 17:26-27). The will of God for them was not to abide in one place, but to multiply and "dwell on all the face of the earth" .

The region of Ararat (Genesis 8:4) is often called the cradle of the human race. It was the center from which man began to spread abroad upon the face of the earth. From mount Ararat we have Noah and his sons going forth from the ark to once again repopulate the earth. But before the first century was complete we find man rebelling against God again saying " Go to, let us build us a city and a tower , whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth."

How is it that man, after experiencing the judgment of God is so quick to turn back to the ways that are deserving of judgment? This has been a perplexing question throughout history. "How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers" (Isaiah 1:21).Well, the Lord has the answer and He proclaimed it immediately after the flood saying, "the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth" (Genesis 8:21). Since sin entered the world, man has a natural inclination to do evil. This is the effect that sin has had on the whole of humanity "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?" (Proverbs 20:9) "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10). The Bible tells us "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6).

Let us Rebel

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were told not to do something and they did. They transgressed the commandment of God and ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In the new world after the flood they were commanded to spread out upon the face of the earth, and they would not. Who would lead such a rebellion in the face of God and why? This story is given to us in the early chapters of Genesis (9-11).

Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth. "Unto them were sons born after the flood" (Genesis 10:1). These are the men by whom the entire world has been repopulated. We are all descendents of Noah and his sons. In those early years as the population began to grow, we are told of the first organized rebellion against God. The leader of this rebellion was the great-grandson of Noah. His name was Nimrod. "And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel [Babylon] , and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar " (Genesis 10:8-10).

Noah was the father of Ham. He had a son whose name was Cush, and his son was Nimrod. Of Noah's three sons, a blessing was given to Shem and Japheth that was extended to their posterity, but Hams son Canaan (the brother of Cush) was cursed and decreed to be the servant of Shem and Japheth. "And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant" (Genesis 9:26-27).

The name Nimrod means "let us rebel". Who would name their son that? By the time Nimrod was born, it appears that Cush had built up enough resentment that motivated him to pursue an all out rebellion against God and His purposes for mankind. Would the offspring of Ham be the perpetual servants of Shem and Japheth? Not if Cush could help it, in fact, they would be their rulers. So we are told "And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth" (Genesis 10:8). His political platform was "let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth" (Genesis 11:4). Hence the philosophy, "United we stand, divided we fall".

It seems that Nimrod first gained his reputation through hunting. Even a proverb was given in his name on this account. "He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD" (Genesis 10:9). The word "before" could also be translated "against" or "in the face of". God had put the fear and the dread of man into all animals (Genesis 9:2), so the deliberate hunting and slaughtering of them was against the Lord.

Down through history, we see that the people of God were not "mighty hunters" but shepherds such as Abraham, David and Moses. Even the Lord Jesus Christ is called "the good shepherd [who] giveth his life for the sheep" (John 10:11). But now we have one seeking a name for himself, Nimrod, the mighty hunter in the face of the Lord. Through his hunting fame it is likely that he turned men from the fear of God, and brought them into a constant dependence upon his power, whereby he might arrive at the tyrannical government he had over men. The Jerusalem Targum says:

He was powerful in hunting and in wickedness before the Lord, for he was a hunter of the sons of men, and he said to them, "Depart from the judgment of the Lord, and adhere to the judgment of Nimrod!" Therefore is it said: "As Nimrod the strong one, strong in hunting, and in wickedness before the Lord."

As the progeny of Noah began to move out from the mountainous region of Ararat, they traveled eastward and "found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there" (Genesis 11:2). This was the location of that organized rebellion after the worldwide flood in the days of Noah. Due to Nimrod's political influence and fame among the people as a mighty hunter, he easily led many along in rebellion against the Lord. We are told that the beginning of Nimrods "kingdom was Babel , and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar " (Genesis 10:10).

At the time of this great rebellion, the population of the world (within one hundred years of the flood), due to longevity of life at that time, could easily have been 10,000 people, enough for a fair sized city. It first took 1,656 years before the state of man became so exceedingly corrupt that God had to wash the wickedness from the face of the earth. Now within a hundred years the world had once again come to the place where they were ripe for judgment. But God, having promised to never destroy the earth again with a flood, chose to impede their rebellion by confusing their language. With the confusion of their tongues, the people of Babel now unable to communicate, left off building their city, and were scattered abroad the face of the earth to fulfill His purpose for mankind.

Out of Shinar we are told "went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city" (Genesis 10:11-12). Nineveh then, was a colony of the kingdom of Nimrod and Asshur was its founder. The kingdom of Assyria was likely named after Asshur and Nineveh became its great capitol. (Note: Asshur was the son of Shem but was not in the lineage of Christ. It was his brother Arphaxad who was in this line.) This then began an era of kingdom building whereby man sought to make a name for himself, to dominate the world with their fellow man their subjects.

The City and the Tower

"The beginning of [Nimrods] kingdom was Babel" or Babylon as it is usually translated. This "city" was to be the capitol of Nimrods kingdom. It would be the center from which he would govern this literal "New World Order". Today there is much talk of a "New World Order", but in all reality it is just the resuscitation of old Babylon.

The "tower" was the religious system of his kingdom and he would be its god. This religious system would find man seeking to enter heaven their own way, through the works of their hands by building a tower that would "reach unto heaven" . Perhaps the thought behind this tower was not only to invade heaven, but also to make a way of escape from the judgment of God, just in case the Lord would send another flood like that which destroyed their forefathers. So they built it with brick, and slime (bitumen) they used for mortar that it might not be liable to admit water.

The principles of this ancient political-religious kingdom have certainly infected the whole world down through the ages. It will finally come to its full realization in the Last Days. In the book of the Revelation it is called "MYSTERY BABYLON" and is pictured by a "great whore" (false religious system) who is carried by "the beast" (king/kingdom). In the last 3 ½ years of the tribulation, this political-religious structure will be ultimately materialized in its final form with all power and worship given to the beast. "And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast … and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations" (Revelation 13:4, 7). If the Lord had not confounded the language of the people at Babel, this abomination would have ultimately materialized a lot sooner.

Israel committed fornication with the religious system of Babel 2700 years ago (Jeremiah 10:2, 7:18, 44:17-19, 25), which led to her chastisement by the LORD. Back then Babylon had already infected the whole world with her religion and commerce. The prophet Jeremiah who lived during the dominion of the Babylonian kingdom stated, "Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad " (Jeremiah 51:7).

In the Light of Heaven, Babylon is said to have intoxicated all the earth and made the nations mad. Have you ever noticed the news lately? To what may we attribute the insanity that is plaguing the world? What is the cause that leads to the distress of nations with perplexity? What is it that drives the nations to such violent and corrupt extremes that are evidently all around us? As the Psalmist questioned, "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?" (Psalm 2:1) It is clear! The multitudes have forsaken the Only Wise God and Creator and have replaced Him with the commercialism and religion of this world.

Babel was the beginning of Nimrods kingdom shortly after the flood. This was the beginning of that great rebellion against God and His ways. That initial rebellion has in turn lead many nations away from the one true God. After Satan had indoctrinated the people of Babel, through Nimrod, with his false religion, the families in their new tongues were scattered about the whole earth bringing with them this system of false religion, thereby affecting all within their respective nation. This infection is yet with us today as seen in all the religions of the nations of the world. The names of their gods may be different, but that is only because their language is different. Their common doctrine is salvation by works. They are all seeking to build their own stairway to heaven in one form or another.

The Kingdoms of this World

It is worthy of note that the first mention of a "king" in the Bible is the "king of Shinar" (Genesis 14:1). The land of Shinar was the region where Nimrod built his kingdom beginning with Babel. And of course you cannot have a kingdom without a king, so undoubtedly Nimrod would have been the first king, not only in the "Land of Shinar", but also in the post-flood world.

Down through the centuries many of these kings were made into gods with idols made in their likeness. As it is written, they "changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man" (Romans 1:23). Interestingly enough, many years later the elders of Israel came to the prophet Samuel demanding "make us a king to judge us like all the nations" (1Samuel 8:4-8). The Lords reply to Samuel was, "they have forsaken me, and served other gods". These kings then were also known as gods. This is the sad history, even of the people of God, who were to be separate from the nations. This lamentation of the Lord is found throughout all of Scripture.

"For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water" (Jeremiah 2:13). "They have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments" (1 Kings 11:33).

It is also interesting that the first time we find the mention of "war" in the Bible we find the "king of Shinar" and his confederates going to war with the "kings of Sodom and Gomorrah" with their confederates. Indeed "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked" (Isaiah 57:21). The lust for power that has consumed men as they seek to make a name for themselves, has led to much fighting and turmoil and instability and strife and envy down throughout history. This warfare undoubtedly led to the building of fortified cities such as Nineveh and Babylon, which symbolize a turning from trust in the living God to trust in one's own self-sufficiencies.

Nimrod sought his "strength in numbers" when he tried to hinder the people from spreading upon the face of the earth, and he built them a city. Even King David sought strength in numbers as well (2 Samuel 24:10) and saw that this was a terrible sin. When the hundreds of millions "gather together to make war against him that sat on the horse" (Revelation 19:19) at Armageddon, they will learn that numbers mean nothing to the Lord, and fowls of the air will be filled with their carcasses.

This is altogether vanity when the people seek strength in their numbers and in their cities and come to trust in human fortifications. "Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the LORD" (Jeremiah 51:53). No human numbers or fortifications can stand against the God of heaven, nor provide security from His vengeance in the Day of Judgment. Those who would find true peace and safety would testify "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower" (Psalms 18:2).

History of the Land and the People

In due time, the descendants of Noah traveled eastward from the region of Ararat till they found a plain in the " land of Shinar" . The prophet Micah called this region "the land of Nimrod" (Micah 5:6). It was later known as the "land of the Chaldeans" (Jeremiah 25:12). Today it is known by secular historians as "Sumer" (Shinar) or "Sumeria". This land is located in the lower region of Mesopotamia ("between rivers"), in what is now the country of Iraq. (See Diagram)

The Chaldeans who were the known inhabitants of the land were likely the descendants of Chesed, the son of Nahor. Nahor was the brother of Abraham (Genesis 22:20-22). This same people in their earlier years became a band of rebels who killed the patriarch Job's servants and took his camels for a spoil (Job 1:17). The Chaldeans, by the time of Daniel, were said to be a learned people (Daniel 1:4), but they had altogether abandoned the One True Creator and God and were named amongst the company of "the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers … and soothsayers" (Daniel 2:2, 5:11). Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, was a Chaldean (Ezra 5:12).

The beginning of Nimrods kingdom was Babel. This we might refer to as "ancient Babylon". But in the process of time the great metropolis of Nineveh became the predominant power in Mesopotamia. Nineveh then became the capitol of the new Assyrian empire. This kingdom lasted approximately 1100 years (1850 B.C.-700 B.C.). It was the king of Assyria who came down to Samaria and took the ten northern tribes of Israel captive in 721 BC (2 Kings 18:9-12). But shortly thereafter she became weak and with the fall of Nineveh, the center of power shifted back to Babylon as the great capital of the Babylonian or Chaldean empire. This we might refer to as "recent Babylon". It was at this time that Babylon reached its zenith in power and glory described by Isaiah as "the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency" , and "the golden city" .

Mystery Babylon

It is clear that the beginnings of the kingdoms of this world all have roots that go back to Babel. The religions of the world also originated at Babel. In the final book of the Bible this "mystery" is revealed. "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH". All the nations of the earth are said to have committed fornication with her and so she is called the "great whore" who has produced many illegitimate children, and is therefore called the "mother of harlots". She gave birth to all false religion, which is an abomination in the sight of the Lord. In the years shortly after the flood there was no kingdom or nation that was not affected by her anti-God religion and commercialism.

Many have asked, where do all the religions of the world come from? This false religion that began at Babel has mutated into all the religions of the nations today. The only real difference between these religions in the beginning was their language when God had confused their tongues. After the passing of thousands of years their traditions had been modified, but still the image of Babel can be seen in them. After many generations removed one can always see similar characteristics in the offspring, likewise all false religion will bear the resemblance of their mother Babylon. Whether it is Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, or any of the other primitive religions of the world, all bear the mark of Babylon.

Even within the ranks of Christendom we find the image of this false religion, primarily within the Roman Catholic Church. The agenda of Roman Catholicism is to absorb the whole of Christianity along with the pagan religions of the world through her ecumenical program. Much of "Protestant Christianity" has already succumbed to her subtle craftiness as she goes about "deceiving, and being deceived" (2Timothy 3:13).

In November of 1986, at the invitation of Pope John Paul II, 160 leaders from a dozen religions of the world gathered to the Italian town of Assisi. As Time Magazine reported,

"The throng included rabbis wearing yarmulkes and Sikhs in turbans, Muslims praying on thick carpets and a Zoroastrian kindling a fire … Buddhism's Dali Lama, traditionally regarded as a living deity, was in attendance … Also [the] chief executive of the World Council of Churches … Hindus and Sikhs were assigned to the same church to offer their prayers …two Buddhists chanted and rhythmically beat thin drums … Shintoists played lovely, organ-like chords on bamboo reed instruments. The result was more a spiritual harmony than clashing dissonance … Speaking for Jainism, a strictly pacifist faith of India, Holy Man Subuh Karan Dasani … Two tribal animists from Africa … [and] a Crow Indian medicine man from Montana in full-feathered headdress". These all gathered together to pray for peace at the Roman Pontiffs invitation, and the audience there "was aware that Assisi symbolically went well beyond the ceremonial friendship accorded other faiths by any previous Pontiff." It was also said "the gathering was entirely a "spiritual summit". (TIME, November 10, 1986, pg. 58-59)

Roman Catholicism and her pontiff seem to be taking an ever-increasing spotlight in the leadership of world religion and as spokesperson in spiritual matters.

Vatican Council II, under the heading "RELATIONS WITH THE BRETHREN OF THE SEPARATED CHURCHES" states that she seeks to foster the "unity of all Christians" that would bring them into "communion with the Apostolic See of Rome". This they seek by prayer "to God daily with fervor and constancy in order that, by the help of God's most holy Mother, all may be one" (pp. 449-451); (Since when did God have a mother?). The reason for this unity so desired is outlined in their "Decree on Ecumenism".

"For it is through Christ's Catholic Church alone, which is the universal help towards salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained. It was to the apostolic college alone, of which Peter is the head [along with his successors the Roman Pontiffs], that we believe that Our Lord entrusted all the blessings of the New Covenant, in order to establish on earth the one Body of Christ into which all those should be fully incorporated who belong in any way to the people of God." (Pg. 456)

In the same breath they say, "But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Moslems: these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day." (Vatican II, p. 367).

What will be the end result of this ecumenical agenda? "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him [the beast] , whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). The world will worship the antichrist, the one of whom Nimrod was but a type. The beginning of "his kingdom" (Revelation 16:10) was Babel and since then it has been growing up into that great idolatrous image as seen in Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Daniel 2:31-45), which will be destroyed when Christ returns.

Who is that Woman?

While many (including myself) have interpreted the "woman" carried by the "beast" as Roman Catholicism, further study has led me to conclude that Roman Catholicism is only a pawn or the offspring whom this "woman" has influenced. We do know that the "Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35), and this is how we must interpret the Scriptures, comparing Scripture with Scripture. That this woman has the label on her forehead "BABYLON THE GREAT" clearly points us back to Babylon, which existed long before Roman Catholicism.

The primary Scriptures that are used to interpret this "woman" as Roman Catholicism is Revelation 17:9 & 18 which read "And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth … And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." The interpretation has therefore been that Rome is that woman because Rome has been known as "the city of seven hills" (Encyclopedia Britannica, 26:980).

But the Scriptures say seven "mountains" (Gr. "oros") not "hills" (Gr. "bounos"). Furthermore, the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church are situated in Vatican City not on the Seven Hills of Rome.

What then might these mountains represent? Are they literal mountains that a literal city is situated? I believe that a valid interpretation is that these mountains represent the historical kingdoms of this world. "And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains [Gr. oros] , on which the woman sitteth. And there are [often translated "they are" Gr. "eisi"] seven kings " (Revelation 17:9-10).

The "seven heads" are said to be "seven mountains" . These "seven heads" are clearly identified as "seven kings" or kingdoms (v. 10), and kingdoms or governments within the Scriptures are often referred to as mountains (Isaiah 2:2, 13:1-2, 40:4, Daniel 2:34-35, Jeremiah 51:24-25, Zechariah 4:7, Micah 4:1-2). The kingdoms of this world through history then have carried this influential woman, to this present day. The best interpretation I believe is that the "seven mountains" are "seven kings" or kingdoms. At the time of John's Revelation five of these kingdoms were said to have already passed one existed at the time, and another was yet to come (v. 10). Then there would be the eighth and final kingdom of history (v. 11).

Who then is that woman? "The woman which thou sawest is that great city , which reigneth over the kings of the earth" (Revelation 17:8). There are two "great cities" mentioned throughout the Revelation, Babylon and Jerusalem. If John meant Rome, he could have easily said Rome, but he did not. This woman is identified as "BABYLON THE GREAT". She is religious Babylon, and certainly she is the "mother of harlots" who has spawned all false religion throughout the history of the earth. Her influence has unquestionably reigned over the kingdoms of this world and is therefore called the "ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH".

Undoubtedly, Roman Catholicism has played and still is playing a major role for this Harlot of whom she became a child. This child (RCC) has now grown up though and is in turn producing a whole new generation of harlots. The Roman Church adopted the religion of Babylon back in 312 A.D., when "Roman Emperor Constantine" legalized Christianity. It was then that she forsook the glorious One to whom she was espoused and committed fornication with the religion of Satan. Having given up her chastity to the Devil, she can now produce nothing good, only more offspring like herself. This was much a repeat of history when the elect of Israel forsook the Fountain of Living Waters for this whore's Babylonish religion.

Genealogy After the Flood

As we study the origin of the nations and the genealogies of the family of Noah, it is most astonishing to see how quickly they departed from the living God. When Cush trained up his son Nimrod to rebel against the Lord, undoubtedly Noah, the "preacher of righteousness" (2 Peter 2:5) would have admonished them against such wickedness as he did to those who were in rebellion before the flood.

Due to the longevity of life before the Flood and shortly thereafter, we shall notice the following: Noah's father was Lamech and Lamech walked with Adam for fifty-six years. Noah's son Shem was born before the flood and walked with his grandfather Lamech for ninety-three years. Shem could then have learned directly from Lamech the whole history of mankind from the beginning of Creation. Shem lived 502 years after the Flood and was yet alive when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. He also lived one hundred and forty-nine years along side Abraham. Noah lived 350 years after the Flood (Genesis 9:28) but died two years before the birth of Abraham. Therefore, Shem could have told Abraham that his grandfather Lamech walked with Adam. Because of the longevity of life in the beginning of the post-flood world, (see Diagram) there would have been a strong testimony and direct witness (Adam, Lamech, Shem, Abraham) for the Lord many centuries into the new world. This was surely what Paul was referring to when he wrote his epistle to the Romans.

"… when they knew God, they glorified him not as God , neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man [they deified man and made images of him] , and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature [man and his idols] more than the Creator , who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly [as in Sodom & Gomorrah] , and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge , God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents [as they would have been to Noah & Shem] , Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God [for they had direct communication with those who were saved through the flood of God's wrath] , that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them" (Romans 1:21-32).

The apostle Paul states that these people, when they knew God, glorified Him not as God. In fact they did not like to retain the true God in their knowledge. They openly rebelled in the face of God. They had this attitude even knowing firsthand of the recent worldwide judgment of the ungodly in the Flood. How desperately wicked and rebellious is the heart of man! God knows for He has revealed it to us in His Word. "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Romans 3:10-18). Nimrod certainly had no fear of God when he openly rebelled against the Lord.

Calling All Saints

Within nine generations of Noah, the nations of the world were largely given over to the worship of false gods. So God called faithful Abraham out of the kingdom of Nimrod, and back to the worship of the one true God. God called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees, which is in the "land of Shinar". From that time forward Abraham became a man of the tent rather than the city.

"Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods . And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood" (Joshua 24:2-3). "Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham; And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him" (Nehemiah 9:7-8). "The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia , before he dwelt in Charran, And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans " (Acts 7:2-4).

Just as God chose Abraham and called him out of the kingdom of Nimrod along with his corrupt commercial religious system, today He is doing the same. Jesus said "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world , therefore the world hateth you" (John 15:18-19). God is still calling out to the nations "to take out of them a people for his name" (Acts 15:14). He is using the message of "Christ and Him crucified" to call forth individuals into this unique company called the body of Christ which is the church. The Lord Jesus Christ "gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world , according to the will of God and our Father" (Galatians 1:4).

Jesus said, "I will build my church (Gr. Ekklesia)" (Matthew 16:18). This comes from two Greek words meaning to "call out of". Those who respond to the call of the Lord, upon conversion, enter into fellowship with one another and with the Lord (1John 1:3-7). It is a brotherhood of believers "in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation" (Philippians 2:15), a family fellowship of light, life, and love.

We are told that in times past we have all "walked according to the course of this world" (Ephesians 2:2), that is, the broad "way, that leadeth to destruction" (Matthew 7:13). But the sound of the gospel has been echoing throughout the highways and the byways to direct those on the path of destruction to escape via the narrow way that leads up to a hill called Calvary where one might find redemption and pardon of sins.

He is calling us up and out to greater things than what this world has to offer. The Bible tells us "the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men" (2Peter 3:7). The Lord will one day roll up the heavens like a scroll (Isaiah 34:4) and "the fashion of this world passeth away" (1 Corinthians 7:31), so "we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18).

The Bible therefore admonishes us, "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise , look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless" (2Peter 3:11-14).

As for Abraham and all the faithful, they "looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God … These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city" (Hebrews 11:10, 13-16).

Therefore let us be sure that our affections are not upon the things of this world, and that we are not courting this world's system, but rather that our courtship is with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit. The apostle James reproved the Christians of his day saying, "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God " (James 4:4). "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). We are now presently living in the kingdom of the devil (Matthew 4:8-9), for "the whole world lieth in wickedness" (1 John 5:19).

Babylon and the Red Dragon

In the book of the Revelation we are told of a sign in heaven, "a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads" (Revelation 12:3). This great red dragon is "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan" (Revelation 12:9). In the next chapter, John sees this beast rising up out of the sea of humanity. But this time it is not the "great red dragon" , but rather a man that has the same appearance as the dragon (Revelation 13). This man is known elsewhere in the Scriptures as the "antichrist" (1 John 2:18), the "son of perdition" , the "man of sin" (2 Thessalonians 2:3), "that Wicked" (2 Thessalonians 2:8), the "little horn" (Daniel 7:8), and the "prince that shall come" (Daniel 9:26). This man receives his power, his throne, and great authority from the dragon, so this explains their resemblance.

What would be beneficial to understand at this point is that within the Scriptures a king and his kingdom are hard to separate (Daniel 7:17, 23), therefore the beast also represents a kingdom. The next time we see this beast we have a new character introduced into the scene, a "woman" who is carried by the beast. This is revealed as a mystery, but the angel says "I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns" (Revelation 17:7). "The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition" (17:8).

This beast is now likely representing the kingdom of the aforementioned king. This kingdom had fallen but will once again rise to her former glory. There is much talk lately that this will be a revived Roman Empire. But Rome never entirely faded away and continues on in one form or another in the nations today. Rome will likely be "revised" in the form of a ten-nation confederacy represented by the ten horns of the beast but this is likely the seventh kingdom before Antichrist's. "And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition" (Revelation 17:8). This beast will be the eighth and final kingdom of the world. The ten kings of the seventh kingdom will basically hand over their kingdom to the Antichrist (17:13, 17). But now Antichrist will need a new center to govern his kingdom.

This kingdom "was" , that is, it existed in time past, but is also "of the seven" , and so it appears that it must have existed prior to the seven in order to have its influence on the seven.

The greatest kingdom that ever "was" , was Babylon, described by God as "the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency" (Isaiah 13:19), and "the golden city" (Isaiah 14:4), also as the "head of fine gold" (Daniel 2:32). This kingdom was just a refinement of ancient Babel. This great kingdom and city fell, however, in one night under the reign of king Belshazzar, who was slain (Daniel 5:22-30). "God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it … In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain."

Isaiah had a most interesting proverb against the king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:4-15). "That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!" When the kingdom fell the king was slain and brought down to Hell (Sheol) or the "bottomless pit" (Revelation 11:7, 17:8). "Hell [Sheol] from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?"

What we then see is that there was an entity behind the king of Babylon who was brought down to Sheol (the bottomless pit) as well, this was Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12-15). So Lucifer representing the king and the kingdom of Babylon "shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition" (Revelation 17:8). He will ascend out of "Sheol" (the bottomless pit) as Christ permits, but will one day be "bound" (Revelation 20:2) there for a thousand years before he is finally "cast into the Lake of Fire" (Revelation 20:10), that is, "go into perdition" . Those who dwell on the earth are said to wonder when they "behold the beast that was, and is not, yet is" (Revelation 17:8). Babylon with its satanically possessed king (the Antichrist) both appear to rise again to become a world power.

This will likely happen after the Antichrist has a mock death and resurrection (Revelation 13:3, 12, 14). It appears that the beast tries to imitate Christ when it is said, "the beast that was, and is not, yet is" . Jesus said "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come , the Almighty … I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death" (Revelation 1:8, 18).

The Seven Heads

This beast also has "seven heads" . We are given insight within the Scriptures that these "seven heads" represent "seven mountains" (17:9) or "seven kings" (17:10). Mountains often represent kingdoms or government (Isaiah 2:2, 40:4, Daniel 2:34-35, Jeremiah 51:24-25, Zechariah 4:7, Micah 4:1-2), which are in turn represented by a king. These seven heads represent the successive "kingdoms" down through history to this present day (17:10).

The fact that these seven heads are on the dragon explicitly reveals that these kingdoms are Satan-controlled. That they were in the possession of Satan was evident when Satan offered them to Jesus in His temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:8-10). In the Revelation we are also told that Satan has a kingdom and a throne (Revelation 16:10) upon this earth (11:15). These kingdoms throughout history have been against God and His people. They are Egypt (Exodus 1:1-14), Assyria (Jeremiah 50:17), Babylon (Jeremiah 50:17), Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and finally a great worldwide democracy consisting of "ten kings" (revised Roman Empire) who in the end will give their power and strength to the "beast" who is the Antichrist.

These kingdoms all have roots that go back to Babel in the land of Shinar, where that first great rebellion took place, when they sought to build a city and a tower. But one day the Lord will return and "The kingdoms of this world [will] become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever" (Revelation 11:15), and the children of iniquity will no longer "fill the face of the world with cities" (Isaiah 14:21).

So the final formation of Satan's kingdom (the eighth that is of the seven) represented by the seven headed, ten horned beast that has all the previous kingdoms molded into it, which were all influenced by Babel, will be Babylon resurrected in its final form as Satan intended it to be. In the book of Daniel as well, the kingdoms appear to be built one upon the other to form a great abominable idol that the Lord will smash when He returns.

Future Babylon

Will there be a future Babylon? Will Babylon be rebuilt? Will she rise again to be that great world power? Because we hear of the future judgment of Babylon we would have to say yes. It appears from the Scriptures that Babylon will be resurrected in the last days and will likely be the center of the Antichrist's New World Order (the "eighth" kingdom). Mankind will once again lift up a Tower of Babel against God and again God will come down to judge, and that will be the final judgment. "And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" (Revelation 14:8).

In the writings of the prophet Zechariah, there is a series of ten visions, and in the ninth vision (5:5-11), he saw a "woman in an ephah" with a lid to contain the woman. In describing the vision, the angel said, "This is their resemblance through all the earth". The "ephah" was basically a large volumetric measuring device for doing commerce. The "talent" was placed as a lid on the ephah to contain the woman. A talent was the largest weight used in commerce. When the woman is observed in the ephah the angel said, "This is wickedness" . It appears that this wickedness had infected the whole world for Zechariah was told, "This is their resemblance through all the earth ".

Now what does the woman who was cast into the ephah represent? Perhaps one interpretation could be Israel who was the wife of Jehovah. Israel had just spent seventy years captivity in the land of Babylon and during that time had learned the ways of the Babylonians. They tried to indoctrinate Daniel by "teach [ing him] the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans" (Daniel 1:4). The people of Israel were largely an agricultural or farming people, but when they were in Babylon they learned commercialism and this turned them away from God to the things of this world. Today the Jews are some of the greatest businessmen of the world. They are still infected with Babylon's commercialism.

The people now returned from their captivity at Babylon were consumed with commercialism and they were building for themselves lives of luxury. Zechariah was contemporary with the prophet Haggai. The prophet Haggai spoke to the people Israel after their return to the land saying, "Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built. Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste? Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes." (Haggai 1:2-6) They had left off doing the work the Lord would have them to do and were consumed with commercialism that obviously could never bring satisfaction to their souls.

Was this not what the Savior observed when He entered the Temple in Jerusalem? The Temple was to be a house of prayer but Israel had turned it into a brokerage house for thieves. With justified anger Jesus turned over the moneychangers tables and cast them out. The religious leaders were there making merchandise of the people. They had joined commercialism and religion within that which was to be set apart for the Lord. And it is sad to say that today it is no different. Within the realm of Christendom, religion and commercialism are still intermingled in the "church". We have not yet gotten rid of the moneychangers. So maybe this woman could signify the people of God who along with the heathen have become totally consumed with this worlds system of commerce and therein are they spellbound.

Perhaps the woman in the ephah could also signify something else. In the book of the Revelation we are told about the religious and commercial aspects of "Mystery Babylon" (Revelation 17-18). These commercial and religious characteristics we could refer to as the "system" of Babylon, which has survived the destruction of that ancient "city" down through history. The "woman" might represent religious Babylon, and the "ephah and talent", commercial Babylon. But what would lead us to such an interpretation?

When Zechariah looked again he saw two women with the wings of storks come out of the ephah, and they took up the ephah with the woman and carried it away "To build it an house in the land of Shinar : and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base" (v. 11). The "land of Shinar" is also referred to as the "land of Nimrod" (Micah 5:6). This is where Babylon was located (Genesis 11:2, Daniel 1:2). This is where Nimrods ancient rebellion took place when he built his own kingdom beginning with Babylon. God delayed the full manifestation of this wicked kingdom by the confusion of the tongues. Since then the kingdoms of this world have bore the resemblance of Babylon religiously as well as politically. But the ultimate manifestation of this system will be in the last days when the "son of perdition" is the head of them both.

The "city and the tower" (Genesis 11:4) was the center of all commerce and religion in Nimrods kingdom. According to the vision of Zechariah, it appears that this wickedness is going to be centered once again in the Land of Shinar. Let us remember that Zechariah was one of the remnants of Israel that returned to Jerusalem after the fall of Babylon in 536 B.C. Babylon at the time of Zechariah's prophecy was already history . Now Zechariah sees in this vision that this system will once again be "built" and "established" in the Land of Shinar.

But what might these "two women" signify who carry this "wickedness" back to the land of Shinar? Perhaps these are the "two beasts" mentioned in the book of the Revelation that appear to be a great political leader (Antichrist) and a great religious leader (false prophet). Perhaps they will be the ones who head up the building this new political-religious world center from which antichrist will rule the world.

This "house" (city/temple) that they "build" on a "base" or foundation, is the Antichrists capital, which is in opposition to the city of God. "For [Abraham] looked for a city which hath foundations , whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:10).

Babylon I believe will once again be that world center which will have incorporated into her the religious headquarters of all corrupt religion. It will be the center of world government where Satan will have his seat but for a moment through Antichrist. By the way, government and politics today is primarily about economics and trade, but when the Antichrist rises to power During the Great Tribulation, if you want to do commerce in his kingdom you will be required to receive his mark in the right hand or forehead. It will be the world's pledge of allegiance to Satan.

"And the dragon gave him [the beast] his power, and his seat, and great authority … And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast … and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear." (Revelation 13:2, 4, 7-9)

Commercialism

Now commerce is not necessarily wicked but the love of money and greed is all too often connected with commercialism. "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:10). Covetousness leads to all sorts of wickedness. James said, "From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God " (James 4:1-4).

"Covetousness is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5) and Babylon was the center of covetousness as well as idolatry. Covetousness is called idolatry because in essence it is basically the lust of the materials that formed those idols, brass, silver, gold, etc. Today covetousness is still at the heart of all the worlds' problems.

In chapter 5 of James we read of the judgment of those who have pursued this destructive path of covetousness. "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud , crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord . Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it , until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. " (James 5:1-9)

That those who are called the "church" would be corrupted to a great extent by "commercial Babylon" is evident. The Lord Himself speaks to the church of the last days saying "These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked : I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent" (Revelation 3:14-19).

The "health and wealth gospel" or "prosperity gospel" as it is so called has infected many in the church today, primarily those within charismatic circles. Those who would teach such things are said to be "destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness" (1Timothy 6:5). "They have erred from the faith" (v. 10). This lust for riches brings men into the bondage of merchandise. "They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition" (1Timothy 6:9). The Lord Jesus said, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15).

The instructions for the Christian are to "withdraw thyself" from such as these (v.5), whose lust is after the abundance of this world's merchandise. "But thou, O man of God, flee these things ; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses … That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1Timothy 6:11,12,14).

Trust not in the riches of this world but in the Lord. Love not this world for one day it will all vanish away, and those whose affections are on the things of the earth will awake and wail when they see that "the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all" (Revelation 18:14). One day it will be all gone and their lust will be turned into the sad realization that the things that really mattered have also escaped them. Those who have rejected Christ for this world will for eternity be like the "Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever" (Jude 13).

Just as Israel eventually became the people of God in name only, so it is within the realm of Christendom. The god of this world has blinded their minds. They would not fasten their eyes on the Scriptures that they might behold the Word of God who alone could make them wise unto salvation. They would spend more time flipping through the pages of the many books of merchandise that this world has to offer than The Book of the One who provides all our needs.

Seeing that they are rich and could afford all things (mostly through bank loans, that brings many into the bondage of debt), they thought it was a blessing, but in fact it had become a curse that would draw them away from the only true riches that this world might ever know, that is "the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7). "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things ?" (Romans 8:32)

"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David" (Isaiah 55:1-3).

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (1John 2:15-17).

The will of God for you this day, if you are not a Christian is to repent and believe the gospel. "The Lord is … longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). The gospel of Christ "is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16). "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved , if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried , and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1Corinthians 15:1-4).

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9). The Lord promises deliverance from the eternal flames of hell to those who will "receive" (John 1:12) Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. To those who by faith receive Him, He promises "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (John 10:28). Why not stand on His wonderful promises today. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13). "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy to all them that call upon thee" (Psalm 86:5).