Monday, December 29, 2003 (60)
THE MYSTERY OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. The area of ungodliness with which we will be dealing is the harlot church. She is the pinnacle of iniquity. Her great sin is religious as well as secular. She is called the great prostitute, which bears the connotation, figuratively of that of an idolater. The only form of worship permitted during the tribulation period will be that of the antichrist and his image and this woman will be the instigator and ally of this false religion. Rev. 17:1 She is the amalgamated, the ecumenical church of the last days, embracing every known religion. Unifying them into the church of Babylon. For those who have an ear to hear, there is a call of the Spirit, even now, to come out of her my people and be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not her plagues. Rev. 18:4 A stern but very fair warning. As there will be a double portion, [full and complete] of the Spirit of the Lord in the last days culminating in the Bride of Christ. So there will be a double portion meted out to the harlot church, but her portion will be in judgment. Rev. 18:6 She can talk the talk and be very convincing, but can she walk the walk? Be watchful and careful of the religious trends, the popular doctrines of these days. Measure them, very carefully with the Word of the Lord. More than ever before we need to involve ourselves in great depth with the Word. That the discernment of the Word might be our stay and strength. This is not a time to be half hearted in our walk before the Lord. It is time for full and complete consecration to Him. If we have the Spirit and the Word, we will not be deceived.
SHE IS POLITICAL AS WELL AS RELIGIOUS. She is seen being lifted up and carried by the multitude of the political and religious powers of the world. She is popular beyond measure with forces and authorities who are in power at that time. Rev. 17:15 When she is seen in the Revelation she is coming to the time of her fierce judgment. The Lord has a controversy with her. Though she has enjoyed great popularity and riches, she will be cut off. Is it any wonder that the church of today is already displaying tendencies toward politics and prosperity. It is an awesome thing to stand back and see how exceedingly popular politics and prosperity have become in the church, world wide. Jer. 51:13 Strangely enough this prophecy was directed at Babylon of old. The church of Babylon, the harlot church is being formed at this very time. The very powers that have brought her into being and sustained her are also the powers which will destroy her. Jer. 51:42 The Lord uses her very own sponsors to completely destroy her. Their admiration turns to hatred. How fickle and utterly unreliable are the plaudits and support of the wicked. She will be stripped of all her pomp and ceremony and be left completely void of any covering. Because Babylon was included among Israel’s lovers the Lord pronounced this same judgment on them. Eze. 16:37 Like the animals that they are, her lovers will consume her flesh and burn her with fire, reducing her to ashes. Rev. 17:15