This is a brief examination of the purpose of the Old Covenant and the New. It is clear from the scriptures that the New is far superior to the Old.
THE LAW AND GRACE
THE PURPOSE OF THE OLD (MOSAIC) COVENANT
The Old Covenant was a contract between the Lord and the nation of Israel. It was established just after the people had been freed from bondage in Egypt, in their first days in the wilderness. (Ex. 19-24) The Old Covenant, or Law, was given to the people to:
- Teach the people good from evil (Gal. 3:24, Rom. 3:20). The people of Israel had spent 4 centuries in a pagan culture, and had adapted many of the ways of Egypt. They had to be taught again what was good and acceptable to God, and what was evil and unacceptable.
- Teach the people the cost of sin (Rom. 6:23). The wages of sin is death. The Law set up a system of animal sacrifices that were to be made according to the transgressions of the people. (See the Ex. 19-24 passage or the Book of Leviticus.) Sin cost life, and the only acceptable payment was lifeblood (Lev. 17:11). It should be noted that this system of sacrifices was to teach, because the blood of animals was not sufficient to take away sins. (Heb.10:11)
- Teach the people that obedience to the Lord’s direction is better than making sacrifices after being disobedient. (1 Sam. 15:22) The Lord made it clear to Israel that even though He had set in place a system of sacrifices, it was to teach the cost of sin, not because He took delight in the sacrifices. (Ps. 50:8-13)
- Teach the people that they ultimately lacked the power on their own to obey the Lord’s commandments and be righteous apart from Him. (Rom. 3:20-23)
THE RESULTS OF THE OLD (MOSAIC) COVENANT
The law was set up in a simple system for the people of Israel. Obey, and certain blessings would follow. Disobey, and certain curses would follow. (Deut. 29-30) Since no individual, much less a nation, was able to obey the law (Rom. 3:23, Gal 3:22, 1 Jo. 1:8-10), there were a number of consequences to entering into the Old Covenant. Those included:
- Wrath. (Rom. 4:15) Because the law taught good from evil, and those who entered the covenant were unable to obey the law, the wrath of God became a natural result.
- Curses. (Deut 29-30, Gal. 3:10-12) Since the penalty agreed to by both parties in the Covenant to breaking the Law was curses, there was no way for the people of Israel to escape this result.
- The power of sin is the Law. (1 Co. 15:56) Those who were not under the Old Covenant were not subject to it’s declarations of curses and suffering for disobedience. This does not mean that those outside of the Covenant did not suffer for their sins. It only means they weren’t held to the specific curses written in the law. For those who were under the Old Covenant, sin was empowered to cause the people great harm and to separate them from God. The knowledge that was gained in learning right from wrong also meant the people faced a greater judgment when they knowingly failed to uphold the law. (Jo. 15:22, Rom 5:13, 20)
Let the point be made that God’s grace has always been available through faith, even to those engaged in the Old Covenant. (Gen. 15:6, Hab. 2:4)
THE DANGER OF RETURNING TO THE LAW
We can see in the scriptures that the purpose of the Law, to teach good from evil, has been successful. Furthermore, the Old Covenant finally found it’s fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. (Lk. 24:44) That’s why that Covenant has passed away, and the Lord has established a New Covenant with His people. (Heb. 8:13) Because of the impossibility of humanly fulfilling the Old Covenant, the New Covenant is clearly better for “whosoever” that would receive it. Yet some still insist on clinging to the Old Covenant. Why?
Because the Old Covenant was a system of human works. Such works can give the impression of self-control over our eternal destiny. This is a dangerous error. The flesh longs for such self-control, even when it is only an illusion. It’s because we long for security, but we want total control of that security. Faith in Jesus Christ is trusting the Lord completely for our eternal security.
To put ourselves under the law (the idea of having control of our own righteousness) in any one point makes us responsible to keep the whole law. (Gal. 5:3, Jas. 2:10) This is something we do not want to do. So how can you know when you are leaving the arena of grace and putting yourself back under the Old Covenant?
It happens when we stop trusting in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning blood in any area of our life. It happens when we stop trusting in God’s promises under the New Covenant, and return to a system of works to determine our righteousness. What are some of the symptoms of this works mentality of legalism?
Major symptoms include a spirit of unforgiveness. This can be applied to ourselves and others. When we judge ourselves too harshly for failures, or when we judge others too harshly for their sins and transgressions, we are leaving the realm of grace for legalism and self-righteousness. We are told to forgive others in the awareness of how desperately we also need forgiveness. (Matt. 6:12-15)
Guilt, which leads to shame and a loss of joy, is also a symptom. If your sins are forgiven, where is your guilt? When Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery, was she still guilty? (Jo. 8:11) The law commanded she be put to death. (Lev. 20:10) Jesus forgiveness supersedes the law. Nothing good comes from turning away from grace for our salvation and daily provision. Jesus died on the cross that we might be free from the power of sin, and the guilt that accompanies sin. (Rom. 6:16-18)
Fear. When we fail to trust that God loves us as His children, we naturally have a fear of God’s judgment. This fear is often instilled by seeing other Christians who are unloving in their behavior. It may even come from family members who, struggling with their own desires for self-control, also model fear of impending judgment. (1 Jo. 4:18)
Spiritual Arrogance. The Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus time are repeatedly held up as examples of spiritual pride, which abuses authority. This sin attitude led to the pronouncement by Jesus of seven woes that would befall the religious leaders of that time. (Matt. 23)
THE DIVIDING LINE
We may well ask then, when did the Old Covenant end and the New begin? The scriptures say the dividing line occurred the night before Jesus execution. (Matt. 26:26-28) It should be noted that Jesus had been teaching primarily about the character and Kingdom of God in the years leading up to His crucifixion. However, without the shedding of blood, no covenant can be in effect. (Heb 9:13-18) In fact, what occurs that night is Jesus finishing His fulfillment of the Old Covenant and His institution of the New Covenant. By fulfilling the Old, He became able to be our mediator for the New. (Heb. 9:14-22)
Remembering the timing of that dividing line in scripture, we understand that most of Jesus teachings were in regard to the Old Covenant, and what it meant to meet God’s standards for holiness and properly fulfill it. While some of His teachings related to the soon coming New Covenant, He primarily focused on explaining the true meaning of and fulfilling the Old Covenant.
An example of this is His teaching at the Sermon on the Mount. (Matt. 5-7) In these passages, He points out what a person would have to do to not fall short of God‘s holiness through obedience to the law. He points out in Matt. 5:17 that He has come to fulfill the Law. He teaches in vs. 21-22 that the commandment said, “Thou shalt not kill”, but in truth, God’s standard of holiness is so high, that if you were simply angry with your brother, you are in danger of judgment, and if you call him a fool, you will be in danger of hell fire.
In another passage, Jesus said that it was written that men should not commit adultery, but if a man has looked upon a woman with lust in his heart, he has already committed adultery. (5:27-28) He is pointing out how all have failed to obey the law at some point, because God’s true standards are too high for men to reach.
In the very next passage, teaching of the danger of sin, He says that if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out, and if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off. Because it is better to be maimed than to go to hell. (5:29-30) But who obeys this teaching?
In the next verses, He points out that the law said all a man has to do to divorce his wife is write out a bill of divorcement. However, the truth is that if he does this for any cause but adultery, he causes his former wife to commit adultery with her next husband, and that next husband would also be guilty of adultery. (5:30-31)
Who then could find hope with such high standards? Who could be free from sin? No mortal man could ever fulfill these standards. Yet many in churches apply these Old Covenant standards to their members today. Why maintain the Old Covenant standards of marriage and the perpetuation of adultery, when no one fulfills Jesus command to pluck out their eye or cut off their hand?
While calling a brother or sister a fool, or looking on someone with lust in our hearts, or divorcing for reasons other than adultery are all sins, they are all atoned for by the Blood of the Lamb. (Jo. 1:29) The Bible clearly states that only the “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit” (angrily speaking against the guidance of the Spirit) is an unforgivable sin. (Matt. 12:31) Why do we pick and choose from a list laws to judge ourselves or others unjustly? If we are under grace, ALL our sins are forgiven. (Eph. 1:7)
Tithing is part of the Old Covenant. It was replaced by giving in the New Covenant. Tithing was giving 10% of all your income, including goods, to the Temple in Jerusalem. Giving under the New Covenant should be according to the abundance which we have received and the needs of our family in Jesus Christ. (Lu. 18:22, Acts 2:45, 1 Co. 16:2, 2 Co. 9:6) There is no Temple in Jerusalem to tithe too at this point in history. If some like to use 10% as a guideline for giving to the work of the Lord, that is good, but it is not a sin to those who don’t tithe. The Old Covenant has ended, and for those who walk in grace, the lesson has been learned. While the Spirit may lead some to give 25, 50 or even 100%, the Spirit may also lead God’s people to be responsible citizens, pay their bills and feed their children. There is always sufficient provision for the Lord’s work without imposing Old Covenant laws. (1 Chr. 29:14-16, Ps. 50:10)
Since many greatly feared of failing the law, they would create “extensions” to existing laws. We still find this in churches today. Our brothers and sisters are judged as committing sin if they smoke, drink beer or don’t attend every church service. All of these things are “outer fence” laws, or laws created beyond God’s directions for the perceived protection of the people. Now Christians should avoid these actions if it offends the weaker members of the local body. Some through ignorance or fear may believe these extra-biblical laws to be good, and judge others unfairly. The stronger in the church must bear the weaker, even if it means giving something up for the sake of maintaining unity in the body of Christ. (1 Co. 10:27-33)
WHAT THE LAW COULDN’T DO
What the Old Covenant law could not do was to take away sins, (Heb. 10:4, 11) which is really what we need the most. Since the law was insufficient to take away sins, it also could not grant salvation/eternal life.
Without remission of sins, fallen mankind cannot be reconciled to a holy God. Reconciliation is the restoration of the relationship we were intended to have with our Father and Creator. (Rom. 5:10) So where the law could teach the truth of the gap that existed between God and man, it was insufficient to bridge that gap.
THE NEW COVENANT
Mankind needed a New Covenant to realize what all long for, which is to be reconciled to God, to have the close relationship He created us for, and the salvation which would accompany that relationship. Since the blood of bulls and goats was insufficient to take away sin, a holier, eternal sacrifice was required. Yet such a perfect sacrifice could only come from God Himself. (Heb. 9:11-15) So what are the terms of the New Covenant?
All covenants have requirements placed on both parties. The New Covenant, being between mankind and the Lord, is no different. The terms, secured in the blood of Jesus Christ, were these. On God’s behalf, He requires “whosoever” to believe that Jesus is His Son, that Jesus lived a sinless life, died on a cross for the sins of the whole world, and rose again on the third day. We must also believe that the blood of Jesus takes away our sins, and in turn we now possess the righteousness of Jesus Christ. (2 Co. 5:21) These are God’s requirements for us. And with the New Covenant came one new commandment, that we as the Body of Christ love one another the way Jesus Christ loves us. (Jo. 13:34-35) Note, there are no works for man to do. The requirement is that we believe what is written.
In return, the Lord gives “whosoever” that believes life. Spiritual life now, and eternal life to come. (Rom. 8:2) The New Covenant in this passage is called the “Law of the Spirit of Life”. We are now made free from “the law of sin and death” to walk in “newness of life” (Rom 6:4) and “newness of spirit” (Rom. 7:6).
We are also sealed with the Spirit and given the “earnest” (a down payment or security) of the Holy Spirit in our lives immediately. (2 Co. 1:22) To be sealed means that the Lord has claimed us as belonging to Him. This seal is of importance in obtaining deliverance from the coming wrath of God. (Ezek. 9:4)
The Holy Spirit now enters and remains with all who agree to the New Covenant because the relationship between mankind and God has been restored, or reconciled. This reconciliation allows all of the blessings of God to flow through believers by the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 5:10-11, 8:32)
One immediate benefit of faith in the New Covenant is freedom from fear. This is because we are now free from fear of condemnation for our sins. (Rom. 8:1-2) As mentioned earlier, the New Covenant is evidence of God’s perfect love for us, and when we enter into this covenant by faith, that perfect love frees us from the fear of condemnation. (1 Jo. 4:18)
GRACE
God’s grace to us is “manifold” (1 Pet. 4:10), meaning varied or multi-sided. While thankfully it contains the remission of sins, it contains so much more. God’s grace is available for all of our needs in life. (2 Co. 12:9, Phil. 4:13)
One of the major gifts received in grace is that the believer is delivered from bondage to sin. (Rom 6:1-18) This may seem like an unattainable goal, but it is written that this is a fact. Believers who struggle with habitual sin are actually struggling with their faith that Jesus has freed them from the power of sin. When Christians try to overcome sin in their own strength, they are defeated before the fight begins. It should also be noted that some Christians are led to the Lord with the belief that life in this world becomes easier. In fact, the Christian should expect to suffer as did the Lord Jesus. (Jo. 15:17-21, 2 Tim. 3:12)
The gifts of God’s grace that we enjoy flow from the work of the Holy Spirit in our life. He is called the Comforter and the Spirit of Truth by Jesus. (Jo. 14:16-17) These are two of the gifts we receive through God’s grace. His comfort, and the Spirit of Truth to know He who is The Truth. (Jo. 14:6)
Other gifts of the Spirit promised to all believers include:
- He will teach us all things. (Jo. 14:26)
- He will help believers to recall the teachings of Jesus. (and all of God’s words) (Jo. 14:26)
- He will give believers the peace Jesus promised (Jo. 14:27), the peace that passes all understanding. (Ph. 4:7)
- He empowers believers to abide in Jesus, thus bearing much fruit. (Jo. 15:1-8)
- He will guide believers in all truth. (Jo. 16:13)
- He will show believers “things to come”. (Jo. 16:13)
- He will glorify Jesus (in believers) as He takes what belongs to Jesus and declares it to believers. (Jo. 16:14)
Beyond what’s listed above, the Holy Spirit empowers individual believers with specific gifts according to the will of God and the need of the Body of Christ (the Church). 1 Co. 12:7 states that some of these gifts are given to each member (meaning different individuals will be given different gifts) of the Body of Christ. These specific gifts include:
- The word of wisdom. (1 Co. 12:8)
- The word of knowledge. (1 Co. 12:8)
- Faith. (1 Co. 12:9)
- Gifts of healing. (1 Co. 12:9)
- The working of miracles (power). (1 Co. 12:10)
- Prophecy (predictions, declaring God‘s word by divine inspiration).
- Discerning of spirits. (1 Co. 12:10)
- Diverse types of tongues (languages). (1 Co. 12:10)
- Interpretation of tongues (languages). (1 Co. 12:10)
- Teaching (as guided by the Holy Spirit). (1 Co. 12:28)
- Helps (Spirit given gift of aid). (1 Co. 12:28)
- Governing (Spirit aided Directors). (1 Co. 12:28)
Paul importantly adds in this section of scripture that the same Holy Spirit gives different gifts that we may act as a unit together, the Body of Christ. (1 Co. 12:13) The gifts are given according to God‘s good pleasure. (1 Co. 12:18) Paul also addressed and settled the controversies on the gifts of tongues in 1 Co. 14.
In Rom. 12:4-8 Paul mentions specific gifts again, adding ministry (service), exhortation (encourage, supplicate), and showing mercy (aid).
This is but a brief overview, but let me finish by listing the “fruit” of the Spirit, which should be manifest in all believers. Jesus mentioned this fruit as a result of abiding in Him in John 15. Abiding in Jesus is another gift of the New Covenant that is accomplished through faith in Christ’s finished work. The list of the fruits of the Spirit as found in Gal. 5:22-23 includes:
- love
- joy
- peace
- longsuffering
- gentleness
- goodness
- faith
- meekness
- temperance (self-control).
These fruit should be born by all believers, perhaps not in the same quantity by all, but certainly to some degree as grace performs it’s perfect work through faith.
Dec 17, 2011
The Mark of the Beast: It Is A Choice
This is a brief examination of the term "mark" as used in Revelation. My compelling interest here is for the reader to understand that the mark will not simply be a microchip or some type of nanotechnology, although that may be a component of it. The mark will be something clearly visible on those who receive it.
“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” (Rev. 13:16-17)
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| The Serpent encircling the Earth |
Two things cannot be separated from our impressions of the coming anti-Christ; the mark of the Beast, and the number, 666 (Rev. 13:18). These two things have provoked both fascination and great fear in readers for centuries. What is clear about the mark is this; that it will be a visible etching or brand, something that can be clearly seen by others. Many have reasoned in recent decades that the growth of nanotechnology and the reduced size of microchips would mean that the mark would be something of this nature. While it is possible that the mark may include some advanced technology, the scripture uses the Greek word charagma, which means “imprint”, or “brand”, like what might be seen on a domesticated animal. Those who take the mark of the Beast take his “brand”.
In verse 17 we see that to do any transactions, you must either have the name of the Beast, the number of his name, or the mark. While we don’t know what the mark is yet, if one does not accept the symbol or mark that represents the Beast, the option will be available to take his name or the number of his name, 666, in a form similar to the mark.
It must also be said, that there is no clearer dividing line in history than between those who take the mark of the Beast and those who don’t. Those who take the mark will live, do business, and continue for a short time. However they will eventually be subject to the wrath of God (Rev. 14:9-11) which includes being tormented with fire and brimstone forever. Those who reject the mark will be slain, but spend eternity with the Lord. (Rev. 12:11, 17, 13:15) It is likely that the mark of the Beast is a symbol that is already in use around the world today.
The mark has parallels in scripture. In Ezek. 9:3-7 the Lord has an angel “mark” the foreheads of all those who “sigh” and “cry” over the evil that is done in in Jerusalem and the Temple. Here the mark was the Hebrew letter “tau”, which looks like a cross.
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| The Tau |
It's further clear from the scriptures that a command goes out to the whole world to take the mark. If someone does not take the mark, then "no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." (Rev. 13:17)
All will be given a choice. Take the mark, or the name, or the number. If you don't, you won't be able to buy or sell. You won't even exist in the new world order to come. Now some will obviously resist. This is in Rev. 13:7, where it is written "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints (holy ones/faithful), and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." Further we read that "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." (Rev. 13:8) So the only ones that will resist worshipping this beast are those whose names are written in the Book of Life. That is those believers who don't fall prey to the "great delusion" (2 Thes. 2:11) or the "powers, signs and lying wonders" (2 Thes. 2:9).
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| The Ourobouros |
Now it does seem reasonable that some escape this decision. Those are seen judged by Jesus Christ in Matt. 25:31-46. This is known as the judgment of the sheep and goats. While being called "sheep" has taken on a negative connotation in recent times, especially on the internet, it will be the difference between heaven and hell in this judgment that happens after the Battle at Armageddon. In short, the key to this judgment is those who obviously did not take the mark, but did make a choice. They chose to show mercy to the Lord's "brethren" (vs. 40). They did this by providing water to the thirsty, food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, and visiting the Lord's brethren in prison. (vs. 35-36)
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| The Last Judgment by Giotto |
A final promise to those who refuse the mark is found in Rev. 20:4. In this we learn that they "lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years".
The point of this is to show that even though technology in genetics, nanotech and microchips may actually have the power to alter the human species in myriad ways, the mark of the beast will not be slipped past us in the water supply or sprayed overhead in the air, or given in a vaccination. It will be a choice that each individual will have to make. A choice that affects the eternal destiny of each person. Be prepared to make the right choice.
Is America Babylon?
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| The Whore of Babylon |
I have included the address below for this article, but I have yet to track down the author. I believe the scriptural research to be quite good, although I am not convinced that scriptures fully support that the Antichrist will arise from America.
Part One
http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/america_babylon.htm
The vast majority of Christians in the United States have been taught that America is simply not in Bible prophecy. No matter where one may turn, America is not there, either by name or by any form of code name either. Thus say the host of America's Christian clergy to their flock. The second thing they are told is that Babylon is NEVER TAUGHT ANYWHERE IN SCRIPTURE AS A NATION. Babylon is a SYSTEM, and most view it as a RELIGIOUS SYSTEM OF SOME SORT.
Prophecy said these views would surface at the time of end. It is the mark of apostasy to DENY YOUR IDENTITY, YOUR SIN, AND THE TIME OF YOUR VISITATION. In fact, that is the essence of all apostasy, THE REJECTION OF SCRIPTURE AS IT APPLIES TO A PERSON, COMMUNITY OR NATION. It is always SOMEONE ELSE, SOMEWHERE ELSE, AND AT SOME UNKNOWN "FUTURE TIME". Never is it NOW, US and OUR NATION.
Does it not seem odd to you that America, the GREATEST NATION IN THE WORLD, the greatest evangelical nation; that took the Gospel of Christ to the four corners of the world; THE RICHEST NATION ON THE EARTH, who has given more aid to nations than any other; THE NATION TO HAVE WON TWO MAJOR WORLD WARS and many others; IS NOT EVEN MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE? That God would forget a nation that has been central to the survival of Israel in this age? Not even in a cryptic way?
That is like saying God is blind in one eye, and cannot see out of the other! It is accusing God of utter negligence! But it is not God who is NEGLIGENT. It is not God who FORGOT AMERICA in prophecy. It is not God who failed to paint a picture that was obvious to those that wanted to find it. IT IS NOT GOD, BUT THE FALSE PROPHETS OF AMERICA WHO HAVE UTTERLY FAILED THEIR FLOCK. They are DECEIVED, AND THUS ARE DECEIVERS AND HYPOCRITES, FOR THEY LEAD MILLIONS TO ETERNAL RUIN.
God told the citizens of BABYLON THE GREAT, AMERICA, exactly what would happen in America, and pointed a finger directly at the CHRISTIAN SHEPHERDS. Why do you suppose that God would do that? Why would He pick a specific group and lay the blame right at their feet? Because it is GOD'S PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE ANTICHRIST NATION, THE NATION THAT SPAWNS ANTICHRIST. Remember that antichrist rises in DECEPTION.
"My people (Christians) hath been LOST SHEEP
(UNSAVED, UNREGENERATE - HELL BOUND):
THEIR SHEPHERDS
(THE CHRISTIAN CLERGY, THE EVANGELISTS, THE PREACHERS, THE TEACHERS)
HAVE CAUSED THEM TO GO ASTRAY,..(Jeremiah 50:6).
The shepherds of God's people in Babylon America embrace a FALSE SALVATION GOSPEL (Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Peter 2:1-3), which leads MILLIONS into eternal ruin. Their salvation Gospel is an UTTERLY FALSE GOSPEL. It is "sugar-coated", and an ALL POSITIVE GOSPEL. That is what Jeremiah means when he says: "they have turned them AWAY on the MOUNTAINS; they have gone from MOUNTAIN TO HILL, they have FORGOTTEN THEIR RESTING PLACE."
God fights His wars IN THE VALLEY. True salvation lies IN THE VALLEY. If you refuse the VALLEY EXPERIENCE (THE NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF THE SALVATION DOCTRINE) you will never FIND YOUR RESTING PLACE. Jesus said you MUST PICK UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW HIM. Babylon's gospel of salvation HAS NO CROSS, NO DEATH OF SELF, AND THEREFORE NO TRUE LIFE. It is an utterly false salvation doctrine. IT SWEEPS THE VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICAN CHRISTIANS INTO ETERNAL HELLFIRE. That is why God says they ARE LOST SHEEP. They ARE lost, LOST FOREVER.
"We are confounded, because we have heard REPROACH;
SHAME HATH COVERED OUR FACES:
FOR STRANGERS ARE COME INTO THE SANCTUARIES OF THE LORD'S HOUSE
(Jeremiah 51:51)."
Indeed, the false Christian clergy ARE STRANGERS and they hold forth a FALSE GOSPEL, that leads to their REPROACH AND LOSS at the judgment seat of Christ. They shall one and all BE ASHAMED, and now face ETERNAL RUIN FOR EVER AND EVER. This is the primary reason why AMERICAN CHRISTIANS reject that America is Babylon. They have been UTTERLY MISLEAD BY FALSE SHEPHERDS. It is part of prophecy. BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE ONE OF THEM! You can extricate yourself from God's disfavor by SIMPLY ACCEPTING WHAT GOD SAYS AS FACT, and rejecting all the nonsense of these hell bound false leaders.
In this first part of our investigation we will focus on the aspect of whether or not God teaches that Babylon the Great is in fact A NATION AMONG THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD. GOD SAYS BABYLON IS A NATION. To claim otherwise is to utterly contradict GOD and all of HIS PROPHETS that spoke of BABYLON. The mark of a FALSE TEACHER is one who DENIES OR CONTRADICTS THE WORD OF GOD, usually in an effort to prove his/her views correct. WE ARE ALL LIARS, AND GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO TELLS THE TRUTH.
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| The unearthed Ishtar Gate, now residing in Berlin |
The issue before you, then, is not your opinion, your biases, your intelligence, your standing before God, your education or your denominational belief structure. IT IS WHETHER OR NOT YOU WILL ACCEPT WHAT GOD HAS TO SAY EXACTLY AS HE SAYS IT. The vast majority of Christians WILL NOT ACCEPT WHAT GOD HAS TO SAY. They refuse it, alter it, deny it, contradict it, or pervert it, and twist it. THIS IS EXACTLY WHY CHRIST SAID THE VAST MAJORITY OF CHRISTIANS WILL NEVER ENTER HEAVEN AT ALL. They shall be ETERNALLY SENT AWAY INTO RUIN AND LOSS. It was not that they COULD NOT ACCEPT WHAT GOD SAID, but THAT THEY WOULD NOT.
In view of the EXTREME SHORTNESS OF THE HOUR, PLEASE SIMPLY ACCEPT WHAT GOD HAS TO SAY, and take it into your heart. NO MATTER HOW IT MAKES YOU FEEL, DO IT NOW!!
FACT ONE: BABYLON THE GREAT IS A NATION.
When we say Babylon is a nation, we mean to say that she is A LAWFUL NATION, A NATION WITH SPECIFIC BOUNDARIES, A NATION RECOGNIZED IN INTERNATIONAL LAW, A NATION CAPABLE OF ENTERING INTO TREATIES, A NATION WITH A CENTRAL GOVERNMENT, AND A NATION RECOGNIZED BY THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH. That is a nation with a SPECIFIC LAND MASS, DEFINED BOUNDARIES BY LAW, A NATION WITH A PEOPLE THAT GO BY A SPECIFIC NAME, A NATION WITH URBAN AREAS, CITIES, TOWNS AND RURAL DISTRICTS, FARMS, LAKES, FORESTS, ETC. That is what we mean by a nation, and that is what GOD MEANS BY A NATION.
Babylon is referred to in the Scriptures as a nation both directly and indirectly. Often the term KINGDOM and NATION are used interchangeably. We will first of all examine those areas in the Old Testament prophecies that identify BABYLON THE GREAT as a nation, as a SINGULAR ENTITY, not some world wide system. Jeremiah 50:12 is a good place to start:
"Your mother shall be sore confounded;
she that bare you shall be ashamed:
BEHOLD, THE HINDER-MOST OF THE NATIONS
shall be a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert."
This is a direct reference to BABYLON THE GREAT, who is also called THE DAUGHTER OF BABYLON. Jeremiah calls her directly THE HINDERMOST OF THE NATIONS. You view this his perspective, as he looks down the tunnel of time - the HINDERMOST from him would be the LAST BABYLON. That means the LAST BABYLON TO RISE BEFORE THE END. The last and the YOUNGEST OF ALL THE GREAT NATIONS AT THE END TIME. In comparison with the other nations of the world, at the time of the end, SHE WILL BE THE YOUNGEST AND ALSO THE MOST POWERFUL NATION AMONG THE GREAT NATIONS. America fits that description perfectly. She is the YOUNGEST and yet the most powerful NATION among the NATIONS of the world.
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| UN Building, New York City |
We know for a fact that this must refer to a limited LAND MASS AREA WITH SPECIFIC BOUNDARIES, for THE WHOLE WORLD IS NOT DESTROYED, but BABYLON THE NATION IS DESTROYED. This latter day Babylon has a mother, which is also a NATION. This mother was responsible for "birthing" this mighty Babylon of the end times. If Iraq is Babylon as some try to claim, WHO IS THE MOTHER OF IRAQ? If you read this verse carefully, it says that the MOTHER NATION PRECEDED BABYLON, GAVE BIRTH TO HER, WATCHES HER RISE TO FULL POWER, AND WATCHES HER DIE IN FIRE. Again, WHO IS THE MOTHER OF IRAQ? Iraq has none.
Who is the mother of Rome, which is often presented as BABYLON? Rome is not a nation, but a city. Further, SHE HAS NO MOTHER. Who is the mother of the EC, which is often presented as BABYLON, THE REVIVED ROMAN EMPIRE? In point of fact, SHE WILL HAVE NO MOTHER, and further, BABYLON THE GREAT is always shown as a SINGLE NATION FROM HER BIRTH TO HER RISE TO FULL POWER AND GLORY. The EC does not qualify. Each parameter must be fulfilled. You CANNOT PICK AND CHOSE that which you wish to present to prove your case.
However, AMERICA has a mother. This mother was DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR HER BIRTH. That mother PRECEDED HER. England has been around awhile. England gave birth to America, and England is still around, and ENGLAND WILL WATCH AMERICA BURN. England is further confirmed as the mother of BABYLON THE GREAT by Daniel the Prophet in Daniel 7:4 (THE LION). Ezekiel also mentions it in Ezekiel 38/39 as "TARSHISH", who gives birth to "young cubs". Tarshish is a cryptic reference to ENGLAND and her young cubs are America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc. Daniel refers to her as a LION. The national symbol of England is A LION. The eagle wings on top the lion IS AMERICA, HER DAUGHTER. America's national symbol is THE EAGLE WITH OUTSTRETCHED WINGS.
BABYLON THE GREAT IS A NATION. We would not need any other reference to prove it, because ONE DIRECT REFERENCE IS ENOUGH! There are many more. Habakkuk is a key prophet in identification of BABYLON THE GREAT. He is usually ignored by prophecy "experts".
"For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans (New Babylon),
THAT BITTER AND HASTY NATION,
which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces
that are not their's
(Habakkuk 1:6)".
Notice the term NATION. Not NATIONS, or any GROUP OF NATIONS, but always ONE NATION, A SINGULAR NATION. Again God calls BABYLON THE GREAT A NATION. She is also referred to as a KINGDOM, the same as a nation. Babylon is always referred to IN THE SINGULAR.
"And BABYLON, THE GLORY OF KINGDOMS,
the beauty of the Chaldee's excellency,
shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah
(Isaiah 13:19)."
Here Isaiah calls Babylon A KINGDOM, in fact, she IS THE QUEEN AMONG ALL THE KINGDOMS/NATIONS OF THE EARTH. She is the leading power of the WHOLE WORLD. Notice her end: BY FIRE. That is EXACTLY WHAT JEREMIAH SAYS, and that is EXACTLY WHAT REVELATION 17 and 18 say. SHE WILL BE BURNED UTTERLY WITH FIRE. From coast to coast, from sea to shining sea. There is a complete HARMONY OF SCRIPTURE.
"Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness,
O DAUGHTER OF THE CHALDEANS:
for thou shalt no more be called,
THE LADY OF KINGDOMS
(Isaiah 47:5)."
Isaiah again refers to her as THE QUEEN OF ALL THE KINGDOMS. She is presented in Scripture as being the MOST POWERFUL OF ALL END TIME NATIONS. None can come close to her in terms to WEALTH, POWER, MILITARY, AGRICULTURE, MANUFACTURING, MU-SIC, CATTLE, HORSES, AUTO-MOBILES AND TRUCKS, AIR-CRAFT AND SPACE EXPLORATION. All of these attributes are listed by the prophets as they describe BABYLON THE NATION. The point being she is REPEATEDLY REFERRED TO AS A SINGULAR KINGDOM, A SINGULAR NATION.
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| UN Meditation Room, where all religions meet to become one |
Babylon the Great is also referred to as the DAUGHTER OF BABYLON, and also THE DAUGHTER OF THE CHALDEANS. It is important to note that IT IS AGAIN A SINGULAR DAUGHTER. It is not DAUGHTER(S) OF BABYLON, but the ONE SINGULAR DAUGHTER. The word for "daughter" is "bath", and it means OFFSPRING OR DESCENDENT of Babylon. LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER. It means that this DAUGHTER OF BABYLON will be OF THE SAME TYPE, OF THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS.
Ancient Babylon was the splendor of the world. She was the center of world trade, the richest and most powerful nation in the known world. Jesus said that AS IT WAS, SO SHALL IT BE!
"For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel;
THE DAUGHTER OF BABYLON is like a threshingfloor,
it is time to thresh her: yet a little while,
and the time of her harvest shall come
(Jeremiah 51:33)."
Mighty Babylon, THE GREAT NATION OF THE END TIMES, is going to be PULVERIZED. She is to be UTTERLY DEMOLISHED FOR HER SINS.
"Come down, and sit in the dust, O VIRGIN DAUGHTER OF BABYLON,
sit on the ground: THERE IS NO THRONE,
O DAUGHTER OF THE CHALDEANS:
for thou shalt no more be called TENDER AND DELICATE
(Isaiah 47:1)."
Here Isaiah calls BABYLON THE GREAT the QUEEN OF THE NATIONS, but her throne has been taken from her. She has been REMOVED AS THE MOST POWERFUL NATION IN THE WORLD, and made to sit in the dust. Notice the SINGULAR ASPECT, ONE DAUGHTER, ONE THRONE, ONE QUEEN. BABYLON THE GREAT IS NOT A GROUP OF NATIONS AS THE EC, OR A SYSTEM, BUT ONE NATION, a nation that SPAWNS ALL THE END TIME SYSTEMS OF THE WORLD: POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND RELIGIOUS. In other words BABYLON THE NATION is responsible for the BABYLONIAN WORLD WIDE SYSTEM IT CREATES. And behind it all stands MYSTERY - WHICH THE BIBLE DEFINES AS SECRET RELIGIOUS ORDERS.
The Lord also uses the word "MOUNTAIN" to describe a kingdom or nation. Jeremiah 51 is a prophecy against the nation Babylon. Jeremiah says in 51:25:
"Behold, I am against thee, O DESTROYING MOUNTAIN,
saith the Lord, which destroyest ALL THE EARTH:
and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee,
and roll thee down from the rocks (other nations), and will make thee a
BURNT MOUNTAIN (nation)."
Notice again it is a SINGULAR MOUNTAIN, not MOUNTAINS in the plural. Notice how the Lord calls BABYLON THE GREAT A MOUNTAIN, and the other nations are ROCKS. So Babylon, compared to the other NATIONS OF THE WORLD, is a MOUNTAIN AMONG THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD. She is again portrayed as the BIGGEST, MOST POWERFUL SINGULAR NATION IN THE WORLD.
With one accord, the prophets say that BABYLON IS A SINGULAR NATION. This is vital to your understanding AS TO WHY AMERICA PLAYS THE ROLE SHE PLAYS IN END TIME PROPHECY. It is America, THE NATION BABYLON THE GREAT, that is held responsible BY GOD for all the evils that spread over the whole earth. IT IS FROM THE NATION BABYLON THE GREAT, and specifically FROM THE LITERAL CITY WITHIN THE NATIONAL BOUNDARIES OF BABYLON, CALLED MYSTERY BABYLON, THE GREAT CITY BABYLON, that all of these systems are spawned and nourished by the RICH MEN OF THE EARTH. In short, NEW YORK CITY, the GREATEST CITY WITHIN AMERICA, is held by God as being the CHIEF INSTIGATOR AND PROPAGATOR OF ALL THE EVIL SYSTEMS SHE CREATES.
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| Post from the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York |
The argument that Babylon is ONLY A WORLD SYSTEM utterly contradicts the Lord God and his prophets. BABYLON IS ALWAYS PRESENTED AS A NATION THAT GOES FORTH FROM ONE SPECIFIC LOCATION AND FROM THAT LOCATION CONQUERS THE WHOLE WORLD THROUGH THE SYSTEMS SHE CREATED. A spider weaves a large web, but she has to start from one place. Scripture is adamant and clear: SHE BEGINS AT BABYLON THE NATION, AND BABYLON THE CITY. Through her slowly expanding system of trade, economics, military power, political power and religious power, BABYLON'S WEB SNARES THE WORLD.
That is why God says that THE BLOOD OF THE SAINTS, THE PROPHETS AND ALL THAT WERE SLAIN UPON THE EARTH (Revelation 18:24), CAN BE TRACED BACK TO BABYLON THE NATION, AND TO BABYLON THE LITERAL CITY. It always comes back to roost at the feet of a SINGULAR NATION AND A CITY. America is turning rapidly ANTI-CHRISTIAN. The UNITED NATIONS, for all of its speech about HATRED AND INTOLORENCE, is ANTI-CHRISTIAN TO ITS CORE. God speaks to the United Nations in the Psalms, and MOCKS THEM for taking HIS WORDS IN THEIR MOUTH and then PERVERTING THEM, REVERSING THEM.
The KING OF BABYLON THE NATION, is presented in the Scripture AS THE ANTICHRIST (LUCIFER). THIS KING, OF THE NATION BABYLON THE GREAT, goes forth and conquers and then RULES OVER THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD. Check Isaiah 14:4-6, Jeremiah 51:25; 44; Habakkuk 1:6-10; 2:4-5; Revelation 13:7-8; 17:18; 18:24, and you will see this. It is THE KING OF BABYLON in every single instance that GOES FORTH TO CONQUER AND TO DESTROY AND RULE THE NATIONS. It is ALWAYS BABYLON THE NATION AND THE CITY, from whence he gets his POWER TO DO IT. It is BABYLON THE NATION, through its deceptive front THE UNITED NATIONS, that rules the world FROM THE GREAT CITY BABYLON, which is NEW YORK CITY. That is why the UN is located in NEW YORK. It is no accident. It is not a coincidence!!
That means that THE KING OF BABYLON must be, and has to be, A PRESIDENT/RULER OVER BABYLON THE NATION, and will also be at the end, A SUPER SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS, A WORLD PRESIDENT. The occult knows ALL OF THIS. It is in almost all of their writings. They have written about the SECRET DESTINY OF AMERICA. Isaiah and Jeremiah claim the occult have labored from the inception of the nation to bring LUCIFER into the world. If the OCCULT FORCES KNOW THAT AMERICA IS TO SPAWN AND BE RULED BY LUCIFER (THE KING OF BABYLON), then why cannot Christians ACCEPT IT?
The ANSWER LIES IN THE REJECTION OF THE WORD OF GOD; IN APOSTASY. It lies in an utter refusal to ACCEPT GOD AT HIS WORD. Jeremiah said the Christian leaders in America would UTTERLY REJECT THE TRUTH OF SCRIPTURE, and lead their flocks astray. THAT PROPHECY HAS BEEN FULFILLED IN AMERICA. If you refuse these parameters, you will never understand why America is getting involved, through its front the UNITED NATIONS, in many nations around the world! It is THE KING OF BABYLON or the antichrist (LUCIFER), that goes forth and conquers the nations of the world, AND RULES THEM IN ANGER. You have to START from some specific location, AND THAT LOCATION IS AMERICA, THE NATION, BABYLON THE GREAT.
As one might expect, A NATION would have CITIES within her borders, and if that is true, there would be a reference to same:
"...and I will kindle a fire IN HIS CITIES....
(Jeremiah 50:32).';
"HER CITIES are a desolation,...
(Jeremiah 51:43)."
We find specific references to the CITIES OF BABYLON THE GREAT. The NATION has cities, and great ones at that, for THE CITY BABYLON is a mirror reflection of the NATION and her OTHER CITIES. Thus, in America, NEW YORK CITY is a reflection of MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, CHICAGO, LOS ANGELES, SAN DIEGO, SAN FRANCISCO, DALLAS, HOUSTON, ATLANTA, ETC. The nation is portrayed as the greatest NATION IN THE WORLD. There is none her equal anywhere on the globe. A nation would also have VAST LAND AREAS. If Babylon is truly a NATION, then references to her LAND would be found:
"And against her LAND.."
"that shalt make her land desolate..."
"go forth out of the land."
"the sound of battle is in the land.."
"In the land of the Chaldeans.."
"out of the LAND of Babylon.."
"It is the LAND of graven images.."
"and shall empty HER LAND.."
"A LAND where no man dwelleth.."
"Her WHOLE LAND shall be confounded..."
"and THROUGH ALL HER LAND..."
"from the LAND of the Chaldeans..."
It should be self evident that BABYLON IS A SINGULAR NATION. She has huge cities, but one VERY SPECIAL CITY, THE LARGEST CITY WITHIN HER BORDERS THAT IS ALSO THE LARGEST SEAPORT CITY OF THE NATION! She has a huge land mass, and thus has NATIONAL BOUNDARIES. She is recognized in the family of NATIONS as the greatest nation in the whole earth. America fulfills that parameter.
The context is plain and simple. BABYLON THE GREAT IS AN END TIME NATION, THAT PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN END TIME EVENTS, A SINGULAR ENTITY. To claim otherwise is to UTTERLY CONTRADICT GOD. It is to spit in His face and call him a liar. The refusal to accept the fact that BABYLON THE GREAT IS A NATION AMONG THE NATIONS is one of the PRIMARY REASONS why many modern day prophetic scholars cannot understand WORLD EVENTS, as they relate to literal prophecy. They do not understand who America is, nor WHAT SHE WILL DO. They reject with mocking and vehemence all suggestions that America is BABYLON THE GREAT. They are thus DECEIVED, AND ARE DECEIVING OTHERS.
They are looking at the EC and some form of REVIVED ROMAN EMPIRE, which according to the Scripture, WILL NEVER HAPPEN. Did you know that John the Revelator UTTERLY DENIES A REVIVAL OF ROME? He does! This is not to say the EC is not important, for the EC is in reality the formation of BIOREGION TWO of the UNITED NATIONS TEN WORLD REGIONS. It too will pay a major role in the future. So these folks are always looking at some other place, while ALL OF IT IS HAPPENING RIGHT UNDER THEIR NOSE. The United Nations is rising up right in front of them, the American government is becoming more draconian and dictatorial, more and more openly antichrist, and is now involved in the actual extermination of Christians, such as the Randy Weaver case and the WACO Branch Davidians. and the false prophets CHEERED THEM ON! The nation is engulfed in every antichrist religion in the world, and the false prophets are TOTALLY BLIND AS TO WHY! However, by their refusal to accept the Word of God they fulfill the prophecies against the shepherds of Babylon.
This nation, this SINGULAR ENTITY has certain key CHARACTERISTICS that identify her. In the next issue we will review these PARAMETERS to prove that AMERICA, AND AMERICA ONLY MUST BE, AND IS, BABYLON THE GREAT. There is no other nation upon earth that fulfills the parameters listed for BABYLON THE GREAT, NOT ONE, NOT ANYWHERE! AMERICA ALONE DOES. It is not IRAQ; IT IS NOT ROME; IT IS NOT THE EC. IT IS AMERICA. When you finally begin to grasp that one central key fact, then THE REST OF THE PROPHETIC PICTURE WILL COME INTO CLEAR FOCUS, and you will know WHY AMERICA IS DOING WHAT SHE IS DOING ALL OVER THE WORLD.
You will know why the United Nations is located in New York City. You will understand WHY the nations of the world ALL COME TO BABYLON AMERICA AT THE GREAT TOWER OF BABEL ON THE HUDSON. You will know why America is becoming the headquarters for every anti-God, anti-Christ religion in the world, for it is the CENTRAL SEAT OF BAAL, another name for SATAN/LUCIFER. America is the center of ALL OCCULT ACTIVITY. It falls to the occult. It falls to MYSTERY, and when it does, IT TURNS UPON ITS HERITAGE WITH A VENGENCE and destroys the people of God, and it will use TERRORISM as it primary weapon, claiming that FUNDAMENTALISTS ARE CAPABLE OF, OR CARRYING OUR "ACTS OF TERRORISM". The media will hype it. Don't believe it? Stay around for a few short months or years - and you will watch it happen in front of your eyes. THERE WILL BE A KILLING FIELDS OF AMERICA. God decreed it. It will happen.
You will also understand WHY America was born AS A GODLY, CHRIST FEARING NATION, and why she turns and utterly destroys her heritage and rises up as the LEADING CHRIST HATING NATION IN THE WORLD. It has happened exactly as Jeremiah said it would. You will know why NEW YORK'S WALL STREET is the financial capitol of the world, and why the RICH MEN OF THE EARTH all have offices in THE GREAT CITY BABYLON. You will know why the WORLD TRADE CENTER sits in New York City. You will understand why the New York Stock Exchange is the most important exchange in the world. If Wall Street falls, the WHOLE WORLD FALLS WITH IT! Youl will know why CNN's MONEYLINE with LOU DOBBS comes on the air with the statment "FROM FINANCIAL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD", located in NEW YORK CITY, BABYLON THE GREAT CITY, home of THE UNITED NATIONS.
You will know why New York City is the largest SEAPORT CITY in the Western Hemisphere, and why America is surrounded by warm water seaports and trades by the sea with every nation upon earth. You will see why God said she "sits upon many waters", that is, SHE IS SURROUNDED BY LARGE BODIES OF WATER each with a different name. Thus the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico, The Arctic, the Great Lakes, the mighty Mississippi. You will see what God meant when he said that Babylon the Great would be a nation formed out of every tribe and tongue on earth, who slowly migrated to ONE NATION and formed THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. That is why America has "E PLURIBUS UNUM" as it's motto! It was foretold by God!
You will understand why the U.S. Military is being used by the United Nations, for God said Babylon would have the greatest military machine the world ever knew or ever would know, but in the end, because she rejected Christ, it would fail her. YOU WILL KNOW WHY THE AMERICAN MILITARY IS BEING DOWNSIZED AND IT'S LEADERS ARE CLAIMING THERE IS NO MAJOR THREAT - FOR GOD SAID THEY WOULD DO EXACTLY THAT.
You will know why America is the central nation involved in GLOBALISM, and is the chief instigator of the NEW WORLD ORDER, and why it is America that issued State Department Document 7277. You will know why American Corporations and their leaders have spanned the globe, for they are the MIGHTY MERCHANTS OF BABYLON THE GREAT, whom God calls THE GREAT MEN OF THE EARTH. You will understand why AMERICA WILL BE, AND HAS TO BE THE KEY ANTICHRIST NATION OF THE END TIMES. It is the KING OF BABYLON OF THE NATION BABYLON, that is the LUCIFER. He will go forth in anger and RULE THE WORLD FROM NEW YORK CITY, called the GOLDEN CITY, right at the UNITED NATIONS. (Isaiah 14:4-6). You will understand why the United Nations will be granted the right to TAX, and why it will destroy the nations through that ability! IT IS COMING, AND COMING FAST.
You will know all of this because GOD TOLD US via his prophets, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Habakkuk, and a host of others that the NATION, BABYLON THE GREAT, would be all of this and much more. Jesus Christ said that as it was in the days of Noah, so would it be again. Many Christians do not realize that Noah lived 350 years AFTER the flood. He saw Nimrod's BABYLONIA (The nation). He saw the MIGHTY CITY BABYLON that sat within the boundaries of the nation Babylonia. He saw the TOWER OF BABEL, that was beside the GREAT CITY. AS IT WAS, SO IT SHALL BE AGAIN.
There will be a NATION, at the time of the end, that is A TYPE of ancient BABYLONIA, an offspring, a look alike DAUGTER. Within this New Babylonia will be a large city BY A RIVER. This large city BY A RIVER will reflect the wealth and power of the nation. Within the area of THE GREAT CITY BY A RIVER will be a TOWER OF BABEL, which represents A GLOBAL GOVERNMENT, A GLOBAL ECONOMY, AND A GLOBAL RELIGION.
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| The Roman Goddess Libertas |
This NATION AND CITY are referred to as a LADY, a QUEEN, because she reflects the ancient religion of Old Babylon, which included a QUEEN OF HEAVEN. Thus a symbol of some sort WILL SIT BY THE SHORES OF BABYLON that represents THIS LADY, THIS QUEEN. Is it coincidence that THE STATUE OF LIBERTY, A LADY, sits in NEW YORK HARBOR, NOT FAR FROM THE UNITED NATIONS? OR THAT THOSE INVOLVED WITH THIS STATUE HOLD TO A RELIGION IDENTICAL TO NIMROD, THE FIRST ANTICHRIST? WAKE UP, O YE CHRISTIANS, FOR THE NIGHT IS FAR SPENT!!
It is mere coincidence that America reflects in every way ancient Babylonia? From her laws to her three class system, she mimics ancient Babylon. Is it mere coincidence that within the confines of America's boundaries lies a CITY ON A RIVER? That is known as BABYLON ON THE HUDSON? Is it coincidence that within that City, is a glass tower that sits BY THE RIVER, and that tower represents man's attempt to rule the world without God? Is it coincidence that the United Nation's religion is identical to ANCIENT NIMROD? That the UN stands for GLOBAL GOVERNMENT, and is pushing hard for a one world economy, and wants the world to embrace her RELIGION?
You have a choice to make. You can either believe God or the false prophets of Babylon. You can either accept the truth of Scripture, or the apostasy of the false shepherds. You can either save your soul, and count it worthy, or you can hate your soul, and cast your lot with the Babylonian false shepherds of eternal ruin. IT IS YOUR CHOICE.
THE IDENTITY OF AMERICA AS BABYLON THE GREAT
IS A KEY TO THE MYSTERY OF THE END TIMES.
The Battle of Two Kingdoms
God created man in His image, and man was meant to rule over the earth (Gen. 1:28-30, known as the Dominion Mandate). Satan deceived Adam and Eve, resulting in the curse which brought death, suffering and decay. It also resulted in the forfeiting of man’s right to rule on earth. Satan caused by treachery mankind to lose the authority to rule the earth. Some believe that Satan gained this authority in place of man, but this is never stated explicitly in the scriptures. (Read Matt. 4:8-10 for evidence of this authority.) In this passage in Matthew, Jesus does not deny Satan’s claim, but rather He quotes Deut. 6:13 as a rebuke, stating that we are to worship God alone. Whether this is true or not, Satan is called the “Prince of this world” (Jo. 12:31, 14:40, 16:11) and the “god of this world“, world here being literally aion or age (2Cor. 4:4). As stated in Matthew 4, Satan does have influence over Kings, rulers and the kingdoms of this world. The good news is that Jesus Christ will be with us, even to the end of this age or aion (Matt. 28:20).
This story is about the Lord‘s plan to establish His kingdom on earth. The Lord has a plan to establish His kingdom. We know from the scriptures that the Lord’s kingdom was part of the gospel message (Mk. 1:14-15). Jesus also said that the kingdom of God was near, even within those who believe in Him as the Son of God (Lk. 17:21). Yet we also know from the scriptures that a physical, tangible kingdom is also coming (Rev. 11:15).
Unfortunately, the Devil has a plan to stop the coming of the Kingdom of God. Satan wants to establish a counterfeit kingdom. It will have a counterfeit savior, the anti-Christ. The anti-Christ will be the “seed of the serpent“ prophesied in Gen. 3:14-15. And there will be a counterfeit spiritual leader to inspire the masses, the Beast (Rev. 13:11-15).
Therefore, before the Lord returns, the world will have to deal with this false Kingdom and false Messiah, one who will try to take the place of Jesus Christ on the throne of David. The Bible talks about this plot in the last days, and the desire of those who would have a world ruled by anyone but the rightful ruler, the Lord God, and His Anointed One, Jesus.
THE CONSPIRACY
Psalms 2 gives a very clear view from God’s own throne of the long war against God. Who is it that dares to oppose God? Ps. 2:1-3 -
- the heathens (goyim) - peoples, nations, usually non-Hebrew
- the people (leom) - people in a general sense, nations
- the kings of the earth - (melek erets) - kings of earth
- rulers - (razan) - weighty, bearing great authority, rulers, commanders
And what is it that they are doing against God?
- the heathens rage (ragash) tumult, commotion, plot
- the people imagine a vain thing (hagah riyq) to roar, growl or groan an empty or worthless thing
- the kings of the earth set themselves (yatsab) take a stand, to place
- the rulers take counsel together (yasad yachad) establish a union, conspiracy, plot (with the kings of the earth)
This union of kings and rulers will seek to lead the peoples and nations of the earth against the LORD and HIS MESSIAH (vs.2). They will lead the people to believe that they are “bound” (vs.3) by God and His Anointed (Christ) but can and must cast Him off.
So when does this take place? Ps. 2:4-9 tells us that it will occur when the Lord places His King in the holy hill of Zion (vs. 6) and that His Son (vs. 7) will break them (the kings, rulers, nations) with a rod of iron (vs. 9). We know that these are end time events when we connect them with Ps. 110:5-6 and Rev. 12:5. This psalm is about the conditions that will exist just before the Day of the Lord’s wrath that is prophesied in Rev. 6:12-17, Is. 13:9-10, Joel 2:10, 30-31, Amos 8:9, Matt. 24:29, and many more.
So this plot sets the stage for the events of the last days. The majority of mankind, led by Satanically driven Kings and rulers, turn against God. Not simply denying Him, but empowered by a “great delusion” (2 Th. 2:8-12), the people will revolt against the Lord, seeing Him not as their Creator and Father, but as their enemy.
THE ENEMIES OF GOD - MAN
What did Jesus say about man and his relation to God? Look at John 3:16-21. John in this passage is contrasting salvation with condemnation, light with darkness. In vs. 19 he explains that condemnation is come into the world because the Light (Jesus Christ) came and men “loved the darkness rather than light”. The word for love here is the Greek word agapao, which means to love dearly, to be well pleased or content with. John goes on in vs. 20 to explain that those who do evil (love it) hate the light, lest they be convicted of their evil and turn from it. It is human nature to love darkness more than light, evil more than good. It is the natural course of fallen mankind to pursue evil. Paul states that mankind without God are the “children of wrath” (Eph. 2:3) and “children of disobedience” (Eph. 5:6).
The Lord would have all mankind to be saved (1 Ti. 2:3-4, 2 Pet. 3:9). However, most will reject Jesus Christ as their savior (Matt. 7:14). The point to be made here is not that some will choose spiritual death and hell over life. The point is that most will do so. Many will be lost due to unbelief (Rev. 21:8), thus not realizing the full consequences of their actions. But many willingly will choose to oppose Jesus Christ as their Savior. This is the human basis for the overwhelming number of persons who will turn away from belief in Jesus Christ when the anti-Christ reveals himself. The great apostasy will quickly follow. Apostasy means the falling or turning away from a person or idea that had previously been followed or believed. Both of these events occur just before the return of Jesus Christ (2 Th. 2:3-12).
The next lesson will focus on the other faction of the enemies of God, the spiritual hierarchy which has set itself in opposition to the Lord from the beginning of the Creation.
Summary of the Seven Churches of The Revelation
Let it be noted that the seven churches described in Revelation 2-3 were seven real churches that existed at the time John recorded the vision given by Jesus Christ. However, the letter of Revelation is focused on events at the end of the age. Therefore, it's not a leap of logic to conclude that the seven churches are seven types of the church that will exist in the last days. With that in mind, let's look at the seven types, and let the reader decide which one best describes their own.
SUMMARY OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES REVELATION 2-3
Theme - He that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the seven churches.
The Church of Ephesus - Rev. 2:1-7
Focus Characteristic of Jesus - He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, and walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.
Commendations - Works, labor, patience, cannot bear those who are evil. Tried false apostles and found them to be liars. Born (lifted up) the name of the Lord, had patience and labored for His name‘s sake. Hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans
Concerns - Left their first love.
Warning - Repent, or the Lord will come quickly, and remove the candlestick (the angel, spiritual connection, blessing) appointed to this church.
Offer of Reward - He that overcomes may eat of the Tree of Life.
The Church of Smyrna - Rev. 2:8-11
Focus Characteristic of Jesus - The First and the Last, He which was dead but is now alive.
Commendations - Thy works, tribulations (suffering) and poverty, (but they are rich spiritually), the blasphemy (false accusations) of those who say they are Jews but are not (Synagogue of Satan). (Matt 5:10-12)
Concerns - None.
Warning - The Devil shall cast some of you into prison that you may be tried, and you shall have tribulation for 10 days.
Offer of Reward - Be faithful unto death, and Jesus will give you a crown of life. He that overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.
The Church of Pergamos - Rev. 2:12-17
Focus Characteristic of Jesus - He who has the sharp sword with two edges.
Commendations - Thy works, where thou livest (the persecution) of the seat of Satan, hold fast the faith and name of Jesus, even though Antipas (a faithful member of the church) was slain.
Concerns - Those there who hold the doctrine of Balaam which includes eating food sacrificed to idols and fornication. Also having as members those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, whom the Lord hates.
Warning - Repent, or I will come quickly, and fight against those members mentioned with the sword of His mouth.
Offer of Reward - Him that overcomes will eat of the hidden manna, and be given a white stone with a new name that no one else knows.
The Church of Thyatira - Rev. 2:18-29
Focus Characteristic of Jesus - The Son of God, whose eyes are like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass.
Commendations - Works, charity, service, faith, patience, works again, the last even more than the first.
Concerns - They suffered (permit) the woman Jezebel, a self-called prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants to commit fornication and eat things sacrificed to idols.
Warning - Cast her into a bed, and those that commit adultery with her into great tribulation unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children.
Offer of Reward - That which you have, hold fast until I come. He that keeps my works until the end, I will give him power over the nations. And I will give him the morning star.
The Church of Sardis - Rev. 3:1-6
Focus Characteristic of Jesus - He that has the seven Spirits of God (Rev. 1:16, 20, 5:12) and the seven stars (angels of the churches).
Commendations - Thy works, thou hast a few names in Sardis which have not defiled their garments.
Concerns - Thou hast a name that thou art alive, but are dead.
Warning - Strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I (Jesus) have not found your works perfect before God. Remember what you have heard and received, and hold fast, and repent. If you will not repent, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know the hour I will come upon you. (1 Th. 5:1-9)
Offer of Reward - He that overcomes shall be clothed in white, and I will not blot his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before the Father and His angels.
The Church of Philadelphia - Rev. 3:7-13
Focus Characteristic of Jesus - He that is Holy and True, and has the Key of David, He that opens and no man shuts, that shuts and no man can open.
Commendations - Thou hast a little strength, and hath kept My word, and not denied My Name. Thou hast kept the Word of My patience, I will also keep you from the hour of temptation that will come upon the whole world, to try those that dwell upon the earth.
Concerns - none.
Warning - I (Jesus) come quickly, hold fast that which thou hast, that no man may take thy crown.
Offer of Reward - I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, and do lie, I will make them to come and worship, to kneel before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Him that overcomes I will make a pillar in the Temple of My God, and he shall go no more out, I will write upon him the Name of My God, and the Name of His city, the New Jerusalem which comes down out of heaven, and I will write upon him My new Name.
The Church of Laodicea - Rev. 3:14-22
Focus Characteristic of Jesus - The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the Creation of God.
Commendations - none.
Concerns - Thy works, because thou are neither cold nor hot. I would rather you were cold or hot. Thou sayest thou are rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thou are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.
Warning - Because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth. I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white clothing, that thou mayest be clothed, and the shame of thy nakedness not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you might see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. (Dan. 3)
Offer of Reward - Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come into him, and sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me in My Throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His Throne.
SUMMARY OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES REVELATION 2-3
Theme - He that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the seven churches.
The Church of Ephesus - Rev. 2:1-7
Focus Characteristic of Jesus - He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, and walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.
Commendations - Works, labor, patience, cannot bear those who are evil. Tried false apostles and found them to be liars. Born (lifted up) the name of the Lord, had patience and labored for His name‘s sake. Hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans
Concerns - Left their first love.
Warning - Repent, or the Lord will come quickly, and remove the candlestick (the angel, spiritual connection, blessing) appointed to this church.
Offer of Reward - He that overcomes may eat of the Tree of Life.
The Church of Smyrna - Rev. 2:8-11
Focus Characteristic of Jesus - The First and the Last, He which was dead but is now alive.
Commendations - Thy works, tribulations (suffering) and poverty, (but they are rich spiritually), the blasphemy (false accusations) of those who say they are Jews but are not (Synagogue of Satan). (Matt 5:10-12)
Concerns - None.
Warning - The Devil shall cast some of you into prison that you may be tried, and you shall have tribulation for 10 days.
Offer of Reward - Be faithful unto death, and Jesus will give you a crown of life. He that overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.
The Church of Pergamos - Rev. 2:12-17
Focus Characteristic of Jesus - He who has the sharp sword with two edges.
Commendations - Thy works, where thou livest (the persecution) of the seat of Satan, hold fast the faith and name of Jesus, even though Antipas (a faithful member of the church) was slain.
Concerns - Those there who hold the doctrine of Balaam which includes eating food sacrificed to idols and fornication. Also having as members those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, whom the Lord hates.
Warning - Repent, or I will come quickly, and fight against those members mentioned with the sword of His mouth.
Offer of Reward - Him that overcomes will eat of the hidden manna, and be given a white stone with a new name that no one else knows.
The Church of Thyatira - Rev. 2:18-29
Focus Characteristic of Jesus - The Son of God, whose eyes are like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass.
Commendations - Works, charity, service, faith, patience, works again, the last even more than the first.
Concerns - They suffered (permit) the woman Jezebel, a self-called prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants to commit fornication and eat things sacrificed to idols.
Warning - Cast her into a bed, and those that commit adultery with her into great tribulation unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children.
Offer of Reward - That which you have, hold fast until I come. He that keeps my works until the end, I will give him power over the nations. And I will give him the morning star.
The Church of Sardis - Rev. 3:1-6
Focus Characteristic of Jesus - He that has the seven Spirits of God (Rev. 1:16, 20, 5:12) and the seven stars (angels of the churches).
Commendations - Thy works, thou hast a few names in Sardis which have not defiled their garments.
Concerns - Thou hast a name that thou art alive, but are dead.
Warning - Strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I (Jesus) have not found your works perfect before God. Remember what you have heard and received, and hold fast, and repent. If you will not repent, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know the hour I will come upon you. (1 Th. 5:1-9)
Offer of Reward - He that overcomes shall be clothed in white, and I will not blot his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before the Father and His angels.
The Church of Philadelphia - Rev. 3:7-13
Focus Characteristic of Jesus - He that is Holy and True, and has the Key of David, He that opens and no man shuts, that shuts and no man can open.
Commendations - Thou hast a little strength, and hath kept My word, and not denied My Name. Thou hast kept the Word of My patience, I will also keep you from the hour of temptation that will come upon the whole world, to try those that dwell upon the earth.
Concerns - none.
Warning - I (Jesus) come quickly, hold fast that which thou hast, that no man may take thy crown.
Offer of Reward - I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, and do lie, I will make them to come and worship, to kneel before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Him that overcomes I will make a pillar in the Temple of My God, and he shall go no more out, I will write upon him the Name of My God, and the Name of His city, the New Jerusalem which comes down out of heaven, and I will write upon him My new Name.
The Church of Laodicea - Rev. 3:14-22
Focus Characteristic of Jesus - The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the Creation of God.
Commendations - none.
Concerns - Thy works, because thou are neither cold nor hot. I would rather you were cold or hot. Thou sayest thou are rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thou are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.
Warning - Because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth. I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white clothing, that thou mayest be clothed, and the shame of thy nakedness not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you might see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. (Dan. 3)
Offer of Reward - Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come into him, and sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me in My Throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His Throne.
The Antichrist, The Third Temple and The Masons by Douglas Hamp
Why will Satan give the Beast (Antichrist) all of his power and authority and why will the world follow this person as their savior, worship him, and take his mark? While we cannot know him by name, we can draw a composite with the biblical elements of what this person will be like just like the witness to a crime can, with the help of an artist, reconstruct the face of the defendant. He will come geographically from the former Roman Empire (Daniel 9:26), which surrounded the entire Mediterranean Sea (Daniel 7:2; Revelation 13:1); he (and or his empire) will possess the qualities (and perhaps geographic locations) of the former beasts (Revelation 13:2); he will rise up to be among the ten horns of the last beast (empire); he will have all the power and authority of Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:2, 4); he will sit in the temple, show his powers as god and erect an image (Daniel 8:11, 9:27, 11:31, 12:12; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Revelation 13:15); he will be the genetic son of Satan (Genesis 3:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:3? Daniel 2:43). Now let’s consider in detail all of these qualities.
From the former Roman Empire
The former Roman Empire was an area that stretched from west North Africa to parts of the Middle East. He may be European but he could also be from North Africa, Turkey or from the Middle East. He could be from a Muslim country or from a historically Christian country, though he himself will not truly be a believer in either (Daniel 1:37). Nevertheless, he will most likely be nominally religious for appearances.
Rises up out of the Great Sea
The Great Sea (Daniel 7:2; Revelation 13:1), as spoken of by Daniel is simply the Hebrew way of saying the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, the general area that the beast will come out of is the countries surrounding the Mediterranean, confirmation that he will rise out of the previous Roman Empire.
Possible Candidates
There are a number of groups such as the Theosophists, Yale’s Skull and Bones Society, Illuminati and the Masons that fit extremely well the description of the coming Antichrist (see the table below). There are many similarities between these groups and very generally speaking they are working toward the same goals. However, for simplicity, we will focus on the Masons since they comprehensively cover the beliefs and practices of the secret societies in general. As a note, the goal is not to give a complete exposé of the Masons as that would require several tomes[i] but to see why one of their own best fits the description of the coming Antichrist. What we see is that the keys points of the coming Antichrist are in fact the key beliefs of the Masons (and others).
Comparison of the Antichrist with
the beliefs and plans of the Masons
Bible (Antichrist) Masons (and others) beliefs/doctrines plans
Serves Lucifer/Satan Serves Lucifer/Satan
Opposed to God Believe Adonai (God) is bad
Focused on the temple Temple of Solomon of central importance
Rebuild temple (in order to be able to sit in it) Awaiting right man with vision to rebuild
Will rule over the entire earth Will establish New World Order
Understands sinister schemes Use deception and symbols to keep secrets even from lower level initiates
Serves Lucifer
Only at the highest levels of his craft does the Mason discover who is the “Great Architect of the Universe” that they so often refer to. Whereas many lower level Masons are led to believe that he must be the Judeo-Christian God, the truth is that they are worshipping Lucifer. Albert Pike, one of the great Masonic historians reveals that the name of the being that the Masons are worshiping is in fact Lucifer. He says:
Lucifer, the Light Bearer! Strange and mysterious name to give to the Spirit of Darkness! Lucifer, the Son of the Morning! Is it he who bears the Light and with its splendors intolerable blinds feeble, sensual or selfish Souls?[ii]
However, perhaps the most revealing as to what Pike truly believed he stated on July 14, 1889 in Instructions to the 23 Supreme Councils of the World:
The masonic religion should be, by all of us initiates of the high degrees, maintained in the purity of the Luciferian doctrine […] Yes, Lucifer is God, and unfortunately Adonay also is God […] and the true and philosophical religion is the belief in Lucifer, the equal of Adonay; but Lucifer, God of light and God of good, is struggling against Adonay, the God of darkness and evil. [iii]
Pike was not alone in his understanding that the Masons (and other esoteric societies) were worshipping Lucifer. Manly P. Hall, eulogized by the Scottish Rite Journal after his death in 1990 as the “greatest of all Masonic philosophers”, divulged one of Masonry’s darkest secrets:
When the Mason learns that the key to the warrior on the block is the proper application of the dynamo of living power, he has learned the mystery of his Craft. The seething energies of Lucifer are in his hands and before he may step onward and upward, he must prove his ability to properly handle energy, (emphasis mine). [iv]
It is the “seething energies of Lucifer” that the man that would be the Antichrist will endeavor to have – that “dynamo of living power”. Even though this person has presumably everything that a person could potentially desire (power, money, etc.) it is the lust for ever greater power that will cause the person to combine himself with the dark Lord that he serves.
He Will Rebuild the Temple
Many people have assumed that the Antichrist will necessarily be Jewish because of his intense drive to rebuild the temple. While it is true that there are many Jews that desire the rebuilding of the temple, the Masons (and other esoteric societies) are perhaps just as passionate about seeing the temple of Solomon rebuilt. In fact, the temple is of central importance and without the focus on the temple they would cease to exist. John Wesley Kelchner writes in the foreword to The Holy Bible: The Great Light in Masonry, King James Version, Temple Illustrated Edition: “The Temple of Solomon is the spiritual home of every Mason.”[v] He also declares the following:
The traditions and romance of King Solomon’s Temple […] are of transcendent importance to Masons. The Temple is the outstanding symbol in Masonry, and the legendary story of the building of the Temple is the fundamental basis of the Masonic rule and guide for conduct in life, (emphasis mine). [vi]
In the Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry, Albert Mackey, MD, 33rd and Charles T. McClenachan, 33rd affirm that the temple is the most important object of Masonry:
Of all the objects which constitute the Masonic science of symbolism, the most important, the most cherished, by the Mason, and by far the most significant, is the Temple of Jerusalem. The spiritualizing of the Temple is the first, the most prominent and the most pervading, of all symbols of Freemasonry [...] Take from Freemasonry its dependence on the Temple; leave out of its ritual all references to that sacred edifice, and to the legends and traditions connected with it, and the system itself would at once decay and die, (emphasis mine).[vii]
The Man to Rebuild
Not only is the temple of central importance but there is also a need to “build up” the temple for truth:
The great body of the Masonic Craft, looking only to this first Temple erected by the wisdom of King Solomon, make it the symbol of life; and as the great object of Masonry is the search after truth, they are directed to build up this temple as a fitting receptacle for truth.[viii]
John Wesley Kelchner in the Temple Illustrated Version (KJV) takes the “building up” a step further by indicating that there are so many minute details associated with the Temple that all that is needed is for someone with vision to come along and rebuild the temple.
It is known to every reader of the Bible and student of Solomon’s days, that an amazingly detailed description of the Temple and its associated structures has been carried down from the mists of antiquity by the Scriptures. Lineal measurements, materials employed, and ornamental detail are so graphically presented that restoration of the Temple, at any time within a score of centuries past, awaited only the coming of a man with the vision to recognize its historic value, and the imagination to undertake the task.[ix]
Edward Waite writing in A New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry and of Cognate Instituted Mysteries: The Rites, Literature and History, declares: “in the High Grades [of Masonry] we hear of a secret intention to build yet another temple at Jerusalem.”[x] We therefore see that there are plans to rebuild the temple and they are waiting for a man with vision to undertake the task.
The Balfour Declaration November 2, 1917
Of course, no one could even consider the reconstruction of the Temple if the people of the temple are not actually in the land. Hence, it was necessary that the Jewish people be back in the land. One of the foundational movements toward that reality was the Balfour Declaration which was a letter sent by Arthur James Lord Balfour to Lord Rothschild. The letter “represents the first political recognition of Zionist aims by a Great Power.”[xi]
What is significant about this correspondence is that according to researcher Dr. Stanley Monteith, Balfour was a high ranking Mason (we note, however, that God often allows and uses the wicked to bring about His own purposes i.e. He used the Assyrians to punish the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C. see also 2 Kings 21:14). In fact, we will see that the Masons were centrally responsible for Israel’s reestablishment. Dr. Monteith has summarized what Freemason Cecil Rhodes wrote in his “Confession of Faith”: “Lord Milner was a 33rd degree Mason, William T. Stead was a spiritualist and a Theosophist, and Arthur Balfour was a spiritualist, a Mason, and a member of the Society for Psychical Research.” Dr. Monteith rightly notes: “What most researchers have missed is the fact that most of the men who joined Cecil Rhodes’ secret society were involved in the occult.”[xii] Dr. Monteith again quotes from Cecil Rhodes “Confessions of Faith” wherein he states that he has become a Mason and then states the goal of bringing the world under British control.
In the present day I become a member of the Masonic Order. […] Why should we not form a secret society with but one object, the furtherance of the British Empire, for the bringing of the whole uncivilized world under British rule, for the recovery of the United States, for the making the Anglo-Saxon race but one Empire, (emphasis mine).
Professor Quigley notes that there were “two power blocs that controlled Great Britain during the early decades of the twentieth century. One was led by Lord Cecil, the other by Lord Milner.” Quigley writes:
One of the enduring creations of the Cecil Bloc is the Society for Psychical Research, which holds a position in the history of the Cecil Bloc similar to that held by the Royal Institute of International Affairs in the Milner Group. The Society was founded in 1882 by the Balfour family and their in-laws, (emphasis mine).[xiii]
Israeli author and reporter Barry Chamish states the Masonic administration over the establishment of Israel in no uncertain terms:
Without British Freemasonry there would be no modern state of Israel. In the 1860s, the British-Israelite movement was initiated from within Freemasonry. Its goal was to establish a Jewish-Masonic state in the Turkish province of Palestine. Of course, that would mean dealing with the Turks at some point down the line, but first the country would have to be repopulated with Jews. And the idea wasn’t to bring in more of the same religious Jews who already were the majority in Jerusalem and elsewhere, but the kind of Jews who would eventually accept the Masonic view of history.
Initially, British Jewish Masonic families like the Rothschilds and Montefiores provided the capital to build the infrastructure for the anticipated wave of immigration. However, luring the Jews to Israel was proving difficult. They, simply, liked European life too much to abandon it. So Europe was to be turned into a nightmare for the Jews. This led to the rise of pogroms and Zionism. […] Then things began moving quickly. British Masons like Arthur Balfour and Herbert Samuel led the campaign for official British recognition of a Jewish homeland during World War One. At the same time, a million British troops, badly needed in the trenches of Europe, were sent marching to Palestine to oust the Ottomans.
When the war ended, the campaign for a Jewish state went into full speed at Versailles. In 1919, The Royal Institute of International Affairs was founded in London and two years later, the Council on Foreign Relations began its nefarious activities in New York. Their agendas called for a world governmental takeover and a global religion based in Jerusalem, (emphasis mine).[xiv]
The above evidence strongly affirms that the Masons were behind the establishment of the modern state of Israel.[xv] Given their intense interest in the Temple and their desire to rebuild it, such testimony becomes strong circumstantial evidence that the Masons were behind the reestablishment of Israel because they desire to rebuild the temple which is central to their entire dogma. We can only guess they desire the temple rebuilt because their dark lord, Lucifer desires to have his savior to the world, the Antichrist, go in and declare himself to be god.
The Masonic secrets we have learned are purposefully hidden from the lower levels until they are deemed worthy to receive the truth as stated by Sovereign Grand Commander Albert Pike in his massive book of over 900 pages Morals and Dogma.
Masonry, like all the Religions, all the Mysteries, Hermeticism and Alchemy, conceals its secrets from all except the Adepts and Sages, or the Elect, and uses false explanations and misinterpretations of its symbols to mislead those who deserve only to be misled; to conceal the Truth, which it calls Light, from them, and to draw them away from it. Truth is not for those who are unworthy or unable to receive it, or would pervert it. […] The truth must be kept secret, and the masses need a teaching proportioned to their imperfect reason.[xx]
The deliberate false explanations and plethora of hidden symbols appears to be a confirmation of what was revealed to the Prophet Daniel when the angel interpreted the vision by saying that the little horn will understand sinister schemes. The Hebrew word khidot (×—ִידוֹת) means “riddle, difficult question, parable, enigmatic saying or question, perplexing saying or question,”[xxi] that is a very good description of what they themselves have revealed – the secrets must be kept from all but the Adepts and Sages. Albert Pike even advocated the creation of a secret society within a secret society – certainly an organization of sinister schemes and enigmatic sayings!
We must create a super rite, which will remain unknown, to which we will call those Masons of high degree of whom we shall select. With regard to our brothers in Masonry, these men must be pledges to the strictest secrecy. Through this supreme rite, we will govern all Freemasonry which will become the one international center, the more powerful because its direction will be unknown.[xxii]
What emerges from all that we have seen is a picture of a man who will have risen up through the ranks of an organization that at its core is committed to serving Lucifer, is taking grand steps to rebuilding the temple, has a sinister scheme to establish a New World Order which it acknowledges is related to the “alien” agenda. By connecting the dots we see a picture emerge that all of the efforts of the Masons in the reestablishment of Israel have been to rebuild the temple so that their leader, who will be “raised up” by the “aliens” may go into the temple and declare himself to be god. He will declare himself to be god because he will be mingled with Satan. He will be the seed of the Serpent who God spoke of in the Garden those many years ago.[xxiii]
[i] The reader is encouraged to visit douglashamp.com where resources are recommended for further study.
[ii] Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, p. 321, 19th Degree of Grand Pontiff. See also: http://www.cuttingedge.org/free11.html.
[iii] From “Instructions to the 23 Supreme Councils of the World” on July 14, 1889 – Albert Pike.
[iv] Manly P. Hall, The Lost Keys of Freemasonry, p. 124.
[v] Masonic Holy Bible, Temple Illustrated Edition, A.J. Holman Co., 1968, p. 11-14.
[vi] The Holy Bible: The Great Light In Masonry, King James Version, Temple Illustrated Edition, A.J. Holman Company, 1968, Foreward entitled, “The Bible and King Solomon’s Temple in Masonry”, by John Wesley Kelchner.
[vii] Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry, by Albert Mackey, MD, 33rd and Charles T. McClenachan, 33rd Revised Edition, by Edward L. Hawkins, 30th and William J. Hughan, 32nd, Volume II, M-Z, published by The Masonic History Company, Chicago, New York, London, 1873, A.G. Mackey, 1927, by the Masonic History Company.
[viii] Ibid. p. 774.
[ix] Foreword, The Bible and King Solomon’s Temple in Masonry”, by John Wesley Kelchner, 1968, A. J. Holman Company.
[x] Edward Waite, p. 486-7, “A New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry and of Cognate Instituted Mysteries: The Rites, Literature and History”, Volume II, reprinted in 1970 by Weathervane Books.
[xi] http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Peace+Process/Guide+to+the+Peace+Process/The+Balfour+Declaration.htm.
[xii] http://www.modernhistoryproject.org/mhp/ArticleDisplay.php?Article=BrotherDark03.
[xiii] Carroll Quigley, The Anglo-American Establishment, Books in Focus, 1981, pp. 31-32.
[xiv] Retrieved December 13, 2010 from: http://www.rense.com/general28/brit.htm.
[xv] A point of clarification is necessary here: while nefarious forces are indeed at work to bring about the one world government, God is nevertheless on His throne. Satan and his forces are acting in the world for their own selfish desires, and yet God has a plan that He will accomplish –oftentimes through the ill intent of his enemies. Just as He allowed various nations to discipline His people in the past, it would appear that He is now allowing the Masons (and other secret societies) to work toward the fulfillment of their evil plans but all the while God’s greater plan is sovereignly over them.
[xvi] David Lewis, UFO: End Time Delusion, p. 46.
[xvii] http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/n1052.html.
[xviii] Ibid.
[xix] Ibid.
[xx] Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, p. 321, 19th Degree of Grand Pontiff. See also: http://www.cuttingedge.org/free11.html.
[xxi] According to BDB.
[xxii] Retrieved November 8, 2010 from: http://www.michaeljournal.org/nwo1.htm.
[xxiii] The above considerations are not exhaustive but serve as a stepping stone into further research. The reader is greatly encouraged to consult the following resources to gain a deeper understanding of how the Masons and similar groups are indeed planning a Bible-apocalypse-type of takeover of the world: Apollyon Rising by Tom Horn; Secret Mysteries of America’s Beginnings, Volume I, II, III Produced by Antiquities Research Films, Written & Directed by Chris Pinto; Save Israel and Shabathai Tzvi, Labor Zionism and the Holocaust by Barry Chamish.
From the former Roman Empire
The former Roman Empire was an area that stretched from west North Africa to parts of the Middle East. He may be European but he could also be from North Africa, Turkey or from the Middle East. He could be from a Muslim country or from a historically Christian country, though he himself will not truly be a believer in either (Daniel 1:37). Nevertheless, he will most likely be nominally religious for appearances.
Rises up out of the Great Sea
The Great Sea (Daniel 7:2; Revelation 13:1), as spoken of by Daniel is simply the Hebrew way of saying the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, the general area that the beast will come out of is the countries surrounding the Mediterranean, confirmation that he will rise out of the previous Roman Empire.
Possible Candidates
There are a number of groups such as the Theosophists, Yale’s Skull and Bones Society, Illuminati and the Masons that fit extremely well the description of the coming Antichrist (see the table below). There are many similarities between these groups and very generally speaking they are working toward the same goals. However, for simplicity, we will focus on the Masons since they comprehensively cover the beliefs and practices of the secret societies in general. As a note, the goal is not to give a complete exposé of the Masons as that would require several tomes[i] but to see why one of their own best fits the description of the coming Antichrist. What we see is that the keys points of the coming Antichrist are in fact the key beliefs of the Masons (and others).
Comparison of the Antichrist with
the beliefs and plans of the Masons
Bible (Antichrist) Masons (and others) beliefs/doctrines plans
Serves Lucifer/Satan Serves Lucifer/Satan
Opposed to God Believe Adonai (God) is bad
Focused on the temple Temple of Solomon of central importance
Rebuild temple (in order to be able to sit in it) Awaiting right man with vision to rebuild
Will rule over the entire earth Will establish New World Order
Understands sinister schemes Use deception and symbols to keep secrets even from lower level initiates
Serves Lucifer
Only at the highest levels of his craft does the Mason discover who is the “Great Architect of the Universe” that they so often refer to. Whereas many lower level Masons are led to believe that he must be the Judeo-Christian God, the truth is that they are worshipping Lucifer. Albert Pike, one of the great Masonic historians reveals that the name of the being that the Masons are worshiping is in fact Lucifer. He says:
Lucifer, the Light Bearer! Strange and mysterious name to give to the Spirit of Darkness! Lucifer, the Son of the Morning! Is it he who bears the Light and with its splendors intolerable blinds feeble, sensual or selfish Souls?[ii]
However, perhaps the most revealing as to what Pike truly believed he stated on July 14, 1889 in Instructions to the 23 Supreme Councils of the World:
The masonic religion should be, by all of us initiates of the high degrees, maintained in the purity of the Luciferian doctrine […] Yes, Lucifer is God, and unfortunately Adonay also is God […] and the true and philosophical religion is the belief in Lucifer, the equal of Adonay; but Lucifer, God of light and God of good, is struggling against Adonay, the God of darkness and evil. [iii]
Pike was not alone in his understanding that the Masons (and other esoteric societies) were worshipping Lucifer. Manly P. Hall, eulogized by the Scottish Rite Journal after his death in 1990 as the “greatest of all Masonic philosophers”, divulged one of Masonry’s darkest secrets:
When the Mason learns that the key to the warrior on the block is the proper application of the dynamo of living power, he has learned the mystery of his Craft. The seething energies of Lucifer are in his hands and before he may step onward and upward, he must prove his ability to properly handle energy, (emphasis mine). [iv]
It is the “seething energies of Lucifer” that the man that would be the Antichrist will endeavor to have – that “dynamo of living power”. Even though this person has presumably everything that a person could potentially desire (power, money, etc.) it is the lust for ever greater power that will cause the person to combine himself with the dark Lord that he serves.
He Will Rebuild the Temple
Many people have assumed that the Antichrist will necessarily be Jewish because of his intense drive to rebuild the temple. While it is true that there are many Jews that desire the rebuilding of the temple, the Masons (and other esoteric societies) are perhaps just as passionate about seeing the temple of Solomon rebuilt. In fact, the temple is of central importance and without the focus on the temple they would cease to exist. John Wesley Kelchner writes in the foreword to The Holy Bible: The Great Light in Masonry, King James Version, Temple Illustrated Edition: “The Temple of Solomon is the spiritual home of every Mason.”[v] He also declares the following:
The traditions and romance of King Solomon’s Temple […] are of transcendent importance to Masons. The Temple is the outstanding symbol in Masonry, and the legendary story of the building of the Temple is the fundamental basis of the Masonic rule and guide for conduct in life, (emphasis mine). [vi]
In the Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry, Albert Mackey, MD, 33rd and Charles T. McClenachan, 33rd affirm that the temple is the most important object of Masonry:
Of all the objects which constitute the Masonic science of symbolism, the most important, the most cherished, by the Mason, and by far the most significant, is the Temple of Jerusalem. The spiritualizing of the Temple is the first, the most prominent and the most pervading, of all symbols of Freemasonry [...] Take from Freemasonry its dependence on the Temple; leave out of its ritual all references to that sacred edifice, and to the legends and traditions connected with it, and the system itself would at once decay and die, (emphasis mine).[vii]
The Man to Rebuild
Not only is the temple of central importance but there is also a need to “build up” the temple for truth:
The great body of the Masonic Craft, looking only to this first Temple erected by the wisdom of King Solomon, make it the symbol of life; and as the great object of Masonry is the search after truth, they are directed to build up this temple as a fitting receptacle for truth.[viii]
John Wesley Kelchner in the Temple Illustrated Version (KJV) takes the “building up” a step further by indicating that there are so many minute details associated with the Temple that all that is needed is for someone with vision to come along and rebuild the temple.
It is known to every reader of the Bible and student of Solomon’s days, that an amazingly detailed description of the Temple and its associated structures has been carried down from the mists of antiquity by the Scriptures. Lineal measurements, materials employed, and ornamental detail are so graphically presented that restoration of the Temple, at any time within a score of centuries past, awaited only the coming of a man with the vision to recognize its historic value, and the imagination to undertake the task.[ix]
Edward Waite writing in A New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry and of Cognate Instituted Mysteries: The Rites, Literature and History, declares: “in the High Grades [of Masonry] we hear of a secret intention to build yet another temple at Jerusalem.”[x] We therefore see that there are plans to rebuild the temple and they are waiting for a man with vision to undertake the task.
The Balfour Declaration November 2, 1917
Of course, no one could even consider the reconstruction of the Temple if the people of the temple are not actually in the land. Hence, it was necessary that the Jewish people be back in the land. One of the foundational movements toward that reality was the Balfour Declaration which was a letter sent by Arthur James Lord Balfour to Lord Rothschild. The letter “represents the first political recognition of Zionist aims by a Great Power.”[xi]
What is significant about this correspondence is that according to researcher Dr. Stanley Monteith, Balfour was a high ranking Mason (we note, however, that God often allows and uses the wicked to bring about His own purposes i.e. He used the Assyrians to punish the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C. see also 2 Kings 21:14). In fact, we will see that the Masons were centrally responsible for Israel’s reestablishment. Dr. Monteith has summarized what Freemason Cecil Rhodes wrote in his “Confession of Faith”: “Lord Milner was a 33rd degree Mason, William T. Stead was a spiritualist and a Theosophist, and Arthur Balfour was a spiritualist, a Mason, and a member of the Society for Psychical Research.” Dr. Monteith rightly notes: “What most researchers have missed is the fact that most of the men who joined Cecil Rhodes’ secret society were involved in the occult.”[xii] Dr. Monteith again quotes from Cecil Rhodes “Confessions of Faith” wherein he states that he has become a Mason and then states the goal of bringing the world under British control.
In the present day I become a member of the Masonic Order. […] Why should we not form a secret society with but one object, the furtherance of the British Empire, for the bringing of the whole uncivilized world under British rule, for the recovery of the United States, for the making the Anglo-Saxon race but one Empire, (emphasis mine).
Professor Quigley notes that there were “two power blocs that controlled Great Britain during the early decades of the twentieth century. One was led by Lord Cecil, the other by Lord Milner.” Quigley writes:
One of the enduring creations of the Cecil Bloc is the Society for Psychical Research, which holds a position in the history of the Cecil Bloc similar to that held by the Royal Institute of International Affairs in the Milner Group. The Society was founded in 1882 by the Balfour family and their in-laws, (emphasis mine).[xiii]
Israeli author and reporter Barry Chamish states the Masonic administration over the establishment of Israel in no uncertain terms:
Without British Freemasonry there would be no modern state of Israel. In the 1860s, the British-Israelite movement was initiated from within Freemasonry. Its goal was to establish a Jewish-Masonic state in the Turkish province of Palestine. Of course, that would mean dealing with the Turks at some point down the line, but first the country would have to be repopulated with Jews. And the idea wasn’t to bring in more of the same religious Jews who already were the majority in Jerusalem and elsewhere, but the kind of Jews who would eventually accept the Masonic view of history.
Initially, British Jewish Masonic families like the Rothschilds and Montefiores provided the capital to build the infrastructure for the anticipated wave of immigration. However, luring the Jews to Israel was proving difficult. They, simply, liked European life too much to abandon it. So Europe was to be turned into a nightmare for the Jews. This led to the rise of pogroms and Zionism. […] Then things began moving quickly. British Masons like Arthur Balfour and Herbert Samuel led the campaign for official British recognition of a Jewish homeland during World War One. At the same time, a million British troops, badly needed in the trenches of Europe, were sent marching to Palestine to oust the Ottomans.
When the war ended, the campaign for a Jewish state went into full speed at Versailles. In 1919, The Royal Institute of International Affairs was founded in London and two years later, the Council on Foreign Relations began its nefarious activities in New York. Their agendas called for a world governmental takeover and a global religion based in Jerusalem, (emphasis mine).[xiv]
The above evidence strongly affirms that the Masons were behind the establishment of the modern state of Israel.[xv] Given their intense interest in the Temple and their desire to rebuild it, such testimony becomes strong circumstantial evidence that the Masons were behind the reestablishment of Israel because they desire to rebuild the temple which is central to their entire dogma. We can only guess they desire the temple rebuilt because their dark lord, Lucifer desires to have his savior to the world, the Antichrist, go in and declare himself to be god.
The Masonic secrets we have learned are purposefully hidden from the lower levels until they are deemed worthy to receive the truth as stated by Sovereign Grand Commander Albert Pike in his massive book of over 900 pages Morals and Dogma.
Masonry, like all the Religions, all the Mysteries, Hermeticism and Alchemy, conceals its secrets from all except the Adepts and Sages, or the Elect, and uses false explanations and misinterpretations of its symbols to mislead those who deserve only to be misled; to conceal the Truth, which it calls Light, from them, and to draw them away from it. Truth is not for those who are unworthy or unable to receive it, or would pervert it. […] The truth must be kept secret, and the masses need a teaching proportioned to their imperfect reason.[xx]
The deliberate false explanations and plethora of hidden symbols appears to be a confirmation of what was revealed to the Prophet Daniel when the angel interpreted the vision by saying that the little horn will understand sinister schemes. The Hebrew word khidot (×—ִידוֹת) means “riddle, difficult question, parable, enigmatic saying or question, perplexing saying or question,”[xxi] that is a very good description of what they themselves have revealed – the secrets must be kept from all but the Adepts and Sages. Albert Pike even advocated the creation of a secret society within a secret society – certainly an organization of sinister schemes and enigmatic sayings!
We must create a super rite, which will remain unknown, to which we will call those Masons of high degree of whom we shall select. With regard to our brothers in Masonry, these men must be pledges to the strictest secrecy. Through this supreme rite, we will govern all Freemasonry which will become the one international center, the more powerful because its direction will be unknown.[xxii]
What emerges from all that we have seen is a picture of a man who will have risen up through the ranks of an organization that at its core is committed to serving Lucifer, is taking grand steps to rebuilding the temple, has a sinister scheme to establish a New World Order which it acknowledges is related to the “alien” agenda. By connecting the dots we see a picture emerge that all of the efforts of the Masons in the reestablishment of Israel have been to rebuild the temple so that their leader, who will be “raised up” by the “aliens” may go into the temple and declare himself to be god. He will declare himself to be god because he will be mingled with Satan. He will be the seed of the Serpent who God spoke of in the Garden those many years ago.[xxiii]
[i] The reader is encouraged to visit douglashamp.com where resources are recommended for further study.
[ii] Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, p. 321, 19th Degree of Grand Pontiff. See also: http://www.cuttingedge.org/free11.html.
[iii] From “Instructions to the 23 Supreme Councils of the World” on July 14, 1889 – Albert Pike.
[iv] Manly P. Hall, The Lost Keys of Freemasonry, p. 124.
[v] Masonic Holy Bible, Temple Illustrated Edition, A.J. Holman Co., 1968, p. 11-14.
[vi] The Holy Bible: The Great Light In Masonry, King James Version, Temple Illustrated Edition, A.J. Holman Company, 1968, Foreward entitled, “The Bible and King Solomon’s Temple in Masonry”, by John Wesley Kelchner.
[vii] Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry, by Albert Mackey, MD, 33rd and Charles T. McClenachan, 33rd Revised Edition, by Edward L. Hawkins, 30th and William J. Hughan, 32nd, Volume II, M-Z, published by The Masonic History Company, Chicago, New York, London, 1873, A.G. Mackey, 1927, by the Masonic History Company.
[viii] Ibid. p. 774.
[ix] Foreword, The Bible and King Solomon’s Temple in Masonry”, by John Wesley Kelchner, 1968, A. J. Holman Company.
[x] Edward Waite, p. 486-7, “A New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry and of Cognate Instituted Mysteries: The Rites, Literature and History”, Volume II, reprinted in 1970 by Weathervane Books.
[xi] http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Peace+Process/Guide+to+the+Peace+Process/The+Balfour+Declaration.htm.
[xii] http://www.modernhistoryproject.org/mhp/ArticleDisplay.php?Article=BrotherDark03.
[xiii] Carroll Quigley, The Anglo-American Establishment, Books in Focus, 1981, pp. 31-32.
[xiv] Retrieved December 13, 2010 from: http://www.rense.com/general28/brit.htm.
[xv] A point of clarification is necessary here: while nefarious forces are indeed at work to bring about the one world government, God is nevertheless on His throne. Satan and his forces are acting in the world for their own selfish desires, and yet God has a plan that He will accomplish –oftentimes through the ill intent of his enemies. Just as He allowed various nations to discipline His people in the past, it would appear that He is now allowing the Masons (and other secret societies) to work toward the fulfillment of their evil plans but all the while God’s greater plan is sovereignly over them.
[xvi] David Lewis, UFO: End Time Delusion, p. 46.
[xvii] http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/n1052.html.
[xviii] Ibid.
[xix] Ibid.
[xx] Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, p. 321, 19th Degree of Grand Pontiff. See also: http://www.cuttingedge.org/free11.html.
[xxi] According to BDB.
[xxii] Retrieved November 8, 2010 from: http://www.michaeljournal.org/nwo1.htm.
[xxiii] The above considerations are not exhaustive but serve as a stepping stone into further research. The reader is greatly encouraged to consult the following resources to gain a deeper understanding of how the Masons and similar groups are indeed planning a Bible-apocalypse-type of takeover of the world: Apollyon Rising by Tom Horn; Secret Mysteries of America’s Beginnings, Volume I, II, III Produced by Antiquities Research Films, Written & Directed by Chris Pinto; Save Israel and Shabathai Tzvi, Labor Zionism and the Holocaust by Barry Chamish.
The Lord's Supper and The New Covenant
What is a covenant?
A covenant is a treaty or binding agreement between two parties. The Hebrew word berith which is translated covenant literally means cutting, implying the fact that a covenant was confirmed with the shedding of the blood of a sacrifice. This meant that a covenant was a blood oath.
The New Covenant is primarily stated in contrast to the Old (Mosaic) Covenant. These two covenants are the only conditional covenants God makes in the scriptures. God’s promises in the covenants are eternal, but the agreement itself depends upon men accepting the terms of agreement.
What are some of the differences between the New and Old Covenants?
- The Old Covenants terms/rules had to be learned (Exodus 24:12)
- The Old Covenant had to be obeyed according to the ability of men (Romans 7:5)
- The Old Covenant was confirmed with the blood of animals (Exodus 24:8)
- The Old Covenant had severe consequences for failure to obey (Deuteronomy 28:15-68)
- The New Covenant is Holy Spirit taught (Jeremiah 31:33-34)
- The ability to obey the New Covenant is empowered by the Holy Spirit of God (Hebrews 9:14)
- The New Covenant is confirmed by the blood of the Son of God (Matthew 26:28)
- The New Covenant is crowned with God’s mercy and forgiveness for those times men fail to obey (Hebrews 8:12)
The first Lord’s Supper was a Passover observance by Jesus and His disciples. (Matthew 26:19-20) It was also the institution of the New Covenant. It makes sense for us to honor the New Covenant on Passover.
During the Passover observance, it was customary for the head of the feast (Jesus in this case) to lead the table in remembrance of the four great “I WILLS”, promises of God to Israel as stated in Exodus 6:6-7. These were memorialized by the taking of a cup of wine for each declaration. The four promises and cups were:
- I WILL bring you out (the cup of sanctification)
- I WILL bring you out of bondage (cup of deliverance/praise)
- I WILL redeem you (the cup of redemption)
- I WILL take you to me for a people (cup of acceptance/praise)
On the night of the first Lord’s Supper, Jesus took the first three cups with His disciples. The last cup, the one in which He said “this is my blood of the new testament (covenant) which is shed for many for the redemption of sins” (Matthew 26:28) was the cup of redemption. Redemption (Hebrew gaal) means to be purchased out of slavery, or to pay a ransom and free. It had to be done by someone who was a kinsman (family). Jesus paid the purchase price (His blood) to redeem us from slavery to sin (Romans 6:12-16). Jesus refused to take the fourth cup (the cup of acceptance) because Israel had not yet accepted Him as Messiah. (Matthew 27:20-25, Zechariah 12:10). The next time that He takes the cup will be with all believers and redeemed Israel at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9).
Some notes on the Lord’s Supper taken from the early church -
- Important passages for meditation before taking the Lords Supper include Matthew 26:26-28, John 6:22-71 and 1 Corinthians 11:20-34.
- The Lord’s Supper was done weekly, sometimes with every meal
- The Lord’s Supper is a spiritual and physical blessing to all who take it worthily
- The Lord’s Supper brought sickness and death to believers who took it unworthily (1 Corinthians 11:20-34)
- Unleavened bread (symbolizing purity) and red wine sometimes mixed with water were normally used
- Because the Lord’s supper was normally done in small groups, personal confession was often practiced before taking it, to cleanse the conscience and help the believer take it in a worthy manner
- The point of the Lords Supper is to remember what Jesus did for us (Crucifixion) and to remember our commitment to the New Covenant with Him
A covenant is a treaty or binding agreement between two parties. The Hebrew word berith which is translated covenant literally means cutting, implying the fact that a covenant was confirmed with the shedding of the blood of a sacrifice. This meant that a covenant was a blood oath.
The New Covenant is primarily stated in contrast to the Old (Mosaic) Covenant. These two covenants are the only conditional covenants God makes in the scriptures. God’s promises in the covenants are eternal, but the agreement itself depends upon men accepting the terms of agreement.
What are some of the differences between the New and Old Covenants?
- The Old Covenants terms/rules had to be learned (Exodus 24:12)
- The Old Covenant had to be obeyed according to the ability of men (Romans 7:5)
- The Old Covenant was confirmed with the blood of animals (Exodus 24:8)
- The Old Covenant had severe consequences for failure to obey (Deuteronomy 28:15-68)
- The New Covenant is Holy Spirit taught (Jeremiah 31:33-34)
- The ability to obey the New Covenant is empowered by the Holy Spirit of God (Hebrews 9:14)
- The New Covenant is confirmed by the blood of the Son of God (Matthew 26:28)
- The New Covenant is crowned with God’s mercy and forgiveness for those times men fail to obey (Hebrews 8:12)
The first Lord’s Supper was a Passover observance by Jesus and His disciples. (Matthew 26:19-20) It was also the institution of the New Covenant. It makes sense for us to honor the New Covenant on Passover.
During the Passover observance, it was customary for the head of the feast (Jesus in this case) to lead the table in remembrance of the four great “I WILLS”, promises of God to Israel as stated in Exodus 6:6-7. These were memorialized by the taking of a cup of wine for each declaration. The four promises and cups were:
- I WILL bring you out (the cup of sanctification)
- I WILL bring you out of bondage (cup of deliverance/praise)
- I WILL redeem you (the cup of redemption)
- I WILL take you to me for a people (cup of acceptance/praise)
On the night of the first Lord’s Supper, Jesus took the first three cups with His disciples. The last cup, the one in which He said “this is my blood of the new testament (covenant) which is shed for many for the redemption of sins” (Matthew 26:28) was the cup of redemption. Redemption (Hebrew gaal) means to be purchased out of slavery, or to pay a ransom and free. It had to be done by someone who was a kinsman (family). Jesus paid the purchase price (His blood) to redeem us from slavery to sin (Romans 6:12-16). Jesus refused to take the fourth cup (the cup of acceptance) because Israel had not yet accepted Him as Messiah. (Matthew 27:20-25, Zechariah 12:10). The next time that He takes the cup will be with all believers and redeemed Israel at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9).
Some notes on the Lord’s Supper taken from the early church -
- Important passages for meditation before taking the Lords Supper include Matthew 26:26-28, John 6:22-71 and 1 Corinthians 11:20-34.
- The Lord’s Supper was done weekly, sometimes with every meal
- The Lord’s Supper is a spiritual and physical blessing to all who take it worthily
- The Lord’s Supper brought sickness and death to believers who took it unworthily (1 Corinthians 11:20-34)
- Unleavened bread (symbolizing purity) and red wine sometimes mixed with water were normally used
- Because the Lord’s supper was normally done in small groups, personal confession was often practiced before taking it, to cleanse the conscience and help the believer take it in a worthy manner
- The point of the Lords Supper is to remember what Jesus did for us (Crucifixion) and to remember our commitment to the New Covenant with Him
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