In
Revelation 17:12-14, John tells us about the horns of this eighth
beast. These are the same in number as the ten horns on the dragon of
Revelation the 12th chapter, and the same as the fourth beast of Daniel
the 7th chapter. These are referring to the spirit of paganism from
Daniel’s time to the end of the gospel day. These ten horns represent
all the pagan spirits and wild fire powers at work in the eighth beast,
pretending to be the powers of the Holy Ghost. Much of the noise,
demonstrations, and power seen in many of these so-called Holy Ghost
and healing campaigns are of the devil, the ruler of the eighth beast powers. We only have to look closely into the
Word of God to see its working does not harmonize with the plain
teachings of the Bible. The devil is holding up before the people this
unionized, World Council of Churches as the BRIDE OF CHRIST. He is
clothing her with this false power of signs and wonders for the purpose
of deceiving those who are looking for demonstrations. The original movements
of the beast are dead spiritually. “Having a form of godliness, but
denying the power thereof.” The ten horns represent all these HOLINESS
MOVEMENTS springing up in this present age. They are of the eighth
beast, because they are of
the DRAGON SPIRIT. With their wildfire power, they
burn and scorch the rest of these dead, formal, lifeless movements,
and, as it were, “Eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.”
These
horns are represented as kings. It is said they will make war with the Lamb.
The “One mind” they have is TO FIGHT TRUTH. They are all set in that
direction. It is said, “They have received no kingdom as yet.” This
great mass of eighth beast powers, heading the COUNCIL OF CHURCHES,
believe in a MILLENNIUM, and that in the millennium, THEY WILL POSSESS
A KINGDOM. The millennium theory has swept Babylon with all its falsified
fancies of a FUTURE LITERAL KINGDOM. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of
this world.” John 18:36, When He comes, it is not to SET UP A KINGDOM,
but to “DELIVER UP THE KINGDOM TO THE FATHER,” the one He set up at
His first coming. 1st Corinthians 15:24. “But the day of the Lord will
come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away
with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the
earth also and the works that are therein shall be BURNED UP.” 2nd Peter 3:10. When this earth is burned up, there
is no place for a millennium with an EARTHLY kingdom. “Behold, I shew
you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in
a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the
trumpet shall sound, and
the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall
be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this
mortal must put on immortality.” 1st Corinthians 15:51-53. This takes
place at the second coming of Christ. Immortal beings will have no
need of raising corn and wheat, or anything that pertains to an
EARTHLY kingdom. In John 14:2-3, Jesus says, “I go to prepare a place
for you. And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come again and receive you
unto myself; that where I am there YE may be also.” Jesus will have
that place prepared to receive HIS BRIDE, THE CHURCH, at His second
coming. The judgment and separating the sheep from the goats will be a
quick work. “Then we which are alive and remain (the living) shall be
caught up together with them (those that have died) in the clouds, and
meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord” in the
place He has prepared for His bride.
There
will be no millennium for the wicked. They will be judged and separated
from the righteous at His appearing. There will be no need or place for
a millennium after the wicked have heard that sad command, “Depart from
me, ye cursed, into EVERLASTING FIRE prepared for the devil and his
angels.” Matthew 25:41. Some teach that the wicked will have another
chance to get saved after the return of Christ. This is another one of
the devil’s deceptions to soothe the condemned conscience and make them
believe they will have another chance in the millennium or some future
age, after the second coming of Christ. All these fancied deceptions
belong down in Babylon, and God said, “Come out of her, MY PEOPLE.”
Brother, if you are one of the Lord’s sheep, it is time to get out of
Babylon. It is not safe to stay in a thing that is FALLEN.
At
the present time the devil is filling these eighth beast powers of BABYLON THE GREAT with wicked men
and wickedness of all kinds. “This know also, that in the last days
perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves,
coveteous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy, without natural affections, truce breakers, false
accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of
God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: FROM
SUCH TURN AWAY. -. (verse 7); ever learning, and NEVER able to come to
the knowledge of the truth. As Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so
do these also resist the truth; men of corrupt minds, reprobate
concerning their faith.” 2nd Timothy 3:1-8.
Most
all people believe that we are living in the “last days.” If we are, we
surely ought to be able to see the things mentioned in the above
scripture. If we SEE THEM, surely we are living “in the last days.” All
we have to do is to open our eyes and look, for the fulfillment is NOW.
Anywhere you find Babylon, you will find the above mentioned things,
and anywhere you find these things, it WILL BE BABYLON. Anywhere you
find organizations set up, and run by men, you will find the above
mentioned things. God ONLY can build a HOLY CHURCH and keep it holy. We
are living in a great age of EDUCATION, but people are not coming to
the knowledge of the TRUTH. Many have resisted the truth until they
have BECOME TRUTH FIGHTERS. “Multitudes in the valley of decision,” and
because they did not wish to retain a love for the TRUTH, “God shall
send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they
all may be damned who believed not the truth.” 2nd Thessalonians
2:10-12. Those that do not love the TRUTH enough to accept it and live
it, WILL SOON FIND PLEASURE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, and FIGHT THE TRUTH.
All
may know the truth if they will. Those who are lovers of their own selves, boasters, heady,
high-minded, will never accept the truth. None of those described in
2nd Timothy 3:1 will have the truth when they hear it. Even in this age
of perilous times, God still has a people WHO ARE WALKING IN ALL THE
LIGHT THEY HAVE. Those who are accepting the fullness of the present
light are WALKING out of Babylon into this marvelous freedom of God’s
glorious Mt. Sion Church. God gathered out in the sixth seal 144,000 on
Mt. Sion, This is a symbol of a great number of people brought back to
the TRUE standards according to God’s mountain of truth. This great
number were said to be standing with the Lamb on Mt. Sion, harping with
their harps. They were harping HOLINESS, UNITY IN THE TRUTH, A DIVINE
CHURCH, AND BABYLON IS FALLEN, and COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE. They
were not defiled with women— man churches. There was no guile in their
mouths. This message was plain, simple and understandable. Many saw it,
but only a few rid themselves of selfish motives and accepted it. Few
in comparison, yet a great host of true saints did accept it and became
the Mt. Sion Church of God. Nearing the close of the sixth seal age,
compromise through lukewarmness broke in and the majority of this great
host ceased to continue to be the Mt. Sion Church of God.
In
this seventh seal age many are being stirred and moved back to the
Bible standard again. “The watchman shall lift the voice, with the
voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye WHEN THE
LORD SHALL BRING AGAIN SION.” God brought it once in the sixth seal,
and He is bringing it again, the second time, in the seventh seal age.
Once
more God has a people coming out of every phase of Babylon accepting a
full salvation, a divine church, and welcoming the Holy Spirit with all
His gifts and power and governmental authority. God has a people who
see EYE TO EYE. All who see Sion, SEE IT ALIKE. If we do not see alike,
some one DOES NOT SEE SION. In Hebrews 12:22, Paul says, “But ye are come
unto Mount Sion.” You cannot be in Sion and Babylon at the same time.
It takes obedience to the true Bible standards of truth to be in Sion.
Without this, everyone will find himself in Babylon.
This
fulness of Bible light brought to us in this present age is called “The
camp of the saints.” In many places in the Word of God his people are
spoken of as walking, running, or in some kind of travel in a forward
march. In the “Camp of the saints,” a stopping is signified. Once more
the fullness of truth is being brought to us. We are commanded to camp
on the truth, and never leave it. “Let no man steal your crown.”
Prophecy, gospel, and the Revelation all teach we are living in the
last age. The end of time is not far hence. We are seeing “The fig tree
putting forth her tender branches.” Once more Jesus is bringing again
Sion. A few are taking their stand for truth, stopping, and remaining
in the “Camp of the Saints.” Many have started, and because of
opposition and persecution, have become FEARFUL, and turned back and
settled down again in Babylon. In the Camp of the Saints located on top
of Mt. Zion, the soul is fully satisfied, happy and free, “filled with
all the fullness of God.” Its elevation is high and healthy. The “ites”
are all driven out. Its enemies are shooting at long range from the
hills of Babylon. It is founded on God’s mountain of truth. It is high,
and far above the wisdom of men. It can ONLY be ascended by USE of the
WINGS OF THE EVENING LIGHT. Its tables are filled with good things. “They
shall hunger no more.” A full table is set “in the presence of their
enemies.” They are fearless in battle and have accepted God as “the
hope of His people.” No battle is lost in the camp of the saints. You
may lose by leaving the CAMP.
ALL
that enter the “camp of the saints” must have on the whole armour of
God. Half clad folks never get in. They have their loins girded about
with truth. Their “feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of
peace.” It is a sure and peaceable foundation on which to stand. The
shield of faith is always in readiness to quench all the fiery darts of
the wicked. The helmet of salvation becomes a Wall around them. The
Word of God is the sword of the Spirit that slays ALL that charge their
ranks. This is the final BATTLE GROUND of the TRUE CHURCH OF GOD. It is
in this place that the Bride will have made herself ready, and will
take her final flight to meet Him in the air at His second coming.
I
have laid much stress on the safety of those entering and staying in
the camp of the saints. This is true. The devil will not be able to
pluck those out of the hand of Jesus that determine to stay there. We
want to notice another picture. It is a battle ground. It is a battle
between truth and error, right against wrong, sin against holiness and
righteousness. It is the devil and all false religions against God and
true religion; the devil and his followers against God and His people.
This is the “Battle of Armageddon.”
For
270 years the morning church had victory; then followed the APOSTASY
for 260 years, ending 530 A.D. During this age of apostasy, Satan
succeeded in deceiving the nations of the world. From 530 to 1530 A.D.
was a thousand years of extreme darkness. No new deceptions were
brought on the people during this one thousand year period of time. In
Rev. 20:3, it tells us what happened to the devil during this thousand
years. “And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set
a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations NO MORE, till the
thousand years should be finished: and after that he MUST be loosed a
little season.” This text makes it clear that there were no new
deceptions introduced during this thousand year period. It was true
that he deceived the nations on more until the thousand years were expired.
During the 350 years of Protestant creed-making he was certainly
loosed.
“And
when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his
prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four
quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, (Catholics and Protestants) to gather them to battle: the
number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went upon the earth
and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and
fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil
that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where
the beast and false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night
forever and ever.” Revelation 20:7-10.
Satan
brought many deceptions during the Protestant age of 350 years. At the
time of the beginning of the “evening light” the Gog and Magog powers
of Catholicism and Protestantism were fully established. These two
forces are gathering their powers together in the eighth beast of
BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, to compass the “camp of the
saints about, and the beloved city.” These all oppose the true Church
that Jesus built, and the fundamental truths that characterize it. Who
is able to count these multitudes who are as innumerable as the sand of
the sea.
Now
let us turn to Revelation 16:13-16 and see the kind of wicked spirits
working in BABYLON THE GREAT today. “And I saw three unclean spirits
like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of
the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the
spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of
the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to battle of that
great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he
that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they
see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the
Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”
These
first verses we quoted shows us three unclean spirits, like frogs,
working in Babylon the Great. A frog is cold, slick, and slimy; so are
the spirits. The spirit of the dragon is atheistic in its very nature.
In many ways it denies God. It is plainly seen in Dr. Herbert Betts’
report which he gave on the 700 ministers. We have previously given
that report. Turn back and read it again, and you will see all of them
denied the plain Word of God. This is the dragonistic, antichrist
spirit working in Babylon today.
The
spirit out of the mouth of the beast promotes all deceptive doctrines
and practices of beast religion, branded Christian. This spirit is very
prominently at work in Babylon. The spirit of the false prophet is seen
in wildfire, false holiness movements, substituting the power of the
devil for the power and gifts of the Spirit of God. Wherever these spirits work, it must be branded Babylon. Some
have Church of God over the door of the church house, but plenty of
Babylon practices on the inside.
In
verse 14 we are plainly told that “these are spirits of devils, working
miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and to the whole
world.” The kings are the great religious leaders. They are deceived by the working of these spirits of
devils, and it extends all over the world. They are on the devil’s
side, fighting against God and His truth. Many will not have God’s
truth. They refuse it and instead hold up their own doctrines. They are
gathering all possible into their ranks, the number of whom is as the
sand of the sea, fighting a losing battle against an ALL POWERFUL GOD.
It
is a horrible picture when we see the great forces led by kings,
captains, and many of less rank, marching in to worship God, and then
see them operate under the working of the spirits of devils. They are
promoting the devil’s work, “deceiving and being deceived.” The great
majority of people in Babylon are not saved. They belong to something, but have never repented of
their sins and do not know what the peace of God is.
In
Revelation 16:19 we are told that the city of Babylon was divided into
three parts. This division had reference to the working of the three
unclean spirits. It says, “The cities of the nations fell,” and means
that they all became one great city by uniting all church movements
together. The move to federate all churches has made great progress in
the past 20 years. There is a vast difference in UNION and UNITY. A
form of union through federation is Babylon’s substitute for BIBLE
UNITY.
The
Three Faiths Commission, whose objective is to unite Catholics,
Protestants, and Jews, was started in 1937. Within a few years it had
spread into the entire 48 states. In February, 1940, they participated
in a national demonstration in more than 1000 towns and cities.
In
1938, the National Conference of Christians and Jews had set up its
organizations in 310 cities, reached over 1000 college campuses, and
over 200 daily newspapers subscribed to its services, its radio
recordings were heard regularly on many stations. Thousands of meetings
are held in hundreds of communities in the 48 states, with an estimated
25,000 conferences. I am giving you these facts that you may see
BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, as she forms herself into the
“Eighth beast” power through the process of uniting. It is ridiculous
for people to think they can unite such UNSCRIPTURAL FAITHS as these,
and make a Holy Bride for a Holy Christ. It is the purpose of the Gog
and Magog powers to federate all deceptions to oppose the TRUTH. The
Jews always have denied Christ. Their attitude toward Him has not
changed since they crucified Him on the cross.
“And
he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue
Armageddon.” Revelation 16:16. The Gog and Magog forces are uniting,
and we are now in that battle. Armageddon is a Hebrew word, the name of
the battle field where many great battles of literal Israel were fought
against their enemies. Both in gospel and the Revelation, the children
of Israel are used as a symbol or a type of the church. They fought
many battles on the plains of Megiddo. This was where Barack and
Deborah won the battle against the Caananites. Judges 4. Later Gideon,
with his reduced and tested few, won the great battle over the
Midianites.
There
are characteristics in the battles on the plains of Megiddo that we
will find in the battle of Armageddon today. As long as Israel followed
God’s true prophet, they won the battles, but when they did evil in the
sight of the Lord, they lost their battles. In most all places they
were led to evil by their leaders. Some would get their eyes on the
spoils of the battle, while others would covet the place and honor of leadership,
and lead a revolt.
God
has a people today who are using the WORD of God as their weapon, and
are marching into Armageddon against the combined forces of Babylon the Great, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS.
Israel had traitors in the camp who led revolts; so do we. Israel had
men seeking the spoils and aspiring to high places; so do we. The worst
enemies Israel had were those of their own ranks WHO DID EVIL. There
are many today who claim to stand for the truth that cannot be trusted.
According to their works and fruits, they are a part of Babylon. When
tested by the true Word of God, it can be easily seen what army they
are fighting in.
Gideon’s
army who fought on the plains of Megiddo was a type of God’s people
today. Judges 7 and 8 gives an account of the 32,000 he started out
with. God told Gideon he had too many men and to let all that were
fearful and afraid turn back. . We notice that 22,000 left the ranks of
battle. In this great battle of Armageddon which we are in today, God
is letting those who are “fearful and afraid” turn back. This is not
compulsory, for God does not draft His soldiers of the cross. The call
is to “whosoever will” accept ALL the truth of God’s Word and stand
against ALL sin and deceptions. The “evening light” is sparkling with
gems of the fullness of everlasting truth. God is calling for
volunteers who will don the whole armour of God, step into the ranks of
His blood-washed, and be true to the end.
God
wants a tried people. If you decide to stay in the battle, God will put
you through a test. We notice in Judges 7:4 that God made the standard
by which they were tested, and only 300 out of the remaining 10,000
passed the test, God has prescribed the standard today, and none dare
change it. There was less than one percent who stood the test. Of all
the thousands today professing to be true people of God, just a few
will stand against all deceptions, and for the truth, and cry, “Babylon
is fallen, is fallen,” and “Come out of her, my people.”
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