WHAT IS BABYLON? Pt 4 By J. F. Lawson

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Most all churches and movements have made laws and rules for the governing of their church machinery. This calls for a hierarchy of officers with offers to the lust of the flesh. It is contrary to the flesh to obey God’s call and walk out. A LOVE for the truth is the only thing that will prompt such action. Many do not wish to “retain a love for the truth” and seek some excuse to remain in the rocks and hills of Babylon with a damnation resting on their souls.

The truth of the true church and Babylon is the sound­ing of “the great trumpet” spoken of in Isaiah 27 by which God said He would gather the outcasts of Israel and as­semble them. This message concerning the true Church of God and Babylon is a part of the gospel and must go to all the world. Only those who are completely consecrated to the whole will of God, fully redeemed from all sin, and with the great LOVE OF GOD SHED ABROAD IN THEIR HEARTS BY THE HOLY GHOST, will be will­ing to be outcasts from the allurements of Babylon. “Luke­warm” people have lost their love for God and truth.

This great trumpet, the seventh and last in the gospel day, is clarifying truth as never before. We are urged to get back to the standards of the truth made clear in the past. Emphasis is laid on the language of the poem, “Back to the Blessed Old Bible.” BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, is clearly identified and her fornications are made clear before our eyes. The enticement of HER wine is clearly defined. The true brand of her merchandise is being stamped on her religious wares. Her institutions are being clarified as “Cages of unclean and hateful birds” and “a hold of foul spirits” working in its leadership. Multitudes upon multitudes have been spiritually martyred and lost their souls by accepting HER wares and drinking of the “wine of ,fornications.” In the sounding of “the great trumpet” Babylon is being com­pletely exposed. This is part of the gospel of God’s great salvation that must reach all the world. Every one must be brought face to face with his OWN sin and deception. The responsibility of decision rests upon every individual. Groups may influence you, but the decision is an individual matter. Some will try to evade the responsibility through excuses and alibis, but God’s justice demands that “Truth revealed must be answered to.” Light rates responsibility! The greater the light the greater the responsibility. “At even­ing time it shall be light.”

Individual responsibility is not to be pushed aside as though it was optional with the same reward. Of course, we have the privilege of accepting or refusing, but the eternal reward will be different.

In the sounding of this great and last trumpet the light of the gospel must go to all the world. All nations must hear God’s full and complete message of gospel truth. This will bring the multitudes of the earth into the “Valley of Decision.” Let us turn to the book of Joel, chapter 3, and see what he has to say about his valley.

“For behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring AGAIN the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will’ plead with them for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scat­tered among the nations and parted my land.” We have al­ready made it plain that we are living in that time when God is “bringing AGAIN” his people. In Isaiah 11:11 it makes it clear that God is setting His hand AGAIN the second time to gather a remnant of his people. The fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy is in this present age. At this time God is bringing all nations through the valley of de­cision, which the prophet Joel calls Jehoshaphat. The reason this valley is used is because of its location. It is nearby the City of Jerusalem. The gospel message when sounded out will bring the multitudes of the nations today into the valley of decision, drawing them near to the “heavenly Jerusalem.” This is the valley of decision through which every one must come who hears God’s message of truth. It is here that God PLEADS with those who are scattered in Babylon to return and be His people.

In verse 3, the prophet tells us what was done. “And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and given a girl for wine, that they might drink.” This shows us how the kings and captains in Babylon have traded and commercialized on the souls of boys and girls, selling them for the wine of Babylon’s fornication.

In verse 4 we read, “Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine?” Some people try to run and get away from God, but this is one VALLEY all must come through. God said He would gather all nations into this place and plead with them. Wherever the full gospel message of God’s truth is preached, people are forced through this valley. God pleads with people to return ‘and recompense Him, that he may recompense them.

Verse 5, “Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples (Babylon) my goodly pleasant things: (Verse 6) The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border. (Verse 7) Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompense upon your own heads. (Verse 8) And I will sell your sons and daughters into the hands of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them unto Sebeans, to a people far off: for the Lord hath spoken it.”

The spirit of Grecia conquered God’s people and car­ried them into Babylon during the dark and cloudy day. They took the silver and gold and all the goodly things down into their Babylonian temples. Then in verse 8, God said he would sell their sons and daughters back to Judah. Judah represents the remnant, of God’s people which he gathered out on Mt. Sion in the sixth seal. Then he says they sold them back again into the hands of the Sebeans. At the close of the sixth seal, those who had been the people of God, compromised and let down the standards again. Selling themselves to the Sabeans means selling themselves into the idol worship of Babylon. This brings us down to the time of the seventh seal ,and the sounding of the great trumpet. We will read Joel 3:9 and see what he says to do. “Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles: Proclaim war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up.” This brings us once more to the great battle of Armageddon. He said to proclaim this among the Gentiles, or the Babylonian world. God is calling for every soldier of the cross to step into the ranks of battle. It is time for the mighty men to wake up and come up. Come out of the hills of Babylon and climb God’s Mt. Sion of truth.

Joel 3: 10 tells’ us what to do: “Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.” In Isaiah 2:4 this scripture is re­versed. He says, “Beat your swords into plowshares and your spears into pruning hooks.” Isaiah was speaking to the church in the morning time when the hearts of men could be plowed and pruned and would bring forth fruit unto God. But it is different today; people have become gospel hardened. There are those in Babylon who will not hear God’s message of truth. God has promised vengeance on Babylon. He is calling them into the valley of Jehoshaphat, pleading with them to accept His last call back to his standards of truth. He offers life for death, and truth for error. God’s’ message of truth against the sins of Babylon no longer needs to be guessed at. It is a savor unto life or death. God’s message is like the sword and spear—it kills. We must die to the sins of Babylon or die in them. In this manner the message of God on the soul is likened unto a sword and a spear on the body.

In this great trumpet, which is being blown today, it sounds a message of salvation to the heathen world. They, too, will be gathered into the valley of decision. This great trumpet will be heard by all classes of people. It will sound out the needs of every man with a pleading invitation for its acceptance.

The picture of this great spiritual battle of Armageddon, fought in the valley of Jehoshaphat near the heavenly Jeru­salem, is changed into a HARVEST field. “Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” Joel 3:13, 14.

The Word of God is the sickle. Its complete message is going to all nations, bringing them into the valley of Jehoshaphat, showing them the glorious divine Church of God on one side of the valley, and Babylon and the world on the other side. The kind of decision made will deter­mine the location of the multitudes, as they go to the place of their choosing. Those who see God’s great salvation and His glorious Church, and are WILLING TO WALK IN THE LIGHT, will ascend Mt. Sion and enter THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM. The wheat is being gathered into the garner, a place of safety and security inside the walls of truth. The chaff, those who reject and refuse the truth, are gathered into the fire and burned with the judgments of God’s eternal truth.

In Matthew 13:3 Jesus gives us a parable of the sower. “Behold a sower went forth to sow.” He gives us four kinds of soil, telling of four classes of people, represented by the wayside, the stony places, the thorns, and thistles.

In Matthew 13:24-30 Jesus gives us another parable of His kingdom, which extends through the entire gospel day. “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying; the king­‘dom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field (the entire world): but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blades were sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, an enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root also the wheat with them. Let them grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest, I will say to the reapers, gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into ‘my barn.”

Now in verses 37 to 41, Jesus gives us an explanation of this parable. “He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels (ministers). The Son of man (Jesus) shall send forth his angels (His ministers) and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things (people) that offend, and them which do iniquity.”

Now let us get a picture of the kingdom extending through the entire world or gospel day, and the Son of man sowing the good seed through His servants. While men slept spiritually through the dark and cloudy day, the devil sowed the seed that developed the wickedness of Babylon. Through the middle ages and even until yet, the good and the bad, the saved and the unsaved, have grown together inside the walls of Babylon.

God did not see fit to send judgment on Babylon during the dark and cloudy day, and separate the good from the bad at that time. He said, “Let them grow together until the harvest,” and the harvest is in the end of the world. Jesus said, “Say not four months, then cometh the harvest,” but open your eyes, for the harvest is already ripe. The harvesting of souls into the kingdom has always been ripe since the kingdom was preached in the early ages of the church, but the harvest at the end of the world is a separating time. This seventh trumpet message, which Isaiah said was a great trumpet, is shaking the Babylonian nations and the Church, with a message that brings them into the valley of decision. If they decide against God’s message of truth, they are gathered out of the kingdom. Some will offend at some minor point of truth and will be guilty be­fore God. Let us remember that it is our own decision that causes us to be removed out of the kingdom. This responsibility is a personal and individual matter. We are told that the results of preaching God’s message will be as stated in verse 42. “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The Holy Spirit fire burns the souls of every one that rebels against truth. The wailing and gnashing of teeth will begin now, but will last forever.

There will only be a remnant left in the kingdom. Not many are willing to be freed from Babylonian bondage. They would rather stay with the crowds. Many are hunting hiding places in the holes and dens of the rocks and mountains of Babylon, trying to shield themselves from the “furnace of fire.”

In Matthew 13:43 Jesus shows us the visibility of the righteous: “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” God still has a few who are not hunting any holes or hiding places. With sword and spear in hand they have ascended Mt. Sion. With the “great trumpet” to their lips they are sounding a blast of truth that is shaking Babylon to pieces, and is testing every man’s work.

“Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stone, wood, hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, be­cause it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire.” 1st Corinthians 3:12-17.

It is certain that Christ is the only foundation on which to build. Paul has just told us that there are two kinds of works: the perishable and the unperishable The gold, silver, and precious stones represent truth, and it will not burn. The Holy Spirit fire will never affect it. All man­made theories and doctrines are classed as wood, hay, and stubble. These are all combustible and are being destroyed by the fires of God’s holiness and truth.

There have been many saved people in the past who, without knowledge, built with wood, hay, and stubble. With the blood of Christ having been applied to their souls, and God having winked at their ignorance, they were saved by the fire of God’s justice, but their works are all being burned in the judgment fires of his truth. Honest souls, who love God and His truth with all their hearts, will be sorry when they see their mistakes and will rejoice at its destruction by the fire of truth.

If the binding in bundles, spoken of by Jesus in His parable, has any spiritual significance in spiritual things, it would mean that everything was bound in its own class and kind, and burned by the fire and truth that destroyed it.

God is clearing His kingdom of those who are seed on stony ground and, among thorns and thistles. Every mans’ stability is tested and tried. His love, consecration and endurance is tested. God is not pleased with those who cannot stand the scorching fires of the Sun of righteous­ness which will only cleanse and purify. It will be only a small part, a remnant, that will stand the test. With God, quality is preferred before quantity and great numbers. God has a remnant in the ministry, filled with love, power, and victory — “Redeemed from among men” and “Not defiled with women,” man-made churches. They are kindling the fire of Holy Spirit judgment and truth which will destroy everything that is wood, hay, and stubble.

This gospel MUST be preached to all the world; all MUST come through the great valley of truth, with a decision to make. This TRUTH becomes a sickle in the hands ‘of the angels, the ministry, whom God said he would send. The decision each individual MUST make determines whether they are to become “wheat for the garner” or “chaff for the furnace of fire.”

Let us notice the blessed condition of those gathered into this garner of SOUL REST, SAFETY, AND SECURITY. In Revelation 14:10-11 we are shown the torments of those who worshipped the beast and his image with the smoke of their torment ascending up for ever and ever. These torments begin as people come out on the wrong side of the valley of decision, and will never end. In verse 12 we are told that this is a time when the saints will have need of patience, but verse 13 tells us of the blessedness of their condition. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth (or from now on); yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.”

This is trying to teach us a spiritual lesson. This dying in the Lord is spiritual. It will take a complete dying to ALL THINGS to get out on the right side of this valley of decision. This is called dying in the Lord. From this time on, they may rest from their carnal labors of perishable things. But their works of righteousness do follow them. Those who can walk out on the side of God’s heavenly Jerusalem, and claim God’s Mt. Sion of light and truth, refusing to obey the voice of the enemy and those who make the wrong decisions, certainly are blessed of God. It takes dead people to do this.

At the sounding of this seventh trumpet and last message ALL immediately emerge into the valley of DECISION. The great Holy Spirit firmly fixes the TRUTH to be decided upon on the heart and soul of the listener, forcing them into the valley of decision. There is no al­ternative. All must face the issue. Only a few came out on God’s side.

In Revelation 14:14-16, John tells us of a white cloud and the Son of man sitting on it with a sharp sickle in his hand. This once more points us to the harvest Jesus said would be in the end of the world. In these verses we are told that the earth was reaped, which has reference to the earthly originated doctrines of men.

In verse 17 we see this sickle in the hands of an angel coming out of the temple, which would mean the ministry of the church now has the message. This message is the sounding of the seventh or last trumpet to the nations. In verse 18 we see another angel or ministry which has power over fire. It says that they came out from the altar. There are a few ministers who linger at the altar until they are endowed with fire that will burn up the chaff while the wheat is being gathered into the garner. The message of this angel was, “Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thou­sand and six hundred furlongs.” Revelation 14:18-20.

Here we have the’ harvesting of the cluster of the vine of the earth. In St. John 15, Jesus said, “I am the TRUE vine.” This is the harvesting of the false vine, which is the cluster of Babylonian doctrines and institutions. This is that harvest that Jesus said would be “in the end of the world.” The fullnes of the cluster of the vine of all man­made institutions is being cast into the “winepress of the wrath of God.” This winepress was “trodden without” the city or beyond the city limits of Babylon. Even there, judgment was laid to the line, so that all may understand it. The last part of verse 20 seems to imply a battlefield which alludes to the battle of “Armageddon.” This is taken from ancient warfare when they rode horses into battle. The rider is responsible for the use of the reins or bits of the bridle, and his “blood” is upon his own shoulders.

In the “valley of Jehoshaphat” we have a combination of TYPES, SHADOWS and SYMBOLS, having their spiritual fulfillment in the time in which we are living. The old prophet told us in Joel 3:1 that it would be “In those days, and in that time, WHEN I SHALL BRING AGAIN THE CAPTIVITY OF JUDAH AND JERUSALEM, I will also gather all nations . . into the valley of Jehoshaphat.” This is the age in which God is setting His hand again the second time to gather a remnant of his people. Isaiah 11:11.

Three things are happening in this symbolical valley of “evening light” and truth. The first thing to be done on entering this valley is to make a DECISION. On one side is the city of Babylon, scattered on the hills of con­fusion. Her kings and captains with vain promises and fair speeches are offering her religious wares. Much of her merchandise offers to the satisfying of the lust of the flesh,, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. She has much to offer to the “lovers of pleasure.” The upper seats in the synagogues have their appeal to those who love the praise and applause of men. No one is required to be spiritual; that is old-fashioned and out of date. The minister is offered many opportunities with chance for promotion if he can sell the goods. For success in this, the preacher in­vokes God’s blessings upon them, with a bogus promise that they will have an abundant entrance into the celestial city at the end. These things can be plainly seen by every one, who enters the valley of God’s glorious truth.

As we enter this valley, the glorious light and, truth illuminates our souls ,as never before. Prophetic and symbolic mysteries dazzle our spiritual ,eyes with a seven-fold-brightness. The hungry, sincere, honest souls will begin to feast on food they did not know existed. Before us is God’s glorious Mt. Sion, His heavenly Jerusalem, THE GLORIOUS CHURCH OF GOD, free from all sin, sectarianism and man-rule. Jesus Christ is her Head, Governor, and Ruler. In all things He is given “preeminence.” God’s people know their needs. God’s promises are plain before them that He will supply them. They are standing on the faith line of victory with signs and miracles following their ministry.

As we step into this valley of light and truth, and look at the results of decision, we see a great harvest time. Many who see light on God’s Word and do not retain a love for truth, are offended and turn to the hills of Babylon, believing a delusion with damnation resting on their souls.. If they were saved they were in the kingdom, but when they are offended at even one point of truth, they are gathered out of His kingdom. Jesus wants a clean church and only those on clean soil. He wants those among ,thorns and thistles and’ on stony ground put to a test and gathered out of His kingdom, that those on good ground “May shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” You do not have to know all the Word of God to become responsible before God. Each one is responsible for what he knows, let it be much or little. Some dump the whole thing overboard be­cause they do not understand some parts of it. This will not excuse you for that part you understand when you stand at the final judgment.

Those on good ground love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and “nothing offends them.” They accept all the truth they understand, and are ready for the rest when it comes. Their eyes are set toward the top of Mt. Sion. They hunger and ,thirst for the fullness of God’s truth. They are dead to Babylon and her allurements, and are never satisfied until they reach the top of glorious Mt. Sion, and there pitch their tent in “the camp of the saints,” and launch their little barks on the great river which Isaiah said “would flow in the top of the mountain.”

This is the time of harvest at the end of the world. If you cannot pass the one hundred percent test of purity, holiness, and goodness according to your own decision, you will be numbered with the tares and burned as chaff in the furnace of Holy Spirit fire.

Now let us change this scene in this valley of Jehoshaphat and view it as the great battle of Armageddon. This is not a literal battle as some would have us believe. Most all of the prophecies of the prophets pointing to the gospel day, the parable of Jesus, and the symbolic language of the book of Revelation must be given a spiritual interpretation. To literalize them would destroy the kingdom that Jesus came to set up, which is a kingdom of righteousness, joy and peace in the Holy Ghost.

In this valley of decision is where soldiers enlist for the battle. You will never be drafted, but you will be forced to say, yes or no. The devil will tell you not to do it, that you can’t make it, and if you do, it will not pay. The devil will further magnify the hardships of a soldier of the cross. He will send his angels with flowery speeches of discouragement. He will tell you that you can never accomplish anything with those few outcasts.

But the voice of the Holy Spirit can be heard in this valley, for here is where He talks. This is where He pleads with the nations. He, too, will show you the hardships of a soldier of the cross. He will lay before you standards and requirements which you must meet. The plain, unmistakable word will be heard, “Follow thou Me.” He will further tell us not to be ashamed of Him or His words, and take up our cross and follow Him. It will be made very clear that we will be criticized, persecuted, and reviled for the stand we take concerning this full gospel message of evening light truth. The final test is—He brings us to a LIFE and DEATH consecration. He died for us. We must be willing to die for the sake of His truth.

This great battle of Armageddon is fought between the forces of God’s saints gathered out on Mt. Sion and the forces of Babylon. In this great valley of decision is where people choose which side they are on. It is folly for one to be­lieve he can work for God and remain on the devil’s side, but to walk out is wisdom’s way. This valley of evening light and truth makes it clear and you make the choice as to what side you are on. When light comes to a saved person in Babylon, and they see the glorious Church- of God, they CANNOT remain in Babylon and stay saved. While some feel that they can do some good by staying there, how can a person be worth anything to the cause of God, or any one else, in a backslidden condition? God’s message is: “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins,” and the message bearers should practice what they preach.

It is true that Babylon has some good hung on the outside. She has taken some of the “precious things” and decked the outside, but inwardly she is full of adulterous abominations. All saved people have some truth, but when you come out of Babylon, bring what truth you have, but be sure you do not bring with you some of your old Babylon clothes and practices.

This great battle is fought with a loss and gain on both sides. When one side gains or captures a man, of course the other side loses him. While some are being dis­fellowshipped and turned out of Babylon for preaching the truth of God’s Word, there are others who see the abominations of Babylon, and the glorious Church of God, and come out of their own accord. There are some who seem to run well for a time, but after a while selfish motives re­vive, they make a compromise deal with the devil, and are captured by his forces. All it takes to be a part of Babylon is to adopt Babylonian practices. What it takes to be the real Mt. Sion Church of God is to be governed by the Word and the Spirit. The Word and the Spirit always agree. The wrong spirit will not agree with the right inter­pretation, and the wrong interpretation will not agree with the Holy Spirit.

There are some who see all the abominations of Babylon. They visualize her unscriptural foundations and oper­ations. They see her sins, deceptions, graft, and hypocrisies. Discouraged, cast down and soul sick, they decide to get out of religion and quit professing to be anything. Such a one is standing in the valley of decision, but he sees only the abominations of Babylon. They need to hear the gospel which will make plain God’s great plan of complete’ re­demption for a lost world. Then they need to see God’s redeemed host walking in the light, and climbing God’s Mt. Sion of truth, coming to the unity of the faith. They need to see a group of people of which Jesus is the head, and whom the Holy Spirit is leading and directing, because He is dwelling in their hearts. In such a group they can see holiness, victory, power, and glory with signs following, be­cause they believe and practice ALL the Word of God. In such a group can’ be ‘seen a sweet spirit, and a love for all men, but no love for Babylonian practices. Surely a vision of the privilege of becoming a particular member in that church which Jesus owns and recognizes as His Bride, with His great loving arms of protection ,and care thrown around her, is sufficient to win the affections of the soul of those who want the real love and affection of the Master.

Some come out of Babylon and start, or enter, another part of Babylon. as bad or worse than ,the one they came out of, hoping to be the head of it. To come out of Babylon is not enough. God has something for us to come to. “But ye are come unto Mt. Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the “first born, which are written in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and ‘to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel.” Hebrews 12:22-24.

It will not be hard to identify the true church of God when we see a people on the Bible foundations, preaching and practicing all the Bible, bearing the fruits of the Spirit, manifesting all the gifts of the Spirit, and with the signs following that Jesus said would follow them that believe. God is not satisfied with less than this, and we should not be satisfied until we have reached that goal. Only those who live under the drippings of God’s sanctuary of holiness, power, and wisdom will be able to discern the devil’s sub­stitutes and imitations. The devil has power to perform miracles. In Moses’ time, Aaron’s rod was turned to a ser­pent in the presence of Pharoah. He sent for the wise men and their rods also were turned into serpents. We notice that ‘Aaron’s serpent swallowed theirs. This shows us that God is the greater power.

The devil is working his miracles in modern Babylon today. He has his substitutes for the gifts of the Spirit and the signs that Jesus said would follow them that be­lieve. Through these false manifestations and demonstrations he is deceiving many, who are looking for something more than dead, lifeless formality. These demonstrations carry a close resemblance of the real Bible signs and gifts. Some times it takes discernment, a close examination and testing with Bible truth. I am persuaded that all the ser­pents in Aaron’s time looked alike, but the final test showed which one was of God.

The devil has his false holy ghost, with his false evidence of speaking in tongues, which makes people power­less and helpless, but causes them to do things which are not decent nor becoming. The power that God gives causes people to stand upright, bear the fruit of the Spirit, and testify intelligently to what God has done.

If there are those present who cannot understand the speaker’s language, God may give the gift of “tongues” or speaking in other languages, so that the speaker may speak and testify in their own language the great things of God. This is not a sign to the one speaking that he has the Holy Ghost, but a sign to the unbeliever, when he hears the won­derful message of God. 1st Corinthians 14:22. When the wrong spirit gets hold of people, it makes them demonstrate and do things they would not do otherwise. I have seen them shake, quiver and fall, kick and roll, and act very unbe­coming with their face drawn into a Satanic look, slobber and make noises. This, they said, was speaking in tongues. The most of this noise was not any language at all. Usually it consists of a lingo of a few different sounds repeated Over and over. Some times the devil has his interpreter there, who would interpret these certain sounds to mean many different things.

The devil has his miracles and healings. If the devil could make a serpent out of a rod, he can heal a sick person in order to deceive them. I have seen those who said they had the gift of healing, but only had the devil’s deception. When they prayed for one sick, they would fall powerless On the floor. Sometimes they get up and walk in a mirac­ulous way, but with some peculiar look on their face or some actions that are foreign to the Spirit of God. Some of these great healers have peculiar actions while perform­ing these miracles. They roll their eyes and look wild. It is plain to see that some power gets hold of them. Sometimes they treat the sick person very rough, shake them unmerci­fully, and slap them with their hand. When the power strikes the one being prayed for, there is a peculiar Sa­tanic look on their face. I have seen the false and I have seen the real. The contrast is outstanding. They act different, look different and manifest a different spirit.

I have talked with individuals who aacknowledged they were not even saved, were immoral characters, yet they could speak this false tongue. I have seen those who were convinced that they had a false spirit, acknowledged it as un­scriptural, wanted to get rid of it, and have, the devils cast out.

The devil is using these signs and wonders to deceive people and get them away from the real thing. God gets no glory out of the devil’s work, even though it is done in His name. Some honest people are led into this deception because they do not examine it close enough to detect the source from which it comes. If saved people would earnestly pray for God to keep them from going into any­thing displeasing to Him, and would reject every appearance of deception as fast as it comes, they would not be led into the devil’s traps. God says to try the spirits. We must put them to a Biblical test. If they are wrong, we must take a firm stand in our hearts against them and rebuke them in the name of the Lord.

In this little book I have tried to show what Babylon is and what it is not. I am acknowledging that she has carried some of the good things of God down into her domain, but God said, “Your silver and your gold will not save you in the day of His wrath and judgment,” and His message is, “Come out of her, my people, be not partakers of her sins.” It seems clear to me that any honest and fair-minded person can see what Babylon is, and what God says to do about it.

I have tried to describe Babylon in plain language, backed by the Word of God. I have not intended to say harsh things about any person or group of people, but I have done my best to expose things and conditions that sur­round them. I carry no ill will or malice against any re­ligious people, even those of the lowest type and kind. I have a love that would reach for the lowest and lift them to the highest, if they would only let God do it. I have felt the presence, power, and approval of God as I write. Many times I have lifted my heart to the God of all creation, and asked Him somehow to awake and bless the fallen and sleeping nations.

I send this little book out with a prayer from the depth of my soul that its readers will not only see Babylon, but also see the great, grand, and glorious New Testament Mt. Sion Church of God, the heavenly Jerusalem, in her splen­dor and glory as John saw her adorned as a bride for her husband.” AMEN AND AMEN.