Mystery Babylon, A Final Look At The Modern Expression Of The Mystery... Series

SEVENTY: ON SPEAKING OUT

The Rock magazine from which I quoted earlier, March of 1990, addresses a question that may have entered your mind by now: Is it right to judge, to expose error, to name names? I give you their solidly Biblically-based answer:

"...Those who are faithful in exposing error...are now being widely denounced and are accused of being unloving and unkind...one of the most misused verses in the Bible is 'Judge not...' (Matthew 7) In vs. 2-5 of this same chapter it is evident that v.1 is referring to hypocritical judgment...you cannot judge another for sin if you are guilty of the same sin...

"You shall know them by their fruits...False teachers are free to spread their poisonous doctrines today because there is a conspiracy of silence among many Bible believers. Wolves in sheep's clothing are thus enabled to ravage the flock...

"John the Baptist called the Pharisees...a generation of vipers...(so did Jesus)

"Standing face to face with these false teachers, Jesus called them hypocrites, blind guides, whited sepulchres, and serpents...

"In our day these false teachers have come into the churches with their books, literature, movies, psychology, and seminars, and have turned the father's house into a den of thieves. It is time that men of God stood up and expose their errors for all to see.

" 'Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits...because many false prophets are gone out into the world.'(John)

" 'Mark them, and avoid them...'(Paul to the Romans)

" 'Rebuke them.' (Paul to Titus)

" ' Have no fellowship with them.' (Paul to the Ephesians)

" ' Withdraw from them.' (Paul to the Thessalonians)

" ' Reject them'. (Paul to Titus)

"Paul named Peter publicly, and he named Demas...and Hymenaeus and Alexander...John named Diotrephes...

"Yes, it is right to expose error and to name those who are in error. It is right to earnestly contend for the faith...faithful messengers will warn the sheep of these heretics, and identify them by name. It is not enough to broadly hint of their identity, for the young lambs will not understand and will be destroyed by the wolves."

Over-zealous judges can of course take this teaching too far. But with all that is false in the church today, a good house-cleaning soon won't hurt a thing, and the fear of God will return to our midst, as when God had to, Himself, remove the first liars from the church!

SEVENTY-ONE: BABYLON-ROME TODAY (the 1990's)

One-fifth of the world's peoples are today technically under Rome's sway. That's the membership of the Roman Catholic System. But many more than that are influenced by the Vatican. Official representatives in the form of nuncios and/or delegates are sent to over 140 of the world's nations. Rome is united to the UN, the Council of Europe, the Organization of American States. There is even representation in the body known as the European Community, which should prove an interesting amalgamation someday soon.

Other governmental organizations linked to the Vatican include the Universal Postal Union, the International Telecommunications Union, International Organization of Telecommunication via Satellite, to name only a few. A long list of non-governmental but nonetheless international groups has likewise been touched by Rome. Power is still a major thrust of the group we are studying.

The United States is involved in all of this, and has been moreso since 1984, when diplomatic relations re-opened. The representative of the Pope to the United States Church is Archbishop Cacciavillan. The representative of the United States to Vatican City is Thomas P. Melady. [1992]

Worldwide, political liaisons are represented by diplomats in about 125 nations of the world. (all stats so far from Catholic Almanac, 1992)

Fifty-eight nations and territories have 50% or more of their population safely in the Catholic fold. One hundred six more range from 1% to 50%. (Operation World, Johnstone)

Sounds like a powerful kingdom, though you would not think so while visiting Vatican City, which is a total of 108 acres! Included on this small plot is a palace, a radio station, a separate post office, a separate bank. The Catholic Almanac adds: "The city is an absolutely neutral state and enjoys all the rights and privileges of a sovereign power."

Yep. That's the Vatican. A sovereign power. An Empire, if you will. Or even if you won't, if "empire" means, as Webster says it does, "an extensive social or economic organization under the control of a single person." The Roman Empire lives. Crippled and cut down in many ways, but still hoping for her day in the sun when the power she had in the days of the Caesars and the Hapsburgs returns.

Are the other threads still visible today? Can we still trace her as Babylon's legitimate descendant?

1. She finally admits to abuses against Jews. She still is opposed to Israel's claims in the Middle East granting diplomatic relations while courting Arab purposes . Let the world take note that it was Arafat who first appeared with the Pope.