Summary: Though this study concluded in the 1990's, the conclusions are the same today. World religion is coming. Romanism and its cronies will make it up. Bible believers will be excluded. Be ready...

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.

2. Her teachings are worse than when we first tuned in. She has added many dogmas, though calling herself unchanging. She has in fact passed the Jews in her canonization of rules to be inflicted on the people of God. It was the traditions of men, not the rules of God given to Moses that was weighing God's people down in Jesus' day. The 1700 plus canons of the Catholic Code of Canon Law, most of them totally unfounded from a Scriptural perspective, make for some very difficult reading, and even more difficult living. Allow me to quote a few of them here, contrasted to relevant Scriptures:

• Canon 849: "Baptism, the gate to the sacraments, necessary for salvation in fact or at least in intention, by which men and women are freed from their sins, are reborn as children of God and, configured to Christ..."

But,Paul, Galatians 3:26: "You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus." I am aware that Rome teaches faith, but this statement of the Canon is not unrepresentative of her belief that baptism is the entrance requirement. Since it is administered to infants, personal faith and repentance are not considered as vital as this outward act. (see also Canon 204.)

• Canon 204, paragraph 2:"This Church... subsists in the Catholic Church, governed by the successor of Peter and the bishops in communion with him."

But, Jesus, Matthew 18:20: "Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

• Canon 246. "Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, including the rosary....are to be fostered so that the (Seminary) students acquire a spirit of prayer and gain strength in their vocation."

But, Jesus, Matthew 6:5-13: "When you pray, pray to your Father who is in secret."

And, The Father, Exodus 20:1-5: "You shall have no other gods before me...you shall not bow down to them nor serve them...I the Lord your God am a jealous God..."

• Canon 247. "The students are to be preserved through suitable education to observe the state of celibacy, and they are also to learn to honor it as a special gift from God."

But Paul, I Corinthians 7: "I wish that all men were even as myself...but each one has his own gift from God...It is good for a man not to touch a woman...nevertheless because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife... and in I Timothy 3, the bishop/elder is told he must be the "husband of one wife." Marriage is a requirement for permanent leaders of churches! Note the subtle difference between the Canon and the Scripture: Seminarians must come by education into the celibate state. True celibates know from God what their gift is.

• Canon 252. "The students are to be taught Sacred Scripture...dogmatic theology...with St. Thomas as their teacher in a special way..."

But, John, I John 2:27: "The anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you..." The Holy Ghost is our teacher. The office of teacher in the Body is only to be a passing on of the truths of the Holy Spirit. Let no man teach his own theories, opinions , or philosophies!

• Canon 331. " The bishop of the Church of Rome...the Vicar of Christ and Pastor of the Universal Church on earth, enjoys supreme, full, immediate and universal ordinary power in the Church..."

But, Peter, I Peter 2:25: "...you have now returned to the Pastor and Bishop of your souls," (Jesus) and Paul, Colossians 1:18: "He is the head of the body, the church...that in all things He may have the preeminence."

• Canon 528. "The pastor is to see to it that the Most Holy Eucharist is the center of the parish assembly of the faithful."

But, Luke, Acts 2:42: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." No centrality established.

• Canon 834. "...the sacred liturgy ..is indeed the exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ..."

But, The writer of Hebrews, 2:17: as a priest, he "made propitiation for the sins of the people." As a priest, he "sympathizes with our weaknesses "(4:15) As a priest, he "makes intercession for them." (7:25) As a priest, he does not need daily to offer up sacrifices, since he has done it once for all. (7:27) If this priest were on earth (and he is not -ever!), he would not be a priest, for his priesthood is the true heavenly one, not the one made by man! (8:4-6) Would that I could find a Scripture to mention the priesthood of Jesus in a liturgy, but such does not exist. So let God's silence be argument enough.

• Canon 835. "...bishops...are high priests."

But, again, Hebrews 3:1. Jesus is our high priest. By definition, there can only be one.

• Canon 842. "One who has not received baptism cannot be validly admitted to the other sacraments."

But, Luke/Peter in Acts 2:47. "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit." What, "confirmation" before baptism? Yes, God does as He pleases, canons notwithstanding.

• Canon 849. "Baptism, ...by which men and women are freed from their sins, are reborn as children of God...is validly conferred only...with the required form of words."

But, Luke/Paul in Acts 16:31 ff. In the first place, it was belief in Jesus that saved the Philippian jailor, according to Paul. And no words were spoken. In Acts 2 no words are mentioned. In Acts 10 they were baptized in the name of the Lord. In Acts 19, they were baptized in the name of Jesus. Jesus said to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Guess what! There is no form of words. If so, many Biblical candidates were misled!

• Canon 851. "It is necessary that the celebration of baptism be properly prepared." (as in catechism)

But, Luke,Acts 16:31 ff: "And he took them the same hour of the night ...and immediately he and all his family were baptized."

• Canon 867. "Parents are obliged to see to it that infants are baptized within the first weeks after birth..."

But, Jesus, Mark 16:16: "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved." Peter, Acts 2:38,"Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins."

• Canon 880. "The sacrament of confirmation (the Holy Ghost empowerment) is conferred through anointing with chrism on the forehead...the imposition of the hand...and through the words prescribed in the approved liturgical books."

But, Luke, Acts 10. "While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell..." Acts 19: "When Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them."

• Canon 965. "Only a priest is the minister of the sacrament of penance."

But, James, James 5:16: "Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed." John, I John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins..."

• Canon 1003. "...only a priest validly administers the anointing of the sick."

But, Jesus, Mark 16:16 ff: " He who believes and is baptized will be saved...these signs shall follow those who believe...they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

• Canon 1186. "...the Blessed Mary...Christ established as the Mother of the human race..."

But, Paul, Galatians 4:26 : "...but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all." Jesus' mother is Jesus' mother. The church's mother is spiritual Israel, and the mother of natural humans is the wife of the father of the human race, Eve.

• Canon 1188. "The practice of displaying sacred images in the churches for the veneration of the faithful is to remain in force..."

But, God the Father, Exodus 20:4: "You shall not make for yourself any carved image...you shall not bow down to them..." Clear, don't you think?

• Canon 1214. "The term church signifies a sacred building destined for divine worship..."

But, Paul, Ephesians 1:24: "...for the sake of His body, which is the church."

• Canon 1246. "Sunday is the day...to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the Universal Church. Also to be observed are Christmas, the Epiphany, the Ascension and Corpus Christi, Holy Mary Mother of God and her Immaculate Conception and Assumption, Saint Joseph, the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul, and finally, All Saints."

But, Luke, Acts 2:46:"...so, continuing daily with one accord..., breaking bread from house to house...praising God..." Paul, Galatians 4:10-11: "...after you have known God...how is it that you return to the weak and beggarly elements to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you..."

And so on and on it goes through penalties and processes and doctrines of men. I ask you, how did we get from 10 commandments of Moses to 1752 canons of Rome? How did we go from "Thus saith the Lord," to "Thus saith man" ? How from a clear presentation of truth by an apostle or prophet to a muddied misrepresentation, extension, and ultimately a denial of the original word?

That, as Tevye says, I can tell you in one word: Tradition! But one greater than Tevye is here. He speaks to us in the Book of Matthew, Chapter 15. "For God said...," "but you say...." If the above documentation is not sufficient, I challenge my readers to purchase the Code, and read through it. One will find outright denials of Scripture, as above, and teachings that are so obviously missing in the Holy Book as to cause one grief. It is not a pleasant study. But that book, more than any one available, including the Bible, is the norm of all Catholic teaching. Do not judge Catholicism by its agreements with Christianity, but by this official pronouncement of the entire Roman teaching authority, the present Pope being its final approver.

Now where were we? Oh yes, showing how modern Rome is indeed the same organization that has existed from the Tower of Babel:

3. Her ceremonies,her dress, her basic appearance, though scaled down for modern consumption, are still identifiably Babylonian. Look at the Pope's hat the next time you see him on T.V., for example. Dagon, the fish god, lives.

4. Her power is as great as modern man will tolerate. She is limited by the force of human will under the hand of God, not by her own choices. This article appeared on America Online, December 12, 1993, dateline, Pangasinan, the Philippines:

"In my country, the Catholic Church is a very damaging force. The church is like a branch of government, it imposes on Catholics and non-Catholics alike by forcing the government to implement Catholic policy as law..."

In Mexico, nuns are accused of aiding the feared Zapatista rebels. Other stories filter in, but the big one is yet to come.

5. Her obvious goal continues to be world domination, not world evangelism as practiced by the true church of Jesus. To that end she will use any method available and consumable by the public: force, signs & wonders, politics.

Yes, sadly, she is as she says, semper eadem. She cannot and will not change. The most important question is not who she is, but what will you do about it?

Amos the prophet said, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"

Three times in Scripture God says to His people, "Come out from among them ..." Come out from Old Babylon. Come out from the world dominated by Babylon. Come out from "Mystery Babylon." His comforting promise to those coming out is that He will be their God. For someone under the domination of Babylon all his life, this assurance is welcome!

In Jesus' day the Jews claimed a monopoly on religion, and to be cast out of the synagogue was a frightening prospect. Yet this was the case of one who had been born blind, healed by Jesus. He could not deny that Jesus is God, so he was thrown out. Jesus made a special effort to tell that man not to worry, that he had made the right decision.

Upon your exit from Babylon, you too will experience some fear and alienation, some loneliness. But Jesus says to you, "I'll be your God now. You'll be my own special people."

Let me suggest the following course of action:

1. Pray! Pray often. Determine that never a day will pass when you have not spent quality time with God, seeking His face about this issue.

2. If you have never called out to God for His grace, simply do so. Call out to Him until you are convinced on the basis of His Word that He has heard you. His Word says that whosoever (what a blessed word!) calls on Him will be saved!

3. Saturate yourself with the Scriptures, especially, in the beginning, the Gospel stories, the story of the early Church (Acts) and the book of Romans. Let praise rise as you read the Psalms. Let wisdom enter with the Proverbs of Solomon. Read the beginnings of all things from the Book of Genesis.

4. As you begin to understand who you are in Christ, you will begin to weep for those around you who do not experience the call of God in their lives, because they are not seeking for it. Pray for them, and guard yourself from any pride or bitterness.

5. Ask God to surround you with true believers. Slowly but surely, come out!

Hear what converted priest Richard Bennett did (from his tract, "From Tradition to Truth"):

"My decision to leave the security of the Roman Catholic Church was painful beyond words. I decided to trust the Lord, however, and Him alone, on the authority of His Word in the Bible. I repented of my sins, especially that of being mediator. I accepted fully and unconditionally the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ on the cross."

.....

You and I are caught in the middle of this modern dilemma and called upon to make a choice.

Many say Christ is about to return. Looking at Rome, the Middle East, Europe, one cannot help but feel the time is near. Satan is becoming bolder and bolder, the walls once held by the church seem to be crumbling as God's people buy more and more garbage from the world. And the world looks more and more religious.

Have you seen those two images that should make Bible-believers stand up and take notice? A woman riding a beast was pictured in the December 9, 1991 Time Magazine. And, an unfinished tower (as at Babel) is an official poster of the European Community, suggesting it is time to finish what was started long ago. The hour is late!

I begin to reflect, now that I have come to the final paragraphs, on how this study began. I can honestly say that it began as the Word of God touched my heart. But, just as honestly, I relate that many men had a part in this narrative. Some I leaned on more than others. Some perhaps do not deserve trust. I must leave those decisions with you. I hope I have established that no man is to be trusted, including this one. But God and His apostles have not lied. The words of Scripture cannot be altered. From God's Book, and I say this in review, I find that

1. there is in the end time world a whorish religion riding a political beast to world power.

2. there has been since the days of the Grecian Empire, and shall be until the reign of Antichrist from Jerusalem, a Roman world power.

3. though "God is in control," as we love to say, still the Kingdoms of this world are presently under Satan's domain and will only become fully Christ's at His coming.

4. the imagery of Daniel and Revelation point to the same political beast and thus the same woman attached.

5. the beginning history of Babylon, and its subsequent phases, are documented.

A woman riding a beast. Man building a tower. Where we began we end, with fervent desire that many will heed the call to "come out of her" before it is everlastingly too late.