Series: Rev’d Up
Thesis of Series: We need to get Rev’d Up for Jesus’ Second Coming as we look at what is happening to our society and world. Many are saying the time is near and Revelation tells us to be ready at a moment’s notice. So, let’s get Rev’d up and be ready to meet Jesus!
Key Scripture Text: Revelation 12:11: “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
Review of the book of Revelation:
This writing unveils to us Jesus Christ – “The Beginning and the End”
This book presents 7 churches, 7 seals, 7 heads of a Beast-like Kingdom, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls of God’s Wrath, and 7 reasons why we as Christians should “Be Happy” in spite of false prophets, antichrists, worldly demonic kingdoms, war, famine, persecution and even the partial destruction of the earth.
The ultimate blessing in this life which should make us smile in the trial is Jesus – The One who was! Who is! And Who is coming again!
Sermon: Rev’d Up – pt. 15 Revelation 17-18
Scripture Text:
Revelation 17:
The Woman and the Beast
1One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.
2With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”
3Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.
4The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.
5This title was written on her forehead: mystery
babylon the great
the mother of prostitutes
and of the abominations of the earth.
6I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.
7Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.
8The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come.
9“This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits.
10They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while.
11The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.
12“The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.
13They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.
14They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
15Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.
16The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
17For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God’s words are fulfilled.
18The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”
Revelation Chapter 18
1After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.
2With a mighty voice he shouted: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird.
3For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”
4Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
5for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
6Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Mix her a double portion from her own cup.
7Give her as much torture and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit as queen; I am not a widow, and I will never mourn.’
8Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
9“When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her.
10Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: “‘Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!’
11“The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more—
12cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble;
13cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men.
14“They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your riches and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’
15The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn
16and cry out: “‘Woe! Woe, O great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
17In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’ “Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off.
18When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’
19They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: “‘Woe! Woe, O great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!
20Rejoice over her, O heaven! Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets! God has judged her for the way she treated you.’”
21Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again.
22The music of harpists and musicians, flute players and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No workman of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again.
23The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s great men. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.
24In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints, and of all who have been killed on the earth.”
When you read these chapters what do you see or hear in this vision? One question I get asked a lot is the USA found in the Bible?
So today I want to compare what we read in these two chapters to the Statue of Liberty and New York/USA and do some comparison between USA and the Great Prostitute and tell me what you see and hear?
Revelation 17:1 “One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the Great Prostitute, who sits on many waters.”
This Statue of Liberty is recognized worldwide as the USA’S symbo. It is a National Monument recognized around the world to represent the USA as a whole.
Picture of Statue of Liberty
She sits at the entrance to the harbor of New York. She also has a duplicate in France of herself.
Revelation 17:2 “With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”
The United Nations is in New York – do not forget – our country has polluted the mindset of the world with greed, riches, porno 10 Billion dollar business – 2nd biggest export of USA is Movies, TV Shows, have you noticed the content of most movies today is it filled with Biblical or evil content as a whole?
Revelation 17:3 “Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into the desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.”
4th of July picture of the Statue of Liberty at the USA 200 year anniversary celebration:
Count the 7 spikes (heads) in her crown on her head.
In the next picture count how many points come off her base: That would be 10 is it 10 Horns.
Revelation 17:4 “The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.”
See the picture above celebrating the 200th birthday of the USA for color references and the picture below for the glittering with gold symbolism. Also notice the golden cup symbolism the torch could be interpreted as a cup. See pictures below this one:
Revelation 17:5 “This title was written on her forehead: Mystery Babylon the Great Mother of Prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth.”
It says in historical briefs that the statue was designed after the Roman and Greek era but our sculptor toured the Middle East and became inspired, according to history, with other legends of goddesses visiting places in the Middle East for inspiration. He did this to help him design and to increase the impact of the Statue of Liberty:
A man of his time, Bartholdi wasn't alone in his passion for art on a grand scale. During the 19th century, large-scale public monuments were an especially popular art form. It was an age of ostentation, largely inspired by classical Greek and Roman civilizations. Most monuments reflected either the dress or architecture of these ancient times, so the artistic style of the 19th century came to be known as "neoclassical." The Statue of Liberty would be patterned after the goddess, Libertas, the Roman personification of freedom. But it was a trip to Egypt that shifted Bartholdi's artistic perspective from simply grand to colossal. The overwhelming size and mysterious majesty of the Pyramids and the Sphinx were awesome to the enthusiastic young Bartholdi. He wrote, "Their kindly and impassive glance seems to ignore the present and to be fixed upon an unlimited future." http://www.ohranger.com/statue-liberty/history-statue-liberty
The above description of the Statue is assumed not proved. Further research believes he based the sculptor after the goddess of Babylon “Ishtar” – look at the following paintings of Ishtar the Babylonian Goddess of fertility and noticed the resemblance to the Statue of Liberty:
The above pose of this picture looks similar to the Statue of liberty’s pose with the torch.
The above picture shows a crown and resembles the crown of the Statue of Liberty.
The picture above reflects the robe of the Statue of Liberty.
Remember who exports more porn worldwide - The United States, through movies, internet sites and magazines. We also export a lot of immorality portrayed as okay and alright through USA made movies and TV shows worldwide! Also, through written literature and music lyrics. Also note that Hollywood produces most of the horror movies watched by the world.
Revelation 17:6 “I saw the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.”
I believe this time is starting to occur and persecution of the Christian in this nation is on the horizon. Today we see a hostile view of the Christian in this country surfacing.
Revelation 17: 7 “Then the angel said to me: ‘Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has seven heads and ten horns.”
Revelation 17:8 “The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come.”
Could the book in the right hand of the Statue of Liberty have some parallel to this verse about those not written in the Book of Life?
What could be symbolized by the Prostitute riding the beast for the Abyss? It could mean riding the evil ways of the Devil and promoting them? Not promoting the ways of Jesus but persecuting the ones who stand for Jesus – notice it started with banning of prayer in schools, the myth of separation church and State. The attack on Christian values over the last 20 years and the Bible’s beliefs. The denial of God’s truth. The belittling of the Bible and Jesus in the media.
See picture below reflects how culture is viewed:
Revelation 17:9 “This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the women sits.”
Revelations 17:10 “They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while.
Revelation 17:11 “The beast who once was, and now is not, is the eight king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.”
Revelation 17:12 “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.”
Revelation 17:13 “They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.”
Revelation 17:14 “They make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is the Lord of lords and King of kings-and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
The preceding text speaks of the rising and the falling of leaders over the world and over other nations. Some believe the reference to the 10 is the European Common Market nations. But It’s obvious from the text that these leaders will attack “Jesus” – the Lamb – some believe this represents Israel but in this battle the Lord will win and His chosen people – those Born Again and in right relationship with Jesus will win this battle over the forces of evil.
Revelation 17:15 “Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are people, multitudes, nations and languages.”
This text does describe what the Statue of Liberty represents to the world and to the United States today. Just look up the history of Ellis Island and what it all represents.
Listen to the following write up about the Statue of Liberty:
The Federal government intervened and constructed a new Federally-operated immigration station on Ellis Island. While the new immigration station on Ellis Island was under construction, the Barge Office at the Battery was used for the processing of immigrants. The new structure on Ellis Island, built of "Georgia pine" opened on January 1, 1892; Annie Moore, a 15 year-old Irish girl, accompanied by her two brothers entered history and a new country as she was the very first immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island on January 2. Over the next 62 years, more than 12 million were to follow through this port of entry.
From: http://www.statueofliberty.org/Ellis_History.html
Revelation 17:16 “The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.”
This text could reference the European Nations coming together to wage war against The USA under the leadership of the beast (antichrist) a world leader. To make war with fire is very obviously a Nuclear War against the States. This will become clearer in the following verses.
Revelation 17:17 “For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God’s words are fulfilled.
Everything will follow God’s direction and permission – He is in control.
Revelation 17:18 “The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”
It’s is obvious to me that this points to New York’s global power and the USA’s influence over the world. Remember the United Nations is in New York, Wall Street, The New York Stock Exchange and many other major financial institutions:
Listen to this write up on New York: from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_york#Economy
New York's gross state product in 2007 was $1.1 trillion, ranking third in size behind the larger states of California and Texas.[32] If New York were an independent nation, it would rank as the 16th largest economy in the world behind Turkey. Its 2007 per capita personal income was $46,364, placing it sixth in the nation behind Maryland, and eighth in the world behind Ireland. New York's agricultural outputs are dairy products, cattle and other livestock, vegetables, nursery stock, and apples. Its industrial outputs are printing and publishing, scientific instruments, electric equipment, machinery, chemical products, and tourism…New York City is the leading center of banking, finance and communication in the United States and is the location of the New York Stock Exchange, the largest stock exchange in the world by dollar volume. Many of the world's largest corporations are based in the city. The state also has a large manufacturing sector that includes printing and the production of garments, furs, railroad equipment and bus line vehicles. Many of these industries are concentrated in upstate regions. Albany and the Hudson Valley are major centers of nanotechnology and microchip manufacturing, while the Rochester area is important in photographic equipment and imaging…New York is a major agricultural producer, ranking among the top five states for agricultural products such as dairy, apples, cherries, cabbage, potatoes, onions, maple syrup and many others.
Keep these thoughts in mind as we progress forward into Revelation 18.
Revelation 18:1-3: 1After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.
2With a mighty voice he shouted: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird.
3For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”
This scene paints a picture of the Prostitutes fall. The place becomes a haunted place after the fire – nuclear war- it becomes eerie and creepy because there is no life in it anymore. It points to the reason of her destruction the seduction of the world with her adulteries. It also notes how the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries. Recall what I quoted above about her economy.
Note the following comment:
The lament that Manhattan has become a playground of the rich is usually uttered with a sneer (or sometimes a hopeless sigh). And yes, the more rich people there are, the tougher it is for everyone else to get by, to afford apartments and live the New York life they dreamed of. How wonderful is Central Park if you live an hour away by train? It’s almost as if the superrich have cordoned off much of Manhattan for their own personal use, distancing themselves from the workaday rich and building a social class all their own.
Read more: The Richest New Yorkers: The Trickle-Down Effect of Ridiculous Wealth http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/culture/features/11721/#ixzz0bBXB2rRl
New York is one of the wealthiest cities in the world. It has very rich people who live in as the Bible says “excessive luxuries.”
Revelation 18:4-8: 4Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; 5for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. 6Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Mix her a double portion from her own cup. 7Give her as much torture and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit as queen; I am not widow, and I will never mourn.’ 8Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
These verses tell us to come out from her. It means not to buy into her sins to distance yourself from her adulteries. She will be paid back by the Lord for her sin to the world and for leading the world astray. The reference is she will be judged for the hoarding of her wealth and neglecting the poor. She thinks she will never have to mourn. Many in America have this deceived mindset. Once again she will be consumed by fire – nuclear weapon is fire!
Revelation 18:9-21: 9“When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:“‘Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!’
11“The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more— 12cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men.
14“They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your riches and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ 15The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16and cry out: “‘Woe! Woe, O great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! 17In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’ “Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off.
18When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’
19They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: “‘Woe! Woe, O great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!
20Rejoice over her, O heaven! Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets! God has judged her for the way she treated you.’”
21Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again.
Can it happen -- remember 911?
The Great Prostitutes destruction cause the other world leaders to weep. It references them standing far off – the result of radiation from the nuclear blast will keep people out and away from the city which now lies in ruin. The following references talk about her products – reference my quote from Wikipedia above notice the similarities with what she produces. The reference is inserted again that this will happen in one hour – only a nuclear blast can do this! The symbolism of the boulder or millstone into the sea is also what would happen as a result of a nuclear blast and its tidal wave of force as it demolishes everything in its path. See what happened in Japan after the Nuclear bombs were dropped and the people’s eye witness accounts.
Revelation 18:22-24: 22The music of harpists and musicians, flute players and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No workman of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again.
23The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s great men. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.
24In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints, and of all who have been killed on the earth.”
The reference to the arts would be associated to Broadway in New York. It would become silent after the blast. Once again it is made clear that this city will be judged because it led nations astray – away from Jesus. We started out as a Christian Nation and we have fallen far from our roots. We will as a Nation be judged by God for abandoning His ways.
Also because of her persecution of God’s Prophets and saints she is judged and wiped off the face of the earth. This is starting to happen in America and I believe a great persecution of the church and it’s leaders is coming in the USA shortly.
The passing of the “hate crime’s bill” will open the door to silence Preachers on preaching against the sins in America. Time is short – the wave of persecution from this government is coming to the true church of Jesus Christ.
So we need to be ready today – we need to come out from the sons of this nation because judgment is coming to America and God is going to unleash it on this sinful nation.
Below is a couple of pictures of Broadway in New York
Conclusion:
Revelation 19:1-3:
1After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
3And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”
4The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!”
5Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!”
6Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Even though the Gospel is starting to come under attack in the USA – in the end God will win!
I leave you with these warnings by some of our founding fathers:
The following quotes come from: http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=63
John Adams
Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Second President of the United States
[I]t is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue.
(Source: John Adams, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown, 1854), Vol. IX, p. 401, to Zabdiel Adams on June 21, 1776.)
[W]e have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. . . . Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
(Source: John Adams, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown, and Co. 1854), Vol. IX, p. 229, October 11, 1798.)
The moment the idea is admitted into society, that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. If "Thou shalt not covet," and "Thou shalt not steal," were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society, before it can be civilized or made free.
(Source: John Adams, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1851), Vol. VI, p. 9.)
John Quincy Adams
Sixth President of the United States
The law given from Sinai was a civil and municipal as well as a moral and religious code; it contained many statutes . . . of universal application-laws essential to the existence of men in society, and most of which have been enacted by every nation which ever professed any code of laws.
(Source: John Quincy Adams, Letters of John Quincy Adams, to His Son, on the Bible and Its Teachings (Auburn: James M. Alden, 1850), p. 61.)
There are three points of doctrine the belief of which forms the foundation of all morality. The first is the existence of God; the second is the immortality of the human soul; and the third is a future state of rewards and punishments. Suppose it possible for a man to disbelieve either of these three articles of faith and that man will have no conscience, he will have no other law than that of the tiger or the shark. The laws of man may bind him in chains or may put him to death, but they never can make him wise, virtuous, or happy.
(Source: John Quincy Adams, Letters of John Quincy Adams to His Son on the Bible and Its Teachings (Auburn: James M. Alden, 1850), pp. 22-23.)
Samuel Adams
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
[N]either the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.
(Source: William V. Wells, The Life and Public Service of Samuel Adams (Boston: Little, Brown, & Co., 1865), Vol. I, p. 22, quoting from a political essay by Samuel Adams published in The Public Advertiser, 1749.)
Fisher Ames
Framer of the First Amendment
Our liberty depends on our education, our laws, and habits . . . it is founded on morals and religion, whose authority reigns in the heart, and on the influence all these produce on public opinion before that opinion governs rulers.
(Source: Fisher Ames, An Oration on the Sublime Virtues of General George Washington (Boston: Young & Minns, 1800), p. 23.)
Benjamin Franklin
Signer of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence
[O]nly a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.
(Source: Benjamin Franklin, The Writings of Benjamin Franklin, Jared Sparks, editor (Boston: Tappan, Whittemore and Mason, 1840), Vol. X, p. 297, April 17, 1787. )
I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that "except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing governments by human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.
I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service.
(Source: James Madison, The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, Max Farrand, editor (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1911), Vol. I, pp. 450-452, June 28, 1787.)
George Washington
"Father of Our Country"
While just government protects all in their religious rights, true religion affords to government its surest support.
(Source: George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, John C. Fitzpatrick, editor (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1932), Vol. XXX, p. 432 n., from his address to the Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church in North America, October 9, 1789.)
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of man and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connexions with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice?
And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who, that is a sincere friend to it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?
(Source: George Washington, Address of George Washington, President of the United States . . . Preparatory to His Declination (Baltimore: George and Henry S. Keatinge), pp. 22-23. In his Farewell Address to the United States in 1796.)
[T]he [federal] government . . . can never be in danger of degenerating into a monarchy, and oligarchy, an aristocracy, or any other despotic or oppressive form so long as there shall remain any virtue in the body of the people.
(Source: George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, John C. Fitzpatrick, editor (Washington: U. S. Government Printing Office, 1939), Vol. XXIX, p. 410. In a letter to Marquis De Lafayette, February 7, 1788.)
• What do we need to know from this message?
Answer: The United States was a nation formed under God and with His mission in mind and over the years we have backslide from our call and God will hold the USA accountable for her sin and adulteries and the corruption of the world. But even if the USA is the Great Prostitute God promises those who are faithful many blessings and rewards in heaven for staying faithful through the trial and tribulation.
Why do we need to know this?
Answer: God will never bless sin and He will hold this country accountable just like He did Israel in the OT. This message needs to be heard even though it may be unpopular in our country and current culture of anything goes. We need to stand up in our day for Jesus in spite of the repercussions. Why, so others come to know Jesus love, mercy, grace and blessings.
What do we need to do?
Answer: We need to pray for revival in Chicago! We need to connect with Love Chicago!
2 Chronicles 7:14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Video of Love Chicago - play!
We need to tell our story – tell God’s story in connection to our story. Share the stories of God helping us and others. Invite people to church and special events!
Why do we need to do this?
Answer: So that people may know the truth and the truth sets them free. Too many people around us are dying and don’t know Jesus. Too many people around us are deceived by the Red Dragon and buying into his lies.
