The Destruction of the Final World Religion Part 2

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary the abominations of the harlot

Babylon will be the source of all the false, idolatrous, blasphemous worship in the end times.

Revelation 17:1–4 AV

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

Revelation 17:

Revelation 17:5–8 AV

And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Revelation 17:1–8 AV

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Revelation 17:15 AV

And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

Revelation 17:15 AV

And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

1 John 4:1 AV

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

The true and living Church has also held the conviction that there is a great distinction between the true and the false Church.

The true Church has always believed that their were certain points of belief that set her apart from other Churches that did not hold to Biblical beliefs.

Every creed or statement of faith down through the centuries has always had points of richness in theology.

For example the Belgic Confession, which is the confession of faith of the Churches in Holland, was written in 1561 and had this to say regarding that distinction.

The Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical Notes, Volume III: The Evangelical Protestant Creeds, with Translations Art. XXIX: Of the Marks of the True Church, and Wherein She Differs from the False Church

We believe that we ought diligently and circumspectly to discern from the Word of God which is the true Church, since all sects which are in the world assume to themselves the name of the Church.

Ford example, the Belgic Confession was written in 1561, as the statement of Faith for the Dutch Reformed Churches in Holland.

They too like all other statements of Faith, made a distinction between the true and false Church, by looking at key areas that would make the difference.

The Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical Notes, Volume III: The Evangelical Protestant Creeds, with Translations Art. XXIX: Of the Marks of the True Church, and Wherein She Differs from the False Church

But we speak here not of the company of hypocrites, who are mixed in the Church with the good, yet are not of the Church, though externally in it; but we say that the body and communion of the true Church must be distinguished from all sects who call themselves the Church.

What did the early Church

The Apostle John gave this admonition:

The Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical Notes, Volume III: The Evangelical Protestant Creeds, with Translations Art. XXIX: Of the Marks of the True Church, and Wherein She Differs from the False Church

We believe that we ought diligently and circumspectly to discern from the Word of God which is the true Church, since all sects which are in the world assume to themselves the name of the Church.

1 John 4:1 AV

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

The Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical Notes, Volume III: The Evangelical Protestant Creeds, with Translations Art. XXIX: Of the Marks of the True Church, and Wherein She Differs from the False Church

But we speak here not of the company of hypocrites, who are mixed in the Church with the good, yet are not of the Church, though externally in it; but we say that the body and communion of the true Church must be distinguished from all sects who call themselves the Church.

The confession went on to discuss what made up the true Church.

How did the Church, in her infancy, and how should determine what is the true Church and what is the false?

What should be the distinguishing marks of a Church that is Biblical and a church that is not.

First, and probably most important, they stated that the true Church is marked by the truthfulness of the Gospel being preached.

First, is the purity of the gospel of Jesus Christ preached.

All the way from the need and the Depravity of man to the perseverance of the saints, that is the true Gospel.

Are the Doctrines of the Depravity of man all the way to the Perseverance of the Saints preached faithfully?

You may have the name church, but if you do proclaim the truth regarding the depravity and the need of mankind for the grace of God, then you are not part of the true Church.

Listen, if you have a building that goes by the name of Church the denies the need and the depravity of the sinner, then you do not have the a true Church.

You may have the name church, but if you do not proclaim the truth, that they ones that are drawn by the Father to the Son are forever secure in Him, then you are not part of the true church.

You may have the name church, but if you not proclaim the necessity for repentance and a changed life as evidence of the new birth, then you are not part of the true Church.

If you have a building that goes by the name Church that denies the Biblical teaching on the continual faith and the eternal security of the repentant sinner, you do not have a true Church.

If you have a building that goes by the name Church that denies sola fide (faith alone) and sola Christus (Christ Alone), then you do not have a true Church.

The true Church has alway understood that the necessity of the purity of gospel of Jesus Christ is what set them apart from the false Church.

The true Church does not preach and inclusive gospel, but an exclusive one.

If you a building that goes by the name Church and denies the person and work of Christ (virgin born, sinless life, the second member of the Triune God; co-eternal and co-equal with the Father, Substitutionary Atonement, present work as the eternal High Priest for His people), then you do not have a True Church.

Second, if she maintains a pure administration of the Sacraments or the Ordinances.

We do not preach a gospel that allows every religion sect to claim their particular god with the promise of paradise at the end.

The true Church is marked by Believers Baptism by immersion, not by infant Baptism.

Play Video of Robert Schuller and Billy Graham

The True Church is marked by a celebration of the Lord’s Table by believers only.

That is not the purity of the gospel.

Not as a means to obtain grace, not by transubstantiation (the elements becoming the literal body and blood of Christ), but a type of the body and blood of Christ.

Second, the true Church holds to the pure administration of the sacraments of the ordinances.

This includes believers baptism by immersion.

Third, interestingly enough the early Church confession marked a true Church by if Church discipline is exercised in the punishment of sin.

That only those people that have placed their faith in Jesus Christ alone are candidates for Baptism.

The Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical Notes, Volume III: The Evangelical Protestant Creeds, with Translations Art. XXIX: Of the Marks of the True Church, and Wherein She Differs from the False Church

in short, if all things are managed according to the pure Word of God, all things contrary thereto rejected, and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of the Church. Hereby the true Church may certainly be known, from which no man has a right to separate himself.

The Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical Notes, Volume III: The Evangelical Protestant Creeds, with Translations Art. XXIX: Of the Marks of the True Church, and Wherein She Differs from the False Church

As for the false Church, she ascribes more power and authority to herself and her ordinances than to the Word of God, and will not submit herself to the yoke of Christ. Neither does she administer the Sacraments, as appointed by Christ in his Word, but adds to and takes from them as she thinks proper; she relieth more upon men than upon Christ; and persecutes those who live holily according to the Word of God, and rebuke her for her errors, covetousness, and idolatry.

We do not baptize infants and we do not participate in what has been labeled “family baptism”.

This would also include the correct administration of the Lord’s Table.

The true Church has always held to sola scriptura (Scripture Alone) as being the final rule of faith and practice in the life of the believer.

The False Church and False religion have never held to such a position.

That the Lord’s Table is for believers only.

The religion of the AntiChrist will be no different.

That the contents of the Lord’s Table represent the body and the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, but do not through a priestly work of Transubstantiation become the literal body of blood of Christ.

That the participation in the Lord’s Table does not offer one ounce of saving grace, but if celebrated by those persons already saved to celebrate what the Lord did for us.

The judgment that is going to fall during the seven year period known as the Tribulation will be to judge the great harlot, or the false religious system.

Third, another point that the confessions say was an indication of the true is that if Church discipline is practiced as a punishment for sin.

Contrary to the Devil hating religion; the Devil loves religion.

So that the Church remains pure.

in short, if all things are managed according to the pure Word of God, all things contrary thereto rejected, and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head o

The Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical Notes, Volume III: The Evangelical Protestant Creeds, with Translations Art. XXIX: Of the Marks of the True Church, and Wherein She Differs from the False Church

in short, if all things are managed according to the pure Word of God, all things contrary thereto rejected, and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of the Church. Hereby the true Church may certainly be known, from which no man has a right to separate himself

in short, if all things are managed according to the pure Word of God, all things contrary thereto rejected, and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of the Church.

And it will be religion that he use in the last days to deceive and destroy men.

The Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical Notes, Volume III: The Evangelical Protestant Creeds, with Translations Art. XXIX: Of the Marks of the True Church, and Wherein She Differs from the False Church

With respect to those who are members of the Church, they may be known by the marks of Christians, namely, by faith; and when they have received Jesus Christ the only Saviour, they avoid sin, follow after righteousness, love the true God and their neighbor, neither turn aside to the right or left, and crucify the flesh with the works thereof.

I say all of that is regards to our study in is a portrait of the false Church as opposed to the true Church of which I just explains some of the marks.

The harlot that is named in is the true portrait of the false religious system that will dominate the end time.

a. The Authority of the Harlot (vs. 1b, 15)

Revelation 17:1 AV

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

Revelation 17:15 AV

And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

b. The Alliances of the Harlot (vs. 2-3)

Revelation 17:2–3 AV

With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

c. The Apparel of the Harlot (vs. 4a)

Revelation 17:4 AV

And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

Prostitutes usually dress to draw attention to themselves and the harlot Babylon will be no different.

John saw her dressed in purple and scarlet.

The color of royalty, prosperity, nobility and wealth (; ; )

John also sees that she is adorned with gold and precious stones.

John sees her as a prostitute that is both attractive and has plied her trade successfully and has become extremely wealthy.

That is exactly the way false religion is; it comes to you not as it is, but as it would want you to believe it is.

That is why Christ called them wolves in sheep’s clothing.

That is why says this of Satan:

2 Corinthians 11:14 AV

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

d. The Abominations of the Harlot (vs. 4b-5)

Revelation 17:4–5 AV

And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Like a prostitute who wants to take everything that there victims have, this harlot will make her victims drunk; that is indicated by the cup that is in her hand.

Jeremiah 51:7 AV

Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

Jeremiah 51:7

John says that her cup was full of abominations and the uncleaness of her immorality.

Dr. John MacArthur gives us some insight into what John is describing here.

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary the abominations of the harlot

A French scholar, Salverte, writing on The Occult Sciences, tells of the drinking in connection with these demon ceremonies. “To drink of mysterious beverages,” he says, “was indispensable on the part of all who sought initiation in these mysteries. These mysterious beverages were composed of wine, honey, water, and flour, with various other ingredients used locally. From the nature of the ingredients avowedly used, and from the nature of others not avowed, but certainly used, there can be no doubt that they were of an intoxicating nature; and till the aspirants had come under their power, till their understandings had been dimmed, and their passions excited by the medicated draught, they were not duly prepared for what they were either to hear or see.”

While this text is not speaking about drinking of literal wine; although that no doubt will be going on, what John is referring to is the absolutely allegiance that the world will have on this religion.

People are intoxicated with false religion; they swarm to it.

This false religion is going to be so intoxicating, that they people of the world will not be able to think or see clearly; they will just blindly follow this false religion and curse the God of heaven.

And lest you think that this is an end time religion allegiance, The Apostle Peter had something to tell us on that regarding false teachers;

2 Peter 2:2 AV

And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

It is not going to be difficult for the AntiChrist is get people to follow this false religion that remember he is holding up at first, and then ultimately follow his religion (we will se that later), because people are so willing to do it now.

Jesus told us how easy it was to be deceived.

At first, as we saw last time, this harlot will be riding on the back of the beast, which is the AntiChrist.

Matthew 24:24 AV

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

The AntiChrist will be the one that upholds the false religious system of the world.

And I know some elect people who put themselves in a position to try and be deceived because they follow and they attend the ministry and the preaching of the false religion.

We know that it is the false system because Scripture tells us that it is the Great Babylon that is being judged and all throughout history, Babylon has been known as the center of false worship.

And if you have God’s people pandering to it, how easy is it going to be for unbelievers to follow it.

They will follow to such a degree that they will seem to be drunk with whatever this religion says.

The false religion, with the false gospel and the a false Christ will be the religion that draws in the world to the demise.

And it has already started.

Play video of Joel Osteen denying the Gospel

It was customary for prostitutes to identify themselves in the Roman world, and the harlot Babylon will also have a name written in her forehead.

Now, understand, Babylon here is not a description of a geographical location.

This is not talking about the ancient city of Babylon or the rebuild city of Babylon in the end time.

This Babylon is a symbol of all the worldly resistance against God.

It is described as GREAT because of its far reaching influence.

In fact, so great is its influence that it will be called the MOTHER OF HARLOTS.

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary the abominations of the harlot

Babylon will be the source of all the false, idolatrous, blasphemous worship in the end times.

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary the abominations of the harlot

So Babylon, the city that spawned the system that corrupted the world with false religion, will do so again.

It was in the area of Babylon, where the tower of Babel was erected; a place where man could find his own way to God.

If fact, it was in the Garden of Eden which is thought to be modern day Baghdad; also the area of Babylon, where the first sin and the first attempt at false religion took place.

So Babylon’s history has always been associated with false worship.

And it is by that very name, Babylon, that Jesus Christ will judge the false religious system.

Revelation 17:4 AV

And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

Prostitutes generally dress on order to draw attention to themselves, and the harlot Babylon will be no different.

John saw her clothed in purple and scarlet; the color of royalty, nobility and wealth (; ; Lam. 4:5).

The text also says that this harlot is decked with gold and precious stones and pearls.

Indicating that she is both attractive and and plied her trade successfully and had become extremely wealthy.

This is the attire that is made to give the appearance of something that is desirable.

All false religions are made to look desirable.

All false religions are made to be inclusive.

Play video of Joel Osteen

Just as a harlot is made to look attractive, so the false religion of the AntiChrist will be made to look attractive.

And less you believe that this is the end time religion of false worship, the Apostles fought this as well.

1 John 2:18 AV

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

Satan is already gathering his army of false teachers and false religion.

This is not end time religion, this is the religion that is going on today and that will continue under a veil of beauty and royalty.

It will look attractive, it will inviting; but in the end it will be judged.

2 Corinthians 11:14 AV

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Revelation 17:4–5 AV

And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

As a further indication of her wealth, the text says that this harlot has in her hand a golden cup.

And just like prostitutes who want to take everything their victims have, she will make them drunk just like ancient Babylon.

Jeremiah 51:7 AV

Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

This harlot’s cup, the text says, was full of abominations and the unclean things of her immorality.

It seems very interesting to me that wherever you see false religion it is usually, if not always, attached to becoming drunk; and I believe that there is a key reason for that.

John MacArthur quoting Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse commenting on this passage:

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary the abominations of the harlot

A French scholar, Salverte, writing on The Occult Sciences, tells of the drinking in connection with these demon ceremonies. “To drink of mysterious beverages,” he says, “was indispensable on the part of all who sought initiation in these mysteries. These mysterious beverages were composed of wine, honey, water, and flour, with various other ingredients used locally. From the nature of the ingredients avowedly used, and from the nature of others not avowed, but certainly used, there can be no doubt that they were of an intoxicating nature; and till the aspirants had come under their power, till their understandings had been dimmed, and their passions excited by the medicated draught, they were not duly prepared for what they were either to hear or see.”

The text is not speaking about the followers of the religion of AntiChrist being drunk with literal wine, although drinking has a usual spot in false religions so that will probably be going on; although that is not the literal meaning here.

The people will be enamored by this religious system.

They will literally be drunk with being taken in by the look, the attire, the “power” of this false religion.

People will just flock to this religion.

That is what Jeremiah is talking about.

They cannot think not act rationally, just like a drunk person, because they are overwhelmed by this religion; it becomes all they live for.

Peter understood this, speaking during his ministry.

2 Peter 2:2 AV

And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

They followed false teachers and false religion during the ministry of Peter because it was attractive to them, People follow false religion and false teachers now because they are attractive.

They will also follow false teachers and false religion during the Tribulation because it will look attractive to them.

While all idolatry is abominable to God, the abominations that take place during this time will be the worst ever.

Revelation 18:5 AV

For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Just like prostitutes in the Roman world would identify themselves, so harlot Babylon has a name written as her forehead.

Revelation 17:5 AV

And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Again, let me remind you, Babylon is not a reference to a geographical location.

It is not a reference to a literal city; although there was a literal city of Babylon, that is not what John had in mind in those revelation.

Babylon is symbol of all worldly resistance to God.

It is called GREAT because of its far reaching influence.

In fact, so great will be its influence that it will be called the MOTHER OF HARLOTS.

Babylon will be the source of all the false, idolatrous, blasphemous worship in the end times.

MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2000). (p. 165). Chicago: Moody Press.

Babylon will be the source of all the false, idolatrous, blasphemous worship in the end times. Her

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2000). (p. 165). Chicago: Moody Press.

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary the abominations of the harlot

Babylon will be the source of all the false, idolatrous, blasphemous worship in the end times.

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary the abominations of the harlot

Babylon will be the source of all the false, idolatrous, blasphemous worship in the end times.

Revelation 12–22: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary the abominations of the harlot

Babylon will be the source of all the false, idolatrous, blasphemous worship in the end times.

MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2000). (p. 165). Chicago: Moody Press.

Babylon will be the source of all the false, idolatrous, blasphemous worship in the end times.

the false, idola

Text

Babylon will be the source of all the false, idolatrous, blasphemous worship in the end times.

More text

The Destruction of the Final World Religion Part 2

Introduction:

I. The Exposure of the Harlot (vs. 1-6, 15)

I. The Exposure of the Harlot (vs. 1-6, 15)

The Authority of the Harlot (vs. 1b, 15)

The Alliances of the Harlot (vs. 2-3)

The Apparel of the Harlot (vs. 4a)

The Abominations of the Harlot (vs. 4b-5)