Sermon Tone Analysis

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

Introduction:

Revelation 17:

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

I.

The Exposure of the Harlot (vs.

1-6, 15)

a.

The Authority of the Harlot (vs.

1b, 15)

b.

The Alliances of the Harlot (vs.

2-3)

c.

The Apparel of the Harlot (vs.

4a)

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:

d.

The Abominations of the Harlot (vs.

4b-5)

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

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.

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;