Mother of Harlots

Revelation 17:1–18 NKJV

1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” 3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. 5 And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH 6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. 7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. 11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition. 12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” 15 Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

As we dig into another portion of this incredible book, we are reminded that the things we see here are not too far away.

We are seeing things coming into prophetic fruition faster than any other time in history.

There is disention within the church of Jesus Christ, and we are seeing the fulfillment of passages like

1 Timothy 4:1–3 NKJV

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

I. She Displays the Spirit of Antichrist.

A. Drunk with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus.

Many today don't believe that the Roman Catholic church actually persecuted and killed other Christians and yet the record is clear it did.

We see it in the slaughter of the Albigensians which was really the first Roman Catholic crusade intended to slay other Christians. [K.Deschner, Opus Diaboli, Reinbek 1987, 29]The Albigensians...viewed themselves as good Christians, but would not accept Roman Catholic rule, and taxes, and dictates. Then on the command of pope Innocent III in 1209, Bezirs (today France) was destroyed, all the inhabitants were slaughtered. Victims including Catholics refusing to turn over their neighbours and friends were up to 70,000. [H.Wollschlger: Die bewaffneten Wallfahrten gen Jerusalem, Zrich 1973.179-181]

In Carcassonne 8/15/1209, thousands were slain and in subsequent 20 years of war until nearly all Cathars (probably half the population of the Languedoc, today southern France) were exterminated. After the war ended (1229) the Inquisition was founded 1232to search and destroy any who did not hold to the what the church dictated.

The Waldensians, and many others were exterminated, in the persecution of the Cathar of Southern Europe, northern Italy, it is estimated one million victims of the . [H.Wollschlger: Die bewaffneten Wallfahrten gen Jerusalem, Zrich 1973.183]

The Spanish Inquisition killed untold numbers and the Spanish Inquisitor Torquemada alone allegedly responsible for 10,220 burnings. Of course we cant leave out John Huss, a critic of papal infallibility and indulgences, who was burned at the stake in 1415.

In the 15th century we find the Church lauching a persecution against Hussites, with thousands slain. In 1538 pope Paul III declared a crusade against England who had left its domination and all English made as slaves of Church, but England being a island made that a bit difficult to implement. In the 1568, the Spanish Inquisition tribunal ordered extermination of 3 million rebels in (then Spanish) Netherlands and thousands were slain. In1572 In France about 20,000 Huguenots were killed on command of pope Pius V. Until 17th century 200,000 flee. [K.Deschner, Opus Diaboli, Reinbek 1987, 28-31]

But, is she alone in this persecution?

VOM documements and reports from all over the world, our brothers and sisters in Christ who are pesecuted daily for their faith by many religious people. Many of them martyrs for the faith.

B. Forcing all to drink the cup of her fornication.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ The Name of the Woman (17:5)

Of primary importance in the study of Babylon is its relation to religion as unfolded in Revelation 17. In addition to materials given in the Bible itself, ancient accounts indicate that the wife of Nimrod, who founded the city of Babylon, became the head of the so-called Babylonian mysteries which consisted of secret religious rites which were developed as a part of the worship of idols in Babylon. She was known by the name of Semiramis and was a high priestess of the idol worship. According to extrabiblical records which have been preserved, Semiramis gave birth to a son who she claimed was conceived miraculously. This son, given the name of Tammuz, was considered a savior of his people and was, in effect, a false messiah, purported to be the fulfillment of the promise given to Eve. The legend of the mother and child was incorporated into the religious rites and is repeated in various pagan religions. Idols picturing the mother as the queen of heaven with the babe in her arms are found throughout the ancient world, and countless religious rites were introduced supposedly promising cleansing from sin. Though the rites which were observed in the Babylonian false religion differed greatly in various localities, there usually was a priestly order which furthered the worship of the mother and child, practiced the sprinkling of holy water, and established an order of virgins dedicated to religious prostitution. Tammuz, the son, was said to have been killed by a wild beast and afterward brought back to life, obviously a satanic anticipation of the resurrection of Christ.

Spiritual fornication is what is meant here.

It’s not enough for the existence of this fornication, but that she imposes it upon the earth.

Take QANON for example.

When right wing nuts wanted to perpetuate their own warped ideas of political faith, they took scripture and twisted it with their own prophetic ideology, and snared many Christians in their rethoric!

And, this has been the mode of opperation for all pseudo religions including false Christian cults.

The use of the Holy Word of God is twisted and used to perpetuate false doctrine and snare the faith of many.

This is precisely how the Great whore will do it, because she’s already doing it.

II. She Displays the Veneer of Piousness.

When we look at the Roman Catholic Church, it has a history of flipflopping on it’s positions when it is convenient.

Last year, one article read...

Biden has received fierce backlash from some of his fellow Catholics for his political views, especially his support of abortion rights and same-sex marriage.  Last year, as Biden campaigned in South Carolina, a priest denied him Holy Communion at a church. 

“It creates confusion with the faithful about what the church actually teaches on these questions,” Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said last month.

Progressive Catholics are hoping that Biden’s time at the White House will showcase a different side of their religion ― one that focuses on caring for the poor, immigrants and the environment. Francis himself has cautioned against Catholics becoming “obsessed” with issues such as abortion, gay marriage and contraception, urging his flock to focus on serving the poor and oppressed.

This veneer is quite common amongst all religious groups.

It is even common in Christian churches.

Hiding the indescretions of church leaders.

Persecuting victims of sexual crimes by the hierchy.

Changing positions on doctrinal matters out of convenience.

Hating political enemies.

Hating Christians that don’t agree with us. etc.

A. The colors of Royalty (Scarlet and purple).

No other religion has displayed these colors as readily and proudly as the church of Rome.

In one Catholic article, the author attempts to portray the Jewish priests of the Tabernacle as the Whore of Revelation seventeen.

Exodus 28:5–8 NKJV

5 “They shall take the gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and the fine linen, 6 and they shall make the ephod of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, artistically worked. 7 It shall have two shoulder straps joined at its two edges, and so it shall be joined together. 8 And the intricately woven band of the ephod, which is on it, shall be of the same workmanship, made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen.

The problem with this logic is that by the time John wrote this book on Patmos, there was no Tabernacle or Temple in Jeruslem, or priests making sacrifice. There is none today, which has continued now for better than 2000 years.

These colors were not only associated with the priests of the Tabernacle, but of all royalty.

In nearly every ancient and modern dynasty, purple is associated with Kings.

Jesus Himself wore a purple robe when the Romans flogged Him.

B. The riches of the world (gold and precious stones).

The Revelation of Jesus Christ The Vision of the Woman on the Beast (17:3-4)

The description of the woman as arrayed in purple and scarlet and decked with gold, precious stones, and pearls is all too familiar to one acquainted with the trappings of ecclesiastical pomp today and especially of high officials in the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches. Purple and scarlet, symbolically so rich in their meaning when connected with true spiritual values, are here prostituted to this false religious system and designed to glorify it with religious garb in contrast to the simplicity of pious adornment (cf. 1 Tim. 2:9–10). Alford states, “I do not hesitate therefore…to maintain that interpretation which regards papal and not pagan Rome as pointed out by the harlot of this vision.”

The Vatican’s Net Worth

The Vatican has amassed a significant amount of wealth. However, determining precisely how much the city state is worth is difficult.

Part of the challenge focuses on the fact that many of the Vatican’s assets, such as the magnificent church, are hard to value. Predominately, this is because the city state would never sell the property, so it hasn’t made an appearance on the open market.

Additionally, the Vatican owns valuable artwork from artists like Michelangelo and Raphael. The value of art frequently shifts, though some of the pieces fall into the “priceless” category. Similarly, the Vatican controls a network of Catholic churches throughout the world, some of which are difficult to value.

Along with those assets, the Vatican’s net worth also includes a large investment portfolio. They have billions of shares in numerous corporations. Some of the most recognizable ones include General Motors, General Electric, Chase-Manhattan, Shell, and Gulf Oil.

While the Vatican’s exact net worth isn’t clear, a ballpark figure would come in at $10 to $15 billion.

It is estimated that in 2021, the net worth is around $30 bilion.

Pope Francis’ net worth though not as substantial as some of his predecessors, comes in at around $25 to $28 million.

According to Georgetown University, the average weekly donation of an American Catholic to the church is $10. There are 85 million in North America, meaning each week the Catholic Church pulls in $850m through donations from individual Catholics.

Vatican City itself has a rich economy relative to its size. Though data is scarce, and the exact GDP (Gross Domestic Product) figure is unknown, the CIA estimates Vatican City's 2011 revenue to be $308m. It only has a population of 800 people, meaning its nominal GDP per capita is $365,796 – making it the richest state on the planet by this measure.

And so yes, we can see many identifying marks of the Roman Church that fit the description here in Chapter seventeen.

However, to claim that it alone is this Mother of Harlots, would be narrow minded on our part.

Many other religious orginizations have net worths in to the hundreds of millions and into the billions.

We must also, separate the people in such an organization from the organization itself.

There are many born again believers that remain in the church of Rome, but their affiliation cannot in itself negate their faith in Christ.

which brings me to my last point:

III. She is the Aggregate of all Religious Systems.

A. The world embraces this.

It is truly amazing that although we say the world, especially our society is atheistic, it doesn’t prevent the press or politicians from using such statements as “God Bless America”, or, “we are praying”, when they want to bring people together ideologically.

The mother of harlets portrayed here in Revelation seventeen, I believe, comprises all religious systems that are in essence, anitchrist!

Unless one specific religious organization rises to power in the new world order, the mother of harlets that rides the beast (world empire), will be an infusion of all religions under one banner.

Either way, she will be anti-God and anti-Christ.

Or, better understood as the pseudo or false God.

B. It will hide behind the veil of ecumenism.

Ecumenism, wants all the blessings of a consorted Christian faith, without the doctrinal designations.

This is becoming very popular today, and is further marginalizing true belivers.

Anyone, practicing any sin, can and should be counted a Christian, they say.

Judging others is taboo according to the scriptures, they say.

Such organizations like...

The world council of churches.

The national council of churches.

Interfaith councils -

American Islamic Council

American Jewish Committee (AJC)

Dept of Interreligious Affairs, established 1906Berkley

Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University

Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation (CJCUC), established 2008

Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, established 1988

The Elijah Interfaith Institute, established 1997

European Council of Religious Leaders, established 2002

Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), established 1914

Focolare Movement

Institute for Interreligious Dialogue

The Interfaith Encounter Association

Interfaith Worker Justice

The International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF), established 1900

International Council of Christians and Jews (ICCJ), established 1975

Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace

The point being, there is already a preperation for the enablement of a united religous system that will be greatly involved in the geopolitical realm of the future world empire.

All those that do not follow step will be dealt with harshly!

Groups that promote adhearence to the word of God over the religious order of the time, will be harshly and swiftly dealt with.

Conclusion:

What then do we do?

Well for one thing, any trust in the system or government at hand will only prove futile.

We do what we are commanded to do - we endure to the end!

Nothing changes for us.

The end is the same. Heaven is our destiny. and we continue to follow Jesus and glorify God!

2 Timothy 4:2–5 NKJV

2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.