A City and a Tower

At this time I want to focus on the subjects of global government and global religion. My basic view about what is happening today in the realms of politics and religion is that Babel is being reconstructed. The world is being told that we must all unify in a new spirituality and embrace a new world order. (If the term, "new world order," sounds too conspiratorial, please hold on for a few more posts. There is plenty of evidence that this system has been developing for quite some time, and this exact term is now being used openly by world leaders.) Consider these prophetic facts from the Bible:

1. There will be an attempt by Satan to rule the entire world through the person of the "son of perdition" or Antichrist.

2. He will institute an economic system in which "no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."

3. People will worship him and the dragon (Satan) who gives him power, and he will oppose and exalt himself "above all that is called God, or that is worshiped."

4. The "kings of the earth" will unite and take their stand against the Lord and against His Messiah.

5. They will gather together at Armageddon to make war against Jesus Christ.

These statements are profoundly fantastic and difficult to fully grasp. I realize that there is a growing segment of Christianity that believes most or all of this has already taken place. Preterists, as they are called, would claim that I am wasting my time by looking for these events to take place in the future. I have studied this viewpoint in some detail and have considered it, but I must reject it for many reasons. I don't have time now, but if the Lord allows, perhaps I will come back to this subject and offer my reasons. For now I will present my views with the understanding that I see the advent of Antichrist, his political and economic systems, his worship by people worldwide, and his eventual destruction by the visible returning Messiah, etc. as events that have yet to take place.

The First Attempt at World Government

The Bible has been called a tale of two cities: Jerusalem and Babylon. This is a theme that is found throughout Scripture. Jerusalem is the regal city of Israel, the city where the kings were enthroned. It is the site of the temple which Solomon built as a "house for the name of the LORD God of Israel" (1 Kings 8:20). It is the city outside of whose gate our Lord was crucified (Heb. 13:12). And it is the location from which Christ will one day be seated on David's throne (Isaiah 9:6-7) and reign over the earth (Isaiah 24:23). Babylon, in contrast, is the oppressive city (Isaiah 14). It was the city of captivity for the kingdom of Judah, an instrument of God's judgment. It was full of idolatry and magic arts and the worship of the heavenly host. (And let's not forget that there were times when Jerusalem looked more like Babylon than a city which housed "the name of the LORD God of Israel.") There are almost 300 references to it in the Bible, and it has a very prominent role in the book of Revelation. It is obviously very significant for many reasons, not the least of which is that it was at the center of the first organized rebellion against God and attempt at a united nations. Babylon is the site of the tower of Babel, so let's examine its account in the Bible.

Genesis 11:1-4 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. (2) And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. (3) And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. (4) And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

We always talk about the tower of Babel, but we often miss the fact that there was both a city and a tower. This is the first attempt at a combined global government and religion. Note that the people spoke one language and were also "of one speech." Does this mean that they were unified by a common idea? I don't know, but it is certainly clear from the next several verses that the people were unified and that this act greatly displeased God.

Genesis 11:5-9 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. (6) And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. (7) Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. (8) So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. (9) Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

This account describes a unified rebellion against Yahweh. The founder of the city Babel was Nimrod (Gen. 10:8-10). His legacy includes many colorful myths which were incorporated in the Babylonian mysteries that have been passed down to the present day among various secret societies and religious orders. Nimrod seems to be a prototype for the Antichrist in that he was the first recorded world dictator who tried to unify the people against God. The Talmud says he was called Nimrod "because in those days the people were beginning to rebel again against the Lord's command, and Nimrod signifies rebellion." It goes on to say, "When Nimrod had thus established his power he decided to build a city, a walled town, which should be the capital of his country. And he selected a certain plain and built a large city thereon, and called it Shinar. And Nimrod dwelt in Shinar in safety, and gradually became ruler over all the world; and at that time all the people of the earth were of one language and of one speech." Eventually the people promoted the idea of building the tower and the Talmud elaborates that "while they were building rebellion budded in their hearts, rebellion against God, and they imagined that they could scale the heavens and war with him."¹ While this is extrabiblical commentary, it does give us an idea of how the account of Babel was interpreted by the Jews.

The Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, also comments on the account of the events at Babel. In his work, Antiquities of the Jews, he said God had commanded the people some time after the flood to "send colonies abroad, for the thorough peopling of the earth, that they might not raise seditions among themselves, but might cultivate a great part of the earth, and enjoy its fruits after a plentiful manner."² He said the people disobeyed God's command because they suspected God was trying to divide them in order to more easily suppress them. He blames Nimrod for this attitude among the people.

"Now it was Nimrod who excited them to such an affront and contempt of God… He persuaded them not to ascribe it to God, as if it was through his means they were happy, but to believe that it was their own courage which procured that happiness. He also gradually changed the government into tyranny, seeing no other way of turning men from the fear of God, but to bring them into a constant dependence on his power. He also said he would be revenged on God, if he should have a mind to drown the world again; for that he would build a tower too high for the waters to be able to reach! and that he would avenge himself on God for destroying their forefathers!"

This is beginning to sound increasingly like Psalm 2 and Rev. 19:19 in which the leaders of the nations conspire against God and gather to make war on Him.

("Constant dependence on his power." That sounds familiar. We like to accuse those on the left of being too dependent on the government with cries of "nanny state," but the "religious right" is guilty of the same thing. While we should be responsible to put godly men in office, we should never put our hope in the government. Our dependence should always rest in our Provider, specifically in His provision of the way of reconciliation between God and man, the Lord Jesus Christ.)

Mystery Babylon

The way I understand it presently is that Nimrod was into some very wicked things when he stirred up the people against God. A religious system was devised that involved very real supernatural powers. This system is now known simply as the Babylonian mysteries. After the confusion of languages, the people separated, and parts of this mystery were dispersed across the earth. This is why there are so many ancient civilizations that seem to rely on very similar and sometimes identical notions in their religious beliefs. (One of these is the worship of the serpent...Genesis 3, maybe?) The more I discover about different religious orders and organizations, the more I can see they come from the same original source. It is only logical that these groups might join together and begin to appear to be the same having discarded their differences. I think we are seeing this process actively taking place right now. I saw a local pastor on the news a few days ago who said we should focus on what we have in common instead of dwelling on our differences. The problem with that for the Christian is that we are commanded not to be "unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" (2 Cor. 6:14). The non-Christian also has a problem. The Bible tells of two paths, one that leads to life and another that leads to destruction. It won't matter how much a person focuses on similarities if everyone is on the broad way that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14). The biggest difference between Christianity and every other religion is that God became a man in order to "taste death for every man" (Heb. 2:9) and "reconcile both [Jews and Gentiles] unto God in one body by the cross" (Eph. 2:16). If we set aside that difference, we no longer have Christianity. We have a system of morality without a way to atone for sin. Essentially we would be saying that "Christ is dead in vain" (Gal. 2:21). Sadly this is exactly what many churches are doing today.

Back to the Babylonian mysteries. It is also reasonable to assume that the keepers of these mysteries would want either to be in positions of power or be able to influence those in power in order to achieve their purposes. I think of  Jannes and Jambres who served Pharaoh (2 Tim. 3:8, Exodus 7:10-12) and Elymas the sorcerer who tried to prevent Sergius Paulus from believing the Gospel (Acts 13:6-12). Also this Babylonian system is probably related to the "mystery of iniquity" that Paul wrote about in 2 Thessalonians. In addition the apostle John foretells a religious system that works in tandem with the antichrist government.

Revelation 17:3-6 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. (4) 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: (5) And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. (6) 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.

This woman is called "the mother of harlots" which means she has children. The children may appear to be different, but they share a common mother. Perhaps today we are witnessing the children coming together to return to their mother.

Of course we cannot ignore the fact that the woman is riding the beast. The religious structure is in control of the political structure, at least for a time until the beast turns on the woman (Rev. 17:16). The point is that this "Mystery Babylon" will be active among the apocalyptic political system. But this system will not just appear out of nowhere. I believe there is sufficient evidence to suggest that these mysterious demonic powers have been influencing and even controlling world politics for quite some time now.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Next in series

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1. Polano, H. The Talmud: Selections, "Biblical History," Chapter I. 1876. http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/pol/pol04.htm, accessed Sep. 12, 2010.

2. Josephus. Antiquities of the Jews, Book 1, Chapter 4.

Satanic Church Performing Public Ritual in OKC

I found out last week that a satanic church has rented the Oklahoma City Civic Center for October 21, 2010. Their stated purpose is to perform a "ritual exorcism of God." James Hale, the Lord High Master of the Church of the IV Majesties, said the ritual is intended to "extract the gods of what he called the 'right handed path' or traditional religions, such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam."¹ This is a good example of the spirit of enmity against God evident in Psalm 2 and Revelation 19:19. Of course this is just one small part of what will eventually become a large scale united effort to usurp the authority of the Creator.

Hale and other Satanists claim that they do not actually worship the devil. They would say that the only god they worship is themselves. "I am my own god," Hale said. I would venture to guess that this might actually be the belief among lower level Satanists, but those who are higher up in the organization (as is true of other esoteric groups such as Freemasonry) have a different understanding of who they truly worship, namely Lucifer. But whether or not they realize it, they are worshipping the devil. Paul taught that there is a demonic spirit behind every idol, and to worship your self is just the worship of another idol and by extension a demon.

1 Corinthians 10:19-21 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? (20) But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. (21) Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

Of course the fact that they are going to partake in this ritual reveals their belief in a supernatural realm. In fact their website is promoting a "Perversion and Debauchery Weekend" to be held on Oct. 9-11 in order to benefit from this dark spiritual power. They state, "This weekend is necessary for the Infernal Council to prepare for the upcoming spiritual battle against God, Allah, and all other gods of the right-hand path. We shall indulge in sexual perversions and destruction rituals to accumulate Satan's Power."²

We Christians must keep in mind that our struggle is not with flesh and blood; it is "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph. 6:12). And we do not need to fear because "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). Too often our tendency is to attack a group such as this. Instead we need to equip ourselves with the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18) and overcome the adversary (Satan) with the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimonies (Rev. 12:11).

We also need to realize that in order for us to have any hope of turning our nation back to the Lord, we must examine ourselves first. Too often I have heard leaders speak of the judgment of God in reference to natural disasters and violent attacks such as the tragedy of September 11. They love to lay the blame at the feet of people like these Satanists or the homosexuals or others. And it is true that those who reject Jesus Christ will face the Great White Throne Judgment. But could it be that God is using these events to wake the Church up. Peter said, "the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Pet. 4:17) While I was checking into this ritual to be performed by the satanic church, I discovered another event at the convention center that begins tomorrow. It is the 2010 Transference of Wealth Conference which is promoted by the the Elijah List.³ This website promotes dozens of self-proclaimed apostles and prophets with a postmillennial worldview and a tendency toward the concept of a militant church. About the conference they state, "The Transference of Wealth Conference 2010 is a strategic conference geared towards all members of the Body of Christ who are seeking to understand and become part of what God is doing in this season as He is causing Kingdom wealth to be released and transferred to the Church! This will be a weekend that will prepare people for the release of Kingdom wealth that God is going to transfer to us; empowering them to stand and war against whatever structures stand to oppose the transfer!"⁴ Discernment Ministries' blog, Herescope, notes, "The latest postings this past year on The Elijah List, chief organ of the NAR [New Apostolic Reformation], reveal that the call for Dominionism (power) is now consistently being linked to wealth (prosperity), obvious incentives for those who are deluded by these lusts of the flesh. But the military rhetoric has now also been added to the mix, teaching that one must not only claim their inheritance ("name-it-and-claim-it"), but also war for their supposed inheritance!"⁵ It seems very symbolic that a blatant, ritualistic act of rebellion by a group of satanists follows on the heels of an event sponsored by an apostate word of faith/dominionist group who claim Christianity.

We in the Body of Christ need to recognize the threats both from outside and from within the Church. We do need to expose (Greek elegcho) the unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 5:11), but we also need to recognize our need for correction among ourselves. Paul told Titus that an overseer must hold "fast the faithful word...that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince (elegcho) the gainsayers" (Titus 1:9). Speaking of the "unruly and vain talkers and deceivers," he said that their "mouths must be stopped," and he told Titus to "rebuke (elegcho) them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith" (Titus 1:10-13). Let us examine ourselves and search the Scriptures to be sure that we understand the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:3-4). And let us come together in the unity of this faith and seek the Lord together and be found doing His will.

2 Chronicles 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

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1. Netter, Sarah. "Satanist Church Rents Out Oklahoma City Civic Center for Exorcism," ABC News/U.S., http://abcnews.go.com/US/satanist-church-rents-oklahoma-civic-center-exorcism-ritual/story?id=11524098, accessed Sep. 8, 2010.

2. http://churchoftheivmajesties.webs.com/, accessed Sep. 8, 2010

3. "Oklahoma City ministry conference set for September," http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-ministry-conference-set-for-september/article/3489548, accessed Sep. 8, 2010.

4. http://www.elijahlist.com/conference/conf_details.html?ID=5957, accessed Sep. 8, 2010.

5. "The Great Outpouring of Wealth," Aug. 10, 2010, http://herescope.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html, accessed Sep. 8, 2010.

Ecclesiastical Taboo

Okay, so what are some of these things that the Church is unwilling to engage? Sadly enough, the primary thing is sound biblical doctrine. So many people who claim to be Christians are uninterested in what the Bible has to say.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

And this problem leads to all others. Since the greater part of the Church is looking for the next fad or seeking signs and wonders instead of seeking the true and living God, it fails to recognize the other issues we are facing. Here is a brief list of just some of the things with which I have recently become concerned.

• Global government (the new world order, the kingdom of Antichrist)
• Global religion (the woman who rides the beast, the children returning to their "mother of harlots")
• The occult (the hidden knowledge passed down through the millennia which glorifies Lucifer, the interaction between men and demonic beings/fallen angels)
• A proper understanding of our government's role as dictated by the U.S. Constitution and how we, as American citizens, should conduct ourselves in light of the revelation of God's Word (That's a long description. There is a lot that could be said here. A few examples: the Federal Reserve system, U.S. military incursions, the Patriot act, torture, etc.)
• Spiritual matters (subversive movements inside the Church, the New Age movement, secret societies, cults, etc.)
• The truth about our history (Not just an understanding of the Christian foundation of our nation going back to William Bradford and Plymouth and the question of whether the revolutionary founders were in fact true Christians, but also the idea that there has been a subversive element from the beginning which has been attempting to use this country to move Satan's agenda forward.)
• Strange phenomena (Marion apparitions, UFO sightings -- I believe both of these have the same demonic source -- the rise in serial killings, crazed "lone gunmen," school shootings, etc.)
• Scientific issues (Evolution, genetic engineering, cloning, etc.)

I could probably think of more, but you get the idea. Most of these subjects are uncomfortable to think about, much more so to actually talk about. But shouldn't we be able to consider these things among our brothers and sisters without fear of ridicule? We should be humble enough to realize that we don't have a full grasp of reality; "we see through a glass, darkly" (1 Cor. 13:12). Am I saying I have all the answers? Of course not. What I am saying is that the Church needs to address these and other subjects, and the answers should be derived from the revelation of God's Word in the Bible. After all, we have been given a "great commission" to "preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), and many we meet will be concerned with some of the things listed above. And many of these issues will affect us and our families in the future. Therefor, my purpose for this blog is to get some of these matters out in the open so we can at the very least consider them in the light of the Word of God. We ought to be as the children of Issachar, "which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do" (1 Chron. 12:32).

Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.