THE MYSTERY OF BABYLON – Part 2

THE MYSTERY OF BABYLON – Part 2 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/09/world/europe/cardinals-conclave-pope.html?_r=0 “And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” Revelation 17:05 “And the third angel followed them, saying, with aloud voice, if any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink the wine of the wrathof God, which is poured out without mixture” (no mercy with it as in instances before.) This is thethird message given by all the messengers that fully believed Babylon had fallen in Revelation 14:9-11. They showed up the awful plagues that would befall all those that held, or again received the mark of the beast in any way connected with fallenBabylon, and is in substance the same as chap. 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.” Now if we have proved that mystery Babylon, the antitype of literal Babylon, which signifies confusion and mixture, represents theorganized Churches of all descriptions, divided into three parts, Revelation 16:19, viz: Roman, Greek, and Protestant. Then is it not clear that this call from Heaven “comes out of her my people,” is a message delivered by messengers calling on God’s people to come out of these Churches. {BP2 65.3} ([Bates’ Pamphlet #2] Second Advent Way Marks and High Heaps) Joseph Bathes, 1847. Respecting these three Angels. Angel signifies a messenger or one sent by God, spiritual beings whom he makes use of as his ministers to execute his orders. See Hebrews 1:7, 14. Psalm 104:4.Revelation 15.8, seems to be that class which he employs to execute his judgments. {BP2 66.1} In the second and third chap. of Rev. they are the Ministers or Messengers of the Churches, 1-20. And so in the 14, as I have shown, the first three angels are men preaching to men, delivering the last messages which God has in store for this wicked world. In 25th Math. we read that the Devil also has his angels or executors of his wicked purposes. {BP2 66.2} It is also obvious that these Angels, said to be flying through the midst of heaven, are men delivering their message to us here on the earth’s surface. Moses says, “God made the firmament and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament. And God called the firmament Heaven. Genesis 1:7, 8. In the 20th v. says, “let the waters bring forth them that have life, and fowls that may fly above the Earth in the open firmament of Heaven.” Here we have it explained that every where above the earth and waters, is called the firmament, and the firmament is called Heaven. Then God’s living people live in the first Heaven, heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3, 20, and 2:6; Hebrews 12:22. See 2nd Peter 3rd chap.5,7,10-12. David in 19 Psl, 1st v. speaks of the starry Heaven, second above the first. Paul says, Paradise, that is the Heavenly Jerusalem, is in the third Heaven, which is the sanctuary. The Prophet says “he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from Heaven did the Lord behold the earth. Solomon says the Heaven of Heavens. Now see his people in the first {BP2 66.3} Heaven just above the earth, and the whole subject is clear, that Angels flying through the midst of Heaven preaching the Gospel, are no more nor less than men burdened with a message and are pained to be delivered. Our business then is with the Protestant Church, for it will be admitted by all that the Roman and Greek Church are corrupt and anti-Christian. {BP2 67.1} WHAT IS A CHURCH? A Christian Church is an assembly or congregation of faithful men. An anti-Christian Church is an assembly or congregation of unfaithfulmen. This Church proves itself corrupt and anti-Christian. 1st. By trampling on humanity or disregarding its claims. 2nd. By becoming carnally minded and covetous. 3rd. By ceasing to do the work for which Christian Churches were founded. And 4th, by disregarding or renouncing any of the fundamental truths of the Bible. This I believe is the mildest form of an anti-Christian Church, and whoever remains in it is far from being blameless in the sight of men, and of course criminal in the sight of God; hence the imperious necessity for the call,“come out of her my people.” That the Bible does speak of such a call is perfectly clear from the following testimony, “Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, - go ye out of the midst of her, be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.” Isaiah 52-11. Jeremiah speaking of literal Babylon, and John of mystical Babylon, shows clearly that the first is a type of the second, and harmonizes with other prophets and makes the subject clear in this last message to the Churches. He says, “Flee out of the midst of Babylon and deliver every man his soul.” “We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed, forsake her,” - 9 v. God says the Daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor, it is time to thresh her, yet a little while and the time of her harvest shall come,” 33rd v. This shows clearly that the message is to her before the harvest, which is the end of the world. Again in 45th v, “My people go ye out of the midst of her and deliver ye every man his soul.” - Micah shows that the Daughter of Zion shall go out of the City into the field, 4:10. John says, “the woman which thou sawest is that great City which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” Here in 13th v, the Daughter of Zion is called upon to thresh, and thou shalt beat in pieces many people. Zac. says, “Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon,” Zechariah 2:7-12, and Zephaniah 3:14, {BP2 67.2} 20. These scriptures show a work to be performed before the Resurrection. And that the Daughter of Zion is the true Church, the remnant that have literally gone out of the City [the Church] into thefields and into the woods, and there held their meetings. {BP2 68.1} Paul is in perfect harmony with these, and says, “wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and I will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Almighty,” 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18. Come out from what? See 14 v. from unrighteous unbelievers. Where did Paul learn this doctrine before the visions in Rev. was given? why from thevery Prophets which I have quoted, and he makesthe promise strong by quoting God for his author. I suppose that every rational person would admit that these prophecies relating to this subject would be fulfilled, and this message given before the second advent. Says the reader, the great difficulty with me is that I don’t believe that this Woman, called “Mystery Babylon,” “the great city,” representsthe present organized churches. Well, but it represents something. O yes. What is it, then? There are but four names or expositions given to Babylonthat I have read of, and only one of these can bethe true. Let us try them by a simple rule. The first, then, as the Advent Shield says, the kingdoms ofthis world are comprised in Babylon. Isaiah says, “depart ye, depart ye, go out from thence.” Jeremiah says, “flee out of the midst of Babylon - my people go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul.” Micah says, “For now shalt thou go forth out of the city” (Babylon). Zac. says, “Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.” Paul says, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate.” The last cry is, “Come out ofher my people, that ye be not P A R T A K E R SOF H E R S I N S.” Come out of what? Why out of the world! - that is what the Shield calls Babylon. Where shall we go? We are told, up to meet theLord in the air. Who cannot see, to say the least ofit, that this is a perversion of these texts? Do look at their connection, especially the three last. See if they will compare with 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, and1 Corinthians 15:52. Besides it is absolutely contradicting the angel to say that Babylon is thekingdoms of this world, for he says the woman (Babylon) which thou sawest is that great city whichreigneth over the kings of the earth.” How can a city reign over itself? {BP2 68.2} 2nd. Babylon has also been called the City of Rome. “Come out of the City of Rome, my people.” They are not there, nor have not been for many hundreds of years. Anti-Christ reigns there. {BP2 69.1} 3rd. The Papacy or Catholic Church has been called Babylon. Come out of the Catholic Church, my people. You call in vain, they are not there - theydeparted from her certainly 300 years ago. {BP2 69.2} 4th. And last, the cry is made in the Protestant churches, “Come out of her, my people.” What is now the response? Thousands on thousands dissolve their connection, and out they come, under the full conviction that this loud cry is to them, and the churches which they are leaving are fallen Babylon, because they have rejected the message which preceded this. “The hour of his judgment is come.” Their houses which they have closed against this second advent message, are left unto them desolate. God has left them in their own confusion. And hundreds and thousands of them have in their own way acknowledged it since. I ask you to look back to the summer and fall of 1844, where you see the fulfilment of this 3rd angel’s message in a most wonderful and striking manner in almost every town and city throughout New England. Why not some where else just as well? Because the sun was darkened here, and these flying messengers, as I have shown, multiplied and congregated here - and this being the lightest spot under the whole heavens, the angels were seen, their message was heard first here, and then carried out to the utmost bounds of the earth. It is true, many of the Middle and Western and some of the Southern States, and the Canadas, have joined. Some object because it was not simultaneous in England, etc. If you will look at the 14, ch. again, you will see that it was the first messenger only that sent his message to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. It has also been objected that the dark day was no sign, because it did not extend farther. But who does not know that it was more striking on this account? If as much as I have now written in these forty lines, had been recorded as history some few years ago, say relative to the sounding of the sixth angel or the sixth plague, who would have doubted? What then shall we do with the above, and much more that could be added, if necessary? Yes, I could begin to call names, and show from seventy-five to one hundred living cases in Fairhaven and New Bedford that fulfilled this prophecy, that either came out or were turned out of the churches about this time. It makes no difference whether they are infidels or backsliders now; they then claimed to be God’s people, and they were so long as they obeyed, in his fear. I am aware that there were many others that left these churches before and at this time that had no faith in this message, but they saw the church was pro-slavery, and had no sympathy for the poor, down-trodden slave; on this ground alone (and this was clear duty,) they came out from her unhallowed communion. The advent doctrine was the last, and crowning test which God ever gave his people to come away and separate themselves from all unrighteous unbelievers. Why, who does not remember what a perfect rush there was to get out of these churches just before the message ended in the closing up of A Cry at Midnight? They seemed to be as thoroughly convinced of this duty as many ministers and laymen did that thronged to the water side to be buried with Christ in baptism, being satisfied that they had withstood this ordinance as long as they dared to. Notwithstanding Mr. Miller took the ground as I have quoted that Babylon’s second fall would be, or the second angel’s message fulfilled at the second advent, he has in the same books previously noticed, (Advent Library, No. 47, page 19-20,) admitted the whole message in its time and place. Hear him: {BP2 69.3} THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS “Well may the Church of Rome claim the title of Mother Church; and those churches which have come out from her may as well be called H A R L O T S. For there are few of them at this time, but are partaking of the old mother’s character, and committing the same ABOMINATIONS of pride, vain show, worldly grandeur and riches, popular applause and political power. Where is there a Protestant sect but now claims the same authority as the Pope over those who may honestly differ from them in understanding the word of God? Never did the Church of Rome persecute the Protestant Covenanters more when they fled from their fellowship, than the sects of the present day would the Adventist had they the power. See the venom of our sectarian papers which is cast out against those who believe in the near coming of the dear Saviour? They have all in their turn been come-outers. Why not let the Advent brethren have the same privilege? [Sure enough.] Why complain? you gave us a sample, we are only working after the copy. You once called the Church of Rome the mother of harlots. We, because you partake of her nature and perform her acts CALL YOU HARLOTS. This is the scripture language, and was once yours when you came out. -The present moment is one in which the sins of the people are reaching ‘to heaven,’” 34 pg. Why keep back the message, then? why not allow those to declare it that were burdened with it also. This to us was paradoxical, first to preach and claim the privilege for all his brethren, showing it was right to do so, and then tell them that this message would not, nay could not be given (without perverting the scriptures) until the second advent. See also pages 39,40. The Advent Herald has also sustained corresponding views and opposed these messages. Look at the 309 No., April 6, 1847 - just read their article, The Churches Coming Out. After the message had ceased to have any real effect, they can say it is their ‘deliberate opinion and duty to teach this doctrine, (just as it had been done three years before) and call on them to come out of the churches.’ Just read it for yourselves. What is the matter? has immortality come! or is the time comenow to give this message? or was it given in the right time? We say without hesitation the latter. If we need any further human testimony to prove the permanency of this waymark in our pathway, we know where to call. If these messages were not fulfilled there, they never have been any where. Then it is impossible for them to occur again. Can any wise man show where faith and zeal, and power, as in this case, will ever occur again to do any thing like what has been done? No, never! and whoever looks for its fulfilment in immortality is not with the ‘wise’. I think the state of the nominal churches around us are of themselves sufficient evidence that these two angels have passed. Indeed, they are confessing it themselves, in their own way. For brevity’s sake, I will give but one out of scores that might be adduced.Special fast - “The general association of Congregational Ministers of Massachusetts have recommended that the last Tuesday in September be observed by the churches throughout the State as a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer, in view of thesuspension of the divine influence now so general.”- New Bedford Mercury, Sept. 19, 1845. More of this in another place. As there are still thousands of living witnesses that can testify to these truths, we will now leave this way mark in its proper place in our pathway, and pass on and review what we see shining here so clearly at midnight. {BP2 70.1} Current events tell us that the beats of Revelation, is trying to make a come back. Yes, world domination and a worldwide church under her mysterious influence. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/09/world/europe/cardinals-conclave-pope.html?_r=0 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/opinion/bruni-the-conclaves-fixed-ways.html http://ncronline.org/blogs/bulletins-human-side/beneath-color-commentary-conclave A few years back, I had an acquaintance who was of the Jehovah Witness persuading and being of a Catholic back round should have considered more carefully my witness in regard to the true Sabbath of the 4th commandment. Unfortunately, like most protestant professed Christian, upon urging him to make a decision replied: Christendom has chosen to worship on Sunday and so does my church! So is the reply of many still. No Biblical authority - Only the customs and traditions of the church. Would that save them? Don’t be deceived! Here is why: “Satan’s chief agent in bringing about the rejection of the fourth commandment, and the institution of the first day of the week as a day of rest, has been theRoman Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Church does not deny the part she has acted in this change, but makes a boast of her power as shown in the change which she has brought about in the world. Papists acknowledge that the Bible gives no sanction to this change, and that Protestants have no Scriptural authority for Sunday worship. TheCatholic Church changed the day of rest from the seventh to the first day, and without the shadow of divine sanction it has been accepted by almost all the Protestant churches, and Rome, pointing to the adherents of her doctrines, claims the supremacy. In changing the fourth precept of God’s law, the papal power has thought itself able to exalt itself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped. This was the very work that the prophecy foretold would be done by this power. In trampling upon the fourth commandment, the first commandment is broken. Their idolatry is similar to that of Israel’s when she substituted a god which her own hands had made, for the living and true God, and followed after the example of Egypt; for when the Catholics substitute a sabbath of their own making for that which God commanded, they too worship that which their own hands have made, and follow the example of the heathen who worshiped the sun on the first day of the week. {ST November 19, 1894, par. 1} Through the pope of Rome the same work has been carried on here on earth as was carried on in the courts of heaven before the expulsion of the prince of darkness. Satan sought to correct the law of God in heaven, and to supply an amendment of his own. He exalted his own judgment above that of his Creator, and placed his will above the will of Jehovah, and in this way virtually declared God to be fallible. The pope also takes the same course and, claiming infallibility for himself, seeks to adjust the law of God to meet his own ideas, thinking himself able to correct the mistakes he thinks he sees in the statutes and commands of the Lord of heaven and earth. He virtually says to the world, I will give you better laws than those of Jehovah. What an insult is this to the God of heaven! {ST November 19, 1894, par. 2} Many thousand who have accepted the change made in the day of rest have done so ignorantly, and unwittingly have placed themselves under the banner of the prince of darkness. The Christian church has accepted the false sabbath, but the day of light has now dawned. The times of their ignorance God winked at, but now he commandeth men everywhere to repent. It is demonstrated that no change is necessary in the law of God. Were there a change needed in the law of God, and could such a change be made, the rebellion of Satan would be justified, and the universe would have to concede that Satan was wiser than God, and had a right to supreme authority. But Jesus came to magnify the law and to make it honorable, and his death on Calvary in the sinner’s behalf, proves the immutability of the law of heaven. {ST November 19, 1894, par. 3} The work of the papal church was to be of an exactly opposite character to that of Christ. Daniel in holy vision saw that he “would think to change times and laws.” The laws of God and the time of God were to be changed by this antichristian power. The laws of God are the only laws which men are prohibited from changing, for secular powers may change as they see fit the laws of secular governments. In the prophecy it is plainly shown that this papal power would with deliberate intention change the law of God. In the Catholic catechisms the second commandment is not taught as obligatory, but for this change they do not hold themselves responsible of intention to change the law, as they declare that the whole significance of the precept is contained in the first commandment. But the change of the fourth commandment, the institution of the first day of the week as the Sabbath instead of the seventh day, is a change for which she holds herself responsible of intention to change, and makes a boast of her power, because the whole professed Christian world acknowledges her mandate in this particular. It is by thus trampling upon God’s commandments (sin is the transgression of the law) that the Roman Church has proved its right to the title given in prophecy to one who shall be the “mystery of lawlessness.” {ST November 19, 1894, par. 4} The Papacy, claiming to be the vicegerent of the Son of God, is in truth the vicegerent of another power. She points to the Sunday institution as the sign of her authority; but in the change of the law and time of God, she is only doing that which Satan tried to do in heaven,—prove the law of God faulty, and the Lawgiver fallible. In boasting of her power above the law of God, she is but echoing the sentiments of the great deceiver. God instituted the Sabbath as a sign of his authority and power, and the Papacy, acting for the prince of evil, points to the Sunday as a sign of her power and jurisdiction. The day of the sun, Sunday, was a day devoted to the most vile of the heathen worship, for it was celebrated in connection with sun-worship. This Sunday-sabbath has been accepted by many who know it to be the foundling of heathenism, which has been cherished and nourished by the Church of Rome, and by her clothed in the garments of sanctity. But while many are now aware of its origin, there are true Christians in every church who do not know the origin of the Sunday-sabbath, and believe that they are keeping the day which God sanctified and blest. This is true of worshipers even in the Catholic Church; and while this ignorance and integrity remain, God accepts of their sincerity; but when light shall fall upon their pathway, God requires them to come into harmony with his law, and to observe the Sabbath of his appointing. The time has come when the glory of the Lord is to fill the earth, and when the whole earth shall be lightened with his glory. The cry is sounding to the honest in heart to “come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” “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. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” {ST November 19, 1894, par. 5} AMEN!