The American Wisdom Series
http://www.americanwisdomseries.com
Caution to students of God's Word - Please remember two things when using our studies: #1. Our commentary is not God's Word. It is only our interpretation or understanding of "His Word" and even though we try our best to be accurate we may or may not be correct. #2. The King James translation, or any other translation, of the original Hebrew text has some words which were given different translations at different places probably because of the interpreters preconceived ideas of what they think God meant to say. For example: According to the notes in the "Dake's Annotated Reference Bible" the Hebrew word hayah in the KJV is Trans. (became) 67 times, (becamest or came to pass) 505 times, (become) 66 times, and (come to pass) 131 times, but for some reason in Genesis 1:2 it is translated (was)! That sure changes the way a person perceives the original creation of the earth, doesn't it? Gen. 1:2 And the earth was (became) without form, ... Having said that, let us continue with our "Key Knowledge" lessons. These are pamphlets containing knowledge, we believe, you must have to fully and accurately unlock and understand the Word of God.
John 15:26
But when the Comforter is
come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which
proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John
16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he
will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever
he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He
shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto
you.
In chapter 16 we saw the 7 Vials containing the wrath of God poured out upon those who had the mark of the beast in their foreheads (minds) and who worshipped Satan, the false messiah, as Jesus Christ. We will now see one of those 7 angels who poured out the vials come and give us a "close up" view of the judgment of the "Great Whore". Maybe we should update the terminology a little and call her the because the Holy Spirit wants us to get a real good PICTURE of exactly how He looks upon the false religious system that spews forth from that great city where the "Great Slut""son of perdition" will sit claiming that he is God (2 Thes. 2). Also, be it known that our Father deals in reality, so if the terminology used here is offensive then one can always go to a church where they only teach nice things like cute little bunny rabbits and Ishtar eggs, real Biblical gems!!!!
Now, if you have read all of God's Word, then you are already familiar with "whores" and "harlots" and how their actions are use to describe "idolatry". You see, idolatry is a far greater sin than being a whore, for the latter is of the flesh but the former is of the spirit. And while most whores know they are "whoring around" most idolaters of religion think they serve God, yet they violate the very 1st Commandment of God.
For those, however, who are not familiar with God's Word, for perhaps they are just beginning to study His Word, then it would serve them well, if they wish to understand this great chapter 17 of Revelation, to first read and understand the Book of Hosea in the Old Testament. Hosea means "salvation" which is what the Book of Hosea is about! That's right, the book titled "Salvation" is in the Old Testament. Then perhaps they will SEE how our Father feels about and looks upon "idolatry", i,e. false religion. As the apostle Paul documents in 2 Thes. 2:3, there's a Great Apostasy about to be born and this Great Whore in Rev. 17 will be its mother and give it birth.
So if you read the Book of Hosea you will read that God tells Hosea to go marry a whore! That's right! "Go marry a whore, Hosea! I want you to know what it is like being married to someone who is unfaithful to you!"
Again, you must read the entire book. Hosea's wife conceived and bore him children, Lo-ruhamah and Lo-ammi, and they were told by the LORD to say unto their brethren:Hosea 1:2
The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.
Many think they are going to attend the marriage supper of the Lamb, but are there not those to whom He will say "Get away from me, I never knew you?"Hosea 2:2
Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;
Got the PICTURE? God hates idolatry, spiritual whoredom. And His children are too Biblically ignorant to know to whom they are married! Yes they are! They will jump in bed with the first Bridegroom that appears on earth claiming to be Jesus and they will be seduced! They are the first women (no gender intended) taken in the field in Mat. 24:40, just as it was in the days of Noah. Is all this graphic enough? It is very serious. In this final generation you must have the seal of God (His Word) in your forehead (mind) in order to escape the vials from being poured out on you.[3] Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.[4] And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.
[5] For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.
One final comment before we begin chapter 17. Remember in the first chapter of Revelation that which we learned regarding the symbology used in Revelation? It is either "old hat", i.e. we've seen it before and know what it means, or the Book of Revelation interprets it for us. For example, we read about 7 stars and 7 candlesticks in the first chapter and we were then told that the 7 stars were "angels" and the 7 candlesticks were "churches". The explanation was therefore supplied and we did not have to imagine what the symbols were or make up our own interpretation. We will see the same done here in this 17th chapter.Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge...
Here then is verse one of chapter 17:
This will be easy on our part because the angel is going to show us the judgment! I believe that's called a revelation.Rev. 17:1
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:
By the way, here's Strong's definition of "whore". It is from where we get the English word "porno".
porne, por'-nay, Greek 4204; feminine of Greek 4205 (pornos); a strumpet; figurative an idolater :- harlot, whore.Also when we get to verse 15 we'll be told exactly what the "waters" are, just like we were told what stars were in chapter one. So let's peek ahead: Rev. 17:15 "And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." No guesswork needed here, is there?
Now, look who's has been sleeping with this whore?
Oh wow! She's slept with just about everyone. She must be a real doll![2] 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.
Now the angel makes good his word and takes John in the spirit to the desolate place, even the place of the desolator, and shows him a PICTURE!
What do we SEE? A "woman" sitting upon a "scarlet coloured" beast, full of the names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.[3] 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.
Hey, we know who the "scarlet coloured beast" is. He's the "Red Dragon" of Rev. 12:3 & 13:1. It is Satan and his power structure. We've identified these 7 heads and 10 horns before! Now, if we just knew who this woman was! (Let's scan the rest of the chapter and see if we are told who the "woman" is, like we were told what the "waters" were). BINGO! Don't you just love it?
Now where does Satan set up his headquarters when he's cast out of heaven in Rev. 12:7-9? We know that from chapter 11. It's where he sits in the temple with his angels! It is Jerusalem, where also our Lord was crucified, and where the two witnesses shall be killed.Rev. 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
It is "spiritually" called Sodom and Egypt which "spiritually" means Idolatry and Oppression. It's the city of Jerusalem! That's the great city!Rev. 11:8
And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
Let's return to Rev. 17 and learn more about this woman.
Rev. 17:4 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:
Ooooh! Did you see what was in that cup? I don't even want to describe it!
Yeeeech!
You know what? We've seen this "golden cup" before. Not only that we've read of the "earth being made drunk with her wine", too! Have you read the entire Bible! Imagine how little we'd know if just ran around with half the book, like just the New Testament, and said "Just believe, little ones, and you'll be safe. Why don't you know, you're going to fly away into a place of safety (the ushers will now pass the collection plate as we listen to the beautiful special music, turn to song #666)."
So where did this golden cup come from? Let's read Jeremiah chapter 51 and find out. Here's verses 6 & 7:
The judgment of the great whore! The Day of Vengeance of the LORD!Jeremiah 51:6
Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; He will render unto her a recompence.
BABYLON! So you see, the beautiful woman arrayed in Royalty holds the cup of Babylon from which the earth has been made drunken! False religion! Confusion! The nations are confused![7] 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.
Again, "confusion" is what Babylon means.
Here's Strong's definition of Babylon:
Babel, baw-bel', Hebrew 894; from Hebrew 1101 (balal); confusion; Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire :- Babel, Babylon.
Here now is the woman's official title shown to us by the angel:
MYSTERY, BABYLON, The MOTHER OF WHORES, ABOMINATIONS!Rev. 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Next we'll document the simplicity of the meaning of this name written upon the woman's forehead!
Have you ever read the book "Sargon the Magnificent" by Mrs. Sidney Bristowe? It is a remarkable work revealing and tracing Cain in secular history as Sargon of Akkad. It begins with his ousting from the presence of God and his journey into the land of Nod, Sumer, and the founding of Babylon from whence originates the "golden cup" full of abominations. He is reported to have lived 730 years and founded many religions of the earth in his travels including sun worship, dragon worship, etc.,etc.)
We read of John's description of a beautiful woman clothed in purple and scarlet colours and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a "golden cup" in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication. In other words, she was gorgeous, but she was a whore! She had a name on her forehead which we will look at again shortly.
But first, haven't you ever wondered how it could possibly be that Satan when he comes to earth is able to "deceiveth the whole world" (Rev. 12:9)? If what "main stream" Christianity is teaching, i.e. their traditional doctrines, is true, then how could this be? Is the majority right while most professing Christians are completely Biblically illiterate? Think about it? If a person is deceived it means that they believe something to be true that is, in fact, not so. Folks, it is "religion" that prevents our people from seeing the truth of God's Word.
So, while the majority of Christianity today teaches that Jesus Christ can return at any moment, both Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul WARNED about being deceived concerning His return. Jesus said repeatedly that many would come claiming to represent Him, i.e. as Christian ministers, and would deceive MANY, the multitudes, not just a few!
Take a look at what the majority teaches concerning our gathering back to Christ, then read what Paul says in 2 Thes. 2.
Here it is:
The subject is the 7th Trump, the return of Christ, and our gathering back to Him.2 Thes. 2:1
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
We are NOT going to gather back to Christ until the son of perdition is revealed. There is only one son of perdition, Satan himself. What does this "revealing" mean?2 Thes. 2:3
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
What will he do when he is revealed? He will take over God's house, even the body of Christ which results in the great apostasy, and claims to be God, i.e. Jesus Christ. That's why he is called the "instead of - Christ", i.e. His REPLACEMENT![4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Satan will be revealed as Jesus Christ! It is a mystery to most. Hang on a few verses!
Paul says "Don't you remember I told you all of this?"[5] Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
"You know what Satan's status is now."[6] And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
What is this "mystery"? Let's look up the Greek word in Strong's:[7] For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
musterion, moos-tay'-ree-on, Greek 3466; from a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth); a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites) :- mystery.
Note: Many, way too many, churches teach that the "only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way" in verse 7 refers to the Holy Spirit departing the earth when they are Raptured away. That's because the "mystery" has already completely taken over their unlearned minds. They are not going anywhere before Satan as the spurious messiah is revealed. Paul just said so in plain and simple language.
The subject being discussed is when will the "man of sin" be revealed? The answer is when Michael let's him go in Rev. 12:7-9. Michael is holding him back!
Here's verse 7 from the Living Bible translation:
When Michael steps out of the way and let's Satan go, he will come to the earth claiming to be Jesus Christ.2 Thes. 2:7 As for the work this man of rebellion and hell will do when he comes, it is already going on, but he himself will not come until the one who is holding him back steps out of the way. (Living Bible)
Back to the KJV and continuing in 2 Thes.:
Most of Christianity is awaiting an evil, Hitler like, Saddam Hussein like butcher to be revealed. Don't you SEE the mystery at work? The Wicked one will be revealed as Jesus Christ. He won't appear to be doing anything wicked at all! He's very religious. He heals the "deadly wound". As Daniel shows us, the "little horn", Satan, brings peace and prosperity to the world. The whole world will love him! They'll will think Christ has returned! Is that hidden, or what?2 Thes. 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
Even if you see "religious" miracles performed by religious leaders, especially by one claiming to be Jesus, don't be deceived![9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
If you "love truth" you will study the truth, which is His Word. Look out across the land. How many folks do you know that truly study His Word? You can tell by just listening to people that they have not received the "love of the truth", even though they may attend a church![10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
What is the "lie" that they believe? It is that Satan is Jesus and that his "church systems", his "religions" are true Christianity. So let's look again at Rev. 17:5:[11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
We know what every word in this verse means:Rev. 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
It is Satan's religious system, that looks like the real thing, that causes great confusion (Babel) and deception, and brings forth multitudes of idolaters (those who worship Satan as Jesus) and abominations in all the world. That's what Rev. 17:5 says! It is really quite simple, isn't it?Forehead = Brain location
Mystery is "musterion" = Hidden Religion
Babylon = Confusion
Mother = One who gives birth, brings forth
Harlots & Whores (same Greek word) = Idolaters
Abominations = Idolatries
Earth = World
Remember now who this woman is from the last verse of this chapter: Rev. 17:18 "And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." It is where the son of perdition sits in the temple, in the average Christian's heart, Jerusalem/Religion.Rev. 17:6 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.
Note: Did you know that our Father chose Jerusalem to become the Headquarters of the Universe? You can read of it in Ezekiel 16 where He "took to wife" that location, and in Rev. 21 we see the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven to that location. Is it any wonder that Satan has so attacked this great city and has chosen it for his headquarters when he comes here with an "in your face" attitude?
It is true that the great city, Jerusalem, has been filled with the blood of saints and the blood of martyrs down through the ages. But the context of this chapter 17 is the judgment time of the great whore, when Satan and his angels will sit in the temple of that great city, exercising world domination both religiously and politically and shall kill the two witnesses as we learned in chapter 11. Then shall there be great rejoicing and merrymaking.
And when John saw the woman he marveled with great wonder! He was astounded!Rev. 11:7
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.[8] And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
[10] And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
"Relax John", said the angel, "I'll tell you the mystery of both the woman and the beast that carries that babe."Rev. 17:7 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 was present on earth before. Of course he was in the 1st earth age but he was also present in the garden of Eden and at the time of Christ. But he is not present (here in person) now. We've covered many times already that he shall be cast from heaven (Rev. 12:7-9), which is to say released from the bottomless pit. And he shall eventually go into the lake of fire and PERISH with the rest of the elements (2 Pet. 3:12), i.e. evil rudiments, when our Father, the consuming fire (Heb. 12:29) comes.[8] 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.
And in verse 8 we also read for the "umpteenth time" that if you are not one of God's elect, if your name is not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, then you are going to love this beast! (For a further explanation of "from the foundation of the world" as also spoken of by the apostle Paul, visit Ephesians here on this site.
We continue now with who the beast is:
It's going to take just a little wisdom and common sense to understand this verse about the beast. We know from Rev 12 & 13 who the 7 heads, the 7 mountains are. Mountains are symbolic of governments and nations. They are the 7 dominions, meaning the complete or whole dominion of the world, the one world political system, whom the beast controls from that great city of Jerusalem.Rev. 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
Note: Many people would like to say that this means the "great city" is San Francisco or Rome or some other city that is built on 7 literal mountains. But first of all, the woman isn't even the subject. It's the beast and his political system. The angel doesn't change the subject to the woman until verse 18. That is why this verse is prefaced with "here is the mind which has wisdom". Wisdom comes from knowing God's Word, all of it. If you do then this verse and this chapter is a "no brainer". If you don't, you'll probably get out a topographical map and look for cities built on mountains. It's your choice.
Again, wisdom is required here. The subject is still the beast and these 7 kings have nothing to do with the 10 kings which we will get to in verse 12. The subject hasn't changed. These 7 kings are all one and the same person. Let's read verse 11 first and we'll explain.[10] And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
The 7 kings are sequential roles that Satan has played (a) 1-5, that are past (fallen) i.e. down through the ages even from the first earth age where he was the dragon, in the garden of Eden as the serpent, at the time of Job as the accuser, and at the time of Christ as the tempter, (b) 6, currently where he is alive and in heaven organizing his troops while being physically restrained from earth, (c) 7, when he is cast out of heaven and he comes here again as the spurious messiah and "must continue a short space" until Christ returns and Michael tosses him in the abyss, and (d) 8, he is released for the final time at the end of the Millennium and eventually goes into perdition, i.e. is cast into the lake of fire.[11] And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
Now, verse 11 makes it really simple. Again, what is the subject? We are talking about the beast that was and is not. The beast is who? Satan! In as much as he will also have an 8th role at the end of the Millennium, he is of the seven, ALL SEVEN, because he was 1-5 and is now 6 and shall be 7, i.e. he is all seven kings. So just as the 8th is of the 7, the 7th is of the 6, and the 6th is of the 5. The 7 kings are the same king in series of reigns not 7 contemporary kings.
Here come the 10 kings who are contemporary kings:
One hour is the hour of temptation (Rev. 3:10). It is the 5 month reign of the false-christ, the time of the locusts of Rev. 9 and Apollyon, Satan, their king.[12] And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
What are you called? If you are with Him in this generation then you (1) were called, (2) were chosen before the foundation of this earth age, and (3) are faithful unto and through the final hour![13] These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.[14] These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
"Waters" = "the peoples of the world". If you miss this symbol you'll drown in uncertainty while trying to understand Revelation.Rev. 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
Don't let this verse be confusing or seem contradictory. It is not. Just remember that in Rev. 9 all those who do not have the seal of God in their forehead are consumed away and made desolate. It is God's plan to use Satan and his kings to fulfill His will.[16] And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
Yes, God even calls the locust army "His army", for it exists only by His permission. God is in complete control. He always has been, He always will be.[17] For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
We documented previously that this great city is Jerusalem, where also our Lord was crucified.[18] And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Next we will get an even closer view of the Great Fall of the Great Babylon of the end times. It is most fascinating indeed!
In chapter 17 we learned that the great whore who "sitteth upon many waters (peoples of the world)", was is not a woman at all, but is in fact that Great City, which will reign over the kings of the earth, the city where the beast, Satan, sits atop the one world political and religious systems, the city in which the son of perdition sits in the temple and claims he is Jesus Christ. The woman is that great city, Jerusalem, where also our Lord was crucified.
Let's review the last verse of chapter 17 so that no one gets any brainy idea to identify the woman as something other than that great city.
Rev. 17:18
And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
And so we see and understand why people are confused! They believe their religion, their church, is right and holy and pure and good! They cannot see that they have already been led astray from the TRUTH by the traditions of men, perpetuated by Biblically illiterate pastors and ministers, though many are well meaning, who follow the doctrines of their church. But they lead our people astray from the God's Word and let them wander the hills of confusion!
Editor's Note: We
are going to stop here in our "Book of Revelation Study" to review
some commentary from chapter 17 of Revelation in an earlier study we
published. I
don't believe you will find much difference in the general opinion of
these two authors, but to read another person's perspective of events
that took place may prove helpful in your understanding of the
Revelation 17 and what happens in the end times, just prior to Christ's
return, during the Millennium, and the start of the new heaven and
earth.
This Bible Study was originally written by Roger
Christopherson,
published at http://www.theseason.org/
Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.
Now here is our revised study ofREVELATION
Chapter 17
"Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots Revealed."
Chapter 17, like all the others, was written in symbology. We are taught here by the use of idioms, and symbols. Though these terms are covered over in symbols; each of these terms are explained as to their identity. There simply is no mystery to these symbols when we have the explanation. As we unravel the mysteries in this chapter, many other mysteries of God's Word will also be revealed at this time.
Revelation 17:1 "And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials [bowls], and talked with me [John], saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore [harlot] that sitteth upon many waters:
Remember, the seven seals, vials, plagues, trumpets, and thunders are all the same acts. Only a different vision our Lord gave to John, giving a different profile of the same occurrence, or event. This angel is one of the seven angels that "he" [John] has seen before, and the discussion John and this angel are having is about this "one world religion" that sits, or rules over the peoples of the earth. The "great whore" is a religion, while the "waters" represents the people that follow after the whore, or religion.
This "whore" is identified as "Mystery, Babylon", as we look ahead to the 15th verse. We will also establish in our minds exactly what the "waters", or "seas", or "rivers" truly represents. These bodies of water are peoples, and nations, tongues and languages right here on earth. This harlot is not the Catholic church, or any other church now in operation, but it is a deception created by these Kenite scribes that will so change your church, or any church, to accept the one world political and religious beasts. So that in the end, it will be the Antichrist's religious system.
The approach the Kenites will use to draw you and your church into their system, will be through your own doctrines like the "rapture theory", or another false doctrine spun out to draw certain churches in to their deceptions. To the Roman Catholics, they will use idols, miracles, or even a statement from the pope, to make the Catholics accept. To Buddhist and the Hindus it will be something different, but all religions will be open and willing to allow themselves to enter into the Antichrist's system.
Why then is the Christian world the focus of Satan's attacks over all other religions of the world? Because Christianity is the only religion where it's Messiah and founder claims to be the "Son of the Living God". All other forms of religious practice are created by man for man. Any supernatural action then would automatically draw the other forms to that supernatural entity. Christianity is the only religion that is exact and absolute, Jesus said, you either come to the Father by Me, or you are not saved and don't have eternal life. Jesus said in John 14:6; "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh to the Father but by Me."
So this angel is about to tell John exactly what these terms and idioms mean.
Revelation 17:2 "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."
This is the answer given to John, by the angel. The "people" of the earth have become intoxicated on her [this one world religious system's wine], which is confusion and false doctrine. They are being drawn to accept this religious system that these Kenites will devise upon the arrival of the Antichrist to earth.
Revelation 17:3 "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."
John was taken by this messenger in the spirit, to a time of the end.
The wilderness is the same as Joel spoke of; where before the locust arrived, it was like the Garden of Eden, lush and flourishing; and behind the locust army it became a wilderness. [Joel 1:19-20]
Live Link to->>> Joel.html
So this
"wilderness" is a "time", not a place,
when all truth of "God's Word" has
dried up.
Amos 8:11 "Behold the day come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord:"
Amos 8:12 "And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they [the people of the earth living in their flesh bodies] shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it."
The "blasphemy" she is spouting out is against our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit of God.
In Revelation 13:1, we were given the seven dominions, or continents which cover the entire earth, with it's ten rulers, or authoritative agencies.
All these powers are riding under a beast, which is a world wide government. When this government started, it was in a political form only following a world war.
However, after the United Nations was established, then a troubling spiritual time came.
The Political form of this world wide system will die, and out of
it's destruction a religious order, or a religion which
the entire world will
accept will come into being.
We will be told later in this book of Revelation when this form will come into power.
Revelation 17:4 "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:"
The "woman" is the religious order, or church system, that is riding on this beast. Again she is wearing the royal clothing, showing the strength of her power. The "gold and precious stones" that she will be wearing, which is a copy of the breast plate that one of God's priests would wear, show her attempt at priestly duties.
The "cup" is filled "with abominations", which in the Greek text are "bdelugma", and in the plural, its of "idolatry". It is unclean practices of worship.
The "cup" in the communion holds the wine, that represents the blood of Christ, and it is taken to our lips. The "cup" represents the purity of Christ's blood, and the sacrifice that was shed for our sins.
The "Mother of Babylon" is the head of all confusion, and deception.
Revelation 17:5 "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."
Live Link to-> "Mystery Babylon"
This was actually written on her forehead.
She, this one world religious system, is the queen of all of Satan's dirty tricks and fornications.
Though it will appear like God is blessing this harlot, and that this religious system is a pillar of the truth, but the system, you see, is a lie, and from the pit.
Satan's religious order will enter prosperously and successfully, yet, it will be very short lived [five months], as we read in Revelation 9:5, 10.
Daniel also spoke of this time when Satan would come to the earth.
Daniel 8:23 "And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up."
When the one world political system [United Nations] created by and for the Kenites has come to completion and is accepted by the peoples of the world, then it will cease as a political government because this "king of fierce countenance and understanding dark sentences" will arrive here on earth. That king is Satan.
Daniel 8:24 "And his [Satan's] power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people."
We know that Satan will be supernatural, because in Revelation 9:1, we saw that God gave Satan the power and authority to do those things that he shall do.
Remember that God put limits on Satan and he will only be allowed to deceive those that do not have the seal of God in their foreheads, their minds.
Daniel 8:25 "And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand."
The policy of any company or organization sets the limits to what the entity will do, or how it will function. It sets the nature of the entity. Satan's policy will be to bless those that follow him, and spiritually destroy those that will not. Satan's "policy" is to "magnify himself" in his mind, and that is done when people bow to him, and call him God. That is the "Abomination of desolation" that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:15.
Revelation 17:6 "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 [wonder]."
This "woman" [One world religious system] is drunken with the pride of deceiving the saints of God who were not prepared to face her, or could they even understand how Satan would mold his church. These "martyrs" for Jesus are God's two witnesses. [See chapter eleven.]
This word "admiration" is one of the sickest translations in the whole Bible. In fact it is an outright insult. "Admiration" as used here means "to be shocked", or "to wonder in astonishment in disbelief". This religion, or "woman" was the depth of blasphemy. How could an intelligent and educated world, in this century accept the simplicity of all the Kenite, and Satanic lies and perversions as of God.
This shows just how low the religious world will sink.
The lies and practices of idolatry, and perversions will be molded into the minds of this generation through the strict control of the four hidden dynasties, which the Kenites control now. They will shape your thinking and your lifestyle to where you will willingly accept it, if you are not sealed in your mind with the truth of God's Word.
Revelation 17:7 "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."
This angel is going to tell us the mystery of the woman, the beast, the heads, and the horns. Satan will work differently in this second earth age, than he worked in the first earth age [given in Revelation 12:1-6]. Then the crowns of power was given to the kings that sat over the people, where as in Revelation 13:1-3 we saw that it was the ten agencies of power that wore the crowns of power, not individuals.
Revelation 17:8 "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 [shall come]."
This "beast" was in the Garden of Eden deceiving [beguiling] Eve; he is not here now, for he is in heaven accusing the saints before the throne of God. He [Satan] will ascend out of the bottomless pit, as we saw in Revelation 9:1, and 2, and "he will go to perdition", following the judgment at the end of the Millennium kingdom age. The "he" spoken of here, is Satan, and don't let any one tell you any different. Satan is the "son of perdition" as recorded in II Thessalonians 2:1-4, and he will be the first Christ to come at the end of this earth age.
"Perdition" means to "perish", and only Satan has had that sentence passed on him at this time. We are told that those "whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world", [that first earth age], will wonder, or follow after Satan. They fell in the first earth age, and they will also fall in this earth age. Those of who were chosen in that first earth age stood against Satan then, and they will also stand now. They are God's elect.
When the last of the elect, and the 144,000 of Israel are sealed, then Satan will arrive as the Antichrist.
This age is a repeat of the first earth age.
Now, what about the other professing Christians?
They will
follow false doctrine, and go into Satan's camp.
The deception will cover the
whole earth, even though the truth is in your hands to forewarn those around you in this
generation.
Are you doing you're share?
Have you warned Christians not to follow the spurious messiah's false doctrine?
There will be no equal to the deceptions that are going to come, in the history of all mankind.
Yet the sermons of today are full of nonsense, with no sense of urgency given even as this great hour of deception is at our doorstep.
The Church sleeps,
while the Kenites steal the
sheep.
Revelation 17:9 "And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth."
If you understand God's prophecy, then you have "wisdom". The "Mountains" are seven nations, or dominions. They are areas of land, and all seven dominions comprise the entire earth. They will make up Satan's earthly kingdom. A "kingdom" is "a king and his domain". The "woman", or this false religion will sit and rule over all seven of these dominions. "She" is the religion of Satan created by the Kenites, and the eighth verse told us it is Satan [the beast] that will sit over the woman.
Revelation 17:10 "And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space."
Now we get to something a little different. When we go back to verse eight, we will understand it.
There were ten kings at first, but this deals with seven kings. These seven kings have been over their dominions for some time. There is only one king that Christ has given power over all the earth in the past two thousand years, and that king is Satan. These seven kings represent the seven offices that Satan has held, from the "dragon" in the first earth age, "serpent" in the garden, all the way through this age to the Antichrist at the end of this age. There has been five roles that Satan has and is playing to this date, and Satan is our "accuser" before the throne of God today, but in time he will be right here on earth filling the role of Antichrist, which will be for a very short time (Five Months). Satan's final role starts shortly, very shortly, with Michael casting him out of heaven [Revelation 12:7]. He will have only five months in his final role of this earth age.
Revelation 17:11 "And the beast that was, and is not even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition."
Remember in verse eight, "he" was the one out of the pit. Satan's "eighth" role is when he goes into perdition. Why, "of the seven"? Because he was over the seven, one entity in all seven positions; and now this eighth is his last.
No one except Satan has been judged and sentenced to perdition already, as recorded in Ezekiel 28:18. This beast is the son of perdition, and "perdition" means "to destroy" or destroyer.
Revelation 17:12 "And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power [authority] as kings one hour with the beast."
These "ten horns" are ten kings, and all these kings exists at the same time. They are not like the seven kings of the roles of Satan. They do not rule until a specific time, and then they rule for one hour.
The beast must appear first, then their power will be given to them by the Antichrist.
This is after the deadly wound has been healed, the ending of the one world political system.
This is the "hour of temptation" Jesus speaks of and warned us of seven times.
The warnings are given so that we will not follow, or be deceived by this beast in that final hour [of this age].
The elect and the sealed of God will not be tempted in that hour, for they know who the tempter is [Satan].
This is the time to have your Spiritual armor on and ready for the battle.
There is no "rapture" or escape from this hour of temptation here on earth, but God's armor is sufficient to protect you during this spiritual battle.
I am aware that this is the point that deceivers use to draw you in; however, it is the very deception that will lead you to the Antichrist.
Revelation 17:13 "These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast."
There can be no doubt now who rules over the ten kings, or authorities, or agencies: it is Antichrist, Satan, the beast. The nations of the world have no borders, or boundaries. The Euphrates has dried up, and Israel and Babylon are one in mind and accord. These authorities must be similar to the ten agencies that now rule the earth, under the United Nations. These are UNICEF [for the children], the World Bank [economics], the World court [to settle disputes], Red Cross [the world health organization], Relief [starvation], the U.N. forces [military], Space, Environment, and the Beast [universal information and control computer], and Education, as well as the World council of churches.
Revelation 17:14 "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of Lords, and King of kings: and they [those sealed with the truth in their minds] that are with him are called, and chosen and faithful."
Thank God that you can be living in this generation, and understand what it is all about.
This is the generation most of the Bible is written about, for it is the time of testing of those who fell in the first earth age.
If you understand, then God's plan makes sense and no amount of deception can fool you.
You know that Satan is the first christ.
He will come with his tricks and deceptions.
Are you one called, chosen and faithful?
If so your rewards are great in Christ's kingdom.
That spiritual armor will be given at the close of this chapter, as recorded in Ephesians 6:10-20.
Revelation 17:15 "And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues."
He continues explaining the symbols. The "waters" are "the people, and nations of all languages of the earth" that the Antichrist will sit upon. Mystery Babylon will control the entire earth, and that means you, unless you have been sealed in your mind, prior to when the Antichrist arrives.
Revelation 17:16 "And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire."
In Revelation 9:4 we saw this army of locust will burn [deceive] all, with the permission of God, except for the elect.
They will make These professing Christians "naked" by taking away all their righteous acts, for when they take "the mark of the Beast", they throw away their acts and works before Satan.
Our garments in the next age are made up of our righteous acts. We will read of this in Revelation 19.
Revelation 17:17 "For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled."
It is God who puts the will in the hearts of these ten kings, or world rulers to fulfill God's will. It is God's will, and under His control and authority, that all that, should come to pass; will come to pass, exactly as His Word said it would. We are observers in this generation, with the mission to plant seeds of truth until the arrival of the Antichrist. Then be willing to be used by the Holy Spirit, as he talks through us during this time of the tribulation.
The plan of God is right on schedule, and we are in a position to see the awesome workings of God as He moves to fulfill His eternal plan.
Unbelievable peace talks are taking place, and enemies around the world are following the lead of the political beast.
Why would all this happen?
"For God hath put it in their hearts [minds] to fulfill his will, and to agree, and to give their kingdom unto the beast." [verse 17] All things shall come to pass as they are written.
Revelation 17:18 "And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth."
This is a symbolic city. It is made up of one thing, Confusion. A mind set that brings all minds and thoughts of the world into a common bond. They agree to accept the idolatry, and the entire world order, both political and religious. The city is not a city as we think of cities today, but a state of mind, which is in accord and agreement with Satan's religious order. That state of mind will be what rules the authorities controlling all mankind, except God's elect. Got it? I hope so.
Live Link to- "Symbolic City"
Just as it was in the days of Noah will be repeated/and is happening again in the life time of us 21st. century flesh and blood human beings.
In this study we will talk about:
The creation of the world.
The Kenites and where they came from.
The City and why God said, "Come out of her, my people,..., and that ye receive not of her plagues.""
The structure of that great City.
The Cup of God's Wrath.
The Four Hidden Dynasties.
The Nephilim and the Fallen Angels.
Satan and his Scorpions and Vipers.
The Second and the Last Woe.
The Two Witnesses and The Abomination of Desolation.
The coming of the Lord Jesus Christ
and The Seventh and Last Trumpet.
Jesus Christ's Millennium Kingdom.
The Judgment Day
The New Eternal Earth.
Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might."
Natural instinct is the using of common sense. We must allow our own natural instincts and common sense to override that which is false. When we arm ourselves in the word of God, we should grow up to have the strength and power to set the direction or our own lives. We should be able to know truth from false teaching, false doctrine, and false information.
To "be strong in the Lord", means to be sure in your mind of the Lord. Our strength in the Lord comes from the things we can do in the authority of Jesus Christ's name. God's might is where all our power comes from. God cares, and gives those who call on His name the strength needed to see us through any difficulty.
Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
Luke 11:22; "But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils." Jesus is telling us that before we put on our armor to go into battle against the enemy [Satan], we are to scout out the enemy to see the strength of his [Satan's] forces. How many troupes he has, what he is armed with, and what he intends to use against us.
Then we can come back and take an inventory of our strength, to see how well we will be able to stand against him. When there are overwhelming odds against us, we are to send an ambassador to talk peace; for this pulling of a delay will buy time for us.
We are in the end times and in a fierce spiritual battle. Have you scouted the enemy? Do you know who the enemy is, and who his forces are made up from? It is Satan, his evil spirits, and his offspring on the earth, the "Kenites". God is giving these evil forces authority to exercise, and bring about the fulfillment of His plan for these latter days.
Shortly, Michael will cast Satan out of heaven [Revelation 12:7], and he will be on the earth in person ruling as the spurious messiah. As the spirit of Satan rules right here on earth, God also give His elect the Spirit and power of the Holy Spirit; we have power to subdue all evil spirits. In Luke 10:18, Jesus said; "We have the power over all our enemies", and Satan is our enemy.
Now is the time that we had better be preparing ourselves; to know what is going to transpire, and what we must have to use against Satan, and all his forces. We must know him and all his names; the serpent, the king of Tyre, the devil, and all of his other names, which will alert us to his actions.
The "wiles of the devil" refers to the lies, tricks, and deceitfulness he and his offspring [the Kenites] may use to bring down Christians. The "whole armour" is all the protection necessary to stand against those lies and deception. Your entire body has to be protected against Satan, or he will out wit you, and you will not stand.
The point is, that you put on the "whole armour", all of it, to stand against Satan, the false-christ.
Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh ad blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
In the beginnning of this battle of the end times we are not going to fight against "flesh and blood" people, but against hidden and deceitful spiritual powers. Satan is the prince of darkness, and spiritually he controls the minds and actions of not only rulers of this earth, but all evil spirits in the heavenlies. We're talking of angelic beings (our fellow brethern, Rev.19:10) in a fallen state.
Revelation 19:10 "And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
Are you prepared mentally to do battle with These Kenites and their father, Satan? This battle is not with guns and swords, but with words and doctrines; with concepts and ideas, and these are the "fiery darts" that Satan will conduct his warfare against you with.
Daniel 8:23 will give us a view of what this ruler of darkness is like. "And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up."
This king in the "latter time" is Satan, coming to earth, in person, as the false-christ; he is the "king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences". In the Hebrew text it means that Satan is "skilled in dissimulation" of the truth of God's word. Satan knows all of God's word, and as such, he is the father of lies and deception. He will twist and turn the truth a little here and a little there, to make it an outright lie. Satan even now, in spirit, is the deciever on earth, and we must never forget it. But, at the sixth trump he's coming in person. [Five months before Christ returns!]
Daniel 8:24 "And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy People."
He will take away so much of Christianity, and cause so much deception through false doctrines [such as the rapture doctrine] that all those without their full [whole] armor on, will be deceived. He will come "in" [to this earth] with the promise of peace and prosperity; with false hopes and a promise to fulfill your every wish, if you will but follow him.
How does he do this? It will be easy, because; Do to our lack of correct instruction from our so called Christian churches, most proclaiming Christians will believe he is really Christ come to fly them out of here!
Daniel 8:25 "And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand."
Satan's "policy" is the way he fights, which is his method of operation. The "craft to prosper in his hand", refers to his ability that God will give him to do many miracles and wonders. Revelation 13 tells us how he will use this deceit to trick the whole world, except for God's elect, those with the seal of God {knowledge} in their minds.
"He shall magnify himself in his heart", is covered in II Thessalonians 2:4; "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God, shewing [calling] himself that he is God." This is the "Abomination of desolation [by the desolator]" spoken of in Daniel 9:27, and by Jesus in Matthew 24:15.
"By peace" is Satan's secret weapon, for peace is the most powerful weapon used against God's people in this final generation. It is dismantling the mind of the Christian church and disarming our nation today.
In the end Satan will be "broken without hand", because it will be by the two edged sword which comes from the mouth of Jesus Christ. The same sword that spoke and worlds were formed, and the stars were put in their places. However, we must not underestimate Satan's power to deceive, and his miracles, and cries for peace, peace, peace.
Europe has moved to unity, and by treaty, and the Americas are also brought together. But the binding force for the world politically is the United Nations, with it's many dominating agencies, i.e."the New World Order". World peace is at the door step, the "fifth trump of Revelation" is sounding, and following it comes the sounding of the "sixth trumpet of Revelation" when Satan arrives here on earth in person.
At the fall of this world political system, (the first beast of Revelation, i.e. "The New World Order", as some like to call it); comes the rise of a world religious order, i.e. the second beast of Revelation (Satan, as the false-christ), which will cause the world nations to bow to the coming ruler,
Most of the "claiming to be" Christian world will bow to this religious leader, the false-christ, as their Messiah, except he will be the spurious messiah, Satan. One worldism is so close, that it could become fact at any time.
Ephesians 6:13 "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to with stand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
We will stand against Satan, and all his forces. The "evil day" is just before the Lord's return, and on that day we had better be prepared to stand and face Satan, with our full armor on. This is not a day as we measure time, but a five month period when Satan is here on earth in person. Will you recognize him?
Ephesians 6:14 "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;"
Your "girt" is your belt. That is what holds up your pants, and our spiritual "belt" is the truth of God's word; all of it. Like the belt, it also holds you together, and keeps you from going flying off in all directions. If you know what to expect you will not stray off into Satan's camp in ignorance. Read our studies of the 7 seals, the 7 vails, and the 7 trumps of Revelation in order to learn what you should expect, so you are not deceived by Satan and his coming locust army.
Live Link to- Basic facts you need to know to understand Scripture
To understand scripture without perceived conflicts you must have eyes to see these truths.
Then read:
under #13 That The first beast has risen,
under #14 That Endure until the end.
under #15 That The seventh Trump.
Or you can go on the internet and open www.americanwisdomseries.com
and do the same thing.
Our "breastplate of righteousness" is our justification, or authority for everything we say or do. That is the Word of God. It will protect you, but only if you are able to think for yourself, and the wisdom to direct our thinking can only come from God. Without that truth in your mind, you are spiritually naked, and defenseless against any spiritual battle. The world today is Biblically illiterate.
Ephesians 6:15 "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;"
This is the kind of shoes that we all must have on. There is only one true peace, and that comes from Jesus Christ. The "gospel of peace" is the "good news of God's full plan". Your feet are used to walk with and get you around, while the shoes are for the protection of your feet. So we had better have the "gospel armor" on so when we move in these final days, we know exactly where to walk, and what to expect. There are no secrets for these days, as to how Satan's forces will move; for it is all written in God's Word [our Bible].
When we see the signs of the end times that are upon us, we had better understand what Satan will do; and then know what we had better do about it. Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 13 all tell us in detail what we are to do in that day. These are all part of our spiritual shoes, that will guide our feet to where they ought to take us.
Ephesians 6:16 "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."
Paul is telling us that this is the most important armor; "above all". When we put on our "shield of faith" we can quench [or snuff out] all of Satan's fiery darts. There is absolutely nothing Satan can send against you mentally, if you are filled with the seal of the living God. God even went far beyond that when He gave to Satan the keys of authority for his tribulation rule.
God said in Revelation 9:4 "And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thin, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads." That seal of God is the Scriptures; all of it, and it had better be stored in your mind [that's your "forehead"].
The "shield" is our faith, or the certain knowledge that we know that when Satan comes against us, we will automatically be given the moves we are to take to shield ourselves form him. Whatever comes our way will be snuffed out today, tomorrow, and right into Christ's Millennium age. Your faith is not only your belief, but your acting on that belief; which is sustained by your confidence that God will perform that what He said He will do. All things will come to pass exactly as He said it would in His Word.
Ephesians 6:17 "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"
The "sword of the spirit" is the "Word of God". Revelation 1:16 tells us that the sword is a two edged sword that destroys all of Satan's lies and deceptions. It is the Word of God, from the mouth of God, and written for us in the Bible.
Our head is the most vulnerable part of our body; Therefore our salvation had better be secure and sure in our mind. Our "salvation" is the most sure thing we can have, for it is Christ that does the saving, and it comes through our belief in Jesus Christ, and His work on the cross: His death and resurrection.
All this was done by Him to pay the price for each and every sin that we have done. However, those sins are only forgiven by Him through our repentance to God, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Then our sins are all blotted out from the view of the Father, and we are accepted into His family. We become the sons [daughters] of God, and joint heirs with Christ in God's kingdom.
Ephesians 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints,"
Make sure that it is your spirit that is guiding your prayer, and not your flesh. Look out for each other, and keep other Christians warm in the Spirit. Make intercessory prayers for each other, and give support and backing to your Christian Brethren. Ask God for all the tools to fight your spiritual battles, and He will even lay on your heart and mind the burden for your Christian brethren.
Ephesians 6:19 "And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,"
The "mystery of the gospel" was stated in Ephesians 1:4. "I chose you before the foundations of this world", that was the "overthrow of Satan" in the first earth age. If you proved yourself worthy then, you will prove yourself worthy in this earth age. Romans 8 documents this and gives us a second witness to this, as to how you were chosen, or predestined.
The sword is very powerful, and can even divide the soul from the spirit. The spirit is the intellect in which the souls thinks. The word of God in our minds allows us to speak boldly of God's word, for then we need not run from anyone.
Not only will the word keep your soul body in line, but it will also straighten out your flesh body. It will show you how you are to control you flesh.
Ephesians 6:20 "For which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
Paul is speaking, and commanding that you and I should speak the truths of God's Word, that we be direct and forthright. That we be bold in what we say and speak with authority. We can do that when we have the whole armor on. Your faith will allow you to speak boldly, and with confidence.
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