Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

Revelation 17:5-6
May 16th, 2010
Exploring RevelationArt Sadlier
Categories: Commentary;Prophecy;Book Study

The System Exposed - Continued

"And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." Verse 5

"And upon Her forehead"   This is the counterfeit harlot church which has been left on the earth after the rapture of the true church, the body of Christ, which has been caught up in the rapture. A harlot is a woman who has been unfaithful to her husband, a harlot church is a church which has been unfaithful to her Lord.

Today we are seeing the coming together of the religions of the world, they are coming into union under the banner of the Church of Rome. Men and women of various religious faiths have been making pilgrimages to Rome to see a man who has been exalted as “the holy father,” “the voice of God,” and then they bow down to him as if he were a god. Not only do these religious leaders bow down to Rome, the world leaders also pay homage to her as Rome seeks to gain favour and influence with the nations. The true church of Jesus Christ is called out from the world to be separated from it, what a contrast!

“MYSTERY BABYLON” John Walvoord said, “It has been noted by many writers that the iniquitous and pagan rites of Babylon crept into the early church and were largely responsible for the corruptions incorporated in Roman Catholicism from which Protestantism separated itself in the middle ages.”

This is not the Babylonian Empire, nor is it the City of Babylon. This is the mysterious pagan religious practices of early Babylon. These are the practices of the Church of Rome and they will be at the heart of the Harlot Church of the tribulation period.

"THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH," These practices are an abomination to God, especially the false doctrine of salvation by works which has consigned multiplied millions to a lost eternity. Beyond that, the celibacy of the priesthood has produced a harvest of vile moral perversion and sexual abuse in the Roman Church for a thousand years.  "Abominations of the earth", is a fitting description of the Roman Church which will be at the center of the harlot church.

"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."  Sir Robert Anderson has estimated that the Roman Catholic Church has been responsible for the deaths of 50 million Christians. This verse is a perfect description of the history of Rome. As we read Revelation we see that this number will be exceeded by this monstrosity in the tribulation period. This coming harlot church will stop at nothing to obtain world domination!

Babylon has not changed, she continues to the end as she began in Genesis. She loves the world and hates the saints!

Robert Govett has pointed out that when the massacre of St. Bartholomew took place, and Protestants throughout France were butchered, Rome appointed religious services of thanksgiving, and struck medals in commemoration of the joyful event. It is strange, but true, that while Rome claims to be the Church of Christ, she persecutes to the death the true followers of Christ.