Feb 20
24
OUR LORD HERE COMMANDS US TO SEPARATE OURSELVES FROM BABYLON, THE GREAT WHORE.
Again, I stress the fact that Babylon is not a literal city. And it certainly is not a literal woman. Babylon is all false religion in this world. It is the mother of all idolatry and abominable doctrine of the earth. Babylon is the religion of antichrist in every age. Babylon is called by many names, but the most appropriate is found in Mt. 24.
1. Our Lord describes Babylon as a dead carcass around which the vultures of hell swarm – (Matt. 24:23-28).
It is the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” That is a suitable description for the religion of this world. True it has a form of godliness; signs, wonders, miracles and emotionalism. But it denies the very power of God. It is such a deceiving form of religion that, were it possible, the very elect of God would be deceived by it. But God’s elect are not deceived.
a. Babylon proclaims “Jesus” – But it is another Jesus. The Jesus of Babylon is a poor, frustrated, defeated Jesus. He tries to redeem. But his blood is shed in vain for many. He prays for everyone, loves everyone, and wants to save everyone. But his prayers, his love and his desires are frustrated by the will of man and the works of satan.
b. Babylon offers men and women a god – But is a useless god, little more than a good-luck charm. He has a purpose. But he cannot carry it out, because men won’t let him. He has a will. But it is subject to the great “free-will” of man. He is gracious. But his grace is nothing but a helpless, frustrated desire to save men and women, who will not let poor god save them.
c. Babylon preaches much about the spirit – But it is another spirit, not the Spirit of Christ. The spirit of Babylon has signs and wonders, speaks in tongues, heals hangnails, and most especially bank accounts. This spirit stirs men and women to great heights of emotionalism, and causes them to greatly glory in themselves.
The spirit of Babylon causes men to hate the sins of others. The Spirit of Christ causes men to hate their own sin.
The Spirit of Babylon causes men to do good works by which to make themselves righteous. The Spirit of Christ causes helpless sinners to seek the righteousness of Christ.
The spirit of Babylon causes people to stand up and shout. The Spirit of Christ causes sinners to fall in the dust of repentance and mourn over sin.
The spirit of Babylon tries his best to get sinners to come to Jesus. The Spirit of Christ effectually draws sinners to their Savior.
d. Babylon preaches a gospel – But it is another gospel. The gospel of Babylon is a man-centered, free-will, good works gospel that is full of fables. (II Tim. 4:4).
(1.) God loves everybody and wants everybody to be saved.
(2.) Christ died for everybody, prays for everybody and gives everybody a chance to be saved.
(3.) The Holy Spirit calls everybody, strives with everybody and tries to save everybody.
e. Babylon is the religion of man – According to Babylon, everything ultimately depends upon man. It is my intention to be perfectly clear. Any religion that proclaims salvation conditioned upon the will of the sinner, something a sinner does, or does not do, is Babylonian, anti-God, anti-Christ, and damning to the souls of men. No one ever has been saved in Babylon. No one can be saved in Babylon. Babylon is damned. And all who cling to Babylon shall be damned with her
Don Fortner