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The Revelation of Jesus Christ
FURTHER DESCRIPTION OP THE FINAL APOSTASY
OP MYSTERY BABYLON As we have seen already, chapter eighteen goes into fur ther detail concerning the corruption and the fall of apostate Christendom, adding to what has been outlined in chapter seventeen. Let us read verses 1-3: ..And after these things I saw another angel _come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the mer chants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies." The verses just quoted set forth a condition which is an excellent picture of the past and present history of the papacy. As we saw in our study of chapter seventeen, we need only turn to the annals of the Roman Catholic Church to read of fiendish deeds committed in the name of the Lord. We saw that the Inquisition was established by the papacy. With its torture chambers, its deeds of unspeakable cruelty, its slaying of men, sparing not even helpless women and children, yet they called it "The Holy Office"! When we read these things, we may well believe that the description of Babylon, which God's Word says "has become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird," refers to that system! Coupled with this description is the charge that she has committed fornication with the kings of the earth. In the Old Testament, spiritual fornication is idolatry, and in the New Testament it is friendship with the world. A number of the kings of Europe send their representatives to the Vatican. The purpose of creating this diplomatic corps is to bring all the kings, presidents, and countries over which they rule, under the domination of the head of that system, who claims to be the vicar of Christ and the ruler of kings.
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