BABYLON THE GREAT

This is as plainly fulfilled as the former. Nebuchadnezzar, the head of the Babylonian king, claimed the power of a God, pretended to make a God, and then compelled his subjects to fall down and worship it; and if they would not, death was the consequence. This mystical Babylon has done the same. The Pope claims to be the vicegerent of God on earth. He also claims the power of making the common bread and wine, the actual body and blood of God. They have also put to death many millions of heretics, as they call those who do not follow in their creed. THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS.RRTSE 19.1

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 HARLOTS. 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 her fellowship, than the sects of the present day would the Adventists 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 Savior. They have all, in their turn, been Come-outers. Why not let the Advent brethren have the same privilege? 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.RRTSE 19.2

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.RRTSE 20.1

John saw this false church of Rome persecuting the saints, and shedding the blood of the martyrs of Jesus; and when he saw her cruel and bloody acts, he marvelled and wondered greatly why such a power could exist among rational, and intelligent men.RRTSE 20.2

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.RRTSE 21.1

The angel inquires of John why he should marvel? He then informs him that he will tell him the mystery of this false Church, that has her power, seat and great authority from the Roman empire; and also of the Roman empire, which had the seven forms of government and ten kings.RRTSE 21.2

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.RRTSE 21.3

The kingdom thou sawest John, was already in existence before you saw it in your vision. It is not yet under the power of the false Church of Rome. But this Church shall arise out of the gross darkness that shall cover the earth, when the Church shall fall away, as Paul tells us, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, into ignorance, superstition, will-worship, pride, bigotry and idolatry; and shall go into perdition, or be destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming, when he shall come to take vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the Gospel. And then they who dwell upon the earth shall wonder at their own stupidity and base ingratitude, in not believing the word of God, and in slighting the overtures of mercy, while they enjoyed a probation; yet they will neglect so great salvation, and not have their names recorded in the Lamb’s book of life, which God prepared in the beginning of the world, for all those who would believe and obey the gospel. And they will wonder and perish in the general destruction of the kingdoms of the Roman empire, which is now Pagan, not yet Papal. But it is the same bloody persecuting power it will be when it becomes Papal; for then it will only be an image of what it now is.RRTSE 21.4

9. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.RRTSE 22.1

This is an explanation for the inquiring minds of those who desire an understanding in the word of God. The seven executive heads are seven forms of government. See comments on Revelation 13:1.RRTSE 22.2

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.RRTSE 22.3

These seven executive heads, here called Kings, have and will exist in the Roman kingdom. Five of them — 1, Republican; 2, Consular; 3, Decemvir; 4, Dictatorial; 5, Triumvirate — these forms had all passed when John saw his vision; “and one is,” that is Imperial, then in power; the “other,” Kingly, “is not yet come.” The kings did not exercise their power over the empire of Rome until after about 508 years after Christ. Then the Kingly must be the supreme head for a short space; all of which did take place between A. D. 508 and A. D. 538.RRTSE 22.4

11. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.RRTSE 23.1

The kingdom of Rome, which was in power then; but not in its church state. For when the Church of Rome should obtain its supremacy, it would be the eighth head, in succession. Yet the Roman Church would be of the seven; that is, it would have all the seven forms of government of the former Roman, and no other; and although it would be in the succession, the eighth head yet it only retains the seven forms. In that sense, it would not probably be a new form of government, but “is of the seven” — combining all forms of government into one; and at the end it shall go into perdition.RRTSE 23.2

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.RRTSE 24.1

This is an explanation of the ten horns, that represent ten kings, which had not received their place among the seven heads when John saw this vision; but they will receive their power in the kingly form of government a short space of time in this Roman empire of seven heads.RRTSE 24.2

13. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.RRTSE 24.3

These kings, after they are all converted to one faith, or one mind, became, as they then called it, orthodox. These “shall give their power,” i.e. supremacy or head, “and strength,” meaning the physical strength of the military to assist the Bishop and Church of Rome in obtaining the supreme power over all other sects, kingdoms and powers.RRTSE 24.4

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.RRTSE 24.5

These ten kings or kingdoms, shall support this Anti-Christian power, the Church of Rome, and by so doing will oppose or make war against the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ; and the Lamb of God shall overcome them; for Jesus must reign on his Father’s throne until he puts down all rule, and all authority and power, and he must reign until he puts all enemies under his feet, 1 Corinthians 15:24, 25. When he [Jesus] shall come, he will dash them, like a potter’s vessel, to pieces. Compare Psalm 2:8, 9; Daniel 2:35, 36; 7:22; Revelation 2:27. He will grind them to powder. He will carry them away as the wind carries away the chaff of the summer threshing floor, so that no place on earth shall be found for them: for Christ is Lord over all lords, and King over all kings; and will by these means take possession of his lawful inheritance, the earth, and reign forever and ever. Then will those who are his by faith be redeemed by his grace from all their enemies, even from death, and they shall be with him where he is, and be like him, called by his Spirit and word, being chosen by his grace, and having chosen salvation through grace. He has faithfully performed his promise unto them, and they are faithful in their obedience to him.RRTSE 24.6

15. And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.RRTSE 25.1

This verse is an explanation of the first verse, and means just what it says — showing over whom the false Church of Rome would have power, and who would sustain her in that power, and be her followers even down to perdition. Oh, that men would be wise!RRTSE 25.2

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.RRTSE 26.1

The ten horns are a representation of the ten kingdoms that would arise out of the division of the old Roman empire, as it stood when it began its conquest of Macedonia and the east. These kingdoms would, for the time, give unto the false Church of Rome their power and strength. Yet after the time appointed of her reign over the kings of the earth, 1260 years, these kingdoms would hate the supreme power of the Roman church, and would take it to themselves, would strip her of her benefices, confiscate her goods, take away her supremacy, carry her captive, make her desolate, eat up her power to rule over kingdoms, and divide it among themselves. They would burn her palaces and chapels, her prisons and nunneries, her pictures and pleasant things with fire, and lay waste her cities and territory by war and the sword. This was literally accomplished in the French Revolution.RRTSE 26.2

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.RRTSE 27.1

We learn by this verse that God has a supervision over the kingdoms of men — that while they pursue their wicked propensities, they execute unknowingly the purposes of God. These rulers, or kings of these kingdoms, must first be agreed, before Paganism could be taken away. They, then, must be converted to the Orthodox faith of the Catholic Church of Rome, before they would yield their power and submit to the Bishop of Rome, and establish the Papal Hierarchy. In the beginning of the sixth century these kings were converted to the Christian faith; yet many of them were Arians. But this was sufficient to take away Paganism. Justinian was then raised up to make war against the Arian kings, and compel them to submit and agree to Orthodoxy; so that in A. D. 538, they gave their power and strength to the Church of Rome; and the Bishop of Rome became head over the kingdoms, as well as the churches, and the two horned beast came up out of the Roman earth. — The words of God were thus far fulfilled, and the world knew it not. Why? Because they believed not in the words of God, and regarded not the unseen hand of the Almighty.RRTSE 27.2

18. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.RRTSE 28.1

The Church of Rome, in this verse, is very appropriately called a great city. First, because of its great multitude. Secondly, because of its great influence. Thirdly, because of its combination. Fourthly, because of its mode of government; and lastly, because of its laws and ordinances.RRTSE 28.2

1. Like a great city. Rome, as a Church, has claimed for her communicants a vast multitude among all nations, of all grades, colors and conditions.RRTSE 28.3

2. A great city has a great influence over the country where it is situated, — in the manners, customs, religion and politics of the inhabitants of the same. So likewise with the Church of Rome. Who cannot see that in all the countries where she has gained any ascendancy, the same dissolute manners, and vain show and costume have prevailed? The same moral blight and political degradation, in every Catholic country in Europe, is at this time true to the very letter.RRTSE 28.4

3. A city is a large corporate body; and so is the Church of Rome. It is not many bodies, but one at least in profession. Wherever their influence is felt, and votaries are obtained, they belong to the same combination; and this is the reason why the Pope of Rome, to this day, calls Catholics his subjects, — whether belonging to the Czar of Petersburg or to Queen Victoria of England; — whether they are the vassals of the Mogul of the East, or freemen of the land of liberty in the West. All, all are the subjects, or sworn citizens of this great city.RRTSE 28.5

4. Its mode of government, Great cities have a Mayor, Aldermen, Council, Police, Watchmen, etc. So with the Church of Rome. She has her Pope and Cardinals, her Archbishops and Bishops, her Priests and Jesuits, all watching for the interests of this one great Roman Church, like a vast city.RRTSE 29.1

5. The laws of the Catholic Church are concocted, promulgated, enforced and obeyed, in like manner with the laws and ordinances of a great city. Her business is like a city. Read Revelation 18:10, 20. What better figure could the inspired penman use to describe this abominable church, reigning over all kingdoms of the earth, than a great, wicked city?RRTSE 29.2