Published in Senior Experience, First Baptist Church, Norfolk, VA. July, 2007
 

HARLOT, MYSTERY BABYLON - Rev.17 &18.

Sets the Stage for Five Endtime Catalysts

President Bush continues to advance the role depicted by the “struggles” of the Apocalyptic Rider on the White Horse! But he has lost support of Americans and the nations who lean toward appeasing the terrorists. While the struggle against forces of evil is a righteous cause, “appeasement” with the leaders of “Islamofacism” weakens the struggle.

A revealing book on this subject is “The Final Move beyond Iraq” by Dr. Michael Evans of Texas, a Jewish Christian evangelist and journalist. Influential among leaders of Israel for two decades, he warns against compromising with terrorists. The nations lean more and more toward appeasement. Consider the following plan by the World Council of Churches to launch a global initiative to solve Mideast problems.

Associated Press on June 26: AMMAN, Jordan. “A Geneva-based church body said it would launch a global initiative for churches worldwide to rally for an end to Israel's occupation of Arab lands seized in a 1967 war. The World Council of Churches has designated Jordan as a venue for its initiative, which would enlist support from religious groups worldwide.

"This initiative aims at calling on churches to put an end to Israeli occupation of Palestinian and Arab lands. The World Council of Churches, founded in 1948 (same year Israel became a modern nation), has 347 groups of Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing over 560 million Christians in more than 110 countries.

“The council also will create an advocacy initiative, the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum, to improve cooperation among churches worldwide advocating Mideast peace. The council's call came during the opening of a three-day meeting gathering 130 member churches and related organizations from around the world.”

More evidence, approved by President Bush, shows the continued “appeasement”. From Patrick Wintour and Ian Black; Tuesday June 26, 2007, reported in The Guardian: “Tony Blair has landed a major diplomatic job as the international MidEast peace envoy, responsible for preparing Palestinians to negotiate with Israel. His role will be to work with the Palestinians over security, economy and governance.

"Working from a Jerusalem office, and possibly one in the West Bank, Mr. Blair will be the special representative for the MidEast quartet of UN, EU, US and Russia. The arrangement, under preparation for weeks, is due to be agreed at a meeting of the quartet today. Friends of Mr. Blair suggest a central purpose of his mission is to restore Palestinian unity after the armed takeover of the Gaza Strip by Islamist movement Hamas. He has had to bend with willingness to bolster Mahmoud Abbas, Fatah leader, and ignore the plight of Palestinians in Gaza.

“The idea of Blair doing this job originated with the prime minister and George Bush who suggested it to UN. Mr. Blair has constantly pressed Mr. Bush to take a more active role in securing a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. He is held in high standing among Arab political elites, and he has frequently spoken of his passion to play a part in helping to secure peace in the Middle East.

“The defunct Hamas government has not received international aid since its election in March 2006, but it has been sent directly to poorest Palestinians thru a temporary international mechanism. The quartet says aid is conditional only on Palestinians accepting the right of Israel to exist and giving a commitment to peaceful means and to abide by all prior agreements. Critics claim preconditions impoverished Palestinians, boosted unemployment, led to a radicalization of Hamas and their control of Gaza and the move by Fatah to the West Bank.

“Mr. Blair's reputation as a negotiator in Northern Ireland suggests that he has patience and determination to bring differing sides together. He has repeatedly said the Middle East peace talks need to be micro-managed in the way he handled the Northern Ireland peace process. Blair's talks in Rome with the Pope were largely centered on his strategy to build a bridge between faiths. His great aim is to secure the reconciliation between Islam and Christianity.”

This is the Prophetic Goal of the Appeasement Process. “Apostasy must come first”.

The WCC and Blair’s action, with continued efforts by Pope Benedict XVI for peace, could lead to creation of the “Harlot” of Rev.17, “Mystery Babylon the Great”. This would lead to the Apostasy which Paul states will come “first”. 2 Thes.2:3. After a “short time”, God’s judgment will fall on Babylon with Five Endtime Catalysts. Rev.17:10. 

In his Best-Seller, “Final Move beyond Iraq”, Dr. Evans anticipates “appeasement” efforts by democratic rulers to accommodate nations opposed to Democracy. I believe much of the “struggle” against evil forces by our Presidents’ Reagan and Bush, father and son, accords with God’s purpose; but a “crown” won by the White Horseman thru compromises and passed on to Mystery Babylon will bring God’s judgment on human government. The scenario of Babylon’s “fall by fire in one hour” is the subject of two chapters in Revelation. Rev.17&18. 

The “Final Solution as the World Sleeps” is a fitting subtitle for Mike’s book! He does not identify that “solution”; but shows it involves appeasement efforts to bring peace to the Middle East!! The Pre-Endtime global rule of Mystery Babylon is NOT a threat coming out of modern Babylon, but a “harlot” System centered in Rome...the “apostasy” prior to the revelation of Antichrist!!! 2 Thes.2:7.

When Paul wrote: “Apostasy and Revelation of the Lawless One comes First”, he knew about Daniel’s prophecy of mankind’s “Final Solution that seeks to mix the iron” of lawful rulers with the “seed of the clay” represented by lawless regimes! Dan.2:40-44. The Lawless One is revealed after all nations unite under the rulership of Mystery Babylon the Great!! The Harlot rules all nations only a “short time”…until the Five Endtime Catalysts result in both the “wounding and healing” of the Beast!!!

God commands His people: "Come out of Babylon (sever investments and assets) my people. Do not partake of her sins lest you partake of her plagues. Her plagues will come in one day, one hour...death, sorrow, famine...consumed with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judges her." Rev.17:16; Rev.18:4, 8, 10, 17. Believers are wise to become debt-free.

                                  FIVE CATALYSTS LAUNCH DANIEL’S “ENDTIME”          

Daniel 12:4-11 - “1290 Days”                             

"Mystery Babylon the Great" deceives the nations into making her the world's Queen to administer its economic and political affairs. Her Historical seat "on many waters"   represents "peoples, nations, multitudes and tongues." Rev.17:1, 15. Her Geographical position on "7 hills" pinpoints her location as a City that unites all nations, religions and ethnic groups under a single banner. Rev.17:9, 18. Her Prophetic seat on the Beast indicates global power placed at her disposal to "rule the kings of earth" economically and politically for a “short time”…until God judges her. Rev.17:1-10.

The "Iron of Democracy," extended primarily to the West from the Greek and Roman empires (the two legs of Daniel’s image), acts as the glue that seeks to hold together the "Clay of Rogue Nations". Iron and clay do not mix, but they are held together by the strength of Democracy. It “restrains” the evil forces until God removes Great Babylon from power. This is a “judgment that begins with God’s household”. 1 Pet.4:17.

We must distinguish between Babylon’s Pre-Endtime global rule and final fall 42 months later by earthquake. Babylon will administer the global System before Antichrist is revealed. Rev.17:18. She is the 7th ruler before the Personified Beast assumes her power as 8th King. Rev.17:11. The System continues under the rule of Antichrist until God destroys Babylon and the "cities of the nations and casts the Beast to Hell." Rev.16:18-20; Rev.19:20.

Babylon’s prior rulership allows God's people time to prepare to avoid plagues of her fall when Ten Kings destroy her  by fire in one hour. Rev.17:16. God sets the time for her fall and inspires these Ten to give their authority and power to the Beast. Rev.17:17. The Endtime Conflict between God's Kingdom Power, Rev.12:10 (Rev.11:3-7), and Satan's power, Rev.12:14-17 (Rev.13), continues 3½ years until “God's Mystery is completed”. Rev.10:7.

The cities and peoples of the nations come under control of the personified Beast at Midweek! Unless men receive the mark, they lose the right to buy or sell!! Under Babylon those who obey God have a short time to prepare and be able to help others during the Endtime; and still be spreading the Gospel "until the end of the age"!!! 

Why do many indicate Babylon and Antichrist rule at the same time? Babylon and the Beast do not act as co-rulers. The Harlot Woman, the 7th ruler, sits on the Beast (a symbol of global power). She administers a System that includes Ten Kings who hate her and confiscate the Network that brought her to power. The Harlot ruling with Antichrist is a foreign concept. They are successive rulers over the 7th global empire. Babylon rules all the kings of earth before Daniel’s 1290-day Endtime begins. 

Babylon sits on the Beast symbolically (not yet personified) before its 7th head suffers the deadly wound. The Beast represents a human after its 7th head personifies. Its ten horns personify as kings when the 7th head (not Antichrist) is wounded. The ten horns are crowned when Babylon falls as the 7th head is wounded…First Endtime Catalyst. The Ten Horns are crowned as the Beast personifies...since “healing” affects the entire Beast. Only at Midweek is the Beast personified as a demon-possessed human...the Second Catalyst.

Envision ten horns, who instigate the 1st Catalyst, and are crowned at the hour Ten Kings destroy Rome. Babylon's fall in one hour by fire is a separate Catalyst to that of Antichrist breaking the Covenant of Dan.9:27. They give power and authority to him after the Harlot “sits on the Beast”. When its 7th head is wounded”, Babylon falls in one hour at Midweek. The Ten “hate” and enter the System and confiscate the Network. They maximize power with Antichrist who breaks the Covenant after terminating Babylon's “Final Solution”. Rev.17:16-17.

Satan, cast from heaven, Third Catalyst, demonizes and empowers Antichrist for 1260 days. The Ten Kings share his power in a global Network System over trade and economic relations following their failed war of Gog and Magog. Ezek.38-39. The Ten “hate” Babylon's control of the System which has the (democratic-inspired) strength to restrain evil forces for a short time. The cause is doomed when God judges the Harlot.

God removes this Apostasy that comes “first”. 2 Thes.2:7. Power to restrain lawless forces until the Lawless One is revealed results from democratic forces dedicated to law and order and human rights…until Midweek. This strength   erodes by compromising democracy to support the UN and finally the Harlot. Her power results from the Pre-Endtime appeasements after the White Horse Rider’s victorious spread and defense of Democracy. 

Economic forces entwine lawful and lawless elements under a global technological Network. Mystery Babylon will rule all nations prior to the emergence of Antichrist. He is simply "one of many" who cause the Peace Covenant to continue until God brings ruination to the apostate ecumenical System. Dan.9:27; Rev.17:10-17; 2 Thes.2:7. The Pre-Endtime coordinator, the Rider on the White Horse, leads into the role of Mystery Babylon. The Apostasy, the  Final Solution, will not be able to maintain law and order after the victories with the "bow" (of democracy) going forth conquering in order to conquer." Upon winning the "crown" of Babylon’s System, the economic supervision of nations continues until Ten Kings destroy her and support the Red Horseman of Seal Two. Rev.6:4.

The Pre-Endtime Apostasy administers global government as the Harlot commits fornication with all nations and peoples. God's judgments attend the 2nd half of Daniel’s final 7-year period. Dan.12:7-11; Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:14; 2 Thes.2:3-7; Dan.9:27; Dan.7:27; Rev.13:5. During the first half of Daniel’s 70th Seven, Israel will “dwell at peace in un-walled cities”. Ezek.38:8, 14.

Israel’s freedom to worship continues during the first half of Daniel’s 7 years. John “measured the temple and altar and worshipers” to indicate that freedom before the Five Endtime Catalysts allow Gentiles to take control of the Temple site. Rev.11:1-2. The two Witnesses will limit that control by “God’s Kingdom Power” for 1260 days. God sends His Prophets from heaven after He removes Mystery Babylon because they are the two Lamp Stands and two Olive Trees standing before the God of the earth until the 7th Trumpet is “about to sound on the last day”. Rev.11:4; Zech.4:11,14. They oppose  Antichrist during the 1260 days that follow “healing” (personification) of the Beast’s 7th head. Rev.11:3-11; Rev.12:6-17; Rev.13:1-17.       

GOD’S KINGDOM POWER OFFSETS SATAN’S POWER - 4TH & 5TH CATALYSTS

God sends the Prophets with Kingdom Power to counter Satan for 1260 Endtime days. Believers know the end is near. God uses them to “provoke Israel to jealousy”. On the last day Israelis know their kingdom is near as all these things happenS. Rev.11:3-7; Luke21:31-32. God’s purpose in the “great tribulation is to purge, purify and refine those who “provoke Israel to jealousy” when Messiah appears! Dan.12:10-11; Rev.12:10-11.

A third of Israel survive the tribulation under the abomination to which Daniel, Jesus and Paul refer! All Believers witness   that Messiah's coming is near!! Matt.24:15, 33. Endtime Catalysts are intended to “provoke Israel to jealousy” as the chosen number of Gentiles being saved continue to complete the Body of Christ!!! Zech.13:8-9; Rom.11:11, 25.

Martyrs come out from under the Altar after great tribulation and “sit in judgment” on the wicked in Seal 7. Rev.20:4 looks retroactively to Rev.8:1-5. They join 144,000 Jews on the last day who are triumphantly “redeemed from earth and accompany the Lamb to heaven"! Standing with all the Martyrs before God on a river/sea of fire, they “present the Son of Man worthy to take the Kingdom”!! Dan.7:9-13. As King He then comes with the Saints to give the kingdom to the people of the saints” and reward the Martyrs!!! Rev.6:9-11; Rev.14:1-5; Rev.15:1-5. [Reward to Martyrs: Rev.7:9-17; Rev.3:10-12; Rev.20:4-6]. 

The remnant of Israel will see the Witnesses ascending to heaven and in the same hour see the 144,000 taken bodily to heaven on the lastday! In the hour they go up to heaven, 7000 of the Beast’s Elite Guard perish by a greatearth quake in a tenth of Jerusalem!! From the last Hour all Believers are kept. The remnant of a third of Israel glorify God and millions of repentant Gentiles will be “kept alive”!!! Rev.11:13; Zech.13:8-9; Rom.11:26; Luke17:30-33.

Supernatural events convince Israelis that their redemption and kingdom are near; for they are people of the saints. Luke 21:28-31,36; Dan.7:27. They “beg to stand before the Son of Man as all these things happenS on the Day Christ appears”! He appears “in flaming fire with vengeance on the unrepentant and delivers the Saints from tribulation!! All Believers will be kept from wrath ON THAT DAY”!!!  I Thes.1:10; 2 Thes.1:10.

ENDTIME CATALYSTS ANTICIPATE THE NEW COVENANT FOR ISRAEL

The New Covenant in the blood of the Lamb applies to the Church until the “full number of Gentiles has come in”.

A New Covenant for ethnic Israel becomes theirs at Messiah’s return! Rom.11:25-26; Heb.8:8-12. There will not be a resumption of the Old Covenant under Law; or an extension of the New Covenant under grace!! Ethnic Israelis at last realize the Old Covenant is “about to disappear”!!! Heb.8:13. 

Our New Covenant continues as long as members of the Bride of the Lamb suffer for Christ to “provoke Israel to jealousy”. World-wide suffering begins with Endtime Catalysts. The Church exhibits the Power of God’s Kingdom which, as John wrote, Believers will manifest during the “NOW-time of God’s Kingdom Power and Christ’s authority. Saints are purged, purified and refined and love not their life unto death”. Rom.11:10-11; Dan.12:10-11; Rev.12:10-11. 

Dispensational doctrine revived early Church doctrine for Christ to rule the earth 1000 years. No Church Father taught the Church would be completed years prior to His return. Dispensationalism completes the Church before the Tribulation and leaves Trib-Survivors without the hope of meeting Christ in glory. It prevents surviving Trib-Saints from sharing the reward   to “rule over the nations after overcoming to the end”! Rev.2:25-26. They are worthy to reign with Christ and should not be denied immortal bodies. They are among the “elect that Jesus gathers from earth to the sky on one of the days after the tribulation”!! Holman Standard Bible; Mark13:24-27. Martyrs will be uniquely rewarded by "serving God as pillars in the temple of heaven for 1000 years"!!! Rev.3:12; Rev.7:14-17; Rev.20:4-6.

FIVE CATALYSTS RUIN THE FINAL SOLUTION UNDER BABYLON

I. Ten Kings destroy Babylon in one hour by fire. Rev.17:16-18; Rev.18:8-9, 17, 19.

II. They support Antichrist. He desecrates Temple and removes peace. Rev.11:1-2; Rev.6:4.

III. War in heaven. Michael’s angels cast Satan and his angels to earth. Rev.12:7-9.

IV. God’s Kingdom Power demonstrated as Saints suffer for 3½ years. Rev.12:10-17. 

V. Two Witnesses from heaven “stand against” Antichrist for 1260 days. Rev.11:3-7.

BABYLON MUST FIRST RULE THE KINGS OF EARTH

To recap, the Beast is NOT “about to arise from the Abyss” until God removes Mystery Babylon from the midst of global government! 2 Thes.2:7. That means the Beast (as Antichrist) will NOT be revealed until “Babylon rules the kings of earth for a short time”!! Rev.17:10, 18. The first Endtime Catalyst requires Mystery Babylon as the ruler of nations for a short time before the 42-month Endtime can begin!!! Dan.12:1-11.

This requirement is overlooked by most evangelical preachers! They see Antichrist and Babylon ruling together until he is killed by an assassin’s bullet!! Babylon “sits on the Beast as a Pre-Endtime ruler supported by all nations, tongues and kings until Ten destroy her (wounding the beast that “was”) and give their power and authority to the Beast” (healing the beast that “yet is”) for 1260 days. Rev.13:3; Rev.17:8.

Revelation is not written in sequential order. All 5 Catalysts begin at the same time. But #1 involves Babylon's fall by fire 3½ years before her fall by history’s greatest quake. Her first fall is described after predicting and describing her second fall. Rev.14:8; Rev.16:19. Clearly, Rev.17:16 and Rev.18:8-19 describe her first fall and Rev.16:18-19 describes her 2nd fall. The fall by fire terminates the Beast that carried the Woman. Rev.17:7-11. That first fall climaxes the global rule of the City and unseats the Woman carried by the Beast, but does not terminate the Babylonian System. Ten Kings confiscate the System. Rev.17:16.

The 2nd fall, by earthquake in Rev.16:19, occurs on the last day. Rev.14:8. It is described in symbol by a great millstone cast into the sea. Rev.18:21-24. Babylon's "short" rule occurs prior to the 1260-day Endtime. Rev. 17:10. The Beast, personified as an 8th King, incorporates her global Network of power. Coming out of the 7th World Empire, an “8th King will launch the Endtime to fulfill God’s will through the combined power and authority of Ten Kings who “hate” the System! Rev.17:12-17.

BABYLON'S first fall is alluded to in paradoxical statements: "One head on the Beast was wounded as it were to death and the deadly wound was healed." Rev.13:3. And "The Beast was, is not, yet is. Rev.17:8, 11. These paradoxes present a twofold existence of the 7th World Empire...first under Great Babylon, then under the Evil Trio: Satan, Beast and False Prophet. A sudden catastrophic event occurs after Harlot Babylon rules for a short time. Ten Kings destroy the City in one hour. Rev.17:16; Rev.18:10, 17, 19.

Out of Reformation and because of Democracy coming to the West, the number of nations subject to martyrs decreased. Democracy will lose its power under the Harlot’s abominations. Believers must separate from its Network of investments   or suffer plagues when God remembers her sins." Rev.18:4-5. These plagues are not yet the wrath of God!

God’s wrath occurs only at the 3rd sound of the 7th Trumpet (Last Trump) on the Day Christ appears in glory! There is no appointed time for wrath prior to the 7th Trumpet!!  Rev. 11:18. At the 3rd sound of the “great trumpet”, Jews “stand erect, looking up, and know their Redemption and Kingdom are near as these things happenS”!! Luke 21:28-32. They mourn! They beg to escape and to prevail to stand before the Son of Man!! He appears and sends angels to gather all the Saints from all the ends of the sky unto Himself!!! Matt.24:30-31; Luke 21:36.

THE SIX-DAY WAR AND “THIS GENERATION”

Jesus taught that His second coming will occur at the “End of the Age”; that “this generation will not pass before all these things happenS”. The Church will be His witnesses until the End of the Age. By “this generation” I believe He had in mind the people who will survive to see all these things happening…the events of 100 verses on the Day He returns.

With the 7th Trumpet “about to sound, Chronos-time will not be subject to a set number of days. The Last Trump will blow three sounds on one of the days after the 2 Witnesses finish their task. Rev.10:6-7; Rev.11:11-15; I Cor.15:52. The full number of Gentiles will have been saved. Rom.11:25. In the Hour of Testing from which all believers are exempt…God shows mercy to all who call on His name. Rom.11:32. Over 7 million Jews inherit the kingdom. Millions of Gentiles will be “kept alive that day” and become members of the Millennial Kingdom. Zech.13:8-9; Rom.11:26; Luke17:30-33.

“This generation (since 1948) will not pass away before all things happenS”. The end occurs “on one of the days after” the Witnesses finish their 1260-day task to stand against the Abomination in the Temple. John measured the temple, the altar and worshipers for service before the Lawless One is revealed. Its outer court remains under Gentile control until 3½ times are fulfilled and the full number of Gentiles is completed. Rev.11:1-2; Luke 21:24; Rom.11:25-26.

On June 7, 1967…my 47th birthday, the 3rd day of the Six-Day War…God enabled Israel to destroy the Egyptian air force. Jesus Christ will destroy their enemies at the consummation of the “Hour of Testing”. Every knee bows, voluntarily or involuntarily, and “every tongue confesses Jesus is Lord”…or their tongues rot in their mouths while their knees buckle and they become food for countless birds gathered together above.  Phil.2:10-11; Zech.14:12; Rev.19:17-18,21; Matt.24:28; Luke17:37. The days to fulfill “ALL the things that are written” will be completed on the day of the 7th Trumpet. Dan.7:14-27; Rev.11:15-18.  Mel  Miller   www.lastday.net

 

 

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