BEWARE OF THE WCC !!
By : Pastor Mike

Brothers and Sisters , I urge you ALL to take a CLOSE look at the World Council of Churches ( WCC ) .

Now , for those who may not know what the WCC is , or what they claim to be about - allow me to enlighten you .

Also , before I forget , I was going to place this as a sub-topic under my "False Doctrines . . " topic , but decided to give it a "place" all its own , so as to expose ANOTHER one of Satan's deceptions , disguised as " Christian ."

So , "WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES?"

This catchy question is also the title of a 1978 publication ofthe WCC. It is an obvious attempt to answer some of thevital questions and criticisms which are being raised by those who love Jesus Christ and who value our cherished American freedoms. However, far from answering such questions and complaints, a discerning reader will discover that the WCC actually confirms the charges of doctrinal deviations and political radicalism.

We , as Christians , should also be VERY CONCERNED  when we find so many true, Bible-believing Christians who still hold membership in denominations which are a part of the WCC . I also believe that others, both within and without the church, who believe in our free-enterprise system should be informed as to how ecumenical church leaders are seeking to replace capitalism with some form of socialism or communism under the false label of the Kingdom of God. 

THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES . . . begins with its  organization in 1948 with 147 denominations from both Protestant and Orthodox back- grounds. Today, it has grown to include 293 member denominations representing some 400 million people. It has been and is a major force and voice of what is commonly called ECUMENISM, a term used to describe the effort to bring all churches into "a visible unity in one faith and one eucharistic fellowship". The WCC,while admitting that the ecumenical movement is broader thani ts own institution, claims with ample justification that it is "the most nearly comprehensive instrument of the ecumenical movement in the world today". It should be further noted that, while the original goal of the ecumenical movement and the WCC was "the unity of the churches", the new vision of the WCC is for the unity of all religions-and, in fact, all mankind. It should be clear toall who have been watching the WCC that it has become a modern Tower of Babel !

THE DOCTRINAL POSITION OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES . . . is deceptive. Supporters of the WCC frequently point to their doctrinal basis when charges of doctrinal heresies and deviations are leveled against the Council. But be sure to read the fine print! Be sure to observe how this doctrinal basis is either ignored or stretched beyond recognition.

THE WCC's DOCTRINAL BASIS SIMPLY SAYS. . . "The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of Churches which  confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Savior according to the Scriptures and therefore seek to fulfill together their common calling to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit."It is hard to find anything wrong with that, right? However,two paragraphs later in this WCC publication, we read,"Since the World Council of Churches is not itself a church,it passes no judgment upon the sincerity with which memberchurches accept the basis." Did you get that? You can sign the WCC doctrinal basis whether or not you are sincere and no one will question it. And in the very next paragraph we read the following: "Some very conservative churches judge the basis not biblical enough; some liberal churches DO NOT ACCEPT THE TRINITARIAN FORMULA." What do you think about that? How can anyone claim to be Christian who denies theTrinity? Yet, the WCC admits it has such churches in membership. In fact, the WCC actually boasts of and glories in their doctrinal diversities. They admit that "Ecumenism exists by holding contradictions together." They admit that" it is impossible to speak of a single 'theology of the Council' as such." I  remind Bible- believers that such unity is NOT true Biblical unity -it is plain, open disobedience to the Word of God. 2 John 9-11 tells us that , " Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. "

WCC DOCTRINAL DEVIATIONS WERE CLEARLY OBSERVABLE from the Central Committee documents in Jamaica. For instance, note the FALSE TEACHING OF BAPTISMAL REGENERATION. One document said "Through Baptism every person is made part of the Christian Community . . ." Again, "Through Baptism we are redeemed from the powers of sin and death and incorporatedi nto the one body of Christ." Note also the FALSE TEACHING OF UNIVERSALISM: "Put succinctly, salvation is a total involvement of God in the world. There is no sphere of life with which human beings, as individuals, as community or as nations, have to wrestle that is not related to God. Jesus Christ is this total involvement of God. In His life,suffering, cross and resurrection, all humanity with its agonies and struggles is judged, liberated and REDEEMED It is this Christ who has called us as Christians to follow him in God's continuing work of creation and re-creation" And again, "Christians believe that all human beings are part ofa dynamic pointing towards the messianic Kingdom . . The Biblical witness refers to this final aim as the 'Kingdom ofGod' which embraces the two dimensions of redemption of the whole of creation and personal fulfillment for each human being." No wonder the WCC is confused in its programs! It is confused in its OWN doctrine !!

THE POLITICAL RADICALISM OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES is apparent. Just as in the case of doctrinal diversities, theWCC boasts of its ability to hold together exact opposites in the realm of politics. They say, "On other issues the churches recognize strong differences of opinion and seek to maintain a continuing dialogue among their own members.These differences are not limited to trivial matters. For example, THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES INCLUDES PACIFIST MEMBER CHURCHES .... IT ALSO INCLUDES REVOLUTIONARIES. Both groups contribute insights to the WCC. They continue to try to influence each other. And the WCC INCLUDES BOTH WITHIN ITS FELLOWSHIP." There you have it in their own words !

Do not forget for one minute, however, that when WCC leaders speak and WCC pronouncements are issued IT IS ALWAYS THE VOICE OF RADICALISM AND REVOLUTION THAT IS HEARD. There are repeated attacks upon "Western Imperialism" and "capitalism" but seldom a word of criticism for socialism and communism. Non- communist dictatorships are repeatedly attacked but no word is ever spoken against the communist dictators. A few conservative voices are occasionally heard within WCC meetings-but these rarely, if ever, become a part of the official statements which go to the governments of the world and to the United Nations as a "representative voice of the churches". Those who claim that the WCC is becoming more"evangelical" are either blind or naive.

THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IS FULLY COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW SOCIETY based on socialistic principles and deceitfully called "The Kingdom of God". They state:"The participation of the Church in the creation of a newsociety is not a secondary or derivative dimension of its existence. It begins at the very centre in the celebration of the sacraments as an anticipation of what the world is tobecome ...." Dr. Philip Potter, WCC General Secretary, quoted from a 1969 WCC Central Committee directive as follows: "We call upon the churches to move beyond charity,grants and traditional programming to relevant and sacrificial action leading to new relationships of dignity and justice among all men and to become THE AGENTS FOR THE RADICAL RECONSTRUCTION OF SOCIETY." He also made it perfectly clear what this involved when he said, "But the conflict has become intense when it has been perceived that A RADICAL CHANGE OF ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL STRUCTURES ARE NEEDED AND NOT THE MERE PRUDENTIAL TRANSFER OF RESOURCES AND TECHNOLOGIES." Another WCC document stated: "In the developed countries it means changes in the production structure and employment policies which will ONLY BE POSSIBLE THROUGH A CERTAIN 'SOCIALIZATION' of decisions that have so far been taken autonomously on the basis of interests of the private sector." MR. BUSINESSMAN, MR. and MRS. FREEDOM-LOVING AMERICAN-the World Council of Churches has made it abundantly clear what their goal is! Are you willing to sit idly by or even help support this effort to destroy the very foundations of our faith and freedom ?

THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES SUBSTITUTES DIALOGUE FOR WITNESSING. Having substituted the building of a new society in place of the preaching of the gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, it is not surprising that the WCC should forsake "witness" for "dialogue" even while claiming that dialogue is a form of witness, In recent years, the WCC has been engaged in official dialogues with almost everyone - Roman Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists,Hindus, Humanists, Traditional African Religions AND . .  Communists !! As previously noted, the original goal of "Christian unity" has been superseded with the goal of the"unity of all mankind". They say, "opportunities and occasions for dialogue cannot and must not be confined tomen of religious faiths but also must involve men of secular ideologies." This dialogue program is attractively presented as the WCC claims: "Dialogue offers the promise ofdiscovering new dimensions of understanding our faith." One repeatedly told of how dialogue "enriches dimensions ofunderstanding our faith" but strangely, nothing is ever said about proclaiming the truth of the gospel in such a way that men "turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God."

IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT DIALOGUE IS INDEED ONE OF THE GREAT DANGERS AND DECEPTIONS BEING PRACTICED AND ENCOURAGED BY THE WCC. What is dialogue? According to their own definition, dialogue is, ". . . an OPENING OF THE MIND AND HEART TO OTHERS. It is an undertaking which requires RISK as well as a deep sense of vocation .... THIS OPENING,THIS RISK, this vocation this sensitivity are at the heart of the ecumenical movement and in the deepest currents of the life of the churches." Further, the WCC says, "Love requires us to recognize and respect the integrity of our partners who enter into dialogue from the standpoint of their faith and commitment." This is exactly the opposite of Biblical teaching. God says, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them." ( Ephesians 5:11.) The WCC tells us that dialogue is a required form of witness in a pluralistic world, yet they take special pains to assure their partners in dialogue that they "come not as manipulators but as genuine fellow-pilgrims...." The WCC principle of dialogue implies that the Christian is a searcher for truth rather than a proclaimer of the Truth. The WCC says, "Be open, be vulnerable, take arisk." The Word of God says, "Beware!" "Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves." ( Matthew 7:15) Will you follow Christ or the WCC ?

THE CONFUSION, DOUBLE-TALK AND CONTRADICTIONS IN FACT OF THE WCC ARE CLEARLY VISIBLE TO ANYONE WHO WILL TAKE THE TIME TO STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN ! As the years have slipped by with little progress toward the goal of "one visible church "their frustrations have been manifested in the use of clever language to hide their failures. Instead of "One Church we hear talk of "conciliar fellowship" and "unity in reconciled diversity" and trying to "relate the right kind of diversity to the right kind of unity." Through the years, they have followed the old ecumenical motto, "Service Unites, Doctrine Divides". But in spite of their wish to ignore doctrine, the issue continues to reappear. At times, WCC leaders introduce new word games or "theological breakthroughs" which they announce with a great fanfare, seeking to revive the hopes of their disillusioned followers.

THE LATEST "BRIGHT SPOT" ON THE WCC's THEOLOGICAL HORIZON is the idea that while they may not all be able to agree on the content of their faith, they can still agree that there is HOPE. The problem is that they cannot even agree on what that HOPE is. One of the WCC documents at Jamaica said, "The difference between the hopes expressed from different parts of the world - Africa, Latin America, North America, Eastern Europe - diverged so widely that ONE WAS TEMPTED TO ASK WHETHER THEY WERE SPEAKING OF THE SAME HOPE or indeed whether they can even give a common account of hope." But they went on to state, "Yet, the common attempt itself has become a source of hope," How sad it is that those in the WCC are ignoring the Bible which tells us plainly that our hope -our ONLY hope - is the return of Jesus Christ ; " Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. " ( Titus2:13) .   How sad it is that they ignore the teaching of Scripture that the Kingdom of God is not some socialistic kingdom established through the efforts of man, but a perfect and righteous Kingdom to be set up by our Lord JesusChrist in spite of and apart from any effort of man to either thwart or aid the establishment of that Kingdom. " And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. " ( Daniel 2:44 ) . " And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. " ( Revelation 19:13-16 ) .

AT THE VERY HEART OF THE WHOLE MATTER IS THE FAILURE OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES TO ACCEPT THE BIBLE as the authoritative, infallible, inerrant, eternal, unchangeable Word of God. Note the following: "In the WCC we experience both the possibility for common confession of faith and worship together and also the obstacles to Christian unity, We are agreed in giving a vital place in our thinking to bible study and worship; we are able to worship our one Lord in the very different way of the churches represented among us. YET WE ARE ALSO AWARE OF PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE REMAINING UNSOLVED AMONG US and of the fact that we are yet part of one eucharistic fellowship. It is not surprising therefore that there is controversy among Christians about the meditative use (rather than simply the intellectual study) of the holy books of other faiths and about the QUESTION OF COMMON WORSHIP BETWEEN THOSE OF DIFFERENT FAITHS." One speaker said, "The document on Hope coming out of Bangalore had succeeded in bringing out the fruitful tension between doctrinal unity and union in radical involvement in human hopes." But it has not settled the underlying question." What is that underlying question? " The problem is no longer the problem of loving one another,but the problem of understanding the faith." The doctrinal basis of the WCC is an empty shell - a front to deceive the unwary. Only by accepting God's Word as our only, absolute and final authority can we enter into true unity with those who truly belong to Christ -and at the same time be fully separated from those who appear as angels of light but are in reality the servants of Satan !

LETS LOOK AT SOME OTHER PROGRAMS AND FACETS OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES : Take Roman Catholicism for example. The WCC has grown so close to the Roman Catholic Church that they now say, "The days of winning converts from each other are over ...." Take the question of communism. You will never find the WCC to be anti-communist. In fact, they state plainly, "The story of primitive anti-communism and anti-communist crusades in the Christian Church is a long and sad one." Red Agents and Communist puppet church leaders sit, work and propagandize at all levels of the WCC organization. The WCC and the NCC have been decisive forces in preparing the way for the shameful U.S. recognition of Red China. Though denying charges of pro-communism, the WCC track record is a long and consistent testimony to the fact that THEY are one of communism's strongest and best allies.The WCC is doing everything possible to indoctrinate young people into the radical, revolutionary ecumenical philosophy . It was reported that four young people, including one WCC staff person, attended the "11th World Festival of Youth and Students" in Cuba in 1978 They reported a "warm and wholehearted welcome from the Cuban people and the freedom to move around the island and to talk to the people." And what was the purpose of this meeting? They said, "These meetings provided opportunities for the Christian Youth to discuss the issues of the festival and the meaning of Christian commitment today, AS WELL AS TO EXPRESS SOLIDARITY IN THE STRUGGLES FOR JUSTICE AND AGAINST IMPERIALISM IN THE WORLD TODAY." Is there any talk of struggling against Communism ? Oh, no, it is only against Imperialism !

IF ONLY GOD'S PEOPLE WOULD WAKE UP AND SEE HOW THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IS USING THE CHURCHES TO DESTROY THE VERY FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH AND FREEDOM, what a difference it could make ! If only God's people would immediately withhold support and withdraw membership from the WCC and then begin attending and supporting only those churches that refuse to compromise with the ecumenical apostasy, what a difference it would make ! Further loss of support now could be critical for the WCC. Are you one of those who are supporting the WCC by your finances and membership even while decrying its heretical, radical programs ? If so, why not obey God - COMEOUT AND BE SEPARATE (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 says ; " Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. " ) , and join hands with those who are willing to stand up and speak out for our God-given liberties which enable us to preach the gospel (good news; of Jesus Christ instead of a socialist revolution .

In the Book of Revelation the figure of a woman is used symbolically of religion at least four times: Jezebel represents the pagan idolatry of the past, ( Rev. 20:20); the woman clothed with the sun represents the true Church (Rev. 19: 7-8; 21:9); the whore of Rev. 17:1 represents the Ecumenical - Ecclesiastical False Church of the Great Tribulation Period.

It is not surprising that the Bible uses the word whore or harlot to represent apostate or False Christendom. Throughout parts of the Old Testament God condemned Israel for spiritual harlotry. A church which calls itself Christian and yet courts alliance with the godless system of this world commits spiritual adultery. James 4:4 says: "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?"

In Revelation 17 we find the whore sitting upon many waters. Verse 15 tells us that the waters are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues, so she has worldwide influence. This is the Ecumenical - Ecclesiastical Church.

Verse 2: "With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication." The great religious sin was fornication which God mentions in relation to Israel in Jeremiah 3:2-3,9 and in Ezekiel 16-23 at least 20 times.

Verse 3 speaks of Antichrist supporting the harlot church for his own advantage. The wealth of this woman is described in verse 4. Verse 5 speaks of "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." Babylon is the culmination of all the religious efforts of man and is the last stage of apostate Christendom.

Now - TAKE NOTE , MY FRIENDS . .

What saith the Scripture concerning the Ecumenical - Ecclesiastical Movement? It is clearly taught in the Word of God that after the Rapture of the true Church by our Lord Jesus Christ the Great Tribulation will begin. During this awful period there will be one world-wide religious system, headed up by a Universal Church, situated on the "Seven Hills of Rome" , over which the Antichrist will have full control. The Ecumenical - Ecclesiastical Movement of our day is setting the stage for this great prophetical event.
We read of this one world religious system in Revelation 13:8: "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him (Antichrist)."
Chapter 17:3-6 gives a picture of Rome: "And I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus."
The Antichrist finally turns on this apostate church: "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit." Hear God's cry: "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." (Read Revelation 18:2-4).

As I mentioned before , my friends - the WCC and Roman Catholicism are in cahoots together . I BEG ALL well-meaning and God loving Catholics to see the light !!

BUT , I ASK . . .

How can Roman Catholics be filled with the True Spirit and give allegiance to the Pope? How could any believer acknowledge any authority for the Pope? Actually he is a type of antichrist. Papal infallibility means, "When the Pope in his official capacity, with the fullness of his authority, as successor of St. Peter and head of the Church on earth, proclaims a doctrine of faith or morals binding on the whole Church, he is preserved from error." Is this what believers accept? Do they now relate the words of the Pope with the Word of God? What has come over the Church? Not the presence and power of God the Holy Spirit who has promised to lead us into all truth  ; " Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. " (John 16:13).

The Charismatic Movement is doing more to bring Roman Catholics and other liberal denominations into the Ecumenical - Ecclesiastical Movement than any other force in our day. How sad it is to find so many believers following preachers who have departed from the truth of God's Word. We have always felt that if enough individual Christians had taken a courageous stand on the Word of God, much of the confusion we see today could have been avoided. Truth mixed with error is always dangerous.
Do we (Christians ) not love Roman Catholics? Of course we do! We love Protestants and Catholics alike. We also love the heathen with their false religions. We love Mohammedans of Islam, but their worship is wrong for they follow a dead savior. The Bible alone is our authority. It teaches that Christ, through His Blood-atoning Cross work, is the only way into Heaven. All other ways lead to Hell and the Lake of Fire. It is totally wrong to accept people of other religious beliefs as brothers in Christ. Protestants who are saved ought to leave their apostate denominations and worship in a church that upholds the Word of God. Roman Catholics, when saved, also ought to renounce their former religious ties (as I have publically done ! )  and seek true Christian fellowship in a fundamental Bible Church.

Unfortunately, the new kind of Christianity today is anxious to work side by side and fellowship with those who deny basic doctrines,  Those who uphold Bible doctrine are looked upon as disturbers of the peace.

These are days when some men, long respected in orthodox Christian circles, are veering away from a straight course in the Word of God. A sustained effort is being made to remove the sharp lines of distinction between fundamentalism and modernism in order to draw them together and to work together in an unholy alliance. Godly love is loyal to the Christian faith and the Word of God. Godly love is discerning love and this is the love we so desperately need today.

So , in conclusion , my dear friends - please BEWARE of the WCC , and as I leave - allow me to remind all about . . .

The Church of The Antichrist in Revelations :

Revelation 17:1-6: "And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 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."

Here we have the full revelation of Mystery Babylon which is the climax of the Ecumenical- Ecclesiastical False Church. John was not amazed when he saw the Beast, the course of the political empire and governments of this world, nor any other thing that God revealed to him concerning the future. But when he saw the scarlet woman as the Ecumenical - Ecclesiastical church of the Antichrist, he "wondered with great admiration."

In order to trace the development of Babylon we go to Genesis 10:2 and find the sons of Noah listed, - Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham's line is seen through Cush and Nimrod in verses 6-10. Of Nimrod we read: "And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel (or Babylon)".
Genesis 11:2-4 linked with Genesis 10:10-12 shows Nimrod and his people in the land of Shinar (Babylon) building the tower of Babel as their way of approach to God. When God saw this great ecumenical platform He said in Genesis 11:7 "Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." Then, in Genesis 11:8-9 we read: "So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; (or confusion)..." Nimrod's desire was to establish a false religious system.

This was the beginning of an ecumenical approach to God - a new approach. God was not pleased so He came down and pronounced the system "confusion" or "babylon".

This is exactly what we see today through the tremendous strides being made to bring all religions together that "all may be one". The World Council of Churches has brought together almost every Protestant denomination. The Charismatic Movement has recently brought the Roman Catholic Church into the ecumenical fold. And now a united effort is being made to bring in the other great religions of the world.

In Revelation chapter 13 we find a merger of all religions under one great head. There will be two devil-inspired men who will take over the rule of the earth after the rapture of the true church. The beast of Revelation 13 is the Antichrist and the whole chapter deals with the worship of this man by the people.

This great ecumenical-Ecclesiastical false church is clearly explained in Revelation 17:1: "And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgments of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters."

In the Book of Revelation the figure of a woman is used symbolically of religion at least four times: Jezebel represents the pagan idolatry of the past, (Rev. 2:20); the woman clothed with the sun represents Israel (Rev. 12:1); the bride of Christ represents the true church (Rev. 19:7-8: 21:9). The whore of Revelation 17:1 represents the Ecumenical- Ecclesiastical False Church of the Great Tribulation Period.

It is not surprising that the Bible uses the word whore or harlot to represent apostate Christendom a Counterfeit Christianity. Throughout parts of the Old Testament God condemned Israel for spiritual harlotry. A church which calls itself Christian and which courts alliance with the godless system of this world commits spiritual adultery. James 4:4 says, "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?"

In Revelation 17 we find the whore woman sitting upon many waters.

Revelation 15 tells us that the waters are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues, so she has worldwide influence. This is the ecumenical false church which is truly worldwide in its influence.

Revelation 17:2 "With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication." The great religious sin was fornication which God mentions in relation to Israel in Jeremiah 3:2,3,9 and in Ezekiel 16-23 at least 20 times.

Revelation 17:3: "So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns." Here is pictured this false church sitting upon the scarlet coloured beast which is the Antichrist.

The Antichrist is now supporting the harlot church for his own advantage. He uses the influence of this church to establish his name and authority. In my next message we shall see that in due time he will crush this church and destroy its influence.

The "ten horns" speak of the revived Old Roman Empire. We see the stage being set for the revival of this Empire in the European Union of our day. The woman is controlling the beast for it pictures this super church which will control the religious affairs the nations.

The "seven heads" according to verse nine are "seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth."

The city of Rome is built on seven hills [Hebrew: "Har" which means hills or mountains] and without a doubt this great false church will have its center in the city of Rome. From this we can conclude, that after the True Bible Believing Church is Raptured, that the Second Beast - The false religious leader, or the false Prophet along with the "Left Behind" apostate religious professors will probably headquarter themselves in Rome. Probably at the now and some what vacant Vatican. From here the False Prophet will amalgamate and control all world religious affairs and impose the doctrines of the Antichrist. He will also announce to the world that the Antichrist is the real Messiah instead of Christ.

The wealth of the woman is described in Revelation 17:4 "And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication." It is hard to imagine the tremendous wealth of this super church which is made up of the remnants of Romanism, Judaism and Protestantism. As well as all the other false religions of the world. That is of the "left behind" ones.

Revelation 17:5 "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." Babylon is the culmination of all the religious efforts of man and is the last stage of apostate false Christendom.

Revelation 17:6 "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."

Religious leaders and systems have been the greatest persecutors throughout history. And I believe that as the ecumenical - Ecclesiastical false church grows in strength and influence that we may still see even greater numbers of the saints put to death for their love of Jesus. We need to read Fox's Book of Martyrs  to see something of the suffering of God's people for Jesus' sake. May we be willing to suffer for our Lord.

Revelation 17:7-9 "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. 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. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth."
The Old Roman empire "was" then "and is not" for it faded into obscurity - but never actually died out, for the evil spirit of it was still alive and lurking in the background - and is now "yet is" to be revived and brought back to life in the form of a European Union. The "seven mountains" represent the city of Rome which actually has seven mountains "and here is the mind which hath wisdom"

Revelation 17:10 "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."

The five kings already fallen are Julius Caesar, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero. The one that is, at the time of John's writing was Domitian, the last of the Caesars. "The other that is not yet come" will be the Antichrist who will continue but a short space of seven years.

Revelation 17:11 "And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition." The seventh king is the Antichrist. The "eighth" described here represents Satan himself "the beast" which will "goeth into perdition. "or be thrown into Hell. Satan is described as being the embodiment of all the previous seven kings combined. "even he is the eighth, and is of the seven"

Revelation 17:12-13 " 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. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast."

The "ten kings" are ten heads of state or political leaders from within the revived Roman Empire which have yet to take office. When they do, they will "give their power and strength unto the beast." that is, to the alignment with, and benefit of, the Antichrist.

Finally, the true character of this whole apostate religious system is seen in Revelation 17:14 "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."

The spiritual war is always between those who allow Christ to rule and reign over their lives and those who refuse to do so. The whole effort of the apostasy is to do away with the deity of Christ and so they deny the inspiration of the Scriptures, the Virgin Birth, the miracles, and the bodily resurrection of our Lord. The opposition is always against Christ. And this opposition will continue right up to the end of this apostate system under the Antichrist. The spiritual war will culminate in an actual physical war between Jesus, with the True Church and the Antichrist with the False Church for control of the earth. And of course we already know who wins.

Revelation 17:15-18 "And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 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. 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. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth."

Let Us Pray Together--

"God be merciful to me a sinner. Receive me now for Christ's sake. Cleanse me from my sin by your precious blood, shed on the cross for me; lead me to be Baptized and fill me with your Holy Spirit. Teach me to pray each day; to read Your will for my life from your word, the Bible; and help me to worship and serve You in the fellowship of your church. I thank you Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN! "

May The Lord continue to bless and keep you ALL - ALWAYS . . .

Your brother in Christ ;
Pastor Mike