Babylon. Are You Coming Out Of Her Or Staying In Her?

Brothers and sisters, Dumitru Duduman, a Romanian preacher, was tortured for smuggling bibles into Romania.  He said he was told by the Lord to go to America in 1984 and warn her she would be destroyed and that America is Mystery Babylon. He died around 1999. I have listened to his preaching and testimony many times and do believe him. In any case, we should be concerned about the judgment that will fall on Mystery Babylon, for we do not want to partake of her plagues or the lake of fire. I encourage you to look at YouTube and the internet for his preaching and testimony.

There are a great number of believers who believe America is Mystery Babylon. Dumitru tells of asking the angel why God named America Mystery Babylon. This is what he said the angel told him in 1984, shortly after he arrived in the USA.

• "Tell them because all the nations of the world immigrated to America with their own gods and were not stopped. Encouraged by the freedom here, the wickedness began to increase. Later on, even though Americas was established as a Christian nation, the American people began to follow the strange gods that the immigrants had brought in and also turned their backs on the God who had built and prospered this country." 

Something also to consider. What nation has ever been a cup of gold in the hand of God, if not America? It cannot be Israel as she will never be destroyed. Are we not seeing America quickly degenerating into the time she will be destroyed?

• Jeremiah 51:7  "Babylon was a golden cup in the LORD's hand, making the whole earth drunk. The nations drank her wine, therefore the nations have gone mad." ISV

Are you continuing to live in sins which bring the wrath of God on a person? Jesus the Messiah has a warning for you. I believe 22:15 is the last warning in the bible.

• Revelation 21:8 "But people who are cowardly, unfaithful, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will find themselves in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death." ISV
• Revelation 22:15 "Outside are dogs, sorcerers, immoral people, murderers, idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." ISV

Matthew Henry's Commentary

Revelation 18:1

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

18:1-8 The downfall and destruction of the mystical Babylon are determined in the counsels of God. Another angel comes from heaven. This seems to be Christ himself, coming to destroy his enemies, and to shed abroad the light of his gospel through all nations. The wickedness of this Babylon was very great; she had forsaken the true God, and set up idols, and had drawn all sorts of men into spiritual adultery, and by her wealth and luxury kept them in her interest. The spiritual merchandise, by which multitudes have wickedly lived in wealth, by the sins and follies of mankind, seems principally intended. Fair warning is given to all that expect mercy from God, that they should not only come out of this Babylon, but assist in her destruction. God may have a people even in Babylon. But God's people shall be called out of Babylon, and called effectually, while those that partake with wicked men in their sins, must receive of their plagues.

Revelation 18:2

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.

Revelation 18:3

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 merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

Revelation 18:4

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Revelation 18:5

For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Revelation 18:6

Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

Revelation 18:7

How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

Revelation 18:8

Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

Revelation 18:9

And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

18:9-19 The mourners had shared Babylon's sensual pleasures, and gained by her wealth and trade. The kings of the earth, whom she flattered into idolatry, allowing them to be tyrannical over their subjects, while obedient to her; and the merchants, those who trafficked for her indulgences, pardons, and honours; these mourn. Babylon's friends partook her sinful pleasures and profits, but are not willing to share her plagues. The spirit of antichrist is a worldly spirit, and that sorrow is a mere worldly sorrow; they do not lament for the anger of God, but for the loss of outward comforts. The magnificence and riches of the ungodly will avail them nothing, but will render the vengeance harder to be borne. The spiritual merchandise is here alluded to, when not only slaves, but the souls of men, are mentioned as articles of commerce, to the destroying the souls of millions. Nor has this been peculiar to the Roman antichrist, and only her guilt. But let prosperous traders learn, with all their gains, to get the unsearchable riches of Christ; otherwise; even in this life, they may have to mourn that riches make to themselves wings and fly away, and that all the fruits their souls lusted after, are departed from them. Death, at any rate, will soon end their commerce, and all the riches of the ungodly will be exchanged, not only for the coffin and the worm, but for the fire that cannot be quenched.

Jesus' Final Warning

Today, I finish looking at the warnings in the New Testament. They are very sobering. The New Testament is full of warnings. I believe I was led to do this several times, in part because I have broken many of the warnings and learned first hand how priceless they are. I also believe I was led to do this because the teachers of the day, for the most part, have abandoned them.

God is Love. God warns. This is so wonderfully shown in what I see as the last warning.

Blessed are you Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. There is no other God but you. You are worthy of all praise and glory. Amen

Revelation 21:8 ISV

6Then he told me, “It has happened! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. 

• I will freely give a drink from the spring of the water of life to the one who is thirsty. 7The person who conquers will inherit these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son.
• 8But people who are cowardly, unfaithful, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will find themselvesb in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

Believers Who Are Miserable, Pitiful, Poor, Blind, And Naked

John writes the seventh and final letter to the church in Laodicea. This church is so very like today's church in the western world. These passages are a rebuke to the health and wealth gospel preached by countless greedy, ear tickling preachers today.

Jesus is not talking to unbelievers, but believers and he tells them:

1. Their actions are neither cold nor hot and if they do not repent Jesus will spit them out of his mouth. 
2. They do not realize they are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
3. Jesus advises them to by from him gold purified in the fire so they may be rich and white clothes to wear so their shameful nakedness won't show, and to buy ointment to put on their eyes so they can see. 
4. He tells them he disciplines those who he loves and for them to be serious and repent.

Do we want to be spit out of God's mouth? Is that what you do to your bride? Brothers and sisters, these are very serious warnings and I do not want to be part of this group of believers. These believers sound much like those who fall away. How can a child of God be blind and naked? We are wealthy in this nation and many are guilty of loving money. This is idolatry and and Jesus says idolaters "will find themselves in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death." Revelation 21:8

Time is short. We do not know we have tomorrow. Are we lukewarm? Jesus tells these people they do not realize their condition. This should shake us with holy fear! What do we do? We go to the Father, humbling ourselves and seeking him to reveal our sins to us. Surrender all we are and all we have to him. Ask him to do what it takes to keep us from being one who is lukewarm. Live out this attitude and prayer until he comes for us. I did this in 2001. I have not been the same since. I am still doing it. I will not be satisfied until I live a life which constantly realizes Jesus is at my side, hearing and seeing every thing I do.

Revelation 3 ISV

14“To the messengerh of the church in Laodicea, write:

‘The Amen, the witness who is faithful and true, the originator of God’s creation, says this:

15‘I know your actions, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. 

• 16Since you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth. 

• Yet you don’t realize that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 

• I advise you to buy from me gold purified in fire so you may be rich, white clothes to wear so your shameful nakedness won’t show, and ointment to put on your eyes so you may see. 

17You say, “I am rich. I have become wealthy. I don’t need anything.” 

18Therefore, 

19I correct and discipline those whom I love, so be serious and repent! 

20Look! I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eati with me. 

21To the one who conquers I will give a place to sit with me on my throne, just as I have conquered and have sat down with my Father on his throne.

22‘Let everyonej listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Christians Are Commanded To Obey Jesus' Word And Not Deny Him

There is an "hour of testing that is coming to the whole world to test those living on the earth". To those who endure by obeying Jesus the Messiah's word and not denying him, they will be kept "from the hour of testing that is coming to the whole world to test those living on the earth".

If we are caught up in the cares of this life and loving the things of this world, we may be left to the testing which is coming. Some will be like the five virgins who did not have enough oil and were told by Jesus "I never knew you". Matthew 25:12 

The seven letters to the churches all end in a very sobering warning from Jesus the Messiah:
"‘Let everyoned listen to what the Spirit says to the churches".

Friends, do not trust your soul to the ear tickling, false teachers and preachers of our day. They will not help us on the day of judgment. You are to be judging the teachers. Multitudes have been deceived. If you do not know what the scriptures say and simply trust a teacher or teachers, you are playing with your soul. Many are continuing in sins that keep people out of the kingdom of God. Do not be deceived. Search out what Jesus and those chosen to write the New Testament said. Obey God.  

Revelation 3 ISV

7“To the messengerc of the church in Philadelphia, write:

‘The one who is holy, who is true,

who has the key of David,

who opens a door thatd no one can shut,

and who shuts a door thate no one can open,

‘says this:

8‘I know what you’ve been doing. Look! I have put in front of you an open door that no one can shut. You have only a little strength, but you have obeyed my word and have not denied my name. 

• 9I will make those who belong to the synagogue of Satan—those who claim to be Jews and aren’t, but are lying—come and bow down at your feet. 
• Then they will realize that I have loved you. 
• 10Because you have obeyed my command to endure,f I will keep you from the hour of testing that is coming to the whole world to test those living on the earth. 
• 11I am coming soon! 
• Hold on to what you have so that no one takes your victor’s crown. 
• 12I will make the one who conquers to become a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, and he will never go out of it again. 
• I will write on him the name of my God, the name of the city of my God (the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God), and my own new name.

13‘Let everyoneg listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Can A Christian Have Their Name Blotted Out Of The Book Of Life?

John continues the letters to the churches. Today we look at the church in Sardis. In this warning from Jesus, I see some very sobering issues here.

1. The church as a whole was dead.
2. Jesus warns them some are about to die. 
3. Jesus warns those who are not dead to obey and repent.
4. There are a few who have not soiled their clothes with sins of that day. They will walk with Jesus because they are worthy. They are finishing the race. Their names will not be erased from the Book of Life.

We cannot earn salvation. Jesus took the wrath of God for us, and paid for salvation, yet over and over in the New Testament we are warned and find we are responsible for our actions. I believe what is written. We are to live a holy life and one of ongoing repentance. Why would we play with sin and having our names blotted out of the Book of Life?

I do not try to explain these verses away with other scriptures. I take them as written and seek to be an obedient child of God, loving him and his people. We must humble ourselves before Jesus the Messiah. He is Love. Love warns us.


Revelation 3 ISV

1“To the messengera of the church in Sardis, write:

‘The one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says this:

‘I know what you’ve been doing. 

• You are known for being alive, but you are dead. 
• 2Be alert, and strengthen the things that are left, which are about to die. 
• I note that your actions are incomplete before my God. 
• 3So remember what you received and heard. 
• Obey it, and repent. 
• If you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you won’t know the time when I will come to you. 
• 4But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. 
• They will walk with me in white clothes because they are worthy. 
• 5The person who conquers in this way will wear white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the Book of Life. 
• I will acknowledge his name in the presence of my Father and his angels.

6‘Let everyoneb listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

We Are Either Slaves Of Death or Righteousness

As I read what Jesus says to the church in Thyatira, I am acutely aware of the seriousness of continuing in sin. I am reminded what Paul said:

• "15What, then, does this mean?j Should we go on sinning because we are not under Law but under grace? Of course not! 16Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?" Romans 6 ISV

The death Paul is talking about cannot be the death of the body, as the righteous do not have to fear leaving their bodies. The two choices given are either "death" or "obedience, which leads to righteousness".

Revelation 2 ISV

18“To the messengerh of the church in Thyatira, write:

‘The Son of God, whose eyes are like flaming fire and whose feet are like glowing bronze, says this:

• 19‘I know what you’ve been doing—your love, faithfulness,i service, and endurance—and that your last actions are greater than the first. 
• 20But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and who teaches and leads my servants to practice immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 
• 21I gave her time to repent, but she refused to repent of her immorality. 
• 22Look! I am going to strike her with illness.j 
• Those who commit adultery with her will also suffer greatly, unless they repent from acting like her. 
• 23I will strike her children dead. 
• Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts. 
• I will reward each of you as your actions deserve.

24‘But as for the rest of you in Thyatira—you who do not hold to this teaching and who have not learned what some people call the deep things of Satan—I won’t burden you with anything else. 25Just hold on to what you have until I come. 26To the person who conquers and continues to do what I’ve commandedk to the end, I will give authority over the nations.

27‘He will rule them with an iron scepter;

shattering them like clay pots.’l

28‘Just as I have received authority from my Father, I will also give him the morning star.

29‘Let everyonem listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Jesus Will Wage War Against Those Who Continue In Idolatry And Sexual Immorality

While false teachers tell their hearers grace covers sins, Jesus tells us that those who continue in idolatry and sexual immorality will find Jesus waging war against them with the sword of his mouth. Sodom and Gomorrah are an example for us. The people were destroyed by fire and brimstone.

Today we look at the third letter to the church in Pergamum. We can use these letters to see if we are doing what Jesus the Messiah wants us to do.

Revelation 2 ISV

12“To the messengere of the church in Pergamum, write:

‘The one who holds the sharp, two-edged sword, says this:

13‘I know where you live. Satan’s throne is there. Yet you hold on to my name and have not denied your faith in me,f even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed in your presence, where Satan lives. 

• 14But I have a few things against you: 
• You have there some who hold to the teaching of Balaam, the one who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice immorality. 
• 15You also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16So repent. If you don’t, I will come to you quickly and wage war against them with the sword of my mouth.

17‘Let everyoneg listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone. On the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the person who receives it.’”

Have You Abandoned The Love You Had For Jesus At First?

The New Testament is filled with warnings. Warnings come from the love of God. In our day the pastors and teachers have abandoned the warnings, as a general rule. They are afraid of man and losing their job and many love the praise of people and money. So they tickle the ears of their hearers.

John records Jesus' warnings to the seven churches. It is clear Jesus does not tickle ears. He is concerned about the heart of the hearers. Jesus is Love and the very source of true love. However, we must obey him and turn from our sins. We are not to go on sinning. If we sin we are to confess it quickly and turn away from that sin.

Today we look at John's first letter to the church in Ephesus. It is sobering.

Revelation 1 ISV

1“To the messengera of the church in Ephesus, write:

‘The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lamp stands, says this:

2‘I know what you’ve been doing, 

• your toil, and your endurance. 
• I also know that you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles, but are not, and have found them to be false. 
• 3You have endured and suffered because of my name, yet you have not grown weary. 

4However, I have this against you: 

• You have abandoned the love you had at first. 
• 5Therefore, remember how far you have fallen. 
• Repent and go back to what you were doing at first. 
• If you don’t, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place—unless you repent. 
• 6But this is to your credit: You hate the actions of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7‘Let everyoneb listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give the privilege of eating from the tree of life that is in God’s paradise.’”

Mockers Have Arisen, Following Their Own Ungodly Desires

Continuing in the book of Jude, which is a one chapter book,we continue to be warned. Brothers and sisters, no matter what we understand, Jude makes it clear that we are responsible to "remain in God's love as you look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, which brings eternal life". The apostle Paul also tells us there is a race to finish.

If you have not read the first part of Jude's letter, please go back to the previous post and read it. It was filled with warnings which were shown in those who God destroyed in the past. There is a war for our souls and we are responsible for our actions.

The most dangerous place for most believers, is trusting the teachers of today. We are in the falling away and as a general rule, the teachers are not warning. Do not just quickly say "oh, my preacher does". If you do not know the scriptures and judge what the preachers say, you are in serious trouble and filled with false teachings. We are told to assemble together with other believers, but we are not told to listen to a teacher.

Do not trust a man with your soul. If you have not received the gift of languages, ask the Father to give it to you. Seek him earnestly and surrender your all to him. I know of no other way a person can "pray in the Holy Spirit" as Jude tells us to do. I prayed to receive the gift for several years before I received the gift of languages. I believe it was because I had been falsely taught they are not for today and this caused be to doubt and be fearful. If in faith you ask the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for the gift, you can trust him with your all! You can search my blog for "languages" or "tongues". I show the scriptures which clearly explain this.

Jude 1 ISV

17But you, dear friends, must remember the statements and predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah.o 18They kept telling you, “In the last times there will be mockers, following their own ungodly desires.”p 19These are the people who cause divisions. They are worldly, devoid of the Spirit.

20But you, dear friends, 

• must continue to build your most holy faith for your own benefit. 
• Furthermore, continue to pray in the Holy Spirit. 
• 21Remain in God’s love as you look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus the Messiah,q which brings eternal life. 
• 22Show mercy to those who have doubts. 
• 23Save others by snatching them from the fire. 
• To others, show mercy with fear, hating even the clothes stained by their sinful lives.r

24Now to the one who is able to keep you from falling and to make you stand joyful and faultless in his glorious presence, 25to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus the Messiah,s our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time and for all eternity! Amen.

Sexual Sins Not Repented Of, Bring The Wrath Of God. Period.

Brothers and sisters, we are in a very dangerous and evil time. As prophesied, Satan has come in like a flood. Evil will get much worse, especially sexual immorality. Are you bringing filth into your home and family by watching filth on TV, watching movies with filth, and listening to the worlds ungodly songs? If so, you are hardening your heart and the hearts of your family. There is a war for you and your family. You are responsible. "Touch not the unclean thing", let alone bring it into your minds/hearts! God have mercy.

"We know that the person who has been born from God does not go on sinning". 1 John 5 18

Jude 1 ISV

1From: Jude, a servant of Jesus the Messiah,a and yet a brother of James.

To: Those who have been called, who are lovedb by God the Father and kept safe by Jesus, the Messiah.c

2May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance!

3Dear friends, although I was eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write to you and urge you to continue your vigorous defense of the faith that was passed down to the saints once and for all. 4For some people have slipped in among you unnoticed. They were written about long ago as being deserving of this condemnation because they are ungodly. They turn the grace of our God into uncontrollable lust and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus the Messiah.d

This is what is going on in our day. Sexual immorality (fornication, adultery, homosexuality) are being condoned and teachers are telling people who commit such sins that "they are under grace". Please notice that Jude tells us those who do so "deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus the Messiah". 

Jude goes on to remind us of the danger of us departing from the truth and disobeying as some of the angels who left their position and married human women. 

5Now I want to remind you, even though you are fully aware of these things, that the Lord who once saved his people from the land of Egypt later destroyed those who did not believe. 6He has also held in eternal chains those angels who did not keep their own position but abandoned their assigned place. They are held in deepest darkness for judgment on the great day.e 7Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities near them, which like them committed sexual sins and pursued homosexual activities,f serve as an example of the punishment of eternal fire.

8In a similar way, these dreamers also defile their flesh, reject the Lord’s authority,g and slander his glorious beings. 9Even the archangel Michael, when he argued with the devil and fought over the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him. Instead, he said, “May the Lord rebuke you!”h 

10Whatever these people do not understand, they slander. Like irrational animals, they are destroyed by the very things they know by instinct. 11How terrible it will be for them! For they lived like Cain didi , rushed headlong into Balaam’s error to make a profit, and destroyed themselves, as happenedj in Korah’s rebellion. 12These people are stains on your love feasts.k 

• They feast with you without any sense of awe.l They are shepherds who care only for themselves. They are waterless clouds blown about by the winds. They are autumn trees that are fruitless, totallym dead, and uprooted. 13They are wild waves of the sea, churning up the foam of their own shame. They are wandering stars for whom the deepest darkness has been reserved forever.

14Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied about these people when he said,

“Look! The Lord has come with countless thousands of his holy ones. 15He will judge all people and convict everyone of all the ungodly things that they have done in such an ungodly way, including all the harsh things that these ungodly sinners have said about him.”n

16These people are complainers and faultfinders, following their own desires. They say arrogant things and flatter people in order to take advantage of them.