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“Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter (Rev. 1:19).
In this one Verse, we have an overlook of the entirety of the Book of Revelation. It is basically divided into three sections. They are:
1. “The things which you have seen”: This concerns the First Chapter of Revelation, and pertains to the Vision of Jesus. Even though the Apostle John had been personally chosen by Jesus as one of His closest Disciples, and had walked with Christ for some three and a half years, still, he would now see Jesus in a completely different light.
John now saw Him in all of His Glory — so much Glory that John says:
“I fell at His Feet as dead. And He laid His right Hand upon me, saying unto me, ‘Fear not. I am the First and the Last:
“‘I am He Who lives, and was dead: and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of Hell and of death’” (Rev. 1:17-18).
John saw Jesus standing in the “midst of seven golden candlesticks.” The “candlesticks” represent and symbolize the “Church.” As the “Head” of the Church, Jesus stands in its midst. There were “seven” candlesticks; the number “seven” is God’s number of perfection, totality, universality, and completion.
Despite the apostasy, Jesus will have a perfect Church, made up of those who truly trust Him and what He did at the Cross.
2. “And the things which are”: This constitutes Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, which pertain to the Church Age. Even though only two Chapters in the Book of Revelation are devoted to it, the Church Age constitutes the longest period of time of the three sections, now nearly 2,000 years.
The seven Churches named portray the entirety of the Church Age; each Church denotes a particular period of time:
The Church at “Ephesus” is the first Church to which Jesus spoke. It represents the Apostolic Age, which lasted for approximately the first one hundred years.
The Church at “Smyrna” is second, and was the Church of persecution. Its time frame was from approximately A.D. 100 to A.D. 300.
“Pergamos” is the third Church, and constitutes the State Church, so-called. In a sense, it continues unto this hour.
The Church at “Thyatira” is the fourth, and constitutes the Papal Church. It began approximately in A.D. 600, and continues unto this hour.
The Church at “Sardis” is the fifth, and it constitutes the Reformation Church. It began about A.D. 1500, and continues unto this hour.
The Church at “Philadelphia” is the sixth, and it constitutes the Missionary Church. It began approximately in the 1800’s, and continues unto this hour.
The “Laodicean” Church is the last, and it constitutes the apostatized Church. It began approximately at the turn of the Twenty-first Century. It is the age in which we now live.
3. “The things which shall be hereafter”: This part constitutes the greater bulk of the Book of Revelation, beginning with the Sixth Chapter and continuing through the end. It denotes the Great Tribulation, which is soon to come, which will be followed by the Millennial Reign, and then by the Perfect Age, which will have no end. The Perfect Age is described in the last two Chapters of the Book of Revelation.
The Book of Revelation is not easy to understand; but yet, all who read it and study it are promised a blessing (Rev. 1:3). As we shall see, the Book of Revelation also portrays the Cross of Christ in detail, actually mentioning Christ as “the Lamb” some 28 times.“
— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
A major theme in the tradition of Christmas is the giving of a gift. As I look back over the years, I have fond memories of receiving gifts as a child. I recall the excitement of Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. I remember many of the gifts I have received as an adult. But as I have grown older I have found that my greatest joy is in giving rather than receiving. I love to bring to mind the expression on my children's face when they received something spectacular. I love to see the excitement in the eyes of my grandchildren as they poke and prod the presents that lay under the tree. Even the infants are mesmerized by the activity (even though they would often times rather play with the paper and the box that a gift came in, more so than the gift itself). I know that some would criticize me for celebrating Christmas on December 25. I choose to celebrate the truth that there was a day in which God gave His Son to the world. I open that gift everyday! So you see, the greatest gift of all was not placed beneath the tree, but upon a tree. Thank you Lord Jesus for the gift of life.
2 Corinthians 9:15 - Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Proverbs 30:12
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
The word, ‘Generation’ speaks of a group of people. The Body of Christ is the generation of the Lord, but the other generation is that people who resist the Way in which God has given all of humanity the opportunity to be washed from their filthy sins. This Way is Christ and His cross.
Everyone who refuses to place or even to keep their faith secure in Christ and His work at Calvary are those who think with a prideful heart that they are pure without it. They are pure in their own eyes, meaning the way in which they see. We choose Christ everyday as the anchor, lover and keeper of our soul as the children of God exclusively through faith in what He did at Calvary for us (2 Corinthians 5:14-16). We are blessed and we refuse to stop looking to Calvary for all of our needs! When we look there, we see Christ (Hebrews 2:9, 12:2). When we look away from the cross, it is not the Jesus of the Bible we seem to be seeing (2 Corinthians 11:4).
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
“And unto the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the Creation of God; I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue you out of My mouth. Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked (Rev. 3:14-17).
Jesus sent a Message to each of the seven Churches of Asia; of these, Laodicea was the last. This particular Church constitutes the conclusion of the Church Age, and represents the time in which we now live. In other words, the modern Church is the Laodicean Church, and the Laodicean Church is the modern Church. Unfortunately, the Message given by Christ is not very positive.
The Laodicean Church is actually an apostatized Church, which means that it has departed from the Truth. It is neither “cold” nor “hot,” but rather “lukewarm.” As a result, Jesus said, “I will vomit you out of My mouth.” And thus is the modern Church!
The Seventeenth Verse, sadly and regrettably, describes the modern Church to the proverbial “T”. In not only the United States, but also over the balance of the entire world, the modern Church has never been richer, at least regarding material things. It is “increased with goods,” which again speaks of material things, but definitely not spiritual things. In the modern Church, “faith” has been reduced to “things,” instead of what the correct object ought to be, which is the Cross of Christ. The modern Church basically claims that “it has need of nothing.” It is lukewarm, rich, increased with goods, and sees no need for anything else.
But what did Jesus say with respect to the answer of the Laodicean Church?
He described this Church, first of all, as “wretched.” The word in the Greek refers to a test that has been given, and the one taking the test has failed.
Second, Christ called this Church “miserable.” It means “to be pitied.”
Third, He referred to it as “poor,” meaning that it literally was, at least in His eyes, a spiritual beggar.
Fourth, He called it “blind.” The word, as used here, actually means “to be lifted up in pride.”
Fifth, and last of all, He described it as “naked.” It refers to being spiritually naked.
So, as is obvious, Jesus’ summation of the Laodicean Church was not very positive. Considering that this Church characterizes the modern Church, i.e., refers to what the Church is presently, the situation is dire indeed!
At the beginning of John’s Vision, Christ is pictured as standing in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, which represent, as stated, the Church. Now, He is no longer in the midst of the Churches, but rather is standing outside, knocking at the door, and saying, “If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (3:20).
The essence of that particular invitation shows that the Lord is no longer dealing with the institutionalized Church as a whole, but rather is dealing with individuals. While He has always dealt with individuals, now He is dealing only with individuals. This shows that the Church has completely apostatized, except for the Remnant who truly love the Lord (Rom. 9:27).“
— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
It is my desire that you may be blessed all throughout the year! Be certain to make room in your heart for the Christ child every single day. It is certain that our God is a blessing God, but He didn't come just to increase us with worldly goods. His primary reason for the earthly sojourn was to free all of humanity from the grip of sin. He accomplished this by the giving of His most precious life on the cross of Calvary. May this forever be your priority and your ultimate goal in life, that is, to live free from the dominion of the weight and sin that does so easily beset us. The answer for sin can be found in the cross. The answer for sin is found only in the cross. Not in a wooden beam! Not in an icon! But faith that rests securely and singularly in the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary. Merry Christmas from my house to yours!
Matthew 1:18-21 - Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Proverbs 30:13
There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up.
This same generation that is pure in their own eyes mentioned in the previous verse, here is revealed as to why. Lofty eyes are eyes that lust after everything other than that which is God’s plan and His one Way to experience that plan. The eyelids being lifted up is the arrogant attitude that goes along with pride for all to see, yet even if men do not recognize it, God always does, and He resists it (1 Peter 5:5).
Everything man trusts in for any and all of God’s provision outside of the very work of Christ on the cross is arrogance to God, vain imagination, and high things that are against His knowledge. These He will resist without doubt. To trust in the work of Christ AND ANYTHING OTHER is a statement to God that Christ’s work at Calvary was not enough. This is what the Bible describes as a double minded man (James 1:7-8), who cannot expect to receive anything from the Lord.
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men (Lk. 2:11-14).
Several things happened at the birth of Christ which were literally astounding. Some of them are as follows:
1. Beginning at about the time that Jesus was born and continuing for approximately 33 years, the great war gates of Janus in Rome were closed, signifying that there was no war anywhere in the Roman Empire during this particular time. This is the only time that such a thing happened, at least for such a period of time.
While the Romans may have given the credit for this peaceful situation to many and varied things, the real reason was that the Prince of Peace had come to this Earth in the form of a baby. While He was here, war would come to a standstill. In fact, the Angel had cried, “On Earth peace, good will toward men.” And that’s exactly what happened.
When Jesus gave the Olivet Discourse, He told His Disciples that due to Israel’s rejection of Him, Who Alone is the Prince of Peace, war would then become the mainstay of the Earth, with nation rising against nation, etc. (Mat. 24:6-8).
2. The birth of Jesus took place at a public inn, crowded with people — so possible of public verification — and not in secret. Never was there such a wondrous birth, for it was God manifest in the flesh (Isa. 9:1-7).
3. When Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken, which was really a taxation, he understood not at all that he was fulfilling Bible Prophecy. Probably no one at that time, including Joseph and Mary, understood that this census was ordered of God so as to fulfill not only the prediction of the Forty-ninth Chapter of Genesis, but also that of Micah 5:2, and so secure the birth of the Holy Child at Bethlehem. Thus, God manifested His Wisdom.
Bethlehem was not the home of Mary and Joseph. So they had to go there, which this taxation demanded, because they were of the Tribe of Judah. This would fulfill the Prophecy of Micah that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.
4. Sinless Angels and not sinful men first praised Him on coming to Earth, and yet the Angels needed no forgiveness.
5. When God manifest in the flesh came to Earth, there was no room for Him there. So much the more wonderful and perfect is the Love that brought Him thither. He began His Life in a manger, ended it on a Cross, and along His ministerial way had not where to lay His Head!
6. His birth was not trumpeted forth in lordly guise to Priests and Princes and the great ones of the Earth, but first of all to obscure shepherds — the lowest caste in society at that time.
7. Jesus was not to become a King and a Saviour. He was born both. He was The Saviour; He was Christ; He was Jehovah.
8. God’s glory in Creation was high; in Revelation, higher; but in Redemption, highest. His Power was seen in Creation; His Righteousness, in Law; but His highest attribute, His Love, in Atonement (Lk. 2:14).
9. His Name was called “Jesus.” The word means “Saviour.” He might have chosen a loftier title, for the highest titles are His, but He passed them all by and selected a Name which speaks of deliverance for a lost world.
10. Jesus was made of a woman under the Law (Gal. 4:4). The fact is emphasized by His circumcision. The Law is mentioned five times in the Second Chapter of Luke, more often than in the rest of the Book, and so confirms the statement in Galatians. To save man, justly doomed to death by the Law, it was necessary that Christ should be born under the Law.
12. The poverty of Joseph and Mary appears in their lowly offering of two pigeons in sacrifice at the presentation of baby Jesus. The Law stated that they should offer a “lamb,” but, if they didn’t have the financial resources to do such, they could offer two pigeons (Lev. 12:8).
13. When Jesus was born, wise men from the east came and worshipped Him, even though He was only a baby at the time. They also presented Him with gifts. These wise men were more than likely from what we now refer to as “Iraq.”
14. Last of all, it is almost certain that Jesus wasn’t born on December 25. Flocks were out in the pastures in Israel from April through October. Some Bible Scholars believe that Jesus may have been born in October. It doesn’t really matter what day He was born. What matters is that He was, in fact, born. If the Lord had wanted us to know, we would have been told the exact day.
Again, I quote the Angels:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men” (Lk. 2:14).“
— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
Pursuing a knowledge of the Word of God should be of paramount concern for every believer. We must do our very best to understand the intricate concepts of the Word, though sound doctrine may seem difficult to comprehend at times. We are to strive for wisdom, pray for understanding, and long for revelation or illumination that enables us to grasp and put into practice the doctrines of the Word of God. But there is a danger that comes when understanding or knowledge is gained. That danger is that we run the risk of allowing knowledge to puff us up instead of transforming us. We can become proud and arrogant of what we know, even though it is freely given to us from the Lord. When this happens, self righteousness will remain a mere short step behind and is very likely to catch up and overtake us. We must place into our minds this truth, that all knowledge lays the groundwork for faith. Faith must be placed in what Christ did and not in what we know. Knowledge does not and must not replace faith. Instead, knowledge paves the way for faith to exist. Knowledge can promote faith but knowledge does not and must never take the place of faith. Faith alone is the victory!
1 John 5:4 - For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Proverbs 30:14
There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
This same generation, the generation that is of the world, are the people who devour the poor and the needy among men from off the earth. These are those who abuse the poor to get rich themselves. Jesus taught us that the poor would always be among us (Matthew 26:11), but the focus should be Him. When He is the focus, the poor will be taken care of.
Jesus related the woman pouring her costly valued oil from her alabaster box on His head to the GOSPEL (Matthew 26:13). His disciples thought they were doing the right thing by saying they could have sold it and taken care of the poor, but Jesus brings God’s proper priority into the situation. The gospel is ALWAYS the priority, for it is what reveals, and brings the wisdom and understanding of every Word God has ever spoken to the heart of man. When the gospel is truly front and center, the poor will be taken care of.
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
“To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne, even as I also overcame, and am sat down with My Father in His Throne (Rev. 3:21).
In each one of the seven Messages of Christ to the seven Churches of Asia, the demand to be an overcomer is given and the reward is specified (2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). Considering that this admonition is given seven times, it should be obvious that the Lord demands that the Believer be an overcomer.
So, the great question is, “How does a person come to the place that the Lord would say that he or she is an overcomer?”
Another question looms, “What does it mean to be an overcomer?”
First of all, the Believer must understand that, within himself, he cannot hope to arrive at this place and position which the Lord demands. Such is absolutely beyond the reach of any person, no matter who he might be, and we speak of the effort being made by the individual himself or herself. Regrettably, there are quite a few people who actually think they can do such, and who would conclude themselves to be overcomers, even though their effort is totally unbiblical. While they might refer to themselves as overcomers, the Lord, Whose decision Alone matters, doesn’t say so. The Lord will declare a person to be an overcomer only on one premise.
For a Believer to attempt to be an overcomer by his own means, he must resort to Law, because that’s the only place to go. He may not look at it as Law, and he may not think of it as Law, but, if it’s not Grace, it’s Law.
Concerning this, Paul said: “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the Law (who seek to be justified by the Law); you are fallen from Grace” (Gal. 5:4).
So, as should be obvious, there is no hope for the Believer down that path.
The only way that one can be an overcomer is God’s Way, which is according to the following:
The Believer must place his Faith solely and completely in Christ and the Cross; he must get his eyes off himself and completely on Christ and what Jesus did for us in the Atonement, which will then give the Holy Spirit latitude to work in such a life. That person is then an overcomer, and so judged by the Lord (Rom. 6:1-14; 8:1-2, 11; I Cor. 1:17-18, 23; 2:2; Gal. 6:14).
Most all Believers look to themselves in trying to ascertain whether they are an overcomer or not. To be sure, when one looks at oneself, one will find flaws aplenty. So one must discontinue looking at oneself, and look exclusively to Christ and the Cross.
This definitely does not mean that we ignore the flaws and faults in our person. Not at all! But it does mean that we’ll never get victory over these flaws and faults by our own machinations, even as religious as those machinations might be. The victory comes by faith, but it comes only by Faith anchored squarely in Christ and the Cross. If anything else is made the object of faith, that’s when the victory stops, and stops instantly! The Holy Spirit will work in our hearts and lives, Who Alone can bring about these things, strictly on the basis of the Finished Work of Christ (Rom. 8:2). In other words, the Cross of Christ is what gives the Holy Spirit the legal right to do what He does.
Therefore, to be an overcomer, one has to place his faith solely in Christ and the Cross. When one does this, one is instantly judged by the Lord as an “overcomer.” This is not something that one works toward, or gradually comes into, but is a place and position we have solely in Christ. He Alone is the Source, and the Cross is the means.“
— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
When Jesus Christ died on Calvary He opened the door to bestow many marvelous and wonderful benefits that those under the previous covenant did not have. These covenant provisions were so outstanding and grand that the author of Hebrews declared that the New Covenant believer has a better covenant with better promises. To be sure, God has never offered mankind a covenant that was not overly abundant and filled with blessing. But the Old Covenant promises cannot in any way begin to compare with what is available to the believer today. For one, every New Covenant believer becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus. Second, the Holy Spirit can now legally reside in every truly born again believer. His presence guarantees that we may find victory over sin, as well as being set free from the penalty of sin. The New Covenant Christian has been set free from the righteous requirements of the law and has been given the righteousness of Christ based solely upon expressed faith in His person and work. Time and space does not allow me to continue naming each benefit but the believer should rest assured that, because of Calvary, it is God's intention to load believers with benefits each and every day!
Psalm 68:19 - Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah
Proverbs 30:15
The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:
The horseleach speaking of what we know today as a leach, which is a blood sucker, and when it attaches itself to anything with blood, there is no end of its mission until the life is gone from its subject. This, and the next few verses, are speaking of greed and covetousness. Greed and covetousness never cease to cry, “Give, give.” Greed and covetousness will never say, “It is enough”, but rather “Give, give.”
When we accept Jesus as our treasure and exceeding great reward through our faith in His sacrificial work for us on the cross, the worldly desires that we once had with no end, seem to fade away. Only in Jesus Christ can man find satisfaction (Proverbs 19:23), and be found abiding satisfied, and this evil of greed and covetousness no longer controlling him. Many are coming back to the Old Path, which is faith exclusively in the work of Christ and His cross, and here we will be found doing the works of God (John 6:28-29) with great contentment.
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the Churches (Rev. 2:7).
The Lord addressed the “overcomer” seven times; likewise, seven times He demands that we “hear what the Spirit says unto the Churches.” One time would be significant; but considering that this Command is given seven times, I should think we would realize just how important it actually is.
That which the Spirit, i.e., “the Holy Spirit,” is saying to the Churches is found in the Word of God. If it’s not found in the Word of God, then whatever is being said, and whoever is saying it, it is not the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God will never go beyond the Word of God; in fact, He will always adhere strictly to the Word of God.
So why did Jesus give this admonition seven times?
He gave it seven times simply because of its vast significance. The problem with the modern Church, which has been the problem with the Church from the very beginning, is that it hears what men have to say, but not what the Spirit has to say. The utter absurdities that are taking place in the modern Church presently, i.e., worship, so-called; prayer, so-called; Church growth, so-called; all type of prophecies, so-called, all type of proposed manner of deliverances, which are, in fact, no deliverances at all; all, and without exception, at least of this nature, fall into the category of being unscriptural. If they are unscriptural, then the Spirit of God is not the One Who has directed this.
For instance, even though basically the entirety of the Church world has opted for “The Purpose Driven Life” philosophy, it is strictly of man and by man, which means it is not by the Lord. Although “The Purpose Driven Life” is a catchy title for a book, it’s not what the Spirit of God is saying to the Churches. Neither is the “Government of Twelve (G-12)” debacle from the Lord. It also is man-birthed and man-instituted, which means it’s not what the Spirit is saying to the Churches. You can say the same for the “Word of Faith” doctrine, which actually repudiates the Cross of Christ.
What, in fact, is the Spirit of God saying to the Churches?
The Message the Spirit of the Lord is promoting at present, that, in fact, which He has ever promoted, is “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified” (I Cor. 1:23). The Church has left the Cross; whenever the Church leaves the Cross, it goes into spiritual declension and all type of fanaticism.
When man fell in the very beginning, the Lord took man to the Cross (Gen., Chpt. 4). When the Lord began to carry out the provision of Redemption by calling a man to do so, namely Abraham, He took him to the Cross (Gen. 12:7). When the Law of Moses was given, the central theme of that Law was the Sacrificial System, which was, in effect, the Cross of Christ in symbol (Lev., Chpts. 1-7). When Jesus finally came to this world, His goal, His destination, was the Cross (Isa., Chpt. 53). When the Church was established by the Apostle Paul under the guidance of Jesus Christ, it was established on the Foundation of the Cross (I Cor. 2:2).
The Cross of Christ is the Word of God, as the Word of God is the Cross of Christ. That’s what the Spirit is saying to the Churches!“
— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
Faith is the most important commodity that belongs to the believer. Everything we receive from God we receive as a result of faith. We are saved by faith. We are set free from the powers of darkness by faith. We can extricate ourselves from the dominion of sin by faith. Faith must be in operation before a victory can enter the scene. Satan would try to oppress us and cause us to destroy faith by presenting negative situations, bombarding the mind with depressing scenarios, impacting and afflicting both soul and spirit by any means possible. Our minds must be stayed upon the promises of God as presented in His Word. Therefore, we are to address every scenario, every situation, every circumstance in light of what the Word of God says about ourselves and that particular situation. God’s Word promises that sin shall not have dominion over me. God has sent Jesus to give me a more abundant life, and not one that brings me less. Christ will meet my every need according to His riches in glory. The importance of maintaining faith during the onslaught of adversity cannot be over emphasized! So lift up your head and look to the hills from whence cometh your help. Continue to believe, no matter what may arise!
Matthew 8:26 - And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Proverbs 30:16
The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.
The four things that God says are never satisfied, and that are related to the spirit of greed and covetousness, are listed here as the grave (Hell), the barren womb; the earth that cries out for water, and the fire that desires to consume all things. Hell continues to enlarge itself (Isaiah 5:14) with all of man’s covetousness, greed and rejoicing over who he is and what he has, as he rejects Christ. The barren womb continually cries out for the newborn. The earth cries out for water and the fire can never find enough to consume.
The opposite of these things that have no end of their cry of, “Give, give,'' are the things which one will find when they have Christ, and are found abiding IN Him. There will be no experience of separation from their God, or an eternity in hell. Through the born again experience the people of God are found drinking from the wells of Christ’s salvation, which are the waters of Life, and the fire of God burns in their hearts without consuming them, for their God is a Consuming Fire (Hebrews 12:29). Because of the cross of Jesus Christ, the grave has been denied its victory, the womb has brought forth Life, and the parched soul of man has been filled with the rivers of Life while the fire of God consumes our hearts daily!! All because of the cross!
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
“And there came one of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; and I will show unto you the judgment of the great whore who sits 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 (Rev. 17:1-2).
Who is this “great whore who sits upon many waters”? In the first place, the term “many waters” speaks of vast numbers of people (17:15). The “great whore,” which is the name given by the Holy Spirit, pertains to every false religion which has ever existed, irrespective as to what it is. It is that which has been devised by men as a substitute for “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.” God’s Way is Christ and Him Crucified, and that alone!
The “many waters” are symbolic of many people and pertain to the bondage in which religion places people. In fact, all religion, in one way or the other, is filled with superstition. As a result, it always places hardship on people and provides absolutely nothing for them spiritually. So when the Holy Spirit tagged religion as the “great whore,” there could be no more perfect description. Religion, it might be said, sells itself to the highest bidder.
Down through the many centuries, even millennia, of the past ages, kings and leaders of nations have either developed a State Church or they have given over their nation in its entirety to various gods, so-called — something which was prevalent in Bible times. In fact, during Old Testament times, Israel was the only monotheistic nation in the world (worshipers of one God, Who is Jehovah), while all the other nations of the world were polytheistic (worshipers of many gods). Submission to these various heathenistic gods involved everything from human sacrifice to temple prostitution, etc.
In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church, which literally was the State Church in many countries, forced individuals, upon pain of death, to work for little or nothing in the building of their giant cathedrals. Many people were used as virtual slaves.
So, when the Holy Spirit labeled these various religious systems as the “great whore,” it was, and is, an apt description.
Another example is the religion of Islam. Nations which are ruled by Islam are some of the most poverty stricken in the world. There are approximately 300 million Arabs in the Middle East in the nations of Islam which make up that region, but the gross national product of all of these nations combined is only $60 billion, which is less than the one nation of Spain. While a few of the Arabs are obscenely rich, the rest are in dire poverty, and also have very few freedoms. And all because of the religion of Islam! Most of the people in that religion live in a form of virtual slavery.
A further example is India. The people from India are exceptionally bright, having the ability to do just about anything they so desire as far as technology, etc.; however, the nation is kept down because of the religion of Hinduism. The people worship rats, snakes, etc. If the truth be known, the majority of the problems in the world are caused by superstitious religion, which is of Satan. Once again, the appellative of “great whore” is apt.
Personally, I also think it would be proper to refer to much of what passes for “Christianity” as part of the “great whore.” To be blunt, if it’s not the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is “Christ and Him Crucified,” then, in some way or another, it is a spurious gospel and should be labeled exactly as all the other religions. Christianity without “Christ and Him Crucified” is reduced to a mere philosophy. As such, it falls under the same category as all others, i.e., “The Great Whore.”“
— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
