Flee from the midst
of Babylon,
and every one save
his life!
Do not be cut off in
her iniquity,
for this is the time
of the LORD’s vengeance;
He shall recompense
her. Babylon was a golden cup
in the LORD’s hand,
that made all the earth drunk.
The nations drank her
wine; therefore
the nations are
deranged. Babylon has
suddenly fallen and
been destroyed.
Wail for her! Take
balm for her pain;
perhaps she may be
healed.
We would have healed
Babylon,
but she is not
healed.
Forsake her, and let
us go everyone
to his own country;
for her judgment
reaches to heaven and
is lifted p to the skies.
Jeremiah 51:6–9; cf.
Revelation 14:8; 17:1–6
Jeremiah is
given to us more than some historical event in his present time, rather he was
given to us something more important, the death of that which is causing heresy
and false teaching which we are warned against: “But there were also false
prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who
will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought
them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their
destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By
covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their
judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber” (2Peter
2:1–3). Paul in writing to the Ephesians wrote these words: “Let no one
deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God
comes upon the sons of disobedience. There for do not partakers with
them”(Ephesians 5:6–7). Is this not the words of Jeremiah admonishing God’s
people to forsake the evil one who is Babylon the seat of all unrighteousness
that comes deceptively into the Church. We are to return to “his own country”
which is to be taken that we are to leave behind iniquity and those who preach
iniquity, heresy for God is bringing judgment upon all who are partakers of her
sin. Revelation gives to us what is going to happen to Babylon the seat of
sinfulness who is deceiving the world and even inserting herself into those
Churches that claim Christianity and yet are apostate. The questions for all
truth seekers are: “Will you leave behind the iniquity that you find within
your place of worship? Will you cast aside all those things which are not
Scriptural? Will you follow Jesus Christ and leave behind those eloquent
speakers, pastors, authors, who contradict Scripture? Paul admonishes us to do
so: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as
children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness,
righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have
no fellowship with the unfruitful words of darkness, but rather expose them”
(Ephesians 5:8–11).
Before
moving forward in this study the time has come to look back into history for in
history will see how false teaching came into existence and affected the whole
world. It is this false teaching found in its infancy that has caused those
heresies, i.e., Gnosticism, Manicheanism, Neoplatonism, Montanism, Arianism,
and much of what has come to be found in those Churches that have adopted those
secrete, and deceptive teachings and educate their followers in error. It is
more than coincidence that Scripture points to Babylon and applies to Babylon
iniquity and the mother of heresy. It is by Babylon that God is blasphemed and
they extend this blasphemy to their followers who in turn are blaspheming God.
The religion(s) of Babylon fragmented into various theological views and can be
found in Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Greek religion, and then fragmented more
into such heresies as Gnosticism and Neoplatonism, and others. The symbols used
in Chaldean, even the rites used, objects used in their worship, and furthermore,
the very practice dispensed upon the people can be found in use in many
so–called Christian Churches. Knowing these things will aid a person to
understand why Scripture used the term “Babylon,” “Babylon the Great,” and
Babylon being called the mother of harlots. The ancient religions are mystical
religions and their mysticism has infected many Churches. A study of language,
the epistemology of words is a study that brings forth fruit so it is not
wasted study. Many of the words of Babylon are simply words used by other
cultures, and we must apprehend how those words and all their grammatical uses,
and changes, are to be found in many religions and Christian Churches. Babylon
was the primal source for all historians to see that this is true; the great
antiquity of this primitive worship system has abundant evidence that can be
found among the inhabitants of Assyrian plains, Egypt. These mysteries of the
Chaldean religion were shrouded in darkness, but with study this darkness
begins to shrink away and the light of truth shines forth manifesting the
truth. It is exciting, this study as it brings such illumination upon our God,
our Creator, our Savior, and the Holy Spirit and we fall to our knees in
worship to the true God, humbled that God will save His children and will one
destroy all iniquity, even the iniquity of Babylon with all its deceptive
intrusion into the lives of many people.
Be ready to
cast away all that is contradictory to Scripture. Be ready to receive the
blessings of God. Be ready for eternity. Jesus is coming, sin will be
destroyed, and you will live eternally in a world prepared for the Bride of
Christ.
From an old Church song:
This world is not my home
I’m just a
passing thru
My treasures are laid up somewhere
Beyond the
blue
The angels beckon me from
Heaven’s
open door,
And I can’t feel at home
In this
world anymore. (words and music; JR Baxter, Jr. 1946)
Hallelujah! Your are His
Richard L. Crumb
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