Mystery, Babylon the Great can be none other than the church of Rome.  Only Protestantism can be her daughters—the image of the beast.   They worship the same gods, usurp the authority of God, violate the Sabbath, and changed the gospel of Christ.  “And here is the mind which hath wisdom.  The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.” (Rev. 17:9)  Only Rome is synonymously known as the city of seven hills.  Only the Catholic Church has her seat in Rome.  Mystery, Babylon the Great will be synonymously used with the term beast woman; as she is the woman [church] who sits upon the beast with seven heads and ten horns.

Go to Antichrist

A characteristic of the Catholic Church, since it was founded by Constantine, has been intolerance.  Those who did not agree with Constantine were eliminated.  Every man should respect the right of every other man to worship according to the dictates of his own conscience.  Censorship is a sign of deception.  Truth has no fear of investigation.  I would prefer not to tear down another’s house (beliefs); but rather to build a better one on a rock.  As there has been considerable interest in Mystery, Babylon the Great, and other subjects in Revelation, I will address this subject; but, will ask that none be offended by my words.

The foundation of Mystery, Babylon the Great is Rome.  John’s comparison of the kingdom of Satan and the church of Satan with the Church of Christ begins in Revelation 12.  He compares the Church of Christ to, “a woman with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” (12:1)  The Church of Christ is clothed in the light of God’s revealed word.  She has direct communication with God.  The Church of Christ is built on the rock of revelation.  The moon is under her feet; because she is not guided by reflected light, the doctrines and commandments of men.  The crown of twelve stars is the twelve Apostles.

The organization of the Church of Christ is immutable.  “11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Eph. 4)  Apostles and Prophets have always stood at the head of the church; and will “Till we all come in unity of the faith.”

Rome declared war against the church and the saints of God.  First, Rome destroyed the Church of Christ with the death of the last Apostle, John.  “And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” (11:6)  Rome then declared war on the remaining holy priesthood.  “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed [holy priesthood], which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev. 11:17)

Finally, Rome destroyed all the saints of God on earth.  Mystery, Babylon the Great now stood all powerful over Rome and the souls of man.  This power was to continue 1260 years.  “5 …and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months… 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to OVERCOME them: and power was given him over ALL kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (12:5, 7)  At the end of the 1260 years, “6 I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to EVERY nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” (Rev. 14:6)  “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto [against] all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matt. 24:14)

John describes Mystery, Babylon the Great, the church of Satan, as a woman having direct association with the beast.  "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." (Rev. 17:3-5)

This grand association of the kingdom of Satan and the church of Satan was established by Constantine in the early fourth century.  Constantine envisioned himself as the absolute ruler of Rome.  He declared war on anyone who posed a threat as rival, killing many of his own family.  He stood as the sole monarch of Rome from 323 AD to his death, fourteen years later.

This father of modern Christianity deserves careful examination.  The history of Constantine is one of using the sword to accomplish his goals.  He murdered his father-in-law Maximian in 310.  Then he killed his main rival, and brother-in-law, Maxentius in 312; and had his head "carried through the city on a pike."   He killed his brother-in-law Bassianus in 314, his nephew Lincinianus, a boy of only 13, in 319, and his wife Fausta in 320.

It seems he was struck by the horror of his own sword.  He went to Sopater, a pagan priest and philosopher, and asked him to forgive his sins.  After being told there was no kind of purification that could forgive such enormities, he went to the Christian bishops, who promised to cleanse him of all sin through baptism.  These bishops, in their quest for power, offered the impossible.  There is no forgiveness in this life for a murderer; as David discovered (2 Sam. 11:15; Acts 2:29).  Constantine murdered Sopater, who had refused him absolution, Licinius his brother-in-law in 324, Crispius his own son in 326, and some hundred thousand dissenters.  Constantine ruled church and state by the sword.

"Perhaps the most visible part of Constantine's Christianizing program was a hurried campaign to build large and resplendent churches everywhere." (Ibid., p. 196)  "Constantine traveled to Jerusalem in 335 to preside at the dedication of the completed Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.  It was one of the most magnificent churches in the world at the time." (Constantine's Sword, p. 199)

"To a world threatened by dissolution, the unifying impulse can only seem virtuous, yet the perennial human problem is how to keep the ideal of unity free of the burden of tyranny, and that problem reached a point of crisis in the Age of Constantine.  For him, unification was by definition a matter of domination.  And that played itself out in the wars he waged against his rivals.  But military domination was only part of his agenda.  At a deeper level, he wanted a spiritual domination too." (Ibid., p. 180)

Constantine was troubled by the religious diversity in the empire.  Before he could stand as absolute ruler over the body and soul of man, he had to establish a state religion.  Ninety percent of the citizens of Rome were pagan.  Christians were a minor part of the empire; but, their numbers had been growing rapidly; after Rome stopped their persecution.  It was clear that any state religion had to have its roots in paganism.  Jews could not be converted to paganism.  Christians, on the other hand, had been slipping back into their former pagan traditions for hundreds of years.

The resolution was to convert Christianity to paganism, by adopting the pagan gods, doctrines, holy days, rites, and festivals into Christianity; and then give them Christian names.  In 325 AD, Constantine organized the Catholic (universal) Church, as the state religion.  He stood as the absolute head of the church; and as god on earth.  The woman “arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand” was officially the state religion of Rome.

Constantine stood with absolute civil ruling power over Rome.  Magnificence and splendor became the trademark of Constantine.  He built a magnificent palace in Tier; and took his place as God on earth.  "It is impossible to stand under the magnificent coffered ceiling and not see a throng of togas, great ladies in diadems lining the heated wall, bowing at his arrival.  Below them, in subterranean caverns, slaves would have labored at boilers to heat the mosaic tiles on which he walked, creating an artificial climate intended to make chilly Trier feel like Rome.  Every effort would have gone to enhance the impression made by this one man, and from what followed, we know that it all succeeded.  'And now, all rising at the signal which indicated the emperor's entrance'-- this is Eusebius describing an arrival that he witnessed-- 'at last he himself proceeded through the midst of the assembly, like some heavenly messenger of God, clothed in raiment which glittered as it were with rays of light, reflecting the glowing radiance of a purple robe, and adorned with the brilliant splendor of gold and precious stones." (Ibid., pp. 179, 180)

The Great Whore

She is called “the great whore" (Rev. 17:1; 19:2) because she is not the bride of Christ; but usurps the name (authority) of God.  “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.” (Heb. 5:4)  She received her authority from the unbaptized, pagan Roman Emperor Constantine.  She sat on, and received her power from, the beast; rather than from God.  As the mother of all Christian churches who usurp the authority of God, she is the "great whore," "THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS."  Having lost all authority from God, she embraced Gentile kings; and received her support from the purses of ungodly and usurping Emperors.  She has prostituted herself to the nations of the world; as the Church of Christ.  She denies revelation to man, by which divine authority is vested.  "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2 Tim. 3:5)  "...worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (19:10)

Seven Kings

John identifies the woman with seven world powers.  By filling in the blanks, it is easy to see the association between catholicity and Rome.  "And there are seven kings: five are fallen [ Egypt , Assyria , Babylon , Persia , and Greece ], and one [6] is [Pagan Rome], and the other [7] is not yet come [Pagan Christian Rome, begun by Constantine ]; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space [325 AD to 476 AD].  And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth [Papal Rome], and is of the seventh, and goeth into perdition." (17:10, 11)  She will remain on the earth; until Jesus returns to take vengeance on her and those associated with her.

Seven Heads and Ten Horns

Seven Heads.  The beast woman and the beast with "seven heads and ten horns" share the same identity.  John's description of the seven heads gave a most exact description of the woman; and her headquarters.  "And here is the mind which hath wisdom.  The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth" (17:9)  Only one city has been synonymously known as the city of seven hills:  ROME .  "And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." ( 17:18 )  She ruled over the kingdoms of Europe through her self-appointed kings.

Ten Horns.  "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." ( 17:12 )  The "ten horns" describe the division of Rome into ten kingdoms (later Europe ).  They had "received no kingdom" in the days of John.

The Huns (1) were first to attack Rome in 406 AD.  The others were the Vandals (2), Visigoths (3), Brugundians (4), Ostrogoths (5), Anglos and Saxons (6), Franks (7), Avars (8), Byzantine (9), and finally (10) the Lombards in 570 AD.

John wrote, "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." (17:16, 17)  The ten kingdoms, which divided Rome, finally led to her fall in 476 AD.  Pagan Rome and Pagan Christian Rome came to an end; and Papal Rome began.

Only the Roman Empire matches John's description of the city of seven hills and ten kingdoms.  The period from 406 to 570 AD was truly a short time in history; "one hour with the beast." ( 17:12 )  It is important to note the tenth kingdom was established the same year Papal Rome rose to power.  The Catholic church was servant to the Roman Emperors; until she came to power in 570 AD.

By identifying the beast (Rome), one also identifies the woman who sits on the beast (Catholic Church).  The dragon (12:3) was Pagan Rome.  The first beast (13:1) was Pagan Christian Rome (325 - 476 AD).  The second beast (13:11) was Papal Rome (570 AD - Jesus return).

Rules Over Kings

What Christian church, after the crucifixion of Jesus, ruled over the kings of the earth?  Only one.  "9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom.  The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth...18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." (Rev. 17)

That "great city" is the city of seven hills:  Rome.  The Catholic Church began her rise to power under Constantine.  In 570 AD, she became a world power.  She made and broke kings.  The pope tried to bring down King Henry VIII, only to result in a divided church with the Church of England becoming independent under the Archbishop of Canterbury.

APPEARANCE  OF  THE  BEAST  WOMAN

John wrote this woman sat "upon a scarlet coloured beast;" (Rev. 17:3) 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." (17:4)

When Constantine took control of the Pagan Roman Empire, " 'at last he himself proceeded through the midst of the assembly, like some heavenly messenger of God, clothed in raiment which glittered as it were with rays of light, reflecting the glowing radiance of a purple robe, and adorned with the brilliant splendor of gold and precious stones." (Constantine's Sword, p. 180)

The red color of the beast and clothing of the woman was significant in Babylon long before Rome.  "Then the word rendered 'Red' properly means 'Fiery'; so that the 'Red Dragon' signifies the 'Fiery Serpent' or 'Serpent of Fire'... they put the servent in the place of the Master; and called the sun Baal-- that is, the Lord-- and worshipped him accordingly... As the sun in the heavens was the great object of worship, so fire was worshipped as its earthly representative... the sun was the great enlightener of the physical world, so the serpent was held to have been the great enlightener of the spiritual... For this animal [serpent or snake] was esteemed by him to be the most spiritual of all the reptiles, and of a FIERY [RED OR EVIL] nature..." (The Two Babylons, pp. 226, 227)

" 'Scarlet' (17:3, 4), color of the Beast and the Harlot, and also of the Dragon (12:3), is the Color of the Papacy.  The Papal Throne is Scarlet.  It is borne by twelve men clad in Scarlet.  The Cardinals' hats and robes are Scarlet.  Originally the Devil's color (12:3), it has now become the Color of Atheistic Communism:  they are commonly spoken of as Reds, Red Army, Red Territory, the Red Square in Moscow, the Devil again marshalling his hosts from Without." (Halley's Bible Handbook, p. 732)

John speaks of her "having a golden cup in her hand." The "golden cup," although new to Christianity, was perfectly familiar among pagans.  "The Apocalyptic emblem of the Harlot woman with the cup in her hand was even embodied in the symbols of idolatry derived from ancient Babylon... and it is singular that in our own day, and so far as appears for the first time, the Roman Church has actually taken this very symbol as her own chosen emblem.  In 1825, on the occassion of the jubilee, Pope Leo XII. struck a medal, bearing on the one side his own image, and on the other, that of the Church of Rome symbolised as a 'Woman,' holding in her left hand a cross, and in her right a CUP, with the legend around her, 'Sedet super universum,' 'The whole world is her seat.' " (The Two Babylons, p. 6)

CHARACTER  OF  THE  BEAST  WOMAN

John wrote she is "full of abominations and filthiness."  The abominations, immoral, and brutal nature of the Catholic Church fills the blackest pages of history.  How soon people forget.  Knowledge and understanding are fruits enjoyed by the educated.  History gives the number she killed as 50,000,000.

Some would think it makes no difference.  "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." (Matt. 7:18, 19)  Her power over the souls of men has not changed.  She still worships the same pagan gods, usurps the authority of God, worships on the "venerable day of the sun," and blasphemes the name of God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost.  Her fate is sealed, "Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city!  for in one hour is thy judgment come." (18:10)

" 'Filthiness of her Fornication' (17:4).  Appalling Immoralities of Popes of the Middle Ages are well known." (Halley's Bible Handbook, p. 732) 

"The Darkest Period of the Papacy

"Adran II (867-872). John VIII (872-882). Marinus (882-884). With these Popes began the Darkest Period of the Papacy (870-1050). The 200 years between Nicolas I and Gregory VII is called by historians the MIDNIGHT OF THE DARK AGES. Bribery, Corruption, Immorality and Bloodshed, make it just about the Blackest Chapter in the Whole History of the Church." (Ibid., p. 774)

"Rule of the Harlots

"Sergius III (904-911).  Said to have had a mistress, Marozia.  She, her mother Theodora, and her sister, 'filled the Papal chair with their paramours and bastard sons, and turned the Papal Palace into a den of robbers.'  Called in history The Rule of the Harlots (904-963)

"Anatasius III (911-913). Lando (913-914). John X (914-9249), 'was brought from Ravenna to Rome and made Pope by Theodora for the more convenient gratification of her passion.'  He was smothered to death by Marozia, who, then, in succession, raised to the Papacy Leo VI (928-929), and Stephen VII (929-931), her own illegitimate son.  Another of her sons appointed the four following Popes, Leo VII (936-939), Stephen VIII (939-936), Martin III son of Marozia, was 'guilty of almost every crime; violated virgins and widows, high and low; lived with his father's mistress; made the Papal Palace a brothel; was killed while in the act of adultery by the woman's enraged husband.' " (Ibid., p. 774)

"Depths of Papal Degradation

"Leo VIII (963-965). John XIII (965-972). Benedict VI (972-974). Donus II (974). Benedict VII (975-983). John XIV (983-084).

"Boniface VII (984-985), murdered Pope John XIV, and 'maintained himself on the blood-stained Papal Throne by a lavish distribution of stolen money.'  The Bishop of Orleans, referring to John XII, Leo VIII and Boniface VII, called them 'monsters of guilt, reeking in blood and filth; Antichrist sitting in the Temple of God.'

"John XV (985-996). Gregory V (996-999. Sylvester II (999-1003). John XVII (1003). John XVIII (1003-1008). Sergius IV (1009-1012). Benedict VIII (1012-1024), bought the Office of Pope with open bribery.  This was called SIMONY, that is, the purchase or sale of Church Office with money.

"John XIX (1024-1033), Bought the Papacy.  He passed through all the necessary clerical degrees in one day.

"Benedict IX (1033-1045), was made Pope as a boy 12 years old, through a money bargain with the powerful families that ruled Rome.

"Surpassed John XII in wickedness; committed murders and adulteries in broad daylight; robbed pilgrims on the graves of martyrs; a hideous criminal, the people drove him out of Rome.' Some call him the Worst of all the Popes.

"Gregory VI (1045-1046), Bought the Papacy.  Three rival Popes:  Benedict IX, Gregory VI, Sylvester III.  'Rome swarmed with hired assassins; virtue of pilgrims was violated.'

"Clement II (1046-1047), was appointed Pope by Emperor Henry III of Germany 'because no Roman clergyman could be found who was free of the pollution of Simony and Fornication.'

" Damascus II (1048). Loud protests against Papal Infamy, and a Cry for Reform found answer in Hildebrand." (Ibid., pp. 774, 775)

BLASPHEMIES  OF  THE  BEAST  WOMAN

  The beast could not be guilty of blasphemy; until united with the church.  One of the great keys to identifying this church, as the beast woman, is found in her doctrines.  The beast, which the beast woman rode upon, was "full of names of blasphemy." (Rev. 17:3), had "upon his heads the name of blasphemy," (13:1) "a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies," (13:5) and "opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven." (13:6)

Blasphemy is primarily a sin of a either a person, or church that calls something of God, that is not of God.  The first three commandments forbid honoring any other God than that of Israel, usurping the authority of God, and violating the Sabbath.  The beast woman went even further.

Many would like to think of Constantine as the great convert and benefactor of Christianity.  The one thing that never changed with Constantine was his goal of standing at the head of a unified (civil and religious) Rome.  Constantine was the great conqueror of his day.  He unified church and state, not by the word of God; but, by the sword.  He even founded hatred against the Jews.  He did not convert to Christianity; he converted Christianity to paganism to unite Rome.  The doctrines of Babylon and Rome were amalgamated into Christianity.

There was no central organization in the Christian church, after the death of the Apostles.  Even before their death, Christians were slipping back into their pagan traditions.  Constantine organized and stood at the head of the Catholic Church in 325 AD, at the Council of Nicea.  He gave the orders and stood at the helm; and the Christian bishops followed his commands.  The pagan priests fell to his sword, when they would not offer him forgiveness for all his murders.  He lavished the treasures of Rome on the bishops, converted pagan temples for them, and built many other resplendent churches.  The new Christian churches and their doctrines were a replica of the pagan.

Most significant was the new creed that would stand as the official foundation for Christian worship:  the Creed of Saint Athanasius.  "And the Catholic faith is this:  That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity."  Constantine changed the one and only true and living God of Israel to the Trinitarian gods of paganism.  This was the first official act of the Catholic Church.  "Those who dissented were exiled by Constantine." (Constantine's Sword, p. 189)

The greatest law ever given to man was love of God.  "I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth." (Ex. 20:2-4)  The worst "graven image" has been using the mystic cross of "Tau," the symbol of the false messiah.  The Catholic Church has been full of icons (idols); and has included worshipping Mary, saints, and all the mysteries of Babylon.

"But even in Paul, the cross as such did not compete, for instance, with the waters of baptism as the Christian community's metaphoric representation of dying with Christ.  As he put it, 'All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death'... Before Constantine, the cross lacked religious and symbolic significance... Such symbols were ubiquitous in early Christianity, but the cross is simply not to be found among them… The place of the cross in the Christian imagination changed with Constantine." (Constantine's Sword, pp. 174-175)

"The same sign of the cross that Rome now worships was used in Babylonian Mysteries, was applied by Paganism to the same magic purposes, was honoured with the same honours.  That which is now called the Christian cross was originally no Christian emblem at all, but was the mystic Tau of the Chaldeans and Egyptians--the true original form of the letter T--the initial of the name of Tammuz--which, in Hebrew, radically the same as ancient Chaldee, as found on coins... That mystic Tau was marked in baptism on the foreheads of those initiated in the Mysteries, and was used in every variety of way as a most sacred symbol... To identify Tammuz with the sun it was joined sometimes to the circle of the sun... Maltese cross is an express symbol of the sun; for Layard found it as a sacred symbol in Nineveh in such a connection as led him to identify it with the sun... it was already in use as early as the fifteenth century before the Christian era... The cross was worshipped by the Pagan Celts long before the incarnation and death of Christ." (The Two Babylons, pp. 197-199)

The Trinitarian gods of paganism are idols that do not exist in the Bible.  Every principle of the Trinity defies Biblical teaching.  The Trinity teaches that God is "incomprehensible."  The Bible teaches, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3)  The Trinity belies itself by stating the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are all three the same substance and same God.  The Father could not, then, exist until he had begotten the Son.  The Holy Ghost could not exist until the Father had begotten the Son; as the Holy Ghost proceeds from both.  The Bible teaches that Jesus was the only begotten of the Father; and the creator of this creation.  When Jesus was baptized, “the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 316, 17)  Yet the creed declares, “in the Trinity none is afore, or after other; none is greater or less than another.”  I call Jesus to the stand.  “If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” (John 14:28)

God is described like the light that proceeds from a fire.  On one hand the creed claims Jesus is “of the Substance of the Father.”  But, it also claims, “The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son.” As they are one in substance, they beget themselves in the form of the Jesus.  Since "none is greater, or less than another," the universe was without God for the years that Jesus was a fetus in the womb, an infant, and a child who learned by the things which he suffered.  As one in the Son, they were tempted of Satan; even though God cannot be tempted of evil.  They died, even though God alone has immortality.  As all three are one, they can be none.

The creed of Saint Athanasius has been the source of controversy; since the day it was adopted by Constantine.  It divided eastern and western Rome; and divided various peoples (such as the Arians) against Roman doctrine.  It is blasphemy to call anything God; which is not.  The God of Israel is not the god of the pagans.  There is no "Thus saith the Lord" in Babylon.

Following on the heels of this Trinity was the demi-god doctrine of Babylon and Rome.  They believed their gods beget other gods on innocent women.  This pagan belief falls to the ground when applied to Jesus.  He had to be of the seed of Abraham, Judah, and David, "according to the flesh." (Rom. 1:2)  Matthew and Luke both gave His genealogy through Joseph.  Mary was of the tribe of Levi.  If Jesus was the "child of the Holy Ghost," He was neither "of the Father alone," nor the seed Abraham , Judah , and David.

Joseph and Mary were married for some time before the conception of Jesus.  It was tradition to fulfill the bond of marriage the same night.  How long does it take to tell a woman is with child?  It is nothing short of blasphemy to call Jesus the illegitimate son of the Holy Ghost.  As the Father and the Son are one, and the Holy Ghost proceeds from both, they became the bastard sons of themselves.  Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost can never be forgiven (Matt. 12:31).  "And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth [Papal Rome], and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition." ( 17:11 )  The Bible does not identify either Jesus, or the Holy Ghost, as the Heavenly Father.  Jesus always submitted His will to the Father.  “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5:30)  “21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” (John 17)

God commanded, "Thou shalt not take the name [authority] of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." (Ex. 20:7)  God had always spoken to His people.  "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)  Prophets and apostles of God were gone; and God had fell silent.  Man had fallen back into idolatry.

Constantine, an unbaptized, pagan sun worshipper, never varied in his religious self-understanding that he "was divinely commissioned 'that the whole world should belong' to him... Constantine fully understands himself by now as the 'the vice-regent of God.' " (Constantine's Sword, pp.181, 187)  " Constantine asserted the right to exercise absolute authority over the entire church." (Ibid. p. 188)  By unifying church and state, he stood as Supreme ruler.

Constantine and popes, alike, have blasphemed God by declaring themselves god on earth.  The Bible warns of the man of sin, the son of perdition, "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." (2 Thess. 2:4)

The cross, that was previously the accursed tree, now became the symbol of salvation.  It was originally the "Tau" of paganism, representing the false messiah.  The original form of the letter "T" was in the shape of a cross; which represented Tammuz.  The symbol of the cross was never found among Christians.  Christians honored the resurrection and not the crucifixion.  "With the CROSS at the center of a theology of salvation, it BECOMES THE MEANS OF SALVATION." (Constantine's Sword, p. 191)  Constantine changed the saving nature of the resurrection of Jesus to salvation by the physical cross.  Saints of God are forbidden to make any graven images.  The cross became the great icon of Constantine's church.  By making the sign of paganism the great icon (idol) of his church, Constantine caused Christianity to fall victim to one of the worst blasphemies.

Constantine was ever loyal to the sun god.  Sol Invictus, the Unconquered Sun, was his slogan; and was even put on his coins.  Constantine changed the Sabbath to the "venerable day of the sun."  The Sabbath was a sign between God and His people forever (Ex. 31:17).  In trying to marry Christianity to paganism, Constantine created a whore; instead of the woman clothed with the sun.

The celebration of the birth of the sun on December 25th, was changed to represent the birth of Jesus.  Christians had never honored His birth; only His resurrection.  Scholars world-wide note that Jesus was not born in the winter; but, most likely in the Spring.  Constantine had, again, married Christianity to paganism to satisfy his pagan followers.  How else could pagans be made Christians; other than to make Christianity pagan?

The Spring celebration of Easter, was easily amalgamated into the crucifixion.  Easter is not a Christian term; but is a title for Astarte, the queen of heaven.  Even the forty days was found in paganism.  "To conciliate the Pagans to nominal Christianity, Rome, pursuing its usual policy, took measures to get the Christian and Pagan festivals amalgamated, and, by a complicated but skilful adjustment of the calendar, it was found no difficult matter, in general, to get Paganism and Christianity-- now far sunk in idolatry-- in this as in so many other things, to shake hands." (The Two Babylons, p. 105)

Such doctrines originated in Babylon about fifteen hundred years before Jesus.  When taught as Christian doctrine, these blasphemies brought the worst of curses.  They have been passed by tradition to every Gentile generation.  Soon, she will be taken with the image of the beast, with those who have worshipped the beast and have his mark on them, and they will be “cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” (Rev. 19:20)

  THE MAN OF SIN

Paul wrote, before Jesus returns, the Gentiles would fall into apostasy; and finally that "man of sin," the "son of perdition," would be revealed.  “3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” (2 Thess. 2) 

The "man of sin" can be identified by finding a church leader who "as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."  The Catholic Church has consistently taught that the pope is The Vicar of the Son of God!  A vicar is "a person who acts in place of another."  The pope took the place of Jesus, "who is the blessed AND ONLY Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords." (1 Tim. 6:15)

Modern preachers in their wisdom, whose light is like a dark night, have tried to explain the mark of the beast.  John wrote, "Here is wisdom.  Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six." (13:8)  To find the number of the beast, 666, one has only to look for a religious leader associated with Rome, “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” (2 Thess. 2:4)

"The power of the pope is greater than all created power, extending itself to things celestial, terrestrial and infernal, and that the pope doeth whatsoever he listeth even things unlawful, and is MORE THAN GOD." (Dissertation on the Prophecies, Rev. G. S. Faber, Vol. 1, p. 203)

John wrote the number of the beast "is the number of a man."  Let us consider the only plausible explanation of John's 666.  Only the Catholic Church has been married to Rome.  The name of the Pope, that has been consistently accepted by the Catholic church throughout the ages is:  The Vicar of the Son of God!  The original Latin conversion is Vicarius Filii Dei.  There is no numeral for "U" in Latin.  The letter "V" is always used in its place.

  V = 5; I = 1; C = 100; A = 0; R = 0; I = 1; U/V = 5; S = 0 == 112

F = 0; I = 1; L = 50; I = 1; I = 1 == 53

D = 500; E = 0; I = 1 == 501

112 + 53 + 501=666

  Identifying Papal Rome, as the personification of the beast, is an essential piece of evidence in the mystery of the beast and the beast woman:  Mystery, Babylon the Great.  John wrote, "and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns." (17:3)

What greater blasphemy can there be than to be called, and assume the character, of "God on earth"?  "And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he." (Mark 12:32)

"The bishop of Rome hath authority to judge all men and especially the articles of faith, and that without any councils.  But no man hath authority to judge him... It is not lawful for any man to dispute of his power... The bishop of Rome may compel princes to receive his laws... Forasmuch as HE IS CALLED GOD he may be judged of no man, for God may be judged of no man... he that acknowledgeth not himself to be under the bishop of Rome and that the bishop of Rome is ordained by God to have primacy over all the world, is a heretic and cannot be saved." (Cramer's, Collection of Tenets from the Canon law; History and Revelation, Vol. 3, p. 379, Rev. J. H. Braund)

"And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and THINK TO CHANGE TIMES AND LAWS: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time." (Dan. 7:24, 25)

A papal decree stated, "I do make holy and unholy; I do justify the wicked; I forgive sins; I open and no man shutteth.  All the world is my diocese, and I am the ordinary of all men, having the authority of the King of Kings upon subjects.  I am in all and above all... If these things that I do be said to be done not of man, but of God, WHAT DO YOU MAKE ME BUT GOD?... I being above all prelates, seem by this reason to be above all gods;  whereupon no marvel if it be in my power to CHANGE TIMES AND ABROGATE LAWS, to DISPENSE with all things, yea, THE PRECEPTS OF CHRIST." (Bolton's, The Great Antichrist, p. 48)

The pope took upon himself authority to stand above Christ; and even authority to change the gospel of Christ.  "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Rom. 1:16)  Jesus, the Redeemer, was replaced with the cross of "Tau," the symbol of idolatry.  "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)  "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they THAT DO HIS COMMANDMENTS, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie." (22:13-15)

"The power of the pope is greater than all created power, extending itself to things both celestial and terrestrial and infernal." (Jepp's Terminal Synchronism, p. 5)

"Christ hath set one man over the world, him whom he hath appointed his VICAR on earth... In him [pope] alone is the right of making laws... His sentence is not to be repealed by anyone... He is to be judged by none." (words of Pope Innocent III, Elements of Prophetic Interpretation, Rev. J. W. Brooks, pp. 378-382)

"The pope is of so great dignity and excellence, that he is not merely man, but as if God.  The pope alone is called most holy, divine monarch, and supreme emperor, and King of Kings.  The pope is of so great dignity and power, and he constitutes one and the same tribunal with Christ, so that whatever the pope does seems to proceed from the mouth of God.  THE POPE IS AS GOD ON EARTH." (Guiness, Romanism and the Reformation, pp. 25, 26)

"Lamb of God!  that takes away the sins of the world!  The people think of the pope as the ONE GOD that has power over all things in earth and heaven." (Gershon on the declaration of Pope Martin IV, Elliott's Horae Apocayptica, Vol. 3, p. 189)

"All the names which are given in the Scriptures to Christ, even these same names are given to the Pope." (Hughes-Breckenridge Debate, 58. Bellamine Authority of Councils, quoted by Breckridge in the debate)

"The priest is a 'God' who makes gods."  (The Priest:  His Dignity and Obligations, by Saint John Enden, published in 1685, pp. 13, 182.  Reissued under the Imprimatur, of Cardinal Spellman in 1946)

"Roman Pontiff has from on high an authority which is supreme above all others and subject to none."  (Encyclical, Light of Truth, Pope Pius II, p. 5)

Possibly the most inclusive statement of identity and powers of popes was given in the Dissertation on the Prophecies (Rev. G. S. Faber, Vol. 1, pp. 203, 204):

1.  "Our Lord God the Pope."
2.  "Another God upon the Earth."
3. "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
4. "His Majesty Divine."
5. "The power of the pope is greater than all created power, extending itself to things celestial, terrestrial and infernal, and that the pope doeth whatsoever he listeth even things unlawful, and is MORE THAN GOD."
6. "The victorious God and man in his see at Rome."
7. "Named GOD by Constantine.
8. "The Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world."
9. "The Most Holy who carrieth the Most Holy."
10. "All the kings of the earth shall worship him and all nations serve him."

WAR  AGAINST  THE  SAINTS

Power was given to the beast (Rev. 13:1, 11) "to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (13:7, 8)  The beasts, image to the beast, the beast woman (Mystery, Babylon the Great), and her harlots all share the same identity in the eyes of God.  John wrote of the beast woman that she was "drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus." (17:6)

The first war was physical.  The Apostles were hanged, cut to pieces, beheaded, stoned, roasted, and crucified.  The saints were offered to the gladiators; and fed to lions.  The greatest abomination against man is killing.  "If any man have an ear, let him hear.  He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword.  Here is the patience and the faith of the saints." (13: 9, 10)

We can only guess at how many innocent Christians died at the hands of Rome.  The swords of Rome, Constantine, and the popes, wrote some of the bloodiest pages in history.  Constantine adopted the same sword to become Supreme ruler of church and state.  He believed the end justified the means.  "For him, unification was by definition a matter of domination.  And that played itself out in the wars he waged against his rivals." (Constantine's Sword, p. 180)

Constantine was the first absolute authority over the Catholic Church.  He enforced his decrees with the sword.  He defeated Maxentius who was "unable even to mount an orderly retreat...his wife's brother's head was carried through the city on a pike." (Ibid., p. 182)  After Maxentius, his sole rival was Licinius; who he "offered his half-sister in marriage." (Ibid., p. 182) "In 324, at the Battle of Chrysopolis, on the eastern side of the Bosporus, Constantine defeated Licinius, his last political rival."  After a secret conspiracy by his wife and her son, "Constantine ordered the murder of his firstborn son... What we do know is in that same fateful year [326 AD, one year after the Council of Nicea], shortly after murdering his son, Constantine murdered his wife." (Ibid., p. 203)  "In all of this, the family of Constantine was an authentic sacrament of the true state of the empire he had created-- not in the holy concord of the legend but in its unleashed murderous violence." (Ibid., p. 204)

By naming those who dissented with him guilty of heresy, they could be exterminated by civil law.  "In this way, the choice ('heresy') to be religiously different became defined as treason, a political crime... It is important to emphasize that this need, which has so dominated Roman Catholicism that even now the Church cannot break free of it, was first defined not by the Lord... nor by his apostles... nor by their successors... nor by their successor bishops... nor by theologians... nor by preachers... but by an all-conquering emperor for whom one empire hand come to equal one religion." (Ibid., p. 189)

The popes carried this murderous assault to unbelievable numbers; and left the earth red with the blood of martyrs.  " 'War on the Saints' (13:7). Historians estimate that, in the Middle Ages and Early Reformation Era, more than 50,000,000 martyrs perished." (Halley's Bible Handbook, p. 726)

" 'Drunk with the Blood of Martyrs' (17:6).  The Horrors of the Inquisition, ordered and maintained by the Popes, over a period of 500 years, in which unnumbered millions were tortured and burned, constitute the MOST BRUTAL, BEASTLY and DEVILISH PICTURE in all history.

"It is not pleasant to write these things.  It is inconceivable that any Ecclesiastical Organization, in its mania for Power, could have distorted and desecrated an corrupted, for its own exaltation, the beautiful and holy religion of Jesus, as the Papacy as done.

"But Facts are Facts.  And History is History.  And, most amazing of all, it seems exactly pre-figured in Revelation.  No wonder John's vision made him sick at heart (10:10)."  (Ibid., p. 732)

"...the Church devised the Inquisition to cope with the rising tide of heresy and to bring about religious conformity.  The Inquisition was an elaborate system of inquiry into the beliefs of persons suspected of heresy.  The accused were tried in the Inquisition's court without the aid of legal counsel.  If the accused person confessed and renounced his heresy he was 'reconciled' with the Church on performance of penance.  If he did not voluntarily confess, he could be declared a heretic and turned over to the secular authorities, perhaps to be burned at the stake.

"In any evaluation of the Inquisition, it should be remembered that the soul was considered incomparably more important than the body - therefore to torture a suspected heretic was justifiable if by confession his soul could be saved from the greater tortures of hell.  Furthermore, the use of torture and the denial of legal counsel prevailed in civil as well as in ecclesiastical courts." (Civilizations Past and Present, p. 230)

"No computation can reach the number who have been put to death, in different ways, on account of their maintaining the profession of the gospel, and opposing the corruption of the Church of Rome.  A million of the poor Waldenses perished in France; nine hundred thousand Christians were slain in less than thirty years after the institution of the Jesuits; the Duke of Alva boasted of having put thirty-six thousand to death in the Netherlands, by the hands of the common executioner, during the space of a few years.  The Inquisition destroyed by tortures, one hundred and fifty thousand Christians, within thirty years.  These are a few specimens, and but a few of those which history has recorded; but the total amount will never be known till the earth shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.  These were put to death by the secular arm; by that power, of which the Empire was the Head, and which subsisted in TEN KINGDOMS:  for the persecuting ecclesiastical power, condescended to employ kings and emperors as the executioners of its murderous decrees." (Bible Commentary, Rev. Scott, Vol. 3, p. 947)

"Upon February 16, 1568 , a sentence OF THE HOLY OFFICE, condemned all the inhabitants of the Netherlands to death as heretics.  From this universal doom only a few persons, especially named, were excepted.  A proclamation of the king, dated ten days later, confirmed this decree of the Inquisition, and ordered it to be carried into instant execution, without regard to age, sex, or condition.  Three millions of people, men, women, and children, were sentenced to the scaffold in three lines." (Our Day, W. A. Spicer, p. 150)

The story of these murderous crimes makes even the boldest cringe; and remains a stain on the history of Christianity that will remain until washed by the blood of their descendents.   "And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. "And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs." (Rev. 14:19, 20)  The sword remained the resolution for all who disagreed with either the Roman Emperors, or with the popes.

The saddest story relates to the salvation of man.   John prophesied that when Papal Rome, in the form of the second beast (Mystery, Babylon the Great), achieved worldwide dominance, all saints of God would be gone.  "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." (13:7)

At first, Rome only had power over the body.  When Constantine converted Christianity to paganism, he changed church doctrine on God, Jesus, the Holy Ghost, the Sabbath, and divine authority.  He achieved the greatest power over man:  their souls.  "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matt. 10:28)

The Catholic church followed in his footsteps.  She continued blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, against God, against Jesus, against divine authority, against the Sabbath, and against the law of God and gospel of Christ.  "Leo XIII (1878 - 1903), claimed that he was appointed to be Head of all Rulers, and that he holds on this earth the Place of Almighty God.  Emphasized Papal Infallibility.  Pronounced Protestants 'enemies of the Christian Name,' Proclaimed the only method of cooporation Complete Submission to the Roman Pontiff.  Denounced 'Americanism,' and the Masonic Order." (Halley's Bible Handbook, p. 782)

GREAT  APOSTASY  OF  CHRISTIANITY

Many ecclesiastical historians and writers have confirmed the Catholic Church was truly a reincarnation of Mystery, Babylon.  The most grievous mysteries adopted into Christianity were most likely the Trinity, the virgin birth doctrine, usurpation of divine authority, and adopting the sun god holy days and festivals.  Constantine made the pagan Trinitarian god, the god of the Catholic Church.  The Bible bears no witness of such.  In every reference the Father is the Almighty God of the universe; and Jesus the Messiah and Savior of this world.  It bears the very trademark of Babylon.  Consider the source.

"In the unity of that one Only God of the Babylonians, there were three persons, and to symbolise that doctrine of the Trinity, they employed, as the discoveries of Layard prove, the equilateral triangle, just as it is well known the Romish Church does at this day.  In both cases such a comparison is most degrading to the King Eternal, and is fitted utterly to pervert the minds of those who contemplate it, as if there was or could be any similitude between such a figure and Him who hath said, 'To whom will ye liken God, and what likeness will ye compare unto Him?"  (The Two Babylons, pp. 16, 17)

Constantine amalgamated all the mysteries of Babylon and Rome into his Catholic church.  The Sabbath was changed to the "venerable day of the sun."  The pagan winter festival on December 25th became the birth of Jesus.  The pagan spring rite of Easter became the crucifixion of Jesus.  The cross became the literal sign and means of salvation.

Almost every fragment of the mysteries of Babylon was adopted by the Catholic Church.  Volumes have been written on the subject.  She adopted the Mother and Child, the nativity of John, the Feast of the Assumption, the sacrifice of the Mass, extreme unction, purgatory and prayers for the dead, idol processions, relic worship, clothing and crowning of images, the Rosary and worship of the Sacred Heart, lamps and wax candles, religious orders (priests, monks, and nuns), and abstaining from marriage and meats.  All came directly from Mystery, Babylon.

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." (1 Tim. 4:1-3)

Apostasy of the Christian church is a Biblical and ecclesiastical fact.  Eusibius was a noted ecclesiastical historian contemporary with Constantine.  He cited the historical testimony of Hegesippus who lived in the period immediately following the Apostles.  "The same author [Hegisippus] relating the events of the times, also says, that the Church continued until then as a pure and uncorrupt virgin; whilst if there were any at all that attempted to pervert the sound doctrine of the saving gospel, they were yet skulking in dark retreats; but when the sacred choir of apostles became extinct, and the generation of those that had been privileged to hear their inspired wisdom had passed away, then also the combinations of impious error arose by the fraud and delusions of false teachers.  These also, as there were none of the apostles left, henceforth attempted, without shame to preach their false doctrine against the gospel of truth.  Such is the statement of Hegesippus." (Eusebius, Eccles. Hist., Book III, chap. 32)

The recognized ecclesiastical historian, Mosheim, gives a century by century account of the apostasy of the Christian church; and the introduction of pagan rites, ceremonies, and doctrines.  Only a brief review will be given.  Of the second century he wrote, "There is no institution so pure and excellent which the corruption and folly of man will not in time alter for the worse, and load with additions foreign to its nature and original design.  Such, in a particular manner was the fate of Christianity." (Century II, Part II, chap. 4:1)

Of the third century, "All the records of this century mention the multiplication of rites and ceremonies in the Christian church.  Several of the causes that contributed to this, have been already pointed out; to which we may add, as a principal one, the passion which now reigned for the Platonic philosophy, or rather, for the popular Oriental superstition concerning demons, adopted by the Platonists and borrowed, unhappily, from them by the Christian doctors.  For there is not the least doubt, but that many of the rites, now introduced into the church, derived their origin from the reigning opinions concerning the nature of demons, and the powers and operations of invisible beings... We have already mentioned the principal rites that were used in the administration of baptism; and we have only to add, that none were admitted to this solemn ordinance, until, by the menacing and formidable shouts and declamation of the exorcist, they had been delivered from the dominion of the prince of darkness, and consecrated to the service of God." (Century III, Part II, chap 4:1, 4)

Of the fourth century, "The rites and institutions, by which the Greeks, Romans, and other nations, had formerly testified their religious veneration for fictitious deities, were now adopted, with some slight alterations by Christian bishops, and employed in the service of the true God." (Century IV, Part II, chap. 4:4)

Of the sixth century, "To be convinced of the truth of the dismal representation we have here given of the state of religion at this time, nothing more is necessary than to cast an eye upon the doctrines now taught concerning the worship of images and saints, the fire of purgatory, the efficacy of good works, i. e., the observance of human rites and institutions, towards the attainment of salvation, the power of relics to heal the diseases of body and mind; and such like sordid and miserable fancies, which are inculcated in many of the superstitious productions of this century, and particularly in the epistles and other writings of Gregory the Great." (Century VI, Part II, chap. 3:2)

Of the seventh century, "In this barbarous age, religion lay expiring under a motley and enormous heap of superstitious inventions, and had neither the courage nor the force to raise her head, or to display her native charms, to a darkened and deluded world.  In the earlier periods of the church, the worship of Christians was confined to the one Supreme God, and his Son Jesus Christ; but the Christians of this century multiplied the objects of their devotion, and paid homage to the remains of the true cross, to the images of the saints, and to bones, whose real owners were extremely dubious" (Century VII, Part II, chap. 3:1)

Of the eighth century, "The pure seed of celestial truth was, however, choked by a monstrous and incredible quantity of noxious weeds.  The rational simplicity of the Christian worship was corrupted by an idolatrous veneration for images, and other superstitious inventions, and the sacred flame of divine charity was extinguished by the violent contentions and animosities which the progress of these superstitions occasioned in the church." (Century VIII, Part II, chap 3:1)

John Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism, wrote concerning the loss of the spiritual gifts of the Holy Ghost, "The cause of this was not, as has been supposed, because there was no more occasion for them, because all the world was become Christians.  This is a miserable mistake; not a twentieth part of it was then nominally Christian.  The real cause of it was that the love of man, almost all Christians, so-called, was waxed cold.  The Christians had no more of the spirit of Christ than the other heathens.  The Son of Man, when He came to examine His Church, could hardly find faith upon earth.  This was the real cause why the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost were no longer to be found in the Christian church-- because the Christians were turned heathens again, and only had a dead form left." (John Wesley's Works, Vol. VII, 89:26-27)

The Church of England in its "Homily Against Peril of Idolatry," wrote, "So that laity and clergy, learned and unlearned, all ages, sects, and degrees of men, women, and children of whole Christendom-- an horrible and most dreadful thing to think-- have been at once drowned in abominable idolatry; of all other vices most detested of God, and most damnable to man; and that by the space of eight hundred years and more."

When asked about the Trinity, the reply comes, "it is a mystery."  When asked about the virgin birth, the reply comes, "it is a mystery."  It certainly is!  Constantine 's Catholic church became perfectly amalgamated with Mystery Babylon.  Here is "Mystery, Babylon the Great."

THE  HARLOTS

  It takes no great imagination to realize that if the Catholic Church is Mystery, Babylon the Great that her harlots can only be the Protestant churches.  They teach the same gods, usurp the authority of God, violate the Sabbath, and changed the gospel.  Those few churches, with roots in catholicity that obey the Sabbath violate the other key laws of God.

When various Reformists broke away from the Catholic Church, they lost any claim to divine authority.  If their mother was false, there was nothing to inherit.  If their mother was true, she excommunicated them.  Their only alternative was to change the gospel of Christ.

Martin Luther, fifteen hundred years after Jesus, after being excommunicated from the Catholic Church, was forced to introduce a new gospel:  men can be saved by faith alone.  Four hundred years later this became the foundation for many religious teachers and millions of followers.  It presents itself as an easy path to salvation.  The Bible teaches there is a straight and narrow path to eternal life; and only a few will find it.  “19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2)  “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God .” (John 3:5)

Authority from God identifies men of God.  There are only two orders of the priesthood noted in the Bible:  the Levitical and the holy Melchisedec.  Jesus went to John for baptism of water; because John was a Levitical Priest; and held divine authority to baptize with water.  “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God .” (John 3:5)  In the Bible, only those holding the Melchisedec Priesthood were authorized to administer baptism of the Spirit.

John recognized the limitation of his authority.  “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” (Matt. 3:11)

After Jesus was baptized of water, fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted of Satan, “angels came and ministered unto him.” (Matt. 4:11)  Before He could begin His ministry, He had to be born of water and the Spirit; and be ordained to the holy Melchisedec Priesthood.  He was ordained an Apostle, Prophet, and High Priest at the hands of the Father.  “So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he [the Father] that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.” (Heb. 5:5)

Before Jesus sent the Apostles on their missions He ordained them.  “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.” (Mark 3:14)  The twelve then ordained elders.  “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.” (Acts 14:23)

No man was permitted to preach the gospel and administer its ordinances; until ordained to the Melchisedec Priesthood.  “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.” (Heb. 5:4)  “Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.” (Acts 1:22)

The Catholic church is the "great whore," because she presents herself as the Bride of Christ; without holding any divine authority to claim that role.  The prophets and apostles necessary for the existence of the Church of Christ ended with John.  Her authority was created by Constantine.  She admits the Groom (Christ) has never spoken to her.  She only reads of the marriage vows.  Yet, she assumes the role of the Bride.  Where there is no mutual agreement, no covenant exists.  There is no "Thus saith the Lord" in Babylon.

Her daughters have no claim to being Brides.  They are her image in doctrine and apostasy.  The 'harlots' can be none other than all of protesting catholicity; and all who think to administer in the name (authority) of God, wit