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titled
Whispers of
the Mysteries (1)
by Ray and Doris
Prinzing
"So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.-- And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON the great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration." [Revelation 17:3,5-6].
The very word "Babylon" means CONFUSION, and it matters not to which
part of today's world systems we look at, be it economical, political,
or religious, you can write one word across it all, CONFUSION. Furthermore,
Babylon also represents an incarnation of all that is opposed to God, it
is anti-christ.
Yet
even while we acknowledge this, let us remember that it is still the sovereign
hand of our God Who controls, therefore even Babylon, in spite of all its
corruption, has been under God's hand, to use for a purpose, and then to
bring her to an end. Thus we read, "Babylon hath been a golden cup
IN
THE LORD'S HAND, that made all the earth drunken." [Jeremiah 51:7].
Interesting that in speaking of MYSTERY BABYLON, the symbolic language
of the Scripture speaks of a woman. And a woman prefigures a church. The
true church, for example, is likened to a bride-wife, "a glorious church,
not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy
and without blemish." [Ephesians 5:27]. Again, "and His wife hath made
herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine
linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the
saints." [Revelation 19:7-8]. She is to be presented "as a chasted virgin
to Christ." [2 Corinthians 11:2]. In a most vivid contrast to this, Mystery
Babylon is spoken of as an unclean woman, a very defiled woman, and to
use the very plain speech of the Bible, she is a "whore."
This mystery goes back a very long time. "Cush begat Nimrod: he began to
be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord: wherefore
it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord. And the beginning
of his kingdom was Babel (or, Babylon)." [Genesis 10:8-10].
Briefly: Nimrod became a mighty one, powerful, famous, a leader in the
affairs of men. He is the first one spoken of in the Scriptures to organize
a kingdom. And it is stated that he was a mighty hunter "before the Lord."
Strong's Concordance bears out the fact that the Hebrew word for "before"
is used in a great variety of applications, and in this instance, as in
some others (see Numbers 16:2) it literally means AGAINST. Nimrod
set himself up before God, or literally, AGAINST GOD. His name has
been given various meanings by different Bible Scholars, as upstart, or,
let us rebel. And one writer points out that the Jewish Encyclopedia
says Nimrod was "he who made all the people rebellious against God." Much
of the paganism which has been woven into the practices of so-called Christianity
is actually dated back to the time of Nimrod, and the religious confusion
carried on then, against, instead of, or literally ANTI-God.
It takes the illumination of the holy Spirit, imparting divine revelation,
to discern between the true and the false. So CONFUSED has it all
become, so interwoven is truth with error, that the nominal church-goer
is not even aware of how much of his religion is actually anti-christ,
against the truth. Only those who are "initiated" into God's kingdom will
be able to see clearly how vast Nimrod's kingdom has become. Furthermore,
today Babylon is a union of religious, political, and economical mire--
expressed through three different avenues, yet all under the same Anti-Christ
spirit. Catholicism, with all of her Protestant daughters, bespeak
of the religious part of Babylon. Socialism, expressed through its various
forms, has gripped all governments. While Zionism has certainly grabbed
hold of the economical realm. All three are very intertwined: money, politics,
religion all go hand in hand. This is evident in the little community church
at the crossroads, to the vast denominations of our times. One man enterprises,
to the vast dictatorial regimes. BABYLON!
But the mystery is certainly intensified when it comes to the religious
realms-- and the natural but serves as a portrayal ground of the spiritual.
In Genesis 11, we have the record of how the people found a plain in the
land of Shinar, and proceeded to build a city and a tower, but God intervened,
confounded their language, and scattered them. "Therefore is the name of
it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all
the earth." (verse 9).
We find that the Hebrew word for "confound" used here is "babal" meaning
TO MIX, MINGLE, and thus literally, to mix self in. The more self-centered
each man became, with his own expression, the less they could communicate
one with another, and so frustration took over, and they left off building,
and went every man his own way. Self had well been in evidence before hand,
but now it was turned inward, and this caused greater confusion.
There are four things which are revealed in this passage which bespeak
of the projection of SELF in man, and which must needs be dealt
with by the "Cross of Christ," lest we, too, be brought into utter confusion.
1) Self-satisfaction. They came to this particular plain, saw that it was
a good place to dwell, and decided to settle down right there. Self would be satisfied with its ease
and prosperity. Religion still capitalizes on this aspect of SELF,
preaching their prosperity doctrines and blessings. Until many "suppose that
gain is godliness. . ." [1Timothy 6:5] and measure their spirituality by
how much supposed faith they have claim their prosperity. Likewise they
find their comfortable creed and doctrine where flesh is appeased, and
they settle down to just enjoy themselves. All ANTI
to the way of the Cross, going without the camp bearing His reproach, and
seeking for those things which are above.
2) Self-will. As soon as men become satisfied with their surroundings,
they immediately come to this next expression, self-will, and LET US BUILD. We read that "Cain
went out from the presence of the Lord. . . and he builded a city." [Genesis
4:16-17]. First time that the word "builded" is used in the Bible, when
one LEFT THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD, and then began to build for self.
Build kingdoms, fence in this corner as MINE. Man builds a Cathedral and
CONFUSES it in his mind with God's temple, though "He is Lord of heaven
and earth dwelleth not in temples made with hands." [Acts 17:24]. But man
will build, expressions of his self-will, and then exclaim with pride,
"Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom
by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?" [Daniel 4:30].
The confusion in so much of our building-- we say it is for God, for His
kingdom, but all the time self is taking pride in MY ministry,
MY efforts for God, and it is a mingling of self into the things of
the Lord, until it becomes MY Church, MY kingdom.
3) Self-exaltation. Immediately with the building comes the thought, "let
us make us a name." I am satisfied here, so I will build here, and then
I will make myself a name-- that my renown might spread from here. How
men like the sound of their own name, and they attach it to everything
they are able to, that it might become well-known and lifted up. "God at
first did visit the nations, to take out of them a people for His name."
[Acts 15:14]. How hard it is to lay down our own name, that we might exalt
HIS
NAME! How strange is the path of being a "no name" people-- called
out of every named denomination, to lose all identity, that we might be
found only IN HIM.
4) Self-preservation. "Lest we be scattered." Self-preservation is one
of the most basic instincts of the natural man. Once you have built a kingdom,
then you have to fight to preserve that kingdom, and fear takes over--
fear of loss, fear of being scattered, etc. As soon as men become identified
with a doctrine, they begin to fight to preserve that doctrine-- because
it has their name on it. To become self-centered is to find that we are
no longer centered in the will of God, but in the will of man, and then
we have to depend solely upon what man can do. So immediately begin to
devise ways of self-protection and defense. The cure for all of this is
to abandon ourselves to God, and then HE will keep us. "Whosoever
will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for
My sake shall find it." [Matthew 16:25].
There are also four prominent things in Babylonian philosophy, four things
which are ingrained in all systems of the world today. When God scattered
them from the tower of Babel, they carried their philosophy in all directions.
1) The very basic philosophy of Babylon is that all things are the result
of ORGANIC EVOLUTION. This eliminated God as Creator, and opened
the way for man to think that he helped in his own creation and evolvement.
Man would like to think that he is his own god, that inherent in his own
selfhood lies the power for his advancement. It is easy to see how this
has crept into all of religion, as men feel they have to "help God out."
"Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect
by the flesh?" [Galatians 3:3]. "For it is GOD which worketh in
you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." [Philippians 2:13]. "For
we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. . . " [Ephesians 2:10].
2) There was strong emphasis on what they termed the "thinker," or the
brain. This projection of the ego of man, and emphasis on the BRAIN
BANK, gives pre-eminence to the INTELLECT. Our Educational system
today is a great monster that gobbles up the greatest portion of our taxes.
Now, to be sure, we thank the Lord for good education, and the many privileges
we have today for advancement in these fields, but when this becomes so
over-balanced that we place the MIND OF MAN in prominence over against
the "MIND OF CHRIST," we have severe problems.
3) We next find that part of Babylon's philosophy promoted promiscuity
(sex-abandonment). This kind of thinking has permeated man's whole way
of life today-- every ad to sell goods is tied with sex-appeal. It brings
a break-down of the home, and all society. The lusts of the flesh become
the focal point. And religion has not helped this at all. In subtle ways
it has aided and abetted the very things it claimed to preach against.
4) Finally, the fourth part of Babylon's basic philosophy was for a TOTAL
STATE, WELFARE SOCIETY (or what might be termed, totalitarianism).
This simply means that The State will think for the people, act for the
people, and do every thing for the people.
Our nation was not founded on such a principle. The whole of religious
popery follows this. Be it the local pastor who binds the sheep unto himself,
or the "headquarters" which sends out its edict for every group to follow.
When popery comes in, the individual leading of the Spirit ends. It may
be called a way of heresy, but there is a way wherein we are able to walk
as the Spirit leads, away from the thinking of the carnal mind. God is
bringing forth a people who choose to COME OUT OF BABYLON'S SYSTEM,
to seek Him, and His sovereign will for their lives.
"We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and
let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment is lifted up
even to the skies. The Lord hath brought forth our righteousness: come,
and let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God." [Jeremiah 51:9-10]
.
Many have tried hard to heal the religious systems of our day, they have
worked, fasted, prayed, travailed-- but the system remains unchanged, and
God calls them one by one to "come out of her, My People, that ye be not
partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Revelation
18:4].
Many have tried to clean up politics, and place better men into governmental
positions, hoping that they can straighten things out, and get rid of the
corruption. Others have tried to come up with a better economic system,
or at least seek to modify the horrendous grip of taxes, etc. which are
upon the earth. But all of man's efforts will fail, until that day when
GOD is finished with her. For, as great a mystery as it is, we repeat,
"Babylon hath been a golden cup IN THE LORD'S HAND." He has
used it-- we would recognize it for what it is, but we will not rail against
it, knowing that God still holds control over all her ways.
Yes, she has slain the prophets and martyred the saints. But God has used
this in their purification. She has robbed men of their vitality and strength,
yet God has used this to bring them low, until they will surrender to Him
alone. She has craftily drained men of their finances, but thus He has
collected the offerings which they would not freely give to Him. No, we
will not glorify Babylon-- for "He hath judged the great whore, which did
corrupt the earth with her fornication, and (He will) avenge the blood
of His servants at her hand." [Revelation 19:2]. Yet neither will we rail
against that little "church on the corner" which God has used in the lives
of people. We see the system for what it is, and we see those who are under
its bondage, and we KNOW that in due time God will bring the system
to an end, and He will bring salvation to the people. For us, we
would, as He enables and gives the understanding, "Flee her," and then
know in His time He will END the mystery of Babylon also. Confusion
shall cease in the land, and His true order will be established. HIS
kingdom shall come, and it shall fill the whole earth.
In Jeremiah we have a more explicit account of how God shall bring down
the ways of Babylon, so note the types used, they are most symbolic in
meaning. [Jeremiah 51:21-23].
"WITH THEE WILL I BREAK IN PIECES THE HORSES AND HIS RIDER."
This stands for all the economy of the world's financial systems, and beautifully
parallels the horsemen of Revelation 6. While especially noting that the
"White Horse" rides out conquering and to conquer-- God's ultimately victorious
sons, there follows the three-fold system of Babylon, political, economical,
religious-- the red horse, the black horse, and the pale horse. But God's
victorious army shall defeat them, break them in pieces, until, praise
His name, there will be a righteous system of economics established in
the earth.
"WITH THEE WILL I BREAK IN PIECES THE CHARIOT AND HIS RIDER." This
is a very interesting symbol, and we need to go back into history to understand
it. The walls of the city used to be built very wide, so wide that the
city of Babylon was built to that they could race their chariots upon the
walls for sport. Yes, the world is literally gone mad for "sports" these
days, and multiplied millions are spent every year to be entertained by
them. But God shall bring the whole perverted, over-balanced system to
nought. This most consuming passion for "sport" and "fun" shall be dealt
with by the correctional processes of God.
"WITH
THEE WILL I BREAK IN PIECES MAN AND WOMAN." Here we deal with two of
the greatest problems with man and woman; that of the labor force, with
its constant problems, and that of the "divorce and re-marriage." But all
the affairs of men and women, both in their domestic and commercial areas,
will be thoroughly dealt with by God. SO CONFUSED has this become,
that earth's leaders cannot untangle the difficulties. The Equal Rights
movement, as women press for certain privileges, etc. has only added to
the confusion. Women want to be treated as men, men want to act as women,
and confusion has driven them to extremes, bringing tremendous turmoil
to both the home, and the market place.
"WITH
THEE WILL I BREAK IN PIECES THE YOUNG MAN AND THE MAID." Now we come
to the YOUTH, with their myriad of problems, sex, dope, and rebellion.
The systems of the world can no longer handle these problems. The philosophy
which Babylon has advocated has produced results which she cannot cope
with. But GOD shall conquer them-- He has the ANSWER, and
He shall unfold that answer through His people.
"I
WILL ALSO BREAK IN PIECES WITH THEE THE SHEPHERD AND HIS FLOCK."
This
symbolism has long stood for the religious realms, the preacher and his
congregation. All the earth reels beneath the blood spilled by religious
factions fighting each other. So-called holy wars and crusades. This confusion
must end, and it shall. He will raise up His true "pastors according to
Mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." [Jeremiah
3:15].
"WITH THEE WILL I BREAK IN PIECES THE HUSBANDMAN AND HIS YOKE OF
OXEN."
This takes in the whole agriculture program of today, including
the poisonous insecticides and fertilizers. The shameful practice of paying
people not to raise crops while millions are starving-- just so in their
greed they can gain higher prices for their produce. There is no way that
natural man can now begin to unravel the knotty situations which he has
brought about by his greed and selfishness. But God shall restore and correct,
until every man shall be able to sit under his own vine and fig tree, and
eat the fruit of his labours, and be satisfied.
"WITH
THEE WILL I BREAK IN PIECES CAPTAINS AND RULERS." Which speaks of all
the armed forces and whatever their armour might be. The demands for wartime
economy, and the constant shedding of blood, shall not go unpunished by
the Almighty. Yet thank God, He has promised, "they shall beat their swords
into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift
up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." [Isaiah
2:4].
Babylon - confusion, to mix and mingle. Seen in Israel when "they did not
destroy the nations, concerning whom the Lord commanded them: but were
MINGLED
AMONG THE HEATHEN, and learned their works. And they served their idols:
which were a snare unto them." [Psalm 106:34-36]. They substituted the
holidays of the heathen for the proper feast days the Lord had appointed
them. Now we have our Christmas and Easter, and other days, filled with
CONFUSION, partly pagan customs mingled with what we thought was "putting
Christ into them." Having learned their works, they practiced them. Having
learned who their idols were, they served them. The whole has become a
snare unto God's people.
The Harlot has substituted her Sunday for the rightful Sabbath. She denies
the name of God's chosen people, and offers her own name of religious brands.
She denies God's law, and offers a multitude of her own traditions and
commandments. And to the nominal Christian the whole thing is of such confusion,
that they know not what is of the heathen, what is of the truth.
Then Leviticus 18:23 forbids the mixing of the seed of man with a beast
"it is CONFUSION." Taking this beyond its natural applications,
with all of its racial overtones, and the commandment against the mixing
of the races, we find that Babylon has mixed the beastly flesh nature into
the things of the Spirit, until it is terrible confusion. So much pomp
and ceremony of the flesh has been offered to man as something deeply spiritual.
Thank God, we come nigh unto the hour when He will bring an end to this
horrible practice. "The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers
shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh
such to worship Him." [John 4:23].
Finally, of Babylon it is written, "Behold, I am against thee, O destroying
mountain, saith the Lord, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch
out Mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make
thee a burnt mountain. And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner,
nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith
the Lord." [Jeremiah 51 :25-26].
God is bringing forth a NEW ORDER, and He will take nothing from
the old and mix it in with the new-- that only brings CONFUSION,
Babylon all over again. There is not one stone out of Babylon that will
be brought over and built into His new, divine order. The former shall
be forgotten, and it shall not be brought to mind any more. We will not
long for its fellowship, we will not yearn for its pomp and ceremony. For
He shall fill the NEW TEMPLE with His glory, and we shall be satisfied
with His fullness. Praise God.
O mystery of Babylon,
I see thee as a snare,
Deception with allurement,
My God shall lay thee bare.
No more to work confusion,
More birthing of thy kind,
Religious in thy wand'rings,
Yet blind all leading blind.
Come out of her, My People,
God calls -- and we obey,
Lest with her plagues and torments
We share in her dismay.
A golden cup, with purpose
God used her in His plan,
And when her time is over
Shall rescue every man.
And bring to nought the system,
Expose her deadly snare,
Discover her foundation,
And empty out her lair.
No more of earth's confusion,
A God of order, He
Shall speak His Word most plainly,
And give reality.
_________________________________________________________
(1)
Prinzing, Ray and Doris. WHISPERS OF THE MYSTERIES. P.O. Box 5822,
Boise, Idaho 83705
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