This episode is a shadow of coming conflicts over religious and prophetic locations in Iraq. Two religions are developing on a worldwide basis. One of these religions is Biblically based and is the espoused Bride of Jesus Christ. Those that are ready for the Rapture or are getting ready for the Rapture must be absolutely committed to a Bible-centered faith and a pure Godly life-style. Rapture-ready saints are a beautiful crowd of Bible-loving people. The new theologies, watered down evangelism, and sinner-friendly churches are quickly rejected by these Godly men and women. The hope of His espoused Bride is His soon appearance to rapture us unto Himself. You can spot the preparing Bride by their separated living and constant expectation of their Lord’s eminent return.

There is also developing a bride for the Antichrist. A One World Religion to aid the false christ is already well developed, but growing. It is desperate that good people learn to recognize this false system. First, this system has no allegiance to the absolute of Holy Scripture. Every word of God is pure and must be honored. The commandments of God were written for our delight and protection and to ignore them is spiritual death. Yet, this new religion preparing for its future is loose and full of compromise. The Bible identifies this false religious system in numerous passages.

The setting for the Biblical picture of this false religious system is none other than Babylon. Revelation chapters seventeen and eighteen are two different pictures of this ancient city of Nebuchadnezzar. Saddam Hussein was fixated on this city. He even built one of his palaces overlooking Babylon. I was able to get a picture of this palace before being stopped by the Polish army. I have now found the proper authority to visit this whole area and the palace during our tour later this year. Please remember that Revelation seventeen is distinct from Revelation eighteen. The first is a picture of this false Babylonian religion and the second is the actual city rebuilt and glorious, but completely judged by God for her compromise.

Let’s look at how rich and worldly this false religion is as seen in this holy revelation. "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. 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 17:3b-6). This woman martyrs and hates anyone that rejects her dominion. She is arrogant and blasphemous. What are her blasphemies? It’s her rejection of the "truth forever settled in heaven" and her replacement of truth with her own lies and false prophecies. The religion of the Antichrist dares to deny the Bible and claim her right to replace these truths with her edicts and her own revelations. Any religion not based on Biblical absolutes is false to the core and will be a part of this Mystery Babylon.

False religions are almost always blessed by the world with great riches. Our present religious climate tends to revere any religious organization that is big, massive, and rich. We had better mature beyond such insane thoughts. Daniel warned us that the primary methodology of the Antichrist would be flatteries. He prophesied, "And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." (Daniel 11:32). I personally know great men and women that once lived for His glory and His coming that have been flattered by the grandeur of these new big time religionist.

The whole world is growing more and more religious and further and further from the Scripture. Religion without the plain, absolute, and authoritative truth of the infallible Word of God is false every time. We must never judge people, organizations, or prophecies by our own opinion. The Bible is not hard to understand. It is simple and exact, and if we fail to judge by truth, we will be deceived. The two systems of religion are clear. One holds to truth from the worn, but tried, Scripture. The other system is always looking for something new, flesh-centered, and exciting to the human mind.

Babylon and Iraq have now joined Jerusalem and Israel in vying for the attention of the world. The two cities will continue to be center stage until one of the two welcomes the King of kings to reign in her towers of strength. Every hour brings us closer to the end when all things will be judged by the Holy Bible. The only crowd that will stand the test is that company of saints that makes the Holy Bible the only authority and gladly submits to its eternal revelations. What a day that will be!

Joseph R. Chambers