Monday, December 26, 2011

Come out of Babylon

God has true believers in all churches-but in the end He calls them out of the apostate churches - And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Revelation 18:2,4 Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. Zechariah 2:7

"Many of the Protestant churches are following Rome's example.....other denominations, by seeking the favor of the world. And the term Babylon -confusion-may be appropriatley applied to these bodies, all professing to derive their doctrines from the Bible, yet divided into almost innumerable sects with widley conflicting creeds and theories. Besides a sinfull union with the world, the churches that seperated from Rome present other of her characteristics." The Great Controversy p.383  E.G.W.

Dr. Thomas Guthrie wrote about his Presbyterian Church "....our church, with an open Bible on her banner, and this motto 'Search the scriptures' on her scroll, marched out from the gates of Rome." He goes on to ask "Did they come clean out of Babylon?" The Gospel in Ezekiel p.237 "The desire for an easy religion that requires ...no self-denial, no divorce from follies of the world, has made the doctrine of faith, and faith only, a popular doctrine." The Great Controversy p. 472  E.G.W. "The sanctification now gaining prominence in the religious world carries with it a spirit of self-exaltation, and a disregard for the law of God. Its advocates teach that sanctification is an instantaneous work, by which, through faith alone, they attain to perfect holiness. "Only believe" they say "and the blessing is yours". But is it possible for men to be holy, in accord with the will of the character of God, without coming into harmony with the principles which are an expression of His nature and will...?" The Great Controversy p.471 E.G.W.

"Many of God's people must still be in Babylon." The Great Controversy p.383 E.G.W. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee. Zechariah 2:11 Then he answered and said, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen! And all the carved images of her gods He has broken to the ground." Isaiah 21:9