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"Teaching the things concerning the kingdom of
God..."
Part 194
MYSTERY
(continued)
“And
upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF
HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” (Rev. 17:5).
“And
the woman which thou sawest IS THAT
GREAT CITY (
I
do not believe there is any way to fully explain, imagine, or understand all
the ways this Mystery
In
our previous studies on this subject we have seen that in John’s visions in the
book of Revelation two women are clearly presented. One is that impure woman, the great harlot,
who is arrayed in purple and scarlet and decked with gold, precious stones, and
pearls. This whore is gilded with all
the wonderful materials of the holy city, New Jerusalem; yet she is filled with
abominations. In outward appearance she
looks like the glorious city of
In
the church systems of man today two groups of things are put together by the
adversary. On the one hand, there is the
gold, the precious stones, and the
pearls — these are the things which God is after! But on the other hand, there are the
blasphemies, the abominations, and the filthiness — these are the things the
flesh
We
must all see that not only within the pages of the book of Revelation, but also
today in the culture of our world, there is such an evil woman gilded with all
the precious materials of God’s holy city, yet filled with all the corruption
of the flesh and all the filthiness of
her whoredoms. If it were not for the
gilding, if it were not for a measure of love for the Lord, and a little of His
divine truth, and some of His graces and gifts that adorn the church systems,
the whole world would immediately see them for what they are and recognize the
abominations. I have no hesitation in
saying again — such a one, such an evil woman exists upon this earth
today! Not only is this great whore
alive and well on planet earth today, but also her evil daughters. She has many daughters, some of international
fame and acclaim, others less known. The
more powerful and richer they are, the easier they are to discern; the smaller
they are the more easily you are fooled.
You may be quite clear and resolute
Later
on in the book of Revelation, in chapter nineteen, we come to the presentation of the other woman, the pure, spotless bride
of the Lamb. She is clothed in fine
linen, clean, white, and bright. There
is nothing mixed or impure about this woman! Then in chapter twenty-one this same lovely
woman is presented to us under another figure, that of the holy city, New
Jerusalem. That city is not gilded with
gold nor adorned with precious stones and pearls, as is the harlot; that city is constituted of pure gold, precious
stones, and pearls! The city proper is pure gold, clear as crystal. There is no mixture, there is nothing
concealed anywhere within that is impure or an abomination. Apparently and actually, inwardly and
outwardly, in any way and in every way, it is gold! The wall of the city is constructed of
jasper, and every gate is of one great, precious, beautiful pearl. What a marvelous thing! This
is not a cheap gilded piece of jewelry — but an article that has been raised up out of the very life,
nature, and glory of God Himself from center to circumference. This is precisely WHAT IT IS — IT IS GOLD, IT
IS PRECIOUS STONE, AND IT IS PEARL.
These
are the two women who stand for the church in the earth today.
Many
of the Lord’s people are childish in
their understanding and think that as long as people who love and
worship the Lord are in
How
God hates mixtures! I would be remiss if
I did not point out to my readers the
Every
group has its babes, its spiritual adolescents, those who are puffed up with
head knowledge but devoid of experience with God, and those who thrill to a new
revelation but have
The
natural mind is ever seeking something visible and tangible. It loves to claim prerogatives, position,
privileges, rights, station, accomplishment, and attainment. It loves to be able to count noses and number
people. It loves to circumscribe a
certain group and say with evident pride, “This is the body of Christ. These are the elect. All who stand
on this foundation are the sons of God.
All who believe as we believe, worship as we worship, and submit to the
divine order in this place will be the sons of God and will reign with Christ in the kingdom.” And then we add, “All who do not will not be
sons.” We forget that only God knows who
are really His! “The Lord knoweth them that are
His.” In
our eagerness to build a church, a fellowship, or a movement, to visibly
produce the “corporate man” who will as “one body” and “one man” inherit the
promises, we forget that before ever
Solomon’s glorious
Long
before there was a “coming together” of all the parts and the subsequent
eruption of celestial glory, there was a private, singular, and personal work
wonderfully wrought upon each and every part.
The cedars of Lebanon were chopped down one by one, dragged to the sea,
transported by ship to
Seems
to me many brethren have got the cart before the horse. They are trying to bring the body of Christ together as “one corporate
man” so that together we can “go on
unto perfection.” But you don’t build
the temple in order to perfect it — you
perfect EACH MEMBER, and then put it
all together! Ah, yes, there is some
“togetherness” in the process. The
boards are in one place being dealt with, while the stones are in a different
place being wrought upon, and the gold in another place, and so on. There are “groupings” as each part in their
respective places are brought to perfection.
And there is ministry in the process, too! The masons, the carpenters, the miners, the
sculptors, the workers with gold and silver and brass, the seamstresses — each
faithfully ministering to their portion and parts. Isn’t it wonderful!
It
is not, however, the framing together of the building that perfects each
member, but the prior
In
closing this thought I would leave with you the poignant and penetrating
words of another. “The hour has come for us to realize that
only the Lord knoweth them that are His. Only the
Lord can gather the tares out of the wheat.
Only the Lord can separate the
sheep from the goats. Only the Lord can call His sheep by name and lead them
out. Only the Lord can look into the four corners of the earth and call forth
His elect. Who, then, am I to
circumscribe anything? I must learn to
know men not by what they say, what they believe, where they are, or least of
all because they are members of a certain group, but by that strange witness
that made Jesus say to Peter, ‘Thou art Peter,’ and by that same spiritual
revelation that made Peter say to Jesus, ‘Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
living God.’ How often we have been
shockingly disappointed in men! It was
because we knew them only after the flesh and we did not know them after the
spirit. We accepted them because they
were inside a certain circle and said they belonged to ‘the move’. Yes,
Also
this statement from brother Scott Paris beautifully expresses my own
heart. “I have no interest whatsoever in
establishing and setting up any person or group of persons to be obeyed, whose
dictates and opinions are in any way considered binding, final, or
infallible. I have no desire to leave
behind me any kind of religious organization — or anything that anyone can
join, promote, publicize, or use for personal profit, or even anything anyone
can feel he can rely upon for his salvation.
If there is anything that I would like most of all to do in my life on
earth, it is to remove from man all those crutches and props upon which he has
relied. The only real strength there is,
is in the realization of our union with the Lord the Spirit. That is a true realization of spiritual
power! When we have that realization,
one with the Lord becomes a majority.
One person having a spiritual understanding of the nature of God becomes
a law of harmony, health, and supply to multitudes of people everywhere. That is where strength, health, and supply is
— in union with God!”
MYSTERY
A
little writing by Al Watson which came into my hands many years ago gives the
following history of ancient
“The
origins of
“All
the people of the earth had one language
and one speech. They
“If
man had built the tower, everything he could imagine would have been his! Nothing would be withheld! Without God, in the power of the flesh,
operating solely by the knowledge of good and evil, mankind would have unlocked
all the secrets of nature, conquered the earth and achieved the perfect
society! Utopia would have arrived. This tower was to be the consummation
of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the highest accomplishment of carnal
man. If men reached this stage, they
would have become almost unredeemable.
To sum up then: the city of
The
confusion that followed was
Three
times in Genesis 11:3-4 the expression let
us is used. “Let us make brick…let us build
ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens…let us make a name for ourselves.”
Not once did anyone say, “Let us
pray and seek God’s will!” They were
all in complete accord and agreement with and among themselves. But what they failed to realize is that while
man proposes, God disposes! The last
word on anything is always with the Lord!
The rich fool in the parable of Jesus thought he knew exactly what he
would do with his own little kingdom that he was building up. He said within himself, “I will do this: I will pull
down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I
will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years;
take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.”
But then it was God’s turn to speak, and He replied by saying to him, “Fool!
This night your soul is required of you” (Lk. 12:16-20). This insidious spirit of “I will,” which is the spirit of
Let
everyone know of a certainty that the shocking vision John beheld of the
swaggering power and incredible filth of the harlot upon her beast is even now
a terrifying reality throughout all the nations of the earth. No brazen hussy was ever more shameless,
bold, or impudent. John’s vision could
be especially appreciated in his day because, according to history, it was an
old and well-known custom among high-priced Roman prostitutes to let her name
be publicly known, wearing it on her
forehead. John intimated that it
would not be difficult to discover this great spiritual harlot, because her
name is in her forehead; that is, she
is so prominently marked in her nature and characteristics that we cannot fail
to see her unless we shut our eyes and refuse to look. Anyone who is quickened and blessed with
spiritual discernment will immediately recognize upon her countenance the marks
of her harlotry! Only the spiritually
blind meet her and recognize not what
she is.
As
we have already shown there are two cities and two women presented in the book
of Revelation. One of the cities is the
holy city, New Jerusalem. The other is
called Mystery
Concerning
the other city, Mystery
The
great and eternal truths of the book of Revelation are communicated in the form
of signs and symbols. Yes, it has in it
literal meaning — in the spirit! When we
say something is not literal we do not mean that it is not real; we mean simply that it is not natural and it is not the same as what the symbol literally
pictures. SPIRITUAL THINGS are real,
they do exist, but they are not natural, carnal, or earthly. If you don’t understand the spiritual
language, the symbol has no meaning. It
is like hearing someone speak in Chinese and trying to understand what they are
saying. It is the knowledge of the inner language of the spirit that is
required to understand these mysteries.
This
point is illustrated by the following little story. Jackie Gleason told a story of a man who
would ride his little blue bicycle through a customs checkpoint. Every day at the same time he rode up. Every time his bicycle basket held three
jars: one filled with sand, one filled with water, and one filled with nuts and bolts. The customs agents were suspicious that this
man was smuggling, so they would often
open up the jars — but the sand was just sand, the water was just water, the
nuts and bolts were just nuts and bolts.
Sometimes they would frisk the man himself, and on a few occasions they
even took the bicycle itself apart. No
contraband was ever found. Yet since
this man came through their checkpoint every single day, and no one ever saw
him riding back, they just knew he had to be smuggling something. Several years later one of the customs agents
stopped the man on the little blue bicycle and said: “Today is my last
day. I’m going to retire. I have no desire to catch you but for the
sake of my peace of mind, could you tell
me what you’ve been smuggling all these years?
The man replied, “I’ve been smuggling little blue bicycles.” Ah — Revelation is a spiritual book, the Revelation
of Jesus Christ! People miss it because they are focusing on
something other than that. Like the
customs agent who focused on the three jars of sand, water, and nuts and bolts,
they focus on world events, history, outward nations, political rulers,
national armies, world wars, government conspiracies, etc. — and MISS THE
OBVIOUS! They miss that which is obviously spiritual! There was no literal, geographical city of
The
word “mystery” in the scriptures does not have the same meaning as in our
everyday English. It does not refer to
unsolved crimes, nor stories about clever sleuths, nor riddles with elusive
meanings. There are several “mysteries”
spoken of in the Bible, and in every case there is the revelation of something which previously had been hidden. The English word “mystery” is a
transliteration of the Greek word musterion. It would be possible, in every instance, to
translate the Greek word musterion by
our English word “secret.” “Behold I
show you a mystery…” will be best understood this way, “Behold I reveal unto
you a secret…” A revealed secret is no
longer a mystery in the modern
sense. Jesus often spoke of the
“mystery” and the “mysteries” of the kingdom of heaven. “And He said unto them, Unto you it is given
to know the mystery of the
Many
years ago the Grand Trunk Railway became concerned over the number of accidents
at railroad crossings. Automobiles were
colliding with the onrushing trains. The
railroad company offered a prize of twenty-five hundred dollars to the person
who suggested the best slogan for use at railway crossings. The person who won the contest submitted the
phrase which we have seen many times — “Stop, Look, and Listen.” This is sound advice for every motorist at
every railway crossing! In like manner
the book of Revelation bears an inspired message for all who read and consider
— “Stop, Look, and Listen!” That is the
thrust of this vision which John beholds, and while John was both astonished
and perplexed by what he saw, he stood transfixed, pondering — contemplating
what the deep spiritual significance of the scene could be. Oh, ye people of earthly
I
do not think I’m
I do not think “I know.”
But
I am ever searching
That in knowledge I might grow.
It
is the glory of our God
To keep a thing concealed;
But
‘tis the honor of kings and priests;
To search ‘till it’s revealed!
— Lora Huston
What
dreadful thoughts and feelings are awakened in the soul by the very sound of
the words Mystery
In
the symbolism of prophecy a “city” signifies a religious government backed by
power and influence. Thus, the “holy
city, New Jerusalem,” is the symbol used to represent the established rule and
government of God composed of the overcoming bride of Christ and the sons of
God. “And he that overcometh…to him will
I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as
the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers” (Rev. 2:26-27). So the “holy city, New Jerusalem” is the
capital city of
Using,
as the Spirit bids us, the same method of interpretation as applies to the woman, the bride of Christ, who is also that great city which proceeds forth
from God and the heavenlies, then the Mystical Babylon can be nothing else but
a church which is also a religious government backed by power and
influence. But this “church” is a
“harlot” church; fallen, corrupt, with a Head other than Christ, taking to
herself many “lovers,” thus an apostate church, which is also a great
ecclesiastical kingdom, exalted to power and dominion in the earth, and backed,
to a considerable degree by the kings of the earth, the civil powers, which are
all more or less intoxicated with her spirit and doctrines. This apostate church lost her virgin purity,
for, instead of waiting, as an espoused and chaste virgin, for exaltation with
the heavenly Bridegroom, she associated herself with worldly powers, and
prostituted her virgin purity of doctrine, character, and anointing, to suit
the world’s ideas; and in return she has received, and now to some extent
exercises, a present dominion, in large measure by the support of the kings of
the earth, from the kings and presidents and prime ministers, all the way down
to the congresses, mayors, city counsels, government social institutions, civic
organizations, charities, etc., etc. So
we see, that since the kingdoms of the civilized world have submitted
themselves to be largely dominated by the influence of these great
ecclesiastical systems, accepting from them the name “Christian nations” and
“Christendom,” they also link themselves in with great
It
is worse by far than Judaism; worse by far than the darkest of pagan religions;
because it has higher light and richer privileges, makes the very highest
profession, and occupies the very loftiest seat. It is without doubt that awful apostasy for
which is reserved the very heaviest judgments of God — the most bitter dregs of
the cup of His righteous wrath. You can
read it all in chapter eighteen of the Revelation! If the words penned by John on
In
regard to her name — MYSTERY,
The
question follows — how does a “false church” come to be? There is not a hint in the Bible that a
single apostle, prophet, evangelist,
Here
was a situation where the true brethren were put out of the church, and only a
corrupt minister and his followers were left.
Where is the true church in any generation or age? Expelled and scattered! Where is the false church? It is the remaining “establishment.” Here is a plain scriptural illustration of
how a false church comes to be! It
happens when the true church goes
bad! I mentioned earlier that
harlots are not born — they are made!
Women grow up and begin to prostitute themselves, becoming harlots. This same
great truth is revealed in the Spirit’s command, “COME OUT OF HER, my
people…” Ah, it is “His people” who are
brought “out” of the systems of religion.
Those who come out are the bride of Christ; the system left behind is
When
the true church goes bad, it nearly always becomes authoritarian. Since it is beginning to adopt doctrines and
practices that are contrary to truth and the walk in the Spirit, it must
increasingly appeal to “church government” and the “authority” of the leaders
in order to maintain control. The Head
of the true church is Christ. Christ
Himself is in control and is running the church! He does this by His Spirit within each member
of the body — not by any man-made headship.
Charges of heresy, threat of
excommunication, and threat of hell and damnation become weapons to be used against
those who dissent. “Church government,”
which should denote God’s government over the church by the power of the Holy Spirit, slowly but surely becomes man’s government over the
THE
I
have met so many people, I have met them by the score,
And
if I keep on living, I’ll meet a million more.
Their
souls are tired and weary of what they thought would
make them strong,
It’s
left them broken hearted, though they try to sing along.
They
all are true believers and not easy to deceive,
And
they’ve heard the Spirit saying, “Leave the
church of
make-believe!”
This
church it speaks of Jesus and they freely use His name
While
they crucify each other and put the Lord to open shame.
But
the church they think they’re part of is one they can’t
perceive;
It’s
built on the blood of Jesus, and not a place of make-believe!
This
church of make-believe is rooted firmly in the sand;
Its
character is of the world, its ideas, all from man.
It
boasts of size and numbers and programs for everyone,
Its
leaders touch the glory for what they think they’ve done.
The
Spirit of the Living God would free them if He could,
But
those who think they serve Him are bound by human good.
This
church it runs on formulas of so-called faith and power,
It’s
got itself believing it will triumph in this hour.
It
hopes to rule the nations before the Lord it sees,
But
those who know the truth of God don’t buy this make-
believe!
This
church has plans and busy-ness which keeps men on the run,
Days
and hours all consumed with getting so much done.
Seminars
and conferences and endless meetings do abound,
But
years of this can drain your soul and put you in the ground.
The
longings of the Saviour’s heart toward those for whom He
grieves,
Are
drowned by all the clamor in the church of make-believe.
This
church can be like Martha who lived so ill at ease
Trying
like the raging tide to make her Master pleased;
But
there are those like Mary who in stillness did receive
The
best that Jesus offered men who shunned such make-
believe.
This
church it loves position and like the Pharisees of old,
It
lives by much tradition which leaves men dead and cold.
It
has a hierarchy spawned of men and not from God,
A
system of religion that to Jesus must seem odd.
He
told them you’re all brethren and this is what you’ll be
And
if men teach you otherwise it’s simply make-believe!
Now
there is a
It’s
not another system, a doctrine, or a creed.
It’s
a living organism in which all who do believe
Live
with one another in this shared reality.
There
is a
That’s
recognized in every age by pure simplicity.
Its
trademark is devotion to the Master who is Lord,
Who
is held in honor, is worshipped and adored.
And
if we love and serve Him, you know He will be
pleased
To
keep us free forever from the church of make-believe!
— author unknown
To be continued… J. PRESTON EBY
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