THE HARLOT OF REVELATION 17 (1): THE HARLOT SPIRIT
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. The Harlot Of Revelation 17
a) The harlot of Revelation 17 (also known as Babylon) is one of the central figures when it regards end times’ prophecy. She has been active right since the days of the early church, especially so in our modern days. It is important to know who the harlot is and what significance she has for us.
2. The Harlot Spirit
a) The harlot is sometimes thought of as being a specific church or organization and many people have accused this group or that group of being “the harlot.” But in reality the harlot is a spirit that pervades many different churches, denominations, and even individuals.
b) In James 4:4 we can get a clear picture of what spiritual harlotry looks like to God. “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
c) Friendship with the world is enmity with God. There is no in-between. Either you align yourself with God or with the world. Anything else is considered adultery in God’s eyes. But this is exactly what the harlot spirit tries to do. She tries to mix God with the world and offer the best of both worlds.
d) The entirety of the harlot’s “gospel” is the preaching that you can have both the world and God. She uses God’s Word and quotes many verses and expressions that sound very good and godly. But underneath all of that glittering gold there is a murky current of selfishness and pride.
e) The most dangerous part about the harlot is that she can be very hard to recognize. She presents her wine in a golden cup (Revelation 17:4) which is the Word of God. All of the words and phrases and doctrines she preaches look godly because she uses Bible verses to support her lies. This is a common trick of Satan and his servants. (2 Corinthians 11:14)
f) Her gospel sounds great at first and makes people feel good and warm. She presents all the rewards of a godly life and takes away the conditions. This is how the harlot manages to deceive people and a great many people have fallen under the influence of the harlot. If you are not exceedingly vigilant then you cannot always separate her lies from the truth!
g) The harlot’s twisted preaching is the “wine of her fornication.” (Revelation 17:2) And like wine it is easy to get drunk off the good feelings that the harlot’s preaching gives. In the end though, her preaching never leads to a true life with Christ, in victory over sin (1 Peter 4:1). This is in strong contrast to the pure water of life that Jesus preached! (John 7:38-39)
1. The Harlot Of Revelation 17a) The harlot of Revelation 17 (also known as Babylon) is one of the central figures when it regards end times’ prophecy. She has been active right since the days of the early church, especially so in our modern days. It is important to know who the harlot is and what significance she has for us.
2. The Harlot Spirit
a) The harlot is sometimes thought of as being a specific church or organization and many people have accused this group or that group of being “the harlot.” But in reality the harlot is a spirit that pervades many different churches, denominations, and even individuals.
b) In James 4:4 we can get a clear picture of what spiritual harlotry looks like to God. “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
c) Friendship with the world is enmity with God. There is no in-between. Either you align yourself with God or with the world. Anything else is considered adultery in God’s eyes. But this is exactly what the harlot spirit tries to do. She tries to mix God with the world and offer the best of both worlds.
d) The entirety of the harlot’s “gospel” is the preaching that you can have both the world and God. She uses God’s Word and quotes many verses and expressions that sound very good and godly. But underneath all of that glittering gold there is a murky current of selfishness and pride.
e) The most dangerous part about the harlot is that she can be very hard to recognize. She presents her wine in a golden cup (Revelation 17:4) which is the Word of God. All of the words and phrases and doctrines she preaches look godly because she uses Bible verses to support her lies. This is a common trick of Satan and his servants. (2 Corinthians 11:14)
f) Her gospel sounds great at first and makes people feel good and warm. She presents all the rewards of a godly life and takes away the conditions. This is how the harlot manages to deceive people and a great many people have fallen under the influence of the harlot. If you are not exceedingly vigilant then you cannot always separate her lies from the truth!
g) The harlot’s twisted preaching is the “wine of her fornication.” (Revelation 17:2) And like wine it is easy to get drunk off the good feelings that the harlot’s preaching gives. In the end though, her preaching never leads to a true life with Christ, in victory over sin (1 Peter 4:1). This is in strong contrast to the pure water of life that Jesus preached! (John 7:38-39)
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