THE HARLOT OF REVELATION 17 (4): FIGHTING AGAINST THE HARLOT
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. The Harlot Of Revelation 17
2. Fighting Against The Harlot
a) It is the job of the bride of Christ to fight against the harlot and to do what we can to stop her plans and machinations on the earth. This great spiritual battle is fought on an individual level, and the spirit of the harlot must be completely conquered in the lives of each and every disciple so that only truth and purity reigns in the church.
b) It is dangerous to think that the harlot is only in “this church” or “that denomination” and therefore you don’t have to think about it. The harlot can be everywhere and anywhere! It’s true that she does have a strong grip on a lot of different churches in the world but she also loves coming up to individuals and working on them personally. Whispering her lies into your ear. Trying to get you to believe that the world is not really so dangerous. Trying to convince you that you can do your own will but still be one of God’s children. Watering down the conditions for being a follower of Jesus.
c) Listening to these lies will destroy you! Friendship with the world is enmity with God! You cannot serve two masters. The harlot’s perverted teachings have no place in the church or in the lives of any true Christian!
d) This is why it is so important for each and every Christian to get a personal connection to God and His Word. When you are intimately acquainted with God then you know His will and His Word and you can learn to recognize the harlot’s lies for what they are. Then you can hold up everything you see and hear to the light of God’s Word and cast out everything that does not conform to the truth!
e) Unfortunately, the harlot’s influence has grown great in our days and there are many churches that are under her direct sway. No church, no denomination, no pastor, or sermon should be taken at face value without being tested in the light of God’s Word and His Spirit!
f) “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Be vigilant and test everything you hear! Not least, our own thoughts and intents must be tested in the light of God’s Word. Make sure that everything really is of God!
g) The harlot’s lies are strong and many but the truth shines like a candle in a dark night. If you are sincere and humble and open to God’s leading then He will make it clear to you what is lies and what is truth. God is true and in Him there is no lie at all! His Spirit is the Spirit of truth, who will guide us to the whole truth. (John 14:15-17, John 16:13)
h) Be zealous and ask questions! Test the spirits! “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). By faith and vigilance the spirit of the harlot need never gain influence over you.
i) “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.’” (Revelation 18:4-5)
j) You can live your life in God’s service, always doing His will and being prepared as a pure, spotless bride worthy of her heavenly Bridegroom. (Revelation 19:7-8)
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.
a) It is the job of the bride of Christ to fight against the harlot and to do what we can to stop her plans and machinations on the earth. This great spiritual battle is fought on an individual level, and the spirit of the harlot must be completely conquered in the lives of each and every disciple so that only truth and purity reigns in the church.
b) It is dangerous to think that the harlot is only in “this church” or “that denomination” and therefore you don’t have to think about it. The harlot can be everywhere and anywhere! It’s true that she does have a strong grip on a lot of different churches in the world but she also loves coming up to individuals and working on them personally. Whispering her lies into your ear. Trying to get you to believe that the world is not really so dangerous. Trying to convince you that you can do your own will but still be one of God’s children. Watering down the conditions for being a follower of Jesus.
c) Listening to these lies will destroy you! Friendship with the world is enmity with God! You cannot serve two masters. The harlot’s perverted teachings have no place in the church or in the lives of any true Christian!
d) This is why it is so important for each and every Christian to get a personal connection to God and His Word. When you are intimately acquainted with God then you know His will and His Word and you can learn to recognize the harlot’s lies for what they are. Then you can hold up everything you see and hear to the light of God’s Word and cast out everything that does not conform to the truth!
e) Unfortunately, the harlot’s influence has grown great in our days and there are many churches that are under her direct sway. No church, no denomination, no pastor, or sermon should be taken at face value without being tested in the light of God’s Word and His Spirit!
f) “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Be vigilant and test everything you hear! Not least, our own thoughts and intents must be tested in the light of God’s Word. Make sure that everything really is of God!
g) The harlot’s lies are strong and many but the truth shines like a candle in a dark night. If you are sincere and humble and open to God’s leading then He will make it clear to you what is lies and what is truth. God is true and in Him there is no lie at all! His Spirit is the Spirit of truth, who will guide us to the whole truth. (John 14:15-17, John 16:13)
h) Be zealous and ask questions! Test the spirits! “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). By faith and vigilance the spirit of the harlot need never gain influence over you.
i) “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.’” (Revelation 18:4-5)
j) You can live your life in God’s service, always doing His will and being prepared as a pure, spotless bride worthy of her heavenly Bridegroom. (Revelation 19:7-8)
Comments
Post a Comment