THE CHRISTIAN AND WORLDLINESS

What does Christian separation mean? Your effectiveness as a Christian hangs on your concept of what separation means. Perhaps most of our personal and church problems would be solved if we had a biblical concept of what it really is.

This question of separation has been a bone of contention among Christians for many, many years. Though I believe that the Scriptures are very clear on the matter, still I am sure that we will not solve all the problems in this article. But we do want to take a good look at the subject.

You won't read very far in the New Testament without becoming aware of some very pointed warnings to Christians concerning their danger from the world around them. Second Corinthians 6:14 is a very well known passage. "Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers...and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

These words, "come out from among them, and be ye separate" have been nailed to the masthead of many denominations and church groups as the supremely important idea that Christians should heed in these days.

Then we have that very strong passage in I John 2:15-17, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world...For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever."

James comes out with probably the strongest word of all along this line for he says very flatly and plainly, "...know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is an enemy of God."

Christians have rightly taken these passages very seriously. They have recognized that the Lord would not speak so plainly if there was not something serious involved. They've remembered the sad words of Paul concerning one of the young men who traveled with him: "...Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world." Christians have often had reason to see that a worldly Christian is a useless Christian. He is of no value to the world and no good to God. No man can serve two masters!

So Christians, as a result of these warnings, have through the centuries drawn up lists of things they considered worldly. Naturally, their ideas have differed widely on these matters. Whenever people had difficulty with some temptation or some particular type of recreation or some activity which gave them trouble, they learned a lesson from it, or thought they did, and marked that particular thing down as worldly.

So there came into being a great many different lists of worldly things, varying widely because of the different places of origin. As a result of this, we have today certain folks in the South called "hook-and-eye Baptists." They were given that name because they believe that buttons are worldly and that the proper biblical way to fasten your clothing is not with a button but with a hook and eye. So the button-wearing folks are worldly in their estimation, and the hook-and-eye people are spiritual.

And they mean it! They're quite serious about it. It's as much a worldly thing to them as some of the things on your list are to you. And they feel quite as upset over violations as you do when your standards are transgressed.

Standards differ widely in Christian circles about many things. Drinking beer by Christians is very normal in places such as Germany. They think nothing of having a glass of beer with their meals. Nobody thinks they are unspiritual because of it.

But in this country, it's quite a different matter. Here, beer drinking is almost always considered a worldly thing for Christians. I have been in parts of this country where people regarded mixed bathing with horror, that is, boys and girls going swimming together, even though they were all clad in quite acceptable bathing suits. It was the mixing of the sexes that was reprehensible. They thought it was terrible. Yet, in most places in the West, mixed bathing is not frowned upon at all. We consider it quite a normal, natural thing, and few would regard it as wrong.

There are places in this world today where lipstick is called "devil's grease" because some Christians are sure the devil is behind the lipstick business.

Now, I have mentioned things that most of us would laugh at as being considered worldly. I have touched upon a few of the things that are on our particular lists. The point I want you to see is that others may be just as disturbed about these things, as you are about the things on your list. And they, as we, pass along our taboos from generation to generation.

We all have a tendency to think that the things that we have been taught while we were growing up are inspired truth. Few of us have ever taken time to check these with biblical principles as to whether they are really true or not. I am afraid that many of us often mistake our prejudices for convictions. It is a very easy thing to do.

But we must remember that it is not what we have been taught, or what our fathers believed, or the way we were raised that is the standard of Christian behavior, but what the Word of God says. Always!

And if what we are taught is not in accordance with the principles declared in the Bible, then we had better review our standards and our thinking in accordance with those principles.

This is a very simple thing to say, and we all agree with it, but it is hard to carry out. If we follow it through, we will discover that it will make some great changes in our lives.

One result of his habit of categorizing things as worldly, and making an index of that which is right and wrong in the Christian life, has been that today nine out of ten Christians have mental lists of do's and don'ts. They call these lists their "Christian standards." And solely on the basis of such a list they blithely determine whether they are worldly or spiritual.

Now I don't wish to suggest that there are no Christian standards. There are necessities along that line, and those standards once arrived at in each individual life must be carefully adhered to. What I am saying is that the method by which we determine those standards must be in accordance with the Word of God and not simply our upbringing.

Now then, since most of the things that are on your particular list (and on mine) arc being done by the unsaved, worldly-minded people around us, there comes a tendency for us, consciously or unconsciously, to avoid temptation by avoiding worldly people.

There comes a marked tendency to withdraw, to seek our own crowd, to create our own little separate world---a world that is as complete as we can make it with recreation and education and all that we need from the cradle to the grave. We create our own smug, airtight circle in which we live and which we have set up to run competition to the "worldly" world outside.

Now ultimately, that kind of thinking produced the monasteries that appeared in the Middle Ages. Men decided that the way to avoid the temptations of the world was to completely seclude themselves from it, so they built high-walled monasteries and lived their lives inside and thus sought to avoid the world.

Today we do not build walls of brick and mortar in order to avoid these things, but we still have walls of thought and seclusion that are almost equally effective. In this way, we become twentieth-century monks, doing this very same thing.

And the worst tragedy of all, in my estimation, is that we are passing all this on to our young people. We are handing along these conceptions, as they pick up our way of life and our way of thinking. Instead of teaching them to overcome evil, we are teaching them to avoid it. They are not learning how to fight the good fight of faith. We do not know how to fight it ourselves, many of us, so how can we tell them? How can we show them?

Now what are the results of this type of separation? I do not speak from hearsay or from mere observation on this matter. I speak from very sad experience. An experience born of at least ten years of my Christian life that I now consider almost utterly wasted, because I was thinking and acting along these very lines.

Here were the results in my own life. I am confident, from observation, they are the results in other Christians' lives who think like this.

The first result is a terrible sense of boredom and frustration. Life becomes pale and uninteresting, especially Christian things. You just go through a routine. You go to church and go through a set formula of things you are supposed to do, but there is nothing very gripping, very fascinating, very challenging about it. Life becomes very boring. The challenge is gone.

Why? Because there is no sense of danger! There is nothing which demands a response from a young Christian faced with that kind of thinking. He is protected. He is sheltered. His life is arranged in such a way that the temptations are reduced to a minimum and consequently, he becomes bored and frustrated and feels no challenge. Life becomes very lackluster.

When we sense this in our lives, we often try to correct it by creating false challenges. "Come on, let's win the attendance contest," and we get all excited about the attendance contest. Or, "Let's gain a reputation in our church for having a tremendous missionary program, and let's parade the figures in front of us all through the years as to how much we are giving for missions," and so we create false challenges and false goals. Not that these things are wrong in themselves. The trouble is, it is done as a group, and the personal challenge in the individual life is gone.

"Today's Christians are like deep-sea divers, encased in suits designed for many fathoms deep, marching bravely forth to pull plugs out of bathtubs." That is putting it rather incisively, isn't it? But it is true! We are taught all the resources of the Christian life. For what? To win attendance contests with! To build buildings with! The challenge is artificial, the goal is sub-Christian.

Perhaps this is the major reason why our Christian young people today (and I say it sadly, because I see it in my own church) are so lethargic, so lackadaisical, so utterly pepless about their Christian lives. We find difficulty in getting them to avoid the things on our lists any longer. They would rather feel some of the stimulation and challenge and temptation of the world than to live such colorless, lackluster lives. God made youth with a desire to dare. It is no less so with Christian youth.

The second result of this isolationist separation is a tremendously increased amount of worldliness in Christian living! Does that seem strange? It is a paradox. Christians isolate themselves from the world to avoid worldliness, and it inevitably results in more worldliness.

You see, if you really believe that the only worldly things are those on your mental list, and you are careful to avoid them, then the result is you let down your guard at other points, and the world begins to seep in in a thousand places, unrecognized by you. Instead of being worldly in the ways that are on your list, you are worldly in a thousand other ways, all of them equally bad.

The truth is that worldliness is not a matter of things, of doing this, or not doing that. But worldliness is a matter of the attitude of the heart, the attitude of life in thinking and dealing with things. If we would just learn that, what a difference it would make.

Let me see if I can illustrate that. If you ladies wear a new dress in church in order to attract attention, that is worldliness! You are trying to attract attention to yourself, just as the world continually seeks to do. The fact that you do it in church makes no difference whatsoever. If anything, it makes it more reprehensible. If the opinions of others mean much to you in this matter of dress or conduct, then you are worldly. You may never drink, dance, smoke, or go to a nightclub; but you are just as worldly as if you did.

On the other hand, if you wear a dowdy, out-of-style dress to church in order to be thought spiritual, that is worldliness, too. The dress, you see, has nothing to do with it. It is the attitude of the heart, the motive behind the act, that constitutes worldliness.

If you must have a new car every year in order to keep up with the style, that is worldliness, pure and simple. If you need the car in your business for some reason, and you are quite honest with yourself about it, that is another matter entirely. For this reason, no one else can sit in judgment on you in such a matter. But the Lord knows the heart, and if you trade your car each year just to be in style, you are worldly.

If you are hurt because people do not notice you, that is worldliness. If a TV program conflicts with something that you know the Lord wants you to do---your attendance at church or prayer meeting, or to help your neighbor---that is worldliness. You have chosen that in place of the Lord's will.

Now I am not trying to make up new lists for you. If I kept on, you would soon stop me and say, "Why the way you talk, everything is worldly." And you would be quite near the truth. For everything is worldly, if the heart is concerned with the approval or disapproval of those around you, just as everything is spiritual when the eye is single unto the Lord. This is a tremendously important point.

Read what John says again, "All that is in the world: the lust of the flesh (that includes eating and drinking and sleeping and wearing clothes or whatever your body desires to do), the lust of the eyes (that includes the desire of anything you want to buy or possess, good, bad, or indifferent), the pride of life (the vainglory of life, the fighting for station, for promotion, for advancement), is not of your Father, but is of the world."

What does he mean by that? He means that everything is worldly if your attitude is worldly, but if your attitude is "of the Father", nothing is worldly. You see what he is getting at? This is why Paul said: "All things are lawful to me, but there are three limitations: I will not be brought under the power of any, all things are not profitable for me, and all things do not help others." Those are the only restrictions. Everything else is fine.

This is ~why we must not make up lists of "things" which we regard s inherently worldly and evil in themselves. Each of us may have our own personal areas into which, under God, we cannot enter. There are certain things you cannot do or do not want to do, not because someone else does not want you to, or because you think the church will frown on it, but because you feel the Lord does not want you to do this. But that must be decided individually.

What makes a thing worldly? Listen to John again, "All that is in the world...is not of the Father." That is the thing! You exclude the Father from your thinking, and when you do that you are worldly, no matter what you do. You do some act or take some step or make some plans without the Father, without taking Him into consideration, or concerning yourself with His will. That is worldliness! It may be a perfectly innocent thing in itself, but when you exclude the Father, it is of the world.

So the making of lists only increases worldliness. We then let down our guard about the things that are not on the list, and as a result, we become saturated with the world, steeped in worldly thinking, worldly acts, and worldly deeds. And he that is a friend of the world is an enemy of God!

Now the third great result of this type of thinking is a noticeable lessening of the spirit of sacrifice in our lives. When we avoid worldly people because we are trying to avoid worldliness, we also lose most of our opportunities to give of ourselves, for Christ's sake. This process of withdrawing into our own watertight Christian circle of affairs results in people becoming insensitive and unsympathetic and eventually smug and complacent in their views toward others.

We can get all worked up over missionaries ten or twelve thousand miles away, but people can live right next door to us and be perishing in their spiritual agony, and we do nothing.

That is worldliness. It results from this business of thinking we can live our own lives; that we can withdraw from the world and create our own Christian world and live within it.

Consequently, we have changed the Lord's words, "Go ye", into "Send ye", and we think if we are sending out people to the mission field, this is the adequate answer to our own responsibility. But the Lord did not say, "Send ye". He said, "Go ye into all the world". And I don't think He meant that only geographically. I am sure it is meant psychologically, as well. Go into all the ways of the world, into its thinking, into its attitudes, in order that you might understand and have some sympathy with the poor dying wretches who live next door to you that are in the world and lost in the world.

This is one of the most tragic things about our Christian lives. We become disobedient Christians. We forget our own personal responsibilities in witnessing. We talk about witnessing, but we seldom ever do it. We are embarrassed about it. We confess in moments of honesty that we are very ill at ease in this process of trying to witness about Christ. We really feel little enthusiasm for it, yet this is what He asks us to do.

We are supposed to be imitating our Master who gave up all things, who pleased not Himself, who laid down His life in order that He might win the lost worldlings to Himself.

But when it comes to us, we don't want to give up an afternoon of golf, or a night of bowling, or open our homes, or even give up some time on Sunday to do something to win these lost ones. And we justify it all by the excuse, "They are so worldly that we have nothing in common with them."

Isn't this the truth? Doesn't this describe us? When I think sometimes of our comfortable, easeful, luxurious lives, and then read in the Scriptures about those early Christians who loved not their lives unto death, I tell you I grow sick with the very shame of it.

Why have we lost the spirit of glad sacrifice? I think it is due greatly to our view of separation which has built a shell about us, so that we no longer see the need for our help. This is the terrible tragedy of it. We are living in the midst of people who are dying for what we have, who are hungry of soul and are putting bullets through their heads, jumping off bridges, turning on the gas, and living in utter misery year after year after year. And they don't live 10,000 miles away. They live two blocks down the street, two houses away, right next door to us, behind us, all around us, and we don't see the need for sacrifice!

We have become deaf in the cries that surround us. We have become indifferent to all hands that reach out from every side. We have taken the place of the Pharisee and the Levite in that parable of the Good Samaritan, who each passed by on the other side of the road when they saw the wounded traveler, lest they become defiled themselves by helping him. That is not the modernist or the liberal. That is the fundamentalist Christian, who is so concerned about being defiled with worldliness that he has lost touch with the world. He is no longer interested in helping worldly people, in meeting their problems, in becoming friends with them and meeting their needs.

Now there are many people who sense the hypocrisy of this kind of living, and they try to remedy it by going to the other extreme. They rush out and begin to mix with the world in every way. The drink cocktails and take up card playing and small gambling and learn how to dance, and thus try to live in with the world.

Now again I am not trying to make lists of taboos, please don't misunderstand me. I am simply trying to characterize the thinking of many who react to Christian isolationism. They adopt the world's standards and the world's values in the hope of being some influence to the world for Christ.

The result of that is always tragic. When we become like the world, we lose all our power to influence the world. I remember reading of a boy who had a cage full of sparrows, and he thought it would be nice to teach the sparrows to sing like canaries. So he bought a canary and put it in the cage with the sparrows. After a couple of weeks, he came running to his mother and said, "Mother! The sparrows are not singing like the canary. The canary is now chirping like the sparrows!" That is the inevitable outcome of becoming like the world in order to reach the world.

If you want to see the folly of a life like that, go out and stand by the shores of the Dead Sea and look at the cheerless, dreary, lifeless waste. Then go read the story of Lot who moved into Sodom in order to win it and influence it by his life, and see what he lost as a result. That dreary desolation stands as a mark of the folly of moving in to be like the world.

Well, then, what is the answer? How do we reach the world and still not be like it? The answer is, we must learn to live on a frontier between these two extremes. We must learn to be in the world, but not of it.

We must be in the world, we must seek out worldly friends and deliberately cultivate their friendship. We must invite them into our homes, and go into theirs.

We will have to ignore some things that are irritating to us, their habits, their ways of thinking and talking. But we must make friends with them. We dare not shut ourselves away from the perils and dangers and dilemmas of the world around us. Our Lord forbids us to! We must be in the world, seek worldly friends, but we must not be like the world.

The word that we need to emphasize is not separateness, that is, if you think of it as withdrawing. But the real word, and perhaps the best translation here is distinctiveness. We are to be distinct, different. Dare to be different. We must be in the world like our Lord was-in it up to the hilt. But, like Him, we must never live under false colors.

We must not think like the world. Our attitude is to be different our values must be different. Yet we are to be with them.

We ate to be out-and-out Christians. Distinct, but not distasteful. We are to be sheep among wolves, as our Lord said. That is. we are not to stay in the sheepfold. If we do, we are disobedient, for He sent us out of the sheepfold. He wants us out among the wolves!

"But", you say, "isn't that dangerous for sheep to go out in the midst of wolves?" Yes, it is. Of course, it is. But that is what makes it gripping and vital. That is exactly what makes the Christian life so revolutionary, so interesting, challenging, stimulating. It is the danger!

The Lord wants us to live on a frontier where we are constantly under subtle attack, yet He knows we will be safe among the wolves and we become the instruments by which some of the wolves become sheep like ourselves.

"But", you say, "isn't this difficult? Doesn't it present a lot of problems? Aren't you constantly having to make adjustments and make decisions, and wouldn't it be so much simpler just to avoid the whole matter?"

Of course it would. But where did we get the idea that we are here to avoid difficulty. Jesus said, "I am come to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!" Whoever said the Christian life was to be easy? That is the whole trouble with it. We have made it so easy that we have few problems any longer, and so we have no power.

Our Lord wants us to have problems. He wants us to be constantly wondering what to do about a particular situation and to think it through, and test solutions according to the Word, and pray our way to an answer that satisfies and works. He likes us to live that way. That is what makes life challenging and interesting. Any other approach becomes boring and meaningless.

THE PROVERBS 31 WOMAN

Proverbs 31:10, “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”

What is a "Proverbs 31 woman"?  It is a woman who is pleasing to God; and in order to be pleasing to God (in the case of a married woman), she must be obedient and committed to her husband's happiness.  She must be committed to the well being and safety of her children, to loving them, and to promoting their spiritual growth.  No feminist is a Proverbs 31 woman!  No whorish, above the skirt wearing floozy, is is a Proverbs 31 woman!  She is NOT pleasing to God.  No lazy wife, who causes her husband grief, is a Proverbs 31 woman.  Let's go through these Scriptures and find out exactly what the Word of God defines as a Proverbs 31 woman, a godly woman.  Most articles on the Proverbs 31 woman which I have read don't say much, so I'm going to break it down, and give it to you in simple terms.Verse 10 - Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

All the money in the world cannot buy loyalty.  Wealthy men may have their whores and mistresses; but, money cannot buy genuine love, which is a gift from God.  A woman of God is virtuous, wears dresses (modest clothing), and knows the dangers of teasing the opposite sex.  Many women today are horribly malicious, actually enjoying teasing married men to lust upon them.  Can you imagine how hot Hell will be for such home-wreckers if they die without Christ as Savior?  Of course, God doesn't want anyone to die in their sins (2nd Peter 3:9).

Verse 11 - The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

Many men don't trust their wives; therefore, they have separate bank accounts, hide the mail, keep things from their wife, etc.  You'd be shocked if you knew just how many married couples don't trust each other.  I know a man who won't let his wife touch the mail because she loses it, or hides things from him.  Many angry wives have cleaned out the bank account and skipped town.  One man told me that his wife stole R20,000 from their account, money they had agreed would be spent to pay bills.  One of the first things many sinful wives do when they get angry at their husbands is to hurt him financially (cause him spoil). Verse 12 - She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

Again, many wives hurt their husbands when they get angry.  Nothing is more devastating to a man, than to find out that his wife gave her body to another man.  The wife's body belongs only to her husband (1st Corinthians 7:4).  Adultery is a horrible sin in the sight of God, and the excruciating emotional pains last a LIFETIME for the betrayed spouse.  Many wives lie to their husbands, being deceitful behind his back, slander him, and dragging people into their marriage problems.  This is all evil.Verse 13 - She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

In modern times, we are blessed with inexpensive clothing.  This Verse simply means that her children are well dressed for the weather, and for the occasion.  I do believe that one of the great lost arts is that of making clothing.  I think all girls should learn how to make sweaters, knit, and crochet.  I think every girl should learn to cook without the microwave.  We are living in a lazy and wasteful generation, who don't know how to do anything for themselves...so they spend a lot of extra money for convenience sake.Verse 14 - She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

She knows how to cook, she learns the recipes, and can cook things that are popular in other cultures.  She wants to give her family the best.  No wife has an excuse not to be a great cook.  There are free recipes online for everything from eggrolls, to Mediterranean dishes.Verse 15 - She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

She is not lazy, she does what needs to be done.  This woman in Proverbs got up before the sun did, and fed her family.  I have known children who went to school hungry because of a lazy mother, who didn't feel like getting up to make breakfast.  I've known husbands who ate at McDonalds regularly, because of a lazy wifewho didn't think to make him a lunch.  I knew a man who got food poisoning, because his lazy wife didn't properly care for the food before making his lunch.  Every wise woman should have a desire to learn about food-born-illnesses, and how to prevent them.Verse 16 - She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

A little thought needs to go into this Verse.  It is obvious that no wife would make such a big financial decision without her husband's involvement.  I believe this Verse relates back to Verses 11 and 12.  It simply means that she has good judgment, and she is able to think for herself, and can; therefore, help her husband in many ways.  Contrary to the popular feminist fantasy concerning home-makers; God-fearing woman, who obey their husbands, and stay at home, can make intelligent decisions. Verse 17 - She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

She is physically active; not a couch potato.  One of the reasons many women have strokes and heart attacks is because they live a sedentary lifestyle.  The Proverbs 31 woman doesn't smoke cigarettes, she takes care of herself, and sets the proper example for her children to follow.  It is certainly a good idea for woman to exercise, and I don't believe there is anything wrong with a woman exercising at local women's only fitness center (provided that proper attire is worn).Verse 18 - She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

She works long hours into the night sometimes; but, she doesn't ignore her health.  She does get adequate sleep at night (and perhaps a nap in the day).  I believe moms need a 1-2 hour nap in the afternoon.  She is a balanced woman.  She works hard; but knows when to take a break.  She is good at what she does because she has made an art of the things in her life.  She is an expert at romance, cooking, and taking care of the home.  Of course, this takes several years to achieve.  You can't do everything at once.  Every wife is either improving or slacking off. Verse 19 - She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

She is not lazy.  The proverbs 31 woman stays busy, she doesn't sit around loafing all day.  Many women sit home watching soap operas, smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee, surfing the internet; yet, they don't do their duties as a wife and a mother.  Every working husband should come home to a waiting wife, who happily greets him at the door, and rolls out the red carpet for him.  I feel sorry for the children who have to go to school, while mom stays in bed sleeping.  If a wife doesn't have to work outside the home, then she should earn her keep.  Shame on those lazy wives who don't care for the home, while their husbands faithfully go to work every day and pay the bills.  No husband should have to continually ask his wife to clean the house, and to pick up after herself.  No husband should smell dishes stinking in the sink when he comes home, or see piles of dirt which haven't been picked up off the floor.Verse 20 - She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She has concern for the less fortunate.  This does not mean that she endangers herself by going into bad neighborhoods.  It simply means that she donates her time  and money (if she can) to help the poor; but, her family always comes first.  No mother should ever help others before helping her family.  In the real world, many married couples are living on a shoestring and don't have any extra money.  Obviously, this Scripture is conditional upon one's financially situation.  A Gospel tract should always be given as well.  In today's world, you have to be very careful about giving beggar's money, as some of them are criminals and may assault you.  God is simply saying that a godly woman will not be selfish.  Look at all the wealthy people in this world, who horde their money.  If they do give anything, it is chump change compared to their hundreds of thousands they own.Verse 21 - She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

Her kids don't go to school improperly dressed.  I've seen kids going to school in 40 degree weather with no coat.  Many kids don't have a sense of temperature, and don't care if they have a coat or not.  A lazy mother who doesn't care won't even notice her kids improperly dressed.  This is irresponsible.  A godly mother will keep an eye on her kids at all times.  So many mothers are idiots--letting their kids wander out of sight, going to school with no lunch, or doing dangerous things.  There are plenty of second-hand stores nowadays (my favorite places to shop).  Every child should have a warm coat for the cold weather, and shoes without holes in them.Verse 22 - She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

She knows how to seduce her own husband.  She is an expert at love-making.  Many wives fail in this area, not romantically satisfying their husband's needs.  To a man, sex is much more than just a physical union.  The mental aspects of romance must not be ignored.  A wise wife will give her husband the expressions, sensualism, and thrills that he needs.  If you don't do it, then your husband will be frustrated.  We are living in a whorish generation, where women deliberately try to seduce and tease men.  A wise wife realizes this and does her best to be her husbands biggest seducer, and secret lover. Verse 32 - Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

She is every man's dream.  Other men respect her virtue, and loyalty to her husband.  They know that this woman is a lady, and she doesn't have the flirting eyes of the silly woman.  She is an asset to her husband, and not a liability.  Her husband is well respected because of the wife's testimony.  So many wives are a reproach to their husbands (1st Timothy 5:14).Verse 24 - She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

She is industrious and looks for honest ways to earn some extra money.  She sees her husband's concerns over finances, and wants to help him if she can.  However, in today's world, things are different than from Bible days.  It was difficult to find clothing back in Bible days, there were no mass producers of clothing like today.  Hence, it would be foolish for a wife to try to make and sell clothing today, which can be bought dirt cheap at the store.  It would be better to make something unique, which cannot be found in the stores.  The idea is to do something that is going to make money, but not at a loss.  There are MANY ways in which wife can earn money.  Cleaning businesses are a good market in wealthier areas.  You clean people's homes on a weekly basis, etc.  Animal-sitting is popular.  People drop their dog or cat off, and you watch them while they're on vacation.  Please keep in mind that the woman in Proverbs 31 was trying to help her husband.  If your husband has a good job, then you don't need to earn extra money.  Again, the context of the Scripture is that a godly woman is not a couch-potato who sits around doing nothing.  The Bible is not saying that every wife has to make money, not at all.  The Bible is simply saying that she stays busy, using her time wisely for the benefit of her family.  The applications are limitless.Verse 25 - Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 

She has the right priorities in life (Matthew 6:33).  She keeps her eyes on Jesus Christ, and knows that there is always light at the end of the tunnel when problems arise.  She reads and studies the Bible, meditating upon God's Word throughout the day.  She has faith in God.  She is able to handle problems which would cause other women to run to shelters or file for divorce.  She doesn't run from her problems, she weathers the storms of life.  She will one day be happy that she didn't divorce her husband, or cheat on him, when all hope seemed lost.  When she couldn't see her hand in front of her face, she didn't give up and quit on her marriage.  She is a real trooper, hanging in their when her husband was under Satan's attack.  Fifty years ago, a mother could have 10 children and handle all the housework by herself.  Today, a mother needs a babysitter, counselor, friends, mother, and the whole neighborhood to raise one brat.  Women have lost old fashioned character.  Wives nowadays run out the door, go back to mama, and many file for divorce.  This is sinful, and an indication of the moral decline in America.Verse 26 - She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

She is no fool.  She knows Biblical principles, and has good sense.  She keeps her mouth shut most of the time.  When she does talk, it's worth hearing.  She never curses or uses profane language.  She never tells or listens to dirty jokes.  She doesn't waste her time talking with shallow people, who like to gossip and slander others.  She doesn't gossip or listen to gossip.  She never speaks evil of any man.  She respects the manhood of other men.  I once knew a woman who liked to deride other men by continually referring to her husband as a "real man."  This is not Christian.  A godly woman respects the manhood of other men; but, she is extremely careful not to directly praise other men.  Men are hungry for praise, and for a woman to give them attention.  Don't do it ladies.  No woman should ever brag on any man other than her husband.  The fastest way to anger and hurt your husband is to brag on another man.  Every husband wants to be his wife's ONLY hero.  However, don't criticize or slander other men either.  Every man has his dignity.Verse 27 - She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

She doesn't eat until her family has eaten.  She is in charge of the housework, and knows what is what.  She doesn't lose things--she has a place for everything, and puts everything in it's place.  She is organized.  Her house is clean.  She knows all the emergency phone numbers, and is prepared to deal with medical emergencies.  She knows the poison hotline.  Perhaps she has even taken a CPR and First Aid course.  She is careful with food preparation, and washes her hands.  Her home is disinfected, and it smells clean.  She is careful to wash the dishes correctly, not leaving soap film on the plates.  She is careful not to give her husband cracked glasses, or food with hair in it.  She doesn't leave her children unattended.  She reads to her kids, and listens to them read to her.  She knows about nutrition, and her family gets plenty of grain and vegetables.  She is careful not to give too many sweets to the family.  She knows that fluoride is poison, and filters her families' drinking water.  She doesn't like chemicals in the food, so she tries to prepare more homemade meals.  The lazy woman will buy nothing but prepared foods, feeding her family loads of sodium and toxic sodium aluminum phosphate (most baking goods).  Every wife should be an expert in nutrition.  Every wife should read, ask questions, and get informed concerning everything that she is responsible for.  I'm amazed how many wives and mothers go about their roles haphazardly.Verse 28 - Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 

How many men are always fighting with their wives because she is lazy?  Many!  Many men are miserable because of a lazy wife who won't spend 5-minutes in front of a mirror to pretty herself up.  I heard a man criticize his wife, saying that she placed them into debt by buying a living room furniture set they didn't need.  Another man said he was mowing the lawn on a hot summer day and asked his wife for a glass of water.  She said, "Get it yourself" and never brought it.  Another man rejoiced when he received an extra bonus check at work, because his wife didn't know about it and wouldn't confiscate it.  These men all spake poorly of their wives.  The Proverbs 31 woman doesn't make her husband miserable, she is a help instead of a burden.  So many married men are miserable, including Christian men, because of lazy lackadaisical wives.  Often, even the children get upset with her, because she blames the kids for her faults.  I've heard mothers curse at their children, screaming and yelling at them, like they were criminals.  This is sinful.  What does your husband say about you?Verse 29 - Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Very few, and I mean very few, women are like the Proverbs 31 woman.  Very few husbands are truly happy in their marriage.  So many wives lie to their husbands, being deceitful and hiding things from him.  I feel sorry for the man who's wife waits 10 years to tell him some bad news, breaking his heart.  Those are horrible words when a wife says, "There's something I should have told you 10 years ago."  What a horrible thing to do to a man.  There was a wife who led her husband to believe that she was a virgin before they married.  They were both Christians and had never dated anyone except each other.  The wife decided after 7 years of marriage to tell her husband that she was sexually molested by a much older step brother when she was a little girl.  The husband was forever devastated.  

As you can imagine, that permanently destroyed any family relations.  The man never spoke to the wife's family again.  The wife should have kept her mouth shut.  Better yet, she should have told her husband before they married what had happened.  She might as well have shot that poor man in the head, because he wished he were dead when she dropped the bomb on him.  I've heard testimonies from men of their wives stealing from their them, cleaning out the bank account, destroying their personal property, lying to them, using the courts against them, dragging meddling people into the marriage, etc, etc, etc..  So sad, so tragic, so evil.Verse 30 - Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

We are living in a sex-perverted generation where girls are trained at the earliest age to be whores.  The godless music being aimed at young girls is being produced and sung by Satan worshippers like Madonna, and lascivious causing perverts like Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson, etc.  Truly, beauty is only skin deep.  One day, all their physical beauty will fade, and an old broken body will be all that remains.  Death is inevitable (Romans 6:23).  The sinful world worships youth, and the rebellion of youth.  1st John 2:15-17 plainly teaches that the world and the lusts thereof will all pass away.  Nothing will matter 100 years from now except what you do with Jesus Christ.  Will you accept Jesus as your personal Savior, as payment for your sins; or will you reject Christ, and die in your sins?Verse 31 - Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

She has EARNED the right to relax and enjoy the fruits of her labors.  Many wives are bums, having a welfare mentality, parasiting off their husbands.  This is very wrong.  A Proverbs 31 woman wants to work with her husband, to make the marriage and family something to be proud of.  

Let me also add here at the end of our discussion, that the advice given from Verse 10 through 31 was NOT given to a woman; BUT, to a man, king Lempel (Verse 1).  It was advice from a wise mother, given to her son to help him choose the best wife to marry.  Perhaps we should call this passage of Scripture, the Proverbs 31 man, since it is advice given to man.  Carefully notice the warnings about alcohol given to the husband in Verses 1-9.  No alcohol-drinking man deserves a Proverbs 31 wife.  Why should he have a good wife to beat, and be abusive to her?  So many men who drink beer, live in sin, avoid church, curse in God's name, and chase women...wonder why they can't find a decent wife.  Solomon didn't write Proverbs 31.  Solomon never could find the woman of his dreams (Ecclesiastes 7:28).  Why?  Because Solomon had a reputation, a very bad one.  All his wives were the lazy whores who wanted his money...take care of us Solomon...and we'll give you the sex you want.  Solomon had many lovers; but, he couldn't find the godly wife that he so much desired.  Solomon tried to seduce the beautiful Shulamite girl in Song of Solomon; but, she wisely turned him down, and for good reason.  Solomon here represents Satan, who tries to seduce us away from Christ.  

This whole Chapter describes a woman who loves her husband and children with all her heart, and works to give them the best.  Jesus said that all of the Bible is fulfilled in two commands (Matthew 22:38-40): 1) Love God with all thy heart, 2) Love thy neighbor as thyself.  Also, in Galatians 5:14.  The woman who loves her husband and family doesn't need books, educational courses, or helps.  Through DESIRE, she will become everything that her family needs her to be (Proverb 18:1).  It's certainly acceptable for a wife to read helpful books, gaining insight from other women who have already proven themselves godly mothers; BUT, it is not necessary.  The Word of God is the only Book we need.  All the books, videos, and college courses in the world mean nothing if a wife and mother doesn't care. 

In conclusion, there is no such thing as a perfect wife, or husband.  The key to happiness in a marriage is two people who are mutually committed to making the marriage a success.  Many marriages are lopsided, where one spouse shirks their responsibilities, and the other is continually getting upset because of it.  This is unfair.  A happy marriage requires a team effort between husband and wife.  Many husbands are brute tyrants, who won't allow their wives to live.  This is true of religious men especially, who are taught that the wife is supposed to be submissive to her husband. 

Although the Word of God certainly does set forth the man as the head of his household, it doesn't give him any right to be unkind or abusive towards his wife.  Many Christian wives are slaves to a religious .  I say this kindly.  I believe that God wants every wife to be as the woman in Proverbs 31; but, God also expects every husband to be as the husband in Ephesians 5:25-33.  Every husband should be an Ephesians 5 man.

A GOOD WIFE

Blessed is the man that hath a good wife, for the number of his days shall be double.  A woman of courage rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.  A good wife is a good portion, and she will be given in the portion of them that fear the Lord.  When rich or poor, a good heart, at all times a cheerful countenance.  There be three things that mine heart feareth; and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse than death.  But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous over another woman, and a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.  An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and from: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.  A drunken woman is a  great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.  The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids.  Over thy daughter that is wanton, keep strait watch, lest she find overmuch liberty, and use it.  Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee.  She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller, and drink of every water near her: by every tent peg will she sit down, and open her quiver to every arrow.  The grace of a wife will delight her husband, and her skill will fatten his bones.  A silent woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a soul that is disciplined.  A modest woman is grace upon grace, and there is no scale that can weigh a continent soul.  As the sun when it ariseth in the Lord’s heaven; so is the beauty of a wife in the ordering of her house.  As the clear light is upon the holy lampstand: so is the beauty of the face in ripe age.  As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair feet with steady feet.  (My son, keep the flower of thine age sound; and give not thy strength to strangers.  When thou hast gotten a fruitful possession through all the field, sow it with thine own seed, trusting in the goodness of thy stock.  So thy race which thou leavest shall be magnified, having the confidence of their good descent.  An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a married woman shall be a tower of death to them that use her.  A wicked woman shall be given as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman is given to him that feareth the Lord.  A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest daughter will reverence her husband.  A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog; but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord.  A woman that honoureth her husband shall be judged wise of all; but she that dishonoureth him in her pride shall be counted ungodly of all.  Happy is the husband of a good woman, for the number of his years shall be double.  A loud crying woman and a scold shall observe a rout like a trumpet of war.)  There be two things whereby my heart is grieved; and by a third anger came upon me: a man of war in want because of poverty; and men of understanding that suffer contempt; and one that returneth from righteousness to sin; the Lord prepareth such an one for the sword.   A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; and an huckster shall not be freed from sin.

THE ORIGINS OF THE NECK TIE

When and why did men start wearing ties?

The neck tie has its roots in military history. For starters, a collection of terracotta sculptures discovered in 1974 in Xian, China gives insight into the style worn by Chinese soldiers over a thousand years ago. China’s first emperor, Qin Shih Huang, wanted his army to be buried with him as his guardians in the afterlife.  Lucky for all the soldiers involved, his advisers convinced him instead to have life sized replicas of his troops made to be used as his protectors throughout eternity.

In 210 BC when he died, his terracotta “army” was buried with him in this way. Each statue wore a wrapped neck cloth, the earliest known predecessor of the modern tie. Yet Qin Shih Huang’s army seems to have been the only known Chinese wearers of the neck cloth. There are no known representations of Chinese soldiers or Chinese people in general wearing this piece of clothing outside of this at this time. So historians believe that these neck ties might might have been used here more or less as a badge of honor for Qin Shih Huang’s army.

The neck tie is also depicted in Trajan’s column in Rome, Italy. Emperor Trajan ruled the Roman Empire from 98 to 117AD. He was regarded as a military genius and was responsible for the greatest expansion of the Roman Empire. His military conquest of Dacia is commemorated in Trajan’s marble column erected around 113 AD, where thousands of soldiers are shown wearing various styles of neckwear. Again, as was the case with the Chinese, there is no record of other Roman soldiers wearing neckties at this time. Thus, some think that it was also a sign of honor befitting exceptional fighters.

During the middle ages, another example of the necktie was worn in a military setting. In the early 1630s, during the Thirty Years War, Croatian soldiers in support of France were presented to the French King Louis XIII. The Croats wore colorful, knotted neckerchiefs as a part of their uniform which attracted their French partners who were accustomed to wearing starched, ruffled collars. Apart from its decorative purpose, the necktie was more practical than these stiff collars and could protect the soldiers’ shirts and buttons. By the time Louis XIV came to the throne, these ties became fashionable in France. Military personnel, French courtiers, and ordinary French people began sporting the accessory in various colors and fabrics. Some people even believe that “cravat”, the French word for “tie”, was even just a corruption of “Croat”, as the style was adopted from the Croatians.

Though the cravat is regarded as the true forerunner to the modern tie as a fashion statement, it would take a few hundred years for the tie to evolve to the narrow strip of cloth we think of today as a neck tie. The fancy cravat made its way to England after Charles II reclaimed the throne in 1660. Other aristocrats who had lived in exile in Europe followed him and took along the cravat which became a fashion rage that also spread to the English colonies. The neckwear grew to be a stylish accessory for the well dressed gentleman who wore it in every imaginable color and style. There were cravats of tasseled strings, ruffled collars, ribbon, embroidered linen, cotton, and an abundance of lace.

The trend continued into the eighteenth century when donning a cloth around a man’s neck became immensely popular among all men regardless of status. Towards the end of that century, wearing a black cravat was considered the height of fashion. In 1815, the French Emperor, Napolean Bonaparte who typically wore black, wore a white cravat during the battle of Waterloo to honor the Duke of Wellington who favored that color during battle. It was also around that time that people began to refer to a cravat as a “tie” for the first time, of course referring to the fact that the cravats were tied around the neck.

Variety in ties, innovation, and complexity in knots were the order of the day. Books and pamphlets were written about the subject. In 1818, The Neckclothitania was published, using satire to make fun of the elaborate cravat styles. In 1828, H. Le Blanc wrote The Art of Tying the Cravatdemonstrated in sixteen lessons including thirty two different styles.

The industrial revolution from the eighteenth to nineteenth century was the catalyst that led to the necktie as we know it today. “White collar” workers of the day sought comfort and simplicity over previously excessively elaborate dress. Stiff, fancy, hard to tie neckties had no place on the factory floor. Men tied their neckwear four-in-hand allowing for a knot at the throat with two ends of fabric trailing down. This method of tying was a much less intricate way of creating a knot than was necessary when wearing a cravat, and the knot remained secure. It remains a popular way of tying a tie to this day.

Around this time also, the idea of wearing a tie to show one’s affiliation developed. In 1880, the first school tie was fashioned when a member of Oxford University rowing club removed the ribbons from his boater hat and tied them four-in-hand. The trend caught on and ties for various affiliations developed.

In the 1880s, the ascot tie became the standard for formal morning dress. It was made a famous fashion item by Britain’s King Edward VII, also known as Bertie, who wore it to the horse races and his subjects followed. The name is derived from one of the most celebrated horse racing events in England, The Royal Ascot. The ascot, tie or “bow tie” are still today regarded as choices for morning dress. It was and is still typically decorated with a pin.

By the 1920s, the tie was to evolve even more drastically when Jesse Langsdorf, a New York tie maker, cut the fabric at a forty five degree angle using a three piece construction.  The gist of it is that this allowed the tie, when tied in standard knots, to drape evenly without twisting, and gave us the modern look. Since then, over the years the width of the tie has expanded and shrunken; the length has grown and shortened; and colors and designs have become brighter and softer, but despite those changes, the style remains substantially the same. The modern tie is even generally manufactured in the same basic way developed by Langsdorf.

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The Steinkirk, a style of wearing the cravat loosely tied with the dangling end pinned to the breast, became so popular in the early eighteenth century that women began wearing this necktie too, only in more lively colors than the men’s basic white.

The bolo tie (also known as a bootlace tie)- made of strips of leather worn around the neck and fastened with a clasp- is the official tie of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.There are a number of theories about the derivation of the term “four-in-hand knot” but two common explanations involve horses. One is that British horsemen used this knot to tie a scarf around their neck while holding the reigns of four horses in the other.

Another is that the knot with two long ends looked like the reins of the four-horse carriages.There are four main knots used in tying a tie: the four-in-hand, the Windsor, the half Windsor, and the Pratt. But two Cambridge Physicists, Thomas Fink and Yong Mao, used a mathematical formulation to determine that there are actually eighty five ways to tie a tie.

THE SURPRISING ORIGIN OF BIRTHDAYS

Where did the custom of celebrating birthdays come from? Did holy men of God in the Bible celebrate birthdays?  Is it wrong to celebrate the day of one’s birth? What does the Bible say about birthdays? Here is information you ought to know!

Almost everybody, today, celebrates birthdays. Around the world, friends and relatives hold birthday parties, give gifts to the one being honored, and wish “Happy birthday!” to the onewhose birthday is being celebrated.

But why?

Where did this universal custom originate?

Though you look in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, you will find no mention anywhere of any of the saints of God observing their birthdays.  In fact, strange as it may seem tomany, even the exact date of the birth of Jesus Christ is NOWHERE REVEALED in Scripture!

We read in the Encyclopedia Judaica, “The celebration of birthdays is unknown in traditional Jewish ritual” (vol.4, p.1054).  It points out that the only reference to a birthday in the Bible is that of Pharaoh of Egypt. 

The universal custom of observing Christmas as the birth of Christ, on December 25th, is acknowledged by all the historical authorities as having no basis in actual fact. Jesus Christ was born nowhere near December 25th, in the dead of winter.  See our article, “When Was Jesus Born?” 

If the very day of Jesus’ birth is deliberately left out of the Bible, doesn’t that fact tell us something?  If birthdays should be celebrated, why did God leave the date of His own Son’s birth out of Holy Scripture?

The plain truth is that birth day celebrations are only mentioned twice in the Scriptures -- once in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament – and both times in reference to customs being observed by unconverted, pagan people -- an Egyptian Pharaoh, and wicked king Herod!  Notice what happened on these two instances of “birth day celebrations” recorded in the Word of God.

Pharaoh of Egypt

In the book of Genesis we read: “And it came to pass the third day, which was PHARAOH'SBIRTHDAY, that he made a feast [BIRTHDAY PARTY] unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand: but he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them” (Genesis 40:20-22).

Notice! This was a birthday party, nothing less! It was being observed by a pagan Egyptian Pharaoh -- not a man of God. This is the only example of a clear cut birthday celebration in all the Old Testament -- and it was being observed by a PAGAN KING!

The Origin of Birthdays

This fact, however, should not be overly surprising. Writes Linda Rannells Lewis inBirthdays, “Birthdays have been celebrated for thousands of years. In early civilizations, where the development of a calendar made an organized reckoning of birth dates possible, thehoroscopes of ruling monarchs, their successors and rivals had to be cast with care and birthday omens meticulously examined, for the prospects of the mighty would affect the prospects of the entire society. By the time of Ptolemy V this practice was well established: ‘Ptolemy, the ever living, the beloved of Ptah, the son of the two Brother-Gods, was born on the fifth day of the month DIOS, and this day was, in consequence, the beginning of great prosperity and happiness of all living men and women’” (p. 12).

Ptolemy V was an ancient Egyptian king. It was common in his day for kings and rulers to have their horoscopes made by astrologers and their birthdays were considered very important omens of the future.

The false science of astrology, of course, makes a great deal out of the positions of the sun, moon and stars at the moment or day of one’s birth. Astrology teaches that the position of the sun, moon and stars at the moment of one’s birth determines their future destiny, their character, their personality, talents, health, and so forth. They cast horoscopes, or birth charts, to understand the supposed significance of a person’s birthday.

Astrology, as the Word of God plainly shows, is a pagan, false religious deception -- a fraud and a mythological pseudo-science.

God Almighty says to the daughter of Babylon(Isa. 47:1), the great pagan religious deception which has engulfed the world, “Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the ASTROLOGERS, the star-gazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as STUBBLE; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame” (Isaiah 47:13-14).

Writes Lewis, in Birthdays, “Birthday celebrations, even at this early stage, were not strictly reserved for the great rulers. Society adapts for its communal use those practices of the elite which it admires and can afford. In the fifth century before Christ, the Greek historian Herodotus, describing the festivals of thePersiansBIRTHDAY ABOVE ALL OTHER DAYS: and on this day they furnish their table in a more plentiful manner than at other times. The rich then produce an ox, a horse, a camel, and an ass, roasted whole in an oven; but the poor produce smaller cattle.”

Lewis continues, “In Egypt households of the same period birthdays were celebrated similarly. A part of the family budget was set aside to buy birthday garlands and animals for sacrifice, just as we might plan to spend a certain sum for balloons, party hats, and an ice cream cake” (pages 12-13).

This author goes on, “Among prosperous Greek families a birth feast, a coming-of-age feast, and feasts after death held on the anniversary of the day of birth were observed, but otherwise there were no annual birthday ceremonials. The birthdays of the immortals were ritually acknowledged once a month, however, the third day of each month being sacred to Athena, Ares, and Saturn, for instance” (ibid.).

The emperors of Rome often went to extreme in their own birthday celebrations. When the first birthday of Drusilla, the daughter of Caligula, approached, the emperor arranged a party suitable for the infant daughter of a “god” (himself). To celebrate her birthday, two days of horse racing were held, and a ritual slaughter of 300 bears, and 500 various beasts from Libya, in the amphitheater of Taurus, was held.

The Command of God

What does Almighty God say to His people about celebrating such days in honor of one’s own self, and one’s own individual ego? 

The whole message of God is to teach us to humble ourselves, and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves – to get rid of ego and self-centeredness.  Birthdays have the opposite effect.  They concentrate the attention on the birthday person, glorifying him – not God – and exalting him – not God – and having people bring him presents.  Thus paying “homage” to the birthday child.  This is the height of conceit and fosters a spirit of get, selfishness, and self-worship.  Self, self, self!  The whole extravaganza creates pride and lofty conceit in selfishness in a child.  The typical birthday party is therefore one of the deceptions of the devil, made to look attractive and nice on the outside, but full of wickedness on the inside.

We have already seen the proof that these celebrations were distinctly pagan in origin. But does it make any difference whether we observe birthdays or not? 

If our purpose is to build godly and holy offspring and loving, giving, godly children, thenwe should want to do NOTHING that would hinder this godly purpose – put no temptations in their pathway – do nothing to encourage them to think too highly of themselves in pride and arrogance.  Rather, we should teach them to give, to serve, to be humble, to revere God and His Word, and to love other children and seek to help, serve, and honor them.   Giving is much better than “getting.”  Cain was named “Get,” for his name meant “gotten,” as Eve said, “I have gotten a man-child from the Lord” (Gen.4:1).

Birthday celebrations were definitely of pagan origin.  Should God’s people emulate the pagans and pagan societies around them? 

God inspired the prophet Jeremiah to write,Iin plain terms,  “Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thussaith the Lord, LEARN NOT  THE  WAY OF THE HEATHEN, and be not dismayed at the signs of the heaven (astrology!); for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the CUSTOMS OF THE PEOPLE ARE VAIN” (Jeremiah 10:1-3).

Clearly, Almighty God commands His people not to follow in the ways, customs, and practices of the heathen, pagan nations around them! Obviously, therefore, the Word of God does NOT sanction or approve of public birthday celebrations or birthday parties! 

God is even more plain in His Word. Celebrating birthdays with lavish birthday parties was a pagan Egyptian custom. God commands His people, “After the DOING OF THE LAND OF EGYPT, wherein ye dwelt, SHALL YE NOT DO: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances” (Leviticus 18:3).

God goes on, in this same chapter, after listing more of the evil practices of the heathen, “DEFILE YE NOT YOURSELVES IN ANY OF THESE THINGS: for in all these the nations are defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself VOMITETH out her inhabitants.”

“Ye shall therefore keep MY statutes and MY judgments” -- which did NOT include birthday celebrations! – “and shall NOT COMMIT ANY OF THESE ABOMINATIONS; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: (For all these ABOMINATIONS have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you” (Leviticus 18:24-28).

Does this sound strong?   Almighty God does not sanction, approve or endorse ANY of the pagan customs of the nations of the world! They are an ABOMINATION to Him!  Birthday parties may seem so innocent and good on the surface, for the children, but all is not as it seems on the surface.  Parents, beware!  If you truly love your children then raise them according to GOD’scustoms and teachings!  This will protect them from the temptations of the devil, vanity, pride, arrogance, and self-centeredness!

God feels very strongly about these kinds of things which foster selfishness, pride, ego, and arrogance.  He commands His people, “Therefore shall ye keep MINE ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these ABOMINABLE CUSTOMS, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 18:29-30).  Although the customs being discussed in this chapter of Leviticus dealt primarily with religious worship and pagan religious customs, by extension the same principle would apply to pagan derived birthday customs. 

Most of the customs God mentioned in Leviticus 18 were abominable sexual practices common among the heathen, and common in the world around us, today. But verse 3 of this chapter says we are not to do “after the doings of the land of EGYPT.”   

This clearly shows that the celebrations of BIRTHDAYS, so common in Egypt, was among the prohibitions of Almighty God!  We are not to follow those misleading customs which direct attention to oneself in a frivolous display of VANITY and self-centered egotism and pride! Pride, remember, was the cause for the downfall of Lucifer, the archangel or cherubim who rebelled against God.  “Your heart was proud because of your beauty,” God said, “you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor” (Ezek.28:17).  For his pride and overweening self-centeredness, God says, “I cast you to the ground” (v.18). 

Let us fear God and KEEP His commandments!

What About New Testament Times?

Even as there is only one example of birthday celebrations in the Old Testament, so the New Testament also gives us only one such example -- that of the wicked, apostate king Herod, one of the worst butchers who ever lived.

Herod was notorious for his wickedness. He was a complete pagan at heart. Notice! He celebrated his own birthday, and see what happened!

“But when Herod's BIRTHDAY WAS KEPT, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.” The entertainment at his birthday party included a very erotic, sensual dance, very likely a strip tease of some sort. Herod was fascinated by the gyrations and movements of the lithe young female dancer, his wife’s daughter.

“Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John the Baptist's head in a charger.”

“And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus” (Matthew 14:6-12).  Here again, at a pagan birthday party, somebody was killed -- this time it was one of God’s greatest servants, John the Baptizer!

And this occurred all because of a birthday party!

It should be plain that true servants of God do not observe their birthdays and make a “big deal” out of them, or hold parties to celebrate them.  The pagans do – but not true Christians or followers of the Messiah, who seek His blessing on their activities! 

Should Christians celebrate birthdays? Obviously, the answer from the Word of God is a resounding NO! Birthdays are one more Satanic deception, like Christmas and Easter, which foster and inculcate the wrong kind of spirit and demeanor in a child.  Therefore such an observance is an abomination in the sight of God. Birthday celebrations are not among the Biblical customs of the Bible

The fact is, the Bible is totally SILENT on the date of the birth of every single servant of God, including Abraham, Noah, Moses, Samuel, David, the apostles, and most important of all, Jesus Christ Himself! 

In God’s sight, the actual time and day of a person’s birth is not the important thing.  Wise king Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes, under divine inspiration, “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of birth” (Ecclesiastes 7:1, NRSV). 

The Early Church

The day of one’s birth is not the important thing.  It is merely the beginning of our life’s journey.  What is important is what we DO with our lives, not how or where we begin.  

The early Church of God understood this fact. Lewis writes in Birthdays, “When the Christian church sought to substitute the authority of a religious hierarchy for the hegemony of the individual ego, BIRTHDAYS BECOME UNWELCOME REMINDERS OF PAGAN EXCESS and the degradation assumed in Adam's heritage. Celebrating the self was bad” (p.14).

Origen of Alexandria, in 245 A.D., wrote in a dissertation on Leviticus:

“None of the saints can be found who ever held a feast or a banquet upon his birthday,                 or rejoiced on the day when his son or daughter was born. But sinners rejoice and make                   merry on such days. For we find in the Old Testament that Pharaoh, king of Egypt,                celebrated his birthday with a feast, and that Herod, in the New Testament did the                same. But the saints not only neglect to mark the day of their birth with festivity, but                  also, filled with the Holy Spirit, they curse this day, after the example of Job and               Jeremiah and David.

For the true Christian, this life is a life of struggle and overcoming. The flesh is weak and prone to sin and lust. The carnal human mind is enmity against God (Romans 8:7). We must learn to throttle, subjugate, and subdue the pulls of the flesh, by the power of God's Spirit (Romans 7:1-25; 8:1-14).

Therefore, we do not celebrate the day we put on this fleshly tabernacle, but rather the day when we will put it off, and be clothed upon with a NEW BODY, pure and perfect, from heaven (Romans 8:22-23). In the meantime “we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (verse 23).

The Christian Attitude

For the true Christian, this life is a life of trials and tests. As David wrote, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous” (Psalms 34:19).  And the apostle Paul declared, “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

The apostle Paul also wrote, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”

“For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh” (II Cor.4:8-11).

For Christians, this present mortal life is not an end in itself.  It is filled with trials, tests, troubles, and pains.  We do not celebrate our birth into the “vail of tears,” but we celebrate our NEW BIRTH in CHRIST which will occur at the resurrection, when the Messiah returns!  Our hope is for the coming of Christ, and theresurrection!

Because we suffer greatly and often, in the flesh, we do not glory in the flesh, or in the day of our fleshly birth. It is of no consequence. But we look to the future, not to the past, and to theKingdom of God!  As Paul wrote, “For whichcause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen (the physical around us), but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (II Cor. 4:16-18).

This present physical life, therefore, is a proving ground.  It is like going to school.  We don’t graduate until death, or until the coming of the Lord!  Do people celebrate when they begin to go to school or college?  Or don’t they celebrate when they GRADUATE AND GET THEIR DIPLOMA?  Merely beginning life is nothing to boast about!  It is where we end up that really counts! 

Paul wrote, in the very next chapter of II Corinthians, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. For in this we GROAN, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is FROM HEAVEN. . . For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being BURDENED: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of LIFE” (II Cor. 5:1-4).

As Paul wrote in I Corinthians, “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” (ICor. 15:13-14).

Paul felt so strongly about this fact, that he declared, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men MOST MISERABLE” (verse 19). But our hope is not for this life!  Paul went on, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” (v. 20).

This entire chapter shows us that the true hope of the Christian is the resurrection of the dead, when we shall all “be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be CHANGED. For this corruption must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (I Cor. 15:51-52).

That is the day we will celebrate -- not our physical birthdays, when we were literally born into a lifetime of struggle, trials, suffering, death, misery, and privation, persecution, strife, and pain. Not at all! We look forward to and celebrate the second coming of Christ, and the resurrection of the dead saints which will occur at His coming!

As Paul wrote to the Philipians, “Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but LOSS for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but DUNG, that I may win Christ...That I may know him, and the POWER of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Phil. 3:8, 10-11).

This was Paul's one ambition, one driving desire, in life. He declared, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND (such as birthdays!), and REACHING FORTH unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14).

This present life is as nothing.  It is full of pain and suffering. If we follow Christ, then we will suffer as He suffered, leaving us an example (I Peter 4:13; 2:21). But the end result -- the eternal reward ahead of us -- makes it all worthwhile!

During this life we experience the “fellowship of his sufferings” (Phil. 3:11). We are one with Him in suffering, that we might become one with Him in glory and eternal life!

Paul wrote, “Who shall CHANGE OUR VILE BODY, that it might be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Phil. 3:21).

How much greater this is, than celebrating our birthdays of this fragile, temporary, transitory, weak, clay, human existence!

Avoid Pagan Birthdays

The World Book -- Childcraft International says regarding “Holidays and Birthdays,” “For thousands of years people all over the world have thought of a birthday as a very special day. Long ago, people believed that on a birthday a person could be helped by good spirits, or hurt by evil spirits. So, when a person had a birthday, friends and relatives gathered to protect him or her. And that's how birthday parties began.”

“The idea of putting candles on birthday cakes goes back to ancient Greece. The Greeks worshipped many gods and goddesses. Among them was one called Artemis.

“Artemis was the goddess of the moon. The Greeks celebrated her birthday once each month by bringing special cakes to her temple. The cakes were round like a full moon. And, because the moon glows with light, the cakes were decorated with lighted candles.”

This authority goes on:

“More and more, though, people the world over attach a certain magic to their actual date of birth. . . We may wear a ring with our birthstone in it for good luck. And when we blow out the candles on our birthday cake, we are careful to keep what we wished a secret. If we tell, of course, our wish won't come true.

“In other words, WE FOLLOW MANY OF THE OLD BIRTHDAY BELIEFS. We pay attention to the meanings of old-time birth symbols. And WE CARRY ON THE OLD CELEBRATIONS. We don’t necessarily take them seriously. We do these things mainly for fun. But it is also possible that there is something deep inside us that wants to believe.”

Why do people say, “Happy birthday!” to each other? Says this authority, “For the good wishes of our friends and relatives are supposed to protect us from evil spirits.”

What about birthday thumps, bumps, pinches, and the like?

“In many parts of the world, it is a tradition to give the birthday child pinches, smacks, spanks, thumps, bumps, or punches. Even though they may hurt a little, they are said to be very lucky. . .

“The reason for birthday spanks is to spank away any evil spirits and send them scurrying far into the distance. Punches, thumps, and pinches, the harder the better, are supposed to do the very same thing. . .

“Party snappers, horns, bursting balloons, firecrackers, and other noisemakers are just one more way of trying to scare off any bad-luck spirits that may be hovering about.”

What about traditional birthday games, such as “Pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey”?

“The games we play at birthday parties are often a symbol of trying to know the unknown. In this case, of course, the unknown is the future, or the new year of life that lies ahead for the birthday child.

“One of the oldest birthday games is Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey. A large picture of a donkey without a tail is pinned to the wall.  Each child at the party is given a donkey’s tail made out of paper and a pin to stick through it.  Then, one by one, the children are blindfolded. They are spun around a few times and pointed in the general direction of the donkey. The child who pins the tail the closest to where it should be on the donkey wins the prize.

“There are other versions of this game, such as Pin-the Nose-on-the-Clown or Pin-the-Ear-on-the-Bunny. But the idea of trying to guess correctly, while blindfolded, is the same.”

All these customs and traditions connected with the observance of birthdays have to do with guessing the future, good wishes for the future, good luck charms against evil spirits, and the like. All the birthday rituals, games, and ceremonies are a form of well-wishing toward the birthday child, which are supposed to work their magic in the year ahead.

But, as we have seen, the custom is totally PAGAN!  The ceremonies and games involve warding off evil spirits and protecting the birthday child from evil.  These are pagan customs – vain and foolish rituals -- nothing but useless pagan SUPERSTITION!

Should God’s people have anything to do with ceremonies that trace back ancient pagan societies and pagan times, involving pagan practices?  Should a true Christian indulge himself or his or her children in pagan birthday parties, just because they seem so attractive, fun, and “innocuous”?

The Word of God thunders, “What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? andwhat communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

“And what agreement hath the temple of Godwith IDOLS? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

“Wherefore COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, and BE YE SEPARATE, saith the Lord, and touch not the UNCLEAN THING; and I will receive you, and I will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (II Corinthians 6:14-18).

Let’s look at this custom objectively.  Why should we subject our children to it?  All the comparisons, who gets the best present, competition, and strife that inevitably follows? Let’s ge honst and face it. In God’s sight, birthday parties and celebrations are not clean, honest, honorable, fun things to do.  They are unclean things – and lead a child in the wrong direction. They turn people away from the truths of God and idolize the SELF.  Therefore, as Christians, we should have nothing whatsoever to do with them!

A Balanced Approach

 

            Having said this, we must remember that our neighbors don’t know these things or see things things like we do.  They think it’s all innocent fun.  Even other members of our own families may think the same way.  They wonder why we won’t participate in these things – “for the children.” 

 

            Although we don’t want to compromise the word of God, or ever do anything He tells us to avoid, that does not mean we need to offend other people, or set a wrong example toward them.  We should always be gracious, and kind, and loving of others, and patient with them, avoiding unnecessary controversy and arguments. 

 

            If a family member or relative has a birthday, and invites you, you can simply explain the situation, and your own beliefs, in a humble, positive manner.  And decline the invitation. 

 

            However, if the other family or individual says there is not going to be anything pagan, or the usual birthday customs, that it is merely a time to get together for family fellowship, or friendship, for a nice meal, with a cake, and that it is just a family event, that would not necessarily be wrong.  We should not go overboard in these things. 

 

            Solomon also wrote, “Do not be too righteous, and do not act too wise; why should you destroy yourself?  Do not be too wicked, and do not be a fool; why should you die before your time?” (Ecclesiastes 7:16-17, NRSV).

 

            Always be discreet, modest, and friendly, in dealing with people.  Attending a simple family dinner on one’s birthday, where family members give a present to honor one member’s birthday, is not the same thing as holding a birthday bash and inviting all the kids in the neighborhood, or a big political event, or a huge public celebration. 

 

            A small family affair, just for the family, I believe, would be all right in God’s sight, with no emphasis on the birthday itself or any pagan trappings.  Sometimes it may seem difficult to get our balance in these things, but we can do it if we persevere, and do all things in love and wisdom. 

 

            We don’t need to fall into the ditch along the right hand side of the road, or plunge into the ditch alongside the left hand side of the road, either.  We should simply use caution – take care – be careful – and be prayerful – a draw a line between right and wrong.  A simple dinner, with a few presents for your loved one (son, daughter, father, mother, etc.), would be perfectly in line with God’s Word.  For God does command us, “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12).

 

And Paul also says, “And father, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (see Ephesians 6:1-4).  “Fathers, do not provoke your children or they may lose heart” (Colossians3:21).

 

Children, be good to your parents; and you parents, be good to your children.  Don’t deny them good things.  And to give them something special on their birthday is perfectly all right. Just be sure you don’t allow it to become a pagan “birthday party” or “birthday celebration” of the sort which has wrong connotations and creates the wrong atmosphere and imparts the wrong kind of influence. 

 

Keep God’s principles in mind.  Be balanced! Avoid excess!  Avoid any and all pagan trappings or anything resembling evil.  But on the other hand, don’t be afraid to give something nice to a family member or relative on any other day of the year. 

THE WHORE OF BABYLON

This study about the whore of Babylon is such an important one for the time we are living in, and it is our sincere prayer that you will look at this with open eyes and let God guide you and teach you His truth. I cannot strongly enough state the importance of this study. The final judgment is soon to fall upon this world and upon Babylon, so you really need to find out who the whore is to make sure you are not joined with her and also receive of her plagues.

A lot of people today believe that Babylon is Islam. Some people believe that Babylon is literal city like New York. But I want to show you from the Bible why this cannot be right.

Below is PROOF that Babylon cannot be Islam or just a city or a country.

In Revelation 17 Babylon is guilty of committing "FORNICATION" and is a "WHORE". Now what is fornication? Well, we need to find out the BIBLICAL meaning of fornication. In the Bible, fornication is the act ofcommitting adultery against God by mixing with other Pagan nations and practices (traditions) and going after other gods. Look at how God described this in the book of Ezekiel speaking to His people ...

Ezekiel 16:26-32 ...'You have also committed FORNICATION with the Egyptians your neighbours, great of flesh; and have increased your WHOREDOMS, to provoke me to anger. You have played the WHORE also with the Assyrians, because you were unsatiable; yes, you have played the HARLOT with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied. How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord God, seeing you doest all these things, the work of an imperious WHORISH WOMAN; In that you buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and have not been as an harlot, in that you scornest hire; But as a wife that committeth ADULTERY, which taketh strangers instead of her husband.'

Have a good read also of Ezekiel Chapter 23.

God's people in the Old Testament committed fornication against God and became a whore. And this is the important Biblical point. When God is talking about people committing adultery and being a whore in a prophetic, spiritual sense, like He is in Revelation. He is talking about people committing adultery AGAINST HIM. And the only people who can be guilty of committing fornication (adultery) against God today are 'professed' Christians.

Let me give you a literal example of a husband and a wife. Can the wife commit adultery against her husband by going after another man? Yes, because she is married to her husband. Now can any other woman commit fornication or adultery against the husband? No, because they are not married to him. So the same is with God. Those outside the Christian faith CANNOT commit adultery against God because they are not "married" to Him in the first place. Only Christians can commit adultery against God, because Christ Jesus is the husband (Bridegroom) and the church is His wife (bride). So Babylon the Great HAS to be a professing Christian church. Do you see this vital truth?

So why can't this be Islam? Because Islam rejects Jesus Christ as it's Saviour and therefore Muslims are not 'married' to Christ. He is not their 'husband'. Therefore they cannot commit adultery against God and be a whore, because they are not married to Him in the first place.

Also Islam does not have the proper system of organization or the global political reach to be able to have control over the 'kings of the world'. Plus Muslims can't agree amongst themselves and are constantly warring against each other. No, there is only ONE religion which is regarded as the 'mother' church who has the world political reach to be Babylon!

And here is more proof ..

In Revelation 18 we read about the judgment of the Whore of Babylon. And in verse 23 it says ... "the light of the candle shall shine no more at all in thee, and thevoice of the Bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more in thee." ... Now, have a good think about this. Whether we take this symbolically or literally, there is only one kind of place this could be talking about. If we take this symbolically, then the bride and Bridegroom is a Biblical reference to Jesus Christ and His church (2 Corinthians 11:2; Matthew 25:6). Also, if we take this literally, then where do we see brides and bridegrooms? IN A CHURCH. So Babylon has to be a professed Christian church.

NOTE: Babylon cannot be America or any other country, because Bible prophecy clearly portrays a country as a BEAST, not a woman. See Daniel 7:23 and Revelation 13. These BEASTS represent countries.

God has given us a number of indentification marks so that we need not second guess who the whore of Babylon is, also known as Babylon the Great. But first, just to confirm before we get into the various identification marks of Babylon, a woman in prophecy represents a church.

2 Corinthians 11:2 ...'For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.'

Isaiah 62:5 ...'For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee

Christ Jesus is the "husband" of His church and the church is the "bride". And just as the woman in Revelation 12 represents the pure church of Christ, the woman in Revelation 17 represents a fallen, apostate church. So if the whore of Babylon represents a church, then it obviously cannot simply be a city like New York or any other religion like Islam. Now interestingly, the apostle Peter also refers to Babylon in one of his letters ... 1 Peter 5:13 ...'Thechurch that is at BABYLON.' ... There is agreement between a number of commentators that Peter was referring to Rome when he said Babylon. So Peter is speaking to the church in ROME.

Peter is saying that ROME is Babylon. But who is the WHORE of Rome (Babylon)?

"The penetration of the religion of Babylon became so general and well known that Rome was called the 'New Babylon'." (Cardinal Gibbons, Faith of our fathers 1917 ed. p. 106)

Let's look at the other identification marks of Babylon the Great to find out exactly who this whore is.

Identification Marks of The Whore of Babylon

IDENTITY 1 - Revelation 17:1 ...'I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters

So this church, the whore of babylon, sits upon many waters. What does this mean? Well, if we let the Bible interpret itself, we can find out the answer ...Revelation 17:15 ...'And he saith unto me, the waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.' ... So the waters represent the people and nations around the world. And if you sit upon something, then you are being supported by that object. So this is a church that has WORLDWIDE support from all different people and nations. Did you know that the Roman Catholic Church is the biggest church in the world with over 1 BILLION members?

IDENTITY 2 - Revelation 17:2 ...'the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.'

So this is a church that has influenced kings thoughout the past 2000 years and continues to have 'diplomatic relations' with nations all over the world. Now we know from history that the popes of the Roman Catholic Church certainly had 'authority' over the kings of the earth, which is how the Catholic Church was able to have so many Christians killed during the dark ages and inquisitions.

Take a look at this quote from 2007 ... "The Catholic Church is the only religious institution that can enter into diplomatic relations and that interests itself in international rights, acting through the Holy See, an international sovereign subject of singular characteristics." (Monsignor Pietro Parolin, Undersecretary for Relations with States, http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/holy-see-insists-that-it-has-right-to-speak)

This is an amazing quote in which the Catholic undersecretary unwittingly confirms the Roman Catholic Church as being the whore of Babylon! It is the ONLY religious institution that can have diplomatic relations with the 'kings of the world'. Amazing!

The Vatican now has 'Diplomatic RELATIONS' with 180 Nations

Also, the inhabitants of the earth have certainly been made drunk with the false teachings (wine) of the Catholic Church. Not only are there over 1 BILLION Catholics deceived by her teachings, even the majority of Protestant Christians still hold onto some Catholic false doctrines, like the Sunday sabbath, eternal hell fire, immortal soul, etc..

Please see HERE for a sample of Roman Catholic false teachings.

IDENTITY 3 - Revelation 17:4 ...'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.'

So the main colours of this church, the whore of Babylon is Purple and Scarlet. And it is also a very wealthy church that is decked out with gold and precious stones. Did you know that the main colours of the Bishops and Cardinals in the Catholic Church are Purple and Scarlet? And did you know that the Roman Catholic Church is one of, if not THE most wealthiest institution in the world? With the Vatican being decked out with gold and precious stones? And if you look at some of the coins that the Vatican has had produced, you will see images of a woman with a golden cup in her hand on them. Blatantly boasting of who she is!

This cup full of abominations is also a symbol that the sins of this church are so great and full that it is now a fallen, apostate church that can never be the church of Christ Jesus. And the sins of the Roman Catholic Church are immense, with it's idolatry, murder, child abuse and so on, that she has committed throughout her history, and CONTINUES to commit.

And when the mark of the Papal Church is enforced upon the world, THEN the message of Revelation 18:2 will go out to the world, and her fall into apostasy will be COMPLETE!

IDENTITY 4 - Revelation 17:5 ...'And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH

So the whore of Babylon is shrouded in mystery. Now the only church that I know of that is shrouded in mystery is the Roman Catholic Church. Outsiders are kept in the dark as to what really goes on behind closed doors at the Vatican. There is certainly a lot of mysterious behaviour that goes on with the Papacy. And what about Babylon the Great being the "MOTHER of harlots"? Did you know that the Protestant churches CAME OUT of the Roman Catholic Church? Did you know that many of them are now going back to the Catholic Church? There is no other church that has "harlot daughters" like the Papal Church of Rome does. And she is even regarded as the "MOTHER" church.

And what church is the "MOTHER" of abominations of the earth? Literal Babylon from the Old Testament is the original mother of abominations, but the Roman Catholic Church is the spiritual mother of abominations that took on many of the Pagan customs of original Babylon.

See THIS SHOCKING LIST of Vatican crimes against children!

IDENTITY 5 - Revelation 17:6 ...'And I saw the womandrunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.'

So this church, the whore of Babylon is drunk with the blood of the saints. Now notice that it doesn't say she just has the blood of saints on her hands. It says that she is DRUNK with the blood of God's people. So this church is guilty of not just killing a few Christians. She is guilty of killing MANY, MANY of God's people. Did you know that the Roman Catholic Church has caused TENS OF MILLIONS of Christians to be persecuted and brutally murdered? Yes, this woman is the Roman Catholic Church indeed!

IDENTITY 6 - Revelation 17:18 ...'And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.'

Now many people look at this verse and proclaim"BABYLON IS A CITY, IT'S NEW YORK!!", and they totally disregard all the other characteristics of Babylon, which show that the whore of Babylon cannot just be a literal city like New York. BUT, if we take ALL the indentification marks together, including this city one, then we can see who it is. We know from the evidence that Babylon the Great is a church. So how can we bring this church and city together? Well, what is the one city which is also a church that "reigns" over the nations of the world? What one city, which is also a church has diplomatic relations with virtually all the world's nations? VATICAN CITY!

The papacy is so influential and powerful that nearly every major country consults her before making major policy moves. "Her large diplomatic corps maintains relations with more than 100 nations." (U.S. News and World Report, October 30, 1978, p. 24)

The Vatican now has 'Diplomatic RELATIONS' with 180 Nations. Only 16 left for her to haveFULL UNION with the whole world!

IDENTITY 7 - Revelation 17:6 ...'and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration

What is the one church that people would look at with awe and wonder? The Roman Catholic Church, with all her splendor and pomp. Millions of people flock to the Vatican each year and wonder at the "majesty" and splendor of the place.

IDENTITY 8 - Revelation 17:9 ...'And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth

Does this match the Roman Catholic Church? Yes. The Vatican is situated in Rome, and early Rome was known as the city of seven hills. Those hills being, Aventine Hill; Caelian Hill; Capitoline Hill; Esquiline Hill; Palatine Hill; Quirinal Hill; Viminal Hill. Are there other cities around the world with seven hills? Yes, but when you take into account ALL of the other characteristics of Babylon the Great, then only the Roman Catholic Church matches them all perfectly.

So who is the whore of Babylon? The Roman Catholic Church. No other church, religion, kingdom or institution matches her like the Papal Church of Rome does. And God is calling His people out of Babylonand the other fallen churches of the world (Babylon's daughters).

It's not just the Roman Catholic Church that God is calling His people out of. There is a great ecumenical movement happening today that is uniting all churches and faiths together. So if your church accepts this ecumencial movement, then you need to come out of that church also. Revelation 17 says that Babylon has daughters, and her daughters are the Protestant churches that came out of the Roman Catholic Church during the reformation. But are now heading back to Rome! Please heed the call!

 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RAPTURE AND THE SECOND COMING?

The rapture and the second coming of Christ are often confused. Sometimes it is difficult to determine whether a scripture verse is referring to the rapture or the second coming. However, in studying end-times Bible prophecy, it is very important to differentiate between the two.

The rapture is when Jesus Christ returns to remove the church (all believers in Christ) from the earth. The rapture is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54. Believers who have died will have their bodies resurrected and, along with believers who are still living, will meet the Lord in the air. This will all occur in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye. The second coming is when Jesus returns to defeat the Antichrist, destroy evil, and establish His millennial kingdom. The second coming is described in Revelation 19:11-16.

The important differences between the rapture and second coming are as follows:

1) At the rapture, believers meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). At the second coming, believers return with the Lord to the earth (Revelation 19:14).

2) The second coming occurs after the great and terrible tribulation (Revelation chapters 6"19). The rapture occurs before the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).

3) The rapture is the removal of believers from the earth as an act of deliverance (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, 5:9). The second coming includes the removal of unbelievers as an act of judgment (Matthew 24:40-41).

4) The rapture will be secret and instant (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). The second coming will be visible to all (Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:29-30).

5) The second coming of Christ will not occur until after certain other end-times events take place (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:15-30; Revelation chapters 6"18). The rapture is imminent; it could take place at any moment (Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54).

Why is it important to keep the rapture and the second coming distinct?

1) If the rapture and the second coming are the same event, believers will have to go through the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).

2) If the rapture and the second coming are the same event, the return of Christ is not imminent"there are many things which must occur before He can return (Matthew 24:4-30).

3) In describing the tribulation period, Revelation chapters 6"19 nowhere mentions the church. During the tribulation"also called "the time of trouble for Jacob" (Jeremiah 30:7)"God will again turn His primary attention to Israel (Romans 11:17-31).

The rapture and second coming are similar but separate events. Both involve Jesus returning. Both are end-times events. However, it is crucially important to recognize the differences. In summary, the rapture is the return of Christ in the clouds to remove all believers from the earth before the time of God's wrath. The second coming is the return of Christ to the earth to bring the tribulation to an end and to defeat the Antichrist and his evil world empire.