We have Christian churches in America that could care less about the authority of the Word of God and the deity of Jesus Christ. If you take those two elements out of Christianity, it is no different than any other religion. These types of churches are known as apostate churches. They are stench in God’s nostrils.

This is not going to be a Christian brother bashing and sister smashing session. But if you are thinking the same way as they do, you can consider this a wake-up call or warning.

We, here in Calvary Chapel of Sahuarita believe and know that the Bible, the Word of God has the final authority in every aspect of our lives and that Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord is God Himself who died for our sins and rose again from the death. Now He is sitting at the right hand of the Father in heaven. That is the fact and truth, it cannot be negotiated for so-called cultural tolerance or for the sake of diversity.

Apostate churches have been around from the first century. We’ve studied extensively in chapter 2 of this book. If you’d like to review those studies, you can order CDs or rent them from the Bookstore.

A. THE GREAT HARLOT

Revelation 17:1-2 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”

Babylon was later the capitol of the empire that cruelly conquered Israel.

One reason the apostle John used symbolism so that his message would encourage believers in any period of church history. The true church is a pure virgin, but the false religious system is a “harlot” who has abandoned the truth and prostituted herself for personal gain. In every age, there has been a “harlot” who has persecuted God’s people. This will climax in the last days in a worldwide apostate religious system.

Every age has featured a “Babylon,” a political and economic system that has sought to control people’s minds and destinies through their own religion.

According to religious history and legend, the Babylonian religion was founded by the wife of Nimrod – a great-grandson of Noah, named Semiramis. She was a high priestess of idol worship, and she gave birth to a son who she claimed was conceived miraculously. In truth, she bore this child out of an adulterous relationship. The son, named Tammuz, was considered a savior.

Many ancient artifacts remain with the familiar motif of the mother Semiramis holding the savior-infant Tammuz, which predate Christianity. It was also said that Tammuz was killed by a wild beast and then miraculously brought back to life.

The Bible makes specific mention of some of the features of this classic religion in Babylon:
• Ezekiel protests against the ceremony of weeping for Tammuz – Ezekiel 8:14
• Jeremiah mentions the heathen practice of making cakes for the queen of heaven – Jeremiah 7:18
and offering incense to the queen of heaven – Jeremiah 44:17-19, 44:25

This great harlot is unification of all false and idolatrous religions with representatives from apostate Catholicism, Protestantism, as well as a collection of other religions of the world.

Many people like to identify this great harlot with the Roman Catholic Church, but false religion is not limited to any one church.

Religious Babylon intoxicates kings and peoples. The founder of communism Karl Marx was partly right when he said, “Religion is the opium of the masses.” He was partly right because empty religion is the opium of the masses.

Since this is a well-accepted religious system to the people on earth during the Tribulation time, it is likely to appear as attractive and spiritual.

The current American media are so readily accept just about every religion around the world and more than willing to show during the prime time TV. But when it comes to Christianity, they treat it like a leper.

B. THE SCARLET WOMAN ON A SCARLET BEAST

Revelation 17:3-6 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. 5 And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.

Her association with blasphemy and the dragon’s beast are clearly seen from God’s perspective. But to the people of the earth she will look quite religious, and have the “faith” everybody wants.

The woman is clothed with emblems of luxury of Purple clothing with gold and precious stones and pearls and political power with scarlet garments. Yet she offers idolatry with abominations and impurity that comes from the filthiness of her fornication. She has a religious flavor, without the Savior.
     2Tim 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

In spite of all her glamour, she is nothing but a spiritual prostitute.
Interestingly ancient Roman prostitutes frequently wore a headband with their name engraved upon it.

The title on her forehead is not for literal Babylon. But its spiritual representation, which is the source of all idolatry and spiritual adultery.

This harlot is larger than any one branch of a religious institution or denomination. She is the embodiment of satan’s religion of the world system. Through this religious system, satan is receiving a proxy worship from the people on earth.

Our world, with its “it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe” philosophy, is ripe for the harlot’s seductions. We see this casual disregard for the truth is crippling the church today.

We are created for God’s pleasure to bring worship and adoration to Him. But when we replace our adoration to God with anything else, it is the same thing as committing idolatry. False religion is always the worst enemy of true faith in Christ.

C. THE MEANING OF THE GREAT HARLOT & THE BEAST

Revelation 17:7-11 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 9 Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. 11 And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.

The seven mountains probably symbolize the city of Rome, built on seven hills.

Many people, especially from the protestant’s point of view, find the connection between religious Babylon and Roman Catholicism irresistible. Yet it is flawed in the sense that there is no doubt that religious Babylon will incorporate a strong Roman Catholic element, but it will be much bigger than Roman Catholicism.

Indications about Roman Catholicism’s ultimate partnership with a one-world religion are evident in Pope John Paul II’s bizarre involvement with and approval of other anti-Christian religions.

In addressing a prayer gathering of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and others, Pope John Paul II told participants that their efforts were “unleashing profound spiritual energies in the world and bringing about a new climate of peace.” The Pope pledged that “the Catholic Church intends to ‘share in and promote’ such ecumenical and inter-religious cooperation.”

The Catholic Review commented on this and said, “The unity of religion promoted by the Holy Father Pope John Paul II and approved by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not a goal to be achieved immediately, but a day may come when the love and compassion which both Buddha and Christ preached so eloquently will unite the world in a common effort to save humanity from senseless destruction, and leading to toward the light in which we all believe.”

Some of you may ask me, “Can Christianity not work together with other religions? Why does it have to be so straight and so rigid? I will let the Apostle Paul answer that.

2Co 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

D. TEN KINGS FOR THE ANTICHRIST

Revelation 17:12-15 The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” 15 Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.

Whichever country they are, their actions are clear. They ally with the antichrist in the war against Christ.

The harlot’s influence is worldwide, through her connection to the beast. This will be truly a one world religion through the one world government.

E. THE TEN NATIONS AGAINST THE HARLOT

Revelation 17:16-18 And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

On the same note, we will be disgraced and devoured by any sin we attempt to control without repentance. Oh, perhaps, like the harlot, we can ride the sin for a season, arrayed in the pearls, precious stones, and purple robes of confidence – but eventually, like the harlot, we will be burned and eaten up by the very sin we thought we controlled. I believe the language in this verse is purposely horrible because, truly, the wages of sin is death.
      Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

F. APPLICATIONS
1) Satan’s counterfeit religion is subtle, requiring spiritual discernment to recognize.
In every age, there is the tremendous pressure to conform to “popular religion” and to abandon the fundamentals of the faith.

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

2 Tim 3:13-14 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in

3) We will be disgraced and devoured by any sin we attempt to control without repentance.
Like the harlot, we can ride the sin for a season, arrayed in the pearls, precious stones, and purple robes of confidence – but eventually, like the harlot, we will be burned and eaten up by the very sin we thought we controlled.