> General Discussions

How did you leave Babylon?

<< < (2/4) > >>

Roy Coates:
Thanks, I appreciate the heart felt responses.

Robin:
I moved to a small mountain community and went to the church there. The pastor of the church started teaching series of bible studies that God used to teach me truth. The pastor was teaching a lot of correct information although he didn't believe what he was teaching in the same way I received it. I learned to rest and that the work of God was God's work and not my work. God started healing me and teaching me a new truth about every 3 months. I've never been so scared in my life. I was slowly becoming detached from any teachings anywhere I looked. I searched very hard.

I tried to talk to the pastor about my new beliefs and he rejected me and my brother when we went in for a meeting. He got angry and told me my beliefs would only lead to despair. At the time we were discussing that God was sovereign and there was no free will. That's all I knew up to that point.

The JWs came to the door and talked me into a bible study. I thought I could share with them what I knew at the time. It turned out that God used that bible study to bring scriptures to me that clearly showed me the "beast". I saw that I wasn't saved (past tense). I was scared to death and had no where to turn for answers. I still tried to compromise and go to church. I tried talking to others. I was treated poorly and like I had gone astray. The black sheep. God continued to heal me and free me with new truth. My brother would get one half and I would get the other half. We would discuss it for hours and hours and hours on the phone. When the truth clicked we were overjoyed and moved to the next truth.

God finally dragged me out of the church for good. I watched a movie that was perfect at the time to show me that the church was teaching lies and living as hypocrites. I couldn't go back. I had this book I often read and opened the book and saw the words "COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues". I knew then that God was giving me a command to leave the church. The other portion of the writing was don't worry I will gather you together with others. I forget the exact words.

I thought I was crazy. How could my brother and I be right and everyone else in the world be wrong. God hadn't taught me yet that there was no hell so I was in great fear that I was deceived. We couldn't find anyone who believed the way we did. God kept teaching us and kept dragging us. We had the free will series down and then the teaching stopped for 10 years. No word from God for 10 years. Again I was so scared. The words of the pastor kept haunting me. My beliefs would only lead to despair.

I was so desperate I begged God for a teacher. God if you have a teacher anywhere in this world please lead me to him. I was crying in despair and desperate. I was hungry and thirsty for God and felt like I was dying. 2 weeks later I found Ray's writings and the first thing I read was the free will series. I cried and laughed with joy. It was the same thing God taught me and my brother. Even using some of the same phrases. I knew God taught that to Ray so I was able to trust him with the rest of the teachings. I was a lot afraid for a couple of weeks over the trinity teaching, but God got me past it. What a joy it was to finally see the proof that there is no hell. I was trying to prove that wrong for over 30 years and couldn't do it.

I am so glad God dragged me out of the church and blessed me with Ray's teachings and everyone here.

Sorry this was long. :)

OBrenda:
Hi Roy,

As an Adult my experience within "Babylon" was at first very exciting, as I as able to learn the scriptures in the Bible, in a new and relevant way than those of my youth "catholic".  My younger Sister first introduced me to a "Charismatic Experience" which later I found myself in the "Word of Faith" or better known as "Name it and Claim it" churches.

Over the years I found myself placed as a Deacon, also a Home Group Leader.  About 12 years ago a couple of things happened that "Woke Me Up"  First was a Statement from the church of my tithes given through out the year.  (I was a single parent, working two jobs & going to college)  I looked at the amount I had given and I was shocked that I had given that much, when my daughter and I did without somethings that the Pastor and his family didn't do without.  The scripture came to my mind, about religion being filthy rags if you didn't take care of Widows & Orphans.

Although I wasn't exactly a widow or my child a literal orphan the math wasn't adding up!
I won't bore you with every revelation, except to admit I found I didn't like myself, or God very much.
What seemed to make sense and bring Joy, was completely dead and ugly to me.  About six months ago
I stumbled on Rays Web Site...Thank You God!...and as many here, returned to their first love.

I have allot to learn still, and would like to know how you came out of Babylon?

Your Friend,
Brenda


  

Akira329:
Hi Roy!

I use to attend Mt. Vernon Baptist Church here in Atlanta, GA. I mainly sung in the adult choir, men's choir, mass choir and played saxophone too.
I was assistant Sunday school teacher for the singles class. I also was looking to getting into the recovery ministry and feed the homeless ministry. I wanted to do a lot!! I left the church after reading a lot of the papers by Ray.

A lot of things the church was doing never sat well with me anyway so I just didn't show up for anything anymore. My heart left the church long before I found Rays papers. I never tithe anyway, just didn't make sense and of course never had enough to tithe ten percent. anyway...............After a few months the pastor calls me and told me that the spirit led him to call me.
I really believe it did!! He asked why I didn't come any more, I basically told him that I didn't agree with a few practices of the church and that God was calling me out of church. Well, he said I had some other spirit speaking through me and that some body or some group has gotten hold on me.

I tried to engage him with a few scriptures but he no longer wanted to talk with me.
I actually pleaded with him to help me in that time of my life but he had to go pick up his daughter.
That was the last I heard from him. I don't expect to hear from him again.

I was contacted a few times by a couple members, I later told them of my new found knowledge and understanding and they pretty much shrugged at it with a "huh" and I never heard from them again.

I did bump into a member at the hospital one time and she told me how much everyone missed me. Of course I didn't believe her, nobody cares in a baptist church! Members come and go! If your not a contributor to the vision of the pastor no one will care. I did expect a lot of people to call me mind you! I was surprised by the couple who did because we don't speak that much.

I have visited other churches with friends but only because I was invited. Its so hard to sit there now, sometimes I feel like crying.

Heidi:
When God commanded me to come out of Mystery Babylon I advised my sister that I was no longer going to attend the church I went to.  Her reaction was priceless....I discussed this with someone who's opinion I trusted....I was advised that it would not hurt me to still attend, just to keep the good things that came from the sermon (remembering that the shadow is not evil).  However, I attended the service the very next Sunday...even sat next to my sister but I felt out of place...uncomfortable....I have never returned and am blessed by it.  Since coming out of the church system I have been set free...the truth will set you free  :D

Love in Christ
Heidi

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page