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Definition of Babylon?

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aqrinc:

Hi Judy,

That one is not too difficult to answer, the rock was peter; That Rock (Boulder) Is Jesus Christ.

Ray did the complete series on that in:  The Lake of Fire - Part VIII

Mat 16:18 (WNT) Weymouth NT
And I declare to you that you are Peter, and that upon this Rock I will build my Church, and the might of Hades shall not triumph over it.

Excerpt from: WHERE IS THE CHURCH THAT JESUS BUILT?  by L Ray Smith.

http://bible-truths.com/lake8.html

A QUICK HISTORY OF THE CHURCH BEFORE REVELATION

Jesus Christ said,

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter [a movable stone], and upon this rock [Christ, the immovable boulder] I will build MY CHURCH; and the gates of hell [Greek: hades, the unseen realm of the dead] shall NOT prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18).

What did Jesus mean that the "gates of hades would not prevail against it?" This word "prevail" was translated from the Greek word katischuo and it means, "to overpower." It is used but one other time in Scripture and here we shall see exactly what this word means:

"And they [the chief priests] were instant with loud voices, requiring that He [Jesus] might be crucified. And the voices of them of the chief priests prevailed… And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they CRUCIFIED Him…" (Luke 23:23 & 33).

The chief priests "prevailed" [katischuo] by putting Jesus Christ TO DEATH. But Jesus said that the "gates of hades [realm of the DEAD] will not prevail [katischuo] against it." In other words, His Church would NEVER be overpowered to death.

And so, the Church that Jesus Christ built is still around today.

On Pentecost, Jesus Christ came back to His disciples just as He said He would. He came back as the Comforter. Jesus said that they absolutely could NOT receive the Comforter until He went away. Why? Because Jesus Christ IS THE COMFORTER, but not in the flesh, but in THE SPIRIT!

It was on Pentecost that the first members of the Church of Christ received the Holy Spirit Comforter, just as He symbolized to them when He blew on them, showing that He Himself would come to them in spirit by the will of God. Now for the first time, His disciples were truly converted, baptized in Holy Spirit, possessing the mind of Christ, lead into all Truth (Jesus) by the Comforter—Jesus was NOW BUILDING HIS CHURCH!

"But the Comforter [Greek, parakletos, also called the Consoler, and in I John 2:1, Advocate in KJV, and Entreater in the CLNT] which IS the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26).

The Advocate or Entreater in I John 2:1 IS the parakletos, The Comforter or Consoler of John 14:26 IS the parakletos,. and we are told that it is Jesus Christ Himself. Furthermore, the "Holy Spirit" that is said to come AS the Comforter is also Jesus Christ,

"Now the Lord IS that Spirit: and where the Spirit OF THE Lord [Jesus Christ] is, there is liberty" (II Cor. 3:17

THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST GROWS

The next mention of the Church that Christ said He would build is found in Acts 2:46-47:

"And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord ADDED to the church DAILY [3000 in one day, Ver. 41] such as should be saved" (Acts 2:46-47).

PERSECUTION COMES QUICKLY

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (II Tim. 3:11).

Those are the words of Paul, and he should know, HE WAS THE CHURCH’S BIGGEST PERSECUTOR!

"And Saul [Paul] was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was A GREAT PERSECUTION AGAINST THE CHURCH which was at Jerusalem, and they were ALL scattered abroad through the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles" (Acts 8:1).

And just who was behind this persecuting of the Church of God? Answer: The other Church of God that was also headquartered in Jerusalem!!!

"And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter [murder] against the disciples of the Lord [that would be Christ’s Church], went unto the HIGH PRIEST [of the OTHER Church of God, in the TEMPLE—remember back in Acts 2:46 where the Church of Christ was ‘continuing daily with one accord?’ Yes, that temple!]

And [Saul] desired of him LETTERS [letters of authorization from the highest level of God’s Church—the HIGH PRIEST] to Damascus…"

Letters for the purpose of continuing his persecution and slaughter of Christ’s New Church. I told you it is not pretty picture.

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his OWN HOUSEHOLD" (Matt. 10:34-36).

Do you think that maybe a man’s foes could even be of his OWN CHURCH?

george. ;D

jg:
Thank you all for your time.

I have read these teachings of Ray's before, but I guess over time I have forgotten some of the important things. 

Here is one of those important things pointed out by Marques.

"Catholicism is only one of the many harlot daughters under 'Mystery Babylon the Great, MOTHER of Harlots'."
Hope this helps,Marques....................

When I read that, it hit me.  The harlot daughters part is what I missed in my studies before. Referring of course to all the different denominations, including the RCC.
Btw, I wasn't trying to single out the catholic organization, its just that the RCC is the largest organized church, at least as far as I'm aware of.  I might be wrong there.

Another very interesting scripture pointed out by Patrick;

"and that ye receive not of her plagues" (Rev. 18:4). "

I certainly don't want to be a partaker of "her plagues."  And obviously those are plagues meant for the harlot daughters and those who are partakers of her sins.

Am I correct in saying that those "sins" mentioned in Rev 18:4 would be perhaps the belief in pagan "church" doctrines, such as an eternal hell as an example?

I'm reminded of what Ray said about how blasphemous it is for the "church" to teach about a burning eternal hell designed for those who don't hear and accept Jesus as their Saviour.  (Not Ray's words exactly, not trying to quote) 

It seems to me that believing in an eternal hell erases the very salvation Jesus brought to all mankind. (understatement?)  Again, is this an example of the "sins" mentioned in Rev 18:4???

I ask because I need to understand what those sins are, and I am only able to write concerning what I have been allowed to see. 

Thanks,

In Christ,,, Joe

musicman:
The real church of Christ is female.  The whore of babylon is also female as it steadily broke off from truth a long time ago.  It's not just the Catholic church.

judith collier:
Thanks guys, I will have to read everything you suggested and then come back but what about the Holy Spirit? I have encountered the Holy Spirit in many churches even being called out once, "what is the Spirit saying to you" Well, I was in shock.(never having talked in church)I was under the spirit strongly and was given a certain verse(not even quite knowing what was happening or how the minister could tell) except for the fact that my head was down to my chest. judy

aqrinc:

Hi Judy,

Having run the gamut of several (at least 7 different (COG) movements); i always wondered why are these people acting so strangely. I have seen waving, yammering, frothing, fits, head banging, stomping and all forms of (spirit filling claims). Even thought i was odd for not getting any of the spirit, in retrospect it was a good thing for me to not get.

If our feelings are what determine our understanding of GOD, i am in big trouble. Good thing though; The Scriptures Say:

Rom 1: 20-22 (GNB)
20  Ever since God created the world, his invisible qualities, both his eternal power and his divine nature, have been clearly seen; they are perceived in the things that God has made. So those people have no excuse at all!
21  They know God, but they do not give him the honor that belongs to him, nor do they thank him. Instead, their thoughts have become complete nonsense, and their empty minds are filled with darkness.
22  They say they are wise, but they are fools;
23  instead of worshiping the immortal God, they worship images made to look like mortals or birds or animals or reptiles.

Gal 4: 8-9 (GNB)
8  In the past you did not know God, and so you were slaves of beings who are not gods.
9  But now that you know God---or, I should say, now that God knows you---how is it that you want to turn back to those weak and pitiful ruling spirits? Why do you want to become their slaves all over again?

Col 2:2 (GNB)
I do this in order that they may be filled with courage and may be drawn together in love, and so have the full wealth of assurance which true understanding brings. In this way they will know God's secret, which is Christ himself.

george. :)

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