The closing days of 1993 remind us that the closing days of Christendom are fast approaching. The greatness of what is called Babylon in Rev. 17 and 18 is surely now more and more evident. She is seen in these chapters as the woman that rides the beast. She will be seen as the great apostate ecclesiastical system. She is called the Mother of Harlots. Notice that she is called Babylon the great.
In August Pope John Paul II visited North and South America in a great display of grandeur and power. In Colorado the largest assembly that state has ever known came out to see him.
At this present time there is increasing evidence of the coming of what is represented as a man called a beast in Rev. 13. This will be the great apostate civil power that rises up out of the sea which is a symbol of the masses of the people.
This world as a civil or secular thing is spreading out in technological improvements, attractive and entertaining beyond past thoughts. While God is not in man's thoughts, still He allows men to discover for themselves what has always been in His creation, and to use these things for themselves, whether for good or for bad.
As to the greatness of the beast, the question is asked in Rev. 13:44And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? (Revelation 13:4), "Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" Surely all is now in the fast lane moving toward the full display of the woman and of the beast in their various forms of greatness and grandeur, which will, according to God's Word, precede their judgment.
In contrast, we ask this question: Is there any indication in God's Word that the saints, or the true Church, will arise to any condition of beauty or greatness before the hour of their translation comes? The apostate things are to be great and magnificent before their judgment. What does the Scripture say about the true thing before her removal to glory?
Luke 12:3232Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32) says, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." The word to the angel of the church in Philadelphia is: "These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name.”
Littleness is seen in the true Church, before her rapture out of this world into the glory. Greatness in the world is to be displayed in the two apostate systems, the civil and the ecclesiastical, just at the time when its judgment comes. Ed.