Sunday, August 29, 2021

The Religious Beast From The Earth - The Great Whore

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-29-2021

Revelation 17:1-5

 

A.  Chapter 17 is tied back with chapter 13.  In chapter 13, we saw two "beasts" that rose out of the sea and earth.  The first beast was the political system of government in the end-time built by the spirit of antichrist.  The second beast was the religious system of the end-time that would look like a lamb but would destroy all who followed it.  These beasts defile, devour, destroy.

 

1 Corinthians 15:32a  If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus …

 

B.  Chapter 17-18 reverse their order as the "religious beast" in found in chapter 17 and the "political beast" is found in chapter 18.  This is done for a good reason.  In chapter 13, the political beast that reigns will be first as Antichrist takes control in chapter 6 and never relinquishes it.    In chapter 18, the political system will destroy the religious system.

 

C.  In chapter 17, it is important that the religious beast or system come first because it preceded the end-time political system.  We will find this truth in chapter 17.  Now, we will ignore the political beast for a while as chapter 18 will deal with it in detain.

 

D.  We will spend a little time in this chapter as we need to understand when this religious system started, what this religious system is, and what this system does.

 

E.  Notice with me that the first part of verse 1 speaks of judgment.  God will judge this ungodly system of religion that is and has always been antigod from the beginning.  It has changed its face to reflect religion at its finest in our day but under the outward veneer that it shows, it is still just what God calls it, the great whore!

 

F.  God will judge the great whore and all those who follow it.  It is anti-bible, anti-god, and anti-mankind.  The Bible references this system in its letter to the church at Thyatira.

 

Revelation 2:20-24  Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.  (21)  And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.  (22)  Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.  (23)  And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.  (24)  But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

 

1.  Its leader is a woman.  "Jezebel … prophetess"

 

2.  Its teaching is spiritual fornication and idolatry.  "seduce … commit fornication … idols" 

 

3.  God gave it space to repent, but it continued in its spiritual wickedness.  "she repented not"

 

4.  Its followers will be cast into "great tribulation" except they repent of their deeds.

 

5.  Her children that she has birthed and reared will die a spiritual death in the Lake of Fire.

 

6.  The Bible calls this system "the depths of Satan."

G.  God calls this system "the great whore."  Though I do not normally use this word, it is the only appropriate word that describes the actions of this religion.  I want to break these three words down tonight because I want each of us to know EXACTLY WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT THE RELIGIOUS BEAST!

 

1.  "the" – pay strict attention to the definite article that is applied to the religious beast.  You have two types of articles, definite and indefinite. 

 

The two indefinite articles are "a" and "an."  God could have said, "A great whore," but He did not.  "A great whore" would be the designation of one of many.  God said, "The great whore!"

 

2.  "the" is a definite article.  This is not a great whore; it is the great whore.  A definite article is place before a noun to indicate that the identity of the noun is known to the reader. 

 

The great whore is one that is both identified by the writer, God, and known by the reader, you and me.  There are many false religions that could be identified as whores but this one is specific.

 

3.  "great" – very great or greatest – the root word is a superlative (good is good, better is better, best is best). 

 

One, it is great in its membership.  The great whore has taken over America along with most so-called "Christian Nations." 

 

Two, it is great in its influence as it has not only power over individuals but also power over nations. 

 

Three, it is great in its wickedness.  It is wicked internally and externally as it denies the singularity of the Lord Jesus Christ as deity, Saviour, Mediator.  It is great in its final result: the damnation of hell and the Lake of Fire eternally. 

 

Salvation is the Gospel (death, burial, and resurrection) of Jesus as the ONLY way of salvation.  By faith, through grace and not mixed with human merit!  To add or take away from the finished work of Christ is to pervert the Gospel into "another gospel."

 

Galatians 1:6-9  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:  (7)  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  (8)  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  (9)  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

 

4.  "whore"  The First Mention of the word whore is found in Leviticus.

 

Leviticus 19:29  Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.

 

This verse ties two words together: prostitute and whore.   A whore is a woman of immorality while a prostitute is a whore who sells her wares for gain or profit.

 

Prostitute – profane or to wound.  "a person, in particular a woman, who engages in sexual activity for payment."  This definition ties prostitute with payment.

 

Whore – to commit fornication for a price.  Often, in the Bible, it is tied with idolatry.

 

2.  The result of prostitute and whore is whoredom and wickedness.

 

Whoredom – prostitution in general; to lead into sexual impurity or spiritual idolatry.

 

Wickedness – the result is a turning the nation into ungodliness.

 

h.  Now, as we begin this chapter, we understand how God looks at this "great church."  God calls it "the great whore."  I took the time to give you an understanding of this because religious people think that I am personally responsible for defaming it.  It does not matter what I think, it does not matter what you think, it only matters what God thinks and I believe that His message begins in complete clarity!

Hell: The Hidden Truth

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-29-2021

Luke 16:19-31


Introduction:

 

A.  The Earth’s core is app. 11,000 degrees at the center as far as scientists can determine.  Little is known (though scientists may disagree) about our inner Earth, so fact and fiction often run together.  Some years ago, on the Science channel, I saw an hour program on the Earth’s mantle and inner core.  They showed the molten liquid and told of the intense heat; they showed the inner core which is said to be solid where the most intense heat is, but I saw nothing about hell.  You see, they cannot see the inner Earth.  It is impossible for man to send an instrument into heat that would liquefy the metal immediately, so they must give you their idea of what is there through animation.  If they could see the mantle and core, they would see into hell!

 

1.  Most references to hell, outside of the Bible, are made in a jokingly or nonchalant manner.  When I think of the world’s view of hell, I think of the verse that says, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)  Satan has done a good job of hiding the fact of a literal burning hell and many of his preachers have denied it for years.

 

2 Peter 3:3  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,  (to ridicule; to disdain; to scorn)

 

2.  As saved people, you and I also think little about hell.  The reason is this:  I’m not going there!  Since I got saved, I have not dreamed of hell nor given much thought to it.  We need to come back to the reality of hell because sinners are going there.

 

B.  I am sure that the rich man in this story did not spend much time thinking about either hell or eternity and neither did those who attended his funeral.  “and was buried.”  I often pass our two mortuaries while going into town and see long lines of people waiting to get in to view the deceased and say some words of comfort to the family.  While the 3 days of funeral activities are ongoing, the deceased is either in heaven or hell.  While the people “buried” the rich man, he “lift” up his eyes in hell, being in torments.”  Hell had become an eternal reality!  The word “lift” has always caught my attention.  If the Bible said “lifted,” then it may have been that the rich man, after a while, dropped his eyes but the word “lift” leads me to believe that his eyes may still be “lift.”

 

C.  The subject of Hell is one that is rarely preached these days. For several reasons:

 

1.  Because of the subject matter: no one likes to think of anyone going to hell.  I would not wish it upon my worst enemy.  It is not that we do not believe in hell because we know that it is as real as heaven.  It is a horrible reality, so we do not think of it often.  When is the last time that you thought of hell?

 

2.  Because of the disturbing nature of the place.  Hell needs to be preached upon, but it is not my favorite subject. 

 

3.  Because it is one subject that my finite mind cannot fathom.   I cannot grasp either heaven or hell.  They are subjects that are beyond the realm of human experience with repercussions that cannot be measured.

 

4.  Because many preachers like their “jobs” and preaching on hell is not conducive to longevity in some pulpits.  Many people do not believe in hell because God is a God of love.  He is also a God of holiness and justice!  Preaching on hell is not popular with the masses but is a necessity.  Jesus said more about hell than He did heaven!

 

D.  In our text, we find to real people.  One is named and one is not.  I am glad that I do not know who is saved or lost and do not know the name of this man who died without Christ.

 

E.  I want to look at his place called Hell for a few minutes because we need to keep its reality fresh in our minds.  Hell made a soul winner out of the rich man in this chapter, and it should make soul winners out of us.

 

1.  Hell is a Real Place.   Luke 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

 

Jesus mentioned hell in our passage as a statement of fact.  As “In the beginning God” was a truth to be proclaimed, not argued, so was the doctrine of hell.  He did not ask us to believe in it, He just stated the fact of its existence.

 

a.  Hell is not the fantasy of some religionist’s mind.

b.  Hell is not a fear factor used by preachers to manipulate people.

c.  Hell is not something to be joked about or made fun of.

d.  Hell is a fact to accept.  The One who said, “I am the truth” declared it.

 

2.  Hell is an Eternal Place.  Matthew 25:41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

 

a.  There is no possible escape.

b.  There are no second chances.

c.  There is no time limit.

 

3.  Hell is a Terrible Place.   Luke 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

 

1.  A lake of fire - Revelation 20:15

2.  A bottomless pit - Revelation 20:1

3.   A horrible tempest - Psalm 11:6

4.   A place of everlasting burning - Isaiah 33:14

5.   A furnace of fire - Matthew 13:41, 42

6.   A devouring fire - Isaiah 33:14

7.   A place of torments - Luke 16:23

8.   A place of everlasting punishments - Matthew 25:46

9.   A place where people pray - Luke 16:27

10.   A place where they cry for mercy - Luke 16:24

11.   A place where they wail - Matthew 13:42

12.   A place where they curse God - Revelation 16:11

13.   A place where they never repent - Matthew 12:32

14.   A place of filthiness - Revelation 22:10,11

15.   A place of weeping - Matthew 8:12

16.   A place of sorrow - Psalm 18:5

17.   A place of outer darkness - Matthew 8:12

18.   A place of where they have no rest -          Revelation 14:11

19.   A place where they gnaw their tongues - Revelation 16:10

20.   A place of blackness and darkness forever - Jude 13

21.   A place where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched - Mark 9:48

22.   A place where they are tormented with brimstone - Revelation 14:10

23.   A place from which the smoke of their torments ascendeth up forever - Revelation 14:11

24.   A place where they do not want their loved ones to come - Luke 16:28

 

4.  Hell is an Incomprehensible Place.  Our lack of comprehension does not deminish its reality and ignoring its fact will not make it go away.  Someone once said, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”  I am glad that I will not have to go there but hell’s reality should be a motivating factor in all our lives.  Family, friends, acquaintances, and a multitude of people we will never meet are heading in the same direction as the rich man in Luke 16.

 

5.  Hell is a Place to be Shunned.  Mark 9:43-48  And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:  (44)  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.  (45)  And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:  (46)  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.  (47)  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:  (48)  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

 

6.  Hell is a Place of Eternal Regret.  Revelation 14:10  The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

 

7.  Hell is a Place of Personal Choice!  Matthew 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  (29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  (30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 

John 5:40  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.