Oscar Leske’s Weekly Offering 5-14-21
Exposing Satan’s False Church
TWO OPPOSING BRANCHES OF CHRISTIANITY EMERGED
Christ knew what would happen after the disciples were gone. Jesus knew that Satan would infiltrate and counterfeit this young growing Christian church. Jesus knew that Satan would counterfeit the gospel and set up a counterfeit religious system to deceive the masses.
The church has been the object of attack from Satan from early in the apostolic era. Satan has attacked the church by introducing false teaching and false teachers. One of the methods of Satan is to destroy the church from within and that is precisely through false teaching and false teachers. Paul warned us about this: “The Spirit says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons (1 Timothy 4:1).” Paul was talking about individuals who had professed to be Christians. They knew about the Lord Jesus Christ and had been told that He was the only Savior. They professed for a time to follow Him, but then they apostatized from the faith. Jesus had warned us about this in multiple parables in Matthew chapter 13. In the parable of the wheat and tares: “The field is the world, the good seeds are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels who will gather them out of His kingdom and cast them into the furnace of fire (Matt. 13:38-42).” The enemy that sowed the bad seed, the tares, is Satan. Satan has a counterfeit for every divine reality. Satan sows the world with a counterfeit company of professing believers who look and act like Christians and who associate with believers and even learned to speak the jargon of believers, but they are pretenders and not genuine followers of our Lord and Savior. These people can sit right next to you in church, and you would not be able to tell the difference from their outward appearance – only God knows the heart. Only God knows his sheep.
SATAN, THE MASTER COUNTERFEITER
Satan didn’t waste any time after Pentecost to infiltrate God’s church with false teachers who pose as ministers of righteousness but are, in reality, ministers of the devil. We read in 2 Corinthians 11:15, “It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashioned themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.” They profess to lead people in the way of truth and righteousness, but they are agents of the evil one.
Satan has cleverly guided vain religious leaders to introduce pagan ideas, concepts, and practices into “Christianity.” Since the word “Christianity” is stamped on the outside of the package, most people assume that the religion of Jesus Christ is being offered. Little do they realize that totally false concepts of God, of Jesus Christ, and of His message of eternal life have been wrapped up in a deceptive package called “Christianity.” This papal state church is simply a continuation of the old Babylonian religion with the name “Christian” stamped on the outside. False doctrines, creeds, rituals, and practices – all supposedly Christian. Yet none of them corresponds remotely to the Christianity that Jesus and the original apostles taught. Satan has indeed done a masterful job of creating a counterfeit Christianity that has deceived the masses over all the centuries.
The original Christianity of Jesus and the apostles was dramatically changed within a few centuries after Jesus’ death. The church and the state became one when Christianity was adopted as the religion of the Roman Empire. After the fall of the Roman Empire the church gradually usurped power over the state, and the result was not Christianity but a more or less corrupt hierarchy, wielding power over the nations of Europe and making the church mainly a political machine with the authority to crown kings and emperors. The Catholic Church rose to become the dominant power in the West wielding political authority, even claiming the right to dispose of kings. The Holy Roman Empire was established in the year 800 under Charlemagne at the hands of the Pope, symbolizing both the Pope’s right to crown sovereigns and it was also the Emperor’s role as protector of the Roman Catholic Church.
Throughout the Old Testament Satan has persecuted God’s people. Persecution also began at an early date in history of the church. Yet infiltration and persecution will not stop the work of the Lord. The church will continue to prosper because Jesus said nothing would stop its advancement. Jesus said, “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it (Matt. 16:18).”
TWO OPPOSING BRANCHES OF CHRISTIANITY EMERGED
Two opposing branches of Christianity emerged from the apostolic era. Both would use Christ’s name and claim His authority. Both would claim to be following Christ’s true teaching. But only one would faithfully represent its founder, Jesus Christ. The other would capture the minds and hearts of humanity by attaching the name of Christ to biblically unsupportable religious customs, sacraments, traditions, and doctrines that Jesus and His apostles neither practiced nor approved. The apostles repeatedly warned Jesus’ followers to be aware of false teachers who would introduce counterfeit Christian beliefs. Jesus Himself warned: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name and will deceive many (Matt. 24:4-5).”
The church Jesus founded would be led by God’s Spirit and remain faithful to His teachings. The other church counterfeited by Satan would accept the name of Christ but twisted Christ’s teachings to create a convincing counterfeit of the true Church of God. The counterfeit church is not entirely different from the true church but rejects some of the essential biblical teachings that lead to eternal salvation. This false church teaches that we earn salvation by faith plus works (rituals, sacraments, tradition, etc.). Through deception, Satan is attempting to dwarf God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. To accomplish his purpose, Satan exploits human nature. He sways people to believe his deceptions. Satan retains just enough truth in his doctrines to persuade people they are following Christ but introduces sufficient error to prevent them from living the way that would ultimately lead to faith in what Christ accomplished for us on the cross and to eternal life. Over the centuries the true church has been infiltrated and divided by the powers of unspiritual men directed by Satan in order to try and destroy it.
By the end of the third century the true servants of God became a distinct minority among those who call themselves Christians. The counterfeit Christians had become the majority. With Emperor Constantine making (so called) Christianity the religion of the Roman Empire this universal apostate church was free from persecution and had become largely under the control of the occupant of the Roman Empire throne. A faithful union of religion with the state had begun – the Roman papal religion.
The Roman church of today is purely a human institution. It’s doctrines, which frequently stand in opposition to God’s word, were never taught by Christ or the apostles. They crept into the church over a period of time. It is evident to anyone who examines the record of the Babylonian rites and practices that were inserted into the Roman Catholic Church. They would see that many of today’s pagan elements within the Catholic Church were taken directly from the Babylonian religion founded by Nimrod after the flood.
CONNECTING THE TWO BABYLONS
In Scripture there is mention of two “Babylon’s.” The first “Babylon” was founded by a man named Nimrod the great-grandson of Noah through the line of Cush (Genesis 10:8-10). The name Nimrod means rebel. He appears as the first “mighty one on the earth” after the flood (v.8) and was the first to establish a kingdom (v.10). He built the Tower of Babel (Babylon) in rebellion against God and later built the city of Nineveh in Syria (v.11), another enemy of God’s people. The second Babylon spoken in Scripture is a modern church-state religious system described in Revelation 17 and 18, whose leaders will literally fight Christ at His Second Coming (Rev.17:12-14).
We know we got Christmas and Easter from the Roman Catholics, and they got it from paganism but where did the pagans get it from? Guess what? Both of these pagan holidays can be traced to the ancient Babylonians and Chaldeans. Anyways, to say the least, God was not pleased and denounced this corrupt adulterous Babylonian religious system, queen of heaven and all its customs. But the philosophies, customs, and religion started by Nimrod and his wicked wife Semiramis will continue down into the end times. Semiramis, Queen of Babylon, was worshipped as Rhea, the great “Mother” of the gods, mother of all impurity, idolatry, and prostitution. Thus, this Caledonian Queen was the suitable prototype of the “Woman” in the Apocalypse, with the golden cup in her hand, and the name on her forehead: ‘Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots, And The Abominations Of The Earth (Rev. 17:5). The Apocalyptic emblem of the “Harlot” woman with the cup in her hand embodied the symbols of idolatry derived from ancient Babylon.
This Babylonian system of idolatrous worship spread all over the world as the inhabitants of the city itself were scattered (Genesis 11:9). As they went from Babylon, these men took their worship of mother and child, and the various “mystery” symbols with them. Babylon was the primeval source from which the system of idolatry flowed. Later, the Roman Empire assimilated into its system the gods and religions of the countries over which it ruled. Since Babylon was the source of this paganism, we can easily see how Rome’s early religion was a form of Babylonian worship that had developed under different forms and different names in the countries to which it had gone.
MODERN BABYLON CREATED
CHRIST IDENTIFIES THE PEOPLE BEHIND THIS FALSE RELGIOUS SYSTEM
In the book of Acts 8:9-13, we are introduced to Simon Magnus, the Samarian, who practiced sorcery and astonished the people of Samaria and who was later to be known as Simon “Peter” when he moved to Rome. Scripture says that “The people were actually convinced that he was ‘The great power of God’ (v.10).” Surprisingly as it may sound, it is a well-known fact among students of ancient religion that the chief pagan gods worshipped in the early civilizations were generally known by the name or title “Peter.” Because he was worshipped as a God that would make Simon Magnus also to be formally known as Simon “Peter” in Rome. Some scholars believe that it is he who is buried under the altar of the Basilica in Rome. That it is he who was the first Pope in Rome and not Simon Peter, the apostle, that Catholics so falsely claim. Anyway, he was one false teacher mentioned early in Scripture who attempted to buy the office of apostle from Peter, hoping to obtain the power to grant others the Holy Spirit. Motivated by his greed for power and influence, he faked conversion to appear Christian. He offered Peter money for the gift of the Holy Spirit so he could use this power of the Holy Spirit for his own personal use. Historical sources indicate that Simon Magnus blended various elements of Babylonian paganism and mysticism into a false Christian philosophy. By the first century, the religions of the Babylonians were centered primarily in Rome. With Rome as the center of the world, it would only make sense that Simon Magnus would move to Rome to spread his new religion which was a mixture of Babylonian pagan beliefs and Christian doctrine. Simon Magnus’ move to Rome is noted in several historical writings. His goal as stated by historical records was to create a “universal” religion. When Justin Martyr wrote his Apology (152 A.D.), he mentions the “sect of the Simonians” being formidable. Simon had made such an impression by his magical powers that he was honored as a god in Rome and a statue erected to him on the Tiber River.
Now, to make a long story short, Bishop Eusebius, a Catholic leader who baptized Constantine said that the Simonians were very much around, calling themselves “Christian” and flocking into the Catholic Church. He said they were corrupting the entire church such as a dangerous disease would when it hits the whole body. He maintained that they were the chief troublemakers and should have been expelled from the Catholic Church, but by this time it was too late as almost the whole church was affected. Make no mistake the modern Roman Catholic Church is the continuation of the ancient Babylonian mystery system. It’s religious festivals and its practices were drawn directly from the Babylonian religion and its priesthood. Rome is indeed the Babylon of the Apocalypse. Jesus Christ Himself identifies these people by name, Simonians, who are behind this false counterfeit religious system calling itself Christianity – competing and battling against the true Church of God. Jesus calls these Simonians and their adulterous religious system “the synagogue of Satan.”
The Samaritans were the only distinct people in the world in the first and second centuries who said they were Jews, and yet were not Jews and they knew it. The Samaritans were liars. Their own records showed they came from Babylon and adjacent areas and that they were clearly Gentiles (non-Jews). This is why Jesus referenced them when He said, “Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie….. (Rev 3:9).” The synagogue of Satan are these “Samarian-Christians.” The old Babylonian religious system that transitioned itself into the Roman papal church. Further proof of this Babylonian false religious system started by Simon Magnus and coming to fruition in the end times can be found in the book of Revelation. The apostle John accurately describes the last picture that the Bible gives of apostate Christendom in chapters 13 to 18. In these chapters we find a merger of all apostate churches under one great end time religious leader called the False Prophet, headquartered in Rome (Rev. 16:13). The sad part is that many good Christians cannot or will not see what is happening in the present day. There are spiritual forces at work within the Christian church that run counter to the revealed Word of God. This worldwide ecumenical church of the end times is clearly shown in Revelation chapter 17 as “Mystery Babylon, The Great, The Mother Of Harlots, And The Abominations Of The Earth (v. 5).” The words, Mystery, Babylon The Great,” refers to the Babylonian mother and child religion “queen of heaven” with its special rites, rituals, sacraments, and idols. In the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, it calls the “queen of heaven” idolatrous worship that provokes the Lord to anger (Jeremiah 7:18; 44:17, 25).
After the rapture when God’s true church is taken out of the world the professing churches on earth unite to form one large apostate body. Babylon represents apostate Judaism and apostate Christendom, which will be a vast commercial and religious conglomerate with its headquarters in Rome just before Jesus returns (Rev. ch.18, 19). Rome is known as the city which is built on seven hills (Rev. 17:9).
During the great tribulation it will be a revival of ancient Babylon, with its priestly castes, pagan rituals, sacraments, and documents, and a complete disregard for God’s commands. It will be a clever counterfeit of true Christianity. Unfortunately to millions upon millions living during the tribulation, it will seem like the real thing. Why? Because a vast majority of professing Christians do not generally study the Bible. They do not dig into the Bible and try to prove all things as God commands. Therefore, they will be caught up in the euphoria of this powerful Babylonian system. For it will be part of the end time ecumenical movement. People will get caught up in the beautiful pageantry, the music, the pomp and ceremony, and the intimidated power of this Babylonian church-state system that God condemns. It will be promoted by the end time dictator, the Antichrist, and the false religious leader known as the “False Prophet.” People will be enticed to join and be part of it.
Getting back to Scripture, in Revelation, chapter 14, the second angel announces: “Babylon is fallen, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication (14: 8).” We then read in Revelation 17:2 that “The woman commits fornication with the kings and inhabitants of the earth.” Roman Catholicism is the only religious system that has done this on a worldwide basis. Her history of political intrigue and influence is without rival by any other religion. She has indeed seduced political leaders with her compromise and intrigue. There are very few governments of this world today who do not have an ambassador to the Vatican. Let us continue connecting this all together as we read further in chapter 17 and let us see what Scripture reveals to us concerning this apostate religion which is simply a continuation of the old idolatrous Babylon religion.
In Revelation 17:15 it says, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.” Roman Catholicism is the only religious system that is worldwide in scope and influence – she indeed ‘sitteth upon many waters.’
In Revelation 17: 6 we read that “The woman is drunk with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus.” Roman Catholicism qualifies as a religious system which has indeed shed the blood of the true saints of God. When Rome had both religious and political powers in Europe, she murdered and tortured those she labelled as heretics killing millions upon millions in the inquisitions of Europe, for disagreeing with Rome’s dogmas.
In Revelation 17:4 it says, “And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color.” The Pope’s and Cardinal’s vestments and buildings of the Vatican are well known for their red (scarlet) and purple colorings. These are the colors which often adorn the Vatican hierarchy.
Then in Revelation 17:4b we read that “This woman is adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.” No religious system in all of history comes even close to the incredible wealth, art treasures, gold and silver, as that of the Roman Catholic Church. She has a cup in her hand which points to Rome’s holiest instrument, the Golden Cup of the Eucharist.
As we can see, the apostle John nailing it down precisely as to the identity of this false church that is masquerading as Christianity. An end time apostate church which calls itself “Christian” but courts alliances with the godless systems of this world and commits spiritual idolatry. This was the greatest hoax and deception of the devil perpetrated upon mankind and this will continue to take place until Jesus comes back and deals with Satan and his demons.
Satan’s counterfeit of Christianity must be understood and exposed. How many millions of lives have been lost by those who were deceived by these paganized, apostate churches and how many millions of lives that could have been saved because unbelievers throughout the centuries saw the hypocrisy of this Babylonian religious system and have decided Christianity was not for them.
Oscar
Oscar Leske
F/B – Signs Of Our Times
Understanding The Signs Up Our Times .com
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man
And
Lian Muan Kim –
Koinonia Baptist Seminary, Yangon