RESIST A SEDUCING WINE; BABYLON'S CUP
One of the final, and most dangerous, enemies of the Church in the Last Days will be Babylon, the great harlot, described in Revelation 14,17,18. The reason it will be so problematic is because Babylon represents a worldly demonic system of operations, or could be considered, a spiritual power structure that will effect all sectors of life. It will even effect things pertaining to what many Christians refer to as the anointing, also focusing on leadership, governments, business, the arts and more. My greatest concern about this conflict, however, is something few believers understand in our current generations; that being the wine served in Babylon's cup.
Revelation 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven,
having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying,
Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils,
and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all nations have drunk of the
wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed
fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the
abundance of her delicacies. 4 And I
heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be
not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto
heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6
Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double
according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. (KJV)
I've long pondered the origins of this corrupting beverage and believe that the wine that Babylon will use to seduce the nations, leaders and business people, originates with the philosophies of ancient Greece. Greek philosophy became a major contaminate to genuine biblical doctrine effecting both Jew and Christian alike. It's still effecting the Church and the Jews today in ways many don't even realize. Furthermore, Javan, whose name also refers to a fermenting bubbling spiced wine, is directly related to the foundations of the people of ancient Greece. I don't believe this is coincidental.
The Bible identifies 16 different spiritual and natural wines, eight of which are godly (one of the new wines Luke 5) and 8 ungodly wines (example Moab Jer. 48:11). Is it any wonder that if Babylon is to capture the hearts of believers, it will use an ungodly mix of enticing philosophies emphasizing success, beauty, momentary experience and lawless living? I don't believe it is of any coincidence, therefore, that the wine of this end times enemy is most probably the philosophies and values of ancient Greece. Take a look at the different translations referring to Javan, and similarly, Greece in Zechariah 9. These verses, according to a wide range of Bible scholars describe what many believe to be an End Times battle between Hebraic thought and Greek ideologies. The problem is, the philosophies of Greece effected both Christianity and Judaism, in different ways, and none of them good. Therefore, whenever there is an attempt to revive Christianity, or return to Hebraic understanding of Scriptures, if the influences of Greek philosophy aren't exposed, and then, eradicated, the corruption of those old wicked invisible filters re-embeds into the attempts toward revival and restoring of biblical thought. I state this because I'm concerned.
Zechariah 9:12 (YLT) Turn back to a fenced place, Ye prisoners of the hope, Even to-day a second announcer I restore to thee. 13 For I have trodden for Me Judah, A bow I have filled with Ephraim, And I have stirred up thy sons, O Zion, Against thy sons, O Javan, And I have set thee as the sword of a hero.
Zechariah 9:12 (ASV) Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope: even to-day do I declare that I will render double unto thee. 13 For I have bent Judah for me, I have filled the bow with Ephraim; and I will stir up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and will make thee as the sword of a mighty man.
On too many occasions I've witnessed well-meaning believers and ministers press toward revival, at the same time bringing along with them their hidden Greek philosophical baggage from the past. This grieves me. What's worse, if someone, who understands this difficulty attempts to confront or correct it, they are scorned and accused of being un-Biblical, simply because they're challenging an ungodly, demonic, philosophical base that has gradually infiltrated and affected Christianity for nearly 2000 years.
I wish with all my heart that this diabolical scheme could be easily dealt with. But, sadly I know it will take a long time to do so. My challenge to you saint is to encourage you to research how ancient Greek philosophies are at work in the Church and affecting Hebraic thought today. There are a few things, though, that you should look for when discerning this foe.
The wine in the cup of Babylon emphasizes temporary experiences, emotional highs, personal wealth, love of success and beauty. It therefore, like the Greek filters that work through it, has no room for the cross! It also does not encourage daily, disciplined relationship with the Lord or other believers. Its simply, all business, with no relationship. If you begin to look at what Jesus did in His death and resurrection, you can expose some of the seeds of the philosophies of Greece that war with the truth of the God's Word.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;
but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of
the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20
Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not
God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and
the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But
we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks
foolishness; 24 But unto them which
are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of
God. KJV
Hosea 4:11 Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart. 12 My people ask counsel at their
stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath
caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God. KJV
Take a serious look at why and what you believe. Don't sip from the cup of Babylon. Its wine will numb you to truth, and eventually, capture your heart away from God. Its an ungodly form of new wine mentioned in Hosea that takes away the heart through the spirit of whoredoms. Let God instead pour out a double portion anointing and ability to defeat this foe. He wants to bring this thing down and destroy it. But He needs people who refuse that cup and choose instead deep communion with the Lord. That person could be you child. Let Him open your eyes to discover what's behind your belief systems. Otherwise, you may become a victim of a spiritual wine that was never intended for you to drink.
