Medicine

Proverbs 17:22

A joyful heart makes for good health, 

despondency dries up the bones.

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I paraphrase assumptions and discussions that led up to this study:

...so herbs and essential oils were used by all pagan cultures. But we use them today, because our God made them right? So, these "eastern" cultures have used body flow meridians to see where the body is lacking, I know for a fact that God made these things. Yes people have perverted it, but it does not make it pagan. I think we give the enemy too much credit, Yah created these things. So I don't like to jump into the everything is pagan because in reality we would be in a lot of trouble....Yes Yah heals, the blessings and curses are also spoken about the promised land, so I don't believe we get the completion of these blessings until we are there. Yah heals, but maybe he gave a doctor the knowledge to repair your clogged arteries before you had another heart attack. I've come to find there is nothing that Yah is not in, he's not in a box.

and... 

Have you guys heard of chakras? Yeah those weird things hippies talk about huh? Well...they are light within the body, guess what? Same up and down light points as the menorah, because guess what? We truly are the light of the world. 

and then this:

Yah said the knowledge would increase in the end days, I think that's what is happening. There are many "thinkers" and people that are more on the science side of things, I believe he allowing these things to come about. He is science, he is math, he is quantum physics. He is the maker of heaven and earth

I recently completed a study on the topic of 'knowledge' and you can click 'here' to read that one. It was a study spurred by this same 'conversation' among friends.

We should never underestimate the power of the Adversary. It was Satan who caused Eve to doubt the Instruction of Yahweh, which is why we are where we are today.

Trees are a good thing but it's the pagan tradition of cutting them down, bringing them indoors and decorating them that is an abomination to Yahweh. We can grow trees, take a walk in the woods etc... but we are not to turn them into idols of worship. Herbs, honey, oils and vinegar are good things as long as we are use them for food and healing, but not in an attempt to connect with the spiritual realm.

Pagans do not make something 'pagan' by using it, but their established actions, lifestyle and the 'gods' they worship etc... are what define them as being pagans. They are heathens who do not accept Yahweh or His Instructions OR they attempt to mix some of Yahweh in with their gods. If they promote healing by relating it to spiritualism then we need beware of the implications of copying them. Do not forget that the Divine Beings who left their station in heaven taught things to humans that were not supposed to be shared. And when Yah's people entered the promised land they were told not to adopt the ways of those they had dispersed. The land of Canaan was permeated with pagan traditions.

Are oils and herbs being used for healing or being used to connect with the spirit world, whether or not that was your intention? And if an oil or herb is popular for its ability to open one up to spiritual enlightenment, by all means avoid it. Don't get me wrong - I have used essential oil blends in home made lotions to treat skin problems. I have blended oils to make an insect repellent. I use Yarrow for muscle soreness. I use Frankincense and Myrrh for fungal infections. I have blended the oils used in the recipe for Four Thieves remedy. I am pro-alternative medicine to be used as a health benefit, as long as it is Yah Approved Medicine. This, I believe, is where the line should be drawn. 

Is the Ouija Board an innocent game or a disguised portal for demons? A tool to tempt one into divination or calling up the dead, even if that wasn't one's intentions. (Just sharing a passing thought).

In Exodus 30:34 it is recorded that the herb Galbanum was used in the making of the sacred incense expertly blended with other ingredients together with pure Frankincense, for specific use in the Tent of Meeting. It comes with a warning not to be mixed in the same proportions for personal use or to even smell like it. Yah says it is sacred. We can use Galbanum to burn as incense but are not to blend it according to His recipe. 

These are the herbs blended with frankincense with the warning not to make it according to Yah's sacred recipe or anything to smell like it:

• Stacte - Onycha  - Galbanum  - Frankincense 

In Exodus 30 we read about choice spices but are warned not to mix them by the same measurements used for the Sacred Anointing Oil:

This shall be an anointing oil sacred to Me throughout the ages. It must not be rubbed on any person's body and you must not make anything like it in the same proportions, it is sacred and to be held sacred by you. Whoever compounds its like or puts any of it on a layman shall be cut off from his kin.

• Myrrh - Cinnamon - Aromatic Cane - Cassia - Olive Oil 

I rely on Yahweh's Instructions for all things, search His Word for answers and seek His guidance in making decisions. This is where we can 'be still' and let His Set Apart Spirit direct us. Remember how subtle Satan is in his desire to be 'god' - he will say anything to get us to turn our backs on the Creator. 

Yahweh tells us what is 'good' 

but Satan tries to convince us it could be better.

Read the account found in the writings of Enoch. According to Enoch there were 200 angels who left their station in heaven to achieve their desires on earth. They defiled themselves by having sexual relations with women. They also taught these women charms, pharmacies, root cutting and uses of plants - secret knowledge humans weren't suppose to know. 

Yes, Yahweh is our Creator, but who is the Deceiver? Who has a counterfeit for almost everything Elohim put forth? Don't forget that time when Yah regretted He created man and sent a Flood to wash them off the face of the earth. 

We must be very careful when choosing something that sounds good but underneath is destructive to our soul. This is why we are instructed to read Scripture every day, study our Creator's Instructions day in and day out, teach it to our children, remember where we came from and where we want to go. We are called to come out of Mystery Babylon so as not to partake of her sins nor her plagues. Babylon was a hot bed of paganism so it should be no mystery as to why we are being called to come out of today's modern world - Mystery Babylon. It is no different for us now as it was for them.  Everything was pretty much under the influence of paganism in the Land of Canaan prior to the Hebrews arrival to this promised land.

Leviticus 18:3 - You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived: and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you; neither shall you walk in their statutes.  

Leviticus 20:23 - You are not to live by the customs of the nations, whom I've cast away right in front of you. Because they did all of these things, I detested them.

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A few tips from the Creator

Beginning in Leviticus 11 we are given low-fat high-fiber dietary laws; 12 is about child birth; 13 teaches about skin disease usually referred to as leprosy but includes scaly infections, inflammation, burns, eczema, itchiness, baldness, bacteria and contagious situations. This chapter includes mold and mildew affecting clothing, linen and leather.

Leviticus 14 mentions cedar wood and hyssop as part of the cleansing ritual, along with offerings common back in the day. It was also used in the cleansing ritual for mold and mildew growing in a house, if caught early enough.

Leviticus 15 gets a little more detailed and yucky, but still advises on cleanliness and handling other physical ailments. Washing everything that comes in contact with the 'discharge' is important. This chapter also covers a woman's menstrual cycle.

In 2 Kings 20:7 we learn a pressed cake of figs applied to the skin will heal a rash (boil).

Proverbs 31:4 warns against becoming drunk, especially for those in charge (kings and princes) lest they 'forget' what has been ordained and they infringe upon the rights of the poor.

Acts 10:38 tells us Y'shua was anointed by Yahweh with the Ruach haKodesh and with power which is why he was able to heal the oppressed.

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Here is an example in regards to deciding whether to use something as medicine. The first quote is from WebMD; the second quote from a new age site:

1. Galbanum is a gum-like material (resin) from the roots and trunk of a tree. It is used to make medicine. People take galbanum for digestion problems, intestinal gas, poor appetite, cough, and spasms. It is sometimes applied directly to the skin for wounds. In food and beverages, galbanum oil and resin are used as flavoring. In manufacturing, galbanum oil and resin are used as fragrance in cosmetics.
2. Galbanum Essential Oil opens up communication to the creator. Holy incense along with Frankincense. It is a spiritual oil that has been used for mediation and to increase awareness.

Being Set Apart and having my foundation in the Word of our Creator, I would choose not to ingest or apply Galbanum essential oil and find something else to treat gas, such as Ginger, and use Lavender for skin wounds. There are many choices so why would I want to risk inviting demons into my home by using an oil expressly advertised as opening up spiritual communications? I am already able to speak with Yahweh through the divine communication known as prayer - no additives needed. Remember, we read in Scriptures that fragrant Galbanum was burned as incense, not applied to the skin or ingested.

Take everything to Yahweh- find His answers to your questions; they are recorded in Scriptures. Just as His Son taught using parables to make people think in order to gain understanding, the whole of Scriptures teaches us the same way.

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The Menorah, described by Yahweh and shown to Moses as part of the pattern for the Tabernacle, represents the Light of the World = The Word made Flesh = Yahshua haMashiyach. The seven branches of the Menorah represent the Attributes of Yahweh and not to be confused with a mystic "life force" within the human who seeks to release his kundalini...

...the yogic life force that is held to lie coiled at the base of the spine until it is aroused and sent to the head to trigger enlightenment

This teaching lies in Hinduism and has spread as new age enlightenment. It includes astrology related to zodiac/horoscope signs and divination. You simply cannot mix this belief system with Yahweh or think He approves of it!

"Kundalini Yoga is the science to unite the finite with Infinity, and it's the art to experience Infinity in the finite." - Yogi Bhajan, 10/27/88 -- Kundalini Yoga was kept very secret until 1969 when Yogi Bhajan taught it openly in order to prepare humanity for the major changes that this planet is going through as we cross from the Piscean to the Aquarian Age. The ancient technology of Kundalini Yoga gives us the awareness and the fortitude to make this a smooth transition.

Chakras are defined as:

• any of several points of physical or spiritual energy in the human body according to yoga philosophy

Colossians 2:8 - Beware lest any man rob you by philosophy, or by empty deception, according to the teaching of men and according to the principles of the world and not according to Yahshua the Mashiyach.Psalm 49:13 - This is the destiny of fools, and of those who approve of their philosophy.

Definition of "Philosophy":

• pursuit of wisdom 
• a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means 
• an analysis of the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs 

Yahweh tells us not to be taken in by those who teach by speculation, who hand out empty deceptions concocted by men according to worldly desires; who ignore the teachings of Yahshua, son of Elohim. 

We are to rejoice and be glad because our reward in heaven is great. Just as folks persecuted the prophets of old for speaking the Word of Elohim, we too, shall be persecuted for our faith and following the perfect example set by His Son.  We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Because we follow the Instructions of the Father our behavior- our light -shines in view of all people. We become the 'light of the world' by example. That example is evidenced by our lifestyle, which is according to the Instructions given us by our Creator and not by some mystic light show happening within our bodies. 

John 8:12 - Once again, Yahshua spoke to the people and said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.

Definition of 'Body Meridians' from Webster's Dictionary: 

any of the pathways along which the body's vital energy flows according to the theory behind acupuncture

Also:

Chinese medicine believes there is a distribution network for the fundamental substances of Qi throughout the body. This distribution network called the Meridian System looks like a giant web, linking different areas of our body together. Philosophically, the Meridian System explains how we live, and why we become sick. -- Our vital life energy is thought to flow along these meridians, and anything that disrupts the smooth flow of chi is said to cause illness.

I do not dispute the fact that our physical self is combined with the spiritual, which is the Ruach haKodesh = the Spirit of Elohim. This can be learned from reading the Word of Elohim = Scriptures = Genesis through Revelation. Are we instructed by our Creator to stick needles in our bodies or practice chanting mantras while holding contorted body positions? No. Are we instructed to wait until we are in the promised land before relying on every word that comes from our Creator? No.  We can have His Blessing now IF we obey His Instructions and have the testimony of His Son.  Most of us are lacking in these two things which explains a lot of the disease in the world.

Exodus 15:26 - If you will heed Yahweh your Elohim diligently, doing what is upright in His sight, giving ear to His commandments and keeping all His laws, then I will not bring upon you any of the diseases that I brought upon the Egyptians, for I Yahweh, am your healer. 

Deuteronomy 11:8 - Keep, therefore, all the Instruction that I enjoin upon you today, so that you may have the strength to enter and take possession of the land that you are about to cross into and possess 

Deuteronomy 11:26 - See, this day I set before you blessing and curse: blessing, if you obey the commandments of Yahweh your Elohim and curse, if you do not obey the commandments of Yahweh Elohim, but turn away from the path that I enjoin upon you this day and follow other gods, whom have not proved themselves to you.

1 John 5:3 - (Whoever believes that Yahshua is the Anointed One is born of Elohim) - For this is the love of Elohim, that we keep his Commandments and they are not burdensome. Because whoever is born of Elohim overcomes the world. For who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Yahshua is the Son of Elohim.

And, by the way, "quantum physics is the branch of physics that uses quantum theory to describe and predict the properties of a physical system". 

Definition of quantum mechanics:

• a theory of matter that is based on the concept of the possession of wave properties by elementary particles, that affords a mathematical interpretation of the structure and interactions of matter on the basis of these properties, and that incorporates within it quantum theory and the uncertainty principle

Yahweh isn't about theories or teaching us to make predictions. There is nothing uncertain concerning our Creator. He has been very clear-cut with us from the beginning. It is Satan who has been very busy blurring the lines between right and wrong/good and evil.

Form or Function?

Physical or Spiritual?

Why do the modern day Jews and supporters of the state of Israel think they need to build another temple in Jerusalem? They certainly have overlooked First Corinthians 3:16 "Do you not know that you are the temple of Elohim and that the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you?" 

The Temple Institute's ultimate goal is to "see Israel rebuild the Holy Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem". They have already chosen the priests and have bred red heifers, and have made many of the utensils required for temple service.  If they succeed, don't they realize Satan will stand in it and call himself 'god'? These people believe they are commanded to build this temple according to the vision given to Ezekiel. How can you choose to act on one vision then ignore prophecy?

That may be the key... they are fulfilling prophecy. 

In the second chapter of Revelation we read about Jews who call themselves Jews but are not, they lie, they are of the synagogue of Satan, thus doing the work of Satan, preparing the stage for the final seven years of life as we know it.

The act of building this 'third temple' isn't so much according to the vision Ezekiel had (which the Institute claims is their command to build), but is very much in line with the end times events, especially the final seven years.

Y'shua is aware of this future temple. He tells us in Matthew 24 that the "sign of uncleanness" (abomination) and desolation will eventually stand in the Set Apart place (commonly known as the holy of holies). He also refers us to Daniel 9:27: 

During one week he will make a firm covenant with many. For half a week he will put a stop to the sacrifice and meal offering. At the corner of the altar will be an appalling abomination until the decreed destruction will be poured down upon the appalling thing. Also in Daniel 11:31- Forces will be levied by him, they will desecrate the temple, the fortress, they will abolish the regular offering and set up the appalling abomination. And noted in Daniel 12:11: From the time the regular offering is abolished and an appalling abomination is set up will be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

The sacrifices mentioned are the regular offering and the meal offering.  The regular offering is made along with the meal offering which includes drink. Exodus 29:38 and Numbers 28:3 tell us what these offerings consist of: 2 yearling lambs as burnt offerings, one to be offered in the morning and one at twilight; choice flour mixed with pure olive oil as the meal offering and the drink offering of wine. This should put to rest the argument that Y'shua was the sacrifice to end all sacrifices; his blood was shed as Atonement for Sins, not as a regular every day sacrifice.

Hebrews 10 (lightly paraphrased- Dusty) 

We choose to accept Y'shua as our High Priest who offered a one time sacrifice for sins, who sits forever at the right hand of Elohim where he waits until his foes are placed as a footstool under his feet. For, by one offering (himself), he has perfected forever them who are sanctified (set apart) by him. And the Ruach haKodesh also testifies to us by saying: This is the covenant which I will give them after those days, says Master YHWH: I will put my Torah into their minds and inscribe it on their hearts and their iniquity and their sins I will not remember against them. Now, where there is a forgiveness of sins there is no offering for sin demanded. We have therefore my Brothers assurance of entering into the sanctuary by the blood of Y'shua and by a path of life.

Getting back to that abomination, Y'shua tells us, as it is written in Mark 13:14 - So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

and Matthew 24:15 - So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ described by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand)

Daniel describes this 'abomination' as one who will make a firm covenant with many, who will eventually put a stop to the sacrifice and meal offering. At the corner of the altar will be an appalling abomination until the decreed destruction will be poured down upon the appalling thing.

This can read as the final world leader who brings peace to the world, gets many to sign an agreement and allows Jews to reinstate their tradition as a gesture of good will. He shall (after 3-1/2 years) bring an end to these rituals, having an image of himself placed in the temple and entering the 'holy of holies' claiming that he is 'god'.  All this being said, it becomes obvious that a temple will exist in the end times scenario, but is not the temple of Ezekiel's vision.

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Ezekiel was shown extraordinary visions.  He was called  by Yahweh to be a watchman for His people, the House of Israel. Could it be he was shown a representation of another reality - the 'what could be' if those who claim to be Yah's People would actually repent and return to Him - accept the covenant and terms of that covenant by actually obeying those Instructions. They had that very opportunity when the exile ended and they were free to return to Jerusalem.

The first House of Elohim was the Tabernacle. Yahweh moved from the mountain to the tent, to be in the midst of His people. Later, Yah approved His House to be built by Solomon. Yahweh moved from the tent into a permanent location, the last place where He attached His Name. Solomon's Temple was destroyed by the siege of Nebuchadnezzar and the armies of Babylon in 586 BC. Some seventy years later the exiles were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, again by the will of Yahweh who used King Cyrus to make it so. Although modest in comparison to the First Temple, the Second Temple was later enlarged and expanded by Herod the Great. This latter temple was the one which existed during the time of Y'shua.

I came across this while reviewing my other studies which gave me one of those 'ah-ha!' moments. The writings of Paul recorded in Ephesians seem to shed some light and possibly confirm this vision Ezekiel was shown as being something so glorious and wonderful - something mere man cannot grasp or imagine in size or magnitude. Let us remember Ezekiel's other visions were also very detailed and powerful although difficult to imagine. It is possible that Ezekiel was being 'shown' the results of Man's Hope in The Good News of the Kingdom to Come and the awesome power and Love of the Father when He restores all things.

Ephesians 1:6 - That the glory of His grace might be glorified which He poured upon us through His Beloved One; by whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins by his blood, according to the riches of his grace which abounds in us, in all wisdom and all spiritual understanding. 12- That we should be the first who hoped in the Mashiyach, to the honor of his glory - in whom you have also heard the Word of Truth which is the Good News of your life 18- And that the eyes of your hearts may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Set Apart believers; and which is the excellence of the majesty of his power in us who believe; according to the efficiency of the strength of his power which He put forth in His Son and raised him from the dead and seated him at His right hand in heaven.  Ephesians 2:7- That He might show to the coming ages the magnitude of the riches of His grace and His goodness towards us in Y'shua the Mashiyach. 18- Because by him there is access for us both, by one Spirit, to the Father. Wherefore you are not strangers nor sojourners but are fellow-citizens with the Set Apart believers and of the household of Elohim. And you are built upon the foundations of the Apostles and the prophets; and Y'shua the Mashiyach has become the head of the corner in the edifice. and in him all the edifice is framed together and grows into a Set Apart temple in Master Yahweh; while you also are built in him for a habitation of Elohim through the Spirit.  Ephesians 3- To me, Paul, who am the least of all the Set Apart believers, has this grace been given that I should announce among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of the Mashiyach, and should show to all men what is the architecture of the mystery which for ages was hid in Elohim the Creator of all things, so that by means of the assembly (of Set Apart believers) the manifold wisdom of Elohim might become known - which He arranged ages before and worked it through Y'shua our Master. Therefore I pray - and I bow my knees to the Father of our Master Y'shua from whom the whole family in heaven and on earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit; that in your inner man the Mashiyach may dwell by faith, an in your hearts by love while your root and foundation increases  greatly in strength; and that you may be able to explore, with all the Set Apart believers, what is the height and depth and length and breadth, and may know the greatness of the Mashiyach's love and that you may be filled with all the fullness of Elohim.

That we may be able to explore with our fellow believers, learning together as one from our study of Scriptures, the greatness of His Love, that we shall know the expanse: the height and depth and length and breadth of that Kingdom to Come and the mystery of the New Heavens, New Earth and the New Jerusalem. We can only be part of it if we become set apart from this world's system and false religions.

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In Revelation 21 we read about the restoration of all things: new heaven, new earth and new Jerusalem = the bride of Y'shua.  There was no temple to be seen in it for Master YHWH Amighty is its temple, and the Lamb.

I saw new heavens and a new earth for the former heaven and earth had passed away; the sea was no more. And I saw the Set Apart city, the New Jerusalem, descending from Elohim out of heaven, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice from heaven, which said: Behold, the tabernacle of Elohim is with me; and He dwells with them; they will be His people; and Elohim will be with them - their Elohim. And every tear will be wiped for their eyes; and there will be no more death, nor mourning, nor wailing or pain because the former things are passed away.

He who sat on the throne said: Behold, I make all things new. I am Alef and Tav, the Beginning and the Completion: to him who thirsts I will give of the fountain of living water, freely. He that overcomes will inherit these things; and I will be his Elohim. But to the timid and unbelieving, and to the sinful and polluted, and to manslayers and whoremonger, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and to all false persons, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

There are several similarities when one compares Ezekiel's temple vision with the restoration descriptions recorded in Revelation. This time frame is after the Kingdom of Y'shua, after Satan's last attempt to war against Yahweh; after Satan has been tossed into Fire Lake forever and ever- When our Creator restores all things.

Ezekiel’s Temple compared with John’s Revelation

Both Ezekiel and John views are from a high mountain:

Ezekiel 40:1 - He brought me, in visions of Yahweh, to the Land of Israel and He set me down on a very high mountain

Revelation 21:10 - And he bore me away in the spirit to a mountain great and high and showed me the Set Apart city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from Elohim

They both record the measurements that were taken:

Ezekiel 40:3 - A 'man' who shown like copper had a linen cord and measuring rod.  Revelation 21:15 - A Messenger/angel had a golden reed with which to measure the city, gates and walls 

Ezekiel 40:5 - Along the 'outside' of the temple area ran a wall on every side (one rod deep and one rod high) Square in shape. (Many other measurements are recorded) Ezekiel 48:30 - The city is square, each side measures 4,500 cubits.  

Revelation 21:16 -The city is measured and stood up four square

Ezekiel 43:13 - diminsions of the altar, trench and rim are given and is used for burnt offerings.

Revelation 22:26 - The nations shall bring their glory and honor into it (as offerings?)

Ezekiel 44:4-14 - Instructions for all the laws of the temple are given and Yahweh points out to the House of Israel all the abominations they have committed and allowed in His Sanctuary.

Revelation 21:27 - Nothing shall enter the city that is polluted, impure and false, but only they who are registered in the Lamb's Book of Life

Ezekiel 48 - Twelve exits from the city; gates named after the sons of Israel

Revelation 21:12-13 - And it had a wall great and lofty, which had twelve gates and names inscribed on them - the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.

Ezekiel 47:1 - water was issuing from below the platform of the temple - eastward - but flowing out at the south side of the altar, gushing out from under the south wall. 9 It will be wholesome and everything will live wherever this stream goes.

Revelation 22 - A river of living water, clear as a crystal, ran from the throne of Elohim and the Lamb and in the middle of main street (broad avenue) on both sides was the tree of life.

Ezekiel 47:12 - All kinds of trees for food will grow on both banks of the stream - they will yield new fruit every month - their fruit will serve as food and their leaves for healing.

Revelation 21:2 - In the middle of the broad avenue, near the river, spanning both sides, was the tree of life which bore twelve sorts of fruits yielding one of its fruits each month and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Ezekiel 48:35 - The name of the city from that day on shall be "Yahweh is There. Revelation 21:22 - And I saw no temple in it for Master Yahweh Almighty is its temple, and the Lamb.  And the city has no need of the sun or the moon for the glory of Elohim enlightens it, and the Lamb is the lamp of it

I conclude at this time that Yahweh gave this vision to Ezekiel to illustrate the awesome power and glory of the heavenly realm. Ezekiel was shown the Hope we have in the Good News of the Kingdom to come! He was told to share this 'vision' to those who had grown hopeless. This sharing of the Good News is echoed throughout the Renewed Covenant writings (ie: New Testament). Ezekiel, the Watchman for the House of Israel, shared this Good News with those people. Ezekiel is the type and shadow for Set Apart believers in this day and age, sharing the Good News of the Kingdom to come- a joyous time we can only try to imagine and hope for. How on earth could we describe it?

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Yah's timing once again was very appropriate because this was during the Babylonian exile while the rest of the Israelites had scattered northward and beyond. 

Around 605 B.C. Nineveh and Assyria had fallen. It was just Egypt and Babylon who were seeking world supremacy. The young new king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, went out and defeated the Egyptians at Carchemish. He marched on to Judah, during Jehoiakim's reign, and took thousands of Hebrews back to Babylon (including Daniel, who became one of the greatest prophets). Nebuchadnezzar made two more attacks when he heard of rebellion in Judah. Each time he took captives (including Ezekiel the prophet). Only a remnant of the weakest, poorest, and least threatening Hebrews in Judea remained. King Nebuchadnezzar set up a puppet king (Zedekiah) of David's line to sit on the throne of Judah and made him swear an oath of allegiance (2 Chr 36:10-12). Zedekiah was as faithless as the rest of the evil kings of Judah. He then rebelled and allied with other enemies. When Nebuchadnezzar heard he came back for the last time (586 B.C.) to reduce Jerusalem to rubble and send the Temple up in flames. Zedekiah was forced to witness the slaughter of his sons, then his eyes were put out, and he himself was carried off to Babylon. The Babylonian Captivity lasted exactly 70 years as predicted, from the burning of the Temple to its reconstruction, 586 BC - 
516 BC.

Here is a link to historical background of these events

***The following I gleaned from a study by Steve Gregg:
When Ezekiel was given this vision (573 BC), there was no temple standing in Jerusalem. Solomon’s temple, which had previously stood there, had been destroyed earlier by Nebuchadnezzar, when he conquered Jerusalem and deported the citizens to Babylon. This means that Ezekiel was not seeing Solomon’s temple. Nor was he seeing the rebuilt temple during Zerubbabel's time. That temple ended up being much smaller, and less elaborate, than the one Ezekiel describes. 

In chapter 40 of the book of Ezekiel, "in the 25th year of our exile, the 14th year after Jerusalem had fallen, at the beginning of the year, on the 10th day of that month - on that very day " the prophet is transported in vision by the Hand of Elohim from his home among the exiles in Babylon to the Land of Israel, and Yahweh sat him down on a very high mountain. He saw what seemed to be the outline of a city on the south side. Yah brought Ezekiel over to it and standing at the gate was a a man who shone like copper, holding a cord of linen and a measuring rod. This 'man' tells Ezekiel to pay close attention to everything he was going to be shown so as to report everything to the House of Israel. 

My note: You see, there is no "command" that this temple is to be built, but everything was to be reported to the people of the House of Israel. Was Yah telling them this is what you could have, if only you would obey Me?

The response of the Jews to their opportunity to return and to rebuild their temple was notoriously tepid. Only a small remnant opted even to return to Jerusalem, while the rest were content to remain in Babylon. As a result, the temple they built proved to be inferior to the one that Ezekiel described. 

Though the Jews did not meet the conditions to have such a temple as Ezekiel’s, the pattern preserved in these chapters stands as a description of an intended order, which, had it materialized, would have testified, as the tabernacle once did, as a type and shadow of “heavenly things” (Hebrews 8:5). This, we may assume, was the long-term purpose served by the vision.

--:::-- 

Ezekiel 44:6 - to the rebellious House of Israel, says Yahweh, Too long have you committed all your abominations, admitting aliens, uncircumcised of spirit and flesh, to be in My Sanctuary and profane My very Temple, when you offer up My food - the fat and the blood. You have broken My covenant with all your abominations. You have not discharged the duties concerning My sacred offerings, but have appointed them (uncircumcised strangers of spirit and flesh) to discharge the duties of My Sanctuary for you. The Levites who forsook Me when Israel went astray from Me to follow their fetishes, shall suffer their punishment for making them stumble into guilt (the priesthood lineage now shifts to the descendants of Zadok. II Samuel 8:17 tells us Zadok was one of the priests who maintained the service of Yah's Sanctuary, the temple, when the people of Israel has gone astray.) 

Yahweh specifically mentions the priest descended from Zadok - Take a look at this chart (from bible maps) to follow the order of the priesthood over the years:

We learned from reading the first five books of Scriptures that the plan, the pattern of the Temple is to train His people on how to approach Him.  Ezekiel's vision drives this point home!

Yahweh has always desired to be in the midst of His people

From the Heavenly Realm to The Mountain, then to the

The Tent, where they traveled together 40 years

Then His House was built by Solomon

and that is the last place Yah attached His Name

His Son, Yahshua taught us

The Body is now the Temple

wherein dwells the Ruach haKodesh

Then comes

The Earthly Kingdom

where we shall be perfected until

The Restoration of All Things

Always Saved?

There are those who teach "eternal security", which became the Christian mantra of 'Once Saved Always Saved':

"... eternal security is that work of God in which He guarantees that the gift of salvation once received is possessed forever and cannot be lost."

Can we find that in Scriptures?  What does it mean that our salvation "once received is possessed forever and cannot be lost." 

Charles Stanley's view: "The Bible clearly teaches that God's love for His people is of such magnitude that even those who walk away from the faith have not the slightest chance of slipping from His hand... Even if a believer for all practical purposes becomes an unbeliever, his salvation is not in jeopardy.... believers who lose or abandon their faith will retain their salvation ...." 

By these statements, Charles Stanley's teaches someone is still "saved" even if he "becomes an unbeliever" or "abandons their faith." In other words, one's salvation is always "possessed forever and cannot be lost" even if such a person no longer believes!

"In essence this 'interpretation' relieves them of all personal responsibility in their relationship with God. After all, if I am saved, and there is nothing that I can do to be lost, then it doesn’t really matter how I behave or act, so I need not worry that much about it. The truth is that this is a most dangerous doctrine when it comes to matters of religion, because it deceives people into thinking that their relationship with God is secure, when it really is not."

What does "once saved" mean?

It is used by those who think salvation is merely a choice and recitation of a prayer. Rather than believing God's sovereign will and work in salvation, they teach the heresy of decisional regeneration – sinners decide when God must save them, contrary to the Bible. They limit salvation to the moment they decided to be saved. This includes the inventions of "going forward" and/or "inviting Jesus into my heart." They look at this date as the "once saved" event that counts.

What does "always saved" mean?

For those who pin salvation on their decision, it means salvation cannot be taken away or lost, no matter how they live. "Always saved" guarantees salvation, regardless of what happens later, whether they live a holy and righteous life or one of sin without fruit or good works.  

According to Charles Stanley's gospel, one's spiritual condition at the very end of his life is totally irrelevant to his eternal destiny! This idea cannot be found in Scriptures.

Revelation 2:10 - Be not terrified at any of the things you are to suffer. The Accuser will throw some of you into custody that you may be tried; and there will be trouble for you ten days. Be faithful to death and I will give you the crown of life. 

Revelation 2:11 - He that hears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He that is victorious will not be harmed by the second death.  

James 1:12 - Blessed is the man who endures temptations so that when he is proved he may receive a crown of life which Elohim has promised to them that love Him. 

Hebrews 3:13 - But look deeply into yourselves all the days, during the day which is called today and let none of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have part with the Mashiyach, if we endure in this firm confidence, from the beginning to the end, as it is said, Today if you will hear his voice, and do not harden your hearts, to anger him.

Where did the "once saved always saved" doctrine come from? 

The Westminster Confession of 1647 is a creed that is the basis of many Protestant beliefs, including “Perseverance of the Saints,” otherwise known as “once saved always saved.” It states the following: 

They, whom God has accepted in His Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by His Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved (Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XVII, Article I, 1647). 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England. Many Reformation preachers, like John Calvin, taught this “once saved always saved” doctrine. Many preachers still teach is today. But read what is written in Scripture:

Hebrews 6:4 - But they who have once descended to immersion and have tasted the gift from heaven receiving the Ruach haKodesh and the good Word of Elohim and the power of the world to come, cannot again sin and second time be renewed to repentance, or a second time execute him on a stake and insult the Son of Elohim.

2 Peter 2:20 - For if, when they have escaped the pollutions of the world by the knowledge of our Master and Redeemer Y'shua, they become again involved in the same and are vanquished, their latter state is worse then the former. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after having known it, to turn back from the Set Apart Commandment that was delivered to them. The true proverb has happened to them: the dog returns to his vomit and the pig that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire. 

Jude 1:5 - Let me remind you that Elohim, after once rescuing the people from Egypt, again destroyed them who did not believe.

Guess that kind of flies in the face of 'once saved always saved', don't it?

Acts 2:38 tells us in order to be saved (from the curse of eternal death) that we are to repent (return to Yahweh, turn from our sinful ways) and be immersed (mikveh/baptised/ritually cleansed) so that we may receive the Ruach haKodesh (Holy Spirit). 

We are not automatically 'filled with the spirit' nor 'baptized in the spirit' but are made ready to receive it.  We prepare for the indwelling of the Ruach haKodesh by spending time >every day< in the Word of Elohim.  Even the apostles who were taught by Y'shua in person were not filled with the Spirit of Truth until 50 days after the death of Y'shua - specifically ten days after the resurrected Son of Elohim was taken up and placed at the Right hand of the Father.

If we turn away from our old sinful ways and return to the Creator, learn His Teachings and be immersed symbolizing our intentions, then we are ready to receive the gift of His Set Apart Spirit. If we make the first move then Yah will follow up, giving us His unmerited love and favor. It is a process, not an end-all. We never stop learning until the day He restores all things!  His Spirit continues to reveal and comfort us with His Truth providing we continue on His Path of Righteousness.

In the letter to the Romans, Paul refers to himself as a servant of Y'shua, who was called, sent and separated to the Good News of Elohim and acknowledges it is from Him whom we have received grace and a mission... to the end that all may obey the faith among whom are called by Y'shua.

Grace doesn't just happen - it is a result of our Faith. Faith is our belief, our trust in YHWH Elohim. In trusting Him we choose to obey His Instructions. The result is Righteousness - we become morally justified and freed from sin.

Hebrews 11 - Now faith is the persuasion of the things that are in hope as if they were an actual fact, and it is the manifesting of the things not seen. For by faith we understand that the worlds were shaped by the Word of Elohim and that things seen originated from those that are not seen.

By faith, Abel offered to Elohim a better sacrifice and on account of it he is testified of being righteous. By faith, Enoch was translated and did not taste death and there was testimony of him that he pleased Elohim. By faith, Noah when he was told of the things not seen, obeyed Yahweh and made an ark and became righteous which is by faith. By faith, Abraham, when called, obeyed and departed to the place of his inheritance while he had no idea where he was going. By faith he became a resident in the land that was promised. All these died in faith and did not receive their promise but they saw it from a distance and rejoiced in it, and they confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

John 20:29 - Y'shua said to him, "Now that you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who do not see me and believe."

The Apostle Paul's confidence for eternal life was in fighting a good fight, finishing his course, and keeping the faith: 

2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought a good fight, I have completed my race, I have preserved my faith; and from now on there is preserved for me a crown of righteousness with which my Master Y'shua, the Righteous Judge, will recompense me in that day, and not me only, but them also who love his manifestation.

2 Timothy 1:12 - Therefore I suffer these things; and I am not ashamed for I know in whom I have believed...

We receive the Blessing - Life Eternal - if we obey our Creator and believe in His Son who taught the Hope which is the Good News of the Kingdom to come. Not of our own doing, nor any doctrine of man, but by the Grace of Elohim. 

There is a starting point and it is different for each of us.  Mine was years ago while watching a preacher on TV because he looked like my grandpa. This was the first time I'd ever come across this fella. His tone of voice caught my attention more than whatever it was he was teaching, and after several moments those words hit home. I started crying as 'knowledge' of my sins became apparent - and were many.  Something struck a deep resonating chord within me.  It just happened.  I did not know a smidgen of the things I have learned over the years and had no idea I'd be immersed in His Word as I am today.

All praise belongs to Yahweh

All praise belongs to our Father in heaven

Ezekiel

Priest - Prophet - Servant of the Almighty

Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of Elohim. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity, the word of Yahweh came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of Elohim was upon him.

And then he was shown a vision of a whirlwind coming from the north --

A great cloud with fire flashing, surrounded by a radiance; and in the center of it, in the midst of fire, a gleam like amber.  There were also four creatures in the midst. They had the figures of human beings.  However, each had four faces, and each one had four wings. The legs of each were fused into one single rigid leg with their feet forming something like a single calf's hoof (cloven). 

They sparkled like the luster of polished bronze. Below their wings were human hands. The four of them had faces and wings on their four sides –their wings touched one another. They did not turn when they went, but went in the direction of any of its faces. They went wherever the spirit impelled them to go, without turning when they moved.

Each had a human face at the front, the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle at the back. Their wings were separate: above they each had two which touched those of the others, while the other pair covered its body.

With them was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches moving among them. The fire had a radiance, and lightening issued from the fire. Dashing about the creatures was something that looked like flares.

And I looked at the living creatures, and saw a wheel on the earth beside each living creature with its four faces. The appearance of the wheels and their works was like the appearance of beryl, and all four had the same form. The appearance and structure of each was as of two wheels cutting through each other.

When they moved, they went in any one of four directions, they did not veer when they moved. Their rims were tall and frightening, covered all over with eyes.

And when the living creatures moved, the wheels moved at their sides. And when the creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up together with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

Above the heads of the creatures was an expanse with an awe-inspiring gleam as of crystal. Under the expanse their wings were extended, one toward another and each one had a pair which covered its body. When they moved, I heard the noise of their wings, like the sound of mighty waters, like the sound of El Shaddai, a tumult like the noise of an army.  From the expanse over their heads came a sound. When they stood still, they would let their wings droop. 

Above the expanse over their heads was the semblance of a throne which looked as if made of sapphire.  On top of this was the semblance of a human form.  What appeared as from his waist up was a gleam like amber - like fire encased in a frame. From his waist down looked like fire. There was a radiance all around him, like a rainbow.

That was the appearance of the semblance of the Presence of Yahweh. When I realized Who this was, I flung myself down on my face. I heard the voice of someone speaking.

He said to me:
O mortal, stand up that I may speak to you.  I am sending you to the people of Israel, that nation of rebels, who have rebelled against Me. They as well as their fathers have defied Me to this very day.  You shall say to them: 'Here is what Yahweh Elohim said' (whether they listen or not, for they are a rebellious breed) but they should know there was a prophet among them. Do not fear them or their words, though thistles and thorns press against you and you sit upon scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say, but speak My Words to them, whether they listen or not. 

You, mortal, heed what I say to you, do not be rebellious like them. Eat what I am giving you. (A scroll written on both sides with lamentations, dirges and woes which tasted sweet as honey).  Speak My very words to them.  You are speaking to the House of Israel, who are of intelligent speech and simple language, easy to understand. Yet they will refuse to listen to you because they refuse to listen to Me.

Ezekiel returned to the exile community that lived in Tel Abib (southeast of Babylon) by the Chebar Canal and remained there. Seven days he sat there stunned by what he had seen and heard.  After those seven days, Yahweh told Ezekiel:

I appoint you watchman for the House of Israel; when you hear from Me you must warn them for Me. For example, if I say to a wicked man, 'You shall die' and you do not warn him -- you do not speak to warn the wicked man of his wicked course in order to save his life -- the wicked man shall die for his iniquity, but I will require a reckoning for his blood from you.  But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not return back from his wickedness and his wicked course, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have saved your own life.  Same goes for a righteous man who abandons his righteousness and does wrong, when I put a stumbling block before him, he shall die for his sins; the righteous deeds that he did shall not be remembered, but because you did not warn him, I will require a reckoning for his blood from you. If, however, you warn the righteous man not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall live because he took the warning and you will have saved your own life.

Ezekiel has seen the Presence of Yahweh Elohim and was chosen by Yahweh to be a watchman for the House of Israel, to warn them of the error of their ways in order to save their lives; to return to the Instructions for Righteous Living given by Yahweh Elohim. Choosing Life is a theme, if not the main theme, that runs throughout Scriptures and still applies to us in this day and age.  Many of us are stiff necked, stubborn and rebellious.

A Woman Rides the Beast

Revelation 18 (lightly paraphrased) 

Fallen is Babylon the great... it has become a cavern of demons, and the home of every unclean spirit, and every unclean and hateful bird and every unclean and hateful beast of prey. All nations have drank the wine of her wrath and the kings of the earth have practiced whoredom with her... the merchants of the earth have been enriched by the abundance of her luxuries.

We are warned to 'come out of her' so as not to participate in her sins, which have reached high heaven, nor should we partake of her plagues because Yahweh has remembered her wickedness.

This Babylon was pleased with herself and her lusting, thinking of herself as a queen who will see no sorrow. But in one day Yah judges her and along with her plagues will be death and mourning and famine, as she burns. She was one of the biggest importers of goods, which makes the merchants sad because now they cannot sell their inventory: 

gold; silver; precious stones; pearls; fine linen; purple; silk; scarlet; aromatic wood; ivory; precious wood; brass; iron; marble; cinnamon; cardamon; aromatics and unguents; frankincense; wine; oil; fine flour; wheat; beast of burden; sheep; horses chariots; and the bodies and souls of men.

Those who had gotten rich off her, every pilot, navigator and sailor, will stand far away for fear of her torment. They cry and say "Alas! that great city which was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet and gilded with gold and precious stones and pearls, because in one hour such riches are laid waste." She will be thrown down and never found again. In her was found the blood of prophets and Set Apart believers and of all those that have been slain on the earth.

(As of 01/27/2017 The USA is the largest importer of goods, although this may change according to plans Mr. Trump has about 'making America great again'...)

Mystery Babylon

A woman sits upon a red beast of prey which has 7 heads and 10 horns. This beast is full of blasphemous names. The woman appears to be either in control of the world's governing system or extremely influential in its decision making process, but the others end up hating her. We are told she will be totally destroyed. Could this represent the status of the Roman Catholic Church and the power it wields over the world? Or is Trump positioning the U S of A into position?

This final world system would need to be in place in order for the woman to control it. This woman is also referred to as "Babylon the great which made all nations drink of the wine of the rage of her whoredom." 

We are all familiar with 'types and shadows' contained in Scripture: people and events which occurred then and point towards what will happen later. It occurred to me to look at Babylon, which was one of the greatest cities on earth at one time, from an historical context to help define our perception of Mystery Babylon. We might have to use some outside sources to discover more about Babel as Genesis 11 is a short reference but sets the ground work:

Everyone on earth had the same language and the same words. And as they migrated from the east they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there. They said, "Let us make hard bricks and build a city and a tower with its top in the sky, to make a name for ourselves..." When Yahweh came down to take a look, He said, "If these people of one language can come up with an idea like this, then there is nothing that they set their mind to that will be out of reach. Lets go down and confound their speech so they won't be able to understand each other" (thus putting an end to such behavior). Yah scattered them from there over the face of the earth and they stopped building the city. It is called Babel (Babylon) because it was there Yahweh confounded their speech and scattered them.

Notice, out of their pride and arrogance they came together for the sake of their own glory... they wanted to make a name for themselves. Not only did Yahweh confound their speech but He scattered them. Years later the House of Israel was scattered, part of which was exiled to Babylon in Nebuchadnezzar's day. During those seventy years many bad habits were picked up by those dispersed Israelites, and brought back with them to Judea whence they returned.

Nimrod 

Nimrod's name is from the verb "let us revolt." He is said to be a mighty hunter (gibbor tsayidh) in the sight of Yahweh, but the language has a dark meaning. He becomes a tyrant or despot leading an organized rebellion against the rule of Yahweh. He hunts not animals, but rather the souls of men. Cain, a condemned murderer had started the first cities before the Flood. Nimrod builds the first post-Flood cities.

More from the website of L. Dolphin:

Nimrod is the founder of both Babylon and Nineveh, the two great cities of antiquity which became, ultimately, enemies of Israel. Nimrod evidently gained a great reputation as such a hunter, but he was more than a hunter of wild animals. By the founding of Babylon and Nineveh we have a hint given of the nature of this man. We are told here that he was "the first mighty man on earth," i.e., after the flood. That phrase, "mighty man," takes us back to Genesis 6 where, in that strange story of the invasion of the "sons of God" into the human race, there resulted a race of giants called Nephilim. We are told that "these were the mighty men that were of old, the men of renown." This demonic invasion of the race, with sexual overtones, brought into being a race of giants that were morally degraded. These also appear later on in the Canaanite tribes. We have found this suggestive line of thought running through the Scriptural account up to this point. Nimrod apparently was one of these "mighty men," and therefore introduced a perverted, degraded form of religion into the world. It began at Babylon, spread to Nineveh, and can be traced in history as it subsequently spread throughout the whole of the earth. Thus, in this man Nimrod, we have the seed of idolatry and false religion coming in again after the flood... In the Babylonian religion, Nimrod (false god Marduk) held a unique place. His wife was Semiramis. Marduk and Semiramis were the ancient god and goddess of Babylon. They had a son whom Semiramis claimed was virgin-born, and they founded the mother and child cult. This was the central character of the religion of ancient Babylon, the worship of a mother and child, supposedly virgin-born. You can see in this a clever attempt on the part of Satan to anticipate the genuine virgin birth and thus to cast disrepute upon the story when Yahshua would later be born into history.  

This ancient Babylonian cult of the mother and child spread to other parts of the earth. You will find it in the Egyptian religion as Isis and Osiris. In Greece it is Venus and Adonis, and in the Hindu religion it is Ushas and Vishnu. The same cult prevails in various other localities. It appears in the Old Testament in Jeremiah where the Israelites are warned against offering sacrifices to "the Queen of Heaven." This Queen of Heaven is Semiramis, the wife of Nimrod, the original mother of the Mother and Child cult. The cult has also crept into Christianity and forms the basis for the Mariolatry that has prevailed in the Roman Catholic Church, where the Mother and Child are worshiped as joint redeemers. This idolatrous religion culminates at last in the Bible in the book of Revelation. There, a "great harlot" appears, whose name is "Mystery Babylon the Great," the originator of all the harlotries and false religions of earth. The essence of Babylonianism, as we understand from Scripture, is the attempt to gain earthly honor by means of religious authority. That is Babylonianism, and it has pervaded Christian churches, Hindu temples, Buddhist shrines, and Mohammedan mosques. Everywhere it is the element that marks falseness in religion - the attempt to gain earthly power and prestige by means of religious authority. That is what Nimrod began and what YHWH will ultimately destroy, as we read in the book of Revelation.

Babylon was founded by Nimrod.  He was considered a Babylonian god.  His wife was Semiramis, goddess of Babylon. They had a son whom Semiramis claimed was virgin-born, and they founded the mother and child cult. This was the central character of the religion of ancient Babylon, the worship of a mother and child, supposedly virgin-born. 

Many moons later, reported in the Book of Revelation, she, the Queen of Heaven, Mystery Babylon, a city full of evil, is characterized by the same old false religious system, propagated by the Roman Catholic Church who has gained earthly honor by religious authority via the Pope.

Let that sink in for a moment.

... the merchants of the earth have been enriched by the abundance of her luxuries and she was one of the biggest importers of goods... she is described as that great city which was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet and gilded with gold and precious stones and pearls (that attire represents royalty, wealth). The blood of all slain believers was found in her... Who is responsible for a multitude of deaths? the inquisition? or Islam? Does the RCC import goods? 

Mystery Babylon is most likely the final world religious system, totally devoid of YHWH  and dismissing His Son, attempting to negate the Kingdom to come.  We can see it promoted now as 'all religions lead to 'God'.  I think even the pope said something like that.