Babylon: Come Out of Her My People
The word Babylon means confusion and originates from the confusion of languages that Yahweh brought upon those people who were building a tower to the heavens (later named Babel). Babylon is a system that stands in direct opposition to the plan of God. It has manifested its ugly head throughout the history of man, both naturally and spiritually. The scriptures prophesy of its impending destruction and warns God’s people to come out of her.
KEY TEXT: “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen...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” (Revelation 18:2a,4).
One of the first manifestations of Babylon came in the days following the flood (Genesis 11:1-9). The city of Babel was founded by Nimrod, one of the cursed grandsons of Ham, son of Noah. This city was a central point in the ancient world for the worship of many gods. Notice in verse 4 that the motivation behind building the tower of Babel was self-promotion. Compare this to the downfall of Lucifer in Isaiah 14:12-15. Who is the author of confusion (I Corinthians 14:33)?
It was this same Babylon that destroyed Jerusalem and the temple of Solomon and carried the children of Judah captive during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 52:4). Why did God allow His city to be taken captive (Jeremiah 43:10; 44:2-5)?
This same scenario has been repeated spiritually in the history of the church. After the death of Jesus’ apostles, the Early Church gradually fell away from the faith which was once delivered unto the saints into a state of Babylonian confusion (Acts 20:29,30). How is this fallen church described by the prophet in Isaiah 1:21,22? The church was called a harlot because in Rome it compromised its truth and adopted many Babylonian traditions and customs. Consider the effect the decisions of the church in Rome had on the church all the way up into our day in the form of such customs as Easter, Halloween, and Christmas (Revelations 17:4,5). What is meant by the term “mother of harlots?”
In Jeremiah 51:1-10, God pronounces judgment on Babylon. Notice the instruction to God’s people in verse 6. God’s people today must also come out of spiritual Babylon so that we do not partake of her judgment (Isaiah 52:7-11). As you read Revelation 18:7-11, notice the self- promoting attitude of this harlot. Why do the merchants mourn the fall of Babylon? Babylon’s final fate is found in Revelation 19:1-3.
Welcome to The Church of God in Cleveland!
We wish to thank you for visiting our website and our hope is that you will find something that blesses you spiritually and also causes you to investigate more thoroughly the workings and worship of The Church of God.
Arise! Shine!...
June 13th is a very important day to remember in the history of Church of God. This day marks the anniversary of the "Arise Shine" of The Church of God, a prophetic event in which the divine movement called the church, which had been dormant since the Dark Ages began, was resurrected to shine forth the truth of the Word of God in preparation for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth.
It has been 106 years since God’s church first arose on this side of the Dark Ages. Still today it is our ongoing desire to see the church restored to its former glory, built according to the pattern of God with all of its offices and gifts fully functioning. The closer we approach to the day of the Lord’s return, the more diligent we need to be in the work of restoring God’s spiritual house, His church. Let’s arise and work!
May the Lord bless you!
Pastor Tim Miller
Upcoming Events
• Wednesday, June 10th: Bible Teaching Classes for all ages at 7:00 pm.
• Saturday, June 13th: Arise,
Shine Day - Please join us in celebrating this important event for The Church
of God and stay afterward for the Covered Dish Fellowship Lunch.
• Wednesday, June 17th: Bible
Teaching Classes for all ages at 7:00 pm.
• Saturday, June 20th: Sabbath
School at 10:00 am; Worship Service at 11:00
• Wednesday, June 24th: Bible
Teaching Classes for all ages at 7:00 pm.
• Saturday, June 27th: Sabbath
School at 10:00 am; Worship Service at 11:00 - Please welcome our guest
speaker from the Gideon's International.
• Sunday, June 28th: Youth
Outing to the Chattanooga Zoo.
Scripture Center
• "At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”. - Matthew 18:1-5 NKJV