Babylon The Great

and Christendom

Most people have a religious belief of some kind. This story
is for all people who devoutly cherish their chosen religious belief.
"Christendom" is comprised of the Catholic and the many
Protestant religions. Together with all of the non-Christian religions
of the world they are known collectively by Jehovah's Witnesses
as “Babylon the Great”.

Why are they called “Babylon the Great”?

By the time the Apostle John saw a vision, the great city of
Babylon was long ago destroyed. In his vision, he saw a woman
who was lableled "Babylon the Great". She was not only a
prostitute dressed in royal garb, but the Mother of All Prostitutes:

¹ One of the seven angels who had poured out the seven
bowls came over and spoke to me. "Come with me," he said,
"and I will show you the judgment that is going to come on
the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. ² The rulers of
the world have had immoral relations with her, and the people
who belong to this world have been made drunk by the wine
of her immorality." ³ So the angel took me in spirit into the
wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast
that had seven heads and ten horns, written all over with
blasphemies against God. ⁴ The woman wore purple and scarlet
clothing and beautiful jewelry made of gold and precious gems
and pearls. She held in her hand a gold goblet full of obscenities
and the impurities of her immorality. ⁵ A mysterious name was
written on her forehead: "Babylon the Great, Mother of All
Prostitutes and Obscenities in the World." ⁶ I could see that
she was drunk--drunk with the blood of God's holy people who
were witnesses for Jesus. I stared at her completely amazed.
(Revelation 17:1-6) (New Living Translation)

Does this aptly describe all false religions?

Have the leaders of the governments “had immoral relations with her”?

What does encyclopedia Encarta say about
the churches of Hitler’s Nazi Germany?

“For the most part, leaders of Germany’s Protestant and
Catholic churches rallied to the new government.”

Has religion always mingled with government?

The first Pope: Constantine I [the Great], emperor of Rome, was
the first governmental official to meddle with Christ's teachings.

“In 324, after defeating Licinius, Constantine proclaimed himself
head of the Catholic Church and summoned bishops to Nicaea
for a council in which he himself would preside. Two hundred fifty
obeyed. In another summons he wrote: ‘such is the regard I pay to
the lawful Catholic Church that I desire you to leave no schism or
division of any kind anywhere.’"

From: Roman Catholicism: The Paganization of Christianity
—Constantine and the Catholic Church-State

What happened later?

"In the 11th century the balance of power began to swing
toward the West. The church became more centralized
and stronger from a reform movement to end the practice
whereby kings installed important clergy, such as bishops,
in office. (See also Investiture Controversy.) Thus for the
first time in many years, the popes were able to effectively
unite European popular support behind them, a factor that
contributed greatly to the popular appeal of the first Crusades."

From: http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761561210/Crusades.html

What evidence is there that politicians are “in bed” with religion?

According to WWW.CNN.COM

Tuesday, June 21, 2005; Posted: 9:39 p.m. EDT (01:39 GMT)

MANILA, Philippines -- Catholic Cardinal Jaime Sin, who played
a leading role in the 1986 "People Power" uprising that forced
longtime President Ferdinand Marcos from power, died Tuesday
at age 76, the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Manila said.

From: http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/06/20/ppines.sin.obit/index.html

 Preacher Graham knighted

December 7, 2001 Posted: 2:15 AM EST (0715 GMT)

LONDON, England -- Veteran American evangelist Billy
Graham has been made an honorary knight in recognition
of his contribution to religious life.

Graham, 83, received the title in Washington from Sir
Christopher Meyer, the British Ambassador to the U.S.,
on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II.

From: http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/europe/12/06/queen.graham/index.html

Why is it that the Catholic Church and all of the Protestant ones
have completely different ideas about their Christian beliefs?

Let us begin with the history of religion as written in the Bible:

⁸ Cush also had Nimrod. He was the first great warrior on Earth.
⁹ He was a great hunter before GOD. There was a saying, "Like
Nimrod, a great hunter before GOD." ¹⁰ His kingdom got its start
with Babel; then Erech, Akkad, and Calneh in the country of Shinar.
(Genesis 10:8-10) (The Message Bible)

What else can we find out about “Nimrod, the
mighty hunter” and his kingdom, Babylon?

Here is an excerpt from an online article that provides more details:

“Genesis 10 describes Nimrod as a "mighty hunter before
the LORD." The term is not complimentary, but implies
ruthlessness and a lust for power. After establishing his
kingdom in the Tigris/Euphrates region Nimrod consolidated
his power by establishing a state religion. He constructed a
religion that included deification and worship of the emperor
(himself), worship of Satan and his demons, and star-worship
(corrupted from a pure antediluvian astronomy).”

From: http://www.towerofbabel.info/
(Click on “History” then “5000-478 BC Genesis)

What were some of these teachings attributed to Nimrod?

“The trinity got its start with Nimrod – Tammuz [son] - and
Semiramis [wife]. Semiramis demanded worship for both her
husband and her son as well as herself.  She claimed that her
son, was both the father and the son. Yes, he was "god
the father" and "god the son" - The first divine
incomprehensible trinity.”
 --The Two Babylons ; Alexander Hislop; p.51

"The two-horned mitre, which the Pope wears, when he
sits on the high altar at Rome and receives the adoration
of the Cardinals, is the very mitre worn by Dagon,
the fish-god of the Philistines and Babylonians."
- The Two Babylons ; Alexander Hislop;  p. 215

"The most prominent form of worship in Babylon was
dedicated to Dagon, later known as Ichthys, or the
fish. In Chaldean [Babylonian] times, the head of the
church was the representative of Dagon, he was considered
to be infallible, and was addressed as 'Your Holiness'.
Nations subdued by Babylon had to kiss the ring and slipper
of the Babylonian god-king. The same powers and the same
titles are claimed to this day by the Dalai Lama of Buddhism,
and the Pope. Moreover, the vestments of paganism, the fish
mitre and robes of the priests of Dagon are worn by the
Catholic bishops, cardinals and popes."
”The Wine of Babylon”; p.9

How amusing that the Pope, cardinals and bishops actually dress
up today like the ancient fish-god priests of ancient Babylon!

How did such absurd and un-Christian practices
become a part of today’s Christian beliefs?

"Fifteen centuries after the birth of Christ, little had changed
in Western Europe but the names of the gods worshiped.
The Western Europeans of the fifteenth century still lived
in an enchanted world—a world of magic and miracles.

• Instead of the twelve gods of ancient Rome, there
  were the cults of the twelve apostles, whose relics
  could cure diseases, control the weather, and inflict
  harm on those who opposed them.
• Instead of the departmental deities of ancient Rome,
  there were the departmental Saints of papal Rome.  
• Instead of the cult of Diana, Queen of Heaven, there
  was the cult of Mary, Queen of Heaven."

These non-Christian beliefs persist today. The Protestant
religions all have their roots from the Catholic religion. Most
still have an abundance of false pagan beliefs incorporated into
their doctrines because they did not go to any trouble to rid
themselves of them. In spite of the abundance of literature that
exists which exposes the truth, many people who call themselves
“Christians” still cling to these false beliefs that Christ and his
followers never taught as part of the pure Christian religion.

What does the Bible say about these false beliefs?

¹ Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will
turn away from what we believe; they will follow lying spirits and
teachings that come from demons. ² These teachers are hypocrites
and liars. They pretend to be religious, but their consciences are dead.
(1Timothy 4:1-2) (New Living Translation)

³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for
themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, ⁴ and will
turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
(2Timothy 4:3-4) (New American Standard Bible)

What does the Bible say will eventually happen to Babylon the Great?

⁸ Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death,
mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty
is the Lord God who judges her. ⁹ When the kings of the earth
who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the
smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her.
(Revelation 18:8-9) (NIV)

¹¹ The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over
her because no one buys their cargoes any more--
(Revelation 18:11) (NIV)

²² The music of harpists and musicians, flute players and
trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No workman
of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of
a millstone will never be heard in you again.
(Revelation 18:22) (NIV)

²³ The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice
of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again.
(Revelation 18:23) (NIV)

What would wise people want to do now?

⁴ Then I heard another voice calling from heaven, "Come away
from her, my people. Do not take part in her sins, or you will
be punished with her. ⁵ For her sins are piled as high as heaven,
and God is ready to judge her for her evil deeds."
(Revelation 18:4-5) (NLT)

What evil deeds?

History has recorded an abundance of evil deeds committed by
various religions such as the Crusades (link), the Inquisitions
(link), the Witchcraft trials (link), purges (link), etc. The sole
purpose of the spread of the Catholic and Protestant religions was
not for teaching about the love of God but the acquisition of power
and property. Consider the life and death of a respectable physician,
a learned man named Michael Servetus:

Servetus, Michael  1511–53, Spanish theologian
and physician. His name in Spanish was Miguel Serveto.

How is his life and death significant?

“From 1541 to 1553 he lived in the palace of the
archbishop of Vienne as his confidential physician.
When (1553) he had a work setting forth his ideas
of Christianity secretly printed, investigation was
begun by the Inquisition. Servetus, arrested, tried,
and condemned, escaped from prison. Several months
later, while making his way to Italy, he was seized in
Geneva by [John] Calvin's order. There, after a long
trial, in which Calvin's condemnation was a stern factor,
he was burned on Oct. 27, 1553.”

From: http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/people/A0844522.html

What are the details about Servetus’ death at the hands of the clergy?

† Sir William Osler (1849-1919), Michael Servetus, London,
Oxford University Press, 1909, Page 35.

Osler was himself a physician and a freethinker.
His full description follows:

...Shortly after twelve o'clock, a procession started from
the town-hall of Geneva — the chief magistrates of the
city, the clergy in their robes, the Lieutenant Criminel and
other officers on horseback, a guard of mounted archers,
the citizens, with a motley crowd of followers, and in their
midst, with arms bound, in shabby, dirty clothes, walked a
man of middle age, whose intellectual face bore the marks
of long suffering. Passing along the rue St. Antoine through
the gate of the same name, the cortege took its way towards
the Golgotha of the city.
     Once outside the walls a superb sight broke on their view:
in the distance the blue waters and enchanting shores of Lake
Geneva, to the west and north the immense amphitheater of
the Jura, with its snow-capped mountains, and to the south
and west the lovely valley of the Rhone; but we may well think
that few eyes were turned away from the central figure of that
sad procession.
     By his side, in earnest entreaty, walked the aged pastor,
Farel, who had devoted a long and useful life to the service
of his fellow citizens. Mounting the hill, the field of Champel
was reached, and here on sight eminence was the fateful
stake, with dangling chains and heaping bundles of faggots.
At this sight the poor victim prostrated himself on the ground
in prayer.
     In reply to the exhortation of the clergyman for a specific
confession of faith, there was the cry, "Misericordia, misericordia!
Jesu, thou Son of the eternal God, have compassion upon me!"
Bound to the stake by the iron chains, with a chaplet of straw
and green twigs covered with sulphur on his head, with long
dark face, it is said that he looked like the Christ in whose name
he was bound. Around his waist were tied a large bundle of
manuscript and a thick octavo printed book.
     The torch was applied, and as the flames spread to the straw
and sulphur and flashed in his eyes, there was a piercing cry that
struck terror into the hearts of the bystanders. The faggots were
green, the burning was slow, and it was long before in a last agony
he cried again, "Jesu, thou Son of the eternal God, have mercy on
me!" Thus died in his forty-second year, Michael Servetus Villanovanus, physician, physiologist, and heretic.
     Strange, is it not, that could he have cried, "Jesu, thou Eternal Son
of God!" even at this last moment, the chains would have been unwound, the chaplet removed, and the faggots scattered; but he remained faithful unto death to what he believed was the Truth as revealed in the Bible.

Jehovah Will Prove To Be One!

The Christians of the world are a confused people. It is not possible
today to ask a random Christian what his beliefs are to find out
what all of the Christians believe! The online encyclopedia Wikipedia
lists 300 Christian sects and notes that the list is not complete!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations

None of the sects are in complete agreement with any other. Most
of them do have some beliefs in common. One of the biggest beliefs
shared by these sects is the belief that God is an incomprehensible
Trinity being. This popular and widespread belief is not Biblical. It
is a false belief that was merely borrowed from pagans who have so
many gods that they routinely pick three to worship at a time.

Who borrowed the Trinity belief from the Pagans?

The Catholic Church. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia:

"Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary
that he hold the Catholic Faith. Which Faith except everyone
do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish
everlastingly. And the Catholic Faith is this, that we worship
one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity."

From: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02033b.htm

This belief is not found anywhere in the Bible and
it was not taught by Christ and his followers.

How did this belief become a "Christian" tradition?

"And the word of Jehovah continued to occur to me, saying...
‘An end, the end, has come upon the four extremities of the
land. Now the end is upon you, and I must send my anger
against you, and I will judge you according to your ways
and bring upon you all your detestable things. And my eye
will not feel sorry for you, neither will I feel compassion, for
upon you I shall bring your own ways, and in the midst of
you your own detestable things will come to be; and YOU
people will have to know that I am Jehovah.’ "
(Ezekiel 7:1-4) (New World Translation) www.WatchTower.org

9 And Jehovah shall be King over all the earth: in
that day shall Jehovah be one, and his name one.
(Zecariah 14:9) (ASV)

The prophecies that Jehovah's prophets make always come true!
We are all going to see these prophecies fulfilled right before our
very eyes - very soon!

ARMAGEDDON

What is meant by Armageddon?


"The apocalyptic vision that many Christians hold of the Last
Days, is the final war between God and Satan which will end
our world as we know it. It is known as the battle of Armageddon."
-It’s Armageddon time;
By Sandi Magathan Droubay M.A.

Where does the Bible talk about it?

¹⁶ And he gathered them together into a place called in the
Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
(Revelation 16:16) (King James Version)

What are the chances that this prophecy will ever be fulfilled?

According to the encyclopedia InfoPlease

“Megiddo , city, ancient Palestine, by the Kishon River on the
southern edge of the plain of Esdraelon, N of Samaria, located
at present-day Tel Megiddo, SE of Haifa, Israel, near modern
Megiddo.”

From: http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0832523.html

According to the maps, Meggido is in Israel a few hundred miles
west of Baghdad, Iraq, where UN personnel are stationed.

Is it not an amazing coincidence that so much military
presence is within reach of the area almost two thousand
years after John’s prophecy?

What else does the Bible say
about The End of our world?   

¹⁷The world and its desires pass away, but the man
who does the will of God lives forever. 
(1John 2:17) (New International Version)

"...For this world in its present form is passing away. "
(1 Corinthians 7:31) (New International Version)

"Jesus'..."POLITICAL" rhetoric he used in announcing
that God's rule was about to replace human rule,
led to mounting opposition toward him..."
- Global Encyclopedia; volume 11,
  pg.403 -  1968 edition.

What will happen on that day?

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

"Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be WARNED,
you rulers of the earth! Submit to God's royal son,
or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed
in the midst of your pursuits..."
(Psalm 2:10,12) (New Living Translation)

"and all the kings... near and far, one after the other - all
the kingdoms on the face of the earth... ‘You will not go
unpunished, for I am calling down a sword upon all
who live on the earth, declares the LORD Almighty.'"
(Jeremiah 25:26,29) (NIV)

¹⁹ Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and
their armies gathered together to make war against the
rider on the horse and his army. ²⁰ But the beast was
captured, and with him the false prophet who had
performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With
these signs he had deluded those who had received
the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The
two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of
burning sulfur. ²¹ The rest of them were killed with the
sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the
horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
(Revelation 19:19-21) (NIV)

Christ Will Execute The Foes Of Jehovah God

"For that day is a day of the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, a day of
vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries."
(Jeremiah 46:1,10) (American Standard Version)

"For these are days of vengeance,  that all things which
are written may be fulfilled... And then shall they see the
Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory...
for so shall it come upon all them that dwell on the face
of all the earth. But watch ye at every season, making
supplication, that ye may prevail to escape all these things
that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
(Luke 21:22,25,26,27,34-36) (ASV)

This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from
heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. ⁸ He will
punish those who do not know God and do not obey the
gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will be punished with
everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence
of the Lord and from the majesty of his power ¹⁰ on the
day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be
marveled at among all those who have believed. This
includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
(2Thessalonians 1:7-10) (ASV)

"They that strive with Jehovah shall be broken to pieces;
Against them will he thunder in heaven: Jehovah will judge
the ends of the earth; And he will give strength unto "HIS
KING", And exalt the horn of  "HIS ANOINTED". "
(1Samuel 2:10) (ASV)

JEHOVAH WARNS US

"Before there comes upon you people the burning anger of
Jehovah, before there comes upon you the day of Jehovah's
anger, seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth... Seek
righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed
in the day of Jehovah's anger."
(Zephaniah 2:2, 3) (ASV) 

"For, behold, Jehovah cometh forth out of his place to
punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity."
(Isaiah 26:21) (ASV)

"For evil-doers shall be cut off; But those that wait for
Jehovah, they shall inherit the earth. For just a little while
longer, and the wicked ones shall be no more: Yea, thou
shalt diligently consider his place, and he shall not be. But
the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves
in the abundance of peace... The righteous shall inherit the
earth, And dwell therein for ever... Wait for Jehovah, and
keep his way, And he will exalt thee to inherit the earth;
When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it."
(Psalm 37:9-11,29,34) (ASV)

"The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are
angels. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they
will "WEED OUT"  of his kingdom  everything that causes
sin and all who do evil."
(Matthew 13:36-41) (NIV)

These warnings sound serious enough.
What would be the wise thing to do now?

For one thing, do not start a military career! For
another, now is a good time to change our ways if
they do not meet God's approval.

"In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he
commands all people everywhere to repent.  For he has set
a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man
he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising
him from the dead."
(Acts 17:30,31) (NIV)

AFTER   ARMAGEDDON

"There will emerge a new humanity on a new earth that
is equivalent to a restored paradise... a "blest age" in the
future when, in a violent spasm... humanity shall 'burst his
fetters', and 'Earth shall once again be a Paradise'."
-The Norton Anthology of English Literature
 The Romantic Period
 Apocalyptic Expectations - An Overview

"The future theocratic kingdom of God will be an earthly
kingdom involving the administration of God's rule
over everything on this present earth. ...the future
theocratic kingdom will involve the administration of
God's rule by His future representative...Jesus Christ,
over this same earthly province."
--Why Future Events? Part 12;;by Dr. Renald Showers
Ankerberg Theological Research Institute

"But God has promised us a new heaven and a new earth,
where justice will rule. We are really looking forward to that!"
(2Peter 3:13) (CEV) 

What kind of a new earth?

³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the
dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They
will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be
their God. ⁴ He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will
be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old
order of things has passed away."
(Revelation 21:3-4) (NIV)

 ⁶ And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard
shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion
and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
⁷ And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones
shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the
ox. ⁸ And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den.
⁹ They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Jehovah, as
the waters cover the sea.
(Isaiah 11:6-9) (ASV)

Should Christians Love
Valentine's Day?

The Nominal Christians of the world love Valentine's Day
and participate in the festivities without any thought.

What is there to think about?

"As an estimated one billion cards are exchanged
this St Valentine's Day - spare a thought for the
ancient Pagan custom that the Catholic Church
has tried to hide from you, for St Valentine's Day
is the Eve of Lupercalia, the Pagan Roman festival
of fertility."
--St Valentine's Day
or Ancient Pagan Sex Rite?
By Dr Leo Ruickbie, Director of WICA

Is Valentine's Day really pagan in origin?

Valentines Day came from the ancient Lupercalia
- which was ". . an ancient Roman rite held each
February 15 for the fertility god Lupercus."
The Encyclopedia Americana, 1996,
from the article "Lupercalia,"

"[Valentine's Day is] also believed to be a continuation
of the Roman festival of Lupercalia."
--Holidays and Anniversaries of the World
by Laurence Vrdang and Christie N. Donohue

Who else says Valentine's Day
is really the Roman Lupercalia?

According to Infoplease

The history of Valentine's Day is obscure, and further clouded
by various fanciful legends. The holiday's roots are in the ancient
Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration commemorated
annually on February 15. Pope Gelasius I recast this pagan festival
as a Christian feast day circa 496, declaring February 14 to be St.
Valentine's Day.

From: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/valentinesdayhistory.html

What is Lupercalia?

Just another in a series of pagan festivities foisted
upon unsuspecting Christians.

Nimrod was the original St. Valentine?

"But why should Nimrod have been called "Valentine"
by the Romans? And why should the celebration of this
day have been anciently limited to the city of Rome
before Pope Gelasius' time? What part did the site of
ancient Rome play in the life of Nimrod?"

"Valentine comes from the Latin word "Valentinus",
a proper name derived from the word "valens", meaning
"to be strong," declares "Webster's Unabridged
Dictionary". It means literally "strong, powerful,
mighty."  Any connection with Nimrod? Yes, We read
in the Bible that Nimrod was the "MIGHTY hunter"
(Gen. 10:9). It was a common proverb of ancient time
that Nimrod was "the MIGHTY hunter before the Lord."
NIMROD WAS THEIR HERO -- THEIR STRONG MAN --
THEIR VALENTINE!"

"How plain that the original Valentine was Nimrod,
the mighty hunter of wolves. Yet another of Nimrod's
names was "Sanctus" or "Santa," meaning "Saint."
It was a common title of any hero-god. No wonder
that the Roman Lupercalia is called "Saint Valentine's
Day"!  But why do we associate HEARTS on a day in
honor of Nimrod -- the BAAL of the Phoenicians and
Semites?  The surprising answer is that the pagan
Romans acquired the symbol of the heart from the
Babylonians. In the Babylonian tongue the word for
"heart" was "bal" (see "Young's" or "Strong's
Concordance"). The heart -- "bal" -- was merely a
symbol of Nimrod -- the "Baal" or Lord of the
Babylonians!"
--The Silence of Educators
ST. VALENTINE'S DAY
Christian Custom? -- or Pagan Holiday?
by Herman L. Hoeh

Most people think this is a picture of Jesus.
Now we know that it is actually Nimrod!

What does Cupid have to do with Lupercalia?

"LUPERCALIA {the feast of Lupercus, the mighty wolf
hunter}. The ancient Roman celebration of Lupercalia
was held in honor of Lupercus, the deified great hunter
of Rome.  This celebration also included worship of the
goddess of fertility, Venus. In Roman mythology this
goddess of fertility and sexual immortality, had a son
called Cupid. Cupid was said to have attended to her
and was given power to cause love to begin and to cease.
This celebration was held from the 14th through the 15th
of February. Some of the events of this pagan holiday
included the choosing of partners by chance; in which
teenaged girls would place their names into a box. The
names were then drawn out by young men. The girl whose
name was drawn then became the sexual partner with the
man for the upcoming year; beginning in March during the
Fertility rites of the Spring Equinox."

"NIMROD (Baal) and Semiramis (ASHTORETH)--
The Greek called Lupercus by the name of "Pan",
the Semites called Pan "Baal". Baal which is
mentioned several times in the bible, is merely
another name for Nimrod "the mighty hunter"
(Genesis 10:8-9). Nimrod was the original Lupercus
and we know that Nimrod was a mighty man who
built great cities, including Babel.  Later when Queen
Semiramis gave birth to an illegitimate son, she claimed
that he was Nimrod reborn, calling him - "Nimrod-
Tammuz" by name. Another name for Nimrod-Tammuz
was "Cupid", which means "Desire".  Queen Semaramis
lusted after her son, and soon they were married. 
Nimrod-Tammuz was forever known as the child "god". 
In the Babylonian tongue the word 'heart' was pronounced
"Bal". In the depictions of Tammuz the "heart shaped" fruit
of Persea was often found in his hand. Thus Tammuz
became known as the god of the heart."
--The Truth About Valentine's Day
What's Love Got to Do With it ?
BABYLON FORSAKEN MINISTRIES

Once again, The "Christians" of the world will cheerfully
celebrate a pagan holiday with their "Christian" brethren. 

Is that wise? 

11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and
darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them.
(Ephesians 5:11) (NIV) 

The Man With the Inkhorn

The Bible contains a great deal of knowledge. Most of the
knowledge is historical and many people find the old stories
to be inspiring and instructive but some of the most important
information is prophetic. Deep in many of the old accounts
from the prophets are their prophecies that have lain dormant
for many centuries. Strange events took place long ago that
will lead to even stranger events for the people of today.
Ancient prophecies are being fulfilled right before the watchful
eyes of the world, but the world does not comprehend what is
transpiring! Consider an event long ago that was recorded in
the Bible. This is what occurred long ago when Jehovah sent an
angel to deliver a message to the prophet named Ezekiel:

1 And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will
speak with thee.  2 And the Spirit entered into me when he spake
unto me, and set me upon my feet; and I heard him that spake unto
me.  3 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children
of Israel, to nations that are rebellious, which have rebelled against
me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me even unto
this very day.  4 And the children are impudent and stiffhearted: I do
sent thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the
Lord Jehovah.  5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they
will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that
there hath been a prophet among them.
(Ezekiel 2:1-5) (American Standard Version)

Here we see that Jehovah is displeased with His people and has
dispatched His prophet to give the people fair warning. Despite
Ezekiel's efforts, the people refused to change their ways.

4 And there before me was the glory of the God of Israel,
as in the vision I had seen in the plain.  5 Then he said to
me, "Son of man, look toward the north." So I looked, and
in the entrance north of the gate of the altar I saw this idol
of jealousy.  6 And he said to me, "Son of man, do you see
what they are doing—the utterly detestable things the house
of Israel is doing here, things that will drive me far from my
sanctuary? But you will see things that are even more detestable."
(Ezekiel 8:4-6) (NIV)

When the time came to take action against the disobedient people,
Jehovah first needed to mark the people who were innocent.

1 Then I heard him call out loudly, "Executioners, come!
And bring your deadly weapons with you."
(Ezekiel 9:1) (The Message)

The angels designated to carry out Jehovah's judgement
appeared with their weapons, but among them was one who
was armed only with an inkhorn, a marking device.

"And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate,
which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon
in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen,
with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood
beside the brasen altar."
(Ezekiel 9:2) (King James Version)

This one angel had a job to do before
the executions could begin:

3-4 The Glory of the God of Israel ascended from his usual
place above the cherubim-angels, moved to the threshold
of the Temple, and called to the man with the writing case
who was dressed in linen: "Go through the streets of Jerusalem
and put a mark on the forehead of everyone who is in
anguish over the outrageous obscenities being done in the city."
5-6 I listened as he went on to address the executioners: "Follow
him through the city and kill. Feel sorry for no one. Show no
compassion. Kill old men and women, young men and women,
mothers and children. But don't lay a hand on anyone with the
mark. Start at my Temple." They started with the leaders in front
of the Temple. 7-8 He told the executioners, "Desecrate the Temple.
Fill it with corpses. Then go out and continue the killing." So they
went out and struck the city. While the massacre went forward, I
was left alone. I fell on my face in prayer: "Oh, oh, God, my Master!
Are you going to kill everyone left in Israel in this pouring out of
your anger on Jerusalem?" 9-10 He said, "The guilt of Israel and
Judah is enormous. The land is swollen with murder. The city
is bloated with injustice. They all say, 'God has forsaken the
country. He doesn't see anything we do.' Well, I do see, and
I'm not feeling sorry for any of them. They're going to pay
for what they've done." 11 Just then, the man dressed in linen
and carrying the writing case came back and reported, "I've done
what you told me."
(Ezekiel 9) (The Message)

These events were fulfilled when Jerusalem was
captured by the Babylonians in 586 BC.

From: http://www.bartleby.com/65/ez/Ezekiel.html

Ezekiel's vision was highly symbolic but nonetheless led
to a nonsymbolic event where some of his people were
killed and some survived, just as his vision foretold. The
ones who survived were invisibly marked.

Are the conditions that Jehovah complained
about back then - about the same as today?
Is the land swollen with murder? Are the
cities bloated with injustice? Does anybody
care about Jehovah's laws at all? 

A few people in the world do. That is why
the "man with the inkhorn" is back!

1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners
of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to
prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea
or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from
the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in
a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power
to harm the land and the sea: 3 "Do not harm the land or
the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of
the servants of our God." 4 Then I heard the number of
those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
(Revelation 7:1-4) (NIV)

These people are marked for the purpose of being our leaders.
There is no provision for the general public to reside in Heaven
with them. The Bible shows that these sealed individuals have
a specific function for a limited time:

4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been
given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who
had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and
because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the
beast or his image and had not received his mark on
their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and
reigned with Christ a thousand years.
(Revelation 20:4) (NIV)

What about this other mark?
Who is marked on the forehead and hands?

11 Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth.
He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon.
12 He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his
behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the
first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And he
performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to
come down from heaven to earth in full view of men.
14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf
of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth.
He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast
who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 He was
given power to give breath to the image of the first beast,
so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship
the image to be killed. 16 He also forced everyone, small
and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark
on his right hand or on his forehead, 17 so that no one
could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name
of the beast or the number of his name. 18 This calls for
wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number
of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666.
(Revelation 13:11-18) (NIV)

Who has the mark of the beast?

From the passage we see that just about everybody has the
mark of the beast. Almost everybody has to buy things in
this modern world as a normal way of life. Many people
sell things. Having the mark of the beast upon us is nearly
unavoidable, but that is not the problem!

What, then, is the problem?

¹⁹ Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and
their armies gathered together to make war against the
rider on the horse and his army. ²⁰ But the beast was
captured, and with him the false prophet who had
performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With
these signs he had deluded those who had received
the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.
(Revelation 19:19-20) (NIV)

The problem is not being marked, it is worshiping the beast
while marked. We can see that military personnel have the
mark. All countries having a military require their personnel
to pledge their allegiance solely to their country and their
commanders. Their god is the military (the beast).

What is the fate of the people who have
the mark of the beast and worship it?

19-21I saw the Beast and, assembled with him, earth's kings
and their armies, ready to make war against the One on
the horse and his army. The Beast was taken, and with him,
his puppet, the False Prophet, who used signs to dazzle and
deceive those who had taken the mark of the Beast and
worshiped his image. They were thrown alive, those two,
into Lake Fire and Brimstone. The rest were killed by the
sword of the One on the horse, the sword that comes from
his mouth. All the birds held a feast on their flesh.
(Revelation 19:19-21) (The Message)

So we can conclude that being marked by "the man
with the inkhorn" is desirable but being marked by
the beast can be fatal. Those of us who are marked
by the beast cannot worship it and expect to survive
when Our Messiah returns to destroy the beast.

What is a better idea?

34 Wait for Jehovah, and keep his way, And he will exalt
thee to inherit the land: When the wicked are cut off, thou
shalt see it. 37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright;
For there is a happy end to the man of peace. 38 As for
transgressors, they shall be destroyed together; The end of
the wicked shall be cut off.
(Psalms 37:34,37,38) (ASV)