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"mascots" in one form or another? From time to time grotesque figures are put on the
market in the form of desk companions, motor-car mascots, watch chain ornaments, etc.,
which are "lucky", or preserve from accident, or some other good that should be sought
from the Lord only.
Then the passage specifies the worship of demons. As we write these words, two
papers have come into the market. One is called PAN after the Greek god of that name.
The other is called EVE which among other advertised attractions will be Pagan! One of
these publications is for "Saints and Cynics"! Spiritism is demonism. The apostle Paul
writing to Timothy says:--
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times, some shall depart from the
faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons."
Witchcraft, necromancy, clairvoyance are all leading on to the same dreadful goal--a
state of hardened unrepentance, deceiving and being deceived. Of those who are spoken
of in Rev. 9: 2, II Thess. 2: seems to speak:--
"Then shall that wicked one be revealed. . . . whose coming is after the working of
Satan. . . . with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they
received not the love of the truth that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall
send them strong delusion (a working of error, R.V.), that they should believe THE LIE."
Men will actually worship the dragon, the beast and his image (see 13: 4, 15). Men
will be saved in that depraved hour simply worship Him as Creator that made heaven,
and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters (14: 7). Idolatry originated in the
heart of man:--
"When they knew God they glorified Him not as God. . . . they changed the glory of
the incorruptible God into an image made like unto corruptible man. . . . they changed
the truth of God into a LIE and worshipped and served the creature more than the
Creator, Who is blessed forever."
Immorality is always the handmaid of idolatry. The spirits that prey upon mankind
are often "Unclean spirits". If mankind sank so low when God "gave them up", to what
depth will they descend when God send them the strong delusion? These sins are
essentially "religious". This unprecedented judgment falls upon false worshippers. It is
impossible to differentiate between the political and the religious, the throne judgment
and the temple judgment, for the references to the temple and worship are not confined to
any section. Social sins are spoken of as secondary in this awful list; and even of the four
sins mentioned, sorcery and fornication have much to do with "religion" (2: 20). The
ready acceptance of the teaching of demons and the miracles that accompany their
teaching are indicated in 16: 13, 14.
The awful condition indicated in Rev. 9: 20, 21 is traceable to Babylon, and we need
not go outside the Revelation to find that this is so. Babylon makes the inhabitants of the
earth drunk with the wine of her fornication. Babylon is depicted as drunk with the blood
of saints. Babylon deceived all the nations by her sorceries. Babylon becomes the
habitation of demons. Since the days of Nimrod Babylon has been Anti-Christ.