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in Rom. 1: 18-32. There we see that Satanic system in all its naked horror; there we see
the domination of darkness and the lie. In this section we read of those who by their
deeds are "worthy of death", and who "have pleasure" in deeds of evil (Rom. 1: 32). This
section therefore is connected with wrath.
There is much to be learned by comparing I and II Thessalonians with this passage in
Romans.
"Wrath revealed from heaven" (Rom. 1: 18).
"The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven" (II Thess. 1: 7).
"When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God . . . . . They did not like to
retain God in their knowledge" (Rom. 1: 21, 28).
"In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God" (II Thess. 1: 8).
"They have pleasure in them that do them" (Rom. 1: 32).
"They had pleasure in unrighteousness" (II Thess. 2: 12).
"The changed the truth of God into the lie" (Rom. 1: 25).
"They received not . . . . . the truth . . . . . the believe the lie" (II Thess. 2: 10, 11).
"They changed the glory of God into an image made like to man" (Rom. 1: 23).
"The man of sin . . . . . showing himself that he is God" (II Thess. 2: 3, 4).
"Wrath revealed . . . . . idolatry" (Rom. 1: 18-25).
"Ye turned to God from idols . . . . . saved from the wrath to come" (I Thess. 1: 9, 10).
"God also gave them up to uncleanness" (Rom. 1: 24).
"Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God"
(I Thess. 4: 5).
If we also bring together the parallels that we find in the book of the Revelation, we
shall have a full reference to that Satanic system of iniquity commenced at Babel,
dominating the nations of the earth from that time onward until judged at the coming of
the Lord in the day of wrath.
The reference in Rom. 1: 19, 20 to the evidence of creation finds an echo in the
Revelation.
So in the days when Babylon and its system shall be revived and in full power, the
"everlasting gospel" will be preached, which gospel is nothing more nor less than a
proclamation of the Lord as Creator:
"Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and
worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And
there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen" (Rev. 14: 7, 8).
There is a slight alteration in the words translated "change" in these verses in the A.V.
of Rom. 1: We have attempted to indicate the difference by using "change" and
"exchange". First they changed the glory of God without actually giving up God
altogether, but this soon led to the next step, for they exchanged the truth of God for
the lie, and then worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator. It is not
possible for God to take second place. "Ye cannot serve God and mammon."