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Into the third item we cannot go. The defiling character of idolatry may be gathered
from its annals, and we do not feel that any good purpose would be served by elaborating
this revolting subject here. At the same time we know only too well that human nature is
not a whit better today than when it openly practiced the sins condemned in Rom. 1: We
need faithfully to warn the rising generation, speaking very tenderly and lovingly, yet
nevertheless plainly, for Babylonianism in all its forms is rising like a flood, and the book
of the Revelation reveals Rom. 1: in a superlative degree. We need not go so far into the
future as the book of Revelation, however, for II Tim. 3: 1-8 uses many of the words of
Rom. 1: to describe the perilous times at the close of this present dispensation. The
sequence of the apostasy and its relation to the development of the mystery of iniquity,
otherwise called "the lie", and the mystery of godliness, otherwise called "the truth", can
be traced through Paul's epistles. Taking the statements of Rom. 1: we find them
worked out in the other epistles.
A comparison of the list of sins in Rom. 1: with that of II Tim. 3: 1-7 will show
how completely the parallel is recorded. The reader must supply further parallels by
studying the intervening epistles.
(1) "As God." The creature more
"The man of sin . . . as God" (II Thess. 2: 3, 4).
than the Creator.
(2) "The lie." "The truth.
"They received not the love of the truth . . . they
believe the lie" (II Thess. 2: 10, 11).
(3) "Given up to an undiscerning mind. "God shall send them strong delusion" (II Thess. 2: 11)
"Had pleasure in unrighteousness" (II Thess. 2: 12).
(4) "Pleasure in them that do them."
"God hath created
to be received with
(5) "Neither were thankful."
thanksgiving of them which believe and know
the truth" (I Tim. 4: 3, 4).
Another feature that contributes to the build-up of the actual purpose that runs
throughout the Revelation is the use of the title "Lamb", arnion. Apart from the one
reference, John 21: 15, "feed my lambs", the remaining 29 occurrences are all found in
the Revelation. Although the first thought that comes into mind when we think of Christ
as "The Lamb of God" is the One Who takes away the sin of the world, no such
association is made in the Revelation. We read of "the wrath of the Lamb" and even of
those who drink of the wrath of God . . . . . in the presence of the Lamb" (Rev. 6: 16;
14: 10). We read of "the throne of the Lamb" and of "the marriage of the Lamb" and
"the book of life of the Lamb" (Rev. 21: 1; 19: 7; 13: 8). We read of those who
overcome by "the blood of the Lamb"; of those who are "firstfruits" unto God and to the
Lamb, and of those who sing the song of Moses . . . . . and of the Lamb, with which the
seven vials of wrath is associated (Rev. 12: 11; 14: 4; 15: 3-8). The only time that
redemption is associated with the Lamb is in Rev. 5: 9 and 14: 3, 4. At the opening of
the sealed book by "the Lamb that had been slain" a new song was sung: "Thou wast
slain and hast redeemed us (or them) to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and
tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us (or them) unto our God KINGS and
PRIESTS: and we (they) SHALL REIGN ON (over) THE EARTH." Epi is translated
"over" in Rev. 2: 26; 6:8; 13: 7; 16: 9 and 17: 18. Another new song is recorded in
Rev. 14: 3, 4, where once more redemption is found.