When All Religions Unite

• John saw three unclean spirits, like ____ come out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet. Revelation 16:13—14 Across

• The false prophet had wrought ____. Revelation 19:20—4 Down

Note:    Those activities are done by the second beast of Revelation 13, the United States of America. (Compare with Revelation 13:14.) When referred to as a “beast,” as in chapter 13, the focus is on the political government of the nation. But when referred to as a “false prophet,” the focus is unmistakably on the religious element of the country. The primary religion in the United States is Protestantism. Revelation 16:13, therefore, describes the ecumenical uniting of three classes of religion: Paganism, Catholicism, and Protestantism.

        Many Protestants do not realize or fear the steady, rapid progress of the papal power. Downplaying their differences, Protestant leaders have begun to court the favor of Rome, slowly playing themselves into the hands of the system their fathers gave their lives to resist.

• They are the spirits of ____ working miracles. Revelation 16:14—7 Across

Note:    Spiritualism is here depicted as one of the greatest deceptions in the last days. Spirits of devils, working miracles, may appear as ministers of righteousness, heavenly messengers, or as departed loved ones. (See the crossword Bible study entitled, “What is a Soul,” in the March 2004 issue of Present Truth, available by request or on our website.) These miracles, performed by the power of demons, will be presented as proof of their divine origin. Our only safeguard against deception is a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.

        The belief that the dead are conscious, as held by nearly every Protestant denomination, lays the foundation of spiritualism, and is the first great error through which Satan unites the people under his deceptions. This, along with the errors of Sunday sacredness and the trinity doctrine, unites the denominations and binds them with Rome.

• These spirits of devils go forth to gather the kings of the earth to the ____ of that great day. Revelation 14:16—10 Across

Note:    “Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces.… Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought.” (Isaiah 8:9, 10)

• Say not, A ____, but rather Sanctify the Lord of hosts and let Him be your fear. Isaiah 8:12, 13—13 Across

• John was shown the judgment of the great ____. Revelation 17:1—1 Down

Note:    We learned in the crossword Bible study, “God’s People” (in the February 2006 issue of Present Truth), that a “woman” in symbolic prophecy represents a church or religious system. While a pure woman represents God’s true church, a whore is the most appropriate symbol for a corrupt religious system. (Jeremiah 3:1-8, 20; Ezekiel 16:15-43; Jeremiah 13:27)

• This whore has committed fornication with the ____ of the earth. Revelation 17:2—12 Down

Note:    No religious organization has historically been as entangled with the kings of the earth as has the Roman papal system.

• The inhabitants of earth have become drunk with the ____ of this whore’s fornication. Revelation 17:2—3 Down

Note:    In Matthew 9:17 Jesus used the figure of wine to refer to teachings or doctrines. The “wine” of Revelation 17:2, which makes people drunk, would indicate false or corrupt doctrines.

• This woman was arrayed gorgeously and decked with ____ and precious stones, and is holding a golden cup. Revelation 17:4—8 Down

• This woman is drunken with the ____ of the saints. Revelation 17:6— 10 Down

• She is called the ____ of harlots. Revelation 17:5—6 Across

Note:    The Creed of Pope Pius IV, Article 10, states, “I acknowledge the Holy Catholic Apostolic Church for the mother and mistress of all churches.”

• Her daughters are become the ____ of the earth. Revelation 17:5— 2 Across

Note:    “As is the mother, so is her daughter.” (Ezekiel 16:44) Those denominations that have come out of Catholicism, yet which cling to her doctrines and follow her worldly practices are described in no more pleasing terms than their mother.

• I will kill her ____ with death. Revelation 2:23—5 Down

• Another angel followed saying, Babylon is fallen, because she made all nations ____ of her wine. Revelation 14:8—11 Across

Note:    This text calls for a wider interpretation of the term “Babylon.” Because this angel announces Babylon’s fall, he must be referring to a religion which was once pure and has now become corrupt. This Babylon cannot be Catholicism alone; for that system has not made any changes.

        According to this verse, Babylon is identified by her “wine,” which is a product of her fornication with the world. That description would apply to any organization that teaches doctrines which are contrary to the word of God.

        The word Babylon, derived from Babel, denotes confusion. (Genesis 11:9) Does not this term describe the innumerable conflicting sects of Protestantism? This second angel is sent to declare the moral fall of all denominations that have departed from the pure doctrines of the word of God.

• It is declared that Babylon is fallen and become the habitation of devils, ____ spirits and hateful birds. Revelation 18:2—9 Across

Note:    This angel declares that spiritualism has infiltrated modern churches. “For by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.” (Revelation 18:2)

• The nations are drunk with her wine, the kings have committed fornication with her and the ____ have waxed rich through her delicacies. Revelation 18:3—4 Across

Note:    “The wine.” Among the false doctrines which all nations have drunk, the most serious is that of the trinity doctrine, which was designed by Satan to hide God’s love. Satan also used this false doctrine to cause people to worship a strange God instead of the true God of the Bible (Daniel 11:36-39), thus trampling upon God’s first commandment.

        A sister doctrine that is nearly as dangerous, is Sunday observance, which tramples upon God’s fourth commandment.

        “The kings of the earth.” Protestants are becoming increasingly involved in government affairs. This relationship of religious groups with the kings of the earth is threatening the wall of separation that must exist between church and state. When this wall is removed, the results are fearful.

        “The merchants of the earth.” Bible prophecy predicts that economic factors will play a significant role in end-time religious political issues.

        What a sad picture of modern religion. Although the Protestant reformers followed light they received, the organizations that bear their names have failed to advance into fuller light and have fallen from the purity of the faith which they once held.

• The call comes from heaven to Come out of her, ____ people. Revelation 18:4—6 Down

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