while we fuss, you might notice we've just had war decalared on us.

Fuss? did I miss something? if I did it was probably a blessing. :)

Revelation 18

1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.

15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

16 And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

This would appear that it could be america, except I do not see how verse 24 would fit.

Revelation 17
4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

I do not know why but ever since I was young and read this the statue of liberty came to mind.

Revelation 17 and 18 are not talking about a heathen city or empire; they are talking about Israel, the covenant people who killed the prophets (I Kings 19:10; Lam. 4:13).

The Great City/Mystery Babylon is identified as , Where The Lord Was Crucified, Rev. 11:8.

Only one city in the Bible is ever referred to as Sodom, it is Jerusalem, (Deuteronomy 32:32; Isaiah 1:10).

Jesus spoke to the people of Jerusalem warning them that they would fill up the measure of their father’s guilt in killing the prophets. Jesus Himself pointed out that no prophet dies outside Jerusalem? (Luke 13:33). Paul says they had filled up the measure of their sins and would experience the coming wrath. (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16).

Mystery Babylon was guilty of shedding the blood of the apostles and prophets(Revelation 18:20). Not only was their blood avenged, but God avenged all the blood shed on the earth on Mystery Babylon, (verse 24).

In Matthew 23:34-37, Jesus says Jerusalem is charged with the blood guilt of all the righteous blood shed on the earth up to that time. Jesus would send more wise men, scribes and prophets whom he said they would scourge in their synagogues and persecute from city to city until he destroyed Jerusalem.

Mystery Babylon was once a queen. This identifies the city as having a covenant relationship with God. Neither ancient Rome, nor any other modern city could appropriately be styled as God’s wife. Through the Old Covenant, God was married to Jerusalem, (Jeremiah 2:14). Because of her unfaithfulness, God threatens divorce. While Mystery Babylon claims to be a queen, she is widowed. (Revelation 18:7)

After the great city, Mystery Babylon is destroyed, God blesses a New Jerusalem. That implies an Old Jerusalem. This is the same antithesis running throughout the New Testament expressed in covenantal terms. (See Galatians 4:24-26; Hebrews 8:6-13; 12:18-23). The new Jerusalem however is not an earthly city but one which comes down out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, (Revelation 21:1-3).

Paul writes of the bride of Christ in 1 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-31, Hebrews 12:22, 23).

The call to God’s people to come out of Mystery Babylon (Revelation 18:4) further aligns with the ancient city of Jerusalem. Prior to its destruction, Jesus warned that his disciples should flee the city to avoid its plagues of destruction, famine and death. (Matthew 24:15-17; Luke 21:20-22).

As old Jerusalem was once called the faithful and holy city, John prophesied that it was measured for destruction, (Revelation 11:2).

The prophecies of Revelation 18 do not fit Rome, nor any other city than Jerusalem; where the prophets, apostles and saints were slain. The usual interpretation to bring the apocalypse down through the ages to stage again the historical pageantry of the Roman empire, in the effort to find a future fulfillment, takes all the force out of the words of Christ in Matthew 23 and 24, and robs the apocalypse of its immediate message. The apostate Jerusalem was the object of the visions of Revelation.

There's no basis for a symbol or an analogy in which Rome, no less America, could have been depicted as having become a harlot, for Rome nor the U.S. never stood in the spiritual relation to God as a faithful city, turned to harlotry. The harlot was a city once faithful to God, and only Jerusalem can fulfill the symbolic descriptions.

Greetings Neil

This whole thing with North Korea has been on my mind and heart. I have been praying. Its so sad to see that so many could potentially be harmed because of one mans ego. I have read that China has condemned NK rhetoric but has that changed? I know Russia was calling for everyone to take a step back that this could spiral. I guess that is my real fear is that things will get crazy fast and some of the other bigger players will jump into the middle of this and it all escalates. I pray that does not happen. I pray for the people of both North and South Korea because of the harm that can happen here if calmer heads do not prevail.

I guess the question is what will Obama do, he has to respond if the North attacks the South right? Then what about China will they support North Korea? As you said this could all end badly. Time to be in prayer for this and so many other situations around the world. I just keep praying "LORD your will be done and help me not to be fearful but to walk through all things in faith and trust.Amen!"

God bless
maryjane

Edit: I did not mean for my post to be one of sounding fear or alarm. These are just the ponderings that have been on my heart. As always I know the LORD is in control :)

I can't help but think as long as there are at least 10 righteous, God-fearing people in South Korea, I don't believe God will rain nuclear fire down upon them.

God, you rescued me from violent people - Psalm 18:48

God is probably holding off on the first missile to head our direction, to see if the Supreme Court votes in favor of Homosexual marriage, they are not "Gays" they are "Homosexuals". Or are you still foolishly closing your eyes, ears and hearts to the truth? By having allowed homosexuals to live and function in society, they are proving that homosexuality does indeed do immeasurable and irreparable harm to the proper social order and welfare of humankind. This is clearly seen in their insistence to adopt innocent children and to legalize same sex marriage. The curse of homosexuality is also apparent in many other ways. Because it is such a great curse to humanity, the God who created humans says put homosexuals to death (Leviticus 20:13)! They ought not to be allowed to live! He has tried in vain to wake up America, but he sees were still bowing to a liberal America, and not following God. It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. Deuteronomy 13:4

HI savannah.
interesting perspective.
something for me to meditate on.

RE: ///I can't help but think as long as there are at least 10 righteous, God-fearing people in South Korea, I don't believe God will rain nuclear fire down upon them. ///

Do you not believe that Hiroshima and Nagasaki, had at least 10 righteous with in its borders ?

Bearmaster - There is a persecuted church in N. Korea who are paying a heavy price to bring the gospel light into that nation. This is ultimately a spiritual war that must be waged on our knees. For the weapons of our warfare are not of tbis world. But divinely powerful for the pulling down if demonic strong holds.

A persecuted church is a praying church and our North Korean brothers and sisters have been interceding for their nation for over 60 years. Something of very important spiritual significance is about to take place in North Korea as we look at events unfolding, through spiritual eyes.

Mr. Bill--

I was expecting to see that rant on homosexuals attributed to Hitler or some other maniac but it never came. Maybe you were being sarcastic- I can't tell.

Do you actully believe homosexuals needs to be put to death?

If so, let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

N.Korea will only serve as a distraction for the events that will take place on our own soil and that will leave us all in a very shocked state. "but those who fear the Lord will be saved".

TMK....Mr. Bill..Do you actually believe homosexuals needs to be put to death?

If so, let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Looks like God cast the first stone with this scripture; Leviticus 20:13...If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

Do you go with God, or, are you compromising man of the word of God? I will tell you right now, I will not compromise with this liberal nation on homosexually or anything that goes against the word of God. This is whats wrong with the Church now, to many compromising Christians. I don't like homosexuals, and were not to associate with them, Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?....2 Corinthians 6:14. Whats next incest? were you can marry your sister or brother? You do what you want, but they will be the final demise of this nation if the Supreme Court rules in their favor, unless of course we get hit with a nuke first.

MrBillPro wrote ///Do you go with God, or, are you compromising man of the word of God? I will tell you right now, I will not compromise with this liberal nation on homosexually or anything that goes against the word of God. This is whats wrong with the Church now, to many compromising Christians. I don't like homosexuals, and were not to associate with them, Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?....2 Corinthians 6:14. Whats next incest? were you can marry your sister or brother? You do what you want, but they will be the final demise of this nation if the Supreme Court rules in their favor, unless of course we get hit with a nuke first.///

Romans 1

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

But it does not stop here.

ch 2
1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

Luke 13:1-5 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering, said to them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, No; but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No; but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Christ's reply to this report -

He cautioned his hearers not to make an ill use of these and similar events, nor take occasion thence to censure great sufferers, as if they were therefore to be accounted great sinners: Suppose ye that these Galileans, who were slain as they were sacrificing, were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you nay. Perhaps they that told him the story of the Galileans were Jews, and were glad of any thing that furnished them with matter of reflection upon the Galileans, and therefore Christ retorted upon them the story of the men of Jerusalem, that came to an untimely end; for, with what measure of that kind we mete, it shall be measured to us again.

“Now suppose ye that those eighteen who met with their death from the tower of Siloam, while perhaps they were expecting their cure from the pool of Siloam, were debtors to divine justice above all men that dwelt at Jerusalem? I tell you nay.” Whether it make for us or against us, we must abide by this rule, that we cannot judge of men's sins by their sufferings in this world; for many are thrown into the furnace as gold to be purified, not as dross and chaff to be consumed. We must therefore not be harsh in our censures of those that are afflicted more than their neighbours, as Job's friends were in their censures of him, lest we condemn the generation of the righteous, Psalm 72:14. If we will be judging, we have enough to do to judge ourselves; nor indeed can we know love or hatred by all that is before us, because all things come alike to all, Ecc. 9:1,2. And we might as justly conclude that the oppressors, and Pilate among the rest, on whose side are power and success, are the greatest saints, as that the oppressed, and those Galileans among the rest, who are all in tears and have no comforter, no, not the priests and Levites that attended the altar, are the greatest sinners.

On these stories he founded a call to repentance, adding to each of them this awakening word, Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. This intimates that we all deserve to perish as much as they did, and had we been dealt with according to our sins, according to the iniquity of our holy things, our blood had been long ere this mingled with our sacrifices by the justice of God. It must moderate our censure, not only that we are sinners, but that we are as great sinners as they, have as much sin to repent of as they had to suffer for.

That therefore we are all concerned to repent, to be sorry for what we have done amiss, and to do so no more. The judgments of God upon others are loud calls to us to repent. See how Christ improved every thing for the pressing of that great duty which he came not only to gain room for, and give hopes to, but to enjoin upon us - and that is, to repent.

Repentance is the way to escape perishing, and it is a sure way: so iniquity shall not be your ruin, but upon no other terms. If we repent not, we shall certainly perish, as others have done before us. Some lay an emphasis upon the word likewise, and apply it to the destruction that was coming upon the people of the Jews, and particularly upon Jerusalem, who were destroyed by the Romans at the time of their passover, and so, like the Galileans, they had their blood mingled with their sacrifices; and many of them, both in Jerusalem and in other places, were destroyed by the fall of walls and buildings which were battered down about their ears, as those that died by the fall of the tower of Siloam. But certainly it looks further; except we repent, we shall perish eternally, as they perished out of this world. M.H.

The pharisees have at least three things to repent of:

1. self-righteousness
2. Unbelief
3. blasphemy