The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-07-07

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therefore, can be viewed only in the
light Of symbolism. AS already sug-
gested, many Of the prophetic utter
ances seem far too strong to be ap-
piled to literal Babylon and her fall.
Indeed, while speaking directly OF
| Babylon and her fall at the hands OF
! the Modes and Persians under Cyrus,
the prophecies speak of the end OF this
Age and of world wide calamities in
cidental to the overthrow of every in
! stitution contrary to the Divine will,
preparatory to the inauguration OF
Messiah's Kingdom.
| l request that at your convenience
you read Isaiah xiii, l-19, in cOnfirma-
! ton of what | have said. | recon-
mend further that you compare Jere-
miah /, 10, 30. with Revelati ton xviii, g,
and jeremiah l. 3S, with Revela ton
xvi, ~, and the 10th verse with Reve-
Iation xviii, O. Compare also jeremiah
Ii, 60. with Revelation xviii, a. and
verse ID of Jeremiah Ii with Revela
! ton xvii, lis; and verses 81, 63, GA
with Revelation xviii, =, 4, u.
No one can make these comparisons,
| l believe, and not feel fully convinced
| that the Holy Spirit debating through
| Isaiah and Jeremiah was the same
Holy Spirit which guided st. John
| through the Apocalyptic vision. Nor
can such students escape the conclu-
sion that the force Of the prophecies
apply specially to Mystic Babylon
rather than to the literal city and
country. AS one section Of literal
Babylon fell before another, so Reve-
Babylon AS Literal Babylon ruled
over the whole world, so Mystic Baby
lon is represented as ruling the civiliz-
ed world, and hence the entire world.
AS the lords Of Babylon were made
drunk by wine which they drank from
temple at Jerusalem, so Mystic Baby
lon, represented by woman, is said
to make all nations drunk with the
wine, or doctrine, which she gives
them out Of the golden cup which she
holds in her hand. AS Literal Babylon
fell by the drying up of the waters Of
the Euphrates. so Revelation tells US
that Mystic Babylon sits upon the SYM
bOlic EuphrateS, and that the way Of
the kings of the East shall be prepared
by the drying up Of those waters
Revelation xvi, 12).
Similarly, we are assured, Mystic
Babylons end shall come suddenly, ''in
one hour" Like great milestone she
shall be cast into the sea to rise no
more. AS the literal Israelites were in
vited to leave Babylon the literal, and
were helped so to do, but only few
responded. so spiritual Israelites are
urged to leave Mystic Babylon in
which they have been in captivity, but
only a comparatively small number
have suficiency Of courage, love and
zeal to respond at the first-Others will
be delivered after her collapse. Now,
however, the message is, Babylon is
fallen, is fallen [sentenced to fall.
Come out Of her, my people, that We
be not partakers of her sins, and that
We receive not of her plaques" Revela-
ton xviii. 90.
Where Is Mystic Babylon?
No student can examine the records
without establishment and a realization
that Mystic Babylon must be some
great, influential system Of great power
in the world during this Gospel Age,
and especially at its close. The very
prominence given to Babylon. both in
prophecy and in Revelation, warns
Gods people that If they have not yet
found Babylon they should seek for
her. For so great an institution as
made all nations drunk with her false
doctrine must be very prominent, in
deed, to those who were made so I'M
der the influence of the Supplying
draft from her cup.
Indeed, the intimation is that the
whole civilized world will be so intoxi-
Gated with the false teaching Of Baby
Ion as to be completely under her infiu-
ence. And when she falls it is particu-
| larly explained that all the great, the
rich, the mighty, the influential OF
earth will mourn the catastrophe Of her
fall Only the sanity few will recognize
its true import and rejoice; as we read,
"Alas! that great city that was clothed
in fine linen and purple and scarlet
and decked with gold and precious
stones and pearls. For in one hour so
great riches is come to naught
What city is like unto this great city!
And they cast dust on their heads and
cried. weeping and wailing, saying,
Alas, alas, that great city" (Revela-
ton xviii. 1919.
But, on the contrary. another class
rejoices, as we read:
Rejoice over her, thou heaven. and
We Holy Apostles and Prophets; for
God hath avenged you on her. And
heard voice of much people in heav-
en- saying, Alleluia! Salvation. and
glory, and honor and power unto the
Lord our God for true and righteous
are His judgments; for He hath judged
the great HarlOt which did corrupt
the earth with her fornicatiOn. and
hath avenged the blood of His serv-
ants at her hand Revelation xviii. 20,
and xix, 1, p.
1t seems very clear, my dear breth-
! rem. that many of us were once part
md parcel of this great Babylon-this
~ s1I,