The Fall of BABYLON

This a re-posted page from Adamson's web site, revised 4-11-2009, at http://reformationcomingsoon.bravehost.com/Babylon.html

The definition of "Babylon" in the dictionary is: 1. An ancient city on the Euphrates River: capital of Babylonia and later of the Chaldean empire. 2. Any city regarded as a place of excessive luxury and wickedness."

Those are good definitions, because "Babylon" was indeed an ancient city. But, ironically, it has been epitomized during most of the last 27 years by what Ronald Reagan regarded as "the shining city upon a hill." He said that on January 11, 1989, in his farewell speech to the nation after his two terms as president. And while in one sense he was speaking of the nation, he was also speaking of Washington DC.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m an American. I love my country and the vast majority of its people who are truly good, and I know very well that America has been and is great in many respects. However, it also has been and can be terrible in certain respects, and Americans need to understand and acknowledge that. And the proud, militant, nationalistic "We’re Number One" crowd needs to face reality and get off their high horse. I will tell you why below, and on the page titled Reagan’s Real Legacy, Reaganism is fully exposed for what it really is, and what its terrible impact has been and still is.

However, part of my mission is to show you how and why "Babylon" is really not any particular city or nation, but has been epitomized by many ever since the original one. Some have been better than others, and some have been terrible. It could be said that to various degrees, "Babylon" has been the center of the military empires of the ancient Babylonians and Chaldeans, the Medes and Persians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Eastern Romans (Byzantines), the Ottomans, the Spanish, the British, the Russians, the Germans, and the Americans, to mention those that could be considered the most notable.

In fact, under Ronald Reagan’s presidency, then partially under the Republican-dominated Congress during Bill Clinton’s presidency, and particularly under George W. Bush’s presidency, the U.S. Government in Washington D.C. has represented the "Babylon" of excessive luxury, corruption, wickedness, shamefulness, and self-interest, serving Mammon and the interests of the wealthiest few, while claiming to serve the People, God and Country.

Now part of that Babylon is finally falling, thank God and the Spirit of truth, which has begun to more fully expose the greedy, deceptive wrongdoers. The message I deliver, however, more fully expresses the Spirit of truth and tells you why and how Babylon must fall, and it will prevent greedy bigots and hypocrites from ruling over you again.

You see, the truth is that many who claim to be Christians are not, just as many who claim to be Muslims or Jews are not. In fact, many Americans who claim to be Christians are self-important, self-righteous hypocrites who love luxury, wealth and power, judge and hate their enemies, and have lived by the sword, gun and bomb trying to rule the world, which is exactly the opposite of what a true servant of God should do.

Now we must understand the truth, and understand what Babylon is, because the victory of Barack Obama over John McCain and the Neo-Conservative Republicans may be a hollow one if we do not sufficiently reform our political-economic system. For even if Obama is an excellent president, it does not mean that the partisan political pendulum would not swing back to the right again when the political climate is ripe.

We must render partisan politics obsolete and establish government that is truly of, by and for the people, because if we do not, another right-wing demagogue could easily rise to power thumping his bible, waving the flag and rattling his sword, as Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush did. And then we would again have imperialistic government of, by and for the wealthiest few Americans and their "Religious" Military Industrial Complex.

So, we should understand that in ancient times Babylon was an important city on the Euphrates River in the land now known as Iraq. It is written about in eleven of the books of the Judaic Scriptures (Old Testament), and in the last book of the Christian Gospels, Revelation, written by the apostle John.

Now, however, it is important to understand that Babylon is not a specific place. It’s merely the symbolic term for a military nation-empire that lives by the sword (gun and bomb) and is ruled by corrupt, greedy men who seek and fight for worldly power, wealth and domain, and live luxuriously while many of its citizens and subjects live in poverty. And the Judaic "Old Testament" Scriptures in the Bible even foretell that there would now be many "pieces" of Babylon.

On this page I will discuss the meaning of the prophecies about Babylon in the book of Daniel, as well as prophecies about "Babylon" in John’s book of Revelation. I’ll also discuss the meaning of the biblical references to the "Antichrist," the "beast" and the "whore" of Babylon, and the "number of the beast, 666." (See the page titled The "ANTI-CHRIST" for a more detailed discussion on the Anti-Christ, Satan, Lucifer, etc.)

Many kingdoms and empires throughout history have fit the description of "Babylon." The ancient Roman Empire, which ruled during the time of the original Christians and persecuted them, is perhaps now one of the most well known. But there were many before and after that. The succeeding "Holy" Roman Empire brought about many centuries of "Christian" theocratic tyranny and oppression during the "Dark Ages." Nazi Germany, while comparatively short-lived, was surely the worst and most infamous. But today, as you will see, the United States of America probably most represents and epitomizes the Babylon foreseen by the apostle John in his book of Revelation, and it also most represents the biggest piece of the "divided fourth kingdom" foreseen by the prophet Daniel.

But, even though the U.S. Government in Washington D.C. most represents Babylon (particularly under Reaganism and Bushism), in the wider sense Babylon refers to many nations in the world, since so many are plagued with so much inequity, injustice, corruption, conflict, division, militarism and violence. And the term "Great Whore of Babylon" mentioned in the book of Revelation illustrates how much John and other apostles kept in mind how the Christ Jesus criticized and rebuked the rich. That’s why it’s written that the rich have "fallen into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful desires," not realizing that "the love of money is the root of all evil and those who desire it have erred from the faith."

I wouldn’t put it that way, but I would say that the lust for money, and the selfish and inequitable gaining of it at the expense of others, is indeed evil. And I must say that many citizens of "Babylon" are consumed by the lust for money, and they gain it unfairly at the expense of others. And I’m not talking only about those who commit crimes like robbery and fraud. I’m also talking about ALL those greedy profiteers who unfairly raise the prices of the goods or services they provide, and exploit and take advantage of all those who need those goods or services.

Now, I need to tell you that Babylon will indeed fall, as John foresaw and wrote in the book of Revelation. In fact, it is even now falling, economically, because of the rampant corruption and greed that has increased so much during the last 28 years, and that is causing much grief for all the merchants of the world, as John foresaw and wrote. It will also fall militarily, in terms of its dominant, imposing position. And, in the future, there will be no more "Big Brother." The U.S.A will no longer be the superpower military policeman of the world. Its military power and resources will be reorganized and arranged so that the United Nations will be the Military-Police-Peacekeeping Force of the world, under the leadership of the U.N. Security Council. (See the page on The Future.)

However, the fall of Babylon will not be as many believe it will be, and I will try to explain why by first discussing what is written in the book of Daniel.

The Prophet Daniel was a seer and chief advisor to the court of the king of ancient Babylon, King Nebuchednezzar. Daniel was asked to interpret a dream that the king had, and it turned out that the dream represented a symbolic pattern and sequence of rulership from that time right up to our time.

Before he interpreted the king’s dream, Daniel described it in this way: "There was an image with a head of fine gold; his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. A stone struck the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces. ... And the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth." (Daniel 2:32_35)

Daniel also gave us some very good clues as to what that means, even though most religious people have not and still do not understand it. In fact, very few have understood it.

To paraphrase, Daniel interpreted the dream saying that his king at that time was the head of gold. After his kingdom there would arise another, inferior kingdom, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over the earth. And a fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: for as iron breaks in pieces ... it shall break in pieces. And, because the feet are part iron and part clay, the fourth kingdom shall be divided ... but the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And finally, the God of heaven shall set up a (new) kingdom, which shall never be destroyed. And the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all other kingdoms (and nations), and it shall stand for ever. (Daniel 2:38_45)

By the way, it should be noted that the new all-encompassing kingdom that will stand for ever is the same one foreseen by John in the book of Revelation, the last book in the Bible, which states: "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever." (Revelation 11:15)

This speaks of the ultimate fulfillment of prophecy, when all the "pieces" of the "divided fourth kingdom" are encompassed by a new kingdom (comprised of all the united nations) that shall last forever. It is the new kingdom in which God and "His" Christ (who is with God in heaven) will reign in spirit forever, and all the people shall be equal joint heirs to the throne of the new kingdom, because the son of man rejects or abdicates the worldly throne. (Daniel 2:44, Jeremiah 33:15_17, Romans 8:17, Galatians 3:29, James 2:5)

It is important to understand, though, as Moses and many others wrote, "God is not a mortal, nor a man, nor a son of man." Therefore, the use of the term "His Christ" is not actually appropriate. God is God, the eternal LORD of hosts and the omnipresent Great Spirit and Supreme Consciousness. It is more appropriate to say that God is our spiritual Parent, and that in certain respects God has both male and female aspects. The Christ Jesus, who was a servant of God, used the term "our father" only to establish a common frame of reference. That is confirmed by the fact that Jesus told his disciples that God "is greater than I," and "You have not seen the shape of God at any time."

Furthermore, the Christ Jesus will not actually come again in person, as I've explained on other pages such as Prophecies Re: The "One To Come," The Martyrdom of Jesus, and The Virgin Birth Story. For there are no immortal persons. There never have been, nor will there be. That is why it is written that God and the Christ who is in heaven with God shall reign forever, because it will be IN SPIRIT. And it should be understood that the Christ is the Ancient One, known by other religions by other names (the Avatar, Buddha, Saoshyant, Sage, Mahdi, etc.).

Now, as to Daniel’s full interpretation of the dream, it is easy to see that the four parts of the image (the four kingdoms) represent four great world empires. But, the rest of the clues can be understood only in an astrological context, because Daniel was the Chief Astrologer who advised the king of ancient Babylon, and therefore his writing contained astrological symbolism.

The first kingdom or empire was, of course, that of the Babylonians which began during Daniel’s time and is also known as the Chaldean empire. The deity of the Babylonians was the sun god, and gold is the metal associated with the sun in astrological symbolism. That’s why the king had a "head of gold" (even though the Babylonian King Nebuchednezzar misunderstood Daniel and constructed an actual royal image of gold).

The second empire was that of the Medes and Persians. Their religion revered the moon goddess, associated astrologically and alchemically with silver. The third empire was that of the Greeks, who predominantly revered Aphrodite or Venus, hermetically and esoterically associated with copper (erroneously translated as brass in the King James version of the Bible). And the fourth empire is usually considered to be that of the Romans, whose god of war, Mars, is associated with iron.

However, the feet of the image are of both iron and clay, and while some scholars have for various reasons surmised that this refers solely to the Romans, the fact is that it refers also to the empires that have their roots in Rome and have subsequently ruled in the world living by the sword, then by the gun, and then by the bomb. That’s why Daniel said the fourth kingdom would "break in pieces" and become many. Many European empires that claimed to be Christian would become those "pieces." Another piece was the Ottoman Empire, which was an Islamic successor to the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. And today the U.S.A. now epitomizes the biggest piece of the fourth kingdom-empire foreseen by Daniel, and as such it most represents the Babylon in the last book in the Bible, which ultimately falls because it is replaced by the new kingdom set up by God.

This becomes more obvious when you consider that the U.S. definitely has its roots in Rome. The American system of laws are founded on Roman law, and Roman Latin terms are part of its legal foundation and terminology. Also, since the feet are astrologically associated with Pisces and the passing Piscean Age, and since the king (president) of this partisan-ruled divided America could be said to have "feet of iron and clay" it makes it more obvious that we still live in that "divided fourth kingdom." America is the last great military empire in the world, and its "king" (Bush) represents the feet of the image.

The fulfillment of prophecy means that the "stone," which is the message of judgment from the Spirit of truth, shall strike the feet and shatter the image. It is totally symbolic. The stone is merely the esoteric symbol for the divinely inspired truth, and that’s why Daniel said the stone shall grow and become as a great mountain that shall fill the whole earth. The message of truth will shatter the image of the sovereign king (American Head of State and Commander in Chief). It will expose divisive and harmful leadership, dispel myths, expose false beliefs, dissolve the most divisive and harmful patriarchal doctrines and traditions of the passing age, and be spread all over the world.

Then, when humanity accepts and understands the message, the God of heaven shall set up a new kingdom on the earth that shall encompass all kingdoms and nations, and it shall last forever, never to be destroyed. God and the Christ in heaven (aka the Avatar-Buddha-Mahdi-Saoshyant-Ancient One in heaven) will reign in Spirit, and we shall share the thrones of our nations as equal joint heirs. That’s what the fulfillment of Old Testament and New Testament Bible prophecy is all about, and the prophesies of all other religions are based on the same idea and the same reality.

As for the crucial events that are depicted symbolically in John’s book of Revelation, there has been a lot of misinterpretation and misunderstanding about them. We need to realize, for example, that John had been carried away in spirit into the realm of the spirit, where he could see the spiritual reality that is beyond space and time, and yet in a way he could also foresee the distant future. There he saw a dream-like vision of the future fall of Babylon, and he also saw the preparation for the "marriage of the lamb and the bride."

When John fell at the feet of the entity who announced the marriage, John was told: "Worship me not. I am your fellow servant and brother who has testimony of Jesus." Many Christians have thought they figured out what John was writing about, but they have not. I have an idea, and I’ve expressed that in my third and fourth book. But I will say here that John helped to fill in the story in a symbolic depiction of the "marriage" of the current son of man with that which come down out of heaven from God (which John called "the holy city New Jerusalem" and "the bride"), which took place in 1971 when I was carried away in spirit just as John was. And John also symbolically depicted the future fall of the last and greatest religious-military-industrial super power, which will not actually "fall" but be reformed into the greater nation and good example it is destined to be after the reformation of its religion and government.

Another example of the symbolism in the book of Revelation is the "opening of the seven seals," where John partly associated the first four seals symbolically with the "four horsemen of the apocalypse" – the conqueror on the white horse, the warrior on the red horse, the issuer of justice on the black horse, and the usher of death on the pale horse. But while these symbols do indeed symbolize what has been happening during the last 90 years as the end of the age has drawn nearer, they do not necessarily symbolize specific entities or events. In certain instances, they do, such as when the Euphrates river is mentioned.

But, it is important to understand that the prophecies of the wars were written because they were foreseen, not because it was or is God’s will. The wars are the result of man’s vain folly. And the prophecies of wars have been and even now are fulfilled, and there need be no more blood shed to fulfill prophecies.

You see, in one sense the events they symbolize were fulfilled two thousand years ago in the realm of the spirit, while in another sense they have been played out as the passing age has been drawing to a close. This was particularly the case in the Twentieth Century, with the first and second world wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and all the other violent and deadly wars, confrontations and even genocide that have occurred around the world ever since, including those in the Balkans, East Timor, Lebanon, Israel, Afghanistan, Sudan, and Iraq. All this bloodshed was foreseen, but it does not need to continue. Prophecy has been fulfilled, because what was foreseen has already taken place, or is taking place now.

You should know that in another, more important sense, the opening of the "seven seals of revelation" is quite an individual matter, much the same thing as opening the seven chakras in yogic terms. As John writes, opening the seven seals results in the opening of the spiritual "Book of Life," which is also known as the cosmic Akashic Record in Eastern terms, and it is not until the seventh seal (or the seventh chakra in the crown of the head) is opened or unsealed that the mystery and nature of God is revealed. (See the pages titled The Book of Life, and the Highest State of Consciousness.)

Unfortunately, many people who claim to understand Christian prophecy do not understand any of that, and they think and expect that John’s symbolic vision of the angels and the dramatic opening of the seven seals and warring angels are literal events that will actually take place in this world.

In fact, as I mentioned on the page on Bush’s Record, his religious advisors have led him to believe that his war in Iraq is "God's Will" and fulfills the prophecy of the warring "sixth angel" who "poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates..." (Revelation 16:12) They don't realize that even though that was clearly written because John foresaw that there would be much blood shed in Iraq, that chapter in Revelation is mostly symbolic, just as so many things are in the New Testament, and I cannot emphasize enough that there need be no more blood shed.

John’s vision about the fall of Babylon will not be literally manifested. We will not actually see the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, nor will we actually see the actual fall of Babylon. We will see the end of military imperialism and the end of rule by the wealthiest few, but we will not see the end of a nation. Babylon is a symbolic term, just as the Book of Life is a symbolic referral to all the knowledge accumulated by the Over Soul and the ethereal Akashic Record. (See the page titled The Book of Life.)

Similarly, the Tree of Life John referred to in the book of Revelation is not a literal tree but the ancient Qabalistic glyph that diagrammatically symbolizes and represents the one God and man’s relationship to God. (See Chapters 2 and 3 in Getting From Babylon to New Jerusalem.) Also similarly, the "bride" or the "holy city" of "New Jerusalem" are also symbols, for that which "comes down out of heaven," as I explained above and also in the same book.

Perhaps I should clarify why the Tree of Life is not an actual tree, by pointing out some biblical references to it that have been misunderstood.

"Out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden..." (Genesis 2:9)

"To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7)

"And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." (Revelation 22:1_2)

"Blessed are they that do God’s commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." (Revelation 22:14)

The symbolic Tree of Life yields God’s Wisdom. The great and wise Solomon wrote about Wisdom in Proverbs 9, saying: "Wisdom has built her house and she calls to all: Come, eat my food and drink my wine and you will live abundant life and walk in the ways of understanding." And Solomon also wrote: She is more precious than rubies: and all the things you can desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retains her. The Lord God by Wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding has God established the heavens." (Proverbs 3:5-19)

I should also mention that the "star called Wormwood" which "falls from heaven and makes the waters bitter" (Revelation 8:11) is also symbolic. I bring it up because it is not a huge asteroid that is going to collide with and wreak havoc on the earth, as misguided and false prophets have claimed. It is merely a planetary influence or a sort of consciousness that can tend to effect some people’s imagination and mental states negatively, especially if they are mentally unstable and/or prone to negative thinking. That’s why John referred to "bitter waters," because water is symbolically associated with imagination, intuition, and other mental aspects. He was speaking symbolically of a negative influence that creates bitterness in some people’s thinking and feelings.

But what about the " the beast of Babylon, the "second beast," the "number 666," and the "dragon" referred to in John’s Book of Revelation?

The most common interpretation is that the dragon is the symbol for "Satan," and the beast from the sea is the symbol for the Roman Emperor and empire, incited by the dragon to persecute the early Christians. There is, however, a question about which Caesar Emperor John was referring to.

Some scholars say that the Emperor Domitian ruled during the time John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos when he wrote the book of Revelation. They say that Domitian had forced Christians to choose between the Christ Jesus or the Caesar as Lord, and that Domitian killed or persecuted those that didn't choose the Caesar as Lord.

However, other scholars say that in cabbalistic gematria, numbers are assigned to letters, and 666 is the sum of the numbers of the name Nero Caesar in Hebrew, and some scholars suggest that is also the case in the language John was conversant in. Therefore, that may have been why John wrote that we must "have understanding" of the meaning of the number of the beast, as John put it.

In any case, the reason John used a number and symbolic code words was because in those days it was extremely dangerous to criticize the Roman Emperor-Caesar, whichever one John was referring to. And whatever the case, we should understand that the "beast" at that time was a warlord-emperor who played god and lived by the sword to rule by force of arms.

That is why the Christ Jesus said: "the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, is now already in the world." (1 John 4:1) He was talking about the Roman Caesar and Emperor-Warlord who regarded himself as the Lord of Divinity. And in John’s book of Revelation he was also talking mainly about the Roman Caesar-Emperor-Warlord who claimed to be a divine being.

But, in fact, there were "many antichrists" in those times, as there are now. For John wrote earlier: "Children, it is the last time, and as you have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time." (I John 2:18) That indicates that at that time he believed that the "end" was soon and imminent, as Paul did, as I will discuss below.

But, an Antichrist is not merely a brutal warlord who kills to rule.

"Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son." (I John 2:22) "And every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist that you have heard should come; and even now is already in the world." (I John 4:3) "For many deceivers are in the world, who claim that Jesus Christ has not come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." (II John 1:7)

Those words speak of those who refused to believe or denied that Jesus was a Christus, Moshiach or Messiah, a son of man and chosen servant of God anointed by God’s Holy Spirit. For even though multitudes of people accepted Jesus as a Christ, including many Jews and Greeks, there were some religious Jewish authorities, chief priests and scribes, as well as most occupying Romans and Roman sympathizers who did not accept Jesus as a Messiah or Christ or Moshiach. They were the "many antichrists" who claimed Jesus was not a Christ.

So, the "Antichrist" is not a specific person. It’s the lowly and base spirit which Jesus said was "already in the world" two thousand years ago. It drove and was epitomized by the Roman Caesar-Emperors Domitian and Nero who exalted themselves as the Divine Lord, but it also drove and has driven many other power-hungry, self-centered leaders who rule by the sword (gun and bomb) and kill people in order to gain or maintain power, wealth and domain at the expense of others.

Today the spirit of the Antichrist is the mentality or spirit that drives egocentric, ethnocentric, bigoted men who fight for the material power, wealth and domain they lust for, who claim to be good and even "religious," but ignore or deny the wisdom of the Christ who criticized and rebuked the "money changers" and the rich, and advocated for the poor and the least of our brethren.

Today, however, right-wing "fundamentalist Christians" twist those scriptures to claim that the spirit of the Antichrist is served by anyone who does not believe that the Christ Jesus came "in the flesh" as "God Himself."

But the truth is that Jesus was a son of man, a Christ, which is a title meaning an "anointed one," as does the title Moshiach or Messiah. It does not mean "God Himself," because God is not a mortal, nor a man, nor a son of man. And obviously the man named Jesus came in the flesh as a mortal son of man, a spiritually anointed, enlightened Christ, and a Sacrificial Lamb of God, who realized, as we all can, that we are one with God and one with all humanity.

Now, it could be said that the "second beast" mentioned in the book of Revelation has been represented by the monarchs of all the military empires that have their roots in the Roman Empire (which broke "in pieces"), who live by the sword (gun and bomb), and that includes the present Commander in Chief of the United States of America, as I explained above.

Of course, some people believe that the "second beast" is a particular false prophet. They believe the "mark of the beast" will be placed on the followers of an antichrist, a literal beast of Babylon. They believe that the false prophet will be a spokesperson for the antichrist, and that the false prophet will cause people to take this mark, which will literally be placed in their hand or forehead, and the mark of the beast will be an end times "mark" required by the antichrist to buy or sell and will be given only to those who worship the antichrist. And they also believe that a seal will be placed on the foreheads of the servants of our God.

Still others believe that any man who is accepted as the Jewish Mashiach or the Christian Messiah and King, would actually be the Antichrist. And many others have different beliefs and expectations. It’s a chaotic, confused situation, because so many egocentric people think they know the truth, and that all others are wrong. In fact, they are all wrong.

You see, many Christians just don’t understand the symbolism. Furthermore, they base their belief about an "Antichrist," and their belief that he will come to power and then be "revealed," on a section in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians (II Thessalonians 2:3_9). But, what many Christians do not understand is that Paul believed the so-called "return" of the Christ and the so-called "end" was soon to come, in his lifetime. Paul was trying to prepare them for it, even though he was wrong.

But, that’s not the only reason many Christians do not understand the truth. After all, Paul states that the Thessalonians should not allow themselves to be deceived, but that the Christ’s "second coming" shall not come unless there be a "falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped." Paul states that the "man of sin" will "sit in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God."

That, along with what is written in John’s book of Revelation, is why many Christians believe there will be an "Antichrist" who will rule the world prior to the "second coming" of the Christ Jesus. However, they ignore that Paul also states in that section that "the mystery of iniquity already works: only he who now lets will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders."

The truth is that Paul was referring to the Emperor or Caesar, just as John was, because the Emperor held himself up as a "divine" ruler and had much material power and could do "wonders" with all the financial and material resources and forces at his command. But Paul did not realize that the "end" was not coming, nor did he understand that the Christ Jesus himself would not return. And most of the disciples and apostles of Jesus did not understand that Judeo-Christian prophecy would not be fulfilled until the end of the age Jesus ushered in, more than two thousand years later.

There are many, even thousands of different interpretations of the Torah and the Bible, and especially of John’s Book of Revelation. But the truth is, as the Christ Jesus said, that there have been and are now MANY false prophets who are dividing people and leading their blind flocks astray.

I should also tell you that right-wing "Christian" critics have accused me of serving Satan because I state that God is the Divine Light-Energy-Source of our existence. But I tell you the truth, and their false accusation is based on Paul’s mention of "Satan" as an "angel of light." However, if we examine the context in which Paul wrote that phrase, we can see that it is not about some entity called "Satan" becoming an entity of light. To put it in context, Paul was talking about deceitful hypocrites: "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) In other words, deceitful hypocrites who actually serve Mammon while claiming to serve the Lord are false apostles, false prophets, false shepherds and wolves in sheep’s clothing, and they are an "abomination," which is what Jesus said.

Furthermore, the accusation my critics make simply ignores the fact that it is written throughout the Bible, that "God lives in light," that "God is Light," and that those who have really witnessed God are "children of light." (Exodus 24:10, Psalm 104:2, I Timothy 6:16, Isaiah 2:5, Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 60:19, I John 1:5, etc.) The Bible is full of references to God being the divine Light. It is even written that a genuine servant of God is "sent to bear witness of that Light ... the true Light which lights every man [and woman] that comes into the world." (John 1:8,9) And again, that is how we are "made in God’s image," because "God is Light" and we are "children of light," just as the Bible says.

Further proof that "Satan" is not a real person or even an actual entity, but merely a symbol or the spirit or mentality of greedy, selfish, self-centered, materialistic man, was indicated when Jesus "rebuked Peter, saying, Get behind me, Satan." He was merely admonishing Peter for focusing on "the things that be of men" rather than on "the things that be of God." (Mark 8:33 and Matthew 16:23) (See the page titled The "ANTI-CHRIST" for a more detailed discussion on the Anti-Christ, Satan, Lucifer, etc.)

The truth is that the son of man who now fulfills prophecy is not the Christ, but bears the testimony of the Christ, and bears witness to the Divine Light of God. But, I am a prodigal son of man who fully realizes how fallible I am, and how infallible God is, and I glorify God and the Ancient One (aka the Christ) who is in heaven with God.

And, as Jesus said, this son of man shall divide humanity into "sheep who are blessed" and "goats who are cursed" (see the page titled "Sheep" and "Goats"). But this son of man will not bless or curse them literally. The point is that this son of man issues judgment, exposing and rebuking those who are doing wrong, and praising those who are actual servants of God and humanity. That’s the gist of it.

You see, while all these symbols, like many others that are too numerous to mention, represent very important aspects of the spiritual and material reality and the fulfillment of prophecy, they are all nevertheless symbols, most of which were never meant to be taken as actual, literal things or places or events.

But, regardless of whether or not some of them symbolize specific persons or events, the fact is that they symbolize what took place during the first century following the death of Jesus, and they also symbolize the general state of affairs we find ourselves in now. After all, then as now, it’s a state created by the greed, self-importance, self-righteousness, hate, anger and violence of men who claim God is on their side. John’s book helps to explain that our strife and tribulation was foreseen and will end as soon as enough people get the message and learn the truth.

Unfortunately, I suspect many leaders of the Christian Right will not accept the truth even when it is staring them in the face. Many will still worship an idol and think they are doing many wonderful works in the name of the Lord. Some of them will even keep clinging to the notion that a Superman-Warlord God will come out of the clouds in the sky, riding a white charger to the sound of a trumpet, to conquer all their enemies. But they have another think coming.

The truth is indeed like a stone. As the prophet Daniel envisioned, the stone of truth will shatter the image of the most powerful "religious" warrior emperor-king, and it shall become as a great mountain that shall fill the whole earth. When that happens we will be able to start changing and improving things, and rebuilding from the foundations of our religions and governments.

The new kingdom of God will not be established on earth overnight, however, and it won’t be by magic. It will be by our working very hard to bring about reconciliation, forgiveness and compromise, by making amends, and by enabling and ensuring the cooperation and collaboration and consensus of all the people of the world. With mutual respect and a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood, we and our offspring will make this world what it is destined to become, a realm of peace and justice and prosperity for all.