The Queen Of Heaven Is A Devil!

[emekrus]

“But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.

But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by famine”---Jeremiah 44:17-18

The above scripture was the reply of the remnant of the Children of Israel after their ordeal in the land of Judah. After God’s punishment on their sins. When the Prophet Jeremiah rebuked them for their sins, especially their Idolatry.
He rebuked them for worshiping the queen of heaven. But they stubbornly confronted him and replied to him what is written in the above scripture. The day I read that particular scripture and the other part I’ll be quoting soon, I feared for so many religious folks that are still making obeisance to that same she devil-the queen of heaven- That made the children of Israel to attract the wrath of God.

Some months back, as I called most of my friend’s phone, the ring back tone, carried a song that praised the queen of heaven. As I continually heard the song, I let them be. But recently, as I read through my bible, and got to that particular chapter of Jeremiah, the extreme nature of this idolatry pricked into my spirit.

It pricked me to the extent, I know God will not forgive me, if I do not tell the people I know are involved in order to save their precious souls. So instantly, I called all my friends I know had the ring back tone to turn it off. And I also warned them with the above scripture never to do any form of obeisance to the queen of heaven. Because she is a devil.

And recently, as I call them, I found out they’ve already turned it off. Then after that result, it has been on my mind to also extend this message as far as possible to the religious folks who are inadvertently worshiping this she devil. Hence, this particular article.

So please, from a heart of holy love, if you’re in any way involved in this idolatry- or you know anyone involved in it, please desist. And also, quickly warn others, no matter their religious dogmas. You can circulate this article to them as fast as possible.

Because the wrath it attracted to those offenders of the Israelite was very dreadful…
Here was how God reacted to their rebellious statements-in great anger- in Jeremiah 44:25-27;

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows.

Therefore hear ye the word of the, LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the LORD, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord God Liveth.

Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them”

At my early stage of Christianity, I came across a friend’s brother that referred to Mary as the ‘queen of heaven’. And when I asked him the reason for his belief, his only defense was: “Any where there is a King, there must of a necessity be a Queen also”.

So according to his explanations, since God is the King of Heaven and Earth, then Mary the mother of Jesus Christ (That died for years) is automatically the queen. But this erroneous presumption, does not have any biblical validation…
Please my dear, I’m not hear for any religious attack. But on the contrary, I’m here to scripturally show-as can be clearly seen from the scripture- That any form of obeisance to the queen of heaven in any form, is Idolatry. And if the perpetrators do not desist, they’re sure to attract the wrath of God. Not only in this present age, but in the world to come.

Please, don’t allow religion to push you to damnation. Heaven is real, and Hell fire as well is real. And the race to heaven is a personal race. So please take personal responsibility for your eternal salvation.

Because as God revealed personally to me, if you miss heaven by one percent, you have automatically made Hell Fire 100%. There is no standing in between. And I for one, I don’t want to go to hell; neither do I want anyone to go to hell for any reason as well. Even God almighty, says it is not his will for anyone to perish in Hell, but that all should come to repentance.

But if you ignorantly or consciously walk your way to hell, there is no second chance after death- or after the sound of the great, last trumpet.

So for love’s sake again, I plead with you to desist from this great evil and also warn the people you know that are also involved in it in any way, to also desist as fast as possible.

Remain Blessed!

This article was first posted in www.righteousfaith.net. Here is the reference link: http://www.righteousfaith.net/?p=127. Apart from this article, there are other powerful Christian articles also posted there.

 

[lforrest]

Rather the queen of heaven is a devil or not makes little difference. To worship any but God, real or imaginary, is idolatrous..

 

[aspen]

I agree with iforrest and the Pope. Mary should never be worshipped.

 

[emekrus]

Thank God, people are getting the message. Please, just keep spreading this message, because many folks are still involved in this idolatry inadvertently.

 

[aspen]

Yep, will do.

Perhaps you can also spread the word that the Bible is not God, as well. Sure are a lot of people out there who worship it as an idol. It is just as hard for me to watch uneducated Protestants who worship the Bible as it is for me to watch uneducated Catholics worshipping Mary - as you can probably imagine!

Guess we are all just as in need of God's Grace, as we can be.......

 

[pom2014]

If any Catholic worships Mary and not Jesus they do not understand their faith.

And its inciting hate by saying that Mary is a devil on this thread title.

Another clear attack by protestants against catholics.

 

[JimParker]

At my early stage of Christianity, I came across a friend’s brother that referred to Mary as the ‘queen of heaven’. And when I asked him the reason for his belief, his only defense was: “Any where there is a King, there must of a necessity be a Queen also”.

"There must be a Queen" is pretty lame.

Try scripture:

Rev 12:1-2 And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; she was with child and she cried out in her pangs of birth, in anguish for delivery.

Rev 12:5 she brought forth a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne,

The child who will rule the nations with a rod of iron and who was caught up to heaven is Jesus.
The mother of Jesus is Mary.
A crown indicates that she is a queen.

Rev 12:17 Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus.

The rest of her offspring are the Church.

So give you mother the respect she is due; not worship, but respect, honor, and reverence. :)

 

[aspen]

Abuses of Sola Scriptura and Mariology are both outside the teachings of Protestantism and Catholicism, but they are still practiced.

 

[Axehead]

If we look at the preponderance of scripture we can see that the "woman" is "Jerusalem above". This is what Paul was expressing when he wrote, “the Jerusalem above is our mother” (Gal_4:26). John is speaking of a "great wonder in heaven", something that has spiritual significance and this "great" wonder indeed, has special spiritual significance. Keep in mind the setting is in heaven so we should try not to interpret earthly events as directly correlating to the "great wonder in heaven" although earthly events do have counterparts to activity in heaven at times.


The heavenly community, identified as Jerusalem above, can be understood to provide the spiritual birth of the Messiah consisting of OT and NT saints. With this interpretation of the “woman” as “Jerusalem above” in heaven, then it is easy to understand that she is “clothed with the sun” (12:1), in the clothing of God's light. The “Jerusalem above” is a spiritual reality in the heavenlies and does not correspond to earthly, physical landscape, and therefore the “moon is under her feet” (12:1). The "Jerusalem above" is comprised of all of God's people and twelve is representative of His people, thus the woman is seen as having “a crown of twelve stars” (12:1). When one is born-again they are "seated with Christ in heavenly places". "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" Eph_2:6


As the “first-born from the dead” (Col_1:15; Rev_1:5), Jesus provides for the regenerative birth of His life in Christians, “firstborn among many brethren” (Rom_8:29), “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (I Peter_1:3). Our conversation (way of life, of walking) is truly in heaven. "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" Php_3:20



The heavenly “woman” was "with child” (12:2). Isaiah uses similar metaphoric language of physical Israel being pregnant, but they could not give birth to a deliverer, only “to wind” (Isa_26:17,18). The “Jerusalem above” provides heavenly maternity for the Messiah, and does “give birth to a son” (12:5). “for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.” Isa_66:9. "Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child." Isa_66:7


John then indicates that “the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God" (12:6) so "that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” (12:6). Some view this as Mary and Joseph fleeing into Egypt, but it lacks the proper allegorical context for Rev_12:5, which has historically been viewed by some as Jesus' incarnational birth, "for the child of the woman being “caught up to God and His throne” (12:5).

If the heavenly "Jerusalem above" is the spiritual mother of the Messiah, consider that the “wilderness” represents the place of spiritual protection, refuge and nourishment. The “wilderness” served as such for the Israelites in the Old Testament. The woman flees to the “wilderness”, which down through the centuries has been a place of spiritual refuge outside of the worldly, counterfeit church. She will remain in the wilderness until the "New Jerusalem" is fully consummated as the unopposed "City of God" in the heavenlies.

The battle in the heavenlies changes from the woman vs the dragon to "Michael and his angels" fighting against the dragon. Similar to Daniel 12:1 where Michael "standeth for the children of thy people:" Could it be that Michael the Archangel is the one that is "withholding" the "son of perdition". 2Th_2:3.


2Th_2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th_2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

The battle in the heavenlies was over Jesus Christ and His redemptive work on earth and how the powers of darkness tried to prevent Him from fulfilling His mission. It seems this battle in the heavenlies spanned millenia, even before the creation of men and all the way up to the death of Christ. You can see all through the OT how the "dragon" sought to destroy and wipe out the Jews (whose lineage Christ would come through). But they were fooled never understanding the mystery of God that He came to die. "Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory". 1Co_2:8

The powers of darkness lost the heavenly battle as it was acted out on earth and the works of the devil were destroyed by Christ. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." 1Jn_3:8

Revelation 12:10 - is undoubtedly when Christ rose from the dead. By the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ salvation has come to mankind. “Now is the day of salvation”. 2 Cor 6:2.


By His resurrection Jesus became the “Son of God with power” (Rom_1:4), the spiritual power (Acts_1:8) that works within every Christian (II Cor_12:9; Eph_3:20; Col_1:29). By the acceptance of His vicarious death and the reception of His resurrection life, Christians are “transferred to His kingdom” (Col_1:13), and “made to be a kingdom” (Rev_1:6) over which Christ reigns. “The authority of Christ has come” (12:10), “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matt_28:18), for “God has made Him both Lord and Christ” (Acts_2:36).


Roman Catholicism identifies the woman as Mary with their undo emphasis on her, others identify the woman as Eve when she thought she had borne the man-child of Jehovah (Gen_4:1). Others have chosen to think of the woman as the nation of Israel since Jesus, as a Jew, is from their ethnic group. And others still identify her as the Christian church. But all of these seem to be earth based identifications which relate to events on earth (Remember, John said, "a great wonder in heaven").


Finally, if you contrast this “woman” in 12:1 to the woman in 17:4, who is “Babylon the great, the mother of harlots” (17:4), the “woman who is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth” (17:18). If the “woman” who is the mother of religion is identified as a city, and the heavenly (Messianic) Jerusalem is also identified as a city or a community then perhaps the "woman" in 12:1 is actually the totality of God's people who are inhabitants of our "mother above".

Gal_4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.


Axehead

 

[emekrus]

Finally, if you contrast this “woman” in 12:1 to the woman in 17:4, who is “Babylon the great, the mother of harlots” (17:4), the “woman who is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth” (17:18). If the “woman” who is the mother of religion is identified as a city, and the heavenly (Messianic) Jerusalem is also identified as a city or a community then perhaps the "woman" in 12:1 is actually the totality of God's people who are inhabitants of our "mother above".

Gal_4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.


Axehead




Great scriptural insight my brother. At least this will push home the fact, that God never recognizes anyone in heaven or earth as being 'the queen of heaven'.

The message remains that, Mary the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, only deserved honor, while she was here on earth. But after her death, no form of undue honor should be given to the dead. And even to the extent of idolizing her as the queen of heaven. This ignorant practice, is a tact by the devil to send many unsuspecting believers to hell. Pls my lovely advice again, according to the revelation I got is that any one honoring or worshiping the 'queen of heaven' and even inadvertently assuming her to be Mary the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, should desist for good.

I repeat here again... "the queen of heaven is a devil!"

 

[JimParker]

Finally, if you contrast this “woman” in 12:1 to the woman in 17:4, who is “Babylon the great, the mother of harlots” (17:4), the “woman who is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth” (17:18). If the “woman” who is the mother of religion is identified as a city, and the heavenly (Messianic) Jerusalem is also identified as a city or a community then perhaps the "woman" in 12:1 is actually the totality of God's people who are inhabitants of our "mother above".

Gal_4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.


Axehead




Great scriptural insight my brother. At least this will push home the fact, that God never recognizes anyone in heaven or earth as being 'the queen of heaven'.

The message remains that, Mary the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, only deserved honor, while she was here on earth. But after her death, no form of undue honor should be given to the dead. And even to the extent of idolizing her as the queen of heaven. This ignorant practice, is a tact by the devil to send many unsuspecting believers to hell. Pls my lovely advice again, according to the revelation I got is that any one honoring or worshiping the 'queen of heaven' and even inadvertently assuming her to be Mary the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, should desist for good.

I repeat here again... "the queen of heaven is a devil!"

<< If the “woman” who is the mother of religion...>>

She is not the mother of religions.

Who mourns when she is destroyed? It is not priests who mourn but MERCHANTS who traded with her and became filthy rich.

Note the last item on the ships' manifests.

Rev 18:11-13 And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo any more, cargo of gold, silver, jewels and pearls, fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet, all kinds of scented wood, all articles of ivory, all articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble, cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls.

The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud,

Rev 18:16-19 "Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, bedecked with gold, with jewels, and with pearls! In one hour all this wealth has been laid waste." And all ship masters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, "What city was like the great city?" And they threw dust on their heads, as they wept and mourned, crying out, "Alas, alas, for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth! In one hour she has been laid waste.

Q: What is the most widely worshiped pagan god in the world?
A: Mammon - the acquisition of wealth. Mammon is worshiped by dedicating oneself to being filthy rich.

Mat 6:24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Luk 16:13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon

Q: Why would people take the mark of the beast?
A: Because they will need it to buy and sell. (Like: buy food)

Rev 13:17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.

Babylon isn't about some perversion of Christianity; it's about the world economic system which uses vast masses of people to make a very few people unimaginably wealthy.

Come out of her.

Don't be a consumer.

Be a sharer.

Here's our "final exam". (And we are taking it right now.)

Mat 25:34-40

Then the King will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'
Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?'
And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'

And you know what happens to those who don't pass the test.

 

[Axehead]

<< If the “woman” who is the mother of religion...>>

She is not the mother of religions.

Who mourns when she is destroyed? It is not priests who mourn but MERCHANTS who traded with her and became filthy rich.

Note the last item on the ships' manifests.

Rev 18:11-13 And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo any more, cargo of gold, silver, jewels and pearls, fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet, all kinds of scented wood, all articles of ivory, all articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble, cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls.

The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud,

Rev 18:16-19 "Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, bedecked with gold, with jewels, and with pearls! In one hour all this wealth has been laid waste." And all ship masters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, "What city was like the great city?" And they threw dust on their heads, as they wept and mourned, crying out, "Alas, alas, for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth! In one hour she has been laid waste.

Q: What is the most widely worshiped pagan god in the world?
A: Mammon - the acquisition of wealth. Mammon is worshiped by dedicating oneself to being filthy rich.

Mat 6:24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Luk 16:13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon

Q: Why would people take the mark of the beast?
A: Because they will need it to buy and sell. (Like: buy food)

Rev 13:17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.

Babylon isn't about some perversion of Christianity; it's about the world economic system which uses vast masses of people to make a very few people unimaginably wealthy.

Come out of her.

Don't be a consumer.

Be a sharer.

Here's our "final exam". (And we are taking it right now.)

Mat 25:34-40
Then the King will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'
Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?'
And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'

And you know what happens to those who don't pass the test.

Hi Jim,

A couple of thoughts: Religion makes merchandise of the souls of people and covets filthy lucre and power over men (The false shepherds are "kings and chiefs" over men).
Babylon the Great is the marriage of politics and religion. I will explain a bit further down.

Let's start off by saying that the "sea" or "waters" is a metaphor for people. "And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." Rev_17:15.

Also, the most widely worshipped idol is religion, not money, because most of the world is poor and they worship idols that promise them eternal life even if they are wicked.

The merchandise is the souls of men.

2Pe_2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Have you not noticed it is a numbers game in the worldly church and the competition is for members/numbers/souls in THEIR "church".

Spiritual adultery is harlotry and Babylon the great Harlot is the MOTHER OF HARLOTS....the Mother of Religions. It is all through the Bible and all around us, today!!

Religion is used to control and manipulate people and make one a "king" over others. Remember, it was the "kings of the earth" that put Christ to death. (politics and religion).

Rev_19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

Babylon is the marriage of Religion and Politics and Religion has always employed the political, military arm to persecute the true church down through the ages. Just as Jesus was put to death by the kings of politics and religion (Rome and Judaism).

The demonically inspired religious community, ("For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles) "go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." Rev_16:14. Religion has always attempted to influence political leaders and mobilize them to serve their purposes and conversely governments cater to the power of religion and develop alliances with religious leaders. Is this new? "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed...Yet, have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion". Psa_2:2,5.

The conflict between God and religion runs from Genesis through Revelation and is headed for an ultimate showdown of war between Christ and the union of all evil.

Babylon is obviously derived from the religious effort of Babel (Gen_11:1-9) which became a situation of confusion and a symbol of failure. Babylon is repeatedly referred to through the OT as a sinister opponent of God's people. (Isa 47, 48. Jer 25, 50, 51. Eze 26-28, Dan 2,7)

Isa_47:5 Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.


Isa_47:12-13 Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.


Isa_47:14-15 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it. Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, even thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee.



Jer_50:2 Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.

Jer_50:38 A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.


Jer_51:6-7 Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence. Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad. (strong drink and wine are metaphors in the Bible for false doctrine).


Babylon is full of false shepherds
Jer 25:34-36 Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel. And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape. A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for the LORD hath spoiled their pasture. (Shepherds are kings and chiefs of the people).

Shepherds that oppress and take advantage of the flock are part of the "kings of the earth" within "Babylon".
Isa 56:10-12 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber (spiritual sleep). Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink (false doctrine); and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

The "hunt" for souls is the "merchandising" of men by the "great whore that sitteth upon many waters". Rev 17:1.
Eze 13:19-23 And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies? Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly. Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: (This is what religion does. Promises life to the wicked. Tells them everything is ok, if they will only serve religion, the harlot, Babylon). Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

The religious community through the ages has assaulted the saints of God with barbarous and treacherous attacks. Previously in Revelation 11:8, "the great city" is linked mystically or spiritually with Sodom and Gomorrah so you can see that it is a "spiritual" city. "And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified." Rev_11:8 (Speaking of the Jerusalem, below of course which made war with the King of Jerusalem above).

Jerusalem was pictured as a harlot in Isa_1:21. "How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers." Jerusalem unfaithfully participated in religion and it is the figurative city of Babylon. In defiance of God, the community of religion has prostituted itself with mankind. The harlot has "committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication." Rev_17:2.

The harlot is "drunk with the blood of the saints" (17:6) and we know that religion has slain the saints through the centuries. And the "great whore", "having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication" (17:4) as if inviting all to drink to her success. "And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her" (17:6).

Religion and the religious community "reign over the kings of the earth" (17:18) and manipulate governments in various ways, especially when it's disciples are ingrained in various positions of government. The alliance of religion and government is diametrically opposed to Jesus Christ and those who identify with Him.

The religious system has become an "habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird". Rev_18:2.

Religion is always a habitation of demons because it is by definition a place of idolatrous activity. When Paul saw the idols in Athens, he explained, "Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. And Paul tells Timothy that "that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils". 1 Tim_4:1

If there is nothing unclean or that which defiles in the New Jerusalem (Rev_21:27), then "Every unclean spirit" is operative in religion. "Every unclean and hateful bird" (18:2) is present in religion. Birds that prey upon others.

As the age comes to a close, and the book of Revelation becomes reality in the lives of men, all will see that Christ is Victor over religion and the "mother of religions"

Christianity is Christ, not religion.

What do you have if (hypothetically) you take Christ out of Christianity? Look around, you will see many examples.

Axehead

 

[JimParker]

Hi Jim,

A couple of thoughts: Religion makes merchandise of the souls of people and covets filthy lucre and power over men (The false shepherds are "kings and chiefs" over men).
Babylon the Great is the marriage of politics and religion. I will explain a bit further down.

Let's start off by saying that the "sea" or "waters" is a metaphor for people. "And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." Rev_17:15.

Also, the most widely worshipped idol is religion, not money, because most of the world is poor and they worship idols that promise them eternal life even if they are wicked.

The merchandise is the souls of men.

2Pe_2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Have you not noticed it is a numbers game in the worldly church and the competition is for members/numbers/souls in THEIR "church".

Spiritual adultery is harlotry and Babylon the great Harlot is the MOTHER OF HARLOTS....the Mother of Religions. It is all through the Bible and all around us, today!!

Religion is used to control and manipulate people and make one a "king" over others. Remember, it was the "kings of the earth" that put Christ to death. (politics and religion).

Rev_19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

Babylon is the marriage of Religion and Politics and Religion has always employed the political, military arm to persecute the true church down through the ages. Just as Jesus was put to death by the kings of politics and religion (Rome and Judaism).

The demonically inspired religious community, ("For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles) "go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." Rev_16:14. Religion has always attempted to influence political leaders and mobilize them to serve their purposes and conversely governments cater to the power of religion and develop alliances with religious leaders. Is this new? "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed...Yet, have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion". Psa_2:2,5.

The conflict between God and religion runs from Genesis through Revelation and is headed for an ultimate showdown of war between Christ and the union of all evil.

Babylon is obviously derived from the religious effort of Babel (Gen_11:1-9) which became a situation of confusion and a symbol of failure. Babylon is repeatedly referred to through the OT as a sinister opponent of God's people. (Isa 47, 48. Jer 25, 50, 51. Eze 26-28, Dan 2,7)

Isa_47:5 Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.


Isa_47:12-13 Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.


Isa_47:14-15 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it. Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, even thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee.



Jer_50:2 Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.

Jer_50:38 A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.


Jer_51:6-7 Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence. Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad. (strong drink and wine are metaphors in the Bible for false doctrine).


Babylon is full of false shepherds
Jer 25:34-36 Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel. And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape. A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for the LORD hath spoiled their pasture. (Shepherds are kings and chiefs of the people).

Shepherds that oppress and take advantage of the flock are part of the "kings of the earth" within "Babylon".
Isa 56:10-12 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber (spiritual sleep). Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink (false doctrine); and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

The "hunt" for souls is the "merchandising" of men by the "great whore that sitteth upon many waters". Rev 17:1.
Eze 13:19-23 And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies? Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly. Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: (This is what religion does. Promises life to the wicked. Tells them everything is ok, if they will only serve religion, the harlot, Babylon). Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

The religious community through the ages has assaulted the saints of God with barbarous and treacherous attacks. Previously in Revelation 11:8, "the great city" is linked mystically or spiritually with Sodom and Gomorrah so you can see that it is a "spiritual" city. "And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified." Rev_11:8 (Speaking of the Jerusalem, below of course which made war with the King of Jerusalem above).

Jerusalem was pictured as a harlot in Isa_1:21. "How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers." Jerusalem unfaithfully participated in religion and it is the figurative city of Babylon. In defiance of God, the community of religion has prostituted itself with mankind. The harlot has "committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication." Rev_17:2.

The harlot is "drunk with the blood of the saints" (17:6) and we know that religion has slain the saints through the centuries. And the "great whore", "having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication" (17:4) as if inviting all to drink to her success. "And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her" (17:6).

Religion and the religious community "reign over the kings of the earth" (17:18) and manipulate governments in various ways, especially when it's disciples are ingrained in various positions of government. The alliance of religion and government is diametrically opposed to Jesus Christ and those who identify with Him.

The religious system has become an "habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird". Rev_18:2.

Religion is always a habitation of demons because it is by definition a place of idolatrous activity. When Paul saw the idols in Athens, he explained, "Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. And Paul tells Timothy that "that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils". 1 Tim_4:1

If there is nothing unclean or that which defiles in the New Jerusalem (Rev_21:27), then "Every unclean spirit" is operative in religion. "Every unclean and hateful bird" (18:2) is present in religion. Birds that prey upon others.

As the age comes to a close, and the book of Revelation becomes reality in the lives of men, all will see that Christ is Victor over religion and the "mother of religions"

Christianity is Christ, not religion.

What do you have if (hypothetically) you take Christ out of Christianity? Look around, you will see many examples.

Axehead

<<Religion makes merchandise of the souls of people and covets filthy lucre and power over men>>

Religion does not. People do.

<<Babylon the Great is the marriage of politics and religion.>>

No. It is not. The people who are named as those who were intimate with Babylon are kings and merchants. We can see that in the congress of the USA; they are all in bed with big banking, big oil, big corporations, etc. who make big donations to politicians' "trust funds" in return for favors that will make the merchants richer.

<< Also, the most widely worshipped idol is religion, not money, because most of the world is poor and they worship idols that promise them eternal life even if they are wicked. >>

Being poor does not deliver anyone from being greedy.

Nobody worships religion. They worship God or they worship Mammon or Allah or themselves.

<<Christianity is Christ, not religion. >>

That statement is meaningless.

Christianity is composed of the teachings of Christ as delivered to the Church by the apostles. Christ is Who is worshiped by the obedience of the saints according to the teachings of the religion called Christianity.

James 1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Thus James endorses religion as does Paul.

1Ti 3:16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Religion is what a person does to glorify God. (Or themselves) It is a defined set of behaviors and beliefs.

It is not WHAT one worships but HOW one worships.

 

[emekrus]

Hello folks, this is not a debating issue. The scripture to back what I'm sharing here is available. No one can possibly doubt proofs. take your time and read that particular book of Jeremiah 44: 17 down. After reading, come back and tell me what you make of it.

 

[Axehead]

<<Religion makes merchandise of the souls of people and covets filthy lucre and power over men>>

Religion does not. People do.

Religious people do, such as the religious Pharisee who were religious people.

<<Babylon the Great is the marriage of politics and religion.>>

No. It is not. The people who are named as those who were intimate with Babylon are kings and merchants. We can see that in the congress of the USA; they are all in bed with big banking, big oil, big corporations, etc. who make big donations to politicians' "trust funds" in return for favors that will make the merchants richer.

The Bible shows us other meanings for the metaphor "Kings and merchants" are false shepherds that exert control and manipulation over men.

<< Also, the most widely worshipped idol is religion, not money, because most of the world is poor and they worship idols that promise them eternal life even if they are wicked. >>

Being poor does not deliver anyone from being greedy. That is true.

Nobody worships religion. They worship God or they worship Mammon or Allah or themselves.

<<Christianity is Christ, not religion. >>

That statement is meaningless.

Think about it. I should have said True Christianity is Christ. Without the life of Christ in the Church (individual members) there is no genuine Christianity. It is called "Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof, from such turn away" 2Ti_3:5

Christianity is composed of the teachings of Christ as delivered to the Church by the apostles. Christ is Who is worshiped by the obedience of the saints according to the teachings of the religion called Christianity.

Nothing about the Spirit? That's pretty important, don't you think? We walk by the Spirit of Christ. The one that has only teachings but no spirit has false religion. Do we know of such instances where men had teachings but not the Spirit? You meet them everyday. Jesus ran into them several times.
Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Joh 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

James 1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

No, not just religion, but TRUE Religion. Something that you don't find in the false religious system of today.

Thus James endorses religion as does Paul. James endorses TRUE RELIGION.

1Ti 3:16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Sorry, that is not in my Bible. Why doesn't your bible say that GOD was manifest in the flesh?
1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.


Religion is what a person does to glorify God. (Or themselves) It is a defined set of behaviors and beliefs.

It is not WHAT one worships but HOW one worships.

Flowery words but you have missed completely what the Bible and the Lord have displayed about the religious system.

The need of our day is to distinguish between "religion" and Christianity. Most people in the Western world have grown up thinking these terms are synonymous. But the Word of God (sharp sword, Heb 4:12) can reveal the dichotomy between "religion" and Christianity. Unless a revelation of spiritual understanding is present, the reality of Jesus' life cannot be enjoyed.

I think Karl Barth said it very well when he said, "the revelation of God is the abolition of religion". Genuine Christians understand what he is talking about and that he is not in conflict with what the Holy Spirit said about "true religion". It is always a mistake to try to fuse revelation and religion together. There is no mutual relationship. The truth of the grace of God threatens religions systems just as Jesus threatened the system that the Pharisees were enjoying. Looking at the Pharisees, religion is unbelief and it is more man-centered than God-centered.

Karl Barth also said, "religion is the concern of godless men".

Religion, resists revelation, and always provides a substitute. It provides a human product in place of a divine call.

All religions are false, in the face of the Revelation of God, they cannot stand. The Church of Jesus Christ is not in the religion business, it is in the Good News, Gospel Proclaiming business and the Good News sets people free from religion.

Jesus did not say, "I have come that you might have religion and practice it more faithfully" or "adhere to it more dogmatically", or "defend it more fervid and vehemently", or even "I came that you might behave more morally". Look it up. What did He say in John 10:10? And this LIFE, is a thread to systems of religion. His LIFE is the abolition of religion in an individual. What does that imply if one is quite religious and immersed in a religious system?

Christianity is the life of Jesus Christ expressed in men.

We should avoid applying the word "religion" to Christianity in light of the negative inferences of it in the Bible. Because people have failed to differentiate between "religion" and Christianity it is seen as just another world religion. The world's criteria for religions in their comparative study, falls way short when trying to lump Christianity into the morass. The world's measuring stick includes sociological, psychological, liturgical, creedal and organizational dimensions. All of these are insufficient when trying to "measure" the uniqueness of Christianity.

Christless Christianity is by and far the western world's religion of the day.

The religions of the world have some fine teachings but they lack the person and life of Jesus Christ. The religion called "christianity" also lacks the dynamic presence of Jesus Christ. The more that man can make Christianity equal with other religions, the more successful they will be in uniting all religions into a one world, unified religion. Christianity is the propagation of philosophies or religious rules and procedures. It is not a sectarian religious organization or any denomination.

Christianity is the reception of the Lord Jesus Christ into one's heart.

If God died tonight, worldly Christianity (religion) would continue because it does not require God or Christ for anything. It just needs men and money. It would be business as usual. They won't miss what they don't have.

Rev_18:4 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.

 

[aspen]

Axehead, I hope you have been doing well and growing in Christ over the past few years. As you know, we do not always agree, but I consider you my brother. Admittedly, I am still confused about your absolute hatred of organized religion ......... I understand and agree that law before people or even at the expense of people is abusive, but I also recognize that "religion" really is simply the language we use to communicate with our Heavenly Father - in this really such a bad thing?

 

[Axehead]

Axehead, I hope you have been doing well and growing in Christ over the past few years. As you know, we do not always agree, but I consider you my brother. Admittedly, I am still confused about your absolute hatred of organized religion ......... I understand and agree that law before people or even at the expense of people is abusive, but I also recognize that "religion" really is simply the language we use to communicate with our Heavenly Father - in this really such a bad thing?

Hi Aspen,

God loves man and wants him to come out of everything that is not of Him. That declaration from Him should not be seen as unreasonable. Coming out of spiritual Babylon is a spiritual action. We are to hate what the Lord hates and will be hated for it.

One has to search their own heart to see where they stand. One can be in a religious setting if the Lord is calling them to that and yet not be participating in the "sins of" Babylon. We have Daniel as an example. But we also see what Babylon tried to do to Daniel for not participating in their sIns.

Men only have one Lord and must follow Him. You and I can't make decisions for people.

God does not hate true religion, which is a way of behaving, not an organization. There are no religious organizations in heaven mainly because they divide the Body and usurp the Lord's authority over men and that is not God's intention for His Body. They remove the centrality of Christ from the gathering. That is not of God. Jesus said twice, that He hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans. He was pretty vehement about that because they replaced Him as spiritual authority in men's lives. And of course all kinds of evils will then follow. We have thousands of example today and through the ages. The Lord doesn't change with the times, men do, but we are supposed to walk in lock step with Him. Many are in the valley of decision, today.

Axehead

 

[Axehead]

Axehead, I hope you have been doing well and growing in Christ over the past few years. As you know, we do not always agree, but I consider you my brother. Admittedly, I am still confused about your absolute hatred of organized religion ......... I understand and agree that law before people or even at the expense of people is abusive, but I also recognize that "religion" really is simply the language we use to communicate with our Heavenly Father - in this really such a bad thing?

Hi Aspen,

God loves man and wants him to come out of everything that is not of Him. That declaration from Him should not be seen as unreasonable. Coming out of spiritual Babylon is a spiritual action. We are to hate what the Lord hates and will be hated for it.

One has to search their own heart to see where they stand. One can be in a religious setting if the Lord is calling them to that and yet not be participating in the "sins of" Babylon. We have Daniel as an example. But we also see what Babylon tried to do to Daniel for not participating in their sIns.

Men only have one Lord and must follow Him. You and I can't make decisions for people.

God does not hate true religion, which is a way of behaving, not an organization. There are no religious organizations in heaven mainly because they divide the Body and usurp the Lord's authority over men and that is not God's intention for His Body. They remove the centrality of Christ from the gathering. That is not of God. Jesus said twice, that He hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans. He was pretty vehement about that because they replaced Him as spiritual authority in men's lives. And of course all kinds of evils will then follow. We have thousands of example today and through the ages. The Lord doesn't change with the times, men do, but we are supposed to walk in lock step with Him. Many are in the valley of decision, today.

Axehead

 

[pom2014]

Alright here we go again with the anti-religion issue.

So let us revisit WHAT religion is.

Religion - the worship of a deity or supernatural being.

Christianity IS a religion. No doubt.

It is NOT a lifestyle, being a yuppie is a lifestyle.
It is not a WAY OF LIFE, living in the country is a way of life.
It is not a personal relationship, you've never really physically met Christ, so it is NOT personal. (This phrase has always bothered me because it sounds so yippie for Jesus, huggy, touchy feely spiritualist)

It is worshiping Jesus.
He is your KING, not you best buddy that you hang out with watch the game and have a couple of pints with.
Nor is it something you can market like a new set of clothes or a line of cars.

These are secular humanist ideas trying to make Christianity a BRAND. And thanks we don't need a Christian brand.

How horrid it would be to see an advert of Christianity.... by Calvin Klein.
(And it will come with a gift bag of splinters from the cross, a vial of holy water and a crust of gluten free bread from the last supper with a purchase of $150 or more)

 

[mjrhealth]

Hi Axehead,

So wonderfull to hear from you again So much garbage on the net to read, nice to see some truth, but we both know it is hard to get the religion out of the religious, If Jesus Himself cant get them to understand what hope do we have. Relgion is all about self its all about adding to our lords work, about getting the mob together because it makes being," seeing to be doing", Without Christ we have no life, without Christ we have no truth for He is the truth and in Him there is no Lie, now that speaks of no man who are lying, beguiling deceing canaving. I wonder how many preists, prophets, evangelists and pastors are really called of God or even walking in His footsteps, be very few I can imagine yet men flock to them to listen to their deceiving word, and not taking things to Christ.

What did He say of them,

Mat_18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

One should read mMathew 23.

Mat_23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

What is it that is written,

Joh_14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

1Jn_2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

We have a King He is to be our Lord, we should have "no man" between us and Him

1Sa 8:5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

1Sa 8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
1Sa 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
1Sa 8:8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.

Luk 22:25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
Luk 22:26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

Yet Religion has men Lording over other men, is that really how you want it to be, you salvation is your own responsibilty no one we be there to help on judgement day and for those false leaders, they will be judged for every man the yhave kept from Go, i would not like to be in their shoes on that day.

In All His most wonderfull Love.