In some instances, the Christians are so entangled in the economic system of capitalism they are viewing capitalism as a Christian system of economics. The Kingdom of God neither is democratic in philosophy nor capitalistic in economics.

We are not commenting on any Christian's duties of citizenship or his loyalty to his country. Our purpose is to point out that the Wife of the Lamb is to have nothing to do with economic systems. It is Babylon, the queen, who is enmeshed in the Antichrist world system of finance. The true Church of Christ has nothing to do with any economic system.

The true Church is looking for the soon coming of the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom that will overthrow all other governments and economic systems.

The Christians of today who are advocating and practicing the amassing of material wealth, with the idea in mind that this is part of the Christian discipleship, are not in union with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the queen who has led them into error. She is riding on the "scarlet coloured beast" of the world system of commerce, the Antichrist system (Revelation 17:3).

The Christian religion has been the inspiration for some of the finest of the art and music treasures of the world, as well as the sponsor of major educational institutions. But in some instances the architecture, art, and music have been and yet are a substitute for the Person and Presence of the Holy Spirit of God.

Today, music often is the substitute in the assemblings for the living Presence of the Holy Spirit. The churches are filled with music rather than with the Spirit.

Art and music come from God and have a role to play in the world. But art and music are of the soul of man, having been placed there by man's Creator. They are not manifestations of the Spirit of God in the work of the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Any talented individual can fill a Christian church with inspiring music even though he or she may be very worldly, very sinful, very self-willed and self-seeking. But no worldly, sinful believer can bring the awe of almighty God into an assembling. Only the cross-carrying saint can do that.

There is a difference in kind between the inspiration of music and the Presence of the Spirit of God. Sometimes the Spirit of God does take advantage of a musical environment and work with people while their hearts and minds are open. This is not because the music is a manifestation of the Spirit. The Spirit has chosen this opportunity to perform His own work.

The writer, having a fairly extensive background in music, believes music is being employed in the Christian churches as a substitute for the Presence and awe of God. The music entertains the saints, it does not create Christ in them. The elders as well as the congregations appear to be unable to distinguish between the blessing of the Holy Spirit on the human being, and the inspiration of his soul by music or by another art form or medley of forms.

To be continued.