We are being taught that the Kingdom of God operates by an abundance of money, just as is true of the world. Is this not characteristic of the False Prophet who is to come? Is this not characteristic of Babylon (man-directed Christianity)? Is this not characteristic of Antichrist?

Can the witness of God proceed only in terms of the money available? Is an abundance of money, of things, the evidence of God's blessing? Is this the spirit of truth or of deception?

Christ bore a witness that has shaken the world to this day. He did not do it with money. There is coming in our time another witness of God, but it will not be accomplished by money but by the Spirit of God. The meaning of the two lampstands of Revelation, Chapter 11 is: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6).

Let us not be deceived. There is an archenemy of God, a competitor for the worship of men. His name is money. You and I must make our choice whether to serve money or Christ. The rich young ruler made the wrong choice.

The idolaters, including the covetous (for covetousness is idolatry), will be cast into the Lake of Fire. The preoccupation with earning money, with banking, with interest, with the amassing of wealth, may seem to us like the normal manner in which people are supposed to live.

The fact is, preoccupation with money, the supplying of goods and performing of services because of the profit that is in it, is a hideous distortion of God's plan for the nations of the earth.

One day goods and services will be supplied because of the benefit accruing to the recipients. People will live together in love and helpfulness. Mankind will be free to pursue worthy and uplifting goals. There will be no banks, no profit motive, no loaning money on interest, in the new Jerusalem. If there is some form of material wealth there will be no need to amass it. It will be used only for the betterment of all. The cursed spirit of covetousness will be tormented forever in the Lake of Fire; so will the people who do not forsake this spirit in the name of the Lord.

Let us ask Jesus to remove every trace of covetousness from us today. Then we will be prepared to enter through the gates into the holy city.

Notice what happens when the Lord Jesus overturns the tables of the moneychangers of Babylon:

The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

To be continued.