He who would seize spiritual preeminence soon comes into conflict with those whom God has chosen for preeminence. Then the ambitious individual is filled with rage and seeks to destroy God's anointed servant.

Whenever the Holy Spirit brings the churches forward in the plan of restoration, the leaders of the established denominations are filled with satanic rage. In spite of the obvious fruit of the Pentecostal revival, there still are denominational leaders who cry, "Speaking in tongues is of the devil." Thus they blaspheme the Holy Spirit of God and are in danger of eternal condemnation.

But God is merciful.

Why do they rage against something that is not hurting them? It is because they are filled with satanic envy. They are enraged because God has not revealed Himself in the same manner to them. "How could God dare to bypass the leadership of our denomination? How could other people be blessed spiritually in a manner not true of us? Why won't these individuals submit themselves to our Board of Inquiry?"

Babylon is so wicked in the sight of God that it is destined to become a prison of unclean spirits.

And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. (Revelation 18:2)

The serpent in the garden was made to go on his belly and condemned to eat dust all the days of his life, meaning that God has given him an insatiable desire for human flesh. So it is true that every unclean spirit, every unclean and hateful bird, will be imprisoned in the Christian religious systems. These wicked spirits will be bound in the system and prevented from escaping. They have vented their lusts on the innocent who sought to worship God; now they are imprisoned in the system and cannot depart.

Over the years the religious systems, particularly the Catholic Church, have tortured and murdered the Lord's elect. In the last days the Catholic Church will probably be part of a huge Christian organization located at the site of ancient Babylon, along with all other groups that have become part of the worldwide Babylon. This tremendous conglomerate will finally be destroyed as a political-financial power.

Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. (Revelation 18:20,21)

The Book of Revelation, though brief, is of extraordinary importance. Everything mentioned in this vision is highly significant. The number of verses allotted to the fall of Babylon, the destruction of the works of ambitious religious men, is an indication of how seriously God views the well-intentioned, but misguided efforts of people to build the Kingdom of God by their own ambition, talents, wisdom, and strength. Let us not make this mistake but rather wait on the Lord and seek Him for every decision, always being ready to go when He goes, to turn when He turns, to stop when He stops.

Let the humble of the earth rejoice. Let the true saints rejoice. God will destroy her who has shed the blood of the righteous. God will avenge Himself on her and she shall be destroyed forever. Ambitious man will never again be permitted to make slaves of the Lord's elect.

To be continued.