Babylonish ecumenicism. During modern times there has been an interest in bringing together some of the larger Christian organizations. John 17:21-23 instructs us that we are to be one in Christ in the Father. Babylon has no understanding of this passage. Rather, she is seeking more power, more money, more influence, more status.

The historic denominations are sepulchers. Their joining together will be the joining of sepulchers. There are ecumenical movements taking place today, but none of them are of God as far as we know.

There are serious problems with ecumenicism. For example, how could there be a blending of the Catholic and Christian churches? How could there be agreement and harmony without fatal compromise? If the Catholic were to cease venerating the Virgin Mary (out of all proportion to the Gospel accounts), or to refuse to call the Pope, "Father" (a title forbidden by the Lord—Matthew 23:9), he or she no longer would be a genuine Catholic.

Can any Christian accept the worship of Mary or can he call the Pope, Father? If not, there can be no oneness of spirit. Two cannot walk together unless they are in agreement. Eventually one or the other must compromise.

"Ah," we say, "if we love Jesus we can get together apart from doctrine." This may be true to a certain extent for the members of the organizations. But the leaders never will compromise their basic beliefs and will maneuver endlessly for political and financial advantage.

The unity of John 17:21-23 is not that of religious leaders using their administrative skills to combine forces to their mutual advantage. The meaning of John is so far above such fleshly, babylonish thinking and practice that comparing the two is like comparing Heaven and Hell.

The Babylon of the future. It is true, we believe, that the denominations of today will join forces and create a mammoth Christian religious organization. Because of the following passage from Zechariah we think that the headquarters of the organization will be at the site of the ancient Tower of Babel, in the plain of Shinar, on the Euphrates River in the country of Iraq.

Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth. And I said, What is it? And He said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth. And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah. And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof. Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base. (Zechariah 5:5-11)

To be continued.