Commercial Religion in the End Times ***

END TIMES PROPHECIES ABOUT COMMERCIAL RELIGION
Because mixing religion and business is not something that God wants, we should not be surprised to learn that it will be done away with — sometime.

STUDY TIP: See Time: Hours, Days, Weeks and Ages for understanding of end times.

Ezekiel 7:19-27  19 “ ‘They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be treated as a thing unclean. Their silver and gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’s wrath. It will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs, for it has caused them to stumble into sin.

COMMENTARY: When religious leaders who have earned income from religion learn that God hates commercial religion, they will despise the income they have earned and treat it as unclean. They will understand that the desire for income through the practice of religion has caused them to sin.

This revelation will apply to financial income and the immaterial rewards of pride.

20 They took pride in their beautiful jewelry and used it to make their detestable idols. They made it into vile images; therefore I will make it a thing unclean for them.

21 I will give their wealth as plunder to foreigners and as loot to the wicked of the earth, who will defile it. 22 I will turn my face away from the people, and robbers will desecrate the place I treasure. They will enter it and will defile it. 23 “ ‘Prepare chains! For the land is full of bloodshed, and the city is full of violence.
COMMENTARY: Although some people will come to understand the evil of religion and choose to leave it, other wicked people will move in to take their place.
The place that God treasures is the heart. New religious leaders will rise to power as Kings, Queens and Princes of religious organizations.
 
24 I will bring the most wicked of nations to take possession of their houses. I will put an end to the pride of the mighty, and their sanctuaries will be desecrated.
COMMENTARY: God eventually will put an end to the pride of religious people. This will happen one person at at time, however, not as a singular, global event that touches all people at the same time.
25 When terror comes, they will seek peace in vain. 26 Calamity upon calamity will come, and rumor upon rumor. They will go searching for a vision from the prophet, priestly instruction in the law will cease, the counsel of the elders will come to an end. 27 The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with despair, and the hands of the people of the land will tremble. I will deal with them according to their conduct, and by their own standards I will judge them. “ ‘Then they will know that I am the LORD.’ ”
COMMENTARY: Coming to the realization that religion is sin is a very traumatic event that people will initially resist. Instead of simply giving up their religion, they will search for affirmations that religion is acceptable by consulting religious leaders who will tell them that justification for religion is found in the literal words of the Bible (i.e. law).
Eventually, however, religious kings and princes will come to understand that God is tearing down their religious kingdoms and judging them for practicing the sin of religion. When they finally choose to give up their religion, they cease to be Old/First Covenant religionists and become New Covenant disciples. They will know that God is the Lord, and that they are not really gods, when they see their religious kingdoms fall and they receive instruction about God from his spoken voice. 

Ezekiel 26:12: “Also they will make a spoil of your riches and a prey of your merchandise, break down your walls and destroy your pleasant houses, and throw your stones and your timbers and your debris into the water.

COMMENTARY: This is a picture of the destruction of religious structures — both physical buildings and organizations.

Revelation 13:11-18 Then I saw another beast which rose out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. 13 It works great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in the sight of men; 14 and by the signs which it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast, it deceives those who dwell on earth, bidding them make an image for the beast which was wounded by the sword and yet lived; 15 and it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast so that the image of the beast should even speak, and to cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. 16 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 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. 18 This calls for wisdom: let him who has understanding reckon the number of the beast, for it is a human number, its number is six hundred and sixty-six.

 

Revelation 18: After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. 2 With a mighty voice he shouted: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird. 3 For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.” 4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; 5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. 6 Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Mix her a double portion from her own cup. 7 Give her as much torture and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit as queen; I am not a widow, and I will never mourn.’ 8 Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her. 9 “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: ” ‘Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!’
COMMENTARY: Babylon symbolically represents all religion. See Egypt and Babylon.
This prophecy anticipates the end of religion for individuals and unique religious organizations. It is not about a global event that affects everyone at the same time.
11 “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more– 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men. 14 “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your riches and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out: ” ‘Woe! Woe, O great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! 17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’ “Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off.
COMMENTARY: This is a prophecy about the displacement of Old/First Covenant religion with New Covenant.
Merchants symbolically represent Old/First Covenant religious leaders who once received income from their ministries. References to wood, stone, metal, precious stones, food and animals symbolically represent all the various kinds of ministry services and products that Old/First Covenant religionists once purchased.
Merchants will weep and mourn because formerly religious people who are now New Covenant disciples will no longer pay tithes, offerings, honorariums and other costs for religious services and products that they purchased while they were Old/First Covenant religionists.
The “woes” represent the attitudes, feelings and shame that the merchants will experience when no one wants to buy their services and products any more.
Verse 13 tells us that the merchants were actually trafficking in the bodies and souls of people.
18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: ” ‘Woe! Woe, O great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin! 20 Rejoice over her, O heaven! Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets! God has judged her for the way she treated you.’ ”
COMMENTARY: When Old/First Covenant religion is consumed by God, all the religious leaders who gained wealth through religion will be very distressed. New Covenant disciples (i.e. saints), on the other hand, will rejoice because God has delivered them and brought justice to the merchants who robbed them of many things — including their money. God considers payments made for supposedly spiritual ministry to be robbery because he does not charge money for his spiritual food.
21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. 22 The music of harpists and musicians, flute players and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No workman of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again. 23 The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s great men. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.24 In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints, and of all who have been killed on the earth.”
COMMENTARY: This is a graphic symbolic image of how the end of religious ministries will appear. Verse 22 mentions musicians as particular merchants who will no longer find customers for their services and products because New Covenant disciples will make music in their hearts.
See Music, Singing and Dancing.

Revelation 21:1-8 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; 3 and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain of the water of life without payment. 7 He who conquers shall have this heritage, and I will be his God and he shall be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.”

COMMENTARY: This is a prophetic statement about people passing from Old/First Covenant religionists to New Covenant disciples. It applies only to individuals who repent for participating in religion and then listen to God’s voice.

The key verse here is number 6 which says that living water is available without payment. This contrasts with Old/First Covenant religion which depends on financial tithes and offerings.

Revelation 22:7-17 And behold, I am coming soon.” Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. 8 I John am he who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me; 9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brethren the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” 10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” 12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense, to repay every one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and every one who loves and practices falsehood. 16 “I Jesus have sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star.” 17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let him who hears say, “Come.” And let him who is thirsty come, let him who desires take the water of life without price.

COMMENTARY: This is a prophetic statement about people passing from Old/First Covenant religionists to New Covenant disciples. It applies only to individuals who repent for participating in religion and then listen to God’s voice.

The key verse here is number 17 which says that living water is available without payment. This contrasts with Old/First Covenant religion which depends on financial tithes and offerings.

Ezekiel 27:9-25 9 Veteran craftsmen of Gebal were on board as shipwrights to caulk your seams. All the ships of the sea and their sailors came alongside to trade for your wares. 10 ” ‘Men of Persia, Lydia and Put served as soldiers in your army. They hung their shields and helmets on your walls, bringing you splendor. 11 Men of Arvad and Helech manned your walls on every side; men of Gammad were in your towers. They hung their shields around your walls; they brought your beauty to perfection. 12 ” ‘Tarshish did business with you because of your great wealth of goods; they exchanged silver, iron, tin and lead for your merchandise. 13 ” ‘Greece, Tubal and Meshech traded with you; they exchanged slaves and articles of bronze for your wares. 14 ” ‘Men of Beth Togarmah exchanged work horses, war horses and mules for your merchandise. 15 ” ‘The men of Rhodes traded with you, and many coastlands were your customers; they paid you with ivory tusks and ebony. 16 ” ‘Aram did business with you because of your many products; they exchanged turquoise, purple fabric, embroidered work, fine linen, coral and rubies for your merchandise. 17 ” ‘Judah and Israel traded with you; they exchanged wheat from Minnith and confections, honey, oil and balm for your wares. 18 ” ‘Damascus, because of your many products and great wealth of goods, did business with you in wine from Helbon and wool from Zahar. 19 ” ‘Danites and Greeks from Uzal bought your merchandise; they exchanged wrought iron, cassia and calamus for your wares. 20 ” ‘Dedan traded in saddle blankets with you. 21 ” ‘Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your customers; they did business with you in lambs, rams and goats. 22 ” ‘The merchants of Sheba and Raamah traded with you; for your merchandise they exchanged the finest of all kinds of spices and precious stones, and gold. 23 ” ‘Haran, Canneh and Eden and merchants of Sheba, Asshur and Kilmad traded with you. 24 In your marketplace they traded with you beautiful garments, blue fabric, embroidered work and multicolored rugs with cords twisted and tightly knotted. 25 ” ‘The ships of Tarshish serve as carriers for your wares. You are filled with heavy cargo in the heart of the sea.

Revelation 18 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. 2 With a mighty voice he shouted: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird. 3 For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.” 4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; 5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. 6 Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Mix her a double portion from her own cup. 7 Give her as much torture and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit as queen; I am not a widow, and I will never mourn.’ 8 Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her. 9 “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: ” ‘Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!’ 11 “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more– 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men. 14 “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your riches and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out: ” ‘Woe! Woe, O great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! 17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’ “Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: ” ‘Woe! Woe, O great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin! 20 Rejoice over her, O heaven! Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets! God has judged her for the way she treated you.’ ” 21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. 22 The music of harpists and musicians, flute players and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No workman of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again. 23 The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s great men. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray. 24 In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints, and of all who have been killed on the earth.”