Expert: Griff Ruby - 10/22/2008

Question
Dear Griff,

                Why do people keep on saying that God's church the Catholic church is the Great Babylon? That isnt true the Great Babylon is Muslim...There are references to this "woman" in different chapters of the book, therefore it is important to look at the chapters.  

Could there be a connection between Abraham and the Antichrist? From our research we have found some very interesting facts that may surprise many Christians and Jews alike. As some bible students know the Hebrew, Christian, and Muslim religions originate from the same time, place, and 'father' whose name was Abraham. Abraham is the father of Isaac and traditional founder of the ancient Hebrew nation. Abraham is also acknowledged by Muslims to be the ancestor and Father of the Arab peoples through Abraham’s first born son Ishmael. This is a fact but the main question is which son; Ishmael or Isaac received the birthright? And thus inlys the problem that has existed for thousands of years, and is today becoming the nucleus for what could become World war III.

According to the account in Gen. 17:15-20 Abram and Sarah were promised a son by God. Sarah did not believe she could conceive a child because of her age, and as a result of her unbelief the scriptures relate that Abram and Sarah agreed that they would have a son who would be Abram’s heir through Sarah's handmaid, Hagar, and the scriptures record that Hagar had a son named Ishmael.

(Note: Abram was "Abraham’s name at this time" God changed it to Abraham and it is important to note that God did not change Abram’s name to Abraham until after Ishmael was born. Abram was eighty-six years old when Ishmael was born and he was ninety-nine when God changed his name to Abraham and made the covenant with him. It is acknowledge by many that the changing of his name to Abraham was in fact part of the covenant because the name "Abraham" itself means Father of many that became known as the twelve tribes of Israel.

The Christian & Jewish holy texts claims that God gave the promise to the Hebrew people but the Qur'an claims the promise was given to Ishmael because he was the first born. The first born was to always receive the honor of the father's place, and the Hebrew people can not refute that Ishmael was the first born of Abram because their own scriptures back this up.

However the Hebrews and Christians claim that Ishmael was not the first born son from Sarah, (Abraham’s legal wife) and that God had chosen Sarah, so therefore Ishmael could not be heir of the promise. Remember the scriptures relate that Abram and Sarah agreed (Not God.) that they would have a son who would be Abram’s heir through Sarah's handmaid, Hagar.

It is believed by Muslims that the scriptures in the Hebrew bible was later changed as we read according to the Hebrew text, when Abraham was promised, and received, a son from Sarah, his legal wife. We read in Gen. 17:18-19 that Abraham presented Ishmael to God but he was rejected by God. “And Abraham said to God, "Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!" Then God said: "No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.”

Remember the story in Gen 22:1-2 when God tested Abraham to take his son and offer him there as a burnt offering? "Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." And He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." (The Muslims believe that it was Ishmael that was taken on this trip and that this account was also changed in the Hebrew text.) It is believed by both groups that this test was the great sign from God who was the son that God had chosen to be the heir of the house of Abraham. This is the very event that the Hebrew, Christian, and Muslim religions use as proof that God had given the birth right to them with all the promises God gave to their father Abraham. This is why the two groups also demand by virtue of a right the land in the Middle East which includes the area from Libya to Afghanistan, usually including Egypt, Sudan, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the other countries of the Arabian peninsula.

The same story is recorded in the Qur'an and records that the oldest child of Abraham (Ishmael) was the one to be sacrificed on the mountain to test Abraham's obedience to Allah. Ch. 37 Vs. 100-114 page 445. But as stated above in the Hebrew writings, God did not include Ishmael in this covenant. So what we have thousands of years later is the same conflict of two brothers claiming the birthright of their father Abraham and when we understand this fact we may see why many prophecies relate to this conflict.

Antichrist:
The big point and identifier we find in the prophecies of the Old Testament and the record of the New Testament is "Do you believe that God would send His Son Jesus the Messiah to bring a New Covenant to all mankind? Do you believe the old prophets that God sent to prepare His people for the coming of this great one that would bring a New Covenant and do away with the old? Those that disbelieve would be rejected as Anti-Christ so just what is meant by the term "Antichrist? It simply means those that do not believe God can have a Son, and teach that those that claim Jesus was the Son of God or the Messiah is a infidel. Does the Muslims believe that God can have a Son? Absolutely not! We find in the Qur'an under "Doctrine of the Son ship of God" Chapter 9 Vs. 30-31 page 177 that the Jews and Christians are taking their Monks and divines for Lords and that there is but one God Allah. Do Muslims believe that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah that was to come? No! We do however find in the Qur'an under "Christianity" Chapter 4 Vs. 172 page 97 that they do believe Jesus was a prophet. We also find this same admission in Chapter 19 Vs. 31-34 in the Qur'an. But Islam (extremist or not), is not the only religion that believes Jesus was but a prophet and not the Son of God.

However, is it possible that the radical Muslim extremists will be the end-time antichrist prophesied in Scripture? What is the scriptural warning and identifying sign of the antichrist that could point to radical Muslims? The Christian bible states in I John 2:22-23: “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” However the failure to acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God may not be enough to label any extremist religion as "Antichrist", as described for end-time fulfillment. It may however just be only ONE of the identifiers of the antichrist. The actions of the Anti-Christ will define them for the most part in the future. Remember the antichrist will have other traits such as thinking they are doing a service to their God by murdering those that reject their religian as recorded in in the Christian bible. John 16:2-3. "They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me." Also we have heard the extremist anounce many times that their god will reward them for their sacrifice if they murder the infidels. Did you know that the extremist believe that they can't even go to heaven unless they die in a Jihad? Another point is that the Anti-Christ will take over the Holy City Jerusalem and the man of perdition will set in defiance of God and claim by virtue of a right that he is in fact God. II Thes. 2. They also will be in power and control of the wealth and army's of the World at the time of the end.

Dont the real christians know this Catholics are not false we are the real Jews of the bible. Might there be a connection with the Iraq, the Muslim faith, and Revelation 17:4-6's Babylon the Great?
How does God describe the people (Tribes) of Ishmael? We find that the Hebrew Scripture describe the decendants of Ishmael as a warring people and as a wild man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man's hand against him. See Gen 16:11-12. "And the Angel of the LORD said to her: "Behold, you are with child, and you shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the LORD has heard your affliction. He shall be a wild man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man's hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren."

This goes along with the fact that the prophices state that Babylon (Iraq) is drunk with the blood of the Christian saints in verse 6. Rev 17:5-6 5. "And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. (6) I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement." Also we find in Rev 17:9-10 9 "Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time."

The people in the Middle East have always considered seven hills as the number of completion and as the center power of the earth. Ernest L. Martin stated in his book "Mystery Babylon the Great" We are all familiar with Babylon on the Euphrates (which became the capital of the world in the time of Nebuchadnezzar in the sixth century B.C.) as being the "Seven Hilled City." This is very significant in that the book of Revelation depicts Babylon (Iraq) as setting on seven hills which denotes the great power of the beast.

How rich and powerful can Iraq or Iran become after they win their freedom in the next few years and then use the United States to access great technology and goods the U.S. have developed. With a democratic system in place who will gain control of Iraq in the future? Is it possible that the U.S. is creating the very power that might become the antichrist, and the very ones that will fulfill the prophecies of the Old and New Testament prophets? Is it possible that the U.S. is creating the very power that will destroy all that profess Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God?

President of Iran, Dr. Ahmadinejad, or someone with his ideology could play a role as well.
Hastening the Return of a Muslim Messiah? The current President of Iran, Dr. Ahmadinejad, is a Ph.D. in engineering and former Revolutionary Guardsman. He is also a member of an obscure Shiite sect that eagerly anticipates the return of the 12th Imam or the Mahdi. His religious sect believes the righteous descendent of Muhammad will soon return and usher in universal peace, but that his return will be preceded by cosmic signs, plagues, pestilence, and war. President Ahmadinejad apparently believes the return of this Muslim Messiah can be hastened by “the creation of chaos on earth”—something he and other religious zealots may be able to facilitate through their actions and influence (Washington Times online, Feb. 6, 2006). Iran views itself as the defender of Islam, and Ahmadinejad appears to see himself as the great catalyst. It remains to be seen whether he or some other yet-to-emerge leader will bring to pass the prophesied conflict between the king of the north and the king of the south (Daniel 11:41-45).

The Imam or the Mahdi is, explains the Encyclopaedia of Islam, “the restorer of religion and justice who will rule before the end of the world.” The concept originated in the earliest years of Islam and, over time, became particularly identified with the Shi‘ite branch. Whereas “it never became an essential part of Sunni religious doctrine,” continues the encyclopedia, “Belief in the coming of the Mahdi of the Family of the Prophet became a central aspect of the faith in radical Shi‘ism,” where it is also known as the return of the Twelfth Imam. Mahdaviat means “belief in and efforts to prepare for the Mahdi.”


Is there also a connection between Revelation 11:1-2's mention of the outer court being given over to Gentiles and the Jews leaving the Gaza? Could the return of the Gaza advance a return of Ishmael's descendants to the West Bank and eventually Jerusalem? Already, the Muslim extremists who murder Christians, Jews, and their own citizens think they are doing service to God. Remember that Jesus Himself is recorded as making this statement. "They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.”

Not only do we find old connections and prophecies that relate to a variety of faiths, including Islam, but there are prophecies that seem to point to a great Christian Church that has gone into Apostasy. Who could this Church that calls itself Christian be? The answer might be found in the Catechism book of the Catholic Church as we can find a friendly relationship between the Muslims and the Great Church called the Universal Church. On page 242 under content 841 titled The Church’s Relationship with the Muslims in the Catechism it reads: “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.”

Second Exodus is all about the Israelite heritage of the Catholic Church, defending the Catholic faith, and illuminating the Catholic faith.  

Answer
Muslims being the Babylon the Great?  I have never heard that one before.
I have grave doubts that one can so easily and properly connect up passages of Revelation to current events, as this has been done in every age.  Perhaps much of what that book contains refers to events that occur again and again as history repeats itself.
I know it would be great for Jesus to come back and restore all things, but until it happens I see little value in exploring these things, and none at all in speculating about them.  The key salutary point ever to be derived is that we must side with God at all times, avoiding sin and error, for the time comes when our life is written and nothing more is to be written and what is to be done has all been done.  Then it will be too late to repent, should repentance be necessary.