Revelation 17:16 KJV
And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
Our world is filled with religion. Surveys indicate that almost every human being on the face of the planet is in some way religious, the most notable exceptions being among the educated elite.
- Religions run a huge gamut:
- Christianity of many flavors
- Islam in fewer but still multiple flavors
- Spiritism
- Hinduism
- Buddhism
Some religions are only meant to serve life here. Others focus almost solely on eternity. Some are completely works-oriented. Others are grace-oriented. The most influential religions in the world are Christianity, with Islam climbing in numbers and status.
While religion is very powerful today and will seem to grow in power during the Tribulation, ultimately those who used religion for power turn against that religion. Whether the religion here referenced is Catholicism or Islam or some blend of the two unknown in our time, men hate it. It is not difficult to see the seeds of such hatred even now. Though politicians are almost required to pay lip service to some form of faith, their lifestyles and their rhetoric demonstrate disgust for a faith that influences thought. The average person will claim some kind of belief in God, but will in the same breath curse a religion that attempts to harness that belief.
Religion is a dying organism. It has grown fat and rich off the backs of its subjects, but it is dying and no amount of wealth will save it. What is still healthy is faith. In the face of terrible persecution, those with faith in Christ will endure, hold fast and increase in number.
It will be so in the Tribulation.
It is so today.
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