QUESTION 3 OF 12:
What are the Characteristics of Babylon?
If you are willing to STUDY a little, you will find that it was over a hundred years ago when Mrs. White wrote all those articles against calling the Seventh-day Adventist Church Babylon. She said that Babylon did not apply to the SDA denomination "at this time", and "at the present time" (TM 37, 50); both of these statements were written in 1893. You will also find that; "Those who have proclaimed the Seventh-day Adventist Church as Babylon, have made use of the TESTIMONIES in giving their position a seeming support" (TM 56). The position of those who were calling the SDA denomination Babylon at that time, was based upon counsel and reproof written to the church by Ellen White herself-not on the various characteristics of Babylon. Few if any of the characteristics of Babylon applied to the Conference back in 1893. Before going on, then, it would be worthwhile to briefly outline some of the characteristics of Babylon:
1. Through a celebration in bold defiance of God, during a most solemn time of judgment (Dan 5:1-4,27).
2. Perverts and destroys God's sanctuary (2 Kings 24:11-13; 25:8,9; 2 Chron 36:18,19; Dan 1:1, 2; 8:11,13; 9:17; 11:31; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 13:6; etc).
3. Teaches salvation in sin (Dan 3:15; Rev 18:4,5; GC 572; PATRIARCHS AND PROPHETS [PP] p 124).
4. Deceives with sorcery, or spiritualism (Rev 18:23).
5. Rejects the prophets of God (Dan 9:6; Rev 18:24).
6. Seeks worldly counsel and "wisdom" (Dan 2:2; 4:6,7; 5:7).
7. Gives confusing messages (Gen 11:7,9; GC 381; SPIRIT OF PROPHECY, Vol 4 [4SP], p 232).
8. Rejects the Sabbath (Rev 13; TM 61; 2SM 68,118; 4SP 235).
9. Is friendly to Rome (Rev 17:5; GC 572).
10. Is not friendly to the saints (Dan 3:19,20; 6:7; 7:21,25; 8:10,24; 11:33; Rev 12:13,17; 13:7; 17:6; 18:24; GC 17-678; etc).
11. Has fallen from a once pure condition, through the love of and desire to imitate the world (Rev 14:8; 18:2; GC 381-390: PP 124; EARLY WRITINGS [EW] p 273,274; etc).
12. Puts faith in a man-made structure, instead of the word of God (Gen 9:11; 11:4; Dan 4:30).
13. Commits spiritual fornication (Rev 14:8; 17:1-5; 18:3,9; 19:2; GC 381-390; etc).
Bob De La Torre