June 30: THE VIEW (part 1)

And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him. Daniel 11:45

The glorious holy mountain is Mount Zion, the dwelling place of God and the location of the registry of His people. This registry is called the Book of Life. The names of the saved are written there. Beautiful in elevation, The joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, The city of the great King. God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge. (Psalm 48:2-3) By faith, Mount Zion comes into our view! He is the refuge of His bride. The glory of God illuminates the heavenly city, and the Lamb is its light (Revelation 21:23).

But the enemy of souls works to block that vision by placing himself between the seas and the glorious holy mountain. Multitudes of hungering, thirsting souls are represented by seas. John the Revelator wrote of the counterfeit church as the great harlot who sits on many waters (Revelation 17:1) and the angel told him, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.” (v.15)

The counterfeit king of the North does have a palace. St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome is built over an ancient Roman necropolis. It is a jewel-encrusted monstrosity that boasts the input of the world’s most highly skilled master masons, architects, engineers, artists, sculptors, and craftsmen. Its costly maintenance is kept afloat through highly-encouraged pilgrimages. The sight of these riches, it is taught, can increase spiritual intellect, thus increasing one’s likelihood of going to heaven. Tourism brings a heavy influx of visitors each year to the city-state called the Vatican. The sale of Vatican-themed souvenirs and collectibles (stamps, coins, medals, etc.) is also very lucrative. Admission charged to see the Sistine Chapel generates millions annually. The tents of his palace are located in every country of the world. Even in countries where it is forbidden, underground versions exist.

False doctrines of the harlot church (see Revelation 15:5) comprise the things that block the view of the glorious holy mountain. The Reformation was launched by former Catholic priests who had access to the written word of God. The discrepancies that they discovered between Christ’s teachings and those of their church could have been resolved, but God saw centuries ahead of time that corrections would never be allowed (see Jeremiah 51:9). Sadly, most modern-day Protestants do not question these traditions that are elevated above God’s word.

Beloved, is your name is registered in heaven? Do not depend upon a pastor or teacher instead of an intimate and growing relationship with Christ (Acts 17:11). To depend on worldly teachers can render a soul defiled with women (Revelation 14:4 - a woman being symbolic of a church). An unfaithful woman is called a harlot because of her misplaced intimacy with doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1). Keep your Creator and Savior at the center of your aspirations, hopes, thoughts, and conversations. Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name. “They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels.” Malachi 3:16-17a