Teachings
Unearthing the Plot to Seduce God's People
One of the mysteries embedded within the book of Revelation is the destruction of Babylon. This city can be traced back to Genesis 11, and its empire and rulers played a central role in the exile of Israel. But Babylon is not just a city of the past. She stands alongside Satan, Antichrist, and the false prophet as a major player in the apocalypse at the end of the world. What does Babylon represent? Why should Christians be very concerned about her influence in their lives? And why is she one of the main reasons that so many in the church are addicted to sexual sin? In this inaugural episode of our series: Babylon: The Seat of Satan’s Power, Steve Gallagher gives insight as to why Babylon is a threat not only for future generations, but for us today and reveals her pervading influence over the church at large. This series is based on the book Intoxicated with Babylon: The Seduction of God’s People in the Last Days by Steve Gallagher. You can find out more about that book by visiting our bookstore. Continue to look for new episodes every week. We’ll be releasing teachings by Steve Gallagher, along with interviews from the staff of Pure Life Ministries to look at why Babylon is such an important subject for those battling sexual sin. We hope this series will increase your awareness of what’s behind this evil, and how to combat it in your everyday life. Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. http://www.lockman.org
When Satan Ruled the Earth
The global flood described in the book of Genesis represents a unique event in human history. The destruction of all flesh, save for Noah and his family, is so distinct an incident that God Himself promised never to do it again. But what could possibly have caused the Lord to react so strongly toward His beloved creation? What could have caused this creation, which He Himself had once described as, “very good,” to descend into such wickedness that their thoughts became constantly evil? In episode 2 of Babylon: The Seat of Satan’s Power, Steve Gallagher discusses four of the actions and attitudes of mankind which led to this great cataclysm. And we find that these reasons warn us to avoid all such ways in our own lives. This series is based on the book Intoxicated with Babylon: The Seduction of God’s People in the Last Days by Steve Gallagher. You can find out more about that book by visiting our bookstore.
The Surprising Origins of the First Antichrist
After the flood Noah and his family exited the ark with a clear vision of God’s judgment upon evil. And as they began the toilsome work of rebuilding humanity, they would undoubtedly tell their story to succeeding generations in hopes that another worldwide devastation would be avoided. But sin will not easily be eradicated from our hearts. Even the terror of divine retribution can be quickly forgotten by the enticement of sin’s promises. Scripture tells us that evil is always lurking, waiting for its chance to be revealed. One day the ultimate human expression of evil will reveal itself in The Antichrist. Throughout history, many precursors to this man – many “antichrists” – have risen and fallen. What connects them all is a spiritual lineage that can be traced back to that little band of survivors who exited the ark at the dawn of man’s second genesis.
Mankind Rises in Rebellion
Nimrod’s name is only mentioned four times in the entire Bible, yet his legacy is infamous. First Chronicles 1:10 credits him as the first mighty world ruler, garnering the attention and admiration of all the people on the planet. Under his irascible and warlike leadership, he was able to leverage the people’s devotion and begin the construction of the Tower of Babel, the premiere symbol of rebellion against Yahweh. Only 2 generations separated him from godly Noah, and yet he was able to amass a cult following of defiant souls in rebellion against the Lord. In our fourth installment of Babylon: The Seat of Satan’s Power, Steve Gallagher helps us see how the spirit of antichrist in Nimrod was able to accomplish such a horrific achievement, and how that same spirit continues to amass power and influence in the 21st century. Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. http://www.lockman.org
The Desolate Life of a Rebel
http://dictionary.com defines a “rebel” as “a person who refuses allegiance to, resists, or rises in arms against the government or ruler of his or her country, a person who resists any authority, control, or tradition.” Most rebellions rise and fall without grand success, their leaders lost to history. Very few have gained the prominence and merit of Nimrod, the world’s first rebel leader. Nimrod’s ability to persuade people to follow him, and not the Lord, relied upon the promise that he could bring them a level of joy, happiness and satisfaction God never could. Today, mankind is not being enticed by a single leader vaunting the potential of a better life. Instead, a message of worldliness is luring billions into its web through countless voices around the globe. The spirit behind that message advocates rebellion against the Lord and His authority by promising unprecedented, unrestricted pleasure. It is a cause devoted to the here and now, and one which can never provide humanity the satisfaction of life which it truly craves. In episode 5 of Babylon: The Seat of Satan’s Power, Steve Gallagher explains, through Scripture, how this message can only lead a person one way, into utter ruin and desolation. Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. http://www.lockman.org
A Global Force for Wickedness
It’s been estimated that there are over 3,800 distinct cultures on the planet. Even within a single country, you can find a wide range of people groups with differing dialects, traditions and values. Yet despite all these apparent differences, there is a common culture which unites all of mankind together. It was this spirit that the Lord sought to disrupt at the Tower of Babel. Ever since that day, Satan has been plotting and scheming to reunite humanity in rebellion against God. Today, however, he no longer wants to do this by raising a single tower, but by raising up a single world leader – the Antichrist. But how could he influence billions of people divided across the whole earth? How could he overcome all their differences and unite them once again? The answer is kosmos. Join us as Steve Gallagher explains how the spirit of kosmos is being manipulated by Satan to condition multitudes into a cohesive mindset. Pastor Steve also helps us see what all Christians must do if they hope to be prepared for the spiritual battles in the days ahead.
The World is a Weapon in the Devil's Hands
Maybe you’ve heard the saying, “The Christian life is not a playground, it’s a battleground.” Never has this statement been as true as it is today. And yet, when we look at American Christianity, it begs the question, “How many people truly live their lives like they’re in a spiritual war?” Our culture is brimming with tantalizing pleasures, both innocent and perverse, which vie every day for our devotion. Nonbelievers quickly and easily run to these enticements, but sadly multitudes of Christians live with little to no concern for the spiritual threat surrounding them. This dangerous spiritual climate hasn’t come about by chance, but by the careful scheming of the enemy of our souls. He has carefully built this world-system, utilizing the aid and skills of his army of fallen angelic beings. Join Steve Gallagher as he once again unmasks the deception of these last days and lays out the spiritual strategies needed to escape the clutches of the spirit of this present evil age. Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The Holy Bible, Berean Literal Bible, BLB, Copyright ©2016, 2020 by Bible Hub. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Scripture quotations marked (TLB) are taken from The Living Bible, Copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture taken from The Voice™. Copyright © 2012 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Your Desires Will Be Used Against You
Mankind is largely driven through life by his desires. His hunger for his various lusts almost irresistibly drive him in whatever direction promises their acquisition. But followers of Christ are called to a higher standard. We are called to submit ourselves to God’s authority and put wicked desires to death. However, this doesn’t mean we won’t feel the pull of those desires. The enemy is always seeking to draw us into his clutches. And our fallen nature is eager to give in to his enticements. So, it is vital we learn how to actively fight against those things. In this episode, Steve Gallagher helps us learn how to cultivate godly desires which will help guard us from the spirit of this world. Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Pride is the Foundation of Satan's Throne
In today’s culture, words such as “pride” and “self” represent positive qualities. Pride in our accomplishments, heritage or abilities are celebrated. Self-esteem, self-help and self-effort are seen as solutions for many of our problems. But as innocent as these terms may sound, they subtly promote a sinister philosophy aimed at drawing us away from God. And so the Lord works diligently to rescue us from this world system and bring us into His kingdom of humility and mercy. Join us for episode 9 of “Babylon: The Seat of Satan’s Power” to learn about the process God works in our hearts to save us from the great tyrants of self and pride! Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Sleepy Christian, You're an Easy Target
In previous episodes, we’ve looked at how the enemy has slipped his way of thinking into the hearts of so many people. But we must remember that the enemy’s tactics do not just involve the unbelieving world. One of his greatest tools for tearing down the Kingdom of God is the American church. Much of what we see in modern evangelicalism consists of apathy and passivity for the things of God. Believers in America are often consumed with thoughts of comfort and temporal pleasures. Many have been drawn away from a true passion for God.
Don't Be Deceived by Talent & Charisma
Many of us have heard of reality-TV shows such as America’s Got Talent or The Apprentice. Prestigious award ceremonies, such as The GRAMMYs and The Oscars, decorate the abilities of the highest echelon of musical and acting talent worldwide. Humanity tunes into these shows and roots for their favorite entertainers because it is easy to get swept away by those who can rouse our emotions and give us goose bumps. And this same type of attitude has quietly slithered its way into an apathetic and worldly-minded church. In our American church culture, many talented and ambitious Christians have made very big names for themselves and have a wide impact on the hearts and minds of many people. Unfortunately, through this, a door has been opened for a subtle deception to creep into the church. As Steve Gallagher warns us in this episode, when we allow talented and gifted men who can stir up our emotions to be given positions of prominence and influence in our lives and in the church rather than men who are of godly character who call people to live a life of self-sacrifice and to live like Christ, we cannot have the spiritual discernment needed to detect the falsehoods that will come to deceive many in these last days.
The Real Problem with Christian Nationalism
In America today, conservatism is often equated with Christianity. And though they share some of the same values and lifestyles, there is a real danger in linking them too closely with one another. For American Christians, it is vital to examine our hearts and our faith, to see if nationalism has replaced devotion to Christ. And in any area where the values of the Kingdom of God and the values of conservatism differ, we must be willing to align ourselves to God alone. In this episode, we're not taking sides or looking to diminish real gratitude for the core values of our nation. Our desire is to call believers back to passionate dedication to Christ and His cause because He deserves our greatest loyalty.
Busy Lifestyles Often End in Spiritual Disaster
What word would you use to describe an airport during the holiday season, with thousands of people all trying to make their flights on time? Perhaps frantic or busy come to mind. This same feeling could describe a New York City street or a Los Angeles freeway. But while much of this may seem normal to the average American, our culture’s busy lifestyle presents a real spiritual problem for believers. The psalmist declares that our Good Shepherd will lead us beside still waters. It’s only when we know how to be quiet and still before God that we can find the refreshing our souls long for. And as Steve Gallagher shows us in episode 13 of our series, a life of ceaseless agitation is built to draw us away from that still life, away from God and deeper into the heart of Babylon.
The Reckless Life of a Social Media Junkie
One of the greatest tools used by the enemy in our generation has been social media. It appeals to some of the most powerful desires of the human heart. Multitudes have fallen prey to its addictive nature, including those who attend churches across the United States every Sunday morning. Join us as we unpack this vital topic in episode 14 of "Babylon: The Seat of Satan's Power."
Wake Up and Flee from Babylon
Throughout the centuries, Christians have always had to face the overwhelming temptation to conform to society and the call of God has always been, “Come out of her, My people.” God is not looking for half-hearted citizens who are addicted to the pleasure of earth life. He desires followers whose minds and hearts are fixed on heaven and heaven’s King. The truth is that no Christian should be dwelling in Babylon. The time to break away from her intoxications is now!