Revelation 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
This passage of scripture tells us that all nations of the earth have been infected by the poisonous wine of Babylon, which bu definition represents a mixture of religion, politics, and spiritualism. The Bible refers to her doctrines as being intoxicating wine, a figure that is often used in the scriptures. However, even though Babylon perpetuates many false teachings, we would like to address only one today, that is the false doctrine of the natural immortality of the soul, which almost all nations and most major religions have subscribed to.
To begin with, there is no such thing as an immortal soul, for according to what is written in the Bible, all souls are subject to death until the Lord grants to the faithful, immortality at His second coming. Let's read:
Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Even though there have been many movies made in which the dead are portrayed as being in heaven, the word of God explicitly declares this to be a very grave heresy, and it should be shunned like the plague because of its implications when it is held as a belief. When this false doctrine is accepted, it effectively dismantles the plan of salvation to those who subscribe to it's teachings, for if a person possesses natural immortality, then there wouldn't be any need for Christ to come to die for our sins, as was done on Calvary, so that we might have eternal life.
Another negative side effect of drinking this wine of Babylon is that it creates unnecessary fear of departed ones returning to haunt the living. In a recent interview, a medical doctor explained in detail how she was taken to heaven at death, and there received instructions from Christ, which she then came back and related. But the word of God utterly refutes any such claim, for the Bible teaches us that the dead cannot come back to their former home with either good or bad news for anyone, and so any such manifestation must originate with the father of lies. Let's read:
Job 7:9 As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. 10 He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.
As Christians living in the evening of this earth's history, we need to exercise due caution as it pertains to what we hear and believe, for the scriptures tell us in several passages, that the miracle working power of demons will be displayed in numerous and remarkable ways, and therefore we should always check in with the Bible, just to make sure of what we believe. The doctrine of the natural immortality of the soul was first introduced in Eden by satan, and ever since, it has become one of the most prominent beliefs of many religions. It is not only prevalent amongst Christians, but it is also accepted by Muslims, and by most world religions, and that's why the scriptures say that all nations have become drunk of this wine.
As we approach the end of time, let us then be on our guard, studying the scriptures for ourselves with the intention of doing God's will, for The Lord has promised to keep all who trust and obey Him, from the terrors and deceptions of the last day. We therefore end with a passage of scripture that promises Divine protection from the deceptions that are coming upon the stage of action, if we allow God to reign supreme in our hearts. Let's read:
Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
May we search the word of God diligently each day, so that our faith and practice would rest upon The Rock Christ Jesus alone. God bless!