"On one occasion, when in New York City, I was in the night season called upon to behold buildings rising story after story toward heaven. These buildings were warranted to be fireproof, and they were erected to glorify their owners and builders.... {LDE 113.1}
The scene that next passed before me was an alarm of fire. Men looked at the lofty and supposedly fireproof buildings and said: “They are perfectly safe.” But these buildings were consumed as if made of pitch. The fire engines could do nothing to stay the destruction. The firemen were unable to operate the engines.—Testimonies for the Church 9:12, 13 (1909). {LDE 113.2}

This next statement is very important to current events but will you listen?

This is a quiz.

Anyone know where the mysterious knockings began which was the beginning of the present day spiritualism and Satanic manifestations?

It was in Rochester NY then in New York City.

The City that was hit durring Sept 11 2001 is the epicenter of modern day spiritualism. It is also the main city where the archdioces of Rome has the most power in America. It is where all the eccumenical agreements between the Catholic church and Protestant churches were signed. New York is where the UN is and the throne of Rome has an embacy.

But none of that shows how close to the second coming we are, does it?

I could list dozens of other prophecies that are coming true showing the present truth fulfillments.

That's very narrow minded, JSOT, and I think you should know it. The Testimonies were never to set out every truth which has already been provided us in the Bible. Nor were they intended to set out every truth at all.

But, you will find some reason not to accept what you did not originate. If only I could have led you to this truth in a way that you had imagined it was your own idea....

JSOT, the Bible speaks of the birds on the same level as the demons and foul spirits. If the Testimonies were to deny this, then they would contradict the Word of God.

The birds in the parable of the sower ate up the Gospel seed. What did those birds represent?

The birds which come upon the carcase (a dead body)...what do they represent? If you say they represent beliefs and temptations, what beliefs and temptations does one have who is dead?

You have not rightly divided truth here. I urge you to reconsider, nevermind whose view it is. Look at what the Bible itself is teaching.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

JSOT,

Further to my post above, it appears that you are in error as to Mrs. White referring to the biblical birds as being demons. She does indeed do this. Perhaps she does not do so in a dictionary manner, telling us "birds equal demons," but she expounds on the representation rather plainly. Look at the following from Christ's Object Lessons.



Now, look at her own explanation of the text in Revelation 18.



I find perfect congruity here between Mrs. White and the Bible on this representation. Of course, I have only given you a small portion of the passages of the Bible on this topic. Daniel 4, Ecclesiastes 9, and many other passages further help us to see that birds represent demons in prophecy, just as beasts represent kingdoms, wings represent speed, horns represent power, stones represent laws, grass represents people, etc.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

Your assessment is highly accurate, and I didn't mean to completely discount the application to demons, because the "doctrines of devils" are what they are. But they manifest themselves through the churches members.

The prophecy contends with all the evil doctrines that has manifested itself within the institutions which constitute Babylon.

The first cry that Babylon has fallen was in the dark ages by Luther and the reformers.

The second cry is heard when the protestant churches have given their authority over to the mother.

The hateful and unclean birds are the influence of the doctrines of the fallen daughter churches and the Mother church, describing all their atrocities, combined into a call from God for those who see to leave.But there are nations involved, not just churches.

"come out of her my people... be not partakers OF HER SINS" The call is for believers to leave the false doctrines that were introduced by demons through the fallen churches.

I am confident that Mrs White was correct on this subject.

I should clairify. I meant to say; "The fact that the testimonies never calls the birds (of Rev 18:2) demons should be enough proof against your statement."

I do understand how you connected that to the Sower and the seed parable. But it doesn't end there for Rev 18.

The hateful and unclean birds are the false doctrines and concessions made in the name of the Lord. They are doctrines of demons manifested through the second fallen babylon church.

So the demon birds who stole the seed, sow seed of their own, and these are the hateful and unclean 'bird's'.

Babylon is a cage for every unclean thing claiming to be from God.

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This thread has got way off-topic. The "vultures" spoken of by Jesus in Mat. 24:28 are again spoken of in Rev. 19:17-21. The latter interprets the former, and both neither speak of "doctrines of the Roman Catholics", nor of their "Jesuit order."

Let the Bible interpret itself (2 Peter 1:20-21).

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Terrible things have happened in the last 100 years. No doubt about it. But the USA has not formed an image to the beast. The USA has not legislated nor enforced the mark of the beast. Evil angels are not impersonating holy angels or deceased loved ones and encouraging people to obey laws enforcing the mark of the beast.