The Babylonian system depicted in Revelation 17 rules over the kings and kingdoms of the earth.
It “shall intend to change times and law” (Daniel 7:25), and we see this particularly well in this
world’s holidays. The contrast between God’s way and the world’s is very obvious: God begins the
year in the early spring as plant life begins to bud and grow; the world, in the middle of a dead
winter (northern hemisphere) or hot summer (southern hemisphere). God’s months start with a
new moon; the world’s, haphazardly. God begins the day at sunset; the world, at midnight. God
sanctified the last day of the week for rest; the world, the first day, sixth day or whatever day
without regard for God’s command. This present world system has attempted to change
God’s Sabbath and holy days, syncretizing them into corrupt worship and establishing their own
counterfeit holidays. In this study we will see that God has not sanctioned this world’s pagan
holidays and that it is wrong to share in its celebrations.
1. God created us in His image (Genesis 1:26). Does that mean we think like Him? Isaiah 55:8-
9; Numbers 22:32; Proverbs 14:12.
2. Should a Christian get involved in the ways of this world? Psalm 73:3-17; Jeremiah 10:2-5, 8-
11; II Corinthians 6:14-17; I John 2:15-17.
3. Are we enslaved to whomever we follow or obey? Romans 6:16-22; I Corinthians 7:22-
23; Galatians 4:1-11.
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