What is the definition of fornication in Bible prophecy?

Biblical fornication in prophecy is when the church uses the state (civil power) to slay (persecute) those not in harmony with her teachings.

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Revelation 17:1-2, "And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

Revelation 18:1-3, 9, "And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,"

These two references speak of the whore/harlot (spiritual Babylon) and the kings (civil power), so there are at least two kingdoms, one religious and one civil. 

Jesus recognized two kingdoms.

Matthew 22:15-21, "Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."

What do we owe to the civil government and what do we owe to God?

Deuteronomy 4:13, "And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone." 

The commandments were written on two tables of stone because the first four commandments (on the first tablet) deal with our relationship with God and the last six commandments (on the second tablet) deal with our relationship with our fellow man. 

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If you're not familiar with the Ten Commandments, go to Exodus 20:1-17. 

We are to love God.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."

We are to love our fellow man.

Leviticus 19:18, "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD." 

Matthew 22:34-40, "But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

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Romans 13:10, "Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."

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So what the Bible shows is that love of God fulfills the first four commandments and love for our neighbor fulfills the last six commandments. 

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If you love God you won't violate the first four by having other gods or by worshipping idols or by taking the Lord's name in vain. If you love your neighbor you won't steal from him/her or murder them, or lie to them or covet their stuff. 

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Civil government only has responsibility over the last six commandments. Civil laws deal with those six commandments to preserve civil order. There are laws to punish stealing and murdering, etc. 

The civil government does not have authority over the first four commandments which deal with our relationship with God. We should be allowed to worship who we want, when we want, how we want and where we want. 

Jesus was never accused of violating the last six commandments.

Jesus forgave sins which is making Himself God which deals with the first four commandments.

Mark 2:7, "Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?"

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Jesus stated that He was God which deals with the first four commandments. 

John 10:33, "The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God."

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Jesus is accused of violating the Sabbath which is one of the first four commandments. 

John 9:16, "Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them."

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Jesus accused of taking the name of the Lord in vain which is the third commandment. 

John 8:58-59, "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by."

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The devil wanted Jesus to take over the civil government.

Matthew 4:8-10, "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."

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The people wanted to force Jesus into becoming the king. 

John 6:15, "When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone."

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The apostles also wanted Jesus to be king and they wanted Him to use force with those that didn’t recognize Him. 

Luke 9:55-56, "But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village."

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The kingdom of God is within you. Jesus wasn’t here to start a physical kingdom, He was here to start a spiritual kingdom that would grow within His people. 

Luke 17:20-21, "And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."

The final days of Jesus. 

They believed Jesus should die to save the kingdom, but it was the earthly kingdom they were worried about. But Jesus came to set up His spiritual kingdom, not to set up an earthly kingdom. 

John 11:47-50, "Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not."

Those who take the sword must die by the sword. 

Matthew 26:50-52, "And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword."

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Then Jesus was taken to His religious trial. 

Matthew 26:57, "And they that had laid hold on Jesus led himaway to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled."

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It was a travesty of justice. Many Jewish laws were broken in this trial. 

1. Employed false witnesses.

2. Trial by night.

3. Slapped Jesus before sentencing.

4. Jesus had no counsel.

5. Jesus was made to incriminate himself.

6. Trial was not public.

7. No trials on Sabbath of Feast Days.

Jewish laws broken. The church conducted the Inquisition of Jesus through the religious leaders.

Matthew 26:58-65, "But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy."

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The church pronounced the death sentence.  

Matthew 26:66, "What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death."

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The church couldn’t implement the death sentence, so the church took Jesus to the civil ruler (Pontius Pilate, the governor). The death sentence was implemented by the joining of church and state (or religious and civil powers).

Matthew 27:1-2, "When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor."

Jesus had not violated any of the civil laws of the Roman Empire. But the religious leaders say that Jesus is evil.

John 18:29-30, "Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee."

Pilate only recognized two laws, the civil laws and religious laws. 

John 18:31, "Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:"

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Biblical fornication in prophecy is when the church uses the state (civil power) to slay (persecute) those not in harmony with her teachings.

Religious leaders made accusations that Jesus violated civil laws. 

Luke 23:2, "And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King."

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Jesus recognized two kingdoms and stated that His kingdom was spiritual/heavenly. 

John 18:36, "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."

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Jesus says He’s a king. But He was referring to the spiritual kingdom. Pilate understood that Jesus was not wanting to take over the earthly civil kingdom.

John 18:37, "Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."

Pilate found no fault in Jesus. 

John 18:38, "Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all."

Pilate found no fault in Jesus.

John 19:4, "Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him." 

Pilate found no fault in Jesus for the third time. 

John 19:6, "When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him."

The religious leaders acknowledge that they have a law (the first tablet or the first four commandments). 

John 19:7, " The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God."

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Both Jesus and Pilate understand that there are two kingdoms. 

John 19:11, "Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin."

Why did Pilate deliver an innocent person?

Two reasons: He was afraid of the people and he was afraid of losing his position. This will occur at the end of time as well when political leaders will be afraid of the people and about losing their positions of authority and will go along with the persecution of true Christians. 

John 19:12, "And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar."

The multitudes pressured Pilate. 

Matthew 27:20, "But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus."

The people and religious leaders were ‘divorcing’ Jesus Christ. They were working with the civil power to kill Jesus. 

John 19:13-15, "When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him,crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar."

Jesus is the groom (Revelation 21:2-3; John 3:29) and we are the bride (Jeremiah 33:11; Isaiah 62:5).

He proposed on the cross but it isn’t official until vows are exchanged.

The vows are the Ten Commandments (specifically the first four).

Any church that says we can be in Christ but don’t need to follow the Ten Commandments are whores and harlots (Revelation 17:1, 5).

When we’re not in love, commandments are a bondage (1 John 5:3).

This led to national apostasy and eventually the destruction of their nation. 

When the church unites with the state, persecution usually follows and it leads to the downfall of the church.

John 16:2, "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service."

Isaiah 5:20, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"

Revelation 13:15, "And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed." 

The church immediately after the day of Pentecost.

There are two swords in the Bible. The first sword is the Word of God and used by the church. The second sword is used by the civil rulers to enforce civil matters. 

Sword = Word of God. The church uses the Word to preach.

Ephesians 6:17 "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"

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God gives the church power to preach with the Word through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

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God’s followers never tried to take over the civil government. They were always persecuted by the combined civil and religious powers. The sword used against the saints was civil power.

James killed by the civil sword because it pleased the Jews. 

Acts 12:1-3, "Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)"

Description of the civil sword to rule in civil matters (the second tablet or the last six commandments).

Romans 13:1-10, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."

Jesus predicted that the same thing would happen to His disciples throughout history, especially in the time of the apostolic church and the dark ages and will happen at the end of time as well.

John 16:1-3, "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me."

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Biblical fornication in prophecy is when the church uses the state (civil power) to slay (persecute) those not in harmony with her teachings.