For part 1 see http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/bible/200657/1/Symposium-outline-for-circuit-assembly-Part-1
“The Great Harlot” (19 min.) [Talk and demonstration.]
[Note to speaker: For a cohesive presentation of the symposium, the newspaper illustration should be used for each of the three parts.
We have just reviewed the newsworthy identity of “the wild beast,” the world’s failed political system. (Rev. 13:1, 2) What if the front page of your local newspaper warned of a massive prostitution ring that was being supported, either directly or indirectly, by political leaders in your community? The book of Revelation announces just such a threat. Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots, is at large and ‘commits fornication’ with “the kings of the earth.” (Rev. 17:1, 2, 5) Since later we will review a third facet of the world, namely, the “traveling merchants,” this second major element must be religious. Her “spiritistic practice” also suggests a religious identity.—Rev.
18:23.
Why does Jehovah liken the world empire of false religion to a harlot? Because by meddling in politics, false religion commits spiritual adultery. (Jas. 4:4; Rev. 18:3, 9; re 237-238, 244) She proves herself an enemy of true worship.—Rev. 17:4, 6; 19:1, 2. Jehovah considers false worship disgusting, and so do we.
(Rev. 17:5) However, although we use God’s Word to refute Babylon’s false teachings, are we aware of the extent of her influence over people’s thinking and behaviour? ( w91 4/1 24par. 20) Because we worship Jehovah along with the chaste bride class of anointed ones, it is important that we recognize
that Babylon’s influence reaches far beyond its false doctrines and places of worship.—Rev. 21:2.
(1) Customs and celebrations: False religion plays a major role in promoting popular holidays and their spirit. ( lv 145 par. 3) Exercise caution even when celebrating weddings, where it could be easy to yield to customs clearly rooted in Babylonish practices. (2 Cor. 6:14-18; lv 153-154 pars. 16-18) Birthday celebrations have pagan roots. Furthermore, humility, modesty, and a desire to glorify Jehovah would rule out placing undue importance on any human. Since a person’s life comes from Jehovah, the glory should go to him. ( lv 150-151 pars. 9-12)
(2) Moral standards: History bears out that false religion has been guilty of condoning the immoral conduct of its members and clergy. ( lv 97-99 pars. 1-6) Be careful not to adopt the tolerant, permissive thinking of Babylon’s teachers, which contributes to moral decay. ( w05 10/1 24 par. 17; w87
10/15 3) Bible standards must not be watered down to conform to popular lifestyles; Jehovah’s laws do not change. ( w79 6/1 8)
(3) Proper view of our ministry: False religion ridicules our house-to-house ministry as unnecessary and primitive. Babylon proudly expects interested ones to come to its ornate places of worship. Babylon does not reach out to people for their good, as Jesus did, which would require humility. ( w08 7/15 3) Never should we be deterred because our ministry is not popular. ( w96 12/1 32) Many go to a brief religious service but actually live for self-indulgence, such as excessive recreation. Are we in danger of slipping into a similar pattern? Or are theocratic activities what we live for? We are happier when
they take precedence in our lives. (1 Tim. 4:8) Some of Babylon’s adherents often have little regard for their appearance when they attend their places of worship. Giving Jehovah exclusive devotion includes keeping ourselves clean, dignified, and reverent in our places of worship.— lv 56-58 pars. 11-15.
[Demonstration: (2 min.) An elder’s family is getting ready to go from their hotel to dinner after the district convention session. All in the family are well-dressed and wearing convention badge cards and are ready to exit the hotel in order to eat in a local restaurant. A young brother whom they invited to join them is leaving at the same time but is dressed in modest shorts, shirt, and sandals. He is also wearing a convention badge card. The family head does not get angry but greets the brother and asks him where he is going. Brother replies: “To dinner with you and your family, and then after dinner I’ll meet up with some friends from the congregation.” The elder takes the young brother aside and gently offers private counsel about being aware of our appearance at all times, especially at events directly connected to our worship, such as visits to Bethel, travelling to and from conventions, and during conventions. After all, what do the local people think of us as we walk about in the convention city? Often, all they know about Jehovah’s Witnesses is what they see. Would they draw a distinction between our worship and the casual dress of most churchgoers today? For these few days, would it not be good to stay in our dress clothes when in the public eye in order to give the right impression? Young brother agrees and decides to return to his room and dress more appropriately.]
There are many aspects of remaining untainted by Babylon the Great. We have mentioned three: (1) avoiding her God dishonoring customs and practices, (2) not succumbing to her moral degradation, and (3) keeping a proper view of our ministry, including our appearance. Our desire to please Jehovah
is a strong incentive to keep away from Babylonish influence. [Read Revelation 18:4.] We do not want to share with her in her plagues!
The political and religious elements are only two of the dangerous influences reported on in the book of Revelation. Give your attention to Brother ___________ as he highlights the third element that is stalking our Christian community today: “Do Not Be Contaminated by ‘the Traveling Merchants.’ ”