As the world increasingly wonders after the papacy (Revelation 13:3), TEACH Services offers Jane Iery's first book, Born in Babylon. This pocket-sized bombshell traces Jane's head-spinning conversion from Roman Catholic pastoral assistant to Bible-devouring Seventh-day Adventist.
Fulcrum7 readers may remember Jane's 2019 “Born in Babylon” testimony. In the comments section Jane looked ahead:
Good morning! Your new "baby" sister Jane here. I just want to thank everyone for the comments and encouragement. This article is just a very brief part of my journey....(If in the future you happen to come across a book entitled "Born In Babylon"....it should have my name attached)....May God be with all of you as we journey HOME! (emphasis supplied)
I reconnected with Jane to discuss the book project--a journey of prayer, planning and providence.
Holly: For those unfamiliar with your story, please tell us who you are and what it means to be “born in Babylon.”
Jane: I’m just a normal person who loves Jesus and wanted to find that “personal” relationship with Him. I’ve been married to Dan for 40 years. We have 3 grown boys. I also have two children from my first marriage and I have 11 grandchildren that brighten my life.
I grew up in a very large, beautiful family. Mom and Dad worked very hard to raise six children. They were very devout Catholics, and I had an awesome, happy childhood.
I worked part time as a Pastoral Associate for 19 years and loved being involved in all aspects of church life. Searching for truth became an obsession and I didn’t seem to ever be satisfied with what I was learning from the Catholic Church.
Through the 2017 Unlock Revelation prophecy seminar, I learned that Babylon was any religious organization that had false teachings. My former church was very big on tradition, even putting it before Scripture. As a cradle Catholic, I thought our traditions were Bible-based and could be traced back to the Bible. But Scripture was not central to the Catholic life. We didn’t have “memory verses.” Rather, we memorized scripted prayers. Born into the Catholic Church, I was born in Babylon.
The subtitle: My Road to Emmaus, came about just as it did with the two disciples. Just as Jesus expounded to them on how the Old Testament spoke of Him, the Old Testament explained Jesus to me. It was on my path that I met Jesus in Scripture. Suddenly my eyes were opened, and I recognized Him. And just as there are two disciples on the road in this story, my husband has joined me in this journey. He was baptized two years ago, and we are happier than we have ever been.
Holly: Which Bible verse(s) hit you hardest with new truth? How did you react?
Jane: The study on the antichrist almost broke me. It was THE turning point in my journey, and it was very hard for me because there was so much involved. The presentation called "True Unavoidable Identity of the Antichrist" combined Scripture with explanations that sent my spiritual life into turmoil. Daniel 7 contained most of those scriptures. In my book I list 10 ways to identify the "little horn"...the antichrist. f you want a full description, please read it.
If I had to choose one verse it would be Daniel 7:25:
And he shall speak great words against the most High and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
The papacy is identified in every phrase: The "great words" or blasphemy (claiming to be God and/or forgive sins), "shall wear out the saints" (persecution of Christians during the Dark Ages). And to "think to change times and laws" (Catholic church removing 2nd Commandment, changing 4th to 3rd Commandment and splitting the 10th commandment), "shall be given into his hand...." (the 1260 years of Christian persecution).
My spiritual life turned upside down after this lesson. I watched that video repeatedly, unable to grasp what I was learning. This was the turning point in my journey. My poor husband did not know what to do with me. I eventually had to take the Bible for what it was, the truth. A few months later I made my exit out of the Catholic Church and walked into the doors of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This was a decision I will never regret. No more confusion, only peace.
Holly: Tell me more about Pastor Aron Crews who presented Unlock Revelation and later baptized you. Is he any relation to Elder Joe Crews of Amazing Facts?
Jane: I love Pastor Crews. I was so impressed the first time I heard him speak at the Unlock Revelation meetings. Here was this very young, fresh-out-of-college, 23-year-old man preaching on the books of Daniel and Revelation. I was in awe of his knowledge of the Bible and how he presented himself.
He informed us that he was the grandson of Joe Crews, founder of Amazing Facts Ministry. I was intrigued. What was Amazing Facts Ministry? Of course I had to "Google" it. I was astonished at the wealth of information they have on their website. But at that time I didn't take the time to do any research. I still had my Unlock Revelation videos to contend with.
When I began attending the Marquette Seventh-day Adventist Church , before I was baptized, Doug Batchelor was brought up in conversation. I had seen his name on the Amazing Facts website so I took another look. I soon became hooked on his videos. I didn't have the internet at the time so this process was slow at first.
While babysitting, at my son Matt's, I would bring my laptop with me and I would download as many of Pastor Batchelor's videos as my old computer could handle. Back at home I would watch those videos, sometimes several in a day. When I had watched them all they were then deleted and new ones downloaded. I couldn't get enough (Is video gluttony a sin?). All I know is I was being fed holy Scripture and I was loving it. I don't think there is one of his videos that I haven't seen, and I've probably seen some more than once.
After I had the internet installed at my house it became a lot easier and still today the Amazing Facts website is my first choice of resources. It amazes me how much information they have. I discovered that I could even email them my questions and very quickly receive an answer.
If you haven't looked into Amazing Facts, I highly recommend you do. My husband and I had the pleasure of meeting Pastor Batchelor at the 2021 Summer Camp Meeting in Cedar Lake, MI.
He is a lovely and very gracious man.
Jane and Dan Iery met Pastor Doug Batchelor at camp meeting in 2021.
Holly: Have you met other Seventh-day Adventist converts from Catholicism?
Jane: I’ve met a few SDA converts and am always curious as to why and how they left. Having that same religious background somehow brings you closer as brothers and sisters in Christ. I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s like you know where they have come from, you know what they have been through. You know what deceptions they’ve been taught to believe. That darkness that you’ve both been through has vanished. We understand that we have been set free and there’s just a different kind of bond. The ones I have met were like me, looking for the truth. Seems funny how if you are searching, Jesus finds you.
Holly: How did you happen to write this book? Were you a published writer?
Jane: My conversion did not happen overnight. It was very hard at times trying to absorb what I was learning thru Unlock Revelation. If you have ever heard of the “dark night of the soul” ….I believe I experienced it. After I accepted where the Catholic Church belonged in Bible prophecy and my spiritual world was put back together, I was baptized. Immediately I began to study the Discipleship Handbook with Carol, a sister in Christ. We would go way beyond the one hour scheduled appointment and talk…good talks.
At one of those meetings, I mentioned to her that I felt like I had a book in me. Her comment to me was, “I can’t wait to read it.” That little seed sprouted VERY quickly. I left her house thinking, “I guess I’m going to write a book.”
I am not a writer. I have never published anything before and didn’t even know where to start. I asked a co-worker who is a retired English teacher how I would go about writing a book. He told me: subject, research, write. So that’s what I did. I already had the subject: my conversion. The research brought me back to watching the Unlock Revelation videos again to refresh my memory. The writing part was probably the hardest. Then God placed some amazing people in my path to help me along. I gave myself two years and if it didn't happen in that time, I was going to give it up. But God had a plan. And so, here I am, a published author. God is so good.
Holly: What epilogue can you offer—what else has God done in your life through the book project?
Jane: One of the blessings that has come with writing this book has been the opportunities I have had to tell my story and plant some gospel seeds. I was invited to be interviewed by Strong Tower Radio. Amazing Facts included part of my testimony in their newsletter. I even got to share my testimony at the Marquette SDA Church. We are currently between pastors, and I took a turn giving the sermon. I have had some positive feedback from non-Adventist friends. Keep planting those seeds.
Holly: How are you serving God in your local church?
Jane: Where do I start (giggle)? I am a deaconess and a chorister. I'm a teacher and superintendent for the Adult Sabbath School. I assist in Primary. I serve as bulletin secretary and program coordinator for school Bible labs. I edit the church newsletter and chair the church school marketing committee. I’m learning the audio-visual desk. I clean the church once a week.
My favorite thing is to make homemade jam, sell it at the local farmers market and give the proceeds to our church school. I am learning to lead personal ministries and women's ministries. I love being involved. I feel very blessed every time I walk into my church. It is my home and I want to be as big a part of it as I can.
Holly: How do you answer a Roman Catholic who asks about your new faith?
Jane: Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen very often. I do let them know that I was Catholic, and that biblical truth led me to the Seventh-day Adventist church. Recently, a priest that I had worked with invited me back to the Catholic Church. I politely told him I am very happy where I am. He smiled and dropped the conversation.
Holly: How should I witness to Catholic friends/relatives?
Jane: Tread lightly. Build the relationship and find out where they are in their path. Don’t come on too strong and “pounce,” as my husband and I call it when we come on too strong. Plant little gospel seeds when you can; be aware of any little opening where that can happen. Wait for them to ask the questions and answer with gentleness and love. Never let them feel that you are holier than thou.
Holly: What impact is your conversion currently having on friends and family?
Jane: It has been most difficult with my family, still practicing, devout Catholics. I have learned to avoid conversation concerning my church life. If they bring something up first, I take that as permission for me to speak freely. It’s like this unwritten rule: no church-talk by either party. Sadly, that used to be a big part of family life. It has taken a few years to be able to gather without this huge elephant in the room.
I have a close Catholic friend who is very open to everything I share with her. We have even begun Bible studies together. She is very excited and so eager to learn the truth. It’s fun to be part of her spiritual growth. Over time, I would gradually mention something in my spiritual life. I would ask if she was ok with it or did I make her feel uncomfortable. She would tell me she loved listening to me. This gave me permission to keep talking and gradually introduce more things into our time together, such as praying before meals. Now we pray together often.
With the book coming out more opportunities are starting to happen. I have had a few friends hint of wanting to learn just a little more. I kind of smirk to myself, “Keep planting those seeds Jane.”
Holly: Thanks, Jane, for sharing your journey with us. I can't wait to share copies of your book. It is one of my favorite conversion stories.
Read more and view a book trailer about Born in Babylon on the TEACH Services website.
The book is also available on Amazon.com
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Holly Joers hails from North Central Arkansas. An incurable bookworm, she highly recommends Jane's book and looks forward to sharing it with friends and Catholic relatives.