Bankruptcy

God said, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15). The Lord also said, Come out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing; and I... will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).

The "world" in the Scriptures is represented in three aspects: political, religious, and commercial. In Revelation the political world system is headed by the Antichrist while the world religious system is headed by the Great Whore, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, THE MYSTERY, BABYLON. The Whore is that great ecclesiastical system of religion without real life in Christ. Through MYSTERY, BABYLON the false prophet leads the world to worship the Antichrist.

Finally, the commercial world is represented by commercial Babylon.

Babylon was the first great world empire that man established after the Flood. Shem, the son of Noah, settled in the Babylonian plains where the world empires began. Babylon was a commercial and a religious empire representing Satan's work in the world. It represents, in a collective sense, the world that the Bible warns Christians against.

There's a big push on today for a world monetary system, a world government, and a world religion - and these things shall be. The world government will be headed by the Antichrist and, as the political and commercial interests blend together, the Antichrist will gain control of the world's monetary system. No man will be able to buy or sell without the mark of the Antichrist.

In Revelation 17 we saw the destruction of the world's religious system - MYSTERY, BABYLON. In Revelation 18 we come to the destruction of commercial Babylon. Though religious Babylon was headquartered in Rome, the Scripture leaves the location of commercial Babylon a mystery.

Many Bible expositors believe that the ancient city of Babylon will actually be rebuilt, in order to be destroyed as prophesied in Revelation 18. They believe that ancient Babylon will become the commercial center of the world once again. They say that the prophecies about Babylon never to rise again (Isaiah 13:19-22; Jeremiah 51) have not been literally and completely fulfilled; thus, in order for the absolute fulfillment of prophecy, the ancient city of Babylon must be rebuilt on the River Euphrates.

Personally, as I read its history and look at the ruins of Babylon today, I believe that the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah have been sufficiently fulfilled concerning that ancient city, and I don't think that Babylon must be rebuilt for this prophecy in Revelation 18 to be fulfilled.

However, the sudden shift of the world's wealth to the Middle East is a very interesting development. With the billions of dollars pouring in through the oil wealth, the Arabs may possibly decide to build one colossal city, ancient Babylon, again.

There are those who insist that Babylon has to be rebuilt. I do not believe that it has to be rebuilt. As Babylon was religiously represented by the city of Rome, so commercial Babylon could be represented by any great commercial center of the world. Babylon is evidently a seaport town, and all the commercial interests in the world will be centered in this great city. It may be New York; it may be another major seaport already in existence; or it may be that Babylon will be rebuilt.

Get Those Bucks!

We pride ourselves in free enterprise and in our tremendous power to purchase and to possess goods and services. But there is a certain evil that is inherent within commercialism - the exploitation of people.

Today, the world is suffering from the gigantic commercial interests which exploit the common people, you and me. In past times, a sharp division always existed between the political and commercial interests. The kings ruled separately from the merchant men. But today there has been a marriage of the commercial interests with the political powers. Big money rules. Wars are designed and plotted for the profits of the large commercial interests. Man is exploited today by commercialism. We're the victims of this satanic system.

God is going to bring an end to this godless commercial system that attains such tremendous power in the final period of man's history.

The word babel means "confused." Today, man's religion has become confused; man's politics have become confused; and the commercial economics of man have certainly become confused. In Revelation 18 we read of the destruction to come after these things - the death of the great Babylonian commercial system.

REVELATION 18:1-5

After these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory (Rev. 18:1).

Angels must be extremely interesting beings. This one coming down from heaven is a powerful angel because the earth lights up 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 (Rev. 18:2-3).

The great commercial system, which has been married to the politics of the world and has become the habitation of the devils and every foul spirit, is falling.

It's interesting that, in New York City, Wall Street represents the commercial interests, Park Avenue represents the church section, and the whole system represents "The World." In the opening of Revelation 18 the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of Babylon's fornication, the kings of the earth commit fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

As we look at this monolithic commercial system which has controlled the world and today controls our lives, we realize that the policies of nations are formed by and for commercial interests' sake. More and more of our lives are being manipulated by schemes such as planned shortages so that these forces can gain more money. Through more money they gain more power. We are the victims, and we are helpless to do anything about it.

These men play chess with the lives of the people of the world. Apparently, they do not have to answer to any man. They seem to sit as a queen in the world, and no one can touch them. Yet, God says that their judgment will be double that which they have done (v. 6).

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities (Rev. 18:4-5).

God is calling His people, the nation of the Jews, to come out of this commercial system.

Many times people have misinterpreted this particular Scripture. They say God is referring to religious Babylon. This isn't religious Babylon at all. In context, it's commercial Babylon.

The Local Church, directed by Witness Lee, calls all other churches "Babylon." They quote this Scripture often, "Come out of her, my people." Those who join the Local Church say that they've been freed from Babylon. That is a misapplication.

God is calling His people, the Jews, to come out of Babylon because of the plagues that she shall now receive.

REVELATION 18:6-10

Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judges her. 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, standing afar off for the fear of her torment saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgment come (Rev. 18:6-10).

The destruction of Babylon will be swift. In one hour she will be wiped out. The smoke of her destruction will arise.

It would appear to me that the great city of Babylon, whatever city is the center of world commerce at that time, will be wiped out with an atomic blast. The "fear of her torment" could actually be the fear of radioactivity in the area. The Scripture makes mention twice that people are standing afar off to bewail for fear of the torment (vv. 10, 15). We see this great commercial system brought to an end in one hour, and the fear of those who see it and who even dread to approach it.

REVELATION 18:11-14A

"And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buys their merchandise any more" (Rev. 18:11).

James said, "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you... Your gold and silver is cankered" (James 5:1,3). This is the fall of commercialism. For those who have exploited the desires of man and have lived off and gouged others so that they themselves might live delicately, the day of judgment is coming. They will be brought down.

The merchandise of gold, silver, precious stones, of pearls, fine linen, purple, silk, scarlet, all thyne wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, all manner vessels of most precious wood, brass, iron, marble, cinnamon, odors, ointments, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, beasts, sheep, horses, chariots, slaves, and souls of men (Rev. 18:12-13).

Notice that the corrupt merchandising is not in necessities but in luxuries. The commercial interests have created and developed the market for luxury items. This is how they gain control over men's lives. The word slaves literally means "bodies." People sell their bodies and their souls so they can live in the luxuries of these possessions.

"And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee" (Rev. 18:14a).

The Good Life

The advertising interests have created needs through their clever advertising schemes. They make you feel that you're not a complete or total person unless you use that particular deodorant. You can't truly obtain full manhood unless you use that particular cologne. The whole system is based upon creating a fictitious need in your mind so that you're not purchasing out of absolute necessity but just to be "in."

People who fall for these gimmicks have made themselves slaves to these great commercial interests. A good portion of their paycheck every week has to go to pay off the color television, new car, or latest extravagance. Man has become a victim. We find ourselves helplessly and hopelessly over our heads in debt and unable to afford the real needs of life, because we've been enticed with the luxuries, the ease, and the soft things of life.

Jesus said that a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses (Luke 12:15). Paul the apostle said, "Having food and raiment let us be therewith content... Godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:8,6). So many people have to buy a new wardrobe, not because their old clothes are worn out, but because they're just not in fashion this year. God would have you freed from slavery to the latest fashions and the grip of this damnable, hellish, devilish commercial system that is about to be judged.

Jesus Christ can set you free from the whole commercial system.

Liberated

God in His love has set men free from this slavery. The glorious reality about coming to Jesus Christ and acknowledging Him as your King is that you're no longer a slave to the world systems. Let them try to entice me to go into debt for some crummy thing. Not on your life! I don't have to have it! Praise the Lord, I'm happy without it. You don't have to have all that garbage to make you happy, because you can have it all and be miserable. But you can have nothing and be very happy if you have Jesus Christ. That's where real happiness and contentment lie. A material possession really doesn't make any difference. If you have it, praise the Lord! If you don't have it, praise the Lord!

That's a glorious aspect of being a Christian. You're no longer a slave to these things. You've been set free by Jesus Christ, and that's so beautiful. Paul said, "I know how to have, I know how to be in need, I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. I have learned to be content in whatever state I'm in" (Philippians 4:11-12). That is a great secret - to be content because I have God wherever I am. My life belongs to Him and, as far as this world is concerned, I'm just a pilgrim. This isn't my home, thank God!

Other people don't understand. They get uptight because I'm not playing their little games or dancing to their tunes. They can get uptight all they want. It doesn't bother me a bit because I know that I'm just a pilgrim and a stranger. I'm looking for the kingdom of God. I'm waiting for that day very soon when I'll pass from this life and enter into that eternal kingdom.

In one way I really rejoiced in the hippie movement. When the young people started rebelling against the materialistic society, the great commercial interests became very upset. Kids were no longer bugging their dads for new Corvettes. They would ride a bike or walk or hitchhike. They didn't even care if they had a car - an old broken-down van was fine.

Of course, commercialism regrouped and replanned. The advertisers started to create new demands, new interests, and new desires. And, finally, they got things back under their control. But, for a while, the kids really had them shook. I sat back laughing. "Kids, that's right! You don't need all those things. They won't bring you happiness or joy. They won't bring you peace or contentment." And, as I saw them going back to nature, I knew that they were closer to the real answer. For the closer you get to nature, then the closer you get to God, if you look at nature in a rational way.

REVELATION 18:14B-19

And all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing (Rev. 18:14,15).

What a tragic sight when God's judgment falls! Merchants, kings, and seamen are all standing around, weeping and wailing.

Saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nothing. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar of, and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! For in one hour is she made desolate (Rev. 18:16-19).

These facts are emphasized over and over again: the destruction came in one hour; those who see it are afraid to approach it; there is great weeping and crying and lamenting by those who had profited and gained by this vast commercial system, Babylon.

REVELATION 18:20-24

While all this destruction is happening on earth, there is an entirely different scene going on in heaven.

Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; and the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived (Rev. 18:20-23).

As I mentioned before, I think this deception refers to advertisements.

"In her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of that were all slain upon the earth" (Rev. 18:24).

Whether or not this is a sequel to religious Babylon and stands for the destruction of Rome, I do not know. There may be another city that represents the commercial Babylon of the world, or Babylon may actually be rebuilt on the River Euphrates. I am open on this particular issue.

The Other Side

Next, we enter into a new phase of Revelation. The Kingdom of God will replace the corrupt and polluted world system that has brought the earth such misery, woe, and suffering.

In the kingdom age, the Lord said, "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat" (Isaiah 55:1). Those things that we have during the kingdom age will be free and available to all men. There will be no commerce in the kingdom age. There will be a total sharing of all things without the exploitation of man.

When communism came along, its ideal was to bring everybody by force to a common level. The Lord's plan is to bring everybody by love to a common level.

Love will be the common denominator among men. We will want to share all that we have with one another. There will be no poor, no destitute, no needy. There will be that complete sharing together of God's glorious resources during the kingdom age.

I'll be glad when this planet gets to the other side of the seven years of Great Tribulation. It's a rough road all the way. How glorious to come into the kingdom age of God in Revelation 19!