Introduction

Good day, everyone. Today, we continue our study of Revelation Chapter 18. The theme of this chapter is straightforward and stark: "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great."

The Great City of Babylon is the Tower of Babel

People simply do not realize that building the Great City of Babylon—building the Tower of Babel—provokes God’s anger. Look closely at any major financial hub in the world today. The skyscrapers are dominated by finance, banking, and insurance—all centered around the pursuit of money. The Tower of Babel is nothing less than a dwelling place of demons.

A brother who has ministered to many people once said to me: "Teacher, I have observed a strange phenomenon. In tier-one megacities, vast numbers of people suffer from clinical depression." If you observe carefully, you will find that the larger the city or financial center, the higher the concentration of drug abuse, red-light districts, and depression.

The Tower of Babel and the Great City of Babylon appear immensely luxurious on the surface, but spiritually, they are harbors for evil spirits. Without spiritual discernment, you might think it is an impressive setup. But once you enter the system of Babel, you discover a complete, self-contained framework of worldly logic. Look deeper, and you will see how this worldly logic traps people completely.

Scripture records that when man attempted to build the Tower of Babel—an enormous megacity—God inspected the project and abandoned it to ruin. Yet, even though the physical Tower of Babel became an unfinished ruin, its underlying ideology remains ubiquitous today. What is Babel? What is the Great City of Babylon? It is a complete system of worldly logic designed to glorify man, and it incurs God’s severe wrath.

If your objective in life is to make a name for yourself, to climb to the top, to be a figure of consequence, or to break into elite social circles, let me be clear: once you reach the end of that road, you will realize it is Babel—a harbor for demons. Let me read to you:

"After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor." (Revelation 18:1)

"With a mighty voice he shouted: 'Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird.'" (Revelation 18:2)

"For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries." (Revelation 18:3)

Power and money are the core structural pillars of Babel. How do people become enslaved? As they climb the ladders of power and accumulate wealth on this Tower of Babel, they end up becoming a stronghold for demons.

The Kings of the Earth Committed Adultery with Her, and the Merchants Grew Rich

What does it mean that "the kings of the earth committed adultery with her"? Adultery implies an intimate, inextricably linked bond where two become one. Politicians sitting in high office find the logic of Babylon entirely natural and reasonable; they are incapable of stepping outside of it. Thus, the rulers of the earth are thoroughly entangled with the great prostitute of Babylon.

The statement "the merchants of the earth grew rich from her" is equally revealing. If you examine how wealth is accumulated, you will find it often correlates directly with rapid urban development. Take Shenzhen as an example: when the economic boundary was drawn, local villagers were automatically included inside the zone. Outsiders, seeing these local landowners acquire immense wealth, might ask in astonishment, "Did you really have to work hard for this?"

They became wealthy overnight not necessarily because they were extraordinarily smart, but because the state decided to develop a megacity, and they happened to be inside the circle.

Therefore, "the kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants grew rich from her" points to a clear reality: Babylon can make many people wealthy, and many assume wealth is the ultimate good. But is that the full reality?

Let me tell you the hard truth: money is a minor leverage. Money is subordinate to political power. No matter how wealthy you are, your money means nothing in the face of political authority. And political authority itself is powerless against armed force. What is the true nature of all this? It is the logic of the ruling class—the machinery of the state.

We must examine ourselves: are we operating inside this logic? If you are a merchant, you might profit from this system, and it seems entirely logical to you. But if your life revolves around the logic of making money within this temporal framework, you are standing directly on the Tower of Babel. No matter how you rationalize it, Babylon acts as a harlot that defiles millions. Let me read to you:

"Then I heard another voice from heaven say: 'Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues.'" (Revelation 18:4)

God’s People Must Exit the Systemic Logic of Babylon

In Chinese culture, there is a common phrase: "Get promoted and get rich." People assume that achieving both is the pinnacle of success. But look at the practical hierarchy: money is subordinate to power, power is subordinate to force, and force is entirely subject to God.

Therefore, as God's believers, we must dismantle this obsession with money and power. We must construct a superior, higher-order godly logic system. If you remain trapped in Babylon's logic, you will inevitably suffer. It attracts nothing but demonic oppression.

Being a Christian is a high-risk commitment. Evil spirits actively seek to deceive believers, and believers are naturally vulnerable to these deceptions. Once deceived, they start climbing the Tower of Babel, inviting demonic torment into their lives.

Do not assume that being at the bottom of society makes it easier to build God's system. It is equally difficult. The worldly logic appears so seamless: "One must live, living requires money, money requires work. Isn’t eating chicken legs better than chewing on dry bread?" If you think this way, you are ruined.

This Babel logic is lethal. It degrades into the mindset of "every man for himself and the devil take the hindmost." It breeds extreme selfishness and insatiable greed—violating the Ten Commandments and bringing guaranteed curses. If you do not exit this system, you will share in Babylon's sins and suffer her plagues.

Why do people seek God after being tormented by evil spirits? Because they have suffered under the worldly system. Why must God's people repent? Because living purely for the present life, purely for self-preservation, is a sinful and disastrous way to live.

The Monstrous Sins of Babylon

When you enter Babylon’s logic, the consequences are disastrous. Look at history: rulers repeatedly slaughtered rivals—even their own brothers—whenever their power was threatened. The moment money and power are at stake, systemic evil follows. People fall directly into the devil's trap.

Read classic historical records like the Zuo Zhuan. They are filled with court intrigue, betrayals, and murders. Why? Because of Babylon's logic. Both in the past and today, the world operates on the law of the jungle.

The strong bully the weak simply because they possess brute force. They think, "I have the power, so I can crush you." This happens from royal courts down to rural villages. But scripture makes God's stance abundantly clear:

"For her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. Give her back as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup." (Revelation 18:5-6)

Babylon’s sins are monstrous. Consider King Ahab, who murdered Naboth just to seize his vineyard. It was ruthless and wicked.

God Will Pay Her Back Double

"Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, 'I sit on my throne as queen. I am not a widow; I will never mourn.'" (Revelation 18:7)

"Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her." (Revelation 18:8)

"When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and wail over her. Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: 'Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!'" (Revelation 18:9-10)

"The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore—cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble;" (Revelation 18:11-12)

"and cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves. They will say, 'The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.'" (Revelation 18:13-14)

The scale of their past luxury will be matched by the severity of their punishment. God will execute double retribution. This is the definitive end of Babylon revealed in Revelation. If you hold onto this worldly logic, you will inherit its plagues. God’s laws are absolute; His retribution will not be minimized.

In Revelation 18, people will be stunned by the swiftness of God's judgment. The great city collapses in an hour. Merchants lose their biggest client and their source of revenue. That is why we must break free and construct a divine logic system.

Let me repeat: if your primary focus is money, you lack strategic wisdom. If you have money, those with political power can compel you to hand it over. What can you do? With taxes or police at your door, charges can easily be framed. You will have no choice but to comply.

If money is below power, power is below armed force, and force is subject to God, why cling to Babylon? It is a trap of temporary entanglements. Those who live by it believe that death is the absolute end, yet they fail even to live well in the present.

Having known God, why not trust Him completely? I tell you plainly: trade everything in this fleeting life for eternal life. It is the only sensible deal.

When I lead prayer, I often ask: "Can we trade the time we would otherwise spend on a sickbed and dedicate it to God instead?" Absolutely. We must eradicate Babylon's logic from within us, or face double retribution.

All Who Committed Adultery with Babylon Will Weep Together

Those who derived wealth and power from Babylon will weep bitterly when it falls. Politicians who governed through its authority will mourn because their source of pride and identity is destroyed. Why should we join in their mourning?

I had a friend whose parents were high-ranking officials. After losing a political power struggle, they fell from grace and moved to Singapore. They sank into severe depression, staring blankly for hours and speaking incoherently.

My friend asked me to speak with them. Upon visiting, I realized the situation was beyond human remedy. They were collapsing along with their Babylon. They grieved over the loss of their status and power. Within a few years, both passed away miserably. That is the inevitable end when one clings to position and power.

Saints, Apostles, and Prophets Rejoice Over Her Fall

"Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you saints and apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you." (Revelation 18:20)

Who crucified Jesus? It was the underlying system of Babylon, operating through the high priests, the Pharisees, and the political establishment. They operated under this logic while claiming to serve God.

Can true prophets and saints survive in such a system? It is nearly impossible. Those who were martyred were victims of this systemic evil.

When Jesus told the religious leaders that their father was the devil and that they were building Babel, they were enraged and tried to stone Him. When people are indoctrinated by worldly logic, they become incapable of receiving God's truth. They do not even realize they are controlled by evil spirits.

When the saints see the fall of Babylon, they will be vindicated. They will rejoice that they chose to stand with God rather than perish with the city.

Earthly Revelry Will Be No More

"The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray. In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth." (Revelation 18:23-24)

The revelry is over. All that remains is the blood of the innocent. This is the true nature of Babylon.

We must recognize the malice of evil spirits. Many are controlled without knowing it because of the worldly logic in their minds. Now, that system has finally collapsed.

Let us step out of the logic of Babel—out of the pursuit of money and power—and become people who love God wholeheartedly.

We will conclude our study here today. May God bless you all!

null

null