Introduction

Good day, everyone. Let us continue our study of Revelation, Chapter 18. The central theme here is unambiguous: "Fallen is Babylon the Great."

Babylon the Great Is the Tower of Babel

Men fail to realize that building Babylon the Great—erecting the Tower of Babel—provokes the wrath of God. Look closely at any major metropolis, especially global financial centres. The skyscrapers house finance, banking, insurance—all revolving around money. The Tower of Babel is a dwelling place for demons!

A brother who has ministered to many once told me: "Teacher, I have observed a peculiar phenomenon: depression is rampant among people in tier-one megacities." Observe carefully, and you will see that the larger the city or financial hub, the more prevalent are drugs, red-light districts, and clinical depression.

The Tower of Babel and Babylon the Great project an aura of grandeur and luxury, but they are havens for demons. Without spiritual discernment, you might think, "Is this not wonderful?" But once you enter the Babel system, you find a complete, worldly system of logic. Examine it deeper, and you will realize how ruthlessly this worldly logic ensnares men.

Scripture records that men set out to build the Tower of Babel, a colossal city. God looked at it and brought the project to a grinding halt. Although the physical tower was abandoned, the philosophy of Babel remains pervasive today. What is Babel, what is Babylon the Great? It is an exhaustive worldly logic system, and it incurs God’s wrath.

If a man lives merely to make a name for himself, to get ahead, to gain prominence in this world, to break into the elite circles—once he has gone through it all, he will realize that it is the Tower of Babel, a haunt of 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 bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast." (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 wealth: these are the twin pillars of Babel! How do men become enslaved? Because they climb the tower of power and the tower of wealth to amass riches, only to end up as a nest 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 entangling union—you are in me, and I am in you. Politicians occupying high office find the logic of Babylon wholly rational; they cannot extricate themselves. Thus, the rulers of the earth consort with this great prostitute, completely entangled.

"The merchants of the earth grew rich from her"—this is very telling. If you examine it objectively, many become wealthy simply by riding the wave of rapid urban expansion. For instance, when the special economic zone boundary was drawn around Shenzhen, native residents became wealthy overnight. When outsiders saw their windfall and wondered why they worked so hard, they asked in astonishment: "Do you really need to do that?"

These locals grew wealthy not necessarily because of superior intellect, but because state policy designated a megacity, and they happened to fall within the perimeter.

So "the kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her"—this is very interesting. Babylon can make many rich. People assume wealth is a great thing. But is that really the case?

Let me tell you: money is a minor thing. Money is subordinate to power. No matter how wealthy you are, you are worthless before political power. And political power is useless before the barrel of a gun. What is all this? It is the logic of the ruling apparatus—the "machinery of the state."

We must reflect: are we trapped in this system of logic? If you are a merchant, you might profit, and that seems entirely logical. But if you operate purely on the premise of chasing money within this temporal framework, you are on the Tower of Babel. It seems entirely reasonable to worldly minds, which is why Babylon is a harlot—she corrupts and 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 Come Out of Babylon’s Logic System

The Chinese have a saying: "Gain promotion and get rich." People think combining power and wealth is the ideal. But here is the problem: if you accept this logic, let me tell you—money is lesser than power, power is lesser than military force, and military force is infinitely lesser than God.

Therefore, we who trust in God must break out of this paradigm of money and power. We must build a higher, far more formidable logic system grounded in God! If you fall into Babylon's logic, you will inevitably suffer. And what will you invite, if not demons?

Being a Christian is a high-stakes decision. Demons take particular pleasure in deceiving Christians, and believers are naturally susceptible to deception! Once deceived, they scramble up the Tower of Babel, invite demonic forces, and bring agony upon themselves.

Do not assume that living at the bottom of the social ladder makes it easier to construct God's logic. It does not. The worldly logic appears utterly airtight: "To live, I need money; to get money, I must work; isn't eating chicken legs better than gnawing on coarse cornbread?" If you reason this way, you are finished!

Do you understand how toxic this Babel logic is? It degenerates into "Every man for himself and the devil take the hindmost." It breeds extreme selfishness and voracious greed—not only for wealth, but coveting what belongs to others. It violates the Ten Commandments and brings down curses! If you do not sever yourself from this logic, you will share in Babylon's sins and suffer her plagues.

Why do people seek God only after being crushed by demonic oppression? Is it not because they suffered intensely under this worldly logic? Why must God's people repent? Because that logic is sinful, catastrophic, and focused entirely on mere temporal survival.

Babylon’s Sins Have Reached Up to Heaven

Look at the history of dynastic China: when power was threatened, rulers thought nothing of executing rivals, even their own brothers! Once human power and wealth are jeopardized, sin inevitably erupts, and men plunge into the trap of the devil’s lies.

Take the Zuo Zhuan, for instance. It chronicles royal intrigues—this one killing that one, day in and day out. Why? Because of Babylon’s logic! Look closely: the past and the present have always been governed by the "law of the jungle."

The bully thinks: "I have the muscle, I have the power, so I will crush you. Our family rules this village; what is wrong with intimidating a peasant?" It is treated as normal! Meanwhile, the oppressed peasant grinds his teeth in fury. Let me read to you:

"For her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. Give back to her 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 piled high! King Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard, had him killed, and seized the land. Was that abominable? Utterly abominable!

God Will Repay Her Double

"Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, 'I sit enthroned 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 mourn 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)

"cargoes of 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)

Just as they once indulged in luxury and revelry, so now must they endure torment and ruin. God will repay them double. This is the definitive outcome Revelation reveals for Babylon—the catastrophe awaiting all who cling to her logic! Therefore, brothers and sisters, we must come out. Not a single decree of God will fail; not an ounce of His promised retribution will be diminished!

In Revelation Chapter 18, the people of that era look upon God’s judgment in utter bewilderment: "How did this great city vanish in an instant? How could it collapse? She was my biggest client, my revenue stream!" Therefore, brothers and sisters, we must come out and establish a logic system belonging to God.

Let me repeat: if your life revolves around the pursuit of money, you are not being smart. When you accumulate wealth, those with power can demand it at will. What can you do? Do you dare refuse? The tax authorities arrive, the police arrive; they claim you are guilty, find evidence against you, and make life unbearable. You have no choice but to pay! What good is making all that money? Of course, keeping a low profile without wealth is fine too.

Money is subordinate to power; power is subordinate to the gun; and what is the gun before Almighty God? We have God—why do we still embrace Babylon’s system? It attracts demons; it is merely an entanglement of this temporal life. Worldly men believe that "when the lamp goes out, all is finished." Yet they live miserable lives even now; they cannot live well at all!

Knowing God, why do we not place our full trust in Him? Brothers and sisters, I tell you plainly: reclaim your heart from Babylon and turn wholly to God. Exchanging everything in this fleeting life for eternal life is an absolute bargain!

Whenever I lead Bible study and prayer, I often say: "Shall we redeem the time we might spend on a hospital bed and dedicate it to God?" Of course we should! Can we thoroughly purge Babylon’s logic from within us? Otherwise, double retribution awaits!

All Who Committed Adultery with Babylon Weep and Mourn

Those who profited from Babylon see her fall and realize they are finished. Politicians who governed the world through Babylon weep and wail, because their source of pride and identity has vanished. Brothers and sisters, why should we get caught up in such mourning? They cry unceasingly: "Woe! Woe!"

The parents of a friend of mine were once high-ranking officials. They fell from grace in a political struggle and were ousted. After moving to Singapore, they showed severe depression, staring blankly and muttering strange things.

My friend invited me to spend some time speaking with them. Having observed their condition, there was little I could do. What could be done? They had collapsed along with Babylon, left in grief and despair. A few years later, they passed away in misery. That was the tragic consequence of clinging to the power and privileges of high office.

Saints, Apostles, and Prophets Rejoice Over Her

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

Brothers and sisters, who crucified Jesus? It was the logic system behind Babylon! That Babylonian logic was fully manifested in the high priests, the crowds of Israel, the Jews, and the Pharisees. That is why they nailed Jesus to the cross.

Those men operated under that logic while imagining they were serving God—pure hypocrisy. Could prophets, apostles, and saints survive in such an environment? It was virtually impossible! All who were martyred were destroyed by this very logic.

Those Jews did not even comprehend why they sought to harm Jesus Christ. Jesus said: "Your father is the devil; your minds are filled with Babylon; you seek to build the Tower of Babel." They were bewildered, saying: "We are Abraham's descendants; how can we belong to the devil?" And they picked up stones to stone Jesus. Is this not bizarre?

Once a person is indoctrinated with worldly logic, he becomes incapable of receiving God's word or recognizing divine truth. Thus, they crucified Jesus and slaughtered the prophets. Did they truly know what they were doing? Not at all! They were completely blind to their demonic bondage, unaware that they were children of the devil.

When the saints, prophets, and apostles witness the collapse of this great city, they rejoice: "Thank God I was willing to lay down my life for Him; otherwise, I would have been counted among them and shared in their destruction." They rejoice in having made the right choice. After centuries of observation, the great city finally falls in Revelation Chapter 18.

Earthly Merriment Is 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)

All merriment is gone; everything has been cast down. All that remains is the blood of the slain—it was a city of bloodshed! All these earthly horrors stem from the logic of Babylon.

Brothers and sisters, make no mistake about how vicious demons are! Men harbor demons within themselves without realizing it, all because their minds are filled with this logic. Now, it has finally collapsed!

We used to look at their revelry and think it was enviable. Brothers and sisters, let us come out of the logic of Babel. Come out from the love of money and the lust for power, and become people who truly love God!

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

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