BAD NEWS FOR BABYLON

Right out of the gate we meet the father & son divine-duo of Babylon: Bel-Marduk and his son Nabu (Nebo).

😲 Wait… he had a dragon named Mushu? Like this guy?

Well, technically, Marduk’s dragon was named Mushussu but it is kinda fishy.

I recommend reading the Wikipedia entry on Marduk’s statue. It reveals a lot about the way ancient people perceived their idols. In a nutshell, they believed that the statue gave their god locality in their city, but that their god also existed in the heavens. God’s insistence on being the ONLY true God is aimed at this belief. Yahweh is not one among many. He is in a class all by himself. It’s not that the spiritual realm has no inhabitants except Yahweh. The fallen entities worshipped by the nations are real, but they are not like Yahweh. Not even close.

At the time of Isaiah, Marduk was worshipped as the supreme deity in ancient Babylon (replacing Enlil). He was seen as the heavenly father and creator of the world. God says, “Nope. You are a phony. I am the true Creator and Father.”

The name Nabu means “prophet.” He was the son of Marduk and the god of scribes, writing, and wisdom.

In Isaiah 46, Yahweh explains the differences between Himself and the gods of the nations.

• Idols have to be carried around by beasts of burden. (V1-2)
• Yahweh isn’t carried around. Rather, HE is the One who carries His people. (V3-4)
• People make an idol and put it where they want it. It cannot say anything. (V5-7)
• Yahweh not only speaks, He foretells the future and goes about wherever He wants and does what He pleases. (V8-11)

Chapter 47 is a message for the Babylonian Empire. We should pay close attention because it is the prototype for something that John describes in Revelation. Let’s compare the two Babylons:

“Yet you said, ‘I will be a queen forever.’ These things you did not consider Nor remember the outcome of them. Now, then, hear this, you luxuriant one, who lives securely, who says in her heart, ‘I am, and there is no one besides me. I will not sit as a widow, Nor know the loss of children.’ But these two things will come on you suddenly in one day: Loss of children and widowhood. They will come on you in full measure in spite of your many sorceries, in spite of the great power of your spells.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭47‬:‭7-9‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

“To the extent that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, to the same extent give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as a queen and I am not a widow, and will never see mourning.’ For this reason in one day her plagues will come, plague and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭18‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Isaiah is referring to the historical Babylonian Empire which was indeed overthrown in a day when the Persian army took the city and King Belshazzar was executed, (Dan. 5).

John is NOT referring to the historic Babylonian Empire, even though he is quoting from Isaiah 47. By his day, Babylon had been long-since relegated to the dustbin of history. So, to what is he referring?

Whatever it is, it must be VERY like the Babylon of old. So it may be helpful to note some of the indicators in both texts.

ANCIENT BABYLON (Is. 47)

• “Tender and delicate” (v1) These terms suggest softness and luxury- like the opposite of hard-wearing boots and overalls. They suggest dainty and upper-crust pampering.
• The “Queen of Kingdoms” indicating dominance over other nations (v5)
• Was used to punish/discipline God’s people but went too far (v6), heavy-handed against God’s people.
• Lives in luxury, proud, confident, secure (v8)
• No mention of a husband but will be made “a widow” (v8-9)
• “No one sees me” (v10), hidden occultism, sorcery, and witchcraft are the norm (v9-12)
• Astrology and astrological omen interpretation (v13)
• Destruction by fire (v14)
• Very involved in commerce and “business” but abandoned by business partners at the time of judgment (v15)

BABYLON of REVELATION (Rev. 17-18)

• Called not only a “prostitute” but “the Mother of Prostitutes…” That is a claim of origin. Whatever this is, it’s “the mothership” of paying for sex. (17:1, 5)
• Sexual sin is a key trait (17:2, 4; 18:3)
• Characterized by connection to the demonic and witchcraft (18:2, 23)
• The prostitute is dressed in luxury, business is VERY profitable (17:4, 18:3, 11-13)
• Responsible for the heavy-handed persecution of God’s people (17:6, 18:24)
• She rides on (controls) a beast that is indicative of governments or kingdoms. She has dominance over them. (17:3, 9-13, 15, 18)
• Destroyed and “burned with fire” (17:16-17)
• The powerful people who did business with her (in sex trafficking and luxury goods) will abandon her at the time of judgement, they will grieve from a distance but they won’t come to her rescue (18:9-19)

I didn’t even get super granular but the similarities are astounding. Whatever we’re looking at could be boiled down to this:

• Witchcraft
• Sex trafficking
• Ultra-rich & Powerful Elites
• Drunk on Blood

I don’t know how aware you are of the nightmarish stuff in the Epstein files, but it hits all 4 of those markers.

Oh- and you should know that “witchcraft” in the Bible isn’t limited to this:

There ARE “potions” involved. THIS is the Greek word translated “witchcraft” and “sorceries” in the New Testament. It’s only used twice:

Pharmakeia = Drugs.

I’m not suggesting that your bottle of Aspirin makes you a practitioner of witchcraft, though there are a few fringe folks out there who would suggest such a thing.

There are drugs that alter a person’s mind or even give them access to the spiritual realm and they can talk to demonic entities. These are generally called psychedelics. There are high-powered corporate execs who “micro-dose” Ayahuasca which (they claim) gives them heightened powers of intellect and creativity. It’s only one of many drugs.

Why is it that the wild parties of rich elites tend to involve: drugs and sex? Typically with minors who are trafficked for this purpose? (Anybody remember the arrest and trial of P. Diddy? Epstein Island? The Lolita Express?) Has anyone noticed how many big-time music and movie stars use Satanic symbolism or openly worship Satan? Has anyone noticed that when investigators get too close, people start turning up dead?

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, you have a lot of catching up to do. This is just the tippy-tippy-top of the iceberg.

Have you ever wondered why people push for and defend abortion? Have you ever looked into what happens to the millions of aborted baby parts? Does anyone remember when the undercover journalists caught abortion providers on camera saying how much they sell individual harvested baby organs for?

As ugly as it is to think about, we must realize something:

Mystery Babylon isn’t coming. It’s here.

And it’s drunk on blood. It’s behind the slaughter of Christians. And infants. It is glamorizing witchcraft through cartoons. It is FILTHY RICH and international and riding on the back of many nations, pulling the reigns. Those governments have only had the appearance of power and sovereignty. Their presidents and prime ministers and parliaments are kept on a short leash. The Mother of All Abominations is really in charge behind the scenes. And she is diabolical. She’s behind the drugs and sex trafficking and militants slaughtering the innocent, and there are people making obscene amounts of wealth from her trade- both legal and black market.

If you want to know which side any nation’s government is on, just look at what it allows and what it fights against- particularly drugs and human trafficking. Does it respect the Bible or allow Christians to be persecuted?

Do not fear. The LORD already knows how He is going to destroy the Prostitute. And it’s what I’m keeping an eye on in international events. I suggest you do too:

“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast.

And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the prostitute and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire. For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭17‬:‭12‬-‭13‬, ‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

People like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have more wealth than many a king. People like Mark Zuckerberg and the CEOs of gargantuan companies like Google and Apple, Disney and BlackRock have a level of influence over the lives of people that ancient kings would’ve envied.

I don’t know who the 10 kingdomless kings are but somehow they will participate with “the Beast” in the destruction of the vile Prostitute Babylon.

That doesn’t make them good by any stretch. But my concern is – and I want you to remember this…

I’m concerned that people – possibly even Christians – will be so grateful to whoever destroys the Prostitute that some will be deceived into thinking that they are on God’s side.

Think of it… a group of powerful leaders work together to rid the world of drug abuse, human trafficking, Christian persecution and government corruption? What’s not to like?

The Beast and his 10 Horns are NOT on God’s side and never will be. They are destined for the Lake of Fire along with any who worship them.

Hopefully this will help you as you process world events.

We observe. We watch and pray. We test the spirits and all teaching. We help each other steer clear of deception. We choose today to remain faithful to Christ no matter what.

Oh- and the BEST advice I could give when it comes to sharpening your discernment:

Get rid of your TV. 📺

😏 Wow. Hellfire and Brimstone today, eh? For some reason I feel like roasting hot dogs and marshmallows now… 🔥 maybe while wearing a tinfoil hat.