Revelation 18:1-2, 9-11, 20
After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. And he called out with a mighty voice,
“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!
(9)And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning. They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say,
“Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.
And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo anymore
(20) “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!”
In Chapter 17, we saw the fall of the One World Church under the new 8th kingdom, overtaking Babylon, the prostitute. Likewise, we now see that a single world economy has come to be, under the great prostitute – Babylon. All economic trade requirements will fall under her control. She has lured mankind into materialistic possessions, living in abundance and luxury, and power associated with wealth. The people will be intoxicated with an idolatry of those with plenty, and reach for that over the call and love of God, the Father. God calls His people out of Babylon, and the addiction that exists within this materialistic society. His wrath and plagues will fall upon Babylon in those days, just as they did upon Sodom and Gomorrah in the Old Testament. God warns His people to leave before the wrath falls upon them.
Many believe that the Spiritual fall of Babylon will take place in the first 3.5 years of Tribulation, while this fall of the Economic World system will happen in the second 3.5 years of Tribulation. God’s plague of burning will fall upon the great city of Babylon, to the point where the economic system they had built will be useless to all of those involved in trade during those days. None will purchase their merchandise anymore, and the luxuries will fall as their wealth is lost.
This economic collapse will impact the entire globe, and people will be thrown into extreme poverty and want. What they have done to acquire their wealth will be gone. The immoral and unethical actions that allowed them to gain wealth will be taken away. The kings (referenced in Ch 17) will remain afar and watch as the people suffer the results of the economic collapse. The kings remain covered in wealth, separated from the merchants and masses. Today, we see the separation of the great wealth and the rest of us. But, alas, there will come a day when even those who are wealthy by trade, by investment, and by hoarding their materialistic treasures will be swallowed up in the collapse, as well as the suffering. In one hour, God can take it all away.
The realization that these material possessions do not last will become very real. We are told to store up our possessions in heaven and not on earth. This grants you eternal prosperity rather than wealth here on earth. God will avenge the injustice of wealth on the earth in the end days. Our focus needs to be on living for God, and not for wealth in this life. Living for God means spreading His grace, His love, His salvation, and His promise to those in need. We are called to step away from materialistic livelihood and sinful, self-righteousness to humility and servanthood to help others step away from sin. The great harlot Babylon will one day be thrown down, and all of those who are tied to her seductive ways with her. The economic wealth and power will not last in an eternal perspective. It's not say that God detests wealth. No, He owns it all, and can distribute in the best manner for His Kingdom growth. Using these things for His purpose is the way to true wealth. Wealth that extends beyond these worldly causes. Focus your efforts there.
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