a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.  For all nations have drunk 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. 18:1-3, emphasis added).

This chapter gives us a fuller understanding of who Babylon is. Just as in Revelation 14:8, Babylon is said to be "fallen, is fallen," so in this chapter, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen." The fact that Babylon "is fallen, is fallen" was not something only the writer of Revelation saw. Isaiah had seen it also: "Babylon is fallen, is fallen: and all the graven images of her gods He hath broken to the ground" (Isa. 21:9).

When Isaiah saw this, only Babylon from the days of Nimrod had been in existence, but Isaiah was foretelling the fall of the soon-coming kingdom of Babylon over which King Nebuchadnezzar was to rule. Just as Isaiah foretold the fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians so John tells us modern-day Babylon (NWO) will fall to Satan and his angels. 

Isaiah went into detail about how and by whom Babylon would be overthrown.  “Thus saith Yahuwah to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron” (Isa. 45:1-2).  This was foretold before Babylon became the powerful nation it was to become.  This was foretold before Cyrus was even born, and Cyrus was so amazed by this prophecy that he aided the captives of Israel to return to their homeland.  It is amazing how Elohim can give us details about what is to happen in the future so that we might know He has perfect and complete foreknowledge of the future.

We find Babylon first mentioned in Genesis chapter seven.  There are things we can learn about modern-day Babylon from ancient Babylon in the days of Nimrod. After the flood, Noah was told by Elohim to "be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth" (Gen. 9:1).  

In opposition to the revealed will of Elohim, the people that had settled in the land of Shinar "said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth" (Gen. 11:4). Three principles can be seen from what is said in this verse.

1.     Self-preservation. In spite of Elohim's covenant of assurance that He would not destroy the earth again by a flood (Gen. 9:9-17), the founders of Babylon were intent on building a tower to heaven so another flood would not destroy them.

2.     Self-exaltation. "Let us make us a name." They left Elohim out of their plans and only wanted the glory they thought would be theirs by such an undertaking.                                                                 

3.     One-World Government. "And Yahuwah came down to see the city and the tower . . . And Yahuwah said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined" (Gen. 11:5-6). They thought to control all that was being done on the earth from their city, Babylon.

These three principles will be seen in modern-day Babylon, the New World Order. As it was in the days of ancient Babylon so it will be with modern-day Babylon. It was Elohim Who came down and personally put an end to what they were doing. "Go to, let Us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So Yahuwah scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of the earth: and they left building the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because Yahuwah did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did Yahuwah scatter them abroad upon the face of the whole earth" (Gen. 11:7-9).

As stated earlier in my study of Daniel chapter two, the New World Order has plans to take control of the earth and divide it into ten "kingdoms." "And in the days of these kings shall the Elohim of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces . . . and it shall stand forever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great Elohim hath made known what shall come to pass" (Dan. 2:44-45, emphasis added).

The message written in Revelation chapter eighteen is given by an angel "having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory" indicates that what this angel has to say is of the highest importance to all of the earth's inhabitants, and every inhabitant of planet Earth will hear what this angel has to say through Elohim's servants, the 144,000.

When ancient Babylon fell as foretold by Isaiah, it became the habitation of "the pelican and the porcupine . . . the bittern and the raven . . . and thorns shall come up in its palaces and strongholds, nettles and brambles in its fortresses; and it shall be a habitation for jackals, an abode for ostriches. And the wild beasts of the desert will meet here with howling creatures (wolves and hyenas) and the wild goat . . . the monster will settle there and find a place of rest" (Isa. 34:11-14). Before its fall, ancient Babylon was considered to be one of the wonders of the earth for its beauty and strength.  To this day, ancient Babylon, located in the country of Iraq, remains uninhabited.

This modern-day Babylon in its fallen condition is "the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird" (Rev. 18:2). I have learned not to be too hard on the vultures while living in Greene County, Indiana. One man refers to them as the county's “road crew” because they keep the roadways cleared of roadkill. Even though they are an "unclean and hateful bird," they do serve a purpose in Elohim's world as we will see in Revelation chapter nineteen.

"And the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies" (Rev. 18:3). How have "the merchants of the earth . . . waxed rich through the abundance of her [Babylon's] delicacies?"

Paul wrote to the Galatians that they had turned "again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain" (Gal. 4:9-11).

Paul saw the Galatian converts reverting to their old pagan ways by observing the "days, and months, and times, and years" which they had observed, and Paul feared he had labored for them in vain. What were those times they began keeping again, which were of pagan origin?

These were not the days and times Elohim had set aside for "holy convocations" (Lev. 23:2) with His people. Leviticus chapter twenty-three describes the days appointed by Elohim to meet with His people; the weekly Sabbath and the spring, summer, and fall feasts. Colossians 2:16-17 tells us, "Therefore let no one sit in judgment on you in matters of food and drink, or with regard to a feast day or a New Moon or a Sabbath. Such things are only shadows of things that are to come" (Amplified Version).

But what were the days the former pagan believers in Galatia began to observe once again? They are with us today but are considered of Christian origin, but they are not of Biblical origin. These are the "Trojan Horses" by which Satan has and continues to gain influence throughout the entire world and one of the means by which he is deceiving the entire world (Rev. 12:9). They have been given Christian names but are of pagan origin: Christmas, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Lent, Easter, May Day, Halloween, and so on. Most refer to them as holidays, but they are by no means holy days.

The "months" referred to in Galatians could be the forty days preceding Easter, called Lent. Let me digress briefly and share with you what ancient mythology has to say. Nimrod, who we are told in the Bible, "began to be a mighty one [what ‘god’ means] in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before Yahuwah: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before Yahuwah. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel" (Gen. 10:8-10).

According to ancient mythology, Nimrod went out to hunt wild boar when he was killed by one. In honor of the death of Nimrod, Semiramis, Nimrod's wife, held forty days of fasting for Nimrod. At the end of the time of fasting (Lent), they held a feast (Easter) consisting of a roasted boar (pig). What do many people eat for their Easter dinner? Semiramis then had an affair, and a "miracle child" (Tammuz) was conceived and born nine months later at the time many now celebrate Christmas, which the pagans refer to as Saturnalia. The symbol for Tammuz is the cross. We often see Semiramis holding a small infant in her arms, standing on the crescent moon. From this brief account, you can see where some of our present-day so-called Christian customs, practices, beliefs, and teachings originated. They did not originate from the Bible, even though they have been given Christian names, but they originated in ancient Babylon from the days of Nimrod. These are a part of the "abominations" mentioned in Revelation 17:5 and by which "the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies" (Rev. 18:3).

These are some of the days and times referred to in Galatians 4:10 Paul was saying the Galatian believers were reverting back to, and professed Christians are observing today while they are ignoring the feast days set up by Elohim for convocations where He meets with His people. He still meets with His people on those days for those who observe them. What would Paul have to say about this matter if he were living today?

We read in Revelation 18:3, "the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies." These pagan holidays bring in a substantial percentage of the merchants' yearly sales during these "holidays."

Is it any wonder we read in Revelation 18:11, "And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning?" The judgment of the great whore will have taken place, and the merchants will no longer be profiting from the observance of these pagan holidays. Revelation 18:12-15 describes some of the merchandise by which these merchants profited.

We read in Revelation 17:16, "And the ten horns [Satan's confederate angels that will replace the New World Order.] which thou saw upon the beast [Satan], these shall hate the whore [Babylon (NWO)], and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh and burn her with fire."

The fact "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" (Rev. 18:9), and "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. 18:15) indicates Babylon or the New World Order will be dealt with and judged (Rev. 17:1) during the time of the sixth plague before the second coming of Yahushua. Both groups, "the kings of the earth" and "the merchants of the earth," have greatly profited from their "fornication" with "Babylon."

As was pointed out in Revelation chapter seventeen, Babylon will be dealt with as men contemptuously treat whores who have been used and are needed no more. Satan will use Babylon or the New World Order until he can set up his kingdom, which will be short-lived. 

The use of "one hour," which is used frequently in Revelation chapter eighteen, was first used in Revelation 17:12-13. "And the ten horns [Satan's confederate angels that replace the seven heads and the ten horns of the New World Order] which thou saw are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast [Satan]. These have one mind [they are in full harmony with Satan], and shall give their power and strength unto the beast [Satan]" (emphasis added).

This helps identify when the judgment of Babylon is taking place and by whom that judgment is brought upon the New World Order that will take place during the sixth plague. Even though these ten kings are destroying Babylon, it is Elohim Who "hath put in their hearts to fulfill His will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast [Satan] until the words of Elohim shall be fulfilled" (Rev. 17:17).

The "one hour" denotes a short period, and not a literal length of time or what we referred to earlier in this book as prophetic time where a day equals a year. It is like when we say "just a minute," that also means a short period. The last use of prophetic time, where a day equaled a year, ended in AD 1798, with the fall of the papacy. All subsequent time prophecies found in Daniel and Revelation are in literal time.

Elohim will use Satan and his ten cohorts to bring destruction upon Babylon before Yahushua's return in glory because Babylon was found guilty of "the blood of the prophets, and of the saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth" (Rev. 18:24).

In the fifth seal described in Revelation 6:9-10 we find these words: "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of Elohim, and for the testimony which they held: and they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Yahuwah, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" During the sixth plague, as was also seen in the third plague (Rev. 16:4-7), their blood is avenged.

People will be made to know that Satan has used them as his pawns in his warfare against Elohim, Yahushua, heaven, and Their saints and prophets. We cannot imagine what will go through the minds of those who have been duped by the arch-deceiver.

It will also be a time for those who can think straight to turn to Elohim, confess their sins, and be cleansed and made ready when probation closes shortly. It is still not too late!

In Revelation 12:9, we are told, "And the great dragon was cast out [of heaven], that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels with him" (emphasis added).

The people of this earth will have been warned of what is coming. Most will choose to ignore those warnings and will make war against the saints and prophets of Elohim and will, in the end, find their worst nightmares coming true! Even the leaders of the New World Order will be made to realize they have been deceived before Yahushua's return. All their conspiracies to enslave the human race will be laid open for all to see before they are destroyed by the brightness at the coming of Yahushua!  “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom Yahuwah shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming” (2 Thess. 2:8).

Speaking of Babylon, we read, "For her sins have reached unto heaven, and Elohim hath remembered her iniquities" (Rev. 18:5). Elohim has an accurate account of everything that has ever occurred on this earth, and by this time, the judgment of Babylon will have taken place. He knew what was taking place in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and brought judgments on them.

"And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city [Babylon] wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.  [Just as ancient Babylon was made desolate.]  Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets; for Elohim 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 the great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of the 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. 18:19-23, emphasis added). Many of the "great men of the earth" are practicing sorcerers who are a part of the Illuminati and other Secret Societies.

Nothing is worse than having your nose rubbed in the deception perpetrated on you. All who have given their allegiance to Babylon (NWO) will know that they have been deceived, and their mental anguish cannot be imagined!

Satan has a good reason for doing what he does to Babylon.  The king of the north and the king of the south attacked him (Dan. 11:40), and it is payback time for those who came against him, but Yahuwah will overthrow Satan in the end. It just may be that some will still turn to Elohim before probation ends at the time of the seventh plague when Elohim announces, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still" (Rev. 22:11).

But before the judgment of the "great whore" takes place, the 144,000 will have given the message found in Revelation 14:8 and 18:4 to "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" (Rev. 14:6) to "Come out of her, My people [Elohim's people are in Babylon while they are following any of the customs, practices, beliefs, and teachings that originated in ancient  Babylon.], that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues" (Rev. 18:4, emphasis added).

You can receive the first six plagues and still have time to receive salvation before the seventh plague is poured out when probation closes for humanity. You have no assurance you will even be alive at that time, so do not put off your decision to seek forgiveness and cleansing and accept Elohim's salvation right now that He has provided for you in the sacrifice of His Son, Yahushua.

This message found in Revelation 18:1-5 was placed here to assure us that probation has not closed for those still in Babylon, and there is still time to turn to Elohim for salvation even at this late hour.  What we see pictured in this chapter and in Revelation chapter seventeen takes place during the sixth plague of Revelation chapter sixteen.  Probation does not close until the seventh plague is poured out and “a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne [is heard], saying, It is done” and will occur on October 25, 2030.  The sixth plague will have begun on October 15, 2030.

Just as Abram was called out of Ur of the Chaldees (Babylon), Elohim's people will be called out of Babylon. "Now Yahuwah had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee" (Gen. 12:1).

Like the 144,000 who also had once been in Babylon but had left its customs, practices, beliefs, and teachings and are referred to as the "first fruits," so the "great multitude" will come out of Babylon in order that they may be sealed, hopefully, before Satan comes upon the earth and begins torturing earth's inhabitants for five months (Rev. 9:1-11). Some of those who will eventually come out of Babylon will not have been sealed at that time. Some will receive some of the first six plagues before they are sealed. 

You do not have to be in any particular physical locality to be in Babylon. Babylon is how Elohim has chosen to depict the New World Order and the customs, practices, beliefs, and teachings that originated in ancient Babylon, and who, like in the days of ancient Babylon of Nimrod, Semiramis and Tammuz, attempted to set up a One-World Government.

This message contained in Revelation 18:1-5 is a part of the second angel's message we read about in Revelation chapter fourteen and calls for Elohim's faithful children to escape from the judgments that are to come upon Babylon and on those who receive the "mark of the beast" and worship his image.

This message will begin to be given at the time the New World Order takes control of the earth on May 4, 2027, and will end at the time of the seventh plague. Even though the 144,000 were killed on September 15, 2030, many of the “great multitude” pictured in Revelation 7:9 will still be alive and will continue to give the call to “come out of Babylon.”  When Babylon is being judged, it will be the final days before probation ends. The door of mercy is shut when the seventh plague is poured out. The thief on the cross, next to Yahushua, received salvation just before his death, and I pray it may even be so for some of those when Babylon is overthrown. The opportunity for salvation is still available!

Let me say this about Elohim's people who are still in Babylon when the call to "Come out of her, My people" is given. When the ancient nation of Judah, which comprised Elohim's people in the past, was in Babylon as captives, there were four calls given to them to come out of Babylon and return to their homeland.

Most of Elohim's people at those times chose to remain in Babylon rather than return to their homeland. They had become settled in the land of their captivity, and the journey back would be difficult and involve some months of traveling. It was a relatively small portion of the children of Judah that came out of Babylon and made the trip back to their homeland. Beware of delaying your decision to "come out of Babylon!"

Four decrees in which the children of Israel were given the opportunity to return to their homeland, and yet in the days of Esther some years later, the Bible tells us there were still Jews in "one hundred and twenty-seven provinces" of the Media-Persian Empire (Esther 8:9) who had not returned to Jerusalem when given the opportunity.

Just because Elohim is giving the message to "Come out of Babylon, My people" does not mean all of His professed people will respond and come out of Babylon. There will be many reasons why His professed people will not come out of Babylon, just as there were when the ancient nations of Israel and Judah did not return to their homeland when given the opportunity.

However, there will be “a great multitude” (Rev. 7:9) who will come out of Babylon. Many will have had only a profession of Christianity and not a deep-seated relationship and experience with Elohim that could carry them through the "time of trouble" (Dan. 12:1).

"The thing that has been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: there is no new thing under the sun" (Eccl. 1:9). May we learn the lessons of the past, so that we do not repeat those failures of the past and suffer the consequences.  When the call is given to "Come out of her (Babylon), My people," do not hesitate to respond! 

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     1. Who will bring judgment upon Babylon?

     2. How do the merchants of the earth become rich?

     3. When is the blood of the servants of Elohim avenged?