Chapter 5

Endtime Babylon’s Influential Power

The idolatrous religion of wealth

Contents

A) Endtime Babylon’s greatest power will be its great wealth

B) Endtime Babylon’s idolatrous religion will be the worship of Money

C) America is the most reasonable interpretation of the clearest descriptions of what biblical prophecy predicts about Endtime Babylon.

Primary Points

• The most important and clearest attribute in the prophecy that will enable us to determine Endtime Babylon’s identity is its great wealth (18:17) making it the world’s economic superpower when the Endtimes begin.
• Materialistic, sinful, worldly, extravagant, and luxurious living will be a primary attribute of who or what Endtime Babylon will be.
• Many Bible scholars define Endtime Babylon as a worldwide false religion. By far the most popular and powerful religion on Earth is Money. Therefore, we do not need to be guessing at what religion Endtime Babylon will be promoting.
• A primary desire and purpose of the Antichrist, and the Devil who will empower him, is this: FULL WORSHIP. This is why the Antichrist will burn … down with fire the people, place, and wealth of Endtime Babylon.
• This chapter describes the clearest and most repeated attributes of Endtime Babylon in Revelation 17-18. This allows us to begin to rule out other popular interpretations.
• You are 1,200% more likely to be a millionaire in America, than in the rest of the world.
• America’s debt is $30 trillion because it is by far the most powerful economic nation in the world, and by far the greatest worshipper of Money in the world.
• When the prophecy in Revelation 17-18 identifies Endtime Babylon with the statement: Your international businessmen were the world’s important people, we have very good reasons to believe it is referring to America.
• Like Endtime Babylon is described in biblical prophecy, America is the most important trading partner in the world and of all who trade by sea.
• The relationship between American imports and the specific list of goods in Revelation 18 is remarkable.
• One just needs to travel to places like Africa, India, China, Russia, and Latin America to recognize America almost feels like a different planet in terms of prosperity.
• If you keep your food in a refrigerator, and your clothes in a closet, and sleep in a bed, and have a roof over your head, you are richer than 75% of the people living in the world.
• America is the world’s foremost example and promoter of the worship of Money.
• If God intended to predict and describe 21st century America in prophetic Scripture it is difficult to imagine how He could describe it more clearly.
• The economic power and influence predicted for Endtime Babylon has never been matched by any people or place in all of human history until America. In fact, before the emergence of America, it would seem difficult to suggest historical candidates for a physical fulfillment of Revelation 17-18.

A) Endtime Babylon’s greatest power will be its great wealth

It was noted in chapter 1 (sec. C) that various interpretations of Endtime Babylon have been offered. These include a religion, a political entity, or a rebuilt city in the desert of Iraq. But all of these views seem to ignore the most repeated and emphasized description of what Endtime Babylon will be. The most important and clearest attribute in the prophecy that will enable us to determine its identity is its WEALTH.

Accordingly, there is one statement in the prophecy that is the most definitive regarding the identity of Endtime Babylon. When it is destroyed, the international businessmen of the earth will … cry out … “In one hour such great wealth has been completely destroyed!” ^[1] (Rev 18:11, 16-17).

International businessmen translates the Greek word emporoi and will be discussed below. But notice that the identity of Endtime Babylon in the prophecy is focused on its great wealth. Therefore, the clearest description of Endtime Babylon is this: It will be the world’s economic superpower when the Endtimes begin. Any interpretation of this entity must conform to this, or it will be wrong. It is Endtime Babylon’s great wealth that is the source of its worldwide power, commercial superiority, excessive luxury, and spiritual idolatry, all of which are also prevalent in the prophecy.

The great wealth of Endtime Babylon is immediately portrayed when John saw that the woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand (17:4 NIV; cf. 18:16). All of these are clear symbols of great wealth. ^[2]

Likewise, the Prophet Jeremiah described ancient Babylon as rich in treasures (51:13 NIV). At its height it was surely the wealthiest empire in the world.

The great wealth of Endtime Babylon is illustrated in the prophecy by its great commerce. Ezekiel even referred to ancient Babylon as a land of merchants and a city of traders (17:4 NIV). Likewise, Endtime Babylon will be the world’s leader in commerce and the consumption of material goods when the Endtimes begin. This is reflected in the mention of its prominent international businessmen (emporoi) four times in the prophecy (cf. 18:3, 11, 15, 23).

Unfortunately, all versions translate the Greek here as merchant. Webster’s defines “merchant” as “a buyer and seller of commodities for profit; trader” or “the operator of a retail business; storekeeper.” But this is not the meaning of the Greek word emporoi. Rather, the Greek word kapēlos was used to refer to the English idea of a “merchant,” often referring to a local trader or “tavern keeper.” ^[3]

However, emporoi means: “one who travels by ship for business reasons … denotes wholesale dealer in contrast to kapēlos ‘retailer.’” ^[4] Osborne notes: “These were wholesale dealers who travelled all over the Roman world selling merchandise in huge quantities.” ^[5] Likewise, Morris writes: “The word ‘merchants’ used four times in Revelation refers to wholesalers in international commerce, who trade large quantities of items.” ^[6] Therefore, the four uses of emporoi in Revelation 18 refer to Endtime Babylon’s powerful international businessmen and the massive corporations they lead. Let us note this more accurate translation in the following texts:

The international businessmen of the world have become wealthy from the power of the Prostitute’s sensual and worldly luxuries (Rev 18:3).

The international businessmen of the world will weep and mourn when the Prostitute is destroyed because nobody will buy their goods anymore. (Rev 18:11 ^[7]).

The international businessmen who became wealthy by selling the Prostitute these things will stand far off, terrified by her great torment. They will weep and cry out … “In one hour such great wealth has been completely destroyed!” (Rev 18:15, 17).

Your international businessmen were the world’s important people (Rev 18:23).

Clearly, Endtime Babylon’s international businessmen will be among the most influential people in the world. Why will they be so important and powerful? Because Endtime Babylon’s international businessmen will be selling commercial goods all over the world. But there will also be international businessmen of the world who became wealthy by selling Endtime Babylon their goods (18:3, 11, 15).

Therefore, Endtime Babylon will be the foremost consumer of material goods in the world. As Osborne notes: “The purpose here is to show that God’s wrath has descended on them [because of their] showy, self-centered materialism.” ^[8] Accordingly, in 18:12-13 a total of 28 items of primarily luxury items being purchased by Endtime Babylon are listed.

Apparently, many of these items will be brought to Endtime Babylon by sea. When Endtime Babylon is destroyed the greatest consumer and importer in the world will be gone. Therefore, at that time all who earn their living from the sea will cry out: “Woe! Woe, O great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!” (18:17, 19). ^[9]

Endtime Babylon’s great consumption of material goods will also make others in the world richer as well. The prophecy states: The international businessmen of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries (Rev 18:3). Not only will Endtime Babylon possess great wealth, but will produce great wealth for others, which is why all the nations will have drunk the maddening wine of her [wealth and] adulteries (18:3 NIV).

Therefore, some things are very clear about what Endtime Babylon will be. It will be the economic super-power of the world, the leader in international business, the wealthiest place in the world, and the foremost consumer and importer of material goods coming by ships.

This is the clearest description of Endtime Babylon in the prophecy. Think about it! Read that description again because this interpretation is undeniable. Endtime Babylon will be the economic super-power of the world, the leader in international business, the wealthiest place in the world, and the foremost consumer and importer of material goods coming by ships.

All of this will be motivated by Endtime Babylon’s lust for material comforts. Regarding Revelation 18, Osborne writes: “one of the major themes of the chapter [is] the sin of materialistic luxury.” ^[10] Therefore, when Endtime Babylon is destroyed, the world’s international businessmen (emporoi, 18:11) will say: “The fancy things you loved so much are gone… All your luxuries [lipara] are gone forever” (Rev 18:14 NLT).

Luxuries is a good translation of the Greek word lipara, used only here in the NT. ^[11] Luxury is a unique and common theme of Revelation 18. Webster’s defines it as “a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort” or “an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease.” That kind of luxury will be a primary characteristic of Endtime Babylon.

Accordingly, the people and place of Endtime Babylon are described as having desires for extravagant luxury (strēnous, Rev 18:3 NLT), having lived in luxury (strēniaō, v. 7 NLT), and having enjoyed her great luxury (strēniaō, v. 9 NLT). The Greek words used here are not used anywhere else in the NT. The noun means to “live in luxury, live sensually.” ^[12] There is no need to choose between the two meanings as Bible versions do, because it would seem both are meant. ^[13] Therefore, a good translation of strēnous is sensual and worldly luxuries.

“Sensuality” means “the sinful and worldly devotion and preoccupation with the indulgent gratification of fleshly appetites.” ^[14] That will be what drives the people of Endtime Babylon. Therefore, materialistic, sinful, worldly, extravagant, and luxurious living will be primary attributes of who or what Endtime Babylon will be.

B) Endtime Babylon’s idolatrous religion will be the worship of Money

What people crave and pursue will be their god. This is why Jesus said, “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Matt 6:21 NLT). A few verses later, Jesus equated the desires of your heart with worship of a god when He said:

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money [Aramaic māmônā ^[15]]” (v. 24 NLT)

Notice that Jesus said what or who you love will be your God. The world loves, serves, and is devoted to and enslaved to money. Accordingly, Jesus said a few verses later: “The pagans run after all these things” that money (māmônā) can buy (v. 32 NIV). In Luke, the same Greek word is translated worldly wealth (16:9, 11 NIV). The root meaning in both Aramaic and Hebrew (mn) refers to what a person trusts. ^[16] The potential idolatry of wealth is clear.

This is why Jesus singled out money as the greatest rival of God for worship in the world. He could have chosen a number of things including false religions. But He chose one: Money. This is because money is the closest thing the world has to God, claiming to supply humanity’s every need. With enough money, people do not think they need God. It is the premier idol of the world. Which is why Jesus said money is God’s greatest rival on Earth for worship. Money is the world’s God. Therefore, it is appropriate to say that money is the most powerful and popular false religion in the world.

This is why the Apostle wrote: the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim 6:10 NIV). Whenever people have a love of money, they will be worshipping the idol of money, pursuing spiritual adultery, and not trusting and worshipping God.

Money will be the religion of Endtime Babylon. The prophecy describes its people as loving wealth and luxury. Again, when it is destroyed, the international businessmen of the world … will say, “The fancy things you loved so much [epithymias] are gone” (Rev 18:11, 14 NLT). Loved translates a Greek word that means, “a great desire for something, desire, longing, craving.” ^[17] Accordingly, the prophecy describes their desires for extravagant luxury (Rev 18:3 NLT). Endtime Babylon will be the world’s foremost example of the worship of Money.

Endtime Babylon will also be the world’s foremost promoter of the worship of Money. Unfortunately, the rest of the world will crave and envy the superior worldly wealth and sensual luxury that Endtime Babylon will have. Accordingly, it will be both the foremost example and promoter of the idolatrous religion of Money. This would seem to be one meaning of the repeated references to its spread of spiritual adultery. Thomas explains:

With this background, it is beyond dispute that this woman is the epitome of spiritual fornication or idolatry. She leads the world in the pursuit of a false religion. ^[18]

What will be that “false religion”? Thomas continues:

[Endtime Babylon] has promoted herself by instilling an unquestioning faith in her supposedly inexhaustible [financial] resources, thereby discouraging any sense of a deeper need for God … The connection of fornication and luxury in this verse indicates that Babylon’s fornication consists not only of idolatry, but also includes her pride in excessive wealth. ^[19]

What nation does that remind you of?

In the previous section we observed that the most repeated description of what Endtime Babylon will be, is the world’s primary source and center of wealth. It is by the power of Money that Endtime Babylon will be leading the world to pursue an idolatrous religion. Therefore, in the following texts we see wealth and spiritual adultery being described together:

With her the kings of the earth committed [spiritual] adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries [wealth]. (Rev 17:2 NIV)

For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her [spiritual and sinful] adulteries. The kings of the earth committed [spiritual] adultery with her, and the international businessmen of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries [wealth]. (Rev 18:3)

The kings of the world … committed [spiritual] adultery with her [because they] enjoyed her sinful and worldly luxury [wealth]. (Rev 18:9).

Your international businessmen were the world’s important people.
By your magic spell [the lure of wealth and luxury] all the nations were led astray [from God into a false religion of worshipping Money] (Rev 18:23 ^[20])

The human passion for prosperity, possessions, and pleasures that Money can buy, is what will make the pursuit and worship of Money the intoxicating wine that all the nations will have drunk from Endtime Babylon (17:2; 18:3). At the beginning of the Endtimes, Endtime Babylon will be the foremost example and promoter of the idolatrous religion of Money.

Accordingly, many Bible scholars either partly or completely define Endtime Babylon as a worldwide false religion. This is particularly true of those who claim it will be the Roman Catholic Church, Islam, or a new ecumenical faith that emerges in the world. However, what seems to be ignored is that there is a one-world religion that already is, and will be, much more powerful than any of these other religions. By far the most popular and powerful religion on Earth is Money.

This is the god that is worshipped and depended on more than anything else in the world. As noted above, Jesus named money as God’s greatest rival for worship on the Earth (cf. Matt 6:24). Therefore, we do not need to be guessing or suggesting or debating what religion Endtime Babylon will be promoting. At the beginning of the Endtimes, Endtime Babylon will be the foremost example and promoter of the idolatrous religion of Money.

Related to the idolatrous power of Money is the advertising industry. It would seem the power of marketing that is displayed everywhere in the world, is being described when we read: the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries (Rev 17:2 NIV; cf. 14:8; 18:3). Endtime Babylon’s religion of worldly possessions will be spread worldwide with the powers of advertising. Money will be Endtime Babylon’s foremost religion and its advertising of merchandise will be the foremost evangelist of that religion in the World.

Accordingly, in the previous chapter you read:

There are other aspects of the anti-God World that steal humanity’s worship and dependence from God. Related to the idolatrous power of Money is the Advertising industry. Why were companies in the world willing to spend over $600 billion for advertising in 2022? Because it creates the desire for more Money and what it can buy. Advertising increases the power of the World over humanity. (ch. 4, sec. A.2)

Therefore, Endtime Babylon will be a foremost source of advertising and marketing in the world.

Because of the emphasis on its great wealth (Rev 18:17), some deny Endtime Babylon will be a spiritual/religious entity at all, but rather only an economic entity. ^[21] But the truth is that Endtime Babylon will be the greatest source and promoter of both a religion and wealth. ^[22] And the false and idolatrous religion will be the pursuit, trust, and worship of Money. Therefore, when the Endtimes begin, Endtime Babylon will not only be by far the wealthiest place and people in the world, but by far the foremost example and promoter of the idolatrous religion of Money. ^[23]

This is precisely why:

The beast [Antichrist] will hate the Prostitute and will permanently remove all people from her and strip her naked and will devour her body and will burn her down with fire … in one hour [such that no one will ever live there again] (Rev 17:16; ^[24] 18:10; cf. vs. 21-23).

Why will the Antichrist destroy Endtime Babylon? A primary desire and purpose of the Antichrist, and the Devil who will empower him, is this: FULL WORSHIP with no rivals. The Antichrist’s eventual goal will be that the world obeys God’s own First Commandment in relation to him: “You must not have any other god but me” (Exod 20:3 NLT; cf. 2 Thess 2:4). Satan knows that what Jesus Christ said is true:

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God [or the Antichrist!] and money. (Matt 6:24)

Satan knows that the world cannot serve, worship, and depend on both the Antichrist and Endtime Babylon’s money. If Jesus said money is even God’s greatest rival on Earth for worship, then the same will be true for the Antichrist. ^[25] This is why the Antichrist will burn … down with fire the people, place, and wealth of Endtime Babylon. Which is why we had better pay attention to this prophecy and identify what and who will be destroyed.

Therefore, the next question to be addressed is how does America compare to the clearest attributes predicted for Endtime Babylon?

C) America is the most reasonable interpretation of the clearest descriptions of what biblical prophecy predicts about Endtime Babylon

Let us summarize the clearest attributes of Endtime Babylon in Revelation 17-18 discussed above:

1) It will be the economic super-power of the world, possessing great wealth (18:17) when the Endtimes begin.

2) Its international businessmen will be the world’s important people (18:23).

3) It will be the foremost consumer and importer of material goods in the world because all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth (18:19).

4) Its people will be living in extravagant luxury (Rev 18:3).

5) It will be the world’s foremost example and promoter of the worship of Money because all the nations will have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries (18:3 NIV).

Based on these biblical characteristics, the remainder of this chapter will argue what should be obvious: America is the most reasonable interpretation of the clearest descriptions of what biblical prophecy predicts about Endtime Babylon. No other interpretations even come close.

C.1) Predicted attribute #1: America is the economic super-power of the world, possessing great wealth

America is a historical phenomenon that surpasses any nation or people who have ever lived on the Earth. The level of prosperity in America far exceeds anything experienced in history or anywhere else in the world. This becomes especially clear when we realize that America possesses only 4% of the world’s population! ^[26] Keep that in mind as we discuss the economic, military, and cultural power of America in this chapter and the next.

Of course, America has by far the most powerful conventional (non-nuclear) military in the world, something discussed further in the next chapter. But its truly unique and greatest domination in the world is based on its overwhelmingly superior wealth. Honestly, it is difficult for most Americans to understand how superior they are to the entire rest of the world when it comes to financial wealth. But the following will attempt to illustrate this. For example, in a report on global wealth, the respected Pew Research Center states the following:

How does the [economic] well-being of the American family compare with the well-being of people in other countries?… On a global scale, the vast majority of Americans are either upper-middle income or high income. And many Americans who are classified as “poor” by the U.S. government would be middle income globally… 

The U.S. stands head and shoulders above the rest of the world [in wealth]. More than half (56%) of Americans were high income by the global standard… Another 32% were upper-middle income. In other words, almost nine-in-ten [88% of] Americans had a standard of living that was above the global middle-income standard. Only 7% of people in the U.S. were middle income, 3% were low income and 2% were poor.

Compare that with the rest of the world, where 13% of people globally could be considered middle income [this describes much of Europe]. Most people in the world were either low income (56%) or poor (15%), and relatively few were upper-middle income (9%) or high income (7%)…

Given the much higher standard of living in the U.S., what is considered poor here is a level of income still not available to most people globally… This means that many Americans who are poor by the U.S. standard would be middle income by the global standard. ^[27]

How different is America from the rest of the world when it comes to a relative global scale of wealth? 56% of Americans are at the highest category of income in the world. But the same percentage (56%) of the rest of the world’s population is at the lowest income level. Only 7% of non-Americans are “high income.” Likewise, 56% of the world’s people are “poor.” Only 2% of Americans are.

And many Americans still complain about not having enough money. That is the world’s ultimate example of the idolatrous attitude of Endtime Babylon towards money.

All of these statistics include Europe which can be described as primarily “middle income” compared to America. Accordingly, in another Pew Research study we read:

Overall, regardless of how middle class fortunes are analyzed, the material standard of living in the U.S. is estimated to be better than in most Western European countries examined… For example, [it is] estimated that … the per capita income in France is only 67% of the level in the U.S.” ^[28]

The above explains why the Washington Post reported that “the United States” was “surprisingly close” to having “99%” of its population, “make up the wealthiest 1% of all people in the entire world.” ^[29]

There are over 20 million people in the U.S. who are millionaires. In 2019 alone, America added well over 2 million more millionaires. ^[30] That means a country with 4% of the world’s population has about 1/3 of the estimated 59 millionaires in the world. This means you are 12 times (or 1,200%) more likely to be a millionaire in America, than the rest of the world. ^[31]

America is ranked far ahead of any other country in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is essentially Money power. In 2021 GDP in the U.S. was about $23 trillion. ^[32] This is $5 trillion more than the combined 27 countries of the entire European Union which was about $17 trillion. In fact, America’s GDP is almost 25% of the total $94 trillion of GDP for the whole world. And that is with a population of only about 335 million people, or 4% of the world. That equals about $70,000 of GDP per every man, woman, and child in the U.S.

China is second in GDP, producing about $17 trillion in 2021. ^[33] But this is with a population of over 1.4 billion people. That equals $12,000 per person. In other words, Americans produce about 600% more wealth than the people in China, the nation with the second highest GDP. ^[34] And it should be noticed that a primary reason for any wealth in China is because Americans purchase their material goods more than any other country by far.

Likewise, the GDPs of the next most producing nations are dwarfed by America’s GDP of $23 trillion. Third in the world is Japan at $5 trillion, and fourth is Germany at about $4 trillion. ^[35] How about those rich oil-producing countries in the Middle East? Saudi Arabia has by far the highest GDP at about $1 trillion. Therefore, America’s GDP is 23 times the GDP of the richest country in the Middle East. And again, the vast majority of their wealth comes from America buying their oil. In every measure, America is by far the wealthiest nation in the world.

The national debt of America exposes its worship of Money. It is estimated to be $30 trillion. ^[36] That is almost $100,000 per every man, woman, and child in America. Its national debt is worth more than the combined material goods and services of the next four countries with the highest GDPs in the world (i.e. China, Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom). ^[37] In 2021 the United States spent over $1.5 billion per day to just cover the interest payment on its debt. ^[38]

Of course, many people have warned for many years that such a large debt will cause the United States economy to collapse. But no evidence supports this. America crossed the $1 trillion mark of debt in 1981. ^[39] Since then it has amassed $30 trillion of debt. Has the American economy or Americans’ lifestyles suffered in any way from over 40 years of over a trillion dollars in debt? Not at all. On the contrary, during that tremendous surge in debt over more than 40 years, America’s economic prosperity and power over the world has greatly increased.

And there is no end in sight for America’s capacity to accumulate debt. Foreign countries still view America as a valuable investment. Therefore, when the U. S. issues bonds to increase its debt, there are always more foreign buyers than bonds available. Export and import prices, and the fact that the American dollar is the standard currency in international trade, all contribute to America’s ability to be $30 trillion in debt and still be by far the most prosperous country in the world. ^[40]

The American people enjoy all the things spent on this borrowed money. What other nation in the world can borrow that much money? Only the United States of America. And its financial debt is $30 trillion because it is by far the most powerful economic nation in the world, and by far the greatest worshipper of Money in the world. When Revelation 17-18 clearly describes Endtime Babylon as the world’s economic superpower, and the foremost worshipper of wealth, when the Endtimes begin, American Christians should take serious notice of this!

It was noted above that Endtime Babylon’s great consumption of material goods will also make others in the world richer as well. The prophecy states: The international businessmen of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries (Rev 18:3). Likewise, The international businessmen who sold these things to Endtime Babylon, gained their wealth from her (18:15). Not only will Endtime Babylon possess great wealth, but will produce great wealth for others, which is why all the nations will have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries (18:3 NIV). Accordingly, Andersen points out:

The economy of the United States boomed during World War II, as did American exports. By contrast, the once-dominant European and Asian economies were devastated by the war, leaving the United States as the
world’s sole economic leader at war’s end. It is “estimated that the United States produced half of the world’s goods in 1945.”

Even in the early 1950s, after the world’s other economies had begun to rebuild, America’s GDP was still “about twice the size of the next six advanced industrial states combined… In 1950 the United States held half of the world’s financial reserves.

Today, the economy of the United States, while still the world’s largest, does not account for as large a share of world GDP as it once did. However, this is not because America’s economy is shrinking; it is because America is, as Revelation 18:3 says, making the rest of the world wealthy through the power of its wealth. ^[41]

Again, America’s wealth is why the beast Antichrist would hate the spiritual Prostitute of America and permanently remove all people from her and … burn her down with fire (Rev 17:16). Its wealth is currently the most powerful religion in the world and would hinder the Antichrist from being fully worshipped himself. The best way to destroy America’s wealth and its ability to spread the idolatrous religion of Money around the world, would be to destroy the people and place of America.

So again, American Christians should take notice. America is the most reasonable interpretation of the clearest descriptions of what biblical prophecy predicts about Endtime Babylon.

C.2) Predicted attribute #2: America’s international businessmen are the world’s important people

Revelation 18:23 is another definitive statement about the identity of Endtime Babylon: Your international businessmen were the world’s important people. This clearly fits America better than any other place in the world, and any other place in human history. Again, America has only 4% of the world’s population. But 65% (13 of 20) of the most powerful and wealthy businessmen in the world are from America. ^[42] The names of these people are certainly among the world’s most important people, and foremost celebrities in the business realm on Earth. They are so powerful, that even in popular culture their names and businesses are known by the vast majority of the world’s population. They include:

Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX)

Jeff Bezos (Amazon)

Warren Buffet (Berkshire Hathaway)

Bill Gates (Microsoft)

Michael Bloomberg (Bloomberg LP)

Steve Balmer (Microsoft)

Larry Page (Google)

Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook)

Jim Walton (Walmart)

When the prophecy in Revelation 17-18 identifies Endtime Babylon with the statement: Your international businessmen were the world’s important people, we have very good reasons to believe it is referring to America.

C.3) Predicted attribute #3: America is the world’s foremost consumer and importer of material goods

The prophecy states that Endtime Babylon’s consumption and importing of material goods will be so immense: all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth (18:17 NIV). Likewise, it says the international businessmen who sold these things to Endtime Babylon, gained their wealth from her (18:15). These things refer to a list of 28 items that Endtime Babylon will be purchasing and have shipped from around the world (cf. 18:11-15). Most of the items listed were luxuries in the ancient world, and continue to be so today.

Many think the list only refers to ancient commerce. But the relationship between American imports and the specific list of goods in Revelation 18 is remarkable. But modern America is the world’s foremost importer of silver, fine linen, ivory, marble, cinnamon, frankincense, wine, and even chariots. It is the second largest importer of perfume, olive oil, cattle, and horses (Rev 18:12-13 NASB). America’s relationship to the list of the imported goods named in the prophecy is illustrated in the following table:

Table: U.S. Imports Reflecting Items in Revelation 18 ^[43]

Cargo	Top Importers
	1st	2nd
Silver	USA
Fine linen	USA	Germany
Ivory	USA	Turkey
Marble	USA	Vietnam
Cinnamon	USA	India
Perfume	China	USA
Frankincense	USA	UK
Wine	USA	UK
Olive oil	Italy	USA
Cattle	China	USA
Horses	UK	USA
Chariots	USA

Accordingly, America is the world’s largest importer of goods, followed by China and Germany. ^[44] And again, virtually all of these items are brought to America in ships travelling across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Like Endtime Babylon is described in biblical prophecy, America is the most important trading partner in the world and especially of countries who trade by sea.

The prophecy also states that Endtime Babylon will be a place where human beings are also imported into the country and sold as slaves (Rev 18:13 NIV). This could certainly refer to America’s sinful history as a foremost importer of slaves from Africa.

But this could also certainly refer to the many sex slaves being brought into America today. The U.S. State department recently estimated that perhaps up to 50,000 women and girls are imported into America for sex trafficking every year. That is modern day slavery. ^[45] One sex trafficking expert was quoted by a Fox New report and said: “The United States is the number one consumer of sex worldwide. So we are driving the demand as a society.” ^[46] Indeed, America is a place where human beings continue to be imported into the country and sold as slaves just as Revelation 18 predicted (v. 13).

The biblical prophecy about Endtime Babylon clearly describes it as the world’s foremost consumer and importer of material goods. Therefore, American Christians should take notice. America is the most reasonable interpretation of the clearest descriptions of what biblical prophecy predicts about Endtime Babylon.

C.4) Predicted attribute #4: America’s luxurious living is the greatest in the world and in all of human history

All of America’s superior wealth, material consumption, and imports of goods result in a luxurious lifestyle that is unparalleled in the world today, and unprecedented in human history. One just needs to travel to places like Africa, India, China, Russia, and Latin America to recognize America almost feels like a different planet in terms of prosperity.

It is estimated that the 4% of the world’s population that lives in America, enjoys about 25% of the world’s entire wealth. Likewise, although America makes up 4% of the world’s population, its people consume about 25% of the world’s coal, oil, and natural gas. ^[47]

Most Americans do not realize how rare it is to even have your own lawn of grass to mow. This is just one of a multitude of examples of the stark difference between what has been called “first world problems” in America, and “third world problems” just about everywhere else. One popular resource on this issue claims:

If you keep your food in a refrigerator, and your clothes in a closet, and sleep in a bed, and have a roof over your head, you are richer than 75% of the people living in the world. ^[48]

Much of America’s luxuries come from the millions of workers who are practically slaves in the poorest countries of the world. Many work 12-14 hours a day for a few dollars an hour manufacturing material goods and products for Americans.

When the prophecy in Revelation 17-18 predicts Endtime Babylon will be a place and a people who pursued desires for extravagant luxury (Rev 18:3 NLT), lived in luxury (v. 7 NLT), enjoyed her great luxury (v. 9 NLT), and loved fancy things so much (Rev 18:14 NLT), then we should not ignore how this uniquely describes America. Or as stated in the primary point of this section: America is the most reasonable interpretation of the clearest descriptions of what biblical prophecy predicts about Endtime Babylon.

C.5) Predicted attribute #5: America is the world’s foremost example and promoter of the worship of Money

There is nothing automatically sinful about America’s wealth. It is the result of God’s blessing on the greatest Christian nation that has ever existed in human history. God’s supernatural blessing is the only reasonable explanation for why 4% of the people on Earth are so much more prosperous than any other nation in the world.

But what makes their wealth so sinful is that Americans increasingly love, trust, crave, and worship their wealth more than the living God. And they promote these same adulterous values all over the world. This is precisely what Endtime Babylon is predicted to do.

As noted above, the human passion for prosperity, possessions, and pleasures that Money can buy, is what will make the pursuit and worship of Money the intoxicating wine that all the nations will have drunk from Endtime Babylon (17:2; 18:3). Section B above demonstrated this is a repeated description of its effect. At the beginning of the Endtimes, Endtime Babylon will be the foremost example and promoter of the idolatrous religion of Money.

No other nation in all of human history has promoted the power and worship of Money like America. In the foreword to his very good book, An Empire of Wealth: The Epic History of American Economic Power, author J. S. Gordon writes:

Throughout time, from ancient Rome to modern Britain, the great empires built and maintained their domination through force of arms and political power. But not the United States. America has dominated the world in a new, peaceful, and pervasive way — through the continued creation of staggering wealth. ^[49]

Which is why the whole world envies America’s wealth and is passionately pursuing what is commonly called the “American Dream.” This is simply the idolatrous religion of economic prosperity. And America has enticed the world to pursue that same idolatrous dream as well. Other nations have certainly been blatantly evil, but they have not influenced the world in the more sinister and subtle evil of idolatry like America.

Likewise, the popular American saying, “the pursuit of the almighty dollar” describes the religion of Money. One resource notes: “’Almighty dollar’ is an idiom often used to satirize obsession with material wealth, or with capitalism in general. The phrase implies that money is a kind of deity.” ^[50]

Countries like China and India may deny it, but they greatly envy America’s economic power and are straining with all their might to imitate America in its “pursuit of the almighty dollar,” instead of the Almighty God. ^[51] America is the foremost force today, and in all of human history, in convincing the world that Money instead of God should be the primary pursuit of humanity. That is one of the clearest and most repeated things Endtime Babylon was predicted to do in Revelation 17-18. It is what America has done, like no one else. Ever.

The fact that America is the world’s foremost example and promoter of the worship of Money is demonstrated by another fact: America is the greatest source of advertising in the world. As noted above, Money will be Endtime Babylon’s religion, and marketing will be the evangelism of that religion in the World.

Therefore, it is important to notice that America is the greatest source of advertising in the world. In 2022 American businesses spent about $480 billion on advertising. ^[52] It was noted above that the entire world spent over $600 billion. That means with 4% of the world’s population, America spent about 80% of the advertising money in the world.

This is one reason that virtually all of the most influential advertising agencies in the world are located in New York City. If advertising is evangelism for the anti-God World, then America is the “Billy Graham” of the religion of Money in the world.

C.6) America is the first people and place in human history to match the worldwide influence of Endtime Babylon

As noted above, America is a unique historical phenomenon that surpasses any nation or people who have ever lived on the Earth. The level of economic wealth, influence, and prosperity in America far exceeds anything experienced in history or anywhere else in the world today.

Some have suggested that many entities in history could have fulfilled the predictions of Endtime Babylon in Revelation 17-18. That is not true for several reasons, some of which will be pointed out in the next chapter. One reason becomes clear in this chapter: the economic power and influence predicted for Endtime Babylon has never been matched by any people or place in all of human history until America. No other empire or nation has even come close.

In all of human history, it can only be said of America: all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries (18:3 NIV). As Thomas notes:

The harlot has committed fornication with all levels of society, from the kings of the earth to the rest of earth’s inhabitants… The Babylonian system gains international influence and even domination.” ^[53]

When something influences all the nations on Earth, in even a small way, it is an unprecedented force in the world. For the first time in human history, only America’s influence in our world can certainly be described in this way. In fact, before the emergence of America, it would seem difficult to suggest historical candidates for a physical fulfillment of Revelation 17-18. It is perhaps only because America exists that these prophecies make any sense at all.

What other place and people in all of human history besides America could be described with the economic power predicted for Endtime Babylon? In all of human history, and for the foreseeable future, such worldwide attributes could only be said of modern America. Accordingly, Andersen rightly concludes:

The United States is the greatest economic superpower that the world has ever seen. It is the only entity in the history of the world that has made the entire world wealthy. It is by far the country with the greatest luxury and material comfort of any in the world’s history. And it has far more control over the economies of other countries than has any other entity in history. It alone of any country in history matches the description of Babylon the Great in Revelation 17–18, and it matches the description so clearly as to leave no doubt that it is the entity referenced. ^[54]

In summary, the primary case for interpreting the prophecy in Revelation 17-18 to refer to America is that the clearest descriptions of Endtime Babylon include:

1) It will be the economic super-power of the world, possessing great wealth (18:17) when the Endtimes begin.

2) Its international businessmen will be the world’s important people (18:23).

3) It will be the foremost consumer and importer of material goods in the world because all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth (18:19).

4) Its people will be living in extravagant luxury (Rev 18:3) that the rest of the world will envy and desire for themselves.

5) It will be the world’s foremost example and promoter of the worship of Money.

America is by far the clearest example of all of these things. This is true of all of human history, it is true now, and this will be true for the foreseeable future. In fact, if God intended to predict and describe 21st century America in prophetic Scripture it is difficult to imagine how He could describe it more clearly.

No other interpretation of these prophecies makes sense in light of America’s economic attributes and effect on the world. Accordingly, it seems the primary point of this section has been demonstrated: America is the most reasonable interpretation of the clearest descriptions of what biblical prophecy predicts about Endtime Babylon.

And there are 6 more attributes of Endtime Babylon described in Scripture that uniquely match America. That will be the topic of the next chapter.

1. Completely destroyed translates the Greek word ērēmōthē which most literally means to “depopulate” a place (BDAG) and is used this way in Rev 17:16; 18:19). But it can also mean “be destroyed” (cf. Matt 12:25; Luke 11:17). This is its meaning regarding the wealth of Endtime Babylon in Rev 18:17. ↑

2. Beale writes, “The description of the woman confirms she represents worldly economic forces in collusion with the state [Endtime Babylon]” (854). Thomas writes regarding purple (17:4; Gr. porphyra): “The color symbolized luxury and splendor… But scarlet is also the color of sin (Isa. 1:18) (1321). ↑

3. BDAG. ↑

4. BDAG. ↑

5. Osborne, 637. ↑

6. Morris, Rev. ↑

7. The suggested translation of Rev 18:11 is: The international businessmen of the world will weep and mourn when the Prostitute is destroyed because nobody will buy their goods anymore.

   International businessmen translates the Greek emporoi. For an explanation of the term see this section.

   When the Prostitute is destroyed reflects the context.

   Nobody is the meaning of the Greek word oudeis, which means, “no one, nobody” (BDAG). However, this seems to be an exaggeration. Commerce will continue in the Endtimes even after the destruction of Endtime Babylon (cf. Rev 13:16-17).

   Goods translates the Greek word gomon which means, “that which is carried by a conveyance, load, freight.” Obviously, in the ancient world this often meant cargoes in ships as most versions translate it. But this is not necessarily the meaning of the word. The NLT goods is accurate. ↑

8. Osborne, 647. ↑

9. Thomas writes regarding Revelation 18:

   Commerce and trade are the major subject of the remainder of the chapter. The NT has frequent references to trade (Matt. 13:45; 22:5; 25:14; James 4:13), but none comes near portraying the vast world traffic of this chapter. (1368).

   MacArthur elaborates on this and writes:

   The Babylon in view in chapter 18 is Antichrist’s worldwide commercial empire, which will rule the world during the last three and a half years of the Tribulation. That Antichrist will be able to build the greatest commercial empire the world has ever known in the midst of the devastating judgments of the Tribulation reveals his incredible power… while Babylon will be an actual city, its influence will be worldwide. As Antichrist’s capital city, it will be the hub of and represent his commercial empire. (MNTC, Rev, 177)

   This is confusing. Mostly because MacArthur thinks Rev ch. 17 is predicting a religion, and ch. 18 a “commercial empire.” In MacArthur’s view, when the Antichrist destroys Endtime Babylon (17:16) it is evidently only the religion that is destroyed? The commercial aspects of Endtime Babylon continue? But how can this be true if it is destroyed at the end of Christ’s Wrath at the time of the Battle of Armageddon as MacArthur and other Pre-tribulationists believe? ↑

10. Osborne, 637. ↑

11. BDAG defines liparos as “pertaining to being bright or radiant, with implication of being luxurious, bright, costly, rich … luxury.” ↑

12. BDAG. ↑

13. As noted, Bible versions choose one of the two meanings of strēnous in Revelation 18. Some have sensuality (NASB, NET, NCV). Others have luxury (NIV, NLT, ESV, NKJV, NRSV). It would seem best to include both meanings here as the suggested translation does.

    Some Greek scholars add a third meaning to strēnous: “arrogance.” Beckwith writes the word: “contains the idea of excessive luxury and self-indulgence with accompanying arrogance” (Quoted in Mounce, 326). Likewise, Thomas writes of strēnous: “The idea of the term is that of insolent luxury, self-indulgence with accompanying arrogance” (1369). Luxury certainly often leads to arrogance. ↑

14. This is a combination of definitions for “sensuality” in Webster’s. ↑

15. Regarding the Greek word mamōna which is a transliteration of the Aramaic word māmônā the NIDNTT states: “It means not merely money in the strict sense but a man’s possessions, everything that has value equivalent to money, and even all that he possesses apart from his body and life” (2:837). ↑

16. Carson, Matt. ↑

17. BDAG #1. ↑

18. Ibid., 1323-1324. ↑

19. Ibid., 1369. ↑

20. Rev 18:23 quoted here is the NIV except merchants (emporoi) is translated international businessmen. ↑

21. For more on the debate of whether Endtime Babylon will be a religious institution see EB ch. 7, sec. E. ↑

22. It is stated here that “Endtime Babylon will be the greatest source and promoter of both a religion and wealth.” Beale supports this when commenting on Rev 17:5:

    The contrast of the whore with the woman in [Rev] ch. 12 and the bride in chs. 19 and 21 shows that the religious side of Babylon is as prominent as the economic side. Since the female figures of these chapters all represent purely religious realities, Babylon must also be essentially religious. But it would be wrong to underemphasize the economic, since the economic has been clearly in mind all along and is part and parcel with the religious system. (859) ↑

23. An additional indication that the essence of Endtime Babylon is economic idolatry is the obscure passage of Zechariah 5:5-11. First, it seems the prophecy relates to Endtime Babylon. The land of Shinar was an ancient Hebrew word for the land of Babel (Gen 10:10). However, the prophecy did not refer to ancient Babylon. Anderson notes:

    The reference to the land of Shinar in Zechariah 5:11 is significant, for this prophecy was given some 20 years after the Babylonian Empire fell. A future eschatological entity of a similar nature is predicted. (27)

    In this prophetic Scripture we are given a vision of a basket for measuring grain and it’s filled with the sins of everyone throughout the land of Endtime Babylon (v. 6 NLT). In the basket sat a woman who is wickedness (v. 7 NIV). The basket containing the woman taken to build a temple for her in the land of Endtime Babylonia; and when it is prepared, she will be set there on her own pedestal (v. 11 NASB), apparently to be worshipped.

    What are we to make of this? First, we need to suggest the meaning of the symbolic language here. An ephah (basket) was “used to measure such dry [food] substances as flour, barley, and grain” (TWOT, 38). Figuratively, this measure was the essence of commerce in the ancient world.

    Therefore, what seems to be communicated here is that the peoples of Endtime Babylon will have their hearts set on physical goods, commerce, etc. in an idolatrous way. Behind this is the spirit of a wicked woman who will have her own temple and pedestal to be worshipped in Babylon. This seems to be a reference to the Prostitute of Endtime Babylon in Revelation 17-18. ↑

24. For an explanation of the suggested translation of Rev 17:16 see ch. 1, sec. A.2. ↑

25. For more on Antichrist’s worship in the Endtimes see BBP, ch. 13. ↑

26. Population figures are from https://www.worldometers.info/ which lists the 2022 world population at slightly under 8 billion and the U.S. population at 334 million. 334/8 billion = 4.175% ↑

27. Rakesh Kochhar, “How Americans Compare with the Global Middle Class”; available online at https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/07/09/how-americans-compare-with-the-global-middle-class/. Granted, this article was written in 2015 and some of its data was based on “2011, the latest year that could be analyzed with the available data” at the time on global incomes. But if anything, the economic gap between America and the rest of the world has only widened. ↑

28. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2017/06/05/through-an-american-lens-western-europes-middle-classes-appear-smaller/ ↑

29. Suzy Khimm, “Does America’s 99 percent represent the top 1 percent on Earth?, Washington Post, 10/12/2011; online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/post/does-americas-99-percent-represent-the-top-1-percent-onearth/2011/10/12. Granted, the story is somewhat outdated, but it is doubtful that the picture has changed since 2011.

    Another source explains why Khimm says America is “surprisingly close” to this statistic. Taylor Marvin writes in “The World’s 99 Percent”:

    Is the income of the bottom 99% of US citizens in the top 1% of world income? Short answer: maybe. From the World Bank, World Development Indicators dataset, in 2009 per capita US income was $45,989, compared to a world average of $8,599. Plugging this into the Global Rich List income comparison tool, it tells us that the average American falls into the top 1.43% of humanity, suggesting that the 99 Percent statistic’s claim is just off a little. (Online at http://smokeandstir.org/category/economics/page/3/ ↑

30. The statistics on millionaires in the U.S. and world used here and in these endnotes comes from Darina Lynkova, “28 Millionaire Statistics: What Percentage of Americans Are Millionaires” online at https://spendmenot.com/blog/what-percentage-of-americans-are-millionaires/ ↑

31. It is claimed here that you are 1200% more likely to be a millionaire in America than the rest of the world. This statistic is based on the following. There are over 20 million millionaires in America (see endnote above). In an estimated population of 335 million, millionaires make up 6% of America’s population (20/334=.06 or 6%).

    The whole world, including America, is estimated to have 59 million millionaires (see https://www.credit-suisse.com/about-us/en/reports-research/global-wealth-report.html). If we subtract the 20 millionaires in America, that means there are about 39 million millionaires in the rest of the world.

    If we subtract the population of America from the population of the world it equals about 7.5 billion non-Americans (based on total estimated population of 8 billion; see https://www.worldometers.info/).

    Therefore, 39 million millionaires in the rest of the world would equal 0.05% of its population (39 million/7.5 billion = .005 or .5%).

    6% (.06) is 12 times greater than 0.5% (.06/.005=12). 12 times = 1200%. ↑

32. International Monetary Fund (IMF) at “World Economic Outlook Database, October 2021”  October 2021. ↑

33. IMF. ↑

34. It is claimed here that Americans produce about 600% more wealth (GDP) than the people in China. This statistic is based on the following. Per capita GDP in America in 2021 was about $70,000 per adult. Per capita GDP in China was about $12,000 per adult (see endnote above). 70,000/12,000 = about 5.8 times or about 600%. ↑

35. Ibid. ↑

36. U. S. Debt Clock online at https://www.usdebtclock.org/. ↑

37. IMF. ↑

38. Treasury Direct online at https://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/ir/ir_expense.htm. The over $1.5 billion per day is calculated by dividing the over $562 billion paid for interest on the national debt in the year 2021 by 365 days in a year. ↑

39. For a good article on the economic relationship between the U. S. and China see online at https://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/22/us-national-debt-tops-1-trillion-oct-22-1981-243966 ↑

40. Macroeconomics, and why America can experience high debt and prosperity at the same time, is a complicated topic. Its relationship with China is an example and explained well in this article online at https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/040115/reasons-why-china-buys-us-treasury-bonds ↑

41. Andersen, 22. ↑

42. https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/ ↑

43. The data in the table is based on Internet research conducted by Pete Grose. ↑

44. https://uk.worldoptions.com/news/worlds-top-exporters-and-importers ↑

45. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_trafficking_in_the_United_States ↑

46. Geoff Rogers, co-founder of the United States Institute Against Human Trafficking. https://www.foxnews.com/us/human-trafficking-in-america-among-worst-in-world-report ↑

47. “The State of Consumption Today,” Worldwatch Inc.; online at http://www.worldwatch.org/node/810# ↑

48. https://www.thetraveltart.com/miniature-earth/ ↑

49. Foreword to J. S. Gordon, An Empire of Wealth: The Epic History of American Economic Power (Harper, 2005), underlining added. While a little dated, and written by a secular author, this book is a very good read on how God has uniquely blessed America to be by far the most dominant nation today, and in the history of the world, in every category.

    ↑

50. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almighty_dollar ↑

51. Andersen writes: “China is one of the clearest examples of a society buying into the United States’ materialism and subsequently becoming immoral in ways that are directly linked to this materialism” (24). ↑

52. https://www.marketingcharts.com/advertising-trends/spending-and-spenders-228567 ↑

53. Thomas, 1318. ↑

54. Andersen, 23. ↑