Drunk on Her Wine

At the time this angel’s message goes forth, all nations have drunk the wine of Babylon. Notice that this wine, representing her false teachings, is also called “the wine … of her fornication.” The leaders of nations and of commerce are singled out as two groups particularly attracted to and benefitted by this wine. Why?

Interestingly, Pope Leo XIII, in his encyclical Libertas, stated, “Civil society must acknowledge God … and must obey and reverence His power and authority [on earth].” This authority, according to him, is invested in “that religion … which alone is true”—that is, Catholicism.

Yet Jesus warned of such power, saying, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them … [and] are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you” (Luke 22:25, 26). This kind of so-called “benevolent” tyranny is not what Jesus envisions for His kingdom.

Similarly, the Roman church maintains that all property ultimately has one common ownership on earth. According to Pope John Paul II, in his encyclical Laborem exercens, the church has “never upheld the right [to private property] as absolute,” and that a “position that defends the exclusive right to private ownership of the means of production [remains] unacceptable.” The church, ultimately, claims authority over all the earth—and makes herself and her cohorts the benefactors of her wealth and power.

While such doctrine may be advertised as benevolent stewardship, its real character is revealed by the mark of the beast crisis. Those who will not submit to violating the law of God by keeping holy the first day of the week, Sunday, will be oppressed by the leaders of the earth and will be cut off from all commerce. Satan’s design in having total control is not the benefit of people but, rather, the eradication of everyone who would be loyal to God.

Dear God, I choose to never bow to Babylon. I desire to remain true to You, by the power of Your Spirit, to the end.

For Further Study: Romans 11:4; Isaiah 1:21; Revelation 21:1

Key Bible Texts

For all nations have drunk of the wine 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. (Revelation 18:3 KJV)