Sunday, September 15: “The Power of Luxury”

Revelation 18: 2a; 3b: “Fallen, fallen, is Babylon the great! … The merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality.”

In this Book, ‘Babylon’ represents the persona of false religion. (Forget the label; it’s far from concrete, and isn’t even relevant). What is relevant is what the authoritative angel proclaims: that the earth’s merchants profited by “the wealth of her sensuality.” A more accurate reading is “the power of her luxury.” Any religion that focuses on power and luxury more than relationship with God (and there are many) is false, regardless of what you call it.