Rev 18:11-13 (KJV)
11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. (Emphasis, mine)
The Sold Soul
Whore of Babylon (french illuminated “Book of Revelation”) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The book of Revelation is frightening in its scope and imagery. It transports us back and forth in time, and depicts the powers of the Universe in ways both monstrous and divine. The Whore of Babylon is one of the most famous of the monstrous beings described in Revelation. She is richly adorned with purple and bathed in precious stones. Sitting on a scarlet beast, she has a golden cup in her hand. The cup is “full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:” (Rev 17:4, KJV). The name emblazoned on her forehead is: “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (Rev 17:5, KJV)
Who or What Is the Whore of Babylon?
The Whore of Babylon is both a who and a what. The “Mother of Harlots” is an insatiable and profane force that powers godless commerce and governments throughout time and around the Earth. The godless commerce and governments are carried out by the people who serve her. In this chapter, her time has come to an end. As she meets her doom, we are told that the merchandise over which she wielded so much power is no longer being bought. It seems that bankruptcy marks the end of days for the Whore of Babylon. There are no longer any buyers for her goods.
Curious Goods for Sale
Revelation 18 presents a curious list of goods sold by the Whore of Babylon. We expect some of these goods, such as gold, precious stones, and fine fabrics. After a long list including animals and slaves, the last item mentioned stands out: “the souls of men.” Literature has long been filled with tales of men and women who sold their souls to the devil. “Faust,” “The Devil and Daniel Webster,” and “A Picture of Dorian Gray” are three well-known examples. Stories and fables would have us believe that the sold soul is a rare event. In reality, the soul is rare (precious), and as a precious item it has been on the open market since before the dawn of civilization.
Soul Commerce
The plan of salvation is the most expensive economic transaction ever made. Jesus came to Earth and sacrificed His life to save the souls of humankind. He is “the lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world.” This means that the captive state of the souls of men has been a reality for a very long time. Our Heavenly Father did not leave our souls to be tormented and held captive by Satan and his emissaries. To secure our safety, He sent His only son as a ransom for our souls.
People deceive themselves into thinking that they are captains of their fate and masters of their souls. The truth is, no man is master of their own soul. Only the souls that belong to Jesus are free. All others belong to Satan, and are listed in the inventory of the Whore of Babylon.
This is a frightening reality, but you don’t have to be afraid. Jesus paid the price for the souls of every human. Every man, woman, and child has the chance to be free. When Jesus died on the cross and said “It is finished,” the price for your soul and mine was paid in full. Jesus is the reason that the business of trafficking in souls will come to an end. He is the reason that fate of the Whore of Babylon is bankruptcy. No more takers for the human soul.
Those who reject the shed blood of Jesus as ransom for their sin-stained souls choose to remain in bondage. They are the damned. Friend, where do you stand?
May these words educate, comfort, and urge you to pray today. Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!” (Ephesians 6:10).
– Verneda
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