It’s the Economy, Stupid!
…Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgment come. (Revelation 18:10b)
During the middle to late 1980’s our country experienced a period of great economic success under President Reagan. When George H.W. Bush was elected in 1988, we began a period of slight economic decline which enveloped the country in a period of recession. During the campaign of 1992, the buzz of people and politicians was the economy, so that all attention was paid to the different plans that would bring us out of recession and help us back to the economic success that was previously enjoyed. Bill Clinton ran for president that year and campaigned with the slogan, “It’s the economy stupid!”
Our country was in the throes of many problems and still is, but the single issue that seems to attract more attention than any other is the economy. Today we consider candidates for office without regard to their decency and morality. Their personal beliefs no longer matter. Qualifications are not really too much of a concern either. The most important position to consider is “Where do they stand on the economy?” To many American Christians, it does not matter if the candidate promises to keep abortion a viable option for birth control, it does not matter if gay marriage is a part of the platform, it does not matter if constitutional rights are trampled—the most important problem we have is money for more conveniences and nicer houses and bigger bank accounts and greater luxuries.
Revelation chapter 18 shows how our country is immersed in political and ecclesiastical Babylon. It is not difficult to see how the Antichrist will come to power when America’s agenda for the most part is the same as the Antichrist’s. He will come to power at a time of political chaos and in a time of economic distress. He will make many promises about how he can improve the economy and since this is what we are most concerned about, this one issue will dominate all other concerns so that recovering prosperity will be the ticket to worldwide support. America is immersed in Babylon. Politically and religiously Babylon is much preferred to Zion.
It may seem surprising to you but God is very much in control of what is happening. True believers need not concern themselves that we are hopeless and helpless in the face of the rising tide of immorality. God has a plan to purge the world of sin and it will come at the expense of those that have sold out to moral decadence and the love of money. Revelation 18 depicts the sudden demise of Babylon. The sorrows of destruction will envelope it as people weep and wail when they see the smoke of her burning (18:18-19).
Those that put their trust in such things will lose everything. They enter into a compact with the devil to preserve their riches and prosperity. They will discover in a most fearful manner the truth of Jesus’ words, “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” This is a question all of us need to answer. There is nothing more valuable than your soul and God holds the destiny of yours in His hands. What will He do with your soul? Take account of your life and see where you stand. Preserving the best of the world is nothing in comparison to the riches of the inheritance of God. You cannot have both. Either you live forever with God or you die forever in Babylon.
Pastor V. Mark Smith