[SUP]11 [/SUP]“And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargoes any more— [SUP]12 [/SUP]cargoes of gold and silver and precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet, and every kind of citron wood and every article of ivory and every article made from very costly wood and bronze and iron and marble, [SUP]13 [/SUP]and cinnamon and spice and incense and perfume and frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle and sheep, and cargoes of horses and chariots and slaves and human lives. [SUP]14 [/SUP]The fruit you long for has gone from you, and all things that were luxurious and splendid have passed away from you and men will no longer find them. [SUP]15 [/SUP]The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, [SUP]16 [/SUP]saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls;[SUP]17 [/SUP]for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!’ And every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor, and as many as make their living by the sea, stood at a distance, [SUP]18 [/SUP]and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What city is like the great city?’ [SUP]19 [/SUP]And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea became rich by her wealth, for in one hour she has been laid waste!’ [SUP]20 [/SUP]Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her.”
While I totally agree that America is about as close to Babylon (as far as wallowing in sin) as a country can get, this scripture, imo, does not have anything to do with America (though our judgment, as a nation, will be fierce). I don't understand how anyone, that reads the bible as much as I think y'all do, can read this list of cargo and not see biblical significance.
I am not trying to be ugly, just trying to provoke thought - maybe even my own thoughts.
John 12:23-32
[SUP]23 [/SUP]And Jesus *answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. [SUP]24 [/SUP]Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. [SUP]25 [/SUP]He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. [SUP]26 [/SUP]If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.[SUP]27 [/SUP]“Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. [SUP]28 [/SUP]Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” [SUP]29 [/SUP]So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him.” [SUP]30 [/SUP]Jesus answered and said, “This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes. [SUP]31[/SUP]Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. [SUP]32 [/SUP]And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”
Who is the "ruler of this world" to which Jesus refers? Did he not say "now" the "ruler of this world will be cast out"? From where was he cast out? Where was he sent?
Luke 10:17-20
[SUP]17 [/SUP]The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” [SUP]18 [/SUP]And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. [SUP]19 [/SUP]Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. [SUP]20 [/SUP]Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”