"And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 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 18:1-3).

After the destruction of the "woman" (religious Babylon), comes the destruction of the "mighty city" (commercial Babylon). Some point out resemblances between "the harlot Babylon" of Rev. 17 and "the city Babylon" of Rev. 18. But, there are also distinct differences between the two. They are alike in that they are both under the rule of the Gentile antichrist and at the same time (17:3, 7-14; 16:10 17-21); they are both ruling like queens, and filled with blasphemy (17:3; 18:7); they both hate the saints and shed their blood (17:6; 18:24); they are both associated with the kings of the earth in what is called "immorality" (17:2; 18:3); they both come under the definite judgment of God and are destroyed (17:1, 16, 17; 18:2, 6-8). But here the similarity ends, and there are marked differences which distinguish them.

Religious Babylon is called "MYSTERY BABYLON, THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" (17:5), while commercial Babylon is called "Babylon the great" (16:19; 18:2). The one is described under the symbol of a harlot woman, seated upon the beast of government, the other is presented as a mighty city. The 17th chapter presents ecclesiastical Babylon as a "woman," a "whore," a "mother;" the 18th chapter presents commercial Babylon as a "habitation," a "great city," a mighty city,"a market place, a burning city. The one is identified with Rome (17:18); the other is a port city, visible from the sea (18:17-21). The woman is described as guilty of religious abominations (17:4), the city is abominable because of its system of commerce (18:3, 11-19). The manner of their destruction is quite different. The woman is destroyed by the political power through which she has come to reign so arrogantly (17:16); the city is destroyed by an act of God (18: 8-10, 19 & 21).

There is a fair presentation of an interpretation of those who believe that the old city of Babylon on the Euphrates River will be rebuilt. The old city of Babylon may be rebuilt; however, old Babylon cannot be the city of Rev. 18. Just as the city of Rev. 18 cannot be Rome because Rome is not a seaport, nor is her influence on business great enough to cause the disruption of the commerce of the world, the same may be said of Babylon on the Euphrates. It is nowhere near the sea, and to imagine a city in the valley of the Euphrates as being the center of the commerce of the world is to envisage the prior fall of all Europe and America.

Let us remember that early Babylon was composed of three interrelated parts: (1) religion, (2) commerce and (3) government. All three were united against God, and God pronounced a curse upon them. In the 17th chapter of Revelation, God speaks of religious Babylon and identifies it with the Roman ecclesiastical system and her prostitute "daughters." By the teaching of the last verse of chapter 17, the "woman" (religious Babylon) is linked with the city (Rome) of her headquarters (the Vatican), which has influence over "political Babylon," which is the beast and the ten. Now, may I ask, if religious Babylon is not on the Euphrates, and if political Babylon is not on the Euphrates, why should commercial Babylon be on the Euphrates? I see no logic nor consistency in such an interpretation. In fact, I believe that the definite symbolism of the first two, also indicates a symbolism for commercial Babylon.

This great commercial city has become the abode of demons, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. One has only to walk the main streets of the commercial capital of the world, the "big rotten apple," which is New York City, to see the reality of such a description. Lust is unbridled as thousands of girls each year go on their way to prostitution. A murderer can be hired for a small sum. Justice can be bought and corruption flourishes. Federal Reserve megabanks finance governments, including the U.S. government, who do their bidding. This city is the home of the devilish World Council of Churches, the United Nations and the Council on Foreign Relations. The attack on the World Trade Center was a stern warning from God and ultimately the entire evil city will be burned to the ground. Surely, BROADWAY, WALL STREET, and PARK AVENUE sum up the diverse elements which come under the wrath of God!

In the book of Revelation, chapter 13, some details are given about the first beast, commonly known as the antichrist:

"And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over ALL kindreds, and tongues, and NATIONS" (Rev.13:7).

It is an indisputable Biblical fact that the U.S. will be under the authority of the first beast as the Scripture says he will have authority over "ALL NATIONS." Is not the US "A NATION?" Therefore, this means one of two things must happen; either the U.S. will produce the beast, or will be conquered by him. At this time the US has the most powerful military in the history of the world and won't be conquered anytime soon. For the first time in its history, the U.S. has no formidable military foe. The Bible also says:

"And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him"(Rev. 13:4)? NOBODY!