Like drunks, most people have numbed themselves into thinking that this present world will continue for some decades or, at worst, some years as it has done in the past. But for those who are diligently watching the “signs of the times,” this present evil world – which God looks at as Satan the devil’s crafty instrument “Babylon” – has its days numbered!
Like movie-goers who are eagerly waiting for the next movie that’s “coming soon,” these diligent watchers clearly see the signs of the soon-coming fall of “Babylon” as described in Revelation 17 and 18.
One such sign is how Babylon – symbolized as a harlot woman [prostitute] – has made “the inhabitants of the earth…drunk with the wine of her fornication” (Revelation 17:2). A gaudily attired harlot, she has in her hand “a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication” (Verse 4).
Some have rightly pointed to this “golden cup” as the attractive way by which this world’s god, Satan, has enticed a majority of earth’s inhabitants into a false religion with its colorful pageantry and mystique. As a result, worship in a conservative church congregation may seem bland and “uncool” in comparison.
But here I would like to single out a particular “abomination” and “filthiness” of Babylon’s fornication. It is the proliferation of pornography (from the Greek words porneia, meaning “fornication” or “sexual immorality” and graphein, meaning “writing” or “graphics,” which include graffiti on walls, sexually explicit stories and pictures in magazines, books, posters, billboards, tv commercials, movies and videos on the internet and messages on digital phones, tablets and computers.
Someone has dubbed this phenomenon as a “porndemic!”
Some have estimated that there are over three billion pornography (or “porn” for short) sites on the internet! Because of porn’s “three A’s” (accessible, anonymous, and affordable), a surprising percentage of people of both sexes, ages from pre-teen to seventy-plus, single or married, have either purposely or unintentionally logged on to these sites. Assuming that most sites charge single or double digit US dollars for their services, pornography is thus a multi-billion dollar “business” or “industry!” Rolling in gold, these providers seemingly cannot be stopped by human fiat! As the saying goes, there are no sellers where there are no buyers! All because Satan is behind the scenes pulling the strings. Indeed, as Revelation 18:, 39 says, “The kings [leaders] of the earth have become rich, and have lived luxuriously with her [Babylon] through her “merchandise,” including – appropriately enough – “bodies and souls of men” (Verses 12 and 13).
Social scientists, mental and medical health workers, and religious counselors have studied and have striven to fix the devastating effects of pornography-viewing on the spiritual/moral, mental and physical state of the persons involved on both ends of the “industry.” Some have likened the effect of porn-viewing to that of taking an addictive drug like cocaine! Many – even including church workers! – have become addicted to porn, often unsuccessfully struggling with it. Compounding this is the internet’s use of algorhythm– a cyber method of tracking an internet user’s visits to porn sites and redirecting him to similar sites. [See: Mind Control.] Not only is it affecting the person’s perception of himself as filthy, sinful, guilty and shameful; it destroys relationship with people closest to him – family or spouse – and with God!
Left unchecked, pornography could destroy the individual, the family, and the whole human race! God cannot — and will not — allow Satan to thwart His master-plan to bring forth many divine sons and daughters of God through reproduction in the God-ordained human family consisting of a man, his duly married wife, and their offspring or children. [See: The Rainbow Connection and The Conversion Therapy Controversy.]
The way out
With the imminent fall and destruction of Babylon [which will come “in one day” or “an hour” (Revelation 18:8, 10, 17, 19)], God cries out to His people (both Israelites and Christians): “Come out of her [Babylon], My people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues” (Verse 4), because “she will be utterly burned with fire” (Verse 8).
How can one come out of Babylon if or when one is addicted to her merchandise of porn?
God has promised with certainty: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
A number of religious people have offered such “way of escape.” See, for example: puredesire.com (with Nick Stumbo or Ted Roberts) and faithfulandtrue.com. See also my articles: “On Earth Is not His Equal,” Overcoming Temptation, and Good News — End of the World!
Remember, the stakes are high! Absolute death and perdition, if we don’t come out of the bondage of porn addiction (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Revelation 21:8; 22:15). But mercy and forgiveness to the repentant and overcomers, through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross at Calvary; sanctification through God’s word and Holy Spirit; and glorification with everlasting life and immortality in God’s kingdom at Christ’s soon return (1 Corinthians 6:11;15:50-54; Revelation 2:10-11; 3:5; 22:14).
May you choose purity of heart and body — and everlasting life!
Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
29062023