Depressing, but something to think about....

I attended Richard Draper's class on the Book of Revelations last night at BYU Education Week. What caught my attention was the activities of Babylon (referred to as "she" or in other words the "great whore") A prostitute sells that which is sacred for $$. Babylon trades the sacred souls of men to promulgate her gargantuan economic kingdom. I thought chapter 18 sounded much like our time.

12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, (riches) and precious stones, and of pearls, (jewelery) and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, (fashion) 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, (large and spacious buildings and home decor).
13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, (beauty and body care) and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, (delicatessens and gourmet foods) and horses, and chariots, (hot and fast transportation) and slaves, (addictions and those who are kept entrapped to produce merchandise) and souls of men (the cost of operating this sprawling economic kingdom.)

(New Testament | Revelation 18:12 - 13)

The saints of God love people and use things.

Those who resided in Babylon love things and use people.

John the Revelator says that all this materialism shall fall and that the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her (Babylon) for no man buyeth her merchandise anymore and in one hour is she made desolate.

It's made me think about the importance of "laying aside" our focus on material possessions and having our hearts placed on God and people, not things. The countenance of Babylon is manifest when we receive the mark of the beast in our foreheads (thoughts) and hands (actions). As I look around and see how many hours in our modern day are dedicated to getting and spending, (a Hugh Nibley theme) to consume upon our lusts, me thinks I see the Book of Revelations in full swing.

And not to be misunderstood - $ itself is not bad, but it's lustful acquisition and uses at the expense of what is truly sacred (the souls of men, both their physical and spiritual well-being), is what does us in. And I think we have to look very carefully at ourselves because the practice of putting our getting and spending (lifestyle) ahead of serving and helping others is very entrenched in our acceptable ways of living.