Rejoice and Stand Strong Against the Corruption of Babylon

This is probably going to be a sensitive subject for some, but I feel YHVH has put it in me to speak about.

Last night I was having a jumble of dream images- faces, feelings- for the most part, that’s all I get. I woke up in a cold sweat and immediately asked “Father- what did that mean? What are you trying to tell me?”

I got Revelation 8:20.

I thought Oh no- it’s late I want to go back to sleep, not read my bible.

But I got the urging feeling I’ve been trying harder not to ignore. At the same time that I had the thought “Just go back to sleep and do it in the morning- it’s probably nothing” I had the stronger voice “This is a test of your obedience.”

So, I grabbed my phone and flipped to The Revelation:

Rejoice over her, O heaven and saints and apostles and prophets- because did judge God the judgements for you against her.

– The Revelation 18:20

I’m not one of those people who can just be like “oh yeah that’s the part in the bible where…” <yet> I’m still studying myself. So I was confused at first, (and probably being half asleep didn’t help) so I read the full chapter. I realized Id highlighted verse 2 already as a parallel to Isaiah 13:

Isaiah 13 and the judgment of Babylon

A little refresher (it’s relevant I promise)

Isaiah was a prophet to the Southern Kingdom of Judah after the 12 tribes split ( in 1 Kings 12-14). It’s around the same time Hosea is warning the Northern Kingdom of Yisrael/ Ephraim against their idolatry.

Isaiah warns of the coming Babylonian invasion, but like many prophets, his visons and warnings are layered.

Isaiah 13:3-13 is pretty obviously Yom YHVH (Day of the Lord) imagery- verse 6 “Wail, for the day of YHVH is near!” is used a lot to describe both coming destruction as well as the future day of judgement.

“Writhe as a women in birth pains” (v 8) is echoed by Yeshua in Matthew 24:8 when speaking of the Tribulation.

The cosmic signs are given- the stars and the moon wont give their light, the Sun will be darkened, the heavens will shake- again echoed in Matthew 24:29.

Then Isaiah goes on to talk about the desolation that will be Babylon’s kingdom-

But desert creatures will lie there, their houses full of owls. Ostriches dwell there, and goat demons will dance. Jackals will howl in citadels and in their pleasant places. Her time is come- her days will not be long.

– Isaiah 13:21-22

Owls, Ostriches, Goat Demons & Jackals

If you’re anything like me, this imagery was hard to follow and understand- but I did some digging for us:

Owls “Oach/ Oachim”

In Hebrew means Howler, doleful creature, lonesome creature
likely related to the giant eagle- owl that dwells in the desert
nocturnal, lonely bird of prey (unclean)
often found in ruins

Ostriches “Bath Yaarah”

Hebrew meaning “Daughters of greediness” (or daughter of gluttony)
Perceived as having an insatiable appetite for it’s ability to swallow rocks or iron
Reputation for abandoning and neglecting it’s eggs
Produce a call that is often described as a haunting or “lonesome”
Omnivores- Unclean

Goat demons “Sa’iyr“

Hebrew meaning hairy, shaggy or he-goat
derives from sa’ar to shake or shudder; suggesting a goats shaggy appearance
in Leviticus 17:7 & 2 Chronicles 11:!5 used in association with goat demons & idol worship

Jackal “iyyim”

Scavenger- unclean

dwell in abandoned cities, ruined palaces & cursed places (Jeremiah 9:11, 51:37, Isaiah 34:13)
represent total desolation

Isaiah uses all this imagery to say Babylon doesn’t just fall- She’s utterly destroyed, unhabitable by man. What was once luxury and palaces and indulgence is now in ruin.

The Whore of Babylon

So back to that verse I highlighted

He cried out with a mighty voice, saying “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a den for demons, a haunt for every unclean bird and for every unclean and detestable beast.”

– The Revelation 18:2

Sounds familiar now, right?

Babylon is described as a woman in revelation- “The Great Whore”, but she’s symbolic for all immorality, self-indulgence, pride and deception. Revelation parallels Isaiah to say she is lifeless like the desert, a place for demons and abominations to The Father.

There are many Torah observant followers who believer the Whore is the modern church-

Notice, Yeshua calls the people in her His people-

“Come out of her My people, least you participate in her sins and receive her plagues!“

It’s like He’s giving one final warning to really submit to Him. Many Christians tend to write this off as not effecting them, saying things like “believers are not appointed unto wrath”; that must be a warning to pagans.

But doesn’t that sound like the Whore of Babylon?

As much as she exalted herself and reveled in luxury, as much give to her torment and grief. Because in her heart she says, “I sit as a queen, I am no widow- I shall never see grief.”

– The Revelation 18:7

This is what I think of when I hear modern Christians saying the church is the bride- “I am no widow, I am a bride! I am not appointed to grief and wrath”

I am drawn again and again to the word “deception“.

Why is it so many think they know when they are being deceived? I am filled with sorrow for those saying “Spirit would tell me. I would be convicted.” as they blatantly justify going against The Father’s word. The whole point of deception is you are fooled into believing what’s false is true.

And no where does Scripture ever says “You will just know.” It says read the Word and you will know how to discern:

Psalm 119:98-100 “Your mitzvot make me wiser than my enemies- for they are mine forever. I have more insight than all my teachers, Your testimonies are my meditation.I have gained more understanding than all my elders, for I have kept Your precepts.”
Joshua 1:8 “This book of Torah should not depart from your mouth- you are to meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will make your ways prosperous and then you will be successful.”
Proverbs 2:1-6 “My son, if you accept my words
and treasure my mitzvot within you, making your ear attentive to wisdom, inclining your heart to discernment, yes, if you call out for insight, lifting up your voice for discernment, if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures,then you will know the fear of Adonai and discover the knowledge of God. For YHVH gives wisdom, Out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.”
Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God- what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food is for the mature, who through practice have their senses trained to discern both good and evil.”

Deceived by Sorcery

And the light of the lamp no not shall shine in you any longer, and the voice of a bridegroom and a bride no not shall be heard in you any longer. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth because by your sorcery were deceived all the nations

– The Revelation 18:23

Okay, this is going to be the upsetting part- and honestly, I really don’t even want to write it because of the backlash I could get. But I’ve told YHVH i want to be His servant, and so serve I shall.

When we think of “Sorcery” it all seems like witchcraft, obvious things like astrology, and spells and new age ‘magic’. Easy to spot those things, right?

But remember- the nations are deceived. And deception isn’t going to come as something we can easily see as deception and turn from- it comes as the tactics of the enemy- comfort, light, security and control. It mimics God, luring us, seducing us with false peace.

And Adam not was deceived, but the woman having been deceived into transgression has come.

– 1 Timothy 2:14

Describing Adam, ‘was deceived’- is the root “apatao”: being cheated or led into error
but the word which describes the Woman is the root “exapatao” meaning to seduce wholly

Adam was directly told the Command of YHVH to not eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil; he could not be deceived because he knew the truth. But the Woman, though she knew of the command, encountered it second-hand through Adam- so she allowed it to be reframed and thus was deceived through distortion.

What is Sorcery?

With the groundwork laid that we will not know deception unless we study the Word- let’s dissect the word “sorcery”

The Greek is “Pharmakeia” which means for the use of or the administering of drugs, potions, spells and medicine; poisoning, sorcery and magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and and fostered by it

This is where we get the word “Pharmaceuticals”- mixtures of chemicals, metals and/or synthetic elements which are designed to manipulate biochemistry or metabolic functions of the body in order to get a ‘desired’ affect in the treatment of disease or sickness.

The Father of Pharmaceuticals

1493-1591: A Swiss physician, born Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim-what a name– called himself “Paracelsus”. He is noted as an alchemist, theologian and philosopher during the German Renaissance.

Paracelsus believed that true anatomy could only be understood once the nourishment for each part of the body was discovered- he’s the one that came up with ‘if it looks like a body part, it must be good for that body part’.

But , he also believed that diseases were caused by poisons brought from the stars. Paracelsus claimed if a star or poison caused a disease, then it must be countered by another star or poison– and so became the “father of toxicology”.

In my research, I found that broad websites like Wikipedia paint him out to be a Protestant, obsessed with serving God; but a deeper look proved otherwise:

Before studying medicine, Paracelsus was a student under Johannes Trithemius, an occultist who studied Hermeticism, Kabbalah, and magic from nature
Paracelsus was a practicing astrologer, and devoted several sections in his book “Archidoxes of Magic” on the construction of astrological talismans for curing disease
He also wrote a Grimoire “Of the Supreme Mysteries of Nature” which emphasized the distinction between “good” and “bad” magic
Coined the phrase, “All things are poison and nothing is without poison; only the dose makes a thing not a poison.”

This is exactly the kind of thing Paul warned about:

See that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men and the basic principles of the world, rather than Messiah.

– Colossians 2:8

Apart from occultist activities- which we know anyone professing YHVH as having all authority would not partake in- Paracelsus introduced the concept of putting metals like mercury, arsenic and lead into the body to treat disease. Obviously we know those are fatal now, But modern pharmaceuticals continue to expand this idea.

Platinum is used Chemotherapy for cancer but can cause kidney damage, nerve damage, and severe nausea.
Mercury is in vaccines and can cause neurological and kidney damage.
Arsenic is used to fight leukemia but effects the heart, liver and nervous system.
Bismuth (Pepto-Bismol) upset stomach and diarrhea but can cause bismuth toxicity affecting kidneys and nervous system.

Gold is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, but can cause rashes, kidney damage, and bone marrow suppression.
Lithium is used for mood disorders, but can cause seizures, kidney failure, and death
Cobalt found in B-12 injections can cause Hypothyroidism, fatigue and heart failure
Iron supplements can cause nausea, vomiting, liver damage, multi-organ failure
Magnesium can cause hypotension and cardiac arrest

And we could go on. Honestly, this isn’t even any new information. We’re all constantly assaulted with the same messages in streaming ads and commercials for antidepressants, weight-loss pills or injections, supplements- each promising relief, transformation or control.

Yet they’re followed by a rapid list of “rare” side effects: organ failure, chronic illness, even death.

Why do we tolerate it? Because we’ve been conditioned to. The enemy has made us numb. What should alarm us now sounds normal. What should cause discernment barely registers.

How the Renaissance led to Morphine & Heroin

Paracelsus also reintroduced opium, which had been historically used in Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and Greece to treat pain relief, diarrhea, as a cough suppressant, and for inducing sleep.

Before 1453, Byzantine scholars preserved and copied Greek and Roman texts. When the Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople, many scholars fled to Italy and Western Europe, bringing manuscripts and medical knowledge.

This influx helped spark the Renaissance by exposing Europeans to ancient ideas- medicine and herbal remedies that had been less accessible in the West for centuries. Opium was widely adopted in medicines like laudanum– a tincture of opium and alcohol.

In 1803, Morphine, named for Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams, became the first active medicinal ingredient to be isolated from a plant. It was a purified, concentrated form of the opium Poppy’s main alkaloid and became the dominant painkiller in Europe, especially after the invention of the hypodermic syringe in the 1853.

In 1874 a chemist combined the chemical Acetic anhydride- which controls how other substances are altered in the body- with morphine.

And in 1898, the German pharmaceutical company Bayer dubbed it Heroin, from heroisch (German for “heroic”), because test subjects reportedly felt strong and energetic.

Go figure.

Heroin was marketed as

A non-addictive substitute for morphine
A cough suppressant
A treatment for tuberculosis
A remedy for children’s cough

Obviously today, we know it’s actually highly addictive and can cause death. In the early 1900’s addiction issues were becoming apparent, and in 1924 heroin was banned from the US, and later banned mostly world-wide.

The bowl of Hygieia, the Rod of Asclepius, & the Caduceus

If you think the idea of putting toxic metals in our bodies is still a “modern miracle” I will point you, beloved, in the direction of three symbols you might have seen but not had full understanding of.

The Bowl of Hygieia

Hygieia is the ancient Greek goddess of health, cleanliness and sanitation, and the daughter of Asclepius, the god of medicine. As the personification of health preservation, she represents preventive measures rather than just curing illness. Her name is the origin of the word “hygiene,” and she is often depicted holding a serpent and a cup. The serpent represents wisdom and renewal, and the cup represents a medical potion. While her sister Panacea was the goddess of curing, Hygeia was responsible for the prevention of illness.

This symbol has been used for Pharmacology since 1796, later adopted worldwide

The Rod of Asclepius

Asclepius in Greek mythology was the son of Apollo and the revered god of physicians. He was taught the art of healing by the centaur Chiron, and became so skilled that he could even bring the dead back to life. His symbol is a snake coiled around a staff. The staff represents the walking stick of a traveling healer, reflecting practical care and guidance, while the serpent symbolizes renewal, wisdom and regeneration.

In the 1880s in France and Germany, medical publications and societies began using the rod-and-serpent emblem on diplomas, seals, and logos to signify physicians and healing. The US followed in 1910, making the Rod their official symbol for Medicine.

The Caduceus

The Caduceus in Greek mythology was carried by Hermes (or Roman god Mercury). It features two serpents entwined around a winged staff and originally symbolized commerce and negotiation.

What’s interesting, is that Hermes/ Mercury has absolutely nothing to do with medicine or healing-

He protected merchants, markets and economic exchange
Was patron of travelers and thieves
Was the messenger of the gods, conveying divine orders
Guiding souls to the underworld
Known for cunning trickery, cleverness, negotiation, and theft
In Rome Hermeticism was a Hellenistic tradition combining alchemy, astrology and magical philosophy

In 1902, the US Army Medical Corps adopted the Caduceus as their symbol, and since then it’s been associated with medicine alongside the other two.

In the occultic world, the goat demon Baphomet is depicted with wings and a wingless- caduceus between his crossed legs. I’m not going to post a picture of an image known for devil worship, but you can go look it up if you’re curious and compare.

I for one find it super interesting that all the symbols on our medical care are not only pagan in origin- but also all have serpents. Not only that, but serpents are symbolic for wisdom? I wonder why (heavy sarcasm).

What about Luke?

Luke would have been familiar with a few medicinal practices available to physicians at the time:

Humoral theory:

Hippocrates (460–370 BC) the Greek ‘father of medicine’ outlined the idea that the body is governed by four humors that aligned with the elements: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Health depended on the balance of these humors, and disease resulted from imbalance; Treatments aimed to restore balance via bloodletting, purgatives, emetics, baths and diet according to the sick humors (like cooling foods for excess heat, ect.

Luke would have also had knowledge of Medicinal Herbs: Natural remedies like frankincense, myrrh, garlic, willow bark, and various culinary herbs could be used safely and ethically. He likely used ointments, poultices, oils, and nutrition- things accessible and effective within the created order.

I see the argument often that “Luke was a doctor, so prescriptions must be fine,” but his example shows otherwise.

Luke would used natural remedies- herbs, diet, and careful observation, combined with prayer and compassion– always honoring YHVH’s design. Being a physician doesn’t give a free pass to follow every human idea; true healing comes from prayer and Spirit’s guidance, and we can care for ourselves and others while staying faithful and discerning, rather than following human philosophies that conflict with Torah.

(And honestly if people really trust doctors so much- they should do some research into how the modern hospital and doctor system came into being. Hint- eeFray asons-May)

So what does this all mean?

Let’s look at what we know:

We know nothing is arbitrary; words, symbols, what we put in our bodies- it’s all a part of our daily walk with YHVH.

We know everywhere in the bible the adversary is named as a serpent, a dragon, a deceiver- who offers wisdom, shortcuts and short lived comfort. He pushes us to test our Father, attempts to seduce us with compromise, and offers what looks like peace- but comes by disobedience and with suffering.

We know in the judgement of the Whore of Babylon is against her merchants (Revelation 18:11) and what they sell is sold to the Church-

And cinnamon bark and spices and incense and myrrh and frankincense and wine and oil and finest flour and wheat and cattle and lambs and horses and chariots of the somaton and the souls of men

– The Revelation 18:13

Somaton- from “Soma” meaning body, flesh; used for the body of the church throughout of the New Testament

I also want to point out- everything named in this verse was and is used for medicine; including cow, sheep and horse cells in modern vaccines and drugs.

“Chariots” could be seen as the mass transportation system which supplies the world with pharmaceuticals.

I know this has been a rather long post, and if you made it this far I thank you for bearing with me. I didn’t understand why I kept getting Revelation 18:20 until I did all this research and I think I finally understand.

“Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has pronounced judgment for you against her!”

This is a call to resist temptation and stand against what is unnatural or deceptive.

Babylon symbolizes the worldly systems built on greed, false knowledge and practices that distort YHVH’s order- whether through sorcery or the manipulation of creation itself. We are reminded as followers to remain faithful and discerning, rejecting the allure of quick power, secret knowledge or substances and practices that defy His natural design. Standing firm in obedience and trust in YHVH ensures that we are aligned with His justice and protection.

Even though the world is corrupt and evil, and the enemy is deceptive- we are called to endure and find peace in the truth that righteousness and justice will ultimately prevail.