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a hunter of men--a warrior. It was through his ability to fight and kill and rule ruthlessly that his kingdom of
Euphrates valley city states was consolidated. -- The Tower of Babel by Ray C. Stedman - The fact that this was a
religious tower-and yet built to make a name for man-reveals the master motive behind religion. It is a means by
which man attempts to share the glory of God. We must understand this, otherwise we will never understand the
power of religion as it has pervaded the earth and permeated our culture ever since. It is a way by which man seeks
to share what is rightfully God's alone. This tower was a grandiose structure, and undoubtedly it was intended to be
a means by which man would glorify God. Unquestionably there was a plaque somewhere attached to it that carried
the pious words, "Erected in the year ___, to the greater glory of God." But it was not really for the glory of God; it
was a way of controlling God, a way of channeling God by using him for man's glory. That is what man's religion
has always sought to do. It is a way of making God available to us. Man does not really want to eliminate God. It is
only sporadically and then only for a relatively brief time, that men cry out for the elimination of God. Atheism is
too barren, too pessimistic and too morally bankrupt to live with very long. The communists are finding this out.
No, we need "dear old God," but let's keep him under control. Do not let him get out of his place. "Don't call us,
God; we'll call you." This is the fundamental philosophy of society. It is the tower of Babel all over again. (from
The Beginnings, by Ray C. Stedman, Waco Books, 1978.)
{Flashback} Revelation 18 - The sins of Mystery Babylon will result in
the plagues of God upon Mystery Babylon -- 'Revelation 18:1-5 And
after these things I saw another Angel [messenger] come down from
heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with His
Glory [Jesus Christ]. 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 [unfaithfulness], 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. **And I heard
another voice from Heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that
ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
For her sins (Genesis 11:4) [The Tower of Babel] have reached unto
Heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities [intentional sins].'
Mystery Babylon is to be judged and destroyed all in a single day: Revelation 18:6-10 Reward her [Mystery
Babylon] even as she rewarded [betrayed] you [humans], and double unto her double according to her works: in the
cup which she hath filled fill to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much
torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
*Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned
with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication
and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one
hour is thy judgment come. ... Revelation 18:20-24 Rejoice over her [Mystery Babylon], thou Heaven, and ye Holy
Apostles and Prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. And a mighty Angel took up a stone like a great
millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down
(Jeremiah 51:63), and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and
trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any
more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine
no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy
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