Slavery On The Rise (part 1)

One of the most revolting things that humanity has ever done to one another is slavery. The idea of owning another person and losing their autonomy is wrong. I am thankful to live in a time when it is no longer legal in the United States. That being said, if you are paying attention to current events, especially from Christian sources, then you have noticed that we are hearing more and more about slavery these days. Sadly, we this is going to continue to be an issue.

There are many organizations that are dedicated to fighting human trafficking. Actor Ashton Kutcher made headlines awhile back by testifying before Congress about his efforts in fighting human trafficking through his organization THORN. Operation Underground Railroad is another organization that works alongside law enforcement to rescue victims of trafficking. Even Tim Tebow's organization has, of necessity, become active in fighting this evil. Wikipedia's "List of organizations that combat human trafficking" provides 60 organizations, of which, the Tim Tebow Foundation is not listed, that are working to end a very active slave trade in the world.

I would love to be optimistic and say that together we can end this evil, but that would be a lie. Unfortunately, the Bible tells us very clearly that slavery will be present in our world until the very end of the world. I know this is a lengthy passage but read what God's Word says about the end times in Revelation 18:9-18

---

“The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’

11 “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’

---

Simplified, this verse says that Babylon, the center of the one world government of the Anti-Christ, is destroyed. With that, so is the economy of the world. Notice what merchandise they make themselves rich with: gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. I have much to say on this, but for time sake, I will simply introduce these facts in this post.

Father, you came to set men at liberty from sin. Your Son died that we might be free. Please help us to understand that people can be slaves to evil men in the flesh, but we must preach freedom from sin through your salvation!