NOTE: Jerusalem is called the “great city” (Rev. 11:8). Babylon is also called the same (Rev. 18:10-21). Even so, I don't think that the Harlot is a city.

I don’t think that the Harlot is a natural city. I think that it is a spiritual network or organization that is both a religion, a philosophy, and a well-organized secret “government.” In some ways, it is no different from many special-interest groups. But it is world-wide and has a very strong organization.

People who start down this path, rarely turn back. Why is this?

• The Carrot: There are business, personal, and monetary enticements. The essence of the Harlot is her love of sensuality, luxury and power. She uses the promise of these enticements to lure people into her web. Though many will never fully experience it, they keep trying to fit into her group. If you ever quit, the perks will disappear.
• The Stick:
  • THREATS: Many of these organizations keep evidence of wrongdoing as leverage against members who want to leave the group. Some have initiation rites that involve immoral or illegal acts. Some pressure their members to take compromising actions (that are illegal or immoral). They often keep evidence of these (or other) evil deeds (real or manufactured). Even if the member leaves the group, they are often afraid of retribution in the form of direct violence or release of damning evidence against them.
  • BONDAGE: Those who are working in a job and who have mortgages, student loans, and children often can't afford to quit their job. They are afraid to rock the boat or do anything that might land them in the unemployment line. In a real sense, they are slaves. They bend their souls to fit in. They hide who they really are. They buy into the lies.
  • SOCIAL PRESSURE: How many people are afraid of what others think about them. It shapes the way they dress and the jobs they are willing to take. All the devil needs to do is to make fun of them and they crumble.

The combination of these two forces is enough to keep most of the members loyal to the organization (or at least quiet about the faults and workings of the organization).

How does the Harlot reign over kings and people? There are basically two way to get power over people:

• By Force: Physical captivity and physical violence for disobedience. This method is limited and prone to being overturned by revolution.
  
  The world has modified their program to keep people in line using legal slavery, rather than physical slavery. This broadens the reach of control. How many people work for a company? If you would lose your job if you did not comply, this may be enough pressure to keep you in line. If you owe a mortgage or had student debt or credit card debt, you can not be out of work for long before they took your savings and your home. This is generally enough to keep most people in line. If neither of these work and you prove to be a pest (to them), you may find yourself a target of the legal system. You could end up in prison or lose everything you own.
• By Bribery and Lies: A harlot is someone who will do anything for money. She uses the same basic method used by drug dealers: Get you addicted and then you will do anything you can to keep the addiction satisfied. But instead of drugs, the harlot uses the things of this world:
  • House
  • Car
  • Luxuries
  • Pleasure
  • Sex
  • Power
  • Independence (the illusion of it)
  • Entertainment (bread and circuses
  • Clothes
  • Social Position
  • Respect
  • Job
  • "All that is in the world, the desires of the eyes, the desires of the flesh (body), and the boastful pride of life"

In order to hold to your principals are you willing to lose your job? your house? your position? your reputation? all that you hold dear? Or does the Great Harlot hold you captive by these things?