The Book of Revelation Accurately Tells the Story of Drug Companies
Let’s start out with some sobering statistics. WARNING: This information may not be appropriate for people with easily disturbed emotions.
The deception is the widespread bondage and destruction brought about by dependence on substances, reaching “all nations.”
- Global Scope: In 2022, an estimated 292 million people (5.6% of the population aged 15-64) used drugs. The number of people using opioids globally doubled from 2010 to 2020.
- The Deadly Potency (Fentanyl): Opioids now account for over two-thirds (69%) of all drug overdose deaths globally.
- Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is the primary driver of the overdose crisis in North America. In 2023, approximately 105,000 people died from drug overdose in the U.S., with nearly 80,000 of those deaths involving opioids.
- Death in America: According to the CDC, 199 people die every day in America from Fentanyl alone.
- The Total: A grand total of 287 people each and every day die from drug overdose.
Anyone brave enough to watch a YouTube video can see the devastation of drug addiction. From almost every major city, people go to these dangerous neighborhoods to document that human tragedy there.
For individuals whose primary drug of choice is Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, or Heroin, the one-year success rates (defined as being reachable and abstinent from all non-prescribed substances 12 months after leaving treatment) are among the lowest of all addictions:
- 12-Month Abstinence Rate for Fentanyl/Heroin/Meth/Cocaine: Approximately 29% – 31%
This means that within one year of leaving treatment, roughly 7 out of 10 people treated for Fentanyl addiction may not be able to maintain full abstinence.
The data strongly shows that treatment works, but it must be intensive and sustained. The most promising outcomes are seen when people remain engaged in treatment, especially with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), such as Methadone or Buprenorphine:
- Retention in Treatment: In one follow-up study on patients with Fentanyl use at intake, 53% were still in Methadone treatment a year later. Almost all (99%) of those retained in treatment achieved remission.
- Long-Term Abstinence: Among studies that follow individuals for 10 or more years, only about 30% were abstinent from opioids at the most recent follow-up.
Now that you have the data, let’s look at the Biblical side of these things. Note: I will be using the New King James Version of the Bible here, unless otherwise noticed. This version is a word-for-word translation that holds the true meaning while it also gives us a modern translation.
And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. – Revelation 9:20-21 NKJV
Now the word ‘sorceries’ in this verse has been known for a long time to be the Greek word pharmakeia, from which we get the English word “pharmacy”. I remember a long time ago, watching Jack Van Impe make this same connection. And for years, I followed the standard interpretation as he did. We believed this verse was talking about in the last days, people would cling to their drug use without apology and refuse assistance. I personally believe that not to be the case at all. I believe this has an even more literal meaning than I realized.
As Time Gets Closer to the End, Meanings are Becoming Clear
I have noticed a very exciting and alarming trend. The book of Revelation, long thought to be a book of symbology and hidden truth, is now in these last days becoming literally true. The book of Revelation, traditionally interpreted through symbolism and veiled meaning, is, in these final days, being realized as literally true. If you are a regular reader of my blog, you’ll recall my article on Revelation’s Sixth Seal, once thought to be largely symbolic, has been recently exposed as something that could very well be literally true.
The Bible was written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. The Old Testament was primarily written in Hebrew, with some parts in Aramaic. The New Testament was primarily written in Koine Greek. There was no original English text, as the English language did not exist in its current form at the time the biblical books were written.
The word pharmakeia itself originally referred to the preparation or administration of drugs. However, it quickly acquired a negative connotation in biblical and Hellenistic Greek literature because of the way those drugs were often used. The term was used to describe a powerful form of manipulation or deception, where a person’s judgment or will was affected by means of a substance. In this sense, it is directly related to idolatry and the rejection of God.
The use of drugs, potions, or poisons, often in conjunction with incantations, spells, and communication with spirits, to achieve a specific result (good or evil). This was a common practice in the ancient world. It could also simply mean poisoning, which is an act of murder and frequently linked with sorcery in ancient thought. So it is not surprising that in the day and time the Scripture was being translated into English, the word ‘sorceries’ would have seemed to be an accurate description of the word ‘pharmakeia’.
But this led to a further, astonishing translation of the meaning of this entire passage! I am literally struggling for words to describe this new revelation into God’s word. Let’s take a look first at more statistics. The global market size for the pharmaceutical industry for 2024 is an estimated $1.6 Trillion dollars! We’ve all heard about the ‘big pharma’ industries, but we’ve not really heard about the size. By the time 2030 rolls around, that number will have grown to $2.3 Trillion!
…And they Repented Not of Their Profits
We probably have all heard the phrase, “Big Pharma”. But let’s dive into this deeper:
23The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your ‘sorcery’ all the nations were deceived. 24And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.” Revelation 18:23-24 NKJV
This financial scale underscores the immense power and influence of the system that produces and distributes the substances (pharmakeia) worldwide, making it a powerful modern illustration of the unrepentant commercial power of Babylon described in Revelation 18. But look at the wording: For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations of the earth were deceived.
Who’s merchants? We don’t know the actual location of the Babylon described here, but one thing is clear: These merchants of ‘sorcery’ were great men of the earth! Now, I don’t like highlighting context, but given this description this could apply to Europe, even America.
And just like what the Bible predicts, these pharmaceutical companies, these illegal drug dealers, they don’t repent, they refuse to admit their responsibility (v.9). In fact, they go as far as blaming the victims. There was a drug dealer in Mexico who, during an interview, had the audacity to address President Trump himself to say he was only filling a demand in this country.
The victims of drug addiction, whatever the world thinks of them, are just as human as the rest of us. And God gave every single one of them the opportunity to become one of His children. But they kill people, they know they’re killing people, yet none of them feel any guilt for what they have done, nor do they repent. Just like Revelation 9:21 says ‘and they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality.’
While I don’t condone drug addiction, I completely understand it. Freud once speculated that man is driven by one constant force. I agree with him on that. He thought that reason was one thing I won’t mention, I believe that to be happiness: God created us to be happy. The garden of Eden wasn’t a war zone. It wasn’t a ghetto, nor was it a prison. It was paradise, and we were meant to be happy.
Happiness is the driving force behind most everything we do. In fact, the things we do we don’t like I believe can be traced right back to our desire to be happy. We get up, go to jobs, and sometimes we hate those jobs, we put up with the most hateful, nasty of people, and do it for 8 or 10 hours a day.
Why? Because we like having electricity. We like having the Internet. We like living in a home or apartment, we like stuff, a phone, a TV, a gaming console. We desire happiness. And there is nothing wrong with happiness; our founding fathers rebelled against the most powerful army in the world at the time, and won, because of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
When you feel happy, your brain releases several different The primary chemicals released in your brain that are associated with happiness, pleasure, and well-being are often grouped using the acronym D.O.S.E.:
- Dopamine: This is often called the “feel-good” hormone or the reward molecule. It is part of your brain’s reward system and is associated with pleasure, motivation, and focus. Dopamine is released when you anticipate or achieve a goal, providing a temporary sense of excitement or reward.
- Oxytocin: Often called the “love hormone” or “cuddle chemical,” oxytocin is important for bonding, trust, empathy, and promoting strong relationships. Its release is often triggered by physical affection like hugging, kissing, or even socializing.
- Serotonin: This chemical acts as a mood stabilizer. It promotes feelings of well-being, happiness, and emotional stability, and can help decrease worries and concerns.
- Endorphins: These are your body’s natural painkillers. Endorphins are released in response to stress, discomfort, or pain, and create a sense of euphoria and well-being, often described as a “natural high”.
These chemicals, which function as both neurotransmitters and hormones, work together to coordinate various processes in your body, including emotions, mood, and motivation.
Opioids very closely mimic these chemicals and not only do they mimic them, but you feel it much more intensely. Now, when you are without God in this world, and you are exposed to the evil, depraved side of it, it must be very tempting to want to be happy for a period of time, even if it’s not real. That’s what opioids do. For a few hours, all problems are gone, everything is delightful. But the problem is, it is highly addicting. It is possible to be addicted from the very first dose, if you survive it.
In Summary
In three places in the Bible this word pharmakeia is used and translated as sorceries.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. – Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV
21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. Revelation 9:21 NKJV
23 The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.” Revelation 18:23-24 NKJV
Now under my old interpretation, this verse hardly seems fair. If pharmakeia really means those who use drugs, who are simply victims of a substance so toxic, so powerful, that addiction can occur even after the first dose, then it is not fair to blame the victims. However under this new interpretation where the Bible is talking about those who sell and distribute these drugs are now plainly what the Bible is talking about.
For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. Revelation 18:23 NKJV
This was not even thought about prior to the rise of Fentanyl. This drug, this powerful, addicting drug, has made evil men rich, and killed victims like no other drugs in its time. And all of this was predicted 2,000 years ago. It is truly the end of times. And we are at the point now, where events are lining up to fulfill literally the book of Revelation.
My reader, how much more convincing do you need? We are in such a place in time, that I actually am surprised in the morning that I’m still here. I’m not exaggerating: I literally wake up in the morning surprised the rapture hasn’t taken place. Now no one, not a single person on this earth can say what day, or what week Jesus is returning. Those are false prophets and that’s how you’ll know them. If they are sitting dates, then remember, they are false prophets. But the Bible does say, “So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!” – Matthew 24:33 NKJV
It is near, even at the doors!
I’m not the best at giving invitations, but you don’t need the best, all you need is Jesus. The Bible says salvation is as close to you as your own mouth. Don’t hesitate: It starts with a decision, you make a decision you’re going to believe in the Bible. That’s it. You choose to believe that Jesus is just exactly who he is, and confess it with your mouth. Romans 10:9-10 gives you the key to salvation, just follow the Bible.
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10
Frequently Asked Questions About Pharmakeia and Big Pharma
Q: What does “pharmakeia” mean in the Bible?
A: In the New Testament, pharmakeia originally referred to the preparation or administration of drugs, but it quickly took on a negative sense: drugs used to manipulate, deceive, and turn people away from God, often tied to idolatry and sorcery.
Q: Is pharmakeia in Revelation 9:21 and 18:23 about drug users or drug merchants?
A: I argue that these passages point more directly to those who profit from drugs—pharmaceutical companies and drug dealers—rather than simply condemning victims trapped in addiction.
Q: How could Revelation 18:23 relate to Big Pharma today?
A: Revelation 18:23 speaks of “merchants” who are “great men of the earth” and deceive all nations by their sorcery; the enormous, trillion‑dollar global pharmaceutical industry offers a striking modern picture of that kind of commercial power and deception.
Q: Does the Bible specifically predict fentanyl and the modern overdose crisis?
A: Revelation does not name fentanyl, but the unprecedented death toll and profits from powerful, addictive drugs fit the pattern of pharmakeia and unrepentant merchants described in the prophecy.
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