In chapter 17, John had been transported to a desert on earth see the destruction of Babylon. Last week we saw the fall of Babylon, the Religious system of the world. Christians in every age have had to heed the warning of: 1 John 2:15 17 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 How easy it is to become fascinated by the things the world has to offer. Like a person taking a sip of wine, we can soon find ourselves drinking deeply and then wanting more. The world system that opposes Christ has always been with us, and we must beware of its subtle influence. The world system satisfies the desires of the earth dwellers who follow the beast and reject the Lamb. But worldly things never permanently satisfy or last. The love of pleasures and possessions is but an insidious form of idolatry, demonic in its origin and destructive in its outcome. What John saw and what we will see today is the judgment poured out upon the economic and political system of the wicked world which the anti-christ has put into place. 1 The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 1 Jn 2:15-17 1
World leaders will be joined by businessmen morning the fallen city. Economic disaster has overtaken the world. The stock market has crashed. Investors have lost everything in a day, in an hour. The food lines have started. Wall Street is as empty as abandoned refrigerator rusting in a junkyard. The shopping centers have closed; they are barren as the Sahara Desert. Nothing sells any longer, because no one can afford to buy. The economy comes to a rusty halt. Jewelry, clothing, homes, furniture, perfume, food, livestock, all modes of transportation, everything is finished. In the Eye of the Apocalypse ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revelation 18:1-3 NIV 1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. 2 With a mighty voice he shouted: Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. 3 For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries. As John continues to watch, another angel appears. Babylon was plunged into darkness because of the 5 th bowl judgment which poured out upon the earth by 1 of the 7 angels. This angel bursts on the scene and illuminates the entire earth. This angel comes with great authority and mighty voice given to him by God. 2
A comparison of chapters 17 and 18 reveals that these are different events. 2 Chapter 17 speaks of Babylon as the Great Prostitute who caused the kings of the earth to commit spiritual prostitution by creating a One World Religious System which leads to religion and away from the true and living God. Is Babylon of Revelation 18 a literal or symbolic city? Some have thought it to be a future rebuilt Babylon on the Euphrates River in the Middle East. This is now a desolate desert in modern day Iraq. Commentary--Barnhouse Most likely, commercial Babylon is symbolic, like religious Babylon. When the Lord was here on earth He spoke of the great hatred that the world had for Him and His own (John 15:18,19). What is this world but a combination of religion, government and commerce? In other words, Babylon in all its parts stands for that which Christ called the world. Chapter 18 speaks of the World economic system which will finally get what it deserves from the hand of God. Babylon (the world) has become the dwelling place of demons and evil spirits. It has become a habitation of demons and a haven for foul spirits (see 16:13 14). 3 All nations have partaken in the Religious system of Babylon infecting the world with religion but the leaders of the world are only concerned about the riches they have gained from her not what the cost of their riches. 2Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:973 3Wiersbe, Warren W.: Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament. Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, 1997, c1992, S. 847 3
Babylon s sin is not only idolatry but also pride, greed and selfishly held and wealth. Babylon typifies what is evil in God s eyes. It represents thoses of the world whose lives are consumed with the pursuit wealth and pleasure. Revelation 18:4-7 NIV 4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; 5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. 6 Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup. 7 Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, I sit enthroned as queen. I am not a widow; I will never mourn. 8 Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her. John hears a voice from heaven speaking a warning to the tribulation saints remaining in the world. It is inconceivable that a child of God could be a part of religious Babylon (though elements may creep in). But commercial Babylon, with its materialistic lure, is a constant threat to be guarded against. D. Guzik In all ages, God s true people have had to separate themselves from that which is worldly and anti-god. When God called Abraham, He ordered him to get out of his country (Gen. 12:1). 4
God separated the Jewish nation from Egypt and warned the Israelites not to go back. The church today is commanded to separate itself from that which is ungodly. 2 Cor. 6:14 7:1 Romans 16:17 18 NIV 17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 4 As Christians we are to live for Christ. We are not to become entangled with people who cause division and whose desires are for their own selfish gain. The warning is focused towards saints who are in the position Lot was in while living in Sodom (Genesis 19). These are God s people in a place they shouldn t be, a place ripe for destruction. God is longsuffering in bringing judgment, but He has not forgotten the wicked state in which the world is in. This city or people will boast in their riches saying, We shall never lack anything. Look at our riches! How many people boast in their riches and the sense of security money brings? America today does that very thing. We boast in our military might, our freedoms and our riches. 4 The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ro 16:17-18 5
In a moment all of that worldly security can be gone as many have experienced lately from the result of the economic downturn of our economy. Double restitution was required in the Old Testament in cases of theft (Exodus 22:4-9). This perhaps is a commentary on how Babylon has made her wealth - through dishonest dealings Revelation 18:8-20 NIV 9 When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come! 11 The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves. 14 They will say, The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered. 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out: Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! 17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin! 6
Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, Was there ever a city like this great city? 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin! 20 Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you. Many think God is slow in judging but He is not. When God initiates His judgment, it is administered expediently, In one day her plagues will overtake her. Babylon sin was threefold, 1) Self-indulgence 2) Pride- glorifying self 3) Avoidance of suffering- I will not see sorrow. The destruction of commercial Babylon will come suddenly, and with completeness. Romans 6:23 NIV tells us, For the wages of sin is death,... Babylon s end is death and destruction. Sin always leads to spiritual death. As Christians we must repent of our sins, to prevent the virus of sin from infecting our entire being. 7
Babylon is over taken by death, mourning and famine. She is consumed by fire. Babylon experienced the very thing in which she boasted would not and could not befall her, death, mourning and famine. Did the kings of the world come to her rescue? No, but they did weep and mourn. These great kings of the earth shake in their boots. They are visibly terrified by what they see. They know that they have placed all their hopes for time and eternity in the beast and the dragon. They are painfully aware that they may also suffer the same fate as the Great Babylon! Not much mourning or weeping has come from the wicked because of God s judgment. In Revelation 16:21, great hailstones fell upon people and they blasphemed God instead of repenting. How many times do we as Christians rebel against God when He points out a sin in life, instead of acknowledging and repenting? Why did the merchants weep and mourn? Merchants too will lament over the city s downfall since they will no longer be able to carry on commerce with the city. 5 It is plain see that the mourning is rooted in self-interest. They saw a great loss of future finances. They are left perplexed at the swiftness in which God s judgment came upon them. 5Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:973 8
Verses 12 13 indicate the vast wealth of the mercantile system, including slaves and the souls of men. They sold the bodies and souls of men. Slavery will increase in the last days, for Satan has always wanted to enslave the souls and bodies of humans. The profits of commercial Babylon have come through cruelly using others. This idea has many applications, none less so than today s widespread prostitution and pornography. The rich will get richer, the poor will get poorer. Both luxuries and necessities will be destroyed when God judges Babylon. Shipping will be destroyed and the shipping industry brought to ruin. The world s peoples depend on this economic system to care for them, protect them, and satisfy them; but ultimately it will fail them. 6 The earth weeps but heaven rejoices. How can anyone rejoice at the demise of the world? Is it proper to speak of rejoicing? Christians can never rejoice over suffering or pain afflicted on others. The reason for our celebration is the end of apostasy and idolatry, of materialism and of life without God. The church is glad because the end of the world spells the end of persecution. We don t rejoice in the destruction in judgment. Rather, we rejoice in the righteous resolution God s judgment brings. 6Wiersbe, Warren W.: Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament. Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, 1997, c1992, S. 848 9
Revelation 18:21-24 NIV 21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. 22 The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No worker of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again. 23 The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world s important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray. 24 In her was found the blood of prophets and of God s holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth. A mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea: This is a graphic illustration of the end of the harlot city. As a stone is cast into the sea will sink to the bottom never to be seen again, so Babylon will also be thrown down to everlasting oblivion. But it also reminds us of what Jesus said in: Matthew 18:6 NIV But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. This applies to Babylon in Revelation 18, because she led others into sin. 10
It is a terrible thing to sin unto yourself; it is even more terrible to lead others into sin. There are no more fun times on earth. The music has stopped playing and no work will be heard in her again. The judgment of God has fallen on Babylon the great. With a few paint strokes, the portrait is drawn. It is sufficient to tell us that closing time is approaching. Judgment has fallen not only because of the harlot cities sin but because of her persecution of the prophets and the saints. The destruction of the city of Babylon is the final blow to the times of the Gentiles, which began when the Babylonian army attacked Jerusalem in 605 b.c. Luke 21:24 With chapters 17 and 18 giving additional insight and information concerning the earth s major religious and political movements during that final seven years, the stage is now set for the climax of the Book of Revelation the second coming of Christ (chap. 19). 7 =========================================================== CONCLUSION: James 5:7-11 NIV 7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. 9 Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 7Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:973-974 11
10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. Don t cheat anyone; instead be as generous as you can realize the nearness of the Lord s return. We do not expect to have everything easy and comfortable in this present life. In the world ye shall have tribulation (John 16:33). Paul reminded his converts that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). We must patiently endure hardships and heartaches until Jesus returns. 12