Babylon’s Doom
Revelation Part 29, Revelation 18:1-24
INTRODUCTION
- Previously we had seen the destruction of the woman
-- She convinced the world to be a part of her sin
- We’ve also watched humanity be stricken with horrible diseases and plagues
- The religious system of the beast has been revealed
-- Those upon the Earth, even knowing this, continue to blaspheme God
-- The result is the hardening of their hearts against the Gospel (good news)
- Tonight we will reveal all of Chapter 18
-- Attempt to set ourselves up for the coming battle of our Lord and Savior
- IMP: Chapter 18 refers to the economic structure of the anti-Christ’s world
-- This will be his primary seat of power and authority
- Read Revelation 18:1-24
- Pray
Point 1 - History of Babylon
- Babylon was created after Noah’s flood when mankind was one
-- Mankind left the mountains of Ararat and moved west
-- They also settled east to the plains of Shinar
-- Shinar has been located to current day southern Iraq
- Alexander the Great died in the city of Babylon in 323 BC
-- While he was in the process of reconstructing the city to its former glory
-- Babylon as a city is only a shadow of its former glory
- The Bible says Babylon will be rebuilt and become the greatest of all cities
-- APP: At least in the second half of the tribulation it will become the seat of power for Satan as he operates through the Antichrist
- We do know that Babylon will be rebuilt (biblical prophecy)
-- We just do not know the exact location or where it will reside
-- What is Biblical is Satan will set up his earthly rule here
- IMP: The location he chooses will be for one purpose:
-- To inflame God and snub his nose at God’s creation
-- Therefore, choosing an area around Israel (or the Middle East) is logical
-- APP: Satan’s mission is to hurt God; he desires nothing else
- TRANS: So what does God say about this kind of living?
Point 2 – Don’t take part in the sin!
- (v4) urging for the people to not take part of the sin
-- It is God calling out to the faithful so they can escape
- God’s mercy continues even to the end: 2 Peter 3:9 promise: none should perish
- (v6-8) this is the reason for God’s judgment: PRIDE!
-- Babylon’s love of self and money will be answered with death
-- Why? Because they will not repent and seek the Lord!
- (v8) city will be burned as her punishment (think: Sodom and Gomorrah)
-- The judgment of Babylon will be the signal to this world that the end is coming
-- This also signifies that Christ will soon descend on this world
-- APP: Preparation leads to Obedience because the Bridegroom returns!!
- This is the blessed hope that we crave!
-- This army that rides behind the Lord will forever reign with Him!!
- Notice the verbiage for verses 11-19
-- Displays the sadness of those who made a living off of Babylon
-- It shows how those who live for themselves are now answering for it
- This living will be destroyed in one swift motion by the destruction of the city
-- Babylon will be the capital of the global economy during the Tribulation
-- APP: It is because of this control in government that the anti-Christ is able to affect global control over the world.
- If you watch the news lately (even as much as this week), you can see corporations jockeying for position in the world.
-- Everyone wants control; everyone wants to be on top of the world
-- It’s the pride of man in FULL FORCE: showing everyone how awesome we are
- Today, we live in a world of “Go ahead and do it your way …”
-- In this end time scheme there will be little choice for the citizen of this Earth
-- Either work and serve a tyrant who demands obedience, or die
-- LAST WEEK: Satan does not care about you: usefulness done = discarded
- TRANS: However, even with the destruction on this world, there is still rejoicing in Heaven by those who trusted in Christ.
Point 3 – Rejoicing in Heaven
- Re-read v20-24
- Since Babylon is the capital and the location of the anti-Christ’s Kingdom:
-- This city will be a sign to the world of global prosperity
-- Those who do not serve will not benefit from this city’s wealth
- From the balconies of Heaven there is rejoicing when this city is destroyed!
- This verse shows that Heaven can see what is happening on this Earth
-- Whether they can see us now is unknown … but … if there is rejoicing
-- APP: Those who are there must be able to see it then!
- The martyrs who were slain for their beliefs, and those who have been in Heaven since the Rapture now see for themselves Satan’s worth and the beginning of his destruction.
- I find it very interesting the way the Word is written here.
-- Notice that the destruction of the city leaves it completely untraceable
-- APP: When God says that He has had enough, it is not done partially!!
- Jeremiah and Isaiah also record the destruction of Babylon:
-- Jeremiah 50:28 gives the reason for the destruction: “Listen to the fugitives and refugees from Babylon declaring in Zion how the LORD our God has taken vengeance, vengeance for his temple.”
-- Isaiah 13 and 14 also predict the falling of Babylon for the same reasons – disobedience to the Word of God.
- If God has already destroyed this city once, why would He not do it again?
-- Remember, His tolerance is tested, Satan is directly trying to affect the Kingdom of Heaven, and God has had enough.
- Rev 18:24 gives the reason for the destruction this time.
-- This city was directly responsible for the killing of the Saints
-- God’s judgment is final upon them because of their guilt
Ω Big Ideas
- The entire world will pledge it’s allegiance to this anti-Christ ruler
-- They will place all their hope (false-hope) in victory because they deny Christ
-- Their destruction will be as monstrous as this city’s which we’ve just seen
- Church, we have a responsibility today
-- We have a responsibility to the God in Heaven in regards to this world
-- Look around: see the destruction and torment that this world is going through?
- Can we take the time to tell someone about Jesus?
-- Can we profess allegiance to a loving God who is worthy of our praise?
- God has provided an escape for all those who might face this time (JESUS)
-- Challenge: How can we profess allegiance and not share who it is we serve?
-- Let’s examine this from an atheist’s point of view …
Ω Video
-- Pen Jillette said, “How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?”
- With every eye closed …
- Pray
