THE FINAL FALL OF BABYLON THE GREAT
Revelation Chapter 18
In our study of Revelation we have talked about the how the Anti-Christ was a "religious" genius and a "political" genius and also an "economical" genius and a "military" genius. In chapter 17 we saw the downfall of his religious system. We know that the false prophet built an image and caused people to worship this image. This makes us think of the time of Nebuchadnezzar and his golden image. This made him feel great for awhile.
Dan 3:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
We can see that this was not enough for him. He wanted to be worshipped as a gOD himself.
Dan 4:22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
Dan 4:30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
We can see that The Almighty Living God had to step in a punish this evil man.
Dan 4:31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
This Anti-Christ will also have the desire to be worshiped as gOD. He therefore will not need a "religious" system and will destroy it himself.
Rev 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
Rev 17:17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
We can see who was in charge all along as it is God who sits on the throne in Heaven. We will now see in this chapter the downfall of all the systems Satan has put in place. This will happen fast and it is the purpose of the vials that were poured out in chapter 16.
Our text:
*****Rev 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
Rev 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
After what things?
After those ten kings have made that Apostate religion of the Anti-Christ naked and desolate.
Naked:
The world will see her as she is, "all false" and all those that have come under her umbrella.
All religion not based on Jesus Christ and the truth of the word of God are false and will be brought down at this time.
1.) The Anti-Christ will now be called not just the messiah but a god himself.
2.) This false system claiming to be of God will be destroyed.
3.) All those riches will be taken over by the Anti-Christ to make him more powerful.
4.) The false church will have no means to defend herself, she will be "Naked".
Desolate:
She will be destroyed, without any that will defend her and left in ruins.
I believe that this angel with great power is none other than Our Lord Jesus that came down with this message. Notice "the earth was lightened with his glory".
This is another place that connects the Book of Revelation to the Book of Genesis:
Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
This light that came to Earth before the creation of any star or moon or even the sun was the Glory of God.
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
We saw Him earlier:
Rev 10:5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
Rev 10:6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
Babylon is fallen, is fallen,
First the apostate religious system and in this chapter the "economical" and "political" system and by the end of this day the military systems of the Anti-Christ and of Satan.
Remember how Satan tempted the Lord Jesus Christ:
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Mat 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
And has become the habitations of devils:
Remember what Paul wrote:
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Once the "religious system" falls we see it is the "devils and all evilness" that replace this system. Remember the unclean spirits of Revelation 16:13-14. This time on Earth will be the most evil of all time. All these things are exposed in the end and systematically destroyed by Our Saviour!
Rev 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
Rev 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
The Bible says:
2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Act 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
It is the spirit of Satan that has caused all these things and confused all these that will die for him at this time:
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, [the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience]:
It is only Christ that can deliver us from these things:
Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and [hath translated] us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Notice that word "hath". It simply means that once you accept Jesus you have from that moment been "translated" into His Kingdom.
Our text:
*****Rev 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
We can see that this is a world wide system. Remember this Anti-Christ is an economical wizard. We can see that this world is ready for such a person right now as the whole world seems to be in economical trouble. Now these are not the same ones that destroyed her. Those kings were appointed by the Anti-Christ.
What else do we see? There are those behind the scenes "merchants" that have waxed rich even while the entire world suffers. These people can never have enough and do not care if nations fail nor that people suffer. They just want more and more. There are private societies even today that prosper from war. That prosper from abortion. That prosper from starving people. That prosper from diseases. That prosper from "terrorism" and they use all these things and many others to have their own way.
We would find if we searched that the tax payers of the world actually fund the biggest part of the atrocities of mankind!
Those "delicacies" can best be described as, luxuries and desire to be the supreme authority. Of course this is why the devil will destroy this thing.
The Psalmist wrote:
Psa 10:2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
Psa 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
Psa 10:4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
Psa 10:5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
Psa 10:6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
Psa 10:7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
Psa 10:8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.
Psa 10:9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.
Psa 10:10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
Psa 10:11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
Psa 10:12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.
A wise man said:
Pro 17:5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
You see God never forgets those that have abused His creation!
Our text:
*****Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Rev 18:5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
The "Last" call from the Lord Jesus Himself:
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
This is the last call before those vials are poured out that we have read about in Chapter 16.
Rev 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
Our text:
*****Rev 18:6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
We know that Satan, the Devil is a thief:
Jesus said:
Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The Bible says:
Jer 17:18 Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.
Jer 16:18 And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.
Jer 51:6 Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.
Jer 51:7 Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
Jer 51:8 Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
Jer 51:44 And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.
Jer 51:45 My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD.
Our text:
*****Rev 18:7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
Rev 18:8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
These verses describe these false systems of the Devil and the response of a Holy God.
The Bible says:
1Ti 5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
1Ti 5:6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
This evil system of the Devil has been with us since the fall of man. It has thrived off of the blood of God's people. Robbing the poor, in fact robbing all that would partake of it's evilness and lust. We all have been in this trap and snare and only through Jesus Christ can we be set free.
This evil system of Satan brags that she will not be a widow because a widow would trust in God and pray. This thing lives in pleasure and the Bible says she is dead while she lives. In the end none of those involved in this hidden world of Satan will ever repent.
The Bible says:
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Therefore (verse 8):
Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
We witnessed these plagues in Chapter 16. They will all probably come in one day. God said there will be no more delay.
Rev 10:6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, [that there should be time no longer]:
Our text:
*****Rev 18:9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
Rev 18:10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
Here we see the evil "political" system. They had given their allegiance to this false system. They bewailed because not only had this system been destroyed, they no longer had a job. Makes you think about those Pharisees and Sadducees and Elders and Priests of the time of Jesus. These also knew that the army of the Anti-Christ would take away their power. This could account for "the deadly wound".
The Bible says:
These are the worldly kings that are not a part of the military strength of the Anti-Christ but they have also lived off of this evil political and economical system. Satan has robbed the world of all it's treasures and the entire world sees the coming doom.
Jer 51:50 [Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the LORD afar off], and let Jerusalem come into your mind.
The prophets say:
Eze 26:16 Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and put off their broidered garments: they shall clothe themselves with trembling; they shall sit upon the ground, and shall tremble at every moment, and be astonished at thee.
Eze 26:17 And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it!
Eze 32:9 I will also vex the hearts of many people, when I shall bring thy destruction among the nations, into the countries which thou hast not known.
Eze 32:10 Yea, I will make many people amazed at thee, and their kings shall be horribly afraid for thee, when I shall brandish my sword before them; and they shall tremble at every moment, every man for his own life, in the day of thy fall.
Isa 13:9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
Isa 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
Isa 34:8 For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.
Isa 34:9 And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.
Isa 34:10 It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.
Do you know where you will spend eternity if the Lord comes today?
Our text:
*****Rev 18:11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
Rev 18:12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
Rev 18:13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
This the downfall of the "economical system". The world will be in chaos. There will be no one to buy their goods.
Even when the world appears headed for doom, these money grabbing people can only think of their riches. You know it is said of many people that some of the rich backed both sides in World War II and they financed the recovery of many nations and just got richer. It happens in every war! War is not a hindrance to the rich except during this final time of the Great Tribulation. There will be a true King on the throne when this is over and a new government.
The prophet says:
Zep 1:11 Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.
Zep 1:14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
Zep 1:15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
Zep 1:16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.
Zep 1:17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
Zep 1:18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
Remember Gideon:
The world will see the sword of the Lord during this last day of Great Tribulation:
The souls of man:
Those that do not accept the number of the beast will be bought and sold as slaves. All souls belong to God! Where will He place your soul? The Lord Jesus said you could put all the world in one pile and just one soul in another pile and that one soul was of more value to Him than all the world.
2Pe 2:3 [And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you]: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Our text:
*****Rev 18:14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
Rev 18:15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
Rev 18:16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
The rich of this Earth are all now broke.
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
James wrote:
Jas 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Jas 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
We talked earlier how that "Mystery, Babylon the Great" had started her false religion in the time of Nimrod and the tower of Babel. What we have seen with the political and commercial by comparison is that Babylon the great, the city of Nebuchadnezzar. This was the grandest city of that time but also full of evil and the seat of Satan at that time. This economical and political system still exists though it is world wide at this time of the Great Tribulation. Will it be centered in one particular city? Probably, but it would be a guess to say which one.
Our text:
****Rev 18:17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
Rev 18:18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
Rev 18:19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
"for in one hour":
What all happens in this one hour?
1.) The "judgement" of Mystery Babyl0n. (Rev 18:10)
2.) The "economical" systems have failed. (Rev18:17)
3.) The worldwide systems of the Anti-Christ have been put down by our Lord. (Rev 18:19)
4.) Satan has appointed his ten kings for the final battle. (Rev 17:12)
Our text:
*****Rev 18:20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
Remember that angel from verse 1: He calls to Heaven, IT'S TIME FOR EVERYONE IN HEAVEN TO REJOICE!
Our text:
*****Rev 18:21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, [Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all].
Daniel wrote:
Dan 2:32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
Dan 2:33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
Dan 2:34 [Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
Dan 2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth].
Paul:
Rom 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Peter:
1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
That "Rock" is Jesus Christ:
1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Our text:
*****Rev 18:22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
Rev 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
Rev 18:24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
1.) No joy or happiness.
2.) No intelligent people.
3.) No commercialism or jobs.
4.) Nothing good but all evil darkness.
5.) No families of any kind.
Why?
1.) Sorceries ("pharmakea"): The evilness of the Anti-Christ and the god of this world had a "drug effect" on all nations of this world.
1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
What was found?
1.) The proof that all this evilness was designed to kill God's children!
Remember, Why was the Burning Lake of Fire created?
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, [prepared for the devil and his angels]:
Satan's whole purpose has been to destroy the children of God!
The blood of every martyr, of every prophet, of every Saint, of every child of God was found in this evil place!
God asked Cain this question:
Gen 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
Gen 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? [the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground].
Jesus said of the devil and his followers:
Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Let's Pray!
Revelation Chapter 18
In our study of Revelation we have talked about the how the Anti-Christ was a "religious" genius and a "political" genius and also an "economical" genius and a "military" genius. In chapter 17 we saw the downfall of his religious system. We know that the false prophet built an image and caused people to worship this image. This makes us think of the time of Nebuchadnezzar and his golden image. This made him feel great for awhile.
Dan 3:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
We can see that this was not enough for him. He wanted to be worshipped as a gOD himself.
Dan 4:22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
Dan 4:30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
We can see that The Almighty Living God had to step in a punish this evil man.
Dan 4:31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
This Anti-Christ will also have the desire to be worshiped as gOD. He therefore will not need a "religious" system and will destroy it himself.
Rev 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
Rev 17:17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
We can see who was in charge all along as it is God who sits on the throne in Heaven. We will now see in this chapter the downfall of all the systems Satan has put in place. This will happen fast and it is the purpose of the vials that were poured out in chapter 16.
Our text:
*****Rev 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
Rev 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
After what things?
After those ten kings have made that Apostate religion of the Anti-Christ naked and desolate.
Naked:
The world will see her as she is, "all false" and all those that have come under her umbrella.
All religion not based on Jesus Christ and the truth of the word of God are false and will be brought down at this time.
1.) The Anti-Christ will now be called not just the messiah but a god himself.
2.) This false system claiming to be of God will be destroyed.
3.) All those riches will be taken over by the Anti-Christ to make him more powerful.
4.) The false church will have no means to defend herself, she will be "Naked".
Desolate:
She will be destroyed, without any that will defend her and left in ruins.
I believe that this angel with great power is none other than Our Lord Jesus that came down with this message. Notice "the earth was lightened with his glory".
This is another place that connects the Book of Revelation to the Book of Genesis:
Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
This light that came to Earth before the creation of any star or moon or even the sun was the Glory of God.
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
We saw Him earlier:
Rev 10:5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
Rev 10:6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
Babylon is fallen, is fallen,
First the apostate religious system and in this chapter the "economical" and "political" system and by the end of this day the military systems of the Anti-Christ and of Satan.
Remember how Satan tempted the Lord Jesus Christ:
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Mat 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
And has become the habitations of devils:
Remember what Paul wrote:
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Once the "religious system" falls we see it is the "devils and all evilness" that replace this system. Remember the unclean spirits of Revelation 16:13-14. This time on Earth will be the most evil of all time. All these things are exposed in the end and systematically destroyed by Our Saviour!
Rev 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
Rev 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
The Bible says:
2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Act 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
It is the spirit of Satan that has caused all these things and confused all these that will die for him at this time:
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, [the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience]:
It is only Christ that can deliver us from these things:
Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and [hath translated] us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Notice that word "hath". It simply means that once you accept Jesus you have from that moment been "translated" into His Kingdom.
Our text:
*****Rev 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
We can see that this is a world wide system. Remember this Anti-Christ is an economical wizard. We can see that this world is ready for such a person right now as the whole world seems to be in economical trouble. Now these are not the same ones that destroyed her. Those kings were appointed by the Anti-Christ.
What else do we see? There are those behind the scenes "merchants" that have waxed rich even while the entire world suffers. These people can never have enough and do not care if nations fail nor that people suffer. They just want more and more. There are private societies even today that prosper from war. That prosper from abortion. That prosper from starving people. That prosper from diseases. That prosper from "terrorism" and they use all these things and many others to have their own way.
We would find if we searched that the tax payers of the world actually fund the biggest part of the atrocities of mankind!
Those "delicacies" can best be described as, luxuries and desire to be the supreme authority. Of course this is why the devil will destroy this thing.
The Psalmist wrote:
Psa 10:2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
Psa 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
Psa 10:4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
Psa 10:5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
Psa 10:6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
Psa 10:7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
Psa 10:8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.
Psa 10:9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.
Psa 10:10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
Psa 10:11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
Psa 10:12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.
A wise man said:
Pro 17:5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
You see God never forgets those that have abused His creation!
Our text:
*****Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Rev 18:5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
The "Last" call from the Lord Jesus Himself:
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
This is the last call before those vials are poured out that we have read about in Chapter 16.
Rev 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
Our text:
*****Rev 18:6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
We know that Satan, the Devil is a thief:
Jesus said:
Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The Bible says:
Jer 17:18 Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.
Jer 16:18 And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.
Jer 51:6 Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.
Jer 51:7 Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
Jer 51:8 Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
Jer 51:44 And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.
Jer 51:45 My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD.
Our text:
*****Rev 18:7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
Rev 18:8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
These verses describe these false systems of the Devil and the response of a Holy God.
The Bible says:
1Ti 5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
1Ti 5:6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
This evil system of the Devil has been with us since the fall of man. It has thrived off of the blood of God's people. Robbing the poor, in fact robbing all that would partake of it's evilness and lust. We all have been in this trap and snare and only through Jesus Christ can we be set free.
This evil system of Satan brags that she will not be a widow because a widow would trust in God and pray. This thing lives in pleasure and the Bible says she is dead while she lives. In the end none of those involved in this hidden world of Satan will ever repent.
The Bible says:
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Therefore (verse 8):
Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
We witnessed these plagues in Chapter 16. They will all probably come in one day. God said there will be no more delay.
Rev 10:6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, [that there should be time no longer]:
Our text:
*****Rev 18:9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
Rev 18:10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
Here we see the evil "political" system. They had given their allegiance to this false system. They bewailed because not only had this system been destroyed, they no longer had a job. Makes you think about those Pharisees and Sadducees and Elders and Priests of the time of Jesus. These also knew that the army of the Anti-Christ would take away their power. This could account for "the deadly wound".
The Bible says:
These are the worldly kings that are not a part of the military strength of the Anti-Christ but they have also lived off of this evil political and economical system. Satan has robbed the world of all it's treasures and the entire world sees the coming doom.
Jer 51:50 [Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the LORD afar off], and let Jerusalem come into your mind.
The prophets say:
Eze 26:16 Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and put off their broidered garments: they shall clothe themselves with trembling; they shall sit upon the ground, and shall tremble at every moment, and be astonished at thee.
Eze 26:17 And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it!
Eze 32:9 I will also vex the hearts of many people, when I shall bring thy destruction among the nations, into the countries which thou hast not known.
Eze 32:10 Yea, I will make many people amazed at thee, and their kings shall be horribly afraid for thee, when I shall brandish my sword before them; and they shall tremble at every moment, every man for his own life, in the day of thy fall.
Isa 13:9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
Isa 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
Isa 34:8 For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.
Isa 34:9 And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.
Isa 34:10 It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.
Do you know where you will spend eternity if the Lord comes today?
Our text:
*****Rev 18:11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
Rev 18:12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
Rev 18:13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
This the downfall of the "economical system". The world will be in chaos. There will be no one to buy their goods.
Even when the world appears headed for doom, these money grabbing people can only think of their riches. You know it is said of many people that some of the rich backed both sides in World War II and they financed the recovery of many nations and just got richer. It happens in every war! War is not a hindrance to the rich except during this final time of the Great Tribulation. There will be a true King on the throne when this is over and a new government.
The prophet says:
Zep 1:11 Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.
Zep 1:14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
Zep 1:15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
Zep 1:16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.
Zep 1:17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
Zep 1:18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
Remember Gideon:
The world will see the sword of the Lord during this last day of Great Tribulation:
The souls of man:
Those that do not accept the number of the beast will be bought and sold as slaves. All souls belong to God! Where will He place your soul? The Lord Jesus said you could put all the world in one pile and just one soul in another pile and that one soul was of more value to Him than all the world.
2Pe 2:3 [And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you]: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Our text:
*****Rev 18:14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
Rev 18:15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
Rev 18:16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
The rich of this Earth are all now broke.
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
James wrote:
Jas 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Jas 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
We talked earlier how that "Mystery, Babylon the Great" had started her false religion in the time of Nimrod and the tower of Babel. What we have seen with the political and commercial by comparison is that Babylon the great, the city of Nebuchadnezzar. This was the grandest city of that time but also full of evil and the seat of Satan at that time. This economical and political system still exists though it is world wide at this time of the Great Tribulation. Will it be centered in one particular city? Probably, but it would be a guess to say which one.
Our text:
****Rev 18:17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
Rev 18:18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
Rev 18:19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
"for in one hour":
What all happens in this one hour?
1.) The "judgement" of Mystery Babyl0n. (Rev 18:10)
2.) The "economical" systems have failed. (Rev18:17)
3.) The worldwide systems of the Anti-Christ have been put down by our Lord. (Rev 18:19)
4.) Satan has appointed his ten kings for the final battle. (Rev 17:12)
Our text:
*****Rev 18:20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
Remember that angel from verse 1: He calls to Heaven, IT'S TIME FOR EVERYONE IN HEAVEN TO REJOICE!
Our text:
*****Rev 18:21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, [Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all].
Daniel wrote:
Dan 2:32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
Dan 2:33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
Dan 2:34 [Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
Dan 2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth].
Paul:
Rom 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Peter:
1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
That "Rock" is Jesus Christ:
1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Our text:
*****Rev 18:22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
Rev 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
Rev 18:24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
1.) No joy or happiness.
2.) No intelligent people.
3.) No commercialism or jobs.
4.) Nothing good but all evil darkness.
5.) No families of any kind.
Why?
1.) Sorceries ("pharmakea"): The evilness of the Anti-Christ and the god of this world had a "drug effect" on all nations of this world.
1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
What was found?
1.) The proof that all this evilness was designed to kill God's children!
Remember, Why was the Burning Lake of Fire created?
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, [prepared for the devil and his angels]:
Satan's whole purpose has been to destroy the children of God!
The blood of every martyr, of every prophet, of every Saint, of every child of God was found in this evil place!
God asked Cain this question:
Gen 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
Gen 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? [the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground].
Jesus said of the devil and his followers:
Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Let's Pray!
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