By
Pastor Mike Taylor
18 “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
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.
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.” (Revelation 18:1-3)
Judgment
is coming to a closing end, and the destruction of this rebellious
world is nearly to its completion. Here again in this chapter it
again speaks of Babylon. Is this the same Babylon that was spoken of
in Chapter 17? Many believe that the Babylon of these two chapters
are the same, but are they? Note that there are two divisions of end
times concept of the Babylon that rises to rule the earth. The first
is Mystery Babylon. She is considered a harlot, a whore which is
signified by a woman in a religious order that deceived the world and
has for the last nearly 2000 years. She is identified with Rome and
is shown to be an adulterer, a woman that is defiled and worships
false gods and leads other people into sin. She has held sway over
kings and nations at different intervals of her history and in these
last days, she rises from the ashes of oblivion, much like the
Phoenix bird and retakes her glory lost in the past, but it is short
lived. She rules with the Beast power for a set and pre-determined
amount of time, before the political power of this time destroys her
completely and burns her with fire.
Then
there is secular, political, and commercial Babylon that is
identified with a coastal city. Be she Mecca, New York City or some
other powerful center of this ruling abomination called the Beast
power, we are not sure, nor will we be sure this side of the coming
of our Lord for the true Church of the Living God. As we have pointed
out, this great city is the center of world economics. She is a
marketplace that has grown ever more greedy and has lust for power.
She is self indulgent and in the end, God Almighty destroys her
completely for her sins and abominations.
Through
a great portion of the coming Tribulation these two portions of
Babylon are intertwined with each other. One having power over
another to lead one as much as horse is led by a bridle. But it is an
uneasy alliance, as they are not the same, but antagonist of each
other, both lusting for supreme power. The coming Beast power has
need of this religious power to forge the chains of those who it
wishes to follow him and use this false religion as an agent of
conquest, much as it was in the Middle Ages. But the Beast that rules
the earth will need this false religion for just so long. Her
usefulness will run out in the near future during the midpoint of the
Tribulation and she will be burned with fire as we saw in Chapter 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.
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.
18 And
the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over
the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:15-18)
This
harlot religion has temporal power over the Beast, as the Bible shows
that she rides the Beast, and controls him to a point and rules over
all nations in religious affairs. Only one religion has more than a
1.5 billion people from all over the globe of all people, multitudes,
nations, and tongues. She has spread her tentacles to all points of
the globe and in the past, no one was able to withstand her. But
this Tribulation power she holds over the political Babylon is short
lived.
Mystery
Babylon seems to be destroyed when the Anti-Christ comes into the
Temple of God in Jerusalem at the mid point of the coming tribulation
and proclaims himself as being God in the flesh. Then this religious
portion of this unholy alliance will be needed no longer, as the
dragon, Satan the devil, who has entered into the last dictator of
this fallen world known as the Anti-Christ, will desire complete
worship of himself (Satan) through a mortal man that he has
possessed. It appears from scripture that a charade either real or
manufactured is fostered upon a rebellious and evil population that
believes this lawless man has been resurrected from some type of
wound that brought him to near death. It will be a false resurrection
to mimic what Jesus did 2000 years ago by the power of God, whether
this resurrection of the Anti-Christ is real or a charade. Satan is
very good as counterfeiting what God has done to make the unrighteous
believe a lie.
BABYLON,
REAL OR SYMBOLIC?
But
as we study the concept of this great city called Babylon, are they
literal cities or is she symbolic? That is a question we have to ask
ourselves, as many believe that Babylon will be rebuilt again on a
desert sands found in the backward country of Iraq. Note that any
city built on the ruins of ancient Babylon would not completely fit
the description of her having a sea faring port able to handle large
merchant ships. Saddam Hussein had the mad notion of rebuilding
ancient Babylon thinking that he was a modern king Nebachadnezzer and
ruler of the Middle East and we know what happened to him. Many
people believe that the New Babylon will be built on the Euphrates
River and with the wealth of the Middle East oil, that could happen,
but to be an economic power house that God speaks of, leaves large
holes in that theory. Although, no one has stepped forward to attempt
such a city. But from my viewpoint, being so close to what I feel is
the season of our Lord's return, I don't see that kind of time being
allowed for another city to emerge as a economic powerhouse for all
the world to coincide with the description of her destruction in
coming verse of this chapter.
As
briefly mentioned in the last part of this study, our Lord equated
the known world that hated Him and cautioned that it would hate those
who follow Him, just as much to what this world will become.
19 If
ye were of the world, the worldthe would love his own: but because
ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world,
therefore the world hateth you.” (John 15:18-19)
So
there are two possibilities, as we have investigated and looked at
different cities as being the center of the Beast power, either Rome,
Mecca, or even New York, as New York is the center of world wide
commerce at the present time. At this present time, the economy of
the world is centered on the USA and its economic engine found in New
York City, but that could change. It's possible, but highly
unlikely, as another city would take years to achieve what the
investors on Wall street and the New York economic hub of the world
has become. Another possibility is that Babylon is symbolic of what
Jesus spoke of as the end time world that revels in their rebellion
and unrighteousness. The entire world is a combination of religion
and commerce, so the symbol of Babylon “could be” this end time
Beast power that covers the entire earth we now live on. In
portraying the destruction of a city (Rome?), John describes in
Chapter 17 God’s judgment on the great satanic system of religious
evil that has corrupted the earth’s history. In chapter 18, the
context seems to indicate that Babylon here is viewed in its
political and economic character rather than its religious aspect.
Although both portions of the Babylon the Great are mentioned in
various detail, jumping from one power to the other.
Looking
at the opening verses, this “angel” which can be interpreted as
“messenger” has a great shining appearance. Either the light He
cast is from being in the presence of God, or this is Jesus Christ
proclaiming that Babylon has fallen and will not rise again. It is a
matter of a great moment, whether by this angel we
understand Christ, or a created angel; the description agreeth to
Christ, but most likely agrees to a created angel.
The
term ‘another’ (Gr.,allon)
makes it clear that this angel is the same in kind as the angel of
17:1. So this most likely is one of the 7 angels that have the bowl
judgments. Babylon
the great is fallen, is fallen:
He announces that Babylon is fallen,
fallen and
the phrase is “repeated like a solemn dirge of the damned.
Becomes
a dwelling place of demons:
A sad fate for a once-great city.
Abundance
of her luxury:
Babylon’s sin was not only idolatry (referred to with the
term fornication),
but also pride, greed, and selfishly held wealth.
The
concept is of man ruling himself and being blessed for his work on
this earth for a “great economic city” either a location or
speaking of the whole world has come to an end. This is “a
prophetic picture of absolute desolation where the proud achievements
of man become the demonic haunts of unclean and horrible creatures
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.
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.
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.” (Revelation
18:4-7)
COMMAND
TO LEAVE BABYLON
This
is a call to God's Tribulation saints to come out of those places
where they should not be. It is akin to what God told Lot and his
family to depart from the city of Sodom and flee to the mountains
before God destroys her. The tribulation saints are in a place ripe
for destruction. Those who are living during this time, are subject
to the temptation and the evil that is perpetuated in the end time
world that is headed for oblivion, and God commands His own to
separate themselves from everything that pertains to the evil
influence of these end time Gentile nations. Note that the inference
is that those who believes on Jesus Christ at this time, are
susceptible to loosing their salvation and ability to commit sin in
God's sight and they could be caught up in the judgment that is
coming. They are not sealed with God's Holy Spirit as the 144,000
Jewish evangelist were, but are in danger of falling back into the
world system that God says depart from it. This is not true of the
Church, who cannot lose their salvation, but those in the tribulation
have no such guarantee.
10 That
in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together
in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are
on earth; even in him:
11 In
whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated
according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the
counsel of his own will:
13 In
whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the
gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye
were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which
is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the
purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians
1:10-14)
The
church of the Living God has an irrevocable promise of being kept in
His grace for any sin, past, present or future. What God has drawn to
Jesus Christ and those who have been put into God's Hand cannot be
removed.
28 And
I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither
shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My
Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able
to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Tribulation
saints must guard their salvation until the very end of this horrific
time. So God is talking about a different set of people who are also
called saints, which is another indication that the church is not
here, as the Church was sealed and had a deposit of future
glorification that is promised. The call to come out of Babylon and
its sinful and worldly living has been repeated many times in
scripture:
“Depart!
Depart! Go out from there, touch no unclean thing; go out from her,
be clean, you who bear the vessels of the Lord.” (Isaiah
52:11)
“ My
people, go out of the midst of her! And let everyone deliver himself
from the fierce anger of the Lord.”(Jeremiah
51:45)
“Do
not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship
has righteousness with lawlessness?” (2
Corinthians 6:14)
“And
have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather
expose them.”(Ephesians
5:11)
But
who is this “messenger” of God speaking of? Who are they to come
out of? I believe He is speaking of religious and political Babylon
that their sins have piled high as the Tower of Babel. There will be
an end time false religion that has deceived mankind throughout the
history of the world since Jesus ascended back to heaven and the
right hand of the Father in glory. God has remembered her iniquities
and has passed judgment upon her. This is more detail that John gives
to report the destruction of the Harlot Church who has deceived the
whole world to worship the image of the Beast.
The
description of this Harlot Church is verses 6-7 is most telling of
who this woman is and where she has had her headquarters for the last
near 2000 years. Note her delicacies and her riches and how she has
rewarded others by dealing treacherously with those who did not bow
the knee to her. She will be rewarded double for what she has done. I
see the complete destruction of this harlot church in flames, as God
will use the political power of this earth to destroy her.
--Render
to her just as she rendered to you:
The ancient Greek word for render
(apodidomi)
means literally “to pay a debt” or “to give back that which is
due.” God will give Babylon exactly what she deserves.
--Repay
her double according to her works . . . mix for her double:
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.
--Repay
her double according to her works:
This passage presents a three-fold sin. First, self-indulgence
(lived
luxuriously).
Second, pride
(glorified
herself . . . sits as a queen).
Third, avoidance
of suffering (am
no widow, and will not see sorrow).
All these things are characteristic of worldliness and materialism.
--Therefore
her plagues will come in one day:
The destruction of religious Babylon will come suddenly and with
completeness (utterly
burned with fire).
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.
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,
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.
11 And
the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man
buyeth their merchandise any more:
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,
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.
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.” (Revelation 18:8-14)
John
goes back and forth speaking of the two Babylons that are mingled
together in this chapter. He speaks of religious Babylon and then
commercial or political Babylon. Both receive judgment from God and
in these preceding verses, you have the vision of a city of
commercial marketplace that has dealt with the merchants of the world
in what was valuable in John's day, as that is all he could describe,
as our technological day was beyond his understanding. You also see a
religious portion of Babylon who has deceived the whole world to
worship the image of the Beast and to take his mark in their forehead
and their right hand.
John
witnesses the destruction of these great powerful cities in flames
and their destruction in one hour. In your mind, you must separate
the two Babylons and not confuse one with another. The religious
Babylon will be destroyed by the Beast power under the will of God,
and the final political portion of the Beast power, God will destroy
Himself. I can think of no other man-made weapon of destruction than
a nuclear weapon, which is what many believe happens to these
religious and political cities, which could level a city in one hour.
The merchants of the earth stand at a safe distance from her
destruction, as the heat and flames, and not to mention the radiation
if this be a nuclear weapon that destroyed her, and they wail because
the city is destroyed. That is one reason I have explored the one
city in the USA, New York who is the economic hub of this modern
world now and in the coming future and the city which could be Rome
destroyed by the Beast power as he burns her with fire..
The
political Babylon sounds eerily similar to what a person would see
standing on a boat a long distance from the harbor of the New York
City, who has the only port large enough to accommodate large
merchant ships. This could come from a nuclear exchange or a
pre-emptive nuclear strike from another country. We can only
hypothesize of who this great city is, if she is indeed an actual
city or a symbolic representation of God's divine judgment on the
center of the Beast power and his government. Obviously, God is more
than able to replicate a nuclear strike much as He did on Sodom and
Gomorrah. Either God uses man to do His will, or completes the
prophecy in Divine retribution for her iniquities with fire and
brimstone raining from heaven. Thankfully, I won't see any of this to
determine which is true as I'll be with Jesus in heaven awaiting the
return to the earth of the saints of God, known as the Church of the
Living God. Will you?
As
we continue to read to the end of the chapter, the angel describes
the death knell of Babylon and likens it to a mill stone thrown to
the bottom of the sea, never to rise no more. The descriptions show
that the center of commercial trade will never be found again.
20 “Rejoice
over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God
hath avenged you on her.
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.
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;
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.” (Revelation 18:20-23)
This
is either a complete destruction of an actual city or applied broadly
to a worldly commerce found across the globe during this time of the
coming Tribulation. But I find it telling to who and where this
prophecy is directed at, as was mentioned, the political and the
religious Babylon have been intertwined up to this point.
24 “And
in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all
that were slain upon the earth.” (Revelation 18:24)
In
verse 24, if this is an actual city, then I can think of only one
city in this world that has all the attributes that have been
described. Some will point a finger at Jerusalem as she has killed
prophets and saints also, but she does not fit the description of a
harlot religious system that has ruled the world, drowned herself in
luxuries of gold, jewels, and much wealth, and has been the center of
apostasy in the past ages and into the modern world. Only one
religious organization has more gold in her vaults than even Fort
Knox. And if you think hard enough, you will come to the conclusion
that fits all points of the prophecy.
The
chapter describes the complete destruction of the two Babylons: the
religious portion and the commercial or political aspect of the
ruling One World government that is a mixture of church and state,
much as it was in the Middle Ages. Coming in the next chapter, the
beginning reveals the coming victory of our Lord God, Jesus Christ
over the Beast Power and its final death blow that will decimate all
who come against a Living God. The beginning of chapter 19 is a
continuation of the end of chapter 18, as the bible has no actual
chapter breaks, as that is man's doing, but the end is near and we
will discuss that next time, when we see Jesus coming back to earth
in power and great glory. We are nearing the start of the coming
Millennium and the reign of Jesus Christ for 1000 years to restore
the earth to what was lost in the Garden of Eden, the complete beauty
of His creation revived and made perfect. We have much to anticipate
for and we await anxiously for the coming of our Lord to make this
earth what it was in the time of Adam and Eve. Many things will
change. The earth will not be subject to pollution and the evils of
mankind. War will be no more, and the weapons of war will be changed
into plow shares to become a agricultural society. But who will be
those who populate the coming Millennial reign of Christ? We will
discover that when we explore chapter 19 and 20 of the “Return of
Jesus Christ and His Millennial Reign.” See you then.
This
is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying that you see none of this noted above
and are found in Jesus Christ at His coming for His Church that could
come very soon. I pray if you need prayer, counseling, or just a
listening ear then email me at realteam1999@sbcglobal.net.
Or visit me online for more biblical messages to help strengthen your
faith in the times we live in at www.pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com,
God bless you all,
TILL
WE MEET AT JESUS FEET
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