Monday, March 21, 2022

THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS

 




By Pastor Mike Taylor






And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

3 And again they said, Alleluia And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.” (Revelation 19:1-4)



The Tribulation and culminating with the Great Tribulation of the last 3.5 years, is quickly coming to a just end. God has been patient with mankind, and has sent numerous disciplinary measures to cause mankind to repent and give God glory and turn from their wicked ways. But as we have proceeded in these chapters, it has become evident and very clear that the nations are doomed to destruction and does not want to give up their unrighteous, sinful living.



As we enter the 19th Chapter of this book, we see the host of heaven giving glory and honor to our Great God and King of the Universe, as He has judged evil found in the harlot church and the great city of the Beast Power and their smoke will rise up forever. Here the 24 elders and the host of heaven, including those who have been slain at the hand of the Anti-Christ (who asked for justice from God from under the alter in Chapter 6:10 and here their prayers have been answered) praise God with “alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia” which is a phrase from Hebrew that means “Praise God”. This is actually a culmination of chapter 18, as the Bible does not have chapter breaks, only man gives them chapter breaks, and here the praise of God is given for His coming complete Victory over the beast power system.



5 “And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” (Revelation 19:5-6)

As we read we see John back pedals a little to give a description of the Bride of Jesus Christ. This has already happened, but John wants to describe it in more detail, as the event about to happen is the marriage supper of the Lamb.

7 “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” (Revelation 19:7-9)



There is several things I want to point out here. Note that the wife of Jesus Christ has made herself ready. According to Jewish customs, as Jesus came as a Jew on earth, and the Bible was written by Jewish people. The custom is for the bride and groom to enter the bridal chambers for 7 days to consummate their union and relates to the last 7 years of the Tribulation. The Marriage supper will not be in heaven, but on earth and the invited guest will be those who have been found in Jesus Christ and accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord through much tribulation and martyrdom. 



There will be an untold amount of Jewish people by birth, but there will be an untold number of Gentiles also, that have accepted Jesus as well, but they are not the church, they are the guest that will be invited to the feast at the marriage supper. They are equated to the 5 wise virgins, and the 5 foolish virgins that many mistakenly make them part of the Church. Note the wise are invited into the marriage supper, as the Bride is already inside..She is not an invited guest, as she is the focus of the feast. (Matthew 25:1-13) The foolish virgins did not keep the Holy Spirit in their lives and lost out in the end and are denied entrance to the marriage supper.



But as I have done in past messages, I want you to focus on the underlines portion of the above scripture, as it will be important in the coming verses.



10 “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.” (Revelation 19:10-14)



Note the description of our soon coming King? His eyes were as a flame of fire. Why are they like flames of fire? Why, first, to discern the secrets of all hearts. There are no secrets here that Christ does not see. There is no lewd thought, there is no unbelieving skepticism, that Christ does not read. There is no hypocrisy, no formalism, no deceit, that he does not scan as easily as a man reads a page in a book. His eyes are like a flame of fire to read us through and through, and know us to our inner-most soul.



Our Lord Jesus Christ is clothed with vesture dipped in blood. This is not about the blood He shed on Calvary, but the blood that He has been spilling in the wine-press of His fury with those who have been in rebellion against Almighty God. He has many crowns on His head, signifying that He is the Supreme King of all creation, and the entire universe.

Jesus comes riding on a white horse, as a horse was a sign of glory and honor and only those who were in command rode on horses, not as foot soldiers. White denotes His purity.



There are several clues in the preceding verses of 10-14 of who is coming with the King of kings when He returns. First note in verse 10, that John falls to worship the elder who shows him these things. What does he say? He tells John that he is a fellow servant of God and “THY BRETHREN” that have the testimony of Jesus. Who can only this describe? These are those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and are standing with John even before Jesus second coming. A sign of the saints of God in heaven with God even as far back as chapter 4 of the Holy Book and the vision of the 24 elders. It is an elder of the church of God showing the apostle John this vision of future events. Another clue to who comes with Jesus. Note the apparel each wear ? Compare it with verse 8 of this same chapter that speaks of the Bride of Christ being “clothed with fine linen, white and clean, a sign of the saints”. See the connection between the Bride and the saints that come back with Jesus Christ as the armies of heaven? These are not angels, these are redeemed mankind who have been with Jesus for the last 7 years and being judged for rewards at the Bema Judgment Seat of Christ (1st Corinthians 3: 11-15) and have been adopted into the family of God....as any bride who marries the Bridegroom becomes part of His family by law and by marriage in all its implications of inheritance.



16 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:16-17)



The Church cannot be heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus, unless we are adopted into the family of God, Yahweh, the Almighty ABBA Father....we are the redeemed of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice. We are now part of the family of God. What Jesus has inherited, we also shall inherit the same. He is God, and we will be heirs in the God family. What we will inherit is beyond my comprehension, but just to be counted as adopted sons and daughters of the Most High is sufficient for this minister. We all will gladly submit to His righteous will.



I want to make a point at this portion of this series. If the church has NOT been taken 7 years prior and coming back with Jesus as His second coming, and the Post-Tribulation model that some believe is true, then who is going into the Millennium as mortals? Note that there are only two sets of people at the end of the Tribulation. Those who belong to Jesus Christ, and those who do not belong, but are in rebellion. When Jesus comes back, those who belong to Him are changed into immortal beings. Those who do not belong to Him are destroyed with a Word, not to mention all the plagues and disasters that have killed 90% of all mankind to this point. If those belonging to Him, are changed, and those who are not are destroyed, then who are the mortals that go into the Kingdom of God? See the problem? 



The answer is no one....The only model of God's plan for mankind is the Church was removed 7 years prior and those who are in rebellion are destroyed. Only those who survived that believed in Jesus and divinely protected at Petra are allowed to enter the Kingdom of God and repopulate the earth.



15 “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.” (Revelation 19:15-16)



Jesus will destroy all rebellion with a word of annihilation. It will be a short battle and complete victory is assured for the King of Kings coming back as a roaring lion full of wrath and judgment. The redeemed Church will watch in awe at the display of His power.



This is the culmination of that wrath of God upon all those who dare come against Him in rebellion. He has given them 7 years to come to repentance, and Divine discipline has not changed any of these invaders minds that have come to the Valley of Jezreel to destroy Israel. The nation of Israel has come to the realization that Jesus was their Messiah that their fathers had crucified nigh 2000 years ago and as Jesus told them they would cry out to God for deliverance and proclaimed:



38 “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (Matthew 23:38-39)



King Jesus has heard their cries and now comes to fight for them,



2 “For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

3 Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.” (Zechariah 14:2-3)



I can only envision the complete destruction that slays every man standing to where the blood rises to the level of a horse's bridle spoken of back in Chapter 14 of this Holy Book:



20 “And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.” (Revelation 14:20)



The valley of Jezreel is estimated to be 184 miles long and 5 miles wide...and the bible speaks of what befalls a man who has the misfortune to think they can come against a Living God. It gives you a mental picture of how many will be destroyed to produce that much blood.



Trying to understand this, have they come to battle each other, or come to destroy Israel, and turn their weapons of war on what they see coming from the heavens? Will they realize too late, that their fate is sealed, as they have come to fight a Living God? Surely, it will be complete madness on the part of rebellious mankind. It’s good for us to remember that this dramatic display of judgment comes only at the end of a long time of grace, patience, and mercy. This is no “rush to judgment.” Jesus has amply displayed His nature of mercy, forgiveness and grace to this fallen world. He comes now to judge a world hardened and totally given over to their rebellion against Him.



And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.” (Zechariah 14:12)



In verse 16, He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The name is on His thigh for prominence, being easily visible when seated on a horse. At the same time, no one knew [the name] except Himselfthat is, no one can comprehend Him perfectly.

Adam Clarke is among those who believe that the name written that no one knew except Himself is actually the tetragrammaton, the four letters YHWH that make up the name “Yahweh”, the sacred and secret name of God as no one knows what letters of vowels should be put with these letters that stand for God Almighty.



17 “And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” (Revelation 19:17-21)



So the end of this great army who God has gathered together in this valley for their final judgment, are food for the beast of the fields, and the birds of the air, as an angel calls out to them to scavenge on the remains of the carcasses that have fallen and bled out. The end of the Anti-Christ and the false prophet are spoken of, as they are thrown alive into the Lake of Fire burning with brimstone and sulfur. I've often wondered why they were not given a final judgment at the Great White Throne that is coming up in the next chapters, but here they are thrown without this judgment, as they have been judged already? Why? Are they even human anymore? Have their sins and their demonic possession judged them already? The end of these two leaders of the rebellion against God and their idolatry and abominations are swiftly judged and their destruction is assured, as they are sent to a place of torment forever even ahead of those whose judgment is coming. Such is their complete demonic rebellion. Some believe that the two “men” are part of the Nephillim that come back upon this earth in the final days, and are not entirely human, but hybrids of fallen angels. We are not sure, and are not told. I leave it to God in His righteous judgment.



Chapter 20: THE REIGN OF JESUS CHRIST



 “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” (Revelation 20:1-3)



A powerful unnamed angel comes down with a heavy chain and binds Satan hand and foot and cast him away from the influence of mankind for a 1000 years, but Satan will get a chance to tempt mankind one last time at the end of this reign of our Lord and Savior. It is a great question of why God would allow Satan another chance, but God has a purpose for his release, which will be revealed later in this chapter.



4 “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4-6)



Here we see thrones again, as it was in chapter 4 and 24 elders sitting at rest with their victory over this world being assured. I believe they are divided in duty, as Jesus said that his apostles would judge Israel.



“ And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28)



God's apostles which I believe includes Paul the apostle to the Gentiles, as Paul was chosen by Jesus as the replacement for Judas. The other 11 apostles chose Matthias, but Jesus revealed His glory to the man that reached much of the Gentile world. The Church Saints are given the same authority to judge as Paul spoke of this that we would judge angels, and I believe that includes those who have overcome the beast power noted in verse 4 and they are given eternal life to reign with Jesus Christ for a 1000 years. In what capacity will they reign, we do not know..We know that the Church of the Living God will be Kings and Priest to God to direct those who are born during this Millennial reign to the salvation found only in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ 2000-3000 years ago if you count the whole Millennium. These are all part of the first resurrection. It started with Jesus as being First Born of the dead and will extend to all those who are raised to life before the Millennium starts.



Some point to this as a a sign of the resurrection of all saints after the tribulation, but failed to understand that this first resurrection has been going on for 2000 plus years and ends here. Those who await their resurrection at the second resurrection wait for judgment and separation from God, not rewards as the Church received. As verse 6 testifies, blessed is he who is part of the 1st Resurrection, as the second death, unlike those awaiting being raised after the reign of Christ, will have no power over them. But notice an overlooked part of that verse “but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” We were told that those who go through the Tribulation many well be Jewish by birth, many Gentiles, but Jewish in the majority, but not exclusively...what did God say about them? Remember back in chapter 7 of those who do not worship the beast?

13” And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.” (Revelation 7:13-16)

These are Tribulation saints and they have not the same rewards as the Church receives. We reign with Christ as Kings and priest. These serve Almighty God in His temple, much as the Levitical Priesthood did...and they re-enact Temple animal sacrifices to demonstrate to those born during the Millennium what Jesus did. Jesus can't die again, but the Temple is used to do as it was in Ancient Israel to point to the Savior. ( Ezekiel chp. 40 to the end of that book) Many will come to salvation, but not all, as we will soon find out.



7 “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.”(Revelation 20:7-9)



For the thousand years of the direct reign of Jesus over this earth, Satan was bound and inactive. But after the thousand years are over, he will be released and successfully organize many people of the earth in another rebellion against God.

Envision this, and it's something I cannot understand at this point, as these people born during the reign of Jesus Christ have had perfect weather, perfect peace, no needs for anything, and have known the Living God found in the King of Kings on earth for the last 1000 years being ruled in righteousness for all the years of their lives. Some of these folks may live the whole 1000 year reign of those born right after the Millennium starts, as it was at the beginning when people, after Adam and Eve, lived over 900 years and now are somehow tempted by Satan to rebel against God on earth?



If Jesus has reigned so wonderfully for a thousand years, then why will the earth rebel? They will do it, and God will allow it, as a final demonstration of man’s rebellion and depravity. Outward conformity to Jesus’ rule will be required during His reign, but seemingly, an inward embrace of His Lordship will still be up to the individual. But just as Israel rebelled against God being with them in the wilderness and countless miracles witnessed, they did much as these people do. They let their own desire to rule themselves and not be subject to anyone telling them what to do. It is man's nature to sin against God. How does Satan convince this people to come against the City of God, the very Throne of God in Jerusalem? Just as he did Eve and Adam, the pride of life and love of this world. Up to this point, they have been directed by Kings and priest to God to not veer to the left or to the right, but staying on the narrow path to follow Jesus and accept Him as the Lord of their life and following the ways of God. We will be witnesses of the grace and mercy of God and will teach all who are mortal and born during this time.



In this we see more of the important reason God has for the Millennial Kingdom and allowing this final rebellion. For all of human history, man has wanted to blame his sinful condition on his environment. “Of course I turned out the way I did. Did you see the family I came from? Did you see the neighborhood I grew up in?” With the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus, God will give mankind a thousand years of a perfect environment – with no Satan, no crime, no violence, no evil, or other social pathology. But at the end of the 1,000 years, man will still rebel against God at his first opportunity. This will powerfully demonstrate that the problem is in us, not only in our environment. Mortal man cannot be trusted.

It will be proved once more that man, whatever his advantages and environment, apart from the grace of God and new birth, remains at heart only evil and at enmity with God.

God gathers all those who will not accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and will gather them much as it was in Ezekiel 38-39 before the Tribulation, and brings judgment on them as fire comes down from heaven and destroys them all.



After the annihilation of every mortal man who dares rebel against God on earth, Satan is again grabbed by the nape of the neck and is finally receiving his just reward for the previous ages of deception and being the father of all lies, and is cast alive into the lake of fire to join the Anti-Christ and the false prophet even before others are sentenced to that awful place.

10” And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10)



THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT



11 “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

This is the final judgment of all unsaved mankind. They are gathered from the ends of the earth, from the sea and wherever their life was extinguished and they are judged out of the Books which is the Bible, and the Book of life with the names of those who have been found clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Of course, none of these people will be found in the Book of life and they will be judged out of the only words that will condemn them, your Bible and the inspired Words and testimony of Almighty God. Many ask, how can a spirit burn or be tormented? Or a body not burn up. At this junction of the end of time, my belief is, as we received immortal bodies at the coming of our Lord in the Rapture, these people receive the same immortal body that lives forever, but theirs is not a reward, but everlasting punishment, so they will never die, and never be consumed but tormented and separated from God the Father and the Son and devoid of all happiness, joy, love and any hope of escape. What an awful destiny for any human being to end up in a place called the “Lake of Fire”..



REBUTTAL OF A DEMONIC THEOLOGY



I want to make one thing perfectly clear. There is an insidious “theory” using only one verse above in verse 12, that there is a “second chance” noting the words, “and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books” but they claim sentencing will not be carried out at that time. They will be allowed an undetermined amount of time to come to repentance and accept Jesus as Savior. Let me ask you something. If you had a choice standing before Almighty God, would you not believe and save yourself from the Lake of Fire? Only a fool or totally insane would say “I'd rather party in hell”...as it won't be a party by any stretch. No, everyone given that choice would say yes to Jesus, but it would not be out of remorse or love for Jesus to repentance, but out of fear of the 2nd death. This is called by some “Universal Reconciliation”, that all will be saved, even Hitler, Stalin, and Lenin who killed millions upon millions of people without remorse. No, don't make that mistake that some cults try to sell you, that all will be saved. If that was so, then there would be no need for a hell, or the Lake of Fire. It would fly in the face of what was written in Revelation 14:9-11 that the smoke of those who worship the beast their torment will arise before the holy angels and the Lamb forever and ever.



26 “For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:26-28)



Understand, my reader, there is NO second chance. This life is the only chance you have to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life. The Church is being refined now, as we speak. And if we barely make it through Christ, where will the ungodly stand at that day?

For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? 

18And, If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” (1st Peter 4:17-18)



OUR NEW ETERNAL HOME IS REVEALED

Next time will be looking at the new heavens and the new earth, and New Jerusalem coming down from God the Father. If you have read it, the description is beyond your mind's ability to visualize the splendor and the glory that will be the reward of all those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. It is the glorious end of our existence as mortals and becoming immortal before God and living for all eternity.



A DECISION REQUIRED



My question to you as is my custom at the end of any sermon I write, is where will you be in this spiritual drama that has been finished here at the Great White Throne judgment by Jesus Christ?

Now you have a choice to make before this drama starts to play out, and it could come as a “thief in the night” when you least expect it. Jesus could come at any moment, but when He does, your survival is in danger in the next 7 years following. Best to make that decision for Jesus Christ, while the invitation to join the Church of the Living God is open and your glorification is assured.

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18)



God's gift is but a moment away from all who believe and obtain “Victory in Jesus “...



8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 10:8-11)



This is pastor Mike Taylor, praying you make that decision for Jesus Christ today while the Holy Spirit invitation is still open. If you need prayer, counseling, or just a listening ear, then email me at pastormiketaylor@yahoo.com, or visit me online for more biblical lessons from the Word of God...God bless you all









TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET.









Wednesday, March 16, 2022

THE TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF BABYLON

 







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.


15 “And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

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 recent  past of  past messages, 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.


18 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world, the world 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 as 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.

5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

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:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

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.


27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

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.

30 I and my Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)



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)


“ Flee from the midst of Babylon, and everyone save his life!” (Jeremiah 50:8)


“ 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?

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."(John 3:16-18)

8 "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:8-13)'

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 pastormiketaylor@yahoo.com. 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