Revelation 18:21-24

Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more; and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will be heard in you no more, and a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more, and the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more, and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more,

for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.  And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.”

The declaration of the judgment of Babylon is the culmination of the judgments that will fall upon the earth during the tribulation.  The Lord of glory is about to return to the earth and put an end to the rebellion of Antichrist and establish His kingdom on earth.  The way things have been on earth for generations is about to change drastically.

THE REALITY OF THE JUDGMENT: The word picture that depicts the judgment of the great city of Babylon is so appropriate.  All the grandeur of man’s accomplishments are depicted as a stone being thrown into the sea and sinking away.  Man toils and strains to build a city and a system that he stands back and admires with pride.  That which seems impressive to man, God can destroy with just a word from His mouth.  God has determined to judge this earth and there is nothing anyone can do to prevent it from happening.  Fighting against God is an exercise in futility.  The reality of God’s impending judgment has been determined, and it will take place at that time of His choosing.

THE RESULT OF THE JUDGMENT: The judgment of Babylon will be violent with complete devastation.  There will be no more music or celebration in the city.  All productivity will grind to a halt with no factories functioning.  Utilities will cease to operate, and the city will be marked by complete darkness.  Marriages and celebrations will not take place as the normal rhythms of life will cease to function.  Every aspect of the economy and family will simply cease to exist and the collapse of civilization as we know it will take place.

THE REASON FOR THE JUDGMENT: The motives behind this judgment are the idolatry and immorality that the city and its system propagated throughout the world.  The influence of this place on the world promoted rebellion against God and His will.  Since it is impossible for mankind to do war directly with God; they attack the people of God instead.  In order to propagate and promote its corrupt system Babylon had to silence the voice of the prophets and saints who spoke out against her.  The persecution of God’s people and the rebellion against God’s will is what will bring about this calamity.  

APPLICATION: Don’t be impressed by the accomplishments of mankind.  Know that they will come crashing down and disappear under the judgment of God.  Don’t fall under the spell of living for the prosperity that this world has to offer.  Proclaim the Word of God to the all who are living in rebellion against God.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

1 Peter 3:7

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. It is important to remember the general theme of this section is submission.  The previous section was on wives submitting to their husbands.  This section is on husbands submitting to their wives.  Submission has nothing to do with inferiority and leadership has nothing to do with superiority.  According to Scripture, leaders are called to serve.  Service is an act associated with submission. HOW HUSBANDS SUBMIT TO THEIR WIVES: The two words Peter uses to describe how husbands are to submit to their wives are understanding and honor.  There are stark differences between men and women.  We look at the world a little differently and think about things differently.  Men will often have a difficu...
Read more

James 3:5-12

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!     And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.     For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.     With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.     From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.     Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?     Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. Medications come with warning labels about negative side effects they might cause...
Read more

1 John 2:7-11

Beloved, I am writing you   no new commandment, but   an old commandment   that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.    At the same time, it is   a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and   the true light is already shining.    Whoever says he is in the light and   hates his brother is still in darkness.    Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no   cause for stumbling.    But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and   walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. John is giving us a commandment that is old but with a new twist.  The command to love is certainly an old command as it had already been made very clear throughout the Old Testament.  However, the revelation of Jesus ...
Read more