Babylon is Fallen, is Fallen

Chapters 17-18 are parenthetical. Both take place during the great tribulation, and both deal with the same subject: Babylon, and its destruction. Let me remind you that there are two aspects to consider when dealing with Babylon, there is religious Babylon and there is the political/economic Babylon.

The judgment on religious Babylon is detailed in chapter 17. Its destruction occurs at the beginning of the great tribulation (the last 3.5 years) when the antichrist comes to power. We are seen that he turns on the false church and brings about her destruction but we see in verse 17 that his attack on her was in reality the will of God Revelation 17:16-17

Revelation 17:16–17 KJV 1900

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.

Our focus now turns to chapter 18 which chronicles the end of the final iteration of Babylon, the political/economic Babylon. As bad as the false church was, this aspect of Babylon is much worse. We are told that we daily face three enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil. While the devil is our ultimate enemy, and our flesh is our worst enemy, the world (the world system) is geared toward our destruction.

By the world we are told to seek our fortune at all costs. In the world we are told to find pleasures in any of its sinful ways - through drugs, or through drink, through mindless entertainment, through sinful relationships. We are told the world has all the answers, has all we could ever ask for. The truth is, the world holds our destruction.

Chapter 18 deals with God’s judgment on the world system from three different viewpoints, each of which is significant.

The first view point to consider is...

God’s Point of View 1-8

Read these verses with me...

The reason this passage is so important, the reason it is so pertinent, is because we do not have to wait until the tribulation for this aspect of Babylon to appear, it already is here. We will see this very clearly as we go through the message.

Church, our God hates the world system. Why? Becasue God sees it for what it is, evil! Notice how the angel describes Babylon:

The habitation of evil spirits v. 2

Scholars believe that the usage of the double “fallen” indicates both the religious and political aspects are in view. I agree.

The reason Babylon will fall is because it symbolically represents the presence and power of Satan on the earth.

Spiritually speaking the world system is full of demonic activity - don’t we see this today!

People are advocating for the murder of children in their mother’s womb, and they have the nerve to call it health care. Let the record show that former president Donald Trump now OPPOSES a national ban on abortion, while at the same time taking credit for ROE being overturned.

We have an entire generation confused on their gender…being told by experts that they can choose to be male or female. Let me remind you God is not the author of confusion…Satan is.

Church, God is going to judge Babylon because of the magnitude of its sinfulness! I can’t imagine a worse statement that being the habitation of evil spirits, but that’s not all...

The center of unholy pleasures v. 3a

Look at the entertainment industry today.

Think of the filth that is being produced and called “entertainment”.

Its intoxicating, just like wine, Revelation 18:3 “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.”

It doesn’t stop there. The world system, Babylon is also...

The leader in unrighteous gains v. 3b

The last part of verse 3 mentions that the merchants have gotten rich through the power (abundance) of her luxuries (delicacies).

See Satan knows that religion will not ensnare everyone, some people will always be anti-religion

For those he offers idols of gold (money) and idleness (entertainment)

From its inception in Genesis 10, Babylon, in both its forms, has ALWAYS offered some type of alternative to God. Don’t think for one minute that God has not taken notice, read Revelation 18:5-8

Revelation 18:5–8 KJV 1900

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. 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.

From God’s point of view, Babylon deserves the destruction that is coming its way. For every sinful activity, God is going to double-down on its destruction. In a very short space (one hour) everything that Satan has accomplished through Babylon will be destroyed by the hand of God! God’s point of view of Babylon is one of righteous indignation and judgment, but His is not the only viewpoint, there is also...

Man’s Point of View 9-19

Do you want to read one of the saddest statements in the entire Bible? Read with me Revelation 9-19.

I need to point out that we are reading the details of Babylon’s destruction, but we have already seen her destroyed in Revelation 16:17-21, the last vial.

What is sinful man’s estimation of God’s judgment? What is his response when this wicked city is destroyed at the hand of God? They repent of their sin and trust Jesus? NO. They laugh at her because she is getting what she deserves! No.

When the leaders of the world see the destruction, when the merchants and the sailors see their financial gains are destroyed, they will mourn over the city. Instead of repenting, they will hate God even more because He has taken away their comforts, their money, their power, and, in their eyes at least, their life (livelihood).

While the kings and merchants are weeping and mourning, there is another view point to consider...

Heaven’s Point of View 20-24

As Babylon burns, heaven rejoices! Not only because the vengeance that the saints and martyrs began calling for in Revelation 6, not only because the center of Satan’s power on earth is destroyed as if a giant millstone was cast into the sea, but because of what happens next.

The rapture has happened, the tribulation has ran its course, the time has come for Jesus to return.

Conclusion: Here is the only fact that truly matters today: Jesus could rapture us out of here at any moment, are you ready to go?

Let’s pray...