Revelation 18

Babylon will fall suddenly and systematically under the supremely mighty hand of God and to the rejoicing of the saints of God.

Retail Therapy

In the last days demonic activity on earth will be at an all time high, yet God’s gracious prediction serves as an all-out warning.

We must notice how this passage begins. a haunt is mentioned three times and the scope of the haunt is across the spectrum of life. All nations have drunk the wine of the passion. Wealth has abounded by demonic activities and power. Consumerism has won the day and the hearts of the global sweep of the world one government. Dare we go the way of Lot. A righteous man, yet decided to pitch his tents near sodom and Gomorra’s fertile ground unknowingly welcoming the loss of a wife for the pursuit of wealth. At the heartbeat of this text is the warning and danger of consumerism. What is it about us that stirrs us with the desire to want, to be consumed with earthly desire, to always be buying and never have enough, never considering the word of God.

Proverbs 22:7 “7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.”

1 Timothy 6:6–10 “6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

We should long for what is new… for this desire is of God. Let us all long for newness, but not in a misplaced affection to the thing of this world. The new heaven and earth will soon be a reality. Let us long for the newness of God’s creation and its order.

When contentment in Christ is devalued in our lives then there remains and open door for selfishness and pride. Verse 7

Muhammed Ali: Superman dont need no seatbelt… Superman don’t need no airplane either.

Babel : Genesis 11

Rich young ruler: Matthew 19:21 “21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.””

Revelation 18:4 “4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;”

It is interesting that their is no mention in chapter 17 of a call to come out of the activities of events aht unfold there. I believe its because the church whose names written before the foundation of the world will not be a part of the spiritual Babylon, but why here? Because there is danger for us to be numbered among those who reap the consequences of pursuing worldly portfolios as a primary desire.

Matthew 13:44 “44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

We must burn the ships. Alexander and Cortez

Its clear that John wants us to know that this judgment will be sudden destruction of every economic system that thrives by way of demonic authority.

Verses 10, 17,19 “in a single hour”

Suddenness: Millstone Verses 21-24

Matthew 18:5–6 “5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

A) Kings will wail. 9

B) Merchants will mourn. 11

The most valuable assets on earth will be of no value

C) Shipmasters will weep. 19

Common: They all grieve and all distance themselves from the judgment. 10, 15, 17

In the last days we shall rejoice at the mighty hand of God vindicating wrongs against us as we anticipate his making all things right.

Colossians 3:5–6 “5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.”

Consumerism and infatuation with the world is like Kudzoo… Its lush and green, but chokes out every other living things around it and only uses them as a prop of its own glory.

10,000 Sermon Illustrations All God’s Giants Have Been Weak Men

Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, knew the secret of strength through weakness. Complimented once by a friend on the impact of the mission, Hudson answered, “It seemed to me that God looked over the whole world to find a man who was weak enough to do His work, and when He at last found me, He said, ‘He is weak enough—he’ll do.’ All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His being with them.”

we are sheep psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.