REVELATION 18 // COME AWAY

INTRODUCTION

We saw the vivid description of the Harlot and the Scarlet Beast

We read about her fornication

We looked at the prostitution that she will promote to the entire world.

It was an introduction to what was going to happen in Chapter 18.

THIS WEEK

We are going to take in the sobering reality of Judgement.

Though our proclivity is to see Babylon as deserving of judgement

I want to present a different way of seeing this text.

I believe that when the church see’s itself as the unfaithful, it changes our heart for the unfaithful.

TURN TO

Revelation 18 NKJV

1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” 4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. 7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ 8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her. 9 “The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’ 11 “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’ 19 “They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’ 20 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!” 21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. 22 The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. 23 The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.”

PRAY

Revelation 18:1–3 NKJV

1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”

Rev 18:1-

BY THIS POINT IN HISTORY

BABYLON WOULD HAVE BEEN THE CHIEF INFLUENCE OF THE ENTIRE WORLD

THIS ANGEL BEGINS TO DESCRIBE WHAT THIS WILL LOOK LIKE

THOUGH BABYLON IS FALLEN

IN IT’S FALLEN STATE, IT STILL HOSPITABLE TO A FEW DIFFERENT BEINGS

It has become a dwelling place of demons.

A Prison for every foul spirit.

A cage for every unclean and hated bird

Remember ?

Revelation 9:20 NKJV

20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.

NOT ONLY IS THIS THE REALITY OF BABYLON THE GREAT

THIS HAS EFFECTED EVERY NATION.

In verse 3, we see it is ALL NATIONS

They all participated in the drunkeness of her fornication.

The Kings of the Earth

All World Leaders

Committed fornication with her

The Merchants of the Earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury

These men are none other than Tribulation Hustlers.

Men who extort women, and make money off of their beauty.

They are the ones who take the prostitution industry to the next level.

WHERE IS THE CHURCH DURING THIS TIME IN HISTORY?

IF YOU BELIEVE IN A PRE-MID TRIB RAPTURE:

THE CHURCH HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN UP

IF YOU BELIEVE IN A POST TRIB RAPTURE:

SOME OF THE CHURCH HAS BEEN MARTYRED

SOME OF THE CHURCH HAS SURVIVED AND IS STILL AWAITING THE 2ND COMING OF THE LORD.

ONE THING IS FOR SURE, GOD IS STILL LOOKING TO SAVE MORE PEOPLE.

IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE RAPTURE, ONLY THOSE WHO SURVIVED THE BEHEADINGS AND PERSECUTION ARE LEFT

GOD HASN’T FORGOTTEN THEM.

REV 18:4

HE IS STILL WAITING FOR THEM TO MAKE A DECISION.

JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WHO IS ON THE FENCE TODAY.

Revelation 18:4–8 NKJV

4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. 7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ 8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.

ANOTHER ANGEL COMES ON THE SCENE AND BEGINS TO SPEAK TO THOSE WHO ARE STILL GOD’S PEOPLE, BUT HAVE YET TO MAKE A DECISION FOR JESUS.

THIS STATEMENT COULD BE SEEN IN TWO WAYS:

This statement is specifically for the people present during this time

Or a warning to the Church reading this passage.

Exhorting them to come out from the deception.

“Come out of her, my people”

Why is this important?

This should tell us something

That even though the world is at its worst

Even though Babylon has commited such a great sin and led many astray.

God is willing and able to save

God is desiring the remnants of the church to come out from amongst the destruction of Rome.

Separate yourself from her, he bids

Remove yourself from her, he asks

Come out of her, Come away.

Lest you share in her sins.

Lest you receive of her plagues.

For the time is fast approaching

When Babylon will be judged for all that she has done to herself and others

John is speaking as if these events have already taken place

As it stands, today, these events have yet to happen.

We are still awaiting the judgment

But the most important thing, is that right now grace is available to us.

One day, Judgement will come to Babylon

Babylon’s sin will be so plentiful, that they will rise to Heaven

This action will remind God that there comes a point where Grace is no longer available.

Where the story of Grace comes to an end

Where Grace and the Free Gift of Salvation is no longer available

Where Grace is absent there is judgement

THEN THE “OTHER VOICE” SAID SOMETHING INTERESTING

Render to her, just as she rendered to you

Repay her double according to her works

In the cup she has mixed, mix double for her

Torment and Sorrow

She says in her heart,

“I AM QUEEN”

“I AM NO WIDOW”

“I WILL NOT SEE SORROW”

This is the anthem of Godless Leaders

I don’t know who this command is to, but by the text, I believe it could be speaking to a specific people

One can say it is for those who were blinded by her

It is a command to those who were deceived by her

It is a command to those who were called out from being like her.

PAY HER BACK FOR HOW SHE DECEIVED YOU

CHURCH, WE HAVE TO REALIZE A COUPLE OF THINGS

We are called to be different

Set Apart from this world

But passionate to see this world saved

In order for this to happen, we must Come Away

We must spend time with Jesus

We must walk in the light as He is in the light

As we learn more about the Truth, we will prevent ourselves from becoming deceived.

As the Babylonian Mindset gains popularity

We shall not be moved by its influence

As it continues to grow in its wickedness

We shall remain under the covering of the Savior

Let Babylon be Babylon

But you, Christian, continue to present the hope that is found in Jesus Christ.

When she sits pridefully in her sin

You continue to worship Him who sits on the Throne.

ONE DAY, SHE WILL BE JUDGED, AND ALTHOUGH I CAN’T WAIT FOR THAT TO HAPPEN

I hope and pray

That because I followed Jesus

Many would be rid of excuses of not following Him.

Because I chose to live Holy and Blameless and Above Reproach

Many would have a correct example of what it means to be radically changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thought this is my hope

TO LIVE IN A WAY THAT THE GOSPEL CONTINUES TO CHANGE ME

I haven’t arrived yet

CONTINUES TO TRANSFORM ME

I haven’t been perfected yet

THE MORE I FOLLOW JESUS, THE MORE MY ACTIONS SHOULD REFLECT THAT TRUTH

As we follow Jesus,

The victories we have

The miracles we see

The change that the Gospel brings

Should encourage us to stay humble

Like the Apostle Paul said:

Philippians 3:13–14 NKJV

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

THERE ARE THOSE THAT KNOW THE TRUTH AND ACT ON IT

IF YOU

THERE ARE THOSE WHO KNOW THE TRUTH, DENY IT, AND STAY DECEIVED.

CHECK OUT HOW THOSE WHO WERE DECEIVED WILL RESPOND TO HER DESTRUCTION:

Revelation 18:9–20 NKJV

9 “The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’ 11 “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’ 19 “They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’ 20 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!”

REV 18:9-

THE KINGS OF THE EARTH WHO COMMITTED ADULTERY WITH HER

THOSE WHO LIVED LUXURIOUSLY WITH HER

WILL LOOK UPON HER DESTRUCTION

WILL REALIZE THAT HER GLORY LASTED YEARS, AND HER DESTRUCTION CAME IN ONE DAY

THE MERCHANTS WILL ALSO MOURN AND WEEP FOR HER

For the deception has ended and no one is buying what they were selling

Not her merhandise

Not the bodies or the soul of men.

It is believed that during the time this was written, 20% of the Roman population were Slaves.

Not including all of the prostitutes who were selling their bodies and their souls to the world.

THEY WILL LOOK UPON HER AND BE FEARFUL

KNOWING THAT THEY WERE HER PUPPETS

EVERY SHIPMASTER, ON THE WAY TO BEAR THE FRUIT OF THEIR CARGO WILL MOURN AS THEY SEE THE SMOKE RISE UP FROM BABYLON.

WHAT ONCE MADE THEM RICH, HAS NOW BEEN MADE DESOLATE

JOHN THEN SAYS:

“REJOICE OVER HER, O HEAVEN

YOU HOLY APOSTLES AND PROPHETS

FOR GOD HAS FINALLY AVENGED YOU ON HER”

CHURCH

WE ARE TO BE ACTIVE UNTIL THIS IS COMES TO PASS

UNTIL THE JUDGEMENT COMES, WE ARE TO BE TRUE REPRESENTATIONS OF JESUS TO ALL

THERE SHOULDN’T BE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOW WE BEHAVE IN FRONT OF CHURCH FOLK AND THE UNSAVED

THERE SHOULDN’T BE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR CHARACTER

THE ONLY CHANGE THAT SHOULD BE EVIDENT

IS THE CHANGE THAT THE GOSPEL BRINGS INTO OUR LIVES.

Revelation 18:21–24 NKJV

21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. 22 The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. 23 The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.”

DEATH

SILENCE

TORTURE

IS ALL THAT IS LEFT FOR THOSE WHO WILLINGLY ENTERTAIN THE DECEPTION THAT BABYLON BRINGS

So what is Babylon today?

Babylon, is not only a nation, but a community of people

A culture that is sinful, enslaved, and bought in to agenda of Evil

Anything that exhalts itself above the knowledge of God

Anything that enthrones itself where only God belongs

It could be our selves.

It could be our fleshly desires.

It is every lie that we believe.

It is every truth we deny.