Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

Previously weeks back, we had seen the destruction of this harlot woman.

She convinced the world to be a part of her sin, and she rode on the very agent of her destruction.

- We’ve also watched humanity be stricken with horrible diseases and plagues as the religious system of the beast has been revealed

-- Those upon the Earth, even knowing this, continue to the end blaspheming YHWH, with the result of the hardening of their hearts against the Gospel (good news)

Chapter 18 now attempts to set ourselves up for the coming battle of our Lord and Savior

Transition:

The destruction of Babylon the Great that started a chapter ago continues to chapter 19:5.

The angel’s promise to John to reveal the punishment of the prostitute in chapter 17 is expanded here in our chapter this morning, chapter 18, especially as it relates to her economic downfall.

The scene of Babylon is somewhat fitting for this time of year: it turns into a horror scene for the inhabitants of this once great city:

Scripture Reading:

Revelation 18:1-8

Babylon’s coming judgment means that the remaining believers must leave the city lest they share in the punishment she will soon receive.

Then a funeral-like atmosphere takes focus in the center of this chapter— vv.

9–19, where we hear laments from three groups: kings, merchants, and sailors.

Finally, in 18:20–19:5, Babylon’s doom is complete, and in contrast to the mourners, God’s people are called to rejoice that he has brought justice and vindicated his people.

Today’s passage uses a poetic repetition, especially in sets of threes (18:3, 6, 8), and various other literary forms to heighten the drama of Babylon’s demise.

And through it all, the words and imagery of Jeremiah loom large (esp.

chapters 50–51).

Transition:

There are things that set up this horror scene

I.

A Creature Scare (vv.1-2)

John first sees what Babylon will be like just after the destruction:

An angel with authority and reflecting God’s glory announces in a loud voice the fall of Babylon (somewhat similar to the announcement of Babylon Isa.

21:9).

This is a post-apocalyptic scene!

“Fallen, Fallen”

The use of the aorist tense (i.e., “Fallen!”) and the repeat emphasizes the certainty of the coming judgment.

The absolute devastation of Babylon leaves her a fitting dwelling place or home for demonic spirits, unclean birds, and detestable animals (Isa.

13:21–22; 34:11–14; Jer.

50:39; 51:37).

Rather than the honorable garden city that God envisions, Babylon has become the exact opposite: a desolate, demonic wasteland, completely devoid of image bearers-of-God life.

“A Haunt”

φυλακή - this is translated differently in different versions - “prison” [NASB, GW] or “cage” [KJV].

Other occurrences of this word translate as a lair, a house, or even a dwelling place; however, it is a different word being used than the “dwelling place” for the demons— I really think haunt is a good translation here.

How odd it is that we find ourselves here in this passage at this time of year!

Babylon has become a haunted house

Transition:

As scary as a town full of demons are, there is still more to terrify these residents with:

II.

An Economic Fright (vv.3-4)

Probably the biggest scare here is the false security in wealth that lures us into hedonism and fails in an instant

The reason for her coming judgment lies in her seduction of the nations, kings, and merchants of the world.

In the first century, the surrounding powers became intoxicated with the prosperity and economic security afforded by the Roman Empire, so much so that they willingly participated in the idolatry and immorality necessary to maintain that security.

It was easier and "safer” to just go with the crowd.

They had a phobia that money could hide—they had a passion that money could fulfil.

A “Me first” financial attitude.

“Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins”

Another heavenly voice now commands God’s people to “come out of” Babylon, an exhortation echoed centuries earlier by the prophets Jer.

51:45:

Wait?!? God’s people?

It’s Deception πλανάω

The verb πλανάω (“deceive”) plays a significant role in the New Testament and especially in Revelation, where it is translated in various ways:

“deceive”,

“lead astray”

“delude” and

“mislead”

When it comes to materialism, evangelicalism has had blind spots

In the evangelical world, we have sometimes been comfortable “using the language of culture” to communicate the gospel.

We frequently talk about taking the timeless message of the gospel and “packaging” it in ways people can understand.

But if we are not careful, we can move from “using language” to baptizing idolatry.

One extreme example played out on Easter 2010.

As a means of “reaching out” to the community, a Texas megachurch Bay Area Fellowship, the largest church in Corpus Christi gave away sixteen cars, fifteen flat-screen televisions, furniture, and other prizes.

One article mentions that the church service was more like the tv game show: The Price Is Right.

This kind of “get them in the building at any cost” approach seems to blur the lines between faithfully witnessing and indulging in gross materialism all in the name of evangelism.

Jesus repeatedly warns his followers not to be deceived by false prophets and false teaching.

Peter, James, and Paul also warn against the dangers of deception.

In his first letter, John cautions against the power of deception.

In Revelation, the deceivers include Satan (12:9; 20:3, 8, 10), the false prophet (13:14; 19:20), Babylon (18:23), and Jezebel (2:20).

Those who are deceived include the inhabitants of the earth (13:14), the nations, the whole world (12:9), those who received the mark of the beast (19:20), and, on one occasion, those who claim to be believers (2:20).

Perhaps the most important contrast between the forces of evil and the army of the Lamb is the severe contrast between deceit and truth.

Although this may involve physical separation, spiritual separation is more likely since believers are called to remain in the world as Jesus’s faithful witnesses, even in the face of suffering.

In essence, this is a clarion call to holiness, a separation from the wicked ways of the world and a separation unto loyalty and obedience to God.

Why, then, must believers separate in order not to receive judgment when they have already been assured of divine protection?

Perhaps it’s because God often protects his people specifically through his exhortations and warnings.

Believers are to separate for two reasons:

so as not to share in Babylon’s sins, and

so as not to receive any of her plagues.

-- It is God calling out to the faithful so they can escape

- God’s mercy continues even to the end: 2 Peter 3:9 promise: none should perish

Transition:

Even with not wishing that any should parish, this haunted house has even more severe punishment to come:

III.

A Punishment Panic (vv.5-7)

If panic has not ensued up to this point, it will now.

Babylon’s sins, in the same words of Jeremiah, have piled up to heaven— It is interesting to note that at the beginning of Babylon’s history, they tried to reach heaven with the Tower of Babel and now something of theirs has made it to heaven

- (v6-8) this is the reason for God’s judgment: PRIDE!

-- Babylon’s love of self and money will be answered with death

-- Why?

Because they will not repent and seek the Lord!

To pay her back “double” or full recompense.

Yet the “torment and grief” she will receive is measured in terms of her treatment of God’s people and her own self-deification, which were much larger (v.

18).

In this sense the principle of lex talionis holds true-- the law of retaliation, where the punishment resembles the offense committed in kind and degree.

Just as Babylon made the nations drink her wicked cup, so now she will be forced to drink the cup of the wrath of God.

Eye for an eye

Babylon’s sins consist of self-glorification, sensuous luxury, and prideful arrogance, the very opposite of humble dependence upon the Lord and sacrificial love within a community.

Her threefold claim echoes Isaiah 47:7–8, where Babylon boasts, “I am forever—the eternal queen!…

I am, and there is none besides me.

I will never be a widow or suffer the loss of children.”

Transition:

So What? (v.8)

God alone deserves glory.