Revelation 16-19

Chapter Review 16-19

Chapter 16

God’s 7 bowl judgments come in quick secession. Like the setting sun, bang, bang, bang and they are done. 1) Men are covered with sores; 2) Sea like blood; 3) Fresh water is nowhere to be found; 4) Scorching heat; 5) Darkness; 6) The River Euphrates is dried up; 7) A great earthquake. And a voice from the throne announces that “It is done!”

Chapter 17

Chapters 17 & 18 are another break in the judgment of the world. These two chapters look back at what God is judging. In chapter 17 we see that God is judging a religious system represented by the great harlot. Antichrist the political leader and the harlot, the false religious system, work together. But finally, Antichrist kills the harlot and demands that the whole world worship him.

Chapter 18

This chapter looks at the economic system represented by Babylon. This is the second aspect of God’s judgment ( religious and economic ). This is looking back at the reaction of those on earth as judgement happens. The kings and merchants mourn as Babylon has fallen. The party is over on earth but it is just beginning in heaven.

Chapter 19

Heaven breaks out in joy. Alleluia! Their is joy because 1) Salvation has come; 2) Justice has been meted out; 3) Rebellion has ended ; 4 )God is in control. Jesus now comes to earth to setup his kingdom and the marriage of the lamb has come. The chapter ends with the beast and the false prophet thrown into the lake of fire. They become the first two occupants of Hell. Satan will join them shortly.

Look for

— Prayers ( Blue )

— Promises ( Green )

— Warnings ( Red )

— Commands ( Purple )

Chapter 16

Read and summarize

SevenBowls

— God’s seven bowl judgment

— The final judgement of man: bang, bang, bang

— Happens, fast like the setting sun

— Followed by the battle to end all battles

— Armageddon

— Then Christ setting up His kingdom on earth

Book of Judgement

— The bible is a book of hope

— God loves

— righteousness - must hate sin

— truth - must hate lies

— goodness - must hate wickedness

— God cannot reward unless he also punishes

Severest Judgement

— This will be the most severe judgment yet

— The apex of God’s judgment

— Despite 3 1/2 years of horrific judgment which man will acknowledge comes from God ( 6:15-17 )

— Man still persists in sin ( 9:21)

— “And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts” ( 9:21 )

The First Bowl ( 16:2 )

Q: What happened when the first ( 1st ) bowl was poured out ( 16:2 )? What does this represent?

( 16:2 ) So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.

Sores ἕλκος (helkos), sore

— Loathsome and malignant sores, ulcers

— Festering, painful, incurable

— inflamed, oozing, ulcerous sores

— Like what Job experienced

— “So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.” ( Job 2:7 )

Not Believers

( 16:2 ) came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.

— The sores will not effect believers ( 13:8 )

— The sores are for those who took the mark of the beast

— Earlier an Angel described their eternal judgment as drink the wine of wrath ( 14:9-11 )

The Second Bowl ( 16:3 )

Q: Upon what was the second ( 2nd )bowl poured ( 16:3 )? What happened, and what does this remind you of?

( 16:3 ) Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.

Blood

— Like the first plague of Egypt that turned fresh water into blood ( Ex 7:20-24)

— Like the first trumpet ( 8:8-9 )

— But only 1/3 of the sea was turned to blood

— Only 1/3 of the sea died

Every Living Creature

— Now every living creature dies

— All the sea is turned to blood; complete judgment

— A complete reversal of creation when God created the Sea ( Gn 1:21 )

How?

How is this possible?

— Maybe the “red tide” or maybe just a miracle

John Phillips

From time to time, off the coast of CA and elsewhere, a phenomenon known as the red tide occurs. These red tides kill millions of fish and poison those who eat contaminated shell fish. In 1949, one of these red tides hit the coast of FL…Marine life was wiped out, even bait used by fisherman died upon the hooks. Eating fish contaminated by the red tide produced severe symptoms, caused by a potent nerve poison, a few grams of which, distributed aright, could easily kill everyone in the world… a red tide explosion would all all the fish in the sea ( Exploring Revelation, p. 190-191 )

The Third Bowl ( 16:4-7 )

Q: What happens when the third ( 3rd ) bowl is poured out?

( 16:4-7 ) Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying: “You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things. 6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due.” 7 And I heard another from the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”

Fresh Water

— All fresh water is ruined

— Unthinkable hardship and suffering with no fresh water to drink

— Also draught, no rain ( 7:1 )

Q: Do these people deserve it? How can a God of compassion and grace send such a horrific judgment

The Angel

— The angel defends the Lord

— ( 16:5 ) “You are righteous, O Lord

— ( 16:6 ) For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due

Appropriate

— God’s judgement while terrifying, is just and measured and appropriate ( Pss 19:9; 119:75 )

— God hating people will mercilessly persecute and kill believers ( 6:9-11 )

— John saw a great number of killed saints ( 7:9, 14 )

— Two witnesses are martyred ( 11:7 ) (cf. 11:18; 17:6 )

The Fourth Bowl ( 16:8-9 )

Q: What happens when the fourth ( 4th ) bowl is poured out? What is man’s response?

( 16:8-9 ) Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.

Sun

— The sun becomes a deadly killer

— Scorching heat

— The same people who had the mark of the beast

— The fourth trumpet darkened the sun

— This judgment increases the sun’s intensity

With Fire εν πυρι ( en pyri, with fire )

— It will seem like the air is on fire

Isaiah Saw it

— “The earth mourns and fades away, The world languishes and fades away; The haughty people of the earth languish. 5 The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, Because they have transgressed the laws, Changed the ordinance, Broken the everlasting covenant. 6 Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, And those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, And few men are left.” ( Is 24:4-6 )

— They refused to live by divine revelation ( the law )

— They violated the moral code ( ordinances )

— They refused fellowship with God ( broken covenants )

Love Sin

( 16:9 ) and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory

— They love their sin so much that they blasphemed God

— They refused to repent

The Fifth Bowl ( 16:10-11 )

Q: On what was the fifth ( 5th ) bowl poured ( 16:10-11 )? What happened as a result ?

( 16:10-11 ) Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. 11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.

Throne of the Beast

( 16:10 ) poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast

— Disagreement as to the location

— City of Babylon

Kingdom Darkened

( 16:10 ) and his kingdom became full of darkness;

— The kingdom thrown into darkness

— The fourth trumpet darkened the sun ( 8:12 )

— The fourth bowl scorched men with super-nova like heat ( 16:8 )

7 Day Forecast

— Instead of “hot & sunny” it is “dark and hot”

— Dark and gloomy

— Air like fire

— Scorching heat

— “That day is a day of wrath, A day of trouble and distress, A day of devastation and desolation, A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness” ( Zeph 1:15 )

— “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” ( Matt 24:29 )

— cf. Is 13:10; 24:23; Lk 21:25; Acts 2:20

Up to this point

Men covered with festering, malignant blisters, tumors, head to foot

The sea thick and viscous like blood. Putrefying, coagulated and clotted from the billons of dead sea life. Sea travel is impossible

Fresh water supply is nearly gone

Scorching heat and no water to drink

Dark, gloomy, air is like fire, severe pain

Did not Repent

( 16:11 ) They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds

— Men still did not repent but instead turned their anger towards God

— Up until now there was still a chance

— This is the last time that we see a reference to repentance

— They’ve ignored the call, sealed their fate, confirmed their unbelief

The Sixth Bow ( 16:12-16 )

Q: Where was the Sixth ( 6th ) Bowl poured and what happened next ?

( 16:12-16 ) Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” 16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.

Euphrates

( 16:12 ) poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up

— Starts high in the snow covered Mt. Ararat ( modern day Turkey )

— Flows 1,800 miles to the Persian Gulf

— Like our Mississippi river

— The water will be dried up

Kings from the East

( 16:12 ) so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared

— The kings from the east march on Jerusalem

— Their strife is not against the beast

— They join all the kings of the earth to make war against Antichrist or perhaps a final anti-Semitic attempt to destroy Israel

Demons

( 16:13 ) And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs

— Three unclean spirts coming out of the “unholy trinity”

— Dragon ( Satan )

— The Beast (The Antichrist )

— The False Prophet (Antichrist’s associate )

— These demons deceive men, perform signs and wonders ( 13:14 )

Armageddon

— Gather for a war at Armageddon

— Not a war but a slaughter

— The Lord will fight ( 17:14 )

Encouragement

( 16:15 ) “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”

— Blessed is he who stays awake!

— Believers will not be forgotten

— Stay on guard

— Don’t embarrass yourself with sin

— He reiterates the message He gave to Sardis ( 3:3 ) and Laodicea ( 3:18 )

The Seventh Bowl ( 16:17-21 )

Q: Where did the seventh ( 7th ) angel pour his bowl and what followed ( 16:17-18 )? What would the earthquake symbolize ( 19-21 )?

( 16:17-21 ) Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.

Final Bowl

— God’s final judgment on the earth

— After 1,000 years one final act of rebellion that is quickly crushed ( 20:7-20 )

On the Air

( 16:17 ) Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air,

— Lightning, thunder

— The 7th seal ( 8:5 ), 7th trumpet ( 11:19 ) and 7th bowl ( 16:17 ) all were introduced with lightning and thunder

Earthquake

( 16:18 ) such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth.

— At Calvary there was an earthquake ( Matt 27:51-54 )

— Now, a great earthquake; largest ever

Q: What effect will the earthquake have?

Change the Earth

( 16:20 ) Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

— This earthquake will reconfigure the entire world

— The land will be flattened

Great City

( 16:19 ) Now the great city was divided into three parts

— The city is divided into 3 parts

— The city is Jerusalem ( 11:8 )

— Mt Zion is split into two ( Zech 14:4 )

— Fresh water flowing from Jerusalem to the Mediterranean and dead sea ( Zech 14:8 )

— Jerusalem will be elevated and the surrounding land will be flattened ( Zech 14:10 )

Millennial

— Jerusalem will be elevated and play a central role during the Millennial ( Ps 110:2; Is 2:3; 24:23; Mic 4:7 )

— All this to prepare the earth for the millennial

Hail Stones

( 16:21 ) And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.

— hail stone 100 lbs. each

— If you’re lucky enough to survive the

— malignant tumors

— polluted sea and polluted fresh water

— scorching heat, air like fire

— lightening and thunder

— greatest earthquake ever

— You’ll be squashed like a bug by 100 lb. hailstones

Inevitable

— God’s wrath and judgments are inevitable

— “Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it” ( Is 43:13 )

Escape

— But you can escape it

— “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” ( Ro 8:1 )

— Those who trust Christ will escape Revelation

— “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” ( 3:10 )

— Our sin was forgiven when Christ died in our place ( 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:24 )

Preterist

Preterist Explanation

The First Bowl (boils)

— Punishment for idolatry - Jews who thought that they were free from idolatry were in fact in bondage in bondage and had “the mark of the beast”

— no historical documents to support this view [ Paul ]

— This is a new Exodus for hated Christians

The Second Bowl (sea)

— Judgement at sea - maybe fulfilled at the Sea of Galilee when men were killed b y Romans

— The historian Flavius Josephus says that the lake was like blood ( wars iii 10.9 )

The Third Bowl ( Fresh Water )

— Pours out bowl on Jerusalem - no fresh water

— They deserve it because they killed the prophets ( 2 Chron 36:15-16; Lk 13:33-34; Acts 7:52 )

The Fourth Bowl ( Sun )

— Covenant sundown

— There are no historical documents about extra ordinary heat. Therefore, this must be symbolic. It is a covenant judgement. A picture of hell for those who did not repent

The Fifth Bowl ( Rome)

— Darkness falls on the throne of the beast, Rome. The bulk of judgements fall on Jerusalem but this falls on Rome

— Darkness like the 9th plague ( Ex 10:21-22 )

— How was Rome affected? Trouble in Rome gave hope to anti-Romans rebels in Jerusalem

— Nero commits suicide ( AD 68 ) [ Not AD 69, per the book, Paul ]

— He was followed by four emperors - Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian ( the general who sacked Jerusalem )

— And the temple of Jupiter burned down in Rome

The Sixth Bowl (River Euphrates)

— Beast against Beast. The battle of Armageddon

— Other side of the Euphrates river was the Parthian Empire.

— Josephus tells us that general Titus ( son of Vespasian ) brought reinforcements from the region of the Euphrates

— River dried up: When Cyrus conquered Babylon, he diverted the river ( 536 BC ). A dried up river means deliverance like the Red Sea ( Ex 14:21 ) or Jericho ( Josh 3:9-17; 4:22 )

— So the river is dried up so that kings can destroy Jerusalem, the New Babylon. Jerusalem is also the New Egypt ( Rev 11:8 )

— So this must refer to the destruction of Jerusalem

The Seventh Bowl (Hailstones)

— Earthquake ( Hag 2:6 ) quoted in Heb 12:26-27. The author thinks that this prophecy was fulfilled

— We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken

— A kingdom taken from the Jews and given to the church ( Matt 21:43 )

— City divided in 3 - there were 3 waring factions who fought each other in the city during the siege

— Hailstones - the tenth legion had catapults that could throw 100 lb. “white” stone 1/4 mile

Chapter 17

Read and summarize

A Break

— Chapters 17 & 18 are a break in the judgments of the earth

MacArthur

The pouring out of the seventh bowl ( 16:17 ) is actually followed immediately in time by the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to end the great world battle ( 19:11 )

What is God Judging?

— These two chapters look back at what God is judging

— A world system led by Satan, Antichrist and the false prophet

— A religious system ( Chp 17 )

— An economic system ( Chp 18 )

Q: What do we know about Babylon?

Tower of Babel

— After the flood, Nimrod, Noah’s great-grandson led an effort to build a great tower ( Gn 11:1-9 )

— God scattered the people and confused their language

Why?

— Rebellion against God

— Brick towers - ziggurats

— Topped off with the sign of the Zodiac

— Pagan priests would chart stars

— Supposedly understand the future

— “And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” ( Gn 11:4 )

Rebelled

— Not recorded but they knew that they would be scattered if they rebelled against God

— incredible, flood was a recent memory

— descendants of Noah

Nimrod

— A rebellious, great city builder

— He built Babel, Erech, Accad, Calneh

— Nineveh in Assyria ( Gen 10:10-12 )

— Babylon at one time had 180 shrines dedicated to the goddess Ishtar

Queen of Heaven

— Ishtar was worshipped by some Israelites

— When Judah went into Babylonian captivity, some fled to Egypt to practice Ishtar worship ( Jer 44:15-19 ) but they remained defiant

— God pronounced judgement on these Jews for their over the top idolatry ( Jer 44:20-27 )

The Authority of the Harlot ( 17:1, 15 )

Q: What did the angel say he would show John ( 17:1 )? Where does she sit ( 17:15 )?

( 17:1 ) Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters,

( 17:15 ) Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.

Sits

— Authority, like a king

Water

— Ancient Babylon was on the Euphrates river ( Jer 51:13 )

Peoples, multitudes

— Authority will be universal

— The entire world is committed to false worship

Man’s God

— Man will not worship the true God but man still longs to fill a spiritual need

— Wants to fill a “God - hole in the our heart”

— Our need for God is also corrupted by sin

— We knew God but would not honor him ( Ro 1:21 )

— Into this vacuum steps Satan (maybe with a Buddha statue)

— False religion’s appeal comes from the promise to fill man’s longing without bring him under God’s authority and moral law

Q: Babylon is called a harlot. Why do you think this is spiritual harlotry and not something else? Could this be Israel?

The Harlot πόρνη (pornē ), prostitute, harlot, adulterous woman

— matches the practice of fornication attributed to her ( 14:8 )

— In prophetic language, idolatry is described at

— prostitution

— fornication

— adultery ( Is 23:15-17; Jer 2:20-31; 13:27; Ezek 16:17-19; Hos 2:5; Nah 3:4 )

— The OT charged these cities with harlotry

— Nineveh ( Nah 3:1,4 )

— Tyre ( Is 23:15-17 )

— Babylon ( Jer 23:17 )

— Israel ( Is 1:21; Jer 3:8-9 )

Thomas

But this is not Israel. The angel never used the word “adultery” μοιχεία (moicheía) which is a much more restrictive word applying to a marriage relationship ( Thomas, 8-22, p. 282-3 )

The Alliances of the Harlot (17:2-3 )

Q: On what did the women sit ?

( 17:2-3 ) with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” 3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns

Kings

— The kings of the earth will be enamored with the false religion, the harlot

— Everyone who is not written in the book of life will worship the harlot ( 13:8 )

All-in

— Joined with the harlot

— socially

— militarily

— economically ( Chp 18 )

— politically

— religiously ( Chp 17 )

Same Fate

— And they will share the harlot’s disastrous fate

Drunk / Immorality

( 17:2 ) and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”

— Not talking about getting drunk which ( may ) then leads to sexual immorality

— Passionate intoxication for Satan’s false religion

— Jeremiah described Babylon this way

— “Babylon was a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, That made all the earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; Therefore the nations are deranged.” ( Jer 51:7 )

Q: The women sitting on a scarlet beast. What does scarlet represent?

Scarlet

— Royalty, splendor, luxury ( 2 Sam 1:24 )

— Sin, blood ( Is 1:18 )

— Antichrist will be a splendorous, royal, sinful, bloody beast full of blasphemous names ( cf 13:1 )

Religion

( 17:3 ) And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast

— Man turns to religion

— The bowl judgments are ravaging the earth and man will turn to religion

— But not to the true God

— Man will turn to the harlot sitting on the beast

She Sits

— The harlot ( false religion ) sits on the beast ( Antichrist )

— At first the beast and the women ( the harlot, false religion ) co-exist

— She sits on him and supports her

— Antichrist and religion will separate

— Eventually, Antichrist kills her ( 17:16 )

— And the false prophet causes the world to worship the beast ( Antichrist) instead ( 13:11-14 )

Seven Heads

( 17:3 ) which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns

— Seven heads, 7 mountains

— The Greek word is often used to describe hills ( Matt 5:1; 15:29; Jn 6:15; 8:1 )

— Many believe this refers to Rome which sits on 7 hills

— The 7 Mountains in this context

— Likely represent 7 kingdoms ( 17:10 ) and their kings ( 5 have fallen, 1 is now, 1 is yet to come )

— 10 horns - rulers who rule as subordinates to Antichrist ( 17:13 )

The Apparel of the Harlot ( 17:4 )

Q: Describe what the harlot is wearing ( 17:4a )

( 17:4a ) The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls,

Attractive

— Dressed very attractively

— Wants to attract men

— Also successful - made a lot of money

The Abominations of the Harlot ( 17:4b - 5 )

Q: What is in her hand and what does it mean? What name does she wear ( 17:5 )?

( 17:4b - 5 ) having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. 5 And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH

Golden Cup

— Full of abominations, unclean things

— Golden cup was mentioned by Jeremiah earlier

— “Babylon was a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, That made all the earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; Therefore the nations are deranged.” ( Jer 51:7 )

— Drinking was associated with the occult

Donald Grey Barnhouse

A french scholar, Salverte, writing on the occult sciences, tells of the drinking connection with these demon ceremonies. “To drink of mysterious beverages,” he says, “was indispensable on the part of all who sought initiation in these mysteries. These mysterious beverages were composed of wine, honey, water and flour with various other ingredients used locally. These beverages were intoxicating. The aspirants would come under their power. Their understanding dimmed, passions excited, they were not prepared for what they were either to hear or see” ( Revelation: An Expository Commentary, p. 324 )

A Name

( 17:5 ) a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH

— The harlot had a name on her forehead (cf. Jer 3:3 )

— Mystery Babylon

— not a geographic place or actual city

— Mother of harlots

— Spawned the system that corrupted the world the first time

— She will do it again

The Accusation of the Harlot ( 17:6 )

Q: What does she do to God’s people ( 17:6 )?

( 17:6 ) I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.

Drunk

— Drunk but not with wine

— Murderous lust, enjoys it

— False religion throughout history is a murderer

— Apostate religion has killed millions

— Catholic church kills 10s of thousands during the 12th century inquisition

Amazement

— John is astonished, amazed

— confused, shocked by the blood thirsty lust of the harlot

— Splendor on the one hand, lust on the other

Preterist

Preterist Explanation

( 17:1-6 )

— Jerusalem is Babylon

— The harlot is the city of Jerusalem, the one under judgment

— This must be Jerusalem because “these things must shortly take place” ( Rev 1:1 )

The harlot

— When God had first seen Israel, she was nothing, polluted in her own blood ( Ez 16:6)

— Then seduced by her own beauty ( Ez 16:14), which led her to being seductive to everyone else

The Explanation of the Harlot ( 17:7-14, 18 )

Q: What did the angel offer to do for John ( 17:7 )? What did people think of the beast ?

( 17:7-14 ) But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. 11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition. 12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

( 17:18 ) And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

Why do you wonder?

— I will tell you the mystery, I’ll explain it

— John understood

— The beast was Antichrist

— The women - false religious system

— What John did not understand was the connection

— John saw earlier that the whole world would worship Antichrist ( 13:4, 8 , 12 )

— So, how does the women fit?

Great City

( 17:18 ) And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

— The women represents a great city

Actual City

— Some say Rome

— Others Jerusalem

— But the angel calls it Babylon on the Euphrates river

The Case for Babylon

— Waters

— 17:1 vs. Jer 51:13

— Cup

— 17:2 vs. Jer 51:7

— 17:4

— Mistress of the world

— 18:7 vs. Is 47:5

— Desolate

— 18:2 vs Is 13:21 ; Jer 51:8

— Flee

— 18:4 vs Jer 50:8; 51:6; 51:45

— Judgments

— 18:5 vs Jer 51:9

— Repay double

— 18:6 vs Jer 50:15

— 18:21 vs jer 51:63-64

Babylon is destroyed

— OT prediction ( Is 13:1-14:27; Jer 50-51 )

— It has both a near / far fulfillment

Henry Morris

Babylon, indeed, will be permanently destroyed, as recorded in the very next chapter ( 18:21 ), but his has not happened yet. The prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah also refer to this future destruction, not merely to Babylon’s present day condition, as is evident from the following considerations, among others: ( 1 ) The destruction will take place in the time that the stars and sun are darkened ( is 13:1, 9, 10 ). ( 2 ) The city will become as desolate as Sodom and Gomorrah, burned completely, with no remains whatever ( Is 13:19; Jer 50:40 ). ( 3 ) It shall become desolate forever, with neither man nor beast entering it anymore ( Is 13:20; Jer 51:62 ). ( 4 ) It will be a time of judgement not only for Babylon, but for all nations ( Is 13:11-13; Jer 51:62 ). ( 5 ) Its destruction will be followed by universal rest and peace ( Is 14:7, 8 ). ( 6 ) Its destruction is directly associated also with the casting of Lucifer to Sheol ( Is 14:12-15 ). ( 7 ) Babylon’s stones will never be used in future construction elsewhere, whereas the present-day ruins of Babylon have been frequently plundered and reused in later constructions ( Jer 51:26 ). (The Revelation Record [ Wheaton IL: Tyndale, 1983] p. 348 )

The Angel describes the Beast

— John understood that the Beast was

— Antichrist

— Satanic ruler

— Most powerful empire in the world

— The angel described the beast in Chp 13

Further

( 17:8 ) The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

— Now the angel will further explain the beast

— The beast and his relationship with the harlot

— which confused and astonished Jon

Was, is not and yet is

— His fake death and resurrection ( 13:3 )

— He’ll use this to deceive the entire world and the false prophet will assist ( 13:14 )

— After his resurrection, he will be indwelt by a powerful demon out of the abyss

— He will turn on the false religious system ( the harlot ) and demand that he alone be worshipped

( 17:9 ) Here is the mind which has wisdom:

— The angel says, “pay close attention to what I am about to say”

( 17:9b ) The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.

— A lot of speculation as to what this means

— Some say, seven literal emperors of ancient Rome

— To limited

— John’s vision is world-wide

— Also, seven hills belong to the beast and not to the women

— And, no matter which emperor you start with, you run into trouble

Rome

— Rome the city of seven hills

— Some identify the women as the Roman Catholic Church

— But Antichrists’s empire is world-wide

— And ( 17:9-10 ) tells of the scope of the beast’s power which forbids it to one city

— And ( 17:18 ) identifies the city for us - Babylon

— If we look at this as symbolic

— “many waters” symbolic

— “scarlet colored beast” as “seven mountains” must also be figurative

— Finally, if it were obvious, the angel would not have called for spiritual discernment

World Empires

( 17:10 ) There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.

— Seven mountains are also kings

— double meaning, kingdoms and kings

— requires spiritual discernment

— Rome was 1 of 7 world empires

— 5 fallen: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece

— 1 that is: Roman Empire

— 1 to come: Antichrist’s final empire

Henry Morris

Though none of these empires ever actually ruled the whole world, each was the greatest kingdom of its own time, particularly in reference to the land and people of Israel and these kingdom’s opposition to the proclamation of God’s word and the accomplishment of His purposes in the world… These of course, have not been the only kingdoms that have been at enmity with God and His purposes. In this category could also be placed such kingdoms as Syria, Edom, Moab, Midian, and m any others, but none of these were empires of great size and influence. On the other hand, there were other great and powerful empires in the ancients world - China, India, and the Incas of Peru, for example — but these had only peripheral contact with the word of God and the chosen people. There were only six kingdoms that met both criteria up to the time of Christ and the apostles. Furthermore, all six of these were not only legitimate heirs of political Babel but also of religious Babel as well. Babylonia, Egypt, Assyria, Persia, Greece and Rome were all strong-holds of the world religion of evolutionary pantheism and idolatrous polytheism. Thus, they appropriately are represented as six heads on the great beast that supports the harlot. ( Morris, Revelation Record, p. 337 )

Remain a little while

( 17:10 ) And when he comes, he must continue a short time.

— When the Antichrist comes, he must remain for a short period of time ( cf 12:12 )

— He will be given authority for forty-two months ( the final 3 1/2 years )

Weird statement

( 17:11 ) The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition

— A very enigmatic comment by the angels

— Confusing

— How can the Antichrist be both an 8th king and also a 7th?

— One of the 7 before he is killed

— The 8th after his fake resurrection

Preterist Explanation

( 17:7-11 )

Great City

—Jerusalem was the great city ( Rev 11:8 ) which is how Babylon is described in Rev 17:1; “the great harlot”

— Therefore, they must be he same

The Roman Empire

— The beast is the Roman Empire, 7 mountains is Rome

— Seven kings is a particular period of Roman history

— 5 kings that were: Julius, Augustus Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius ( the five that have fallen )

— The one ( 1 ) that is: Nero and his name = 666

“The New Math”

— Then Galba, who reigned 7 months ( continue a short space ) or Galba, Otho, Vitellius - but the 8th would be Flavian line of Vespasian, Titus, Domitian which was distinct but different ( you have to not count Galba Otho and Vitellius )

Ten Horns

( 17:12 ) “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast

— We don’t know who these are

— May the Antichrist will divide his kingdom into regions or administrations

Do His Will

( 17:13 ) These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast

— Bent on one thing, serving the beast

— They will do his will and his alone

Q: What is the agenda of the kings ( 17:14) ?

( 17:14 ) These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

— Make war against the lamb

— Culminate at the battle of Armageddon ( Chp 19 )

— They will be slaughtered

The Extermination of the Harlot ( 17:16-17 )

( 17:16-17 ) And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

Turn on Religion

— Antichrist will turn on the false religion

— He will destroy it

— extreme violence, very graphic language

( 17:17 ) For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose

— Antichrist’s self-serving actions are in the scope of God’s sovereign plan

— God’s power is behind the destruction of the false religious system

— Satan is an instrument of God’s purposes

One World

— A one world government has always been the goal of humanists

— globalization has finally arrived

— It will be destroyed by God

Preterist

Preterist Explanation

( 17:12-18 )

— Rome had 10 imperial provinces - 10 kings

— Make war on the lamb - persecute His followers

— Rome ( beast ) turns on the women ( Jerusalem ) and destroys her

Chapter 18

Read and summarize

Judgment Pronounced ( 18:1-3 )

Q: Who made the next announcement to John ( 18:1 )? What did he predict would happen ?

( 18:1-3 ) 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.”

Another Angel

— Another angle but distinct from the first

— But of the same kind

( 18:2 ) And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen

— Cried in a loud voice, impossible to ignore

— Fallen! Fallen!

— His message, his appearance, this voice will all add to the terror

— Judgment predicted ( 14:8 ) now executed

Ancient Babylon

— A near prophecy for Isaiah ( Is 21:9; 47:11; 51:8 )

— John’s prophecy much more far reaching

A Home for Demons

( 18:2 ) a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!

— During the 5th trumpet ( 9:1-11 ) demons are released from the abyss

— 200 million released at the 6th trumpet ( 9:13-16 )

A Home for Unclean Birds

— either real birds or demons are described as unclean animals

— like carrion birds hover over the city waiting for death

— cage - kept against their will

— heaven’s view: unclean and hateful

Q: What reason is given for her fall ( 18:3 ) ?

Influence

( 18:3 ) 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.”

— Her influence spread to the entire world

— Religious Babylon lures the nations into spiritual drunkenness and fornication with false gods ( 17:2,4 )

— Commercial Babylon seduces the unbelieving world into a materialistic stupor

— Ancient Babylon was partying when destroyed ( Dan 5:1-30 )

Judgement Avoided ( 18:4-5 )

Q: What warning is given to God’s people ( 18:4 )? How did God view Babylon’s sins ( 18:5 )? What can we learn about God’s view of sin?

( 18:4-5 ) 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.

Flee

— Come out of her my people

— Flee ! ( Is 48:20; 52:11; Jer 50:8; 51:60; Zech 2:7 )

— Disentangle yourself from the world system

— God will save during the tribulation

— 2 witnesses

— 144,000 evangelists

— Angel proclaiming the gospel

— Greatest harvest in history ( 7:9 )

The Cost

— But at a high cost; those who refuse the mark are killed ( 13:15-16 )

— Unable to buy basic necessities ( 13:17 )

— Pressure from family and friends to save yourself

OT

— The OT told Jews living in Babylon to flee the coming destruction ( cf Is 48:20; Jer 50:8; 51:6, 45 )

Disentangle

— We are not to get caught up in the world ( cf. James 1:27; 4:4; 1 Jn 2:15 )

— “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” ( Ro 12:2 )

Caught up

( 18:4 ) lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues

— Unless you flee, you will get caught up

— An almost irresistible influence

— The master’s wife said to Joseph, “sleep with me” ( Gn 39:7-12 )

— Flee youthful lusts ( 1 Cor 10:14; 1 Tim 6:11; 2 Tim 2:22 )

— All the more important because God is about to destroy Babylon

— Like his warning to Lot - get out of Dodge! ( Gn 19:12-13 )

God’s Record

( 18:5 ) and God has remembered her iniquities.

— God’s keeping a record

Q: Does God keep a record of a believer’s sins?

— He keeps a record of unbelievers but our sins have been blotted out ( cf. Jer 31:34 )

— “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.” ( Is 42:25 )

MacArthur

But for defiant, unrepentant Babylon there will be no forgiveness, only judgement ( cf 16:19 )

Judgement Defined ( 18:6-8 )

Q: What does the angel say about payback ( 18:6 )?

( 18:6-8 ) 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.

Payback

— Pay her back even as she has paid

— The angel is asking for justice

— The last hour has now struck, too late for repentance

— Earlier the martyred saints under the alter asked for justice ( 6:9-10 )

Law of Retaliation

— OT lex talionis; eye for an eye ( Matt 5:38; Ex 21:23-24; Lev 24:19-20; Deut 19:21; Jer 50:15, 29; 51:24, 56; Pss 28:4; 137:8; Matt 7:2; Gal 6:7-8 )

OT Plea

— OT Plea for vengeance on Babylon ( Ps 137:8; Jer 50:14-15; 50:29; 51:24; 5:56 )

— Retaliation belongs to God alone

— We are not to repay evil, instead wait for the Lord ( Prov 20:22 )

— Bless those who persecute you ( Ro 12:14 )

— Never pay back evil with evil ( Ro 12:17 )

— If you enemy is hungry, feed them by doing so you heap coals on their head. Vengeance is mine says the lord ( Ro 12:19-21 )

— Instead of evil, return blessing ( 1 Pet 3:9 )

— Don’t say: “Vengeance is sweet”, or “Vengeance is a dish best served cold”

Double

( 18:6 ) 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.

— The punishment should fit the crime

— Double has been her iniquity

— Double must be her punishment ( Ex 22:4, 7, 9 )

— Israel received double for her sins ( Is 40:1-2; Jer 16:18 )

Thomas

Give back to her as even she has given back, and double the double things according to her works

How she lived: 3 Sins

Glory

( 18:7 ) In the measure that she glorified herself

— She glorified herself

— I will not give my glory to another ( Is 42:8 )

— God hates pride ( Prov 6:16-17; James 4:6 )

Self

( 18:7 ) and lived luxuriously

— She lived sensuously, finding satisfaction in luxury

— Pursued self-gratification

— Those who do so are dead while they live ( 1 Tim 5:6 )

Self-Sufficient

( 18:8 ) for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’

— Rejects the possibility of sorrow

— Self-sufficiency, avoidance of suffering

— Over estimating her power

— OT Babylon said I will be a queen forever ( Is 47:7, 8; cf. Ezek 27:3; 28:2; Zeph 2:15 )

God’s Reply

God’s reply

— “But these two things shall come to you In a moment, in one day: The loss of children, and widowhood. They shall come upon you in their fullness Because of the multitude of your sorceries, For the great abundance of your enchantments.” ( Is 47:9 )

Torment and Sorrow

( 18:7 ) in the same measure give her torment and sorrow

— βασανισμός (basanismos) literally means “torture” ( cf. 18:10, 15; 9:5; 14:11 )

Who can thwart it?

( 18:8 ) 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.

— The plagues will come in a single day - swift

— After they have run their course, the city will be burned up

— This could be the seven bowls described in ( 16:1ff )

— No one can frustrate God’s plan ( Is 43:13; 46:10 )

— “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.” ( Job 42:2 )

— “There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.” ( Prov 19:21 )

— “For the Lord of hosts has purposed, And who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, And who will turn it back?” ( Is 14:27 )

— Nebuchadnezzar was humbled and chastised ( Dan 4:35 )

— “All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, “What have You done?” ( Dan 4:35 )

Judgement Lamented ( 18:9-19 )

Q: How would kings react to the harlot’s downfall ( 18:9 ) Why? Who else would mourn ( 18:11-13 )?

( 18:9-19 ) “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.’

Kings Mourn

( 18:9 ) “The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her

— There will be mourning but not for sin

— Mourning because Babylon is destroyed

— Babylon survived the tribulation thus far; thought it was a great city

Merchants Mourn

( 18:11 ) “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her

— They will weep because no one buys their good any more

— Their livelihood is gone; their business shuttered

— All semblance of economic normalcy is gone

— 28 items or categories of merchandise that Babylon imported

— Every luxury a heart could desire ( 18:12-13 )

— Exotic spices, perfumes

— Delicacies for the table and slaves ( souls of men )

Q: Why do they week ( 18:14 )?

Weep

( 18:14 ) The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you

— Stripped of a key resource of financial wealth

— Their materialistic passions can no longer be fulfilled

— The weeping that starts here will continue for eternity in hell ( Matt 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30 )

The Shipmasters

( 18:17-18 ) ’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out

— The shipmasters mourn over lost trade, not over sin

— They threw dust on their heads ( 18:19 ) as a sign of grief ( Josh 7:6; 1 Sam 4:12; 2 Sam 1:2; 15:32; Job 2:12 )

Judgement Enjoyed ( 18:20 )

Q: How did the apostles and prophets differ in reaction from the others mentioned ( 18:20 )? Why? Where else is this mentioned?

( 18:20 ) “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!”

Different Perspective

— Heaven will have a different perspective than Antichrist’s followers

— Calls for them to rejoice

— Because God has pronounced judgement for the saints against Babylon

— The long awaited vindication, retribution, vengeance which the martyred tribulation believers prayed for ( 6:9-10 ) has arrived

Judgment Completed ( 18:21-23a )

Q: What practices would cease in the city ( 18:22-23 )?

( 18:21-23 ) 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.

Millstone

— Used to grind grain

— 4 to 5 feet in diameter

— A foot thick, heavy

— Just like a stone thrown in the sea, that is how quickly Babylon will disappear ( cf. Jer 51:61-64 )

Deserted

— Nothing normal taking place

— No music

— No one falling in love and getting married

Judgement Justified ( 18:23b-24 )

Q: Why did trouble come on the city ( 18:24 )? How does this relate to the theme of the book?

( 18:23b -24 ) 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.”

Final Reasons for Judgement

( 18:23 ) For your merchants were the great men of the earth,

( 1 ) Great Men

— Used their wealth to ascend to great power

— Abuses of power and wealth ( James 2:6; 5:4-6; Is 3:14-15; 5:8; Amos 4:1; 5:11: 8:4-6 )

( 2 ) Nations Deceived

( 18:23 ) for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived

— All the nations were deceived by sorcery

— ( pharmakei, sorcery ); English pharmacy

— NT refers to magic, occult practices

— Babylon will influence the world with military, economic power, occult practices

( 3 ) Killed God’s People

( 18:24 ) And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.”

— cf. 6:10; 11:7; 13:7,15; 16:6; 17:6

— God’s people will rejoice ( cf 19:1-2 )

Preterist

Preterist Explanation

Dwelling place of demons ( 18:2 )

— This is exactly what happened to the military defenders of the desolate city and what Jesus predicted ( Matt 12:43-45 )

— a spasm of inequity

Merchant Power

Was Jerusalem really a merchant power?

— “there is no reason for assuming that it was not an economic power”

Come out of her ( 18:4 )

— “This is another indication that the great harlot is the old and fading judaic system”

Double ( 18:6 )

— Double said of Israel ( Jer 16:18; 17:18 )

Riches ( 18:11-18 )

— Lament taken from Ezek 27-28, spoke of Tyre

— When Jesus prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem

Chapter 19

Read and summarize

Reasons to Praise

Perfection

—All of this perfections ( 2 Sam 22:50; Pss 7:17; 44:8; 122:4; 140:13; Heb 13:15 )

Holiness

— His holiness ( 1 Chron 16:35; Pss 30:4; 97:12; 106:47 )

Mercy

— His Mercy ( Pss 107:8, 15,21, 31; 118:1,29; 136:26; Jer 33:11; 1 Chron 16:41; 2 Chron 20:21 )

Goodness

— His Goodness ( Pss 54:6; 106:1; 107:1; 1 Chron 16:34; Ezra 3:11 )

His Nearness

— His Nearness ( Ps 75:1 )

His Works

— His works ( Is 25:1; 1 Chron 16:9; Pss 9:1; 26:7; 89:5; 105:2; 107:8, 15, 21, 31 )

Creation

— His Creation ( Ps 193:14; Rev 4:11 )

Our Salvation

— Our Salvation ( 1 Sam 2:1; Pss 9:14; 13:5; 35:9; Acts 11:21-23; 16:34; Ro 6:17; 2 Thess 2:13 )

His Blessings

— Giving His Son ( Is 9:6; 2 Cor 9:15; Lk 2:38; Jn 3:16 )

His Deliverance

— His deliverance from indwelling sin ( Ro 7:23-25 )

Gospel

— Triumph of the Gospel ( 2 Cor 2:14; 4:15 )

Paul’s Call

— His call to the ministry ( 1 Tim 1:12 )

— Faith exhibited by others ( Ro 1:8; 2 Thess 1:3 )

Grace

— Grace poured out ( 1 Cor 1:4 )

Necessities

— Basic necessities of life are a tangible expression of God’s love ( Acts 27:35; Ro 14:6; 1 Tim 4:3-4; Eph 5:20; 1 Thes 5:18 )

His Judgement

— The least expected is the judgment of the wicked ( Deut 32:43; Pss 48:11; 58:10-11; 96:11-13 )

Five Reasons for Heaven’s Joy

Because Full Salvation has come ( 19:1 )

Q: What had God done to deserve such praise ( 19:1-2 )?

( 19:1 ) After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!

Salvation

— Salvation has come to God’s people

— God’s glory and power on display

Not

— Justification and Sanctification

— The final aspect of salvation

— The glorification of the saints

Because Justice is meted out ( 19:2 )

Q: How were God’s servants involved ( 19:2 ) ?

( 19:2 ) For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.”

Justice is served

— God’s Judgment are true and righteous

— We have longed for a time when inequity, evil, injustice, unrighteousness is dealt with ( Is 9:6-7 ; Jer 23:5 )

Tribulation martyred cried for Justice

—The martyred saints in the tribulation cried for justice

— “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” ( Rev 6:10 )

Because Rebellion is ended ( 19:3 )

Q: Define “Hallelujah”

( 19:3 ) Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!”

Alleluia ἁλληλουϊά (hallēlouia), hallelujah

— Only time used in the NT

— A transliteration of the Hebrew expression found 24 times in the Psalms

— Hallelujah (Hebrew: הללויה‎, Hallalu-yah) is a Hebrew word meaning "Praise ye, Yah", translated using Hebrew's plural imperative form of you

— “Praise the Lord”; Used in Psalms ( Pss 104, 015, 115, 116, 117, 111, 112, 106, 113, 135, 146)

— It is generally used in connection with the punishment of the ungodly, as it is here ( Thomas )

— Babylon destroyed, smoke rises, no more false religion or wordly philosophy, souls of sinners destroyed. Hallelujah!

Because God is in control ( 19:4-6 )

( 19:4-6 ) And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!” 5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!” 6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!

Twenty-four elders

— Representative of the church

Four living creatures

— Cherubim

A Voice

( 19:5 ) Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”

— A voice coming from the throne

— Possibly an angel

His Servants

— Bond Servants

— We are his Bond Servants ( Rev 1:2; 2:20; 7:3; 11:18; 15:3; 19:2; 22:3, 6; Lk 2:29; Acts 4:29; 16:17; Ro 1:1; Gal 1:10; Phil 1;1; Col 1:7; 4:7; 2 Tim 2:24; Titus 1;1; James 1:1; 2 Pet 1:1; Jude 1 )

— All who fear Him, small and great, everyone

— All are called to praise Him

Because the Marriage of the Lamb is Completed ( 19:7-10 )

Q: What was the cause for joy ( 19:7 )? What does the marriage refer to? Who is the wife and in what sense would she marry the lamb ?

( 19:7-10 ) Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Ancient Marriage

— Weddings in the ancient world included a betrothal or engagement

( 1 ) Betrothal

— The betrothal was arranged by both parents

— Contracting the marriage of their children

— Sometimes long before the marriageable age ( 13-14 )

— It was legally binding and could only be broken by divorce ( Matt 1:18-19 )

( 2 ) Presentation

— The presentation

— A festival just before the wedding

— It last a week depending on social status

( 3 ) Wedding

— The wedding, exchange vows

— Followed by a mean

— Consummation

Believer’s Wedding

— We were betrothed in eternity past

— Presented in the Father’s house since the rapture

— 1,000 year festival

— All the redeemed of all ages

( 19:7 ) and His wife has made herself ready

— Purged from sin and impurity

— Blameless, unblemished virgin ( 1 Cor 3:12-15 )

Beautiful Clothes

( 19:8 ) And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright,

— Fine linen, clean and bright

Bright λαμπρός (lampros), bright; shining

— glistening, shinning, radient

— Beautiful like Joseph ( Gn 41:42 ), David ( 1 Chron 15:27 ), Mordecai ( Est 8:15 )

Imputed

( 19:8 ) for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints

— Righteousness is imputed to us at the moment of our salvation ( Ro 3:21-24; 4:5; 5:19; 1 Cor 1:30; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:8-9 )

— Now, we are clothed in our own righteousness, like holy angels

— But we are promised the righteousness of Christ

— “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” ( 1 Jn 3:2 )

Granted

( 19:8 ) And to her it was granted to be arrayed in

— Granted to us

— Given to us through God’s grace

Those called

( 19:9 ) Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ”

— Those called are not believers

— Why?

— Because the Bride is not an invited guest at the wedding

Who?

— These are OT saints, believers

— Abraham, Isaac, Jacob are in the kingdom ( Matt 8:11; Lk 13:28 )

— John the Baptist said he was a friend of the Bridegroom ( Jn 3:29 )

Testimony / Prophecy

( 19:10 ) I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

— OT is prophecy of Christ

— NT is preaching of Christ

The Return of the Conqueror ( 19:11-13 )

Q: What did John see next ( 9:11 )? What is He called in ( 19:11 )? What does this prove regarding His judgements and war ?

( 19:11-13 ) Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

White Horse

( 19:11 ) Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse

— White horse spotless and unblemished

— Roman generals would ride a white horse through the city when they won a battle

Faithful and True

( 19:11 ) And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.

— He is faith and true

— He keeps his promises ( 2 Cor 1:10 )

— What he speaks is always true ( Jn 8:45-46; Titus 1:2 )

Clothes dipped in blood

( 19:13 ) He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood

— Not redemption blood; the blood of battle

— The blood of slaughtered enemies ( Is 63:1-6 )

— Not his first battle

— This is his last battle

The Word of God

( 19:13 ) and His name is called The Word of God.

— He is called the Word of God ( John 1:1, 14; 1 Jn 1:1 )

— Because He is the Revelation of God

The Regiments of the Conqueror ( 19:14 )

Q: Who followed Him, and how are they described ( 19:14 )? What is the significance of white garments and white horses ?

( 19:14 ) And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.

Armies in Heaven

— His army will accompany Him ( 17:14 )

— Four Divisions

— The bride of the lamb (the church ) wearing fine linen, white and clean ( 19:7 )

— Tribulation believers wearing white robes ( 7:9 )

— OT saints resurrected at the end of the tribulation ( Dan 12:1-2 )

— Holy angels ( Matt 25:31 )

Unarmed

— The heavenly army is unarmed

— Christ alone will win the battle

Reign

— The saints come not to fight

— But to reign with Him ( 20:4-6; 1 Cor 6:2 )

Horses

— Probably not literal horses anymore than those ridden by Hell’s calvary ( 9:7, 16 )

The Rule of the Conqueror ( 19:15-16 )

Q: What comes out of His mouth? What will he with a rod of iron?

( 19:15-16 ) Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

Sword

— A sword comes out of His mouth

— Deadly power of Christ’s words

— Once spoke words of comfort

— Now He speaks words of death

— He strikes down the enemies at the battle of Armageddon and the rest of the world is also judged

— The Sheep and Goat judgement ( Matt 25:31-46 )

— This follows Christ’s return

— This is the final stroke of death in the day of the Lord ( Is 66::15-16; Ezek 39:1-4, 17-20; Joel 3:12-21; Matt 25:31-46 ; 2 Thess 1:6-9; 2:8 )

( 19:15 ) And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron

— He will rule during the millennial with a rod of iron (cf. 12:5; Ps 2:8-9 )

( 19:15 ) He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God

— He treads the winepress ( Is 63:1-3; Joel 3:12-14 )

KING OF KINGS

( 19:16 ) And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

— The third title the Lord is given

— Incomprehensible name ( 19:12 )

— The mystery of his essential deity

— The Word of God ( 19:13 )

— The incarnation as the Son of God

— KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

— Sovereign triumph over all foes

— Absolute ruler

The Victory of the Conqueror ( 19:17-21 )

Q: Who is given an invitation in ( 19:17-18 )? What are they going to eat?

( 19:17-21 ) Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.” 19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

Angel / Sun

— The angel standing in front of the sun

— Apparently darkness of the 5th bowl has been lifted

— We can see the smoke from Babylon ( 18:9-19 )

— Darkness will return to see Christ return like Lightening ( Matt 24:29 )

— Death everywhere along a 200 mile length ( 14:20 )

— Even after the birds have eaten

— 7 months to bury all the bodies ( Ezek 39:12 )

Q: Who gathered for war ( 19:19 )?

( 19:19 ) And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.

— The battle is over before it begins

Hell is open for business

( 19:20 ) Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone

— The beast and false prophet are captured

— thrown into the lake of fire, Hell - first occupants of Hell

— First mention in scripture of the “Lake of fire”

— Final destination of Satan, his angels and unbelievers ( Matt 25:41 )

— “And they shall go forth and look Upon the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, And their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.” ( Is 66:24 )

— “and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” ( Matt 13:42 )

— The Beast ( Antichrist ) and the False Prophet are still there 1,000 years later when Satan ( The Dragon ) is also cast there ( 20:10 )

Sheep and Goat

— The rest of the world ( along with Satan ) is judged at the Sheep and Goat judgement ( Matt 25:31-46 )

— After the heaven and earth disappear

— Also called the “great white throne” ( Rev 20:11 )

— Final judgement of fallen angels at this time

— The chapter concludes with Satan, demon, the beast, the false prophet and men of all ages in the lake of fire forever

Sobering

— This is a sobering warning for sinners to repent ( 2 Pet 3:9 )

— Believers are to live godly lives ( 2 Pet 3:11 )

— Go and sin no more ( Jn 8:11 )

Judgment of Regathered Israel

— Dan12:11 speak of “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”

— During the tribulation and after it will be punishment for disobedient Jews

The Judgment of the Living nations

— At the end of tribulation after Israel has been judged the nations of earth will be judged by Christ and his Church

— Not against individuals

—Against nations for their treatment of Israel ( Joel 31:1-2 )

Q: When are we judged ? When did that happen in Revelation?

— The coming of Christ will be a time of joy for the believer

— " There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” ( Ro 8:1 )

— Only believers will appear before the Judgment seat of Christ

— Bema seat is to judge in the sense of giving awards ( 2 Cor 5:10 )

Preterist

Preterist Explanation

This is not describing the 2nd coming

— Because it must be AD 70

— Also Christ said He would return like He left, on a cloud ( Acts 1:11 )

— He did not leave on a white horse

Additional Resources

Barnhouse, Donald Grey. Revelation: an Expository Commentary. Zondervan Pub. House, 1971.

DeMar, Gary. Last Days Madness: Obsession of the Modern Church. American Vision, 1999.

MacArthur, John. Revelation 8-22. Moody Press, 2000.

MacArthur, John. Revelation: the Christian's Ultimate Victory. Thomas Nelson, 2016.

Thomas, Robert L. Revelation: an Exegetical Commentary. Moody Press, 2016.

J Vernon McGee.

Chuck Missler.

Phillips, John. Exploring Revelation, Rev Ed . Chicago, Moody , 1987.

The Revelation Record [ Wheaton IL: Tyndale, 1983]

Best Revenge quotes: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/revenge

Judgement: https://bible.org/seriespage/6-future-judgment-believer