KBM Revelation 18

Hello there and welcome to our 207th episode of Kids Bible Minute. I’m your host Landon Rowell and I’m also the local preacher for the church of Christ in Ramona, OK. I’m so thankful you have decided to study God’s precious Word with me this day and I hope you have your Bible with you while we have our Bible study. Also, because I don’t want you simply taking my word for what we will be studying I would like for you to open your Bible up to each verse I mention and read that verse for yourself so you can see God’s Word personally. Most of the time I will read the verses too so you can read along with me when I do. So when I mention a verse just pause this podcast, open your Bible to that passage, read that verse and then unpause the podcast and read along with me as I read the verse out loud. If you are new to our study, first I want to say thank you for studying with us and secondly I want to let you know that you can reach all archived or past episodes easily at ramonacofc.com in the podcast section where there is a direct link to Kids Bible Minute past episodes. Now as most of you know we have been studying through the book of Revelation and find ourselves this week studying chapter 18. In chapter 16, the plagues, everything was fast and furious with no explanation as to why. In chapter 17 we find out why Rome must fall and it was her gross immorality. Here in chapter 18 we now see the “result” of her collapse, her utter demonize. One man put it this way, “Rome very much resembles the fictional fairy tale character known as Humpty Dumpty since ‘all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Rome back together again.’” In verses 2 and 21 we see there will be no recovery.

Revelation 18:2 ESV

2 And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.

Revelation 18:21 ESV

21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more;

Indeed the psalmist declared Rome’s fate along with all those nations that forget God.

Psalm 9:17 ESV

17 The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.

One of the more interesting aspects of chapter 18, historically speaking, is the three lamentations over the death of the harlot. The “kings” who committed fornication with her, the merchants whose interests and trust were in her wealth she brought them, and the seaman who used her trade. As you can see none of these were panicking because they loved Rome but what Rome did for them. In fact this chapter depicts the age that followed Rome’s destruction known historically as the “dark age.” This took place because Rome had created a vast empire that had connections around the world as seen in the list of “goods” mentioned. Gold, ivory, and the like came from North Africa. Precious stones (jewels from India. Silk and cinnamon from China. Iron from the Black Sea and Spain. Incense and frankincense from Arabia. Ointment, perfume, and/or myrrh was from Media. Horses were from Armenia, chariots from Gaul, and slaves from all over the world. Rome’s reach was vast and it’s destruction lead to the collapse of the world’s economy. However, though you have three groups lamenting you have one rejoicing, verses 20, and they were those that were that had been martyred by Rome and awaiting it’s fall.

Revelation 6:10 ESV

10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

In this life the godly will suffer persecution at the of the unrighteous (2 Timothy 3:12) but in the end they will answer for what they have done and we cannot allow them to hinder us from staying the course and continuing on the path of light (1 John 1:7).

Well, that concludes this Bible study for today. As always, I want to thank you for studying God's precious Word with me and I want to encourage you to continue to study God's Word every day. Be sure to use the wonderful material and other podcasts made available through the BWM App or website at biblewaymedia.org. I also personally have a website at gospel-preacher.com. Of course, make sure you ask your parents if it is ok by them before you download the app or go to those websites. I also encourage you to contact me personally with question about the Bible at the Ramona church of Christ email address [e-mail] or through our Facebook Page. Make sure you message the Ramona church of Christ in OK not California. Until we have an opportunity to meet again, peace be with you in Christ Jesus our Lord.