Fallen and can't get up-Rev 18
Rev 18
Fallen and can’t get up
Intro:
It is a terrible thing to fall and can't get up. It brings with it the fear that because you have fallen and are unable to get up by yourself, you may stay in a fallen state. The fear that maybe no one will come to help get you up, to help you back up on your feet. As you lay on the ground, you wonder what has made me Fall!
How did I end up in this condition? Did I not watch where I was going? Did I not notice my surroundings? Was it my fault?
Anybody know what I am talking about?
Some may think I am just talking about a physical fall but as we well know we can also ask ourselves these questions when we fall spiritually.
How did I fall so far? How did I get in this state? Will there be somebody, anybody to help me get up?
There is something about when we fall
· We are ashamed because we should have known better or been more watchful
· We are concerned that because of our vulnerable state, an enemy may take advantage of us
· We are worried that just maybe because I have fallen no one will come and lift me up
· We are fearful because I may be down here a long time
Fallen and can't get up!
There was a commercial of a woman who suffered a fall. The commercial showed the horror on her face that she was so close to the phone to call for help but could not reach it. So close for help yet so far from help. The commercial never showed us how she eventually got up or if somebody eventually came to help her but it did offer a solution if it should happen again.
It did offer a solution that if you fall, help is right near you in the form of a bracelet on your wrist. You can just squeeze the button and help is on the way.
I am so glad that whether I have fallen both physically and spiritually that I do not need to purchase a fancy bracelet with a button on it for help.
I got a help. A help that sticks closer to me than any brother. A help that neither slumbers nor sleep. A help that is not impotent of power to get me back on my feet. A help that hears me when I call out to Him. A help that even if I can't call out to Him He knows what I need even before I ask.
If I Fall I got help!
Scripture declares:
The righteous falls seven times but it is God who gets me up!
Anybody got this testimony:
· I have made mistakes and suffered a fall- God got me up.
· I was not watchful and suffered a fall- God got me up
· My enemy set a trap and put an obstacle in my way and I suffered a fall- But God got me up
And some may say I don’t have that testimony- just live a little longer and trust a little more and you will see that God is a lifter upper and will get you up.
But for some, they don't have this help. They don't have this help because they don't know the helper! For some, they refused the extended hand of the helper to lift them up because they have not realized just how far they have fallen.
Some people can live in a pit so long they don't realize they are in a pit! They will decorate the pit. Make it smell good. Hand pictures on the wall. Blame everybody and anybody why they fell in the pit. Slap the hand of those who try to help them out of the pit. Cry they fallen and can't get up yet they willing stay in the pit.
Unfortunately, if you live in a pit and refuse to reach for the help to get out of the pit, the pit will be your final resting place!
And in our study of Revelation we have seen the fate of those who desire to make the pit their dwelling place. They have refused the hand of the helper, they have desired to increase the size of their pit to accommodate more pit dwellers and they have even given their pit of death a fancy name: Babylon!
Babylon- a symbolic city in need of a bracelet to help get it up.
Babylon the great-A city symbolic of its splendor both religiously and politically.
Sometimes we don't realize just how close the religious and political world is? If we just examine the political situation in our country we can see the connection.
Republicans have an agenda that appeals to those who consider themselves conservatives. It have been indicated that most evangelicals who have a conservative theology support the Republican Party.
· against abortion
· Against gay marriage
Democrats have an agenda that appeals to those of a more liberal base. It have been indicated that those of a liberal theology support the Democratic Party.
· for a woman's right to choose
· for civil unions and may support gay marriage
What we see is religion and our theological convictions are not separated from our political affiliations. Both believe they are right and it is the other party that has fallen and can't get up.
Trans: During the tribulation period this marriage of the political and religious is also apparent. In Rev. 17 we saw the destruction of Babylon but we did not see its destruction in its totality
.
What we saw was the destruction of the religious Babylon.
· Drunk with the blood of the saints
· Symbolically as the prostitute seated on a seven headed ten horned beast in a dry place
· Alerts us to a confederation of kings who through the purpose of God give their authority to the beast
· The beast and his confederation will hate the prostitute called Babylon and destroy her
Trans: But when we turn to our passage in Chapter 18, we see a pronouncement that Babylon has fallen. How can what has already been destroyed now be fallen?
Fallen Influence (v1-8)
Verse 1 declares that another angel appears on the scene with great authority. Again it shows us the messengers of God, His holy angels are in possession as God see fit to have great power and not only great power but glory!
It brings to mind that if angels are going to be subjected to us for we will judge even angels what does that say about us?
Come here David- Someone asked what is man that you are mindful of Him?
Who is this insignificant being that you have gave your only begotten Son for?
· Who is this ungrateful, unappreciative being that you have made in your image and called your own? Who you have said is fearfully and wonderfully made?
· Who is this being that for a little while you made just a little lower than the angels?
· What does it say about God who even with all the glory and power of the angels He dwells inside of Us!
How can Babylon be destroyed yet in verses 2 & 3 we read
“Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!
She has become a home for demons
and a haunt for every evil spirit,
a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird.
3 For all the nations have drunk
the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,
and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”
The Holy Bible: New International Version.
In Rev 17 we dealt with the destruction of religious Babylon by the beast. But political Babylon was not destroyed. Political Babylon is the kingdom ruled by the beast. He was not willing to share the stage of worship with the false religious system. Since in essence we have two realms - the religious and the political both called Babylon.
This shows just how close religious convictions can be aligned to the political directions and political parties and during the tribulation there is only one world political party ruled by the beast.
So what has Fallen and can't get up in Rev 18 is political Babylon and how great the fall.
Isa 13:21-22
21 But desert creatures will lie there,
jackals will fill her houses;
there the owls will dwell,
and there the wild goats will leap about.
22 Hyenas will howl in her strongholds,
jackals in her luxurious palaces.
Her time is at hand,
and her days will not be prolonged.
The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Jackal- scavenger- a eater of dead things, roam in packs. Symbolic of ruin and destruction.
Owl- a night hunter
Hyena- scavenger, jaws that can crush bones, a meat eater
Each animal represents messages from the spirit world- a message of death and desolation
Fallen and can't get up!
This Babylon is the political and economic center of the world, every demonic spirit will take up residence in this place.
A place where good morals and goodwill toward mankind dies
2 Tim 3:1-5
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Come out of her, my people
No matter what political party we may feel obligated to we must examine our religious convictions. We must examine what we believe and who we are to believe. We can't allow our convictions to be so aligned to our political parties that we forget who we serve.
It is common for God to issue a degree for those who are His to flee destruction. It is because He is a God who delights in mercy He does not wish any to perish.
Come out! A call He issues even unto us
Come out of sin
Come out of error
Come out of ungodly associations
For a time is coming and is her now that what you have placed your trust in and what you have taken refuge in is Fallen and can't get up!
For what was once considered unconquerable is now conquered and will received double for the trouble caused to God elect for He has remembered the sins of the ungodly-where splendor and majesty was proclaimed now grief and torture has taken its place!
I hear to tell you God will repay double for your trouble. She boost that she is still a queen but she has Fallen and can't get up and no matter of pride and past glory will get Babylon back up again.
God is doing a quick work- in one day her destruction will come for she is fallen and can't get up! And she has fallen in influence and has
Fallen in Power (v 9- 19)
One way to discern the power of a government and power is how much wealth is in its coffers. Many who gave their hearts to the beast has seen their fortunes go up in smoke.
They will weep and mourn over their misfortune. They thought their money was safe.
On 9/11 many did cry over the lost of life but many cried over the symbolism that the great financial center of the world has collapsed! Many were concerned over the financial stability of the nation so much that they can to the houses of worship to appeal unto God for their nation.
They are terrified and in fear for the stock market has permanently collapsed it has fallen and can't get up!
Notice they did not weep for the religious Babylon, they did not weep for the political kingdom of the beast, they wept- a loud lamentation for the loss of profit that they sucked dry out of the inhabitants of the earth!
Woe, Woe, O great city- Your hour has come!
Ezek 26:16-21
16 Then all the princes of the coast will step down from their thrones and lay aside their robes and take off their embroidered garments. Clothed with terror, they will sit on the ground, trembling every moment, appalled at you. 17 Then they will take up a lament concerning you and say to you:
“‘How you are destroyed, O city of renown,
peopled by men of the sea!
You were a power on the seas,
you and your citizens;
you put your terror
on all who lived there.
18 Now the coastlands tremble
on the day of your fall;
the islands in the sea
are terrified at your collapse.’
19 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When I make you a desolate city, like cities no longer inhabited, and when I bring the ocean depths over you and its vast waters cover you, 20 then I will bring you down with those who go down to the pit, to the people of long ago. I will make you dwell in the earth below, as in ancient ruins, with those who go down to the pit, and you will not return or take your place in the land of the living. 21 I will bring you to a horrible end and you will be no more. You will be sought, but you will never again be found, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Fallen and can't get up!
Fallen in power
· No one will buy anymore
· Fine delicacies, garments, jewelry, spices and the riches of the world has disappeared in an hour's time
· Not even the souls of men are for sale ( who sold themselves for profit, wealth, prestige, and power)
Kings, merchants, and sailors are amazed at the suddenness of her fall!
“ ‘Woe! Woe, O great city,
dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet,
and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’
The Holy Bible: New International Version.
The world has attached their heart to the political party called Babylon and how great their fall.
Rev 18:18-19
When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out:
“ ‘Woe! Woe, O great city,
where all who had ships on the sea
became rich through her wealth!
In one hour she has been brought to ruin!
The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Trans: Political Babylon has fallen in influence, Fallen in Power and not has:
Fallen in defeat (20-24)
Rejoice over her, She is a defeated foe and the saints of God are standing over her. The enemy is under our feet.
They have slain our prophets, slain our saints, and slain our apostles- Great Babylon the superpower of the world. Super in influence, super in wealth and now super in defeat.
- John could have remembered his friend Peter who according to tradition was crucified upside down
- John could have remembered Stephen as He was stoned to death
- John could have remembered James who was martyred and maybe even remembered Paul
But He has reason to rejoice! Even on Patmos- He has reason to rejoice. For not matter what Religious influence or political Power God has and will overcome!
And Rejoice for God will repay those suddenly who mistreat you!
Rejoice for political power is not God's power and even every knee and every tongue whether a King or a pauper, whether the mighty or the weak if you have conviction in your heart that He reigns and no religious or political power can change this- and in this We rejoice!
Queen Stands At “Messiah”
When Queen Victoria had just ascended her throne she went, as is the custom of Royalty, to hear “The Messiah” rendered. She had been instructed as to her conduct by those who knew, and was told that she must not rise when the others stood at the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus. When that magnificent chorus was being sung and the singers were shouting “Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth,” she sat with great difficulty.
It seemed as if she would rise in spite of the custom of kings and queens, but finally when they came to that part of the chorus where with a shout they proclaim Him King of Kings suddenly the young queen rose and stood with bowed head, as if she would take her own crown from off her head and cast it at His feet.
. Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations
My loyalty is to the King! The only King! For Babylon has Fallen in defeat!
Ps 96:11-13
11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it;
12 let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.
Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy;
13 they will sing before the Lord, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples in his truth.
The Holy Bible: New International Version.
The defeat is so complete! The enemy has used religion and politics to rule and slay God's people and now He has fallen and can't get up!
- No more music
- No more great architecture and creativity of splendor
- No more production of grain
- No more appearance of light no more appearance of Life
The last song has been played and the fat lady has sung her last song
No more marriages for the family have ceased and the command to be fruitful and multiply has ceased from the children of the devil!
For the punishment of political Babylon for beguiling humanity with empty and false promises and tell people what they want to hear is upon her. She has murdered has last saint and led the last one astray!
Jesus said better a millstone wrap around one's neck and casted in the sea than to lead His little ones astray.
Babylon has Fallen in Defeat thereby we rejoice!
Conclusion:
The fear of fallen and can't get up has now become the fear of Babylon and all those who are align with her.
The beast political machine has issued empty promises of economic rewards that will last forever, peace and tranquility that will last forever, the influence of their power will last forever, the misdeed they have committed against the righteous of God will not become due for payment.
False empty political promises. Promise even we are aware of today. Democrat, Republican, which party do you subscribe to? Is it based on empty promises or will it be based on your convictions? Be careful in placing your hope in man-made political systems and promises!
The tribulation world based their allegiance on their pockets and preservation of self. They placed their hope in a false religious system and now in a false political system and found they have fallen and no one to help them up.
They have fallen and no one hears their cry for help for who can help you when God is against.
Fallen in influence, fallen in power, and Fallen in defeat.
How great a fall when you are fallen and can't get up!
Don't let the uncertainty of life cause you to lose your certainty of who God is!
Uncertainty of Life
Life is filled with uncertainty. Human relationships often do disappoint us. And tragedy can destroy in a moment all the material securities of life. But if we know Christ as our Savior, we can still say, “Lord, THOU REMAINEST.” Yes, He is always there!
R.W.D., Our Daily Bread, January 20
10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.
And because He is always there Babylon has Fallen and can't get up!