Revelation Chapter 18

Transcription

1 Revelation Chapter 18 Babylon is Fallen "Let us take warning from the things which brought others to destruction, and let us set our affections on things above, when we consider the changeable nature of earthly things." Matthew Henry Commentary

2 Week Date Topic 1 09 Sep 15 Review and Chapter 11: Two Witnesses and the Seventh Trumpet 2 16 Sep 15 Chapter 12: The Woman and the Dragon 3 23 Sep 15 Chapter 13: The Two Beasts 4 30 Sep 15 Chapter 14: The Lamb and the 144,000 on Mount Zion 5 07 Oct 15 Chapter 15-16: Seven Angels, Seven Bowls, Seven Plagues 6 14 Oct 15 Chapter 17: The Doom of Babylon 7 21 Oct 15 Chapter 18: Babylon is Fallen 8 28 Oct 15 Chapter 19: The Lord Almighty Reigns 9 04 Nov 15 Chapter 20: The Second Death Nov 15 Chapter 21: A New Heaven and a New Earth Nov 15 Chapter 22: Final Admonitions Nov 15 Wrap-up or Auditorium

3 Review of Chapter 17 The main purpose of Chapter 17 Help early church leaders, especially in Asia Minor, develop a deeper understanding of how and why Rome was heading for destruction For us today, it is a message that the sinful and those who oppose God are also destroying themselves and ultimately will be punished for that choice The Lamb (Christ) will triumph with His people - the called, the chosen, and the faithful followers This is the key message of the chapter and of Revelation

4 Overview of Revelation 18 Chapters 17 to 19 reveals the story of Babylon who/what she is, what she did to incur God s wrath, and how she was destroyed Chapter 17 we find an explanation regarding the identity of Babylon Chapter 18 the fall is graphically portrayed Chapter 19 we see great rejoicing of God s faithful over the fall The main purpose of Chapter 18 To utilize the example of Babylon's fall to highlight the punishment similar nations will face from God The story of Babylon was as familiar to the early Christians as the story of America's founding are to us today For the early Christian, they are left with the message that Rome, like Babylon would have to change or be punished similarly to Babylon - a message for all nations today Also, we as Christians should not be drawn into the sinful direction of nations or organizations like Babylon

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7 The Angel's Announcement (Revelation 18:1-3) A second angel arrives delivering a triumphant message (vs. 1) Babylon (representing Rome to the early Christians) had fallen (vs. 2) The remaining part of the chapter explains the reasons and offers warnings to the early Christians in the seven churches of Asia Minor, and to us (vs 3, ref Jeremiah 51:37-41) Babylon has become a dwelling place for demons (evil) She has become a place for every impure spirits She has become a place for every unclean bird and for every unclean and detestable animal (NIV versus KJV?) Nations have drank 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 - in other words, they became rich from the sinful activities and excesses

8 Babylon's Sins Have Piled Up (Revelation 18:4-8) Another voice speaks out to those that might be drawn into Babylon's sin, who might profit from Babylon's sinful nature (vs. 4) Avoid her sins and avoid the punishment leave Babylon emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually The voice asks God, and the faithful, to punish Babylon for what she had done (vs. 5-7) Punishment Babylon would receive (vs. 8) Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine She will be consumed by fire

9 Three Woes (Revelation 18:9-20) Many will lament over Babylon's fall (vs. 9) Kings (vs. 10) They will stand off at a distance and weep They depended upon (and paid for) protection from Babylon (remember Hezekiah) Merchants (vs ) Babylon would not longer provide them profits Sea captains (vs ) Would lose great wealth as they would no longer be able to transport goods to satisfy Babylon's thirst for luxury All the faithful of heaven would rejoice in the punishment God inflicts on Babylon (vs. 20)

10 Finality of Babylon's Doom (Revelation 18:21-24) Babylon would be destroyed with great violence (vs. 21) Using a great millstone thrown into the ocean as an example No sign of life would come from within the city (vs ) The blood of prophets and of God s holy people were found in this city, it was seen as a great persecutor of God's people (vs. 24) Again, Rome was seen as the new Babylon by early Christians Babylon's destruction gave them great hope in God's promise

11 Summary of Chapter 18 To utilize the example of Babylon's fall to highlight the punishment similar nations will face from God The story of Babylon was as familiar to the early Christians as the story of America's founding are to us today For the early Christian, they are left with the message that Rome, like Babylon would have to change or be punished similarly to Babylon - a message for all nations today Also, we as Christians should not be drawn into the sinful direction of nations or organizations like Babylon Next week: Chapter 19