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Friday, October 19 2012
Introduction The fall of Babylon was first mentioned in Chapter 14:8 but there were no details about its fall. And then again in Chapter 17 where Babylon was revealed and its alliances; there are many interpretations of what Babylon represents today; physically, spiritually, etc. Verses 4-5 of Chapter 17 describe Babylon as the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth and chapter 17:18 says "And this woman you saw in your vision represents the great city that rules over the kings of the world." [NLT] The combination of these scriptures (chapter 17 and our text for today) has led to the analogy that Babylon manifests in two faces: Religious Babylon (Rev.17); guilty of religious abominations and Commercial Babylon (Rev.18); guilty of pride, greed and self-indulgence
Verses 1-3: "After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 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! 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."
The Angel So after the happenings in Chapter 17, John saw another angel shinning with the "carryover" from the presence of God; he was literarily glowing to the extent that he lit up the earth! No wonder the Bible says that in heaven we will not need the Sun because God Himself will be our light!
His Message 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! The Angel was prophesying the fall of Babylon as though it had already happened. God had revealed to him the future of Babylon.
The Future of Babylon The city has become a dwelling place of demons: This is a prophetic picture of absolute desolation where the proud achievements of man become the demonic haunts of unclean and horrible creatures.
The Reason For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication: Babylon's sin is not only idolatry (referred to with the term fornication), but also becoming rich by devious means "and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury"
Verses 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. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities." The Call Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins: Amazing! At this stage in the events of time, Jesus still calls out to His own "Come out of her, my people," It is inconceivable that a child of God could be a part of the fornication with Babylon but because of the commercial angle of Babylon, it is very likely that some may have been lured in as we are being lured in today. This materialistic lure is a constant threat to be guarded against.
Lest you receive of her plagues: Recall the story of Lot while he living in Sodom in Genesis 19. God sent his angels to warn him of the impending disaster. This is a similar warning especially for those who would have been lured in the name of business located at the wrong place at the wrong time. Similar warning in (Isaiah 52:11, Jeremiah 50:8, Jeremiah 51:45, 2 Corinthians 6:14, Ephesians 5:11)
d. Their sins have reached to heaven and God has remembered her iniquities: There is always a day of reckoning. No matter how long it takes, it will surely come. Just as God remembered Amalek (1 Sam.15:2-3) and sent King Saul to annihilate them.
Verses 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. 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.' 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."
Render to her just as she rendered to you: The ancient Greek word for render (apodidomi) means literally "to pay a debt" or "to give back that which is due." God will give to Babylon exactly what she deserves. He is a just God.
Repay her double according to her works . . . mix for her double: Double restitution was required in the Old Testament in cases of theft (Exodus 22:4-9). This perhaps is a commentary on how Babylon has made her wealth - through dishonest dealings.
Her Works (sin): Self-glorification (she glorified herself), Self-indulgence (lived luxuriously), Self-idolization (for she says in her heart, ?I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow)
Therefore her plagues will come in one day: The destruction of Babylon will come suddenly, and with completeness (utterly burned with fire).
Conclusion God's judgment on Babylon was sudden and could not be averted because as in verse 8d says: "for strong is the Lord God who judges her." It is very easy these last days to be lured into the entrapment of the system that rules the world so we have to be careful to steer clear of "self" - a destroyer and a waster. Remember Lucifer? ""I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred" Isaiah 14:13[NIV] Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai |