Section 6

• The Beast Out of the Sea
• The Beast Out of the Earth
• Song of the Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand
• Judgment Hour Preachers
• Babylon is Fallen
• Rewards of Allegiance
• Reaping and Pressing
• Development of Final Judgment
• Seven Last Plagues
• Fall of Mystery Babylon
• Fall of Religious Babylon
• Those that are with the Lamb
• Fall of Political and Commercial Babylon

The Beast Out of the Sea

The Beast Out of the Sea (13:1-10)

Revelation 13:1—And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

John is seeing in the Spirit a vision of "The Beast".

The Origin of the Beast

The beast will not come from any particular place or people, but will rise up out of the sea of all humanity. The sea has to do with nations and peoples as explained in Revelation 17:15.

Revelation 17:15—And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

The fact the beast rose up is referencing it coming into power. The beast rising to power is enabled by the great sin and rebellion in the hearts of humanity. Blame for the great corruption in the world cannot be laid on any particular nation, but all nations have facilitated this climax of evil. Satan seizes the opportunity of man's rejection of God's will and embodies evil in treacherous leaders. God allows leadership to arise that the people deserve!

Isaiah 47:10-11; Galatians 6:8; James 4:1; Zechariah 11:7-16

Zechariah 11:16—For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.

Where did this beast come from? Man's rejection of God as KING and their TRUE SHEPHERED.

Psalm 81:11—But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

The Description of the Beast

The Beast as a Whole

Distinct from the Dragon

The Dragon	The Beast of the Sea
Revelation 12	Revelation 13
7 heads wear crowns	10 horns are crowned
spiritual empire	physical empires

Controlled by the Dragon

There are likenesses between the Dragon and the Beast because they are both the workings of the devil. The dragon is the head of a spiritual empire while the Beast is the embodiment of physical world powers. As there is one Beast with seven heads, so the system or power at work (the dragon/satan) is still one and the same though different nations or leaders rise and fall. The Beast in this vision represents the entire history of human governments and evil that has been at work in them by the devil. The Beast is a world system of rejection of God and worship of the devil.

There will be a seventh and 'new' kingdom of the Anti-christ that will rise as the world power, but the system that drives and the rebellion that fuels will not be anything new.

2 Thessalonians 2:7-8—For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Having Seven Heads

Revelation 17:9-10—The seven heads are seven mountains … And … there are seven kings.

Mountains in the scriptures can be typical of kingdoms. See: Psalms 30:7; Jeremiah 51:25; Daniel 2:25.

Five Are Fallen

In the 17th chapter we read: "…Five Are Fallen…": Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece.

At this particular time John is beholding this scene, there has been five fallen.

One Is

"…And One Is…": Again, there was "one" in power at the time of John's vision—there is no question as to what kingdom it was. The Roman Empire was still in rule and power at that time.

The Other is not Yet Come

"…And the other is not yet come…". That is, the anti-Christ has not yet set up his kingdom. He is the seventh kingdom and he must continue a "short space".

He comes on the scene during the first part of the Tribulation and then in the middle of the tribulation he is slain with the Sword and resurrected to life to be the eighth which is of the seven. His resurrection restores one of the seven heads of the beast and is not a new and eighth head (the beast only has seven heads).

Rev 17:11—And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

Who are these Seven Kingdoms? History makes it plain who the first six are: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. The seventh and final kingdom will be the kingdom of the anti-Christ. The beast's seven heads are seven kingdoms—seven world ruling powers. This is a full revelation of "The Times of The Gentiles"(Luke 21:24) from its beginning to its end.

"…And Ten Horns…"

Daniel 7:24—And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings…

Revelation 17:12—And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings…

These are not a description of the previous kings, but are the ten ruling powers, which will rise up after the Roman Empire.

This is in agreement with Nebuchadnezzar's dream, and Daniel's vision.

Nebuchadnezzar

Nebuchadnezzar saw a Great Image broken up into four sections and finally divided into ten toes.

Babylon: the head

Persia: the shoulders and breast

Greece: the belly and thighs

Rome: the thighs and legs and feet, then the ten toes; the ten horns of John's vision

Daniel

Daniel's vision was four wild beasts: lion, a bear, a leopard and an indescribable beast.

Daniel 7:7—After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

"And it had ten horns"

We can compare these to the ten toes of Nebuchadnezzar's dream and the ten horns of John's vision.

However, we see something in Daniels vision that is not seen in either Nebuchadnezzar's dream or John's vision.

"There came up among them another little horn."

John sees:

The beast itself being the "Little Horn" that comes up among the ten.

However Daniel sees:

There were three of the "First Horns plucked up by the roots."

This would indicate that Daniel saw a more advanced stage than what John declares. John saw ten horns in the 17th chapter of Revelations. This indicates that he saw them before any of them were plucked up. Furthermore at this stage they have not received their Kingdom (Rev. 17:12).

At the time that John was seeing that the anti-Christ "had not yet come" into power, was possibly just before or at, the beginning of the Tribulation. "Which received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast." The first part of the Tribulation hour.

"And Upon His Horns Ten Crowns"

They have now received their crowns and John sees the time of the ten kings reigning with the anti-Christ during the first part of the Tribulation.

For after this John sees the seventh head wounded and resurrected.

However John makes no more mention of the ten kings, but Daniel declares that three of them fall before the anti-Christ when he is resurrected from death.

The Beast Out of the Earth

Another Beast (13:11-18)

Rev. 13:11—And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

John said "I beheld another beast". In the exact same sense that John saw the first beast, he sees also a second beast. Whatever reasoning is used to understand the first beast must also be applied to the second beast. Both beasts (though they are different) are seen by John in the same setting.

The secular empire that will overwhelm the world will not work alone. The extant of the first beast's success can largely be attributed to the presence and work of another beast.

Description of the Second Beast

Another

This beast is addition to the first beast and rises up after the first beast. By great deception, he will advertise and promote the beast which came "before him" The relationship of these two beasts has often been compared to the relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist. This other beast will be a prominent promoter of the Anti-christ. This second beast will be instrumental in the deception of the Anti-christ.

Beast

Like the first, the second is a dangerous, wild and even venomous beast (empire). Standing on the shore, John saw a tremendously evil influence rise out of the earth. Despite having some characteristics of a lamb, there is no confusion here—this is an evil thing in rebellion against God and His order.

Coming Out of the Earth

Though a beast (empire) it's realm is of a different nature than the first beast. Key to understanding the second beast is noticing its source. This beast's origin can be compared with the first beast's. The first rises out of the sea of humanity and through a succession of rising and falling empires, but the second comes from out of earth.

At a crucial and vulnerable time when all humanity is an unsettled and tempestuous sea crying for answers and clarity comes from out of the "earth" or "land" (stable, settled, authoritative) something whose appearance and whose voice validates the authority of the first beast. The second beast's message is "Have no fear, this is the right path!". Coming from a seemingly neutral and stable perspective and wielding supernatural ability, the world will conclude: "It must be ok, the voice of reason said it was.

Two horns like a Lamb

Horns are representative of a ruler.

Daniel 7:24—And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings

The lamb-like horns indicate something of a spiritual nature. This second beast completes the depth of the world system of evil. The Dragon empowers the first beast with a secular empire and the second beast validates and completes this empire with its own spiritual or religious empire. Here is something that appears in part lamb-like but has the nature of a wild and venomous beast.

Mt 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Actions of the Second Beast

Spoke as a Dragon

The lamb-like horns and then the voice of a dragon indicate a real change in character and in policy. For example, laws that were promoted as protections for religious liberty today could be used to accomplish the opposite! The beginning will be applauded for the sake of the "greater good", but will not manifest in a utopia but in great terror.

Slowly our government is becoming a dictatorship instead of a free democracy - a government by the people - of the people - for the people. We are headed to a New World Order. We failed as a people to occupy till He comes. We need to be preparing ourselves to get out.—Rev. James Reynolds, Sr.

The Second Beast is actually the mouthpiece of the Dragon, so truly, the Dragon is speaking. Even now, the Dragon is already speaking. Herein is an warning to KNOW the voice of God! The only security in this age of deception is a vibrant relationship with Christ and familiarity with His voice. By knowing the TRUE you can spot the FALSE a long ways off.

Exercised the Power of the First Beast

vs. 12a—And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him,…

The Greek word (poieo) for exerciseth is a very common word in the New Testament. It is used at least 519 times and in the book of Revelation is also translated as: do, bring forth, make, cause, commit, continue, fulfil, wrought, bare and work.

The Greek word (exousia) for power means mastery, strength, right or authority to rule. To the second beast will be delegated the power of authority that belongs to the first beast. The first beast will have the both the ability and right to act as it does in the same sense a king acts sovereignly within his kingdom. The second beast will have the same ability and authority because it will be delegated to him by the first beast.

vs. 12b—…and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

Performs Great Miracles (Sets the Hook)

Among other unexplainable and miraculous feats, he makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. It is by the means of these miracles that he deceives those that dwell on the earth. (Galatians 1:8) This miracle power does come from God, but comes from the beast. A union or pact has been made between these beasts as we see the first beast delegating power and authority and the second beast returns loyalty and validation to the first beast.

Teaches a Blasphemous Gospel (Reels them in.)

The first beast is wounded, and then raised, and incarnated by the devil. The second beast teaches that the world should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. He tells them that the miracle of resurrection now proves beyond all doubt that this is not just a good leader, but this beast is a god to be worshipped!

Murders in the Name of God

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Mark & Number of Apostasy

Revelation 13:16,17—And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

The Mark Of The Beast will be instituted by the false prophet.

• By Deception (a wolf in sheep's clothing), vs. 11,14
• By Miracles, vs. 12-13 ("must be God!")
• By Coercion, vs. 15 ("Do or Die")
• Design of the Mark, vs. 16 (&quot:causeth all…to receive a mark")

Song of the Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand

Song of the Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand (Revelation 14:1-5)

INTRODUCTION

Revelation 13 concludes with a gloomy tale of a reign of darkness. In Chapter 13 we read of two terrible beasts and their great deception against those who would receive the Beast's mark. Chapter 14 opens with a glorious scene featuring firstly the Lamb and secondly 144,000 redeemed souls who were marked, but it was God the Father's name on their forehead! We find the details surrounding the Song of this 144,000 in Revelation 14:1-5.

The Lamb on Mount Sion (vs. 1)

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion,

The Lamb

The "Lamb" appears in 27 verses throughout Revelation and His identity cannot be mistaken!

Revelation 5:6—And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

John 1:29—The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Was Slain

the Lamb that was slain unto the Lamb for ever and ever. the wrath of the Lamb: made them white in the blood of the Lamb. overcame him by the blood of the Lamb the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Standing in the midst of the Throne

Revelation 22:3—And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

And the four beasts, and the elders (5:6)

With the Sealed Book [WAS slain!] (5:8; 6:1)

With Wrath (6:16)

With an Innumerable Multitude worshipping before Him (7:9)

Feeding and Leading the Innumerable Multitude (7:17)

Overcoming those that Make War with Him (17:14)

Marrying His Bride (19:7; 21:9)

As the Temple (21:22)

As the Light (21:23)

Having a Book of Life (21:27)

Having a Pure River of Water Proceeding out of His Throne (22:1)

Standing on Mount Sion

Psalm 87—His foundation is in the holy mountains. 2 The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah. 4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there. 5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. 6 The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. 7 As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.

Matthew 21:5 and John 12:15 say to Tell the daughter of Sion that her King is coming to her! Hebrews 12:22 says the Believer has not come to a smoking and burning physical mountain that cannot be touched but unto Mount Sion the City of the Living God.

Hebrews 12:22—But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

The word "zion" expresses ideas of strength and permanence such as a fortress, monument, or landmark.

Zion is called both the city of David (1 Kings 8:1; 1 Chronicles 11:5; 2 Chronicles 5:2) and the city of God. The fortress was considered so impenetrable they mocked David saying he would not be able to take fortress even with blind and lamb sentries on guard. David captured the Jebusite fortress in 2 Samuel 5:7:

Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

Mount Zion is also the highest and southernmost mount of Jerusalem, rising about twenty-five hundred feet above the Mediterranean, but Scripture emphasizes Mount Zion more as a Spiritual concept and less as a physical place. Mount Zion is most importantly understood as the people of God.

Psalm 48:2—Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. 12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. 13 Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following. 14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

The 144,000 (vs. 1-2)

and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

A New Song (vs. 3-5)

3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

Judgment Hour Preachers

Judgment Hour Preachers (Revelation 14:6-7)

Introduction

vs.7—…the hour of his judgment is come…

Christ as judge.

The pre-eminent content of the Angel's message is, "The hour of His judement is come." The church goes (is raptured) and God's judgment follows. Not only does this message involve the present judgment that will come on the world in the midst of the seven years, but this message also relates to Christ's coming and judging of the world.

The Truth Unbound

Revelation chapter 14 takes place in the middle of the seven years of God's dealing with the nation of Israel. During the last phase of the judgment of God, the anti-christ will be in rule and will have destroyed or bound all apparent means of the Gospel being proclaimed. However, God has commissioned His angels to speak at this time!

Upon Christ's entry into Jerusalem, fault was found with the loud proclaimations of praise given Christ as the Messiah and King. Christ answered:

Luke 19:40—And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

The truth of God and His claims must be spoken. If men are brought to silence, other things must become vocal to testify for Jehovah. In a time when the anti-christ has successfully burried away in caves, mountains and the wilderness all human testimony for God, the heavens speak and the angels whom the anti-christ cannot touch become preachers in the darkest hour of judgment.

This is in keeping with order of things already gone by. The angels testified just before Christ's first coming and they will again just before His second coming. The angels will testify and preach to all those that dwell on the earth.

Their pulpit will be mid-air and all nations, tribes, tongues and peoples are their audience. Hell may slay, imprison and silence every human witness for God, but it cannot bind the truth! God's Word cannot be bound. It must be heard.

2 Timothy 2:9—Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

1 Peter 1:23—Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

First Message – "The Everlasting Gospel" (vs. 6-7)

Revelation 14:6,7—And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

We find in verses 6 and 7 all the elements necessary for the preaching of the Gospel: God inspiring a preacher, a pulpit, a message, an audience and a delivery.

The Nature of the Messenger

This is definitely an angel (a Heavenly messenger) that is proclaiming the message John hears. The fact that an angel is preaching reveals that the present dispensation is now undergoing a change and is ready to pass away while another is beginning to take its place.

Of old, angels were employed for the giving of the law, the heralding of Christ's coming and in the judgment time they are conspicuously everywhere taking part in the Divine administrations with regard to our world. But, in the dispensation under which we now are, the charge of preaching and witnessing for God and the declaring of His Word is the ministry of the Church. The preaching of the Gospel is in the hands of men.

It is now the duty of the Church to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all who will believe. Angels are ministers to the heirs of salvation, but not the preachers of the Gospel of Christ to a world lost in sin. The disciples (Acts 5:19), Philip (Acts 8:26), Cornelius (Acts 10:3), and Paul at sea (Acts 27:3) all benefited from the ministry of angels which enabled them to fulfill their own responsibility in preaching of the Word of God. It is not presently the duty of angels to proclaim the Word of Truth, but is the Believer's present duty and privilege.

The Position of his Pulpit

The Angel's pulpit is positioned in the midst of heaven. In Hebrew are three words to describe three levels of "heaven" 1) Shameh means sky 2) Shachaq means firmament and 3) Galgal means heaven as in the place of God's throne. The Angel's pulpit is in the midst of the sky (See Strong's GREEK#3321 mesouranema). Men will hear the voice, but will not be able to silence it. They will try to block their ears and yet will still hear!

This pulpit is also positioned in a time of judgment. The time and season makes the message all that more vital and its delivery so monumentally grave—hear ye him (Matthew 17:5).

The Content of the Message

The manner of its delivery will change, but there will be no change in the message. These angels have the everlasting Gospel to preach. It is the same Gospel the Apostles preached and not another beause there is no other Gospel.

• The Gospel is good news.
• The Gospel is power. (Romans 1:16)
• The Gospel is a warning or forerunner of judgment.

Paul warned the church already about anyone would preach another gospel.

Galatians 1:8—But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Notice his message:

• Fear God: to be in awe and reverence.
• Give glory to Him: Worship God in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24) as well as in the beauty of holiness (Psalm 29:2).

Psalm 29:2—Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

• For the hour of His judgment is come

The Bible has much to say about judgment. Enoch (Jude 14-15), David (Psalm 1:5), Isaiah (30:18), Jeremiah (4:2), Ezekiel, Daniel (7:10), John the Baptist (Matthew 3:12), Jesus (Matthew 25:31-32), Paul (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8), Peter (II Peter 2:9) and John the Beloved (1 John 4:17) all preached judgment.

• Him that Made it All

We have neglected Him He matters most and truly Him alone who matters! While we gazed into His Heavens, drank of His waters and profited by His earth we failed to honor Him as God. Repent!

The Auditors of the Message

It would seem a strange thing to believe that every nation, kindred, tongue and people hear the angel in the same language and understand what he says. It would take a long time for this angel to go to every nation and kindred upon the face of the earth and speak in each tongue and dialect. However this sermon is presented in a short period of time. The same God that confounded the language of man at Babel will cause them to understand His messengers!

Many testimonies of this particular miraculous power of God have been shared. To remember one account here, we don't have to look that far into history. Oral Roberts while he was preaching in India experienced God work this same miracle. While he preached in English, the people heard in their native languages.

The Delivery of the Message

Though it is the same Gospel being proclaimed…

Revelation 14:7—Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

… yet its manner of delivery has changed. It is no longer the meek and entreating voice beseeching men to be reconciled to God, but a great thundering form the sky demanding of the nations to fear God. The reason given for the change in delivery is the fact:

…the hour of His judgment is come…

The church-period has given place to the judgment hour. When this is understood, the whole matter clears up. Mercy towards the poor infatuated world still lingers in the very hour of wrath. In the heat and height of His indignation, God still remembers mercy.

Habakkuk 3:2—O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.

And, when there is no human voice left to speak it, an angel from heaven will speak mid-air proclaiming to the guilty world to turn to God.

This is one of the very last calls of grace to an apostate world. The finality of the coming herald and the limited amount of time in which the people of God have to work, ought to spur us to redeem the time and preach the Everlasting Gospel!

Babylon is Fallen

Babylon is Fallen (Revelation 14:8)

Revelation 14:8—And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

With the hour of judgment comes the work of judgment. The messengers of God are busy declaring the mind of God. The same cry is made both in chapter 14 and chapter 18.

Revelation 14:8—…Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Revelation 18:2,3—…Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, … 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication,…

This cry is declaring something in the future and yet the sense of the declaration is given as though it is already past. When God says it, future judgment is no less definite than history. Because He is sovereign, God calls things that aren't as though they were. The utter destruction of Babylon is certain.

Why Babylon is Destroyed

Emphasis Should be on the Reason for her Destruction

Believers can and do differ over what Babylon literally is, but it is important to unite in emphasizing what the Scripture does say about it. "Babylon" will be destroyed because of her false teaching and murder of the saints.

The name Babylon is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Babel. Throughout the Bible, Babylon is a symbol of the confusion caused by godlessness.

The unveiling of the real enemy is found in what Babylon DOES and SAYS and not an inherent evil because of where it can be found on a map or because of historical sentiment towards it. The City of Rome or even the area near Baghdad, Iraq are only in danger of God's Wrath for the same reasons any people or nation will suffer judgment—if they set themselves as the enemies of God.

The Reason

Babylon is destroyed because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. All who drank of her wine are guilty of spiritual adultery or idolatry.

What is the wine that she made all nations to drink? False doctrines. As harlots would utilize love potions and intoxicating drinks so the City of Babylon has used and will use false doctrine to entrap.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12—And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

An Illustration from history: In November 1978, 909 people drank cyanide-laced grape-flavored Flavor Aid at the instruction of religious leader and community organizer Jim Jones. Jim Jones attracted a large following to his Peoples Temple through sermons on tolerance, social responsibility and community. As the church grew, however, the sermons on equality and tolerance were replaced by demands for personal loyalty and obedience. (In 1973, Jones had been arrested for soliciting a man for sex—homosexuality.)

Proverbs 23:32 is speaking of drunkenness and wine, but is appropriate as well for the devil's tactics of false doctrine:

Proverbs 23:32—At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

What Babylon is Destroyed

Babylon is fallen

A Place and Its Religious System

There are some that make a great difference between the Mystery Babylon in Chapter 17 and the City of Babylon in Chapters 14 and 18, but both "Babylons" are two parts of the same thing: 1) a place 2) a system. The emphasis is put on the system in the 17th chapter and in 14:8 and the 18th Chapter the emphasis is on the city itself.

Literally, the City of Babylon

Not Just Rome

Babylon, who is the Mother of Harlots (17:5) and the Habitation of Devils (18:2) is fallen. As Rome, Italy (or more specifically Vatican City) has been instrumental in both Christian martyrdom and the spread of false doctrine, this prophecy concerning the fall of the City of Babylon is generally believed to be a prediction concerning the city of Rome, Italy. This interpretation is seemingly influenced by the long standing prejudice of the Protestant church historically at war with the Roman Catholic church.

The passage does not say Rome, but it does say Babylon. To be consistent in our method of interpretation of the this great Book, we will interpret Babylon literally as the city originally built by Nimrod in the land of Shinar and rising and falling throughout history, but being utterly destroyed in the Day of God's Wrath. Truly, Babylon is the birth place of the false doctrine woven throughout Roman Catholicism and not the other way around (i.e., Mother-Infant worship).

The Roman Catholic church is not the only religious system guilty of spiritual adultery. God would not be justified in sparing one and punishing another unrepentant group for the identical criminal act. Babylon is not just Rome. It is bigger than that. It is an apostate religious world.

Not Utterly Destroyed, Yet

The City of Babylon was situated in the Land of Shinar on the Euphrates River, about 50 miles south of modern Baghdad, Iraq. Although Babylon was effectively eliminated as an empire when it was taken by the Medes and Persians after the 70 year Jewish exile, all prophecies concerning it have not yet been entirely fulfilled.

The conquering empire of Persia did not destroy Babylon, but instead made it a royal city. Babylon appears importantly in history 500 years after Christ, for it was at Babylon that Jewish Academics compiled the Talmud (the basis of all codes of Jewish Law). Also Modern Day Bahgdad, Iraq stands near the original location of Babylon.

Isaiah 13:6,19-22; Jeremiah 50:40; 51:64 and Revelation 14:8; 17; 18 give an image of an extreme and absolute destruction not yet seen. Much of this has been fulfilled, but not all will be fulfilled until the Day of the Lord (Isaiah 13:6).

Isaiah 13:19,20—And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 20 It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.

Jeremiah 51:64 And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.

Rebuilding Babylon

Babylon will fall, but first it must be rebuilt. Before her utter destruction that will take place in the Day of the Lord's Wrath, the city of Babylon will first become instrumental in centralizing apostasy. What the Vatican is for just 1.2 Billion Roman Catholics, Babylon will arise for the greatest apostate ecumenical group the world has ever seen. Read Zechariah 5:5-11.

Zechariah 5:10,11— Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? 11 And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.

How Babylon is Destroyed

Babylon is destroyed by fire

Revelation 18:18—And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

Revelation 18:21— And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

Isaiah 13:19-20; Jeremiah 50:40.

Babylon is Destroyed Quickly

Revelation 18:10—…in one hour is thy judgment come.

Rewards of Allegiance

Rewards of Allegiance (Revelation 14:9-13)

Introduction — Loyal to the Cause

Allegiance speaks of loyalty or commitment to a group or cause. It reminds us of fidelity which is faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by continuing loyalty and support. Often allegiance is spoken of in the context of citizenship.

ILLUSTRATION: The American ‘Pledge of Allegiance’ was originally written for children for a one time use in 1892. The verse intended to commemorate Columbus Day originally read:

I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which is stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

To date, it has undergone two changes. The National Flag Conference of the American Legion replaced "my Flag" with ‘the Flag of the United States of America.’ in 1923. Secondly, in 1954 President Eisenhower signed a bill that added the words "Under God."

Today, as humanity's allegiance to God is failing, it is strongly argued by many to remove the words "Under God" from the American Pledge. Whether or not these voices are successful, the testimony of "The Pledge of Allegiance" has been to date to strengthen, clear up and better our commitment. The line of demarcation between saint and sinner will become more and more pronounced as the end of all things approaches. The intensity of the day of God's wrath will solidify the allegiances of men. The wicked will do more wickedly, but some will sure up their allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ and even seal their testimony with their lives.

Joshua 24:15—And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

God's cause is Redemption and Restoration of all things lost through sin. The devil's cause is to destroy through sin.

1 John 3:8—He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Just as sure as you can back a loser and lose all your investment, so our spiritual allegiance comes with a certain reward or consequence. There is no fence in this contest for the hearts and souls of men. The athlete on the bench can celebrate because he was on the winning side, and even if a benched player on the losing side never saw a second of game-time, he, just like his other team mates, lost. Our allegiance marries us to the destiny of our cause. The devil's is a lost cause and Christ is always the victor! In practice, where does my allegiance lie? Whose cause do I faithfully promote? The end of THAT cause, will be my end.

Allegiance to the Beast(vs. 9-11)

Judgment on the followers of the Antichrist.

The Reason for their Judgment

Why would anyone worship the devil? In the two reasons given for their judgment, we also see the reasons for their allegiance. There are two groups who hold allegiance to the Beast.

They that Worshipped the Beast and his Image

There are those that give evidence of their fidelity to this system by worship. They honor and give service to the Beast because they are his "true believers". These are loyal to the Beast's cause because they believe in it.

They that Received his Mark (forehead or hand)

Not all who make up the masses in allegiance to the Beast are so because they are sold on his ideology. Many join themselves to the enemies of God without any formal or declared intention of hostility toward God. Many will conform out of necessity. Many will surrender to the Beast's influence because without his mark on their hand or forehead they cannot survive in society (Revelation 13:17).

No matter the individual's reasons for aiding the devil in their life and in the world, they have chosen to side against Christ. If we are not with Christ doing what He wants, we are against him.

Matthew 12:30—He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

The Content of their Judgment

The Wine of the Wrath of God.

Revelation 14:10—…wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation…

This judgment promised is an undiluted ("without mixture") concentration of punishment from God Almighty poured into the cup of God's anger. The offenders are then made to drink of that cup to the full.

As wine is an intoxicating and overwhelming drink so it is used in Scripture to symbolize these effects (Psalm 60:3). There is the Wine of the Spirit which is an abundant joy in Holy Ghost, but there is also the Wine of Wrath or Violence which parallels the poisoned cup of certain criminals who were obliged to drink and which caused a speedy death.

These will drink of the cup of God's indignation because they chose to drink of the cup of iniquity and spiritual fornication (Revelation 14:8). We are all born in sin and condemned to drink of God's wrath, but Christ died and drank that bitter cup so we would not have to (Luke 22:42).

Hebrews 2:9—But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Fire and Brimstone

Tormented (torture, pain) with fire and brimstone (sulphur) as Sodom and Gomorrah and the rich man in hell (Luke 16:23).

The Two Phases of their Judgment

In the Presence of the Holy Angels and of the Lamb.

Presence, face, in sight of, before.

In the Lake of Fire

Revelation 20:10—And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

The Duration of their Judgment

The Smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever

They have no rest day nor night

Matthew 25:46; Mark 3:29; 2 Thessalonians 1:9

Allegiance to the True Christ (vs. 12-13)

During the day of God's Wrath not all will be found in confederacy with devil. They will not conform to the Beast's system for any reason at all. These are tribulation saints.

The Saint's Description

They Are Patient

2 Thessalonians 1:4; Hebrews 6:15; James 5:11; Revelation 1:9

They Keep His Commandments

They not all profess allegiance, but their loyalty is evidenced by their obedience (John 14:15).

They Have the Faith of Jesus

The Saint's Blessedness

Revelation 14:13b—…Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours;…

The Saint's Rewards

Revelation 14:13c—…and their works do follow them.

Wood, hay and stubble versus gold, silver and precious stone. Their reward is based on their motive and their faithfulness in that allegiance.

When missionary George Atley was killed by a band of hostile tribesmen, he was carrying a fully loaded, 10-chamber Winchester rifle. He had to choose whether to defend himself or or with his life defend the fragile mission work in that foreign land. When his body was later found in a stream, Nearby lay his rifle:all 10 chambers still loaded. He had made the supreme sacrifice, motivated by his burden for lost souls and his unswerving devotion to his Savior.

Writing on Philippians 1:20 in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Robert P. Lightner said,:

Paul's concern was not what would happen to him but what testimony would be left for his Lord. Release would allow him to continue preaching Christ. But martyrdom would also advance the cause of Christ.

Philippians 1:20—According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Reaping and Pressing

Reaping and Pressing (Revelation 14:14-20)

Foundation for the Biblical Harvests

Deuteronomy lists the major crops of the land of promise:

Deuteronomy 8:8—A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;

Three Harvest Seasons

In ancient Israel the primary harvest season extended from April to November. This harvest period might be subdivided into three seasons and three major crops: the spring grain harvest, the summer grape harvest and the autumn olive harvest. Let us highlight the two of the three major crops because they relate directly to our text in Revelation 14.

Grain Harvest (Spring)

Barley and wheat were the most important crops of the spring harvest. Barley and wheat were planted in the autumn and ripened in spring. Pentecost was celebrated near the end of the grain harvest with grain and loaf offerings (Leviticus 23:16-17). Newly harvested grain could not eaten until the offering of the firstfruits to God was first made. Pentecost was also called the "The Feast of Harvest" and "The Feast of Weeks".

Exodus 23:16—And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.

Grape Harvest (Summer)

After Pentecost, most of the harvest was fruit: grapes, olives, dates, figs, pomegranates and numerous fruits, seeds and vegetables of lesser importance. Grapes were the first major crop to ripen. In a good year, when the grain yield was great, threshing and grape picking overlapped. The grape harvest was usually completed before the Feast of Tabernacles.

Two Festival Seasons: Spring Feasts and Fall Feasts

The three harvesting seasons were celebrated by two major festival seasons. The Spring Feasts of Passover, Firstfruits, Unleavened Bread, and Pentecost teach of the beginning of Christ's ministry and the Fall Feasts of Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles represent the completion of His ministry.

Consider these feasts in sequence:

Spring Feasts (May/June)

Passover—God passed over the Israelites when he killed the Egyptian firstborn.

First Fruits—The first fruits are the first to come and are specially dedicated to God as a reminder that all good things come from God. It also was a pledge of a greater harvest to follow.

Unleavened Bread—A Memorial of Israel's hasty exodus from Egypt.

Pentecost—Pentecost (Shavuot) was originally a festival for expressing thankfulness to the Lord for the blessing of the harvest.

Fall Feasts (September-October)

These feasts, which became known as "The High Holy Days", celebrated in the 7th month marked the conclusion of the religious year.

Trumpets (1st day of 7th month)—The feast that called people to prepare to stand before the judgment of God. Instead of celebratory it was spent in private and grave introspection—fasting and prayer.

Atonement (10th day of 7th month)—The importance of the Day of Atonement is revealed by the fact that in the Talmud the name was shortened to simply "The Day." Celebrates God's Creation and God's new creation through atonement. A new beginning celebrated having been cleansed from sin. Day of Atonment represented the conclusion of the judgment that began ten days earlier.

Tabernacles (15th day of 7th month)—The Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Feast of Booths and Sukkot, is the seventh and last feast that the Lord commanded Israel to observe. God delivered Israel out of the land of Egypt and they were to live in a temporary tabernacle for eight days and look forward to the coming Messiah.

Luke 12:37—Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching:…

Reaping of the Harvest (vs. 14-16)

Revelation 14:15—And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

…Thrust in Thy Sickle…

And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

Execute the judgments which God has decreed. It is time for the judgment—no more delay or waiting. God has waited, but no more! The Lord coming in a white cloud speaks both of righteousness and judgment.

• White/Righteousness (Matthew 17:2; Revelation 3:5,18; 4:14; 7:9; 19:8).
• Cloud/Judgment (Matthew 17:5; Luke 21:27; Revelation 1:7).

Revelation 1:7—Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Sitting on the cloud, He is in a position of rulership. Christ is seen here ruling in judgment. It is Christ for John says "like unto the Son of Man" (Revelation 1:13).

On His Head is a Golden Crown (His church in glory and already awarded; I Cor. 6:1-3; Rev. 4:4; II Timothy 4:8) and in His hand is a sharp sickle. The sickle is a hooked knife and harvesting instrument used to pluck, gather, or cut.

…For the Harvest of the Earth is Ripe…

The cup of iniquity is full. Their sins are ripe or ready for judgment. Sin has ripened to the harvest.

…And the Earth was Reaped…

What plagues descend with the sharp sickle! What a cutting down and devastation.

Pressing of the Vintage (vs. 17-20)

After the grain harvest comes the grape harvest. The grapes are cut down and then placed in the wine press. This pressing will be performed by God himself in a place called Armageddon.

The Gathering into the Great Wine Press of the Wrath of God

Revelation 16:14-16—For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto 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 come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

This is the harvest of the "earth" and judgment not on a local but global scale. All the nations will be gathered: the kings, leaders, armies, antichrist, false prophet, and the followers of the beast.

Armageddon is a name occurring only once in the Bible and designating the place where the last great battle of the ages will take place. Armageddon is a Hebrew word, although it does not occur in the Old Testament. Its meaning is not exactly clear, but it is best taken to mean Mount Megiddo, since "Har" in Hebrew means mountain and "Mageddon" is the place-name of Megiddo.

In Old Testament history Megiddo was a place of numerous decisive battles because of the broad plain that stood before it. Deborah and Barak defeated Sisera and his Canaanite army there (Judges 4-5), Gideon drove off the Midianites and Amalekites ( Judges 6 ), Saul and the army of Israel were defeated because of their failure to trust in God ( 1 Sam 31 ), and the Egyptian army under Pharaoh Neco killed Josiah, king of Judah ( 2 Kings 23:29 ).

Some take John's designation literally, expecting the armies of the earth to gather against God in the endtimes below the remains of Old Testament Megiddo; others see in it a more figurative element. They point out that Megiddo was not really a mountain at all and that the battle will take place in the plain. Perhaps John designated it Mount Megiddo as a clue to its symbolic meaning, drawing together the historic place of conflict in Israel's history with the prophecies of Ezekiel that speak of the great end-time conflict taking place in the mountains of Israel ( Ezekiel 39:2,4, 17 ).

The Treading in the Great Wine Press of the Wrath of God

Grapes would be tossed into the winepress, and then a person or persons would stomp on the grapes with their feet until all the grape juice was pressed out. The Wine press is the wrath of God and these grapes are all the enemies of God.

Isaiah 63:1-3—Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.

Psalm 2:9—Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

Revelation 14:20—And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

And the winepress was trodden without the city, eternally without the city of the heavenly Jerusalem, and far from the presence of God; eternally crushed and trodden down by his justice; eternally tormented in body and soul, without any hope either of living or dying! This is the miserable lot and portion of those who shall have despised the law of God, and died in impenitence. My God, pierce my heart with a salutary dread of thy judgments!—Adam Clarke

A lake of blood to the size of 200 sqaure miles and as high as a horse's bridle! Such a slaughter is the end sin brings. Christ is victor over all His enemies. Revelation 19:13 tells us His vesture is "dipped with blood" and his name is "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS".

Conclusion

As there were intertwined the harvesting and the festivals, so in the midst of the end of all things and God's judgment is both the God-ward and man-ward side of all things. God ultimately reaps the harvest and humanity is that harvest. There will be a harvest of the wicked as well as in in-gathering (as the crops are ready) of the Believers. God is allowing the tares and wheat to grow together, but soon there will be an ingathering and distinction made.

Matthew 13:30—Let both grow together until the harvest:…

The first-fruits is an in-gathering dedicated entirely to and for God.

2 Timothy 2:19—Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Development of Final Judgment

Development of Final Judgment (Ch. 15)

Revelation 15:5-8—And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: 6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. 7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. 8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Introduction "Another Sign" (15:1)

Revelation 15:1—And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

The Time of the Sign

The harvest of the grain and the vintage in Chapter 14, brings us to the end of this present age. So, the events in chapter 15 occur before or during the harvest.

The Message of the Sign

John sees another sign in Heaven. This is a "sign" just as in Revelation 12 John saw two signs: 1) The Sun-clothed Woman and 2) The Great Red Dragon. It with relevance to these that he calls this "another sign".

John uses the Greek word "semeion" in seven verses (12:1,3; 13:13,14; 15:1; 16:14; 19:20). "Semeion" means a symbol or miraculous wonder. The sign John sees here is a "symbolic miracle or wonder" Wonders and miracles are supernatural acts that prove a point or express a message. According to John 10:38, Jesus used miracles to communicate the message that He is God.

John does in fact see something, but as a sign, what John sees should be interpreted figuratively. John sees a wonder and the wonder with its details communicate a message. The detailed wonder John sees is symbolic, but the death and devastation it speaks of is very literal. Signs of healing accompany the preaching of the Gospel (Mark 16:17; 1 Corinthians 14:22); however, signs of death attend the end of the world.

The Characteristics of the Sign

John characterizes what he sees not only as a "sign", but as "great and marvellous". Respectively, these words are:

• megas— large, mighty, strong (Matthew 8:24)
• thaumastos— wonderful, marvellous (1 Peter 2:9)

It is great because it involves so much more in range and intensity than any catastrophe that has ever been. It is marvellous because of the unparalleled character of what it foretells. What it describes is altogether extraordinary and on an astounding scale.

Tribulation Victors (15:2-4)

Before giving the particulars of this great and marvellous sign, John interjects with another vision of a higher and more gracious order, though it is still connected with the outpouring of the plagues. When the wicked are cut off, the righteous will see it. When the plagues fall upon the anti-christ and his hosts, these victors are on high singing, harping and praising God, giving glory to God and to the Lamb!

Their Position — The Sea of Glass

Revelation 15:2—…a sea of glass mingled with fire…

This reminds of the sea of glass in Revelation 4:6 which was spread out before the throne. There is a difference between these two verses. In Chapter 4, the sea of glass was " like unto crystal" in clearness, but in Chapter 15, the sea of glass is mingled with fire. Also, in Chapter 4, the sea appeared to be part of the pavement of heaven, but in Chapter 15, it appears as a mighty reservoir of just judgements about to be poured upon the world. The crystal sea is sort of base on which the whole celestial city is established—purity, vastness, strength. The sea mingled with fire is a sea of just judgements.

Their Victory

Revelation 15:2—…them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

These will have complete victory over the beast (The Person), his image (The Doctrines), his mark (The System), and the number of his name (The Society). Their reward for victory is a position on the sea of glass in heaven, having harps and singing praises to God.

Their Song

Their song is an exultant testimony of God as victor.

The Song of Moses

We find Moses' song in Exodus 15:1-11. It is a song celebrating deliverance from Egypt and the destruction of Pharaoh's host by God. The Book of Wisdom says that on this occasion in Exodus 15:

God opened the mouth of the dumb, and made the tongues of infants eloquent

As the Hebrews sang rejoicing by the Red Sea, so the Victorious Redeemed will sing by the Sea of Glass mingled with fire. God and therefore his saints will always have the last word!

The Song of the Lamb

The Song of the Lamb is redemption's song! ("I am Redeemed", "Thank God I am Free (saved, saved, saved)", "I've been to Calvary", etc. Here is recorded at least a part of their song.

Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Seven Angels (vs. 5-6)

Revelation 15:5—…the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

This tabernacle is in Heaven. The old tabernacle was merely a pattern of things in heaven (Hebrews 8:1-5; 9:23). The "temple of the tabernacle" references the inner tabernacle—the Most Holy Place or Holiest of All. It was in this tabernacle of testimony the Ark of the Testimony was kept. Therefore, these angels come from out of the Most Holy Place of Heaven—the throne of God was opened.

The angels are clothed in pure and white linen which speaks of righteousness. More important than their personal righteousness is the righteousness and holiness of the ministry these angels were to perform. As the priests ministered in the tabernacle in linen, speaking of Christ's righteousness and the ministry that they were performing, so these angels have a ministry.

They were girded with golden girdles. Gold speaks of Divinity and girdles speak of the truth.

Revelation 1:13—And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Old Testament priest were girt with a girdle of a different material because it spoke of redemption, but the girdle here is of gold and the setting of Divine wrath. These priest-like angels have an administration of pouring out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

The Giving of the Vials (vs. 7,8)

Revelation 15:7—And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. 8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Notice the mission of the Church in the judgement. One of the four beasts (a part of the church) gives the seven angels the seven golden vials full of the wrath of God.

1 Corinthians 6:2-3—Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

Two other times scripture says the temple was filled with the smoke of the glory of God was in 1 Kings 8:10,11 and Isaiah 6:1-4. "No man was able to enter into the temple".

Seven Last Plagues

Seven Last Plagues (Ch. 16)

Revelation 15:1—…in them is filled up the wrath of God.

Is This Prophecy Already Fulfilled?

Some interpreters try to parallel these vials with definitive and mostly historical calamities:

1. FIRST: French Revolution in General
2. SECOND: Naval Wars of the French Revolution
3. THIRD: Battles of Napoleon in Italy
4. FOURTH: Tyranny of Napoleon
5. FIFTH: calamities which befell the city of Rome and the Pope in consequences of the French Revolution
6. SIXTH: The wane of Turkish power and return of the Jews to Palestine along with the subtle influences of infidelity and popery.
7. SEVENTH: Some further war with Romanism and disaster to the city of Rome.

This line of interpretation leaves many difficult questions. Are France and Italy the whole earth? Has the tribulation hour even come yet? Are half a dozen naval battles the turning of the ocean into blood? Was Napoleon's artillery the sun scorch of blasphemers?

What are these Vials?

Revelation 16:1—And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

"Vial" is the Greek word "phiale" meaning a broad shallow cup. Phiale is used 12 times in the N.T. and all occurrences can be found in the book of Revelation.

• 5:8 Vials full of prayers of the saints
• 15:7; 16; 17:1; 21:9 Seven Golden Vials full of the wrath of God

The seven vials are full of the wrath of God. These seven vials are seven definitive and final judgments. (Revelation 15:1; 21:9 " seven last plagues")

These plagues are not historical, but are the consummation of all plagues. The last will be the worst. The plagues of Egypt and other historical calamities are a mere rehearsal of that to come.

In the following actions, God's wrath is completely expressed. It climaxes and is ended. Not only does John describe these as the "last" plagues, but they are also seven in number which expresses completeness. By the time these seven plagues are accomplished, God's wrath upon the earth will be completed or satisfied.

The command to execute the plagues comes not just from the temple in general, but from out of the opened Holy of Holies in the temple of God in heaven (15:5; 16:1). In the Holy of Holies was kept the Ark which contained (Hebrews 9:3,4) a golden pot of manna, Aaron's rod that budded and two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. It is because of the Ark and its contents that this place is called "the tabernacle of the testimony" They were evidences or witnesses to the fact that the presence God was among his people.

As there are levels in the American Judicial system (District Court, Superior Court and Supreme Court) so, the fact that the Holiest place of the temple is involved speaks of an advanced judgment. this is it! There is no higher court or further level of appeal.

What Events Lead Up to These Final Judgments?

The order of these events are highlighted in the sequence we have found them in the scripture. As many of the events in chapters overlap others and some give further detail to events already discussed, this summary is not an attempt to create a chronological "timeline&quot. Following is a review of the truths as we discover them in reading through the Book of Revelation.

Inspection, Remedy, Reward (Ch. 1-4)

Christ made inspection and sent messages to His Church. Saints make corrections according to the Lord's warnings. Some hear and repent making themselves ready and others are spewed out of his mouth into 3 1/2 years of tribulation and awakening. Translated and Raptured believers are both seen around the throne of God.

Seven Seals of a Book of Judgment Have Been Opened (Ch. 5 through 8:1)

The Lamb of God was the only one worthy to open the Book and release its seals. These seals revealed calamities that are part of God's plan of judgment and not just the normal course of history. White, Red, Black and Pale Horses and their horseman revealed a moral war, Divine vengeance, famine, and a fourth part of the world dead. The Fifth Seal revealed the fact that the Tribulation Hour will involve many Christian martyrs. The Sixth Seal reveals fearful physical events—sun become black, moon became as blood, and stars fall. Finally, a silence falls over Heaven for one hour.

Seven Trumpets Have Sounded (Ch. 8 through 11)

Following the silence in Heaven, a Mystery Angel remembered the death of the martyrs. Seven other Angels then prepared to sound their trumpets. Not all at once, but one after another in increasing judgment their trumpets are sounded as the death of saints are a witness against the world. Since the servants of God now had been sealed (Ch. 7) the prohibition to not hurt the earth (7:3) is lifted.

One, Two, Three, Four

In the first four trumpets the blasts effected the material world: hail and fire mingled with blood devastate trees, grass and crops; a third part of the sea is made blood and a third both of its creatures and ships are destroyed; a third of the waters become poisonous (Wormwood); a third of the sun and moon and a third of the stars were darkened.

Five, Six

The door between the physical and spiritual worlds is opened: tormenting locusts are released from the bottomless pit; four bound fallen angels are released from the river Euphrates.

A Cloud Robed Angel declared possession of the earth and its people, proclaimed victory and held a scroll that revealed further bitter experiences to follow. The temple was measured for the reinstatement of the Jew. Two witnesses miraculously ministered and then were killed once their work was complete.

Seven: The Coming of the Lord

Pre-Tribulation, Tribulation and Great Tribulation (Ch. 12 & 13)

John saw (Ch. 12) the signs of the Sun-clothed Woman, the Man Child, the Great Red Dragon, the War in Heaven, And the War with the Remnant of the Seed of the Woman. The eventual Period of Great Tribulation and the Rule of the Antichrist (Ch. 13) set the stage for these Seven Vials.

The Results of the 7 Vials

ONE: The Followers of the Anti-christ, 16:2

They will face noisome and grievous sores (Luke 16:20). These ulcers and stinging sores will be incurable.

TWO: The Sea, vs. 3

THREE: The Rivers, vs. 4-7

FOUR: The Suns Heat Released, vs. 8-9

FIVE: The Throne of the Beast, vs. 10-11

SIX: The Gathering of the Nations (Armageddon, vs. 12-16)

SEVEN: The Judgment of the Nations, vs. 17-21

Fall of Mystery Babylon

Judgment on the False Church (17)

Chapter seventeen tells about the judgment of the False Church who is called the "Mother of Harlots" because of her spiritual adultery. Harlotry is symbolic of false worship or the worship of idols (idolatry).

This woman will be a one-world church and as is all false religion will be attended with lewdness. Religion has never been so rich, so powerful, united and so unclean. Before her judgment, she is in a moral and spiritual wilderness, but advanced in achievements of science, materialism and humanistic philosophy.

The Time of the Judgment

Revelation 17:3—So he carried me away in the spirit… Revelation 1:10—I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day…

The False Church will suffer this prophesied judgment in the End-Time. She is an End-Time False Church and will face her judgment in the time of the end.

The Place of the Judgment

Revelation 17:3—…into the wilderness…

In a general sense, the wilderness is a place of testing and more specific to Revelation it is symbolic of the tribulation period that takes place just before the Lord returns (12:14). This false church will be in control for most of the tribulation hour.

The Receiver of the Judgment

Revelation 17:3—…and I saw a woman…

In relation to Christ, the Scripture refers to the church as a woman (1 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:24-32). God illustrated His desired relationship with His people with the relationship of a husband and wife.

In Revelation 12, we read about the True Church ("The Sun-Clothed Woman"). Now, in Chapter 17, we read about the judgment on the False Church.

The Outstanding Details of the Judgment

She is a Mother (vs.5)

As she is a mother, she is producing something. The True Church produced a singular and unified Man Child (12:5), as well as, truth and strength. The False Church produces a divided and plurality of harlots (17:5), as well as, error and weakness.

She is Sitting (vs. 1,3,9)

Sitting is a position of control or rule. As a king or judge sits in their authority. She is a dictator over the people and nations (vs. 1,15 " many waters") and the beast (vs. 1,3,8,11-13,16 this beast is the anti-christ).

She sits with overwhelming control of the one-world government that is evil and sinful. The False Church rides in control on the scarlet colored beast. She is therefore in control of the nations.

She is Clothed (vs. 4)

The Bride of Christ is dressed in fine linen clean and white which is the righteousness of saints (Revelation 19:8). This woman is dressed in the attire of a harlot.

She is arrayed in purple which is the color of royalty. This woman is not truly royal, but is a hypocrite.

Not only is color of the beast scarlet, but she is also clothed in scarlet. Scarlet is the color of sin.

Isaiah 1:18—…though your sins be as scarlet…

She revels in all that is an abomination to God. Read Proverbs 6:16-19; Deuteronomy 22:5.

She is decked with gold and precious stones and pearls.

There are two Scriptural aspects to Gold. In the positive, gold speaks of divinity and the perfect nature of God. In the negative, gold is the best of the riches of the world. She is not godly or divine, but she is rich with the riches of the world.

All her ornaments are form the world. Her inspiration comes form the pagan and godless cultures of the world.

She Has a Cup in Her Hand (vs. 4)

This not the cup of the Lord, but is the cup of devils. This golden cup is filled with the abominations and filthiness of her fornication. She is not sharing the Gospel, but it is "another gospel".

vs. 2—With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

She is very influential. She has corrupted many others with the teaching of her false religion (1 Timothy 4:1).

She has a Name (vs. 5)

MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

She is Drunk (vs. 6)

She is drunk with precious blood of martyrs who are the saints of the Lord Jesus Christ. This was all a great (megas) mystery (admiration) to John.

She has an End (vs. 16)

There is a two-foldness to her judgment. Her fall is mentioned twice (17:16 and 18:21).

She is hated and overthrown. At first the beast carries the woman (vs. 3) and the torn horns hate her and make her desolate and naked and then burn her.

She had her time of rule and it glittered like gold, but "pay day" always comes for the enemies of God. With every blasphemous act or false doctrine she added to the cup of her own judgment.

Revelation 17:16—…burn her with fire.

Fall of Religious Babylon

Judgment on the False Church (17)

Chapter seventeen tells about the judgment of the False Church who is called the "Mother of Harlots" because of her spiritual adultery. Harlotry is symbolic of false worship or the worship of idols (idolatry).

This woman will be a one-world church and as is all false religion will be attended with lewdness. Region has never been so rich, so powerful, united and so unclean.

##The Time of the Judgment

Revelation 17:3—So he carried me away in the spirit… Revelation 1:10—I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day…

The False Church will suffer this prophesied judgment in the End-Time. She is an End-Time False Church and will face her judgment in the time of the end.

##The Place of the Judgment

Revelation 17:3—…into the wilderness…

In a general sense, the wilderness is a place of testing and more specific to Revelation it is symbolic of the tribulation period that takes place just before the Lord returns (12:14). This false church will be in control for most of the tribulation hour.

##The Receiver of the Judgment

Revelation 17:3—…and I saw a woman…

In relation to Christ, the Scripture refers to the church as a woman (1 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:24-32). God illustrated His desired relationship with His people with the relationship of a husband and wife.

In Revelation 12, we read about the True Church ("The Sun-Clothed Woman"). Now, in Chapter 17, we read about the judgment on the False Church.

##The Outstanding Details of the Judgment

###She is a Mother (vs.5)

As she is a mother, she is producing something. The True Church produced a singular and unified Man Child (12:5), as well as, truth and strength. The False Church produces a divided and plurality of harlots (17:5), as well as, error and weakness.

###She is Sitting (vs. 1,3,9)

Sitting is a position of control or rule. As a king or judge sits in their authority. She is a dictator over the people and nations (vs. 1,15 " many waters") and the beast (vs. 1,3,8,11-13,16 this beast is the anti-christ).

She sits with overwhelming control of the one-world government that is evil and sinful. The False Church rides in control on the scarlet colored beast. She is therefore in control of the nations.

###She is Clothed (vs. 4)

The Bride of Christ is dressed in fine linen clean and white which is the righteousness of saints (Revelation 19:8). This woman is dressed in the attire of a harlot.

####She is arrayed in purple which is the color of royalty. This woman is not truly royal, but is a hypocrite.

####Not only is color of the beast scarlet, but she is also clothed in scarlet. Scarlet is the color of sin.

Isaiah 1:18—…though your sins be as scarlet…

She revels in all that is an abomination to God. Read Proverbs 6:16-19; Deuteronomy 22:5.

####She is decked with gold and precious stones and pearls.

There are two Scriptural aspects to Gold. In the positive, gold speaks of divinity and the perfect nature of God. In the negative, gold is the best of the riches of the world. She is not godly or divine, but she is rich with the riches of the world.

All her ornaments are form the world. Her inspiration comes form the pagan and godless cultures of the world.

###She Has a Cup in Her Hand (vs. 4)

This not the cup of the Lord, but is the cup of devils. This golden cup is filled with the abominations and filthiness of her fornication. She is not sharing the Gospel, but it is "another gospel".

vs. 2—With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

She is very influential. She has corrupted many others with the teaching of her false religion (1 Timothy 4:1).

###She has a Name (vs. 5)

MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

###She is Drunk (vs. 6)

She is drunk with precious blood of martyrs who are the saints of the Lord Jesus Christ. This was all a great (megas) mystery (admiration) to John.

###She has an End (vs. 16)

There is a two-foldness to her judgment. Her fall is mentioned twice (17:16 and 18:21).

She is hated and overthrown. At first the beast carries the woman (vs. 3) and the torn horns hate her and make her desolate and naked and then burn her.

She had her time of rule and it glittered like gold, but "pay day" always comes for the enemies of God. With every blasphemous act or false doctrine she added to the cup of her own judgment.

Revelation 17:16—…burn her with fire.

Revelation 16:19 and 14:8 have already declared Babylon’s fall. In Revelation 17 and 18, the fall of Babylon is carefully detailed.

Revelation 14:8 — And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Revelation 16:19 — And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

Fall of Religious Babylon [17]

Revelation 17 tells about the judgment of the False Church who is called the "Mother of Harlots" because of her spiritual adultery. Harlotry is symbolic of false worship or the worship of idols (idolatry).

This woman represents a one-world church that will be attended with lewdness. Religion has never been so rich, so powerful, united and so unclean. Before her judgment, she is in a moral and spiritual wilderness, but advanced in achievements of science, materialism and humanistic philosophy.

1. The Time of the Judgment

Revelation 17:3—So he carried me away in the spirit…

Revelation 1:10—I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day…

The False Church will suffer this prophesied judgment in the End-Time. She is an End-Time False Church and will face her judgment in the time of the end.

2. The Place of the Judgment

Revelation 17:3—…into the wilderness…

In a general sense, the wilderness is a place of testing and more specific to Revelation it is symbolic of the tribulation period that takes place just before the Lord returns (12:14). This false church will be in control for most of the tribulation hour.

3. The Receiver of the Judgment

Revelation 17:3—…and I saw a woman…

In relation to Christ, the Scripture refers to the church as a woman (1 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:24-32). God illustrated His desired relationship with His people with the relationship of a husband and wife.

In Revelation 12, we read about the True Church (<a href="/courses/revelation/the-sun-clothed-woman_73">"The Sun-Clothed Woman"). Now, in Chapter 17, we read about the judgment on the False Church.

4. The Outstanding Details of the Judgment

a. She is a Mother (vs.5)

As she is a mother, she is producing something. The True Church produced a singular and unified Man Child (12:5), as well as, truth and strength. The False Church produces a divided and plurality of harlots (17:5), as well as, error and weakness.

b. She is Sitting (vs. 1,3,9)

Sitting is a position of control or rule. As a king or judge sits in their authority. She is a dictator over the people and nations (vs. 1,15 " many waters") and the beast (vs. 1,3,8,11-13,16 this beast is the anti-christ).

She sits with overwhelming control of the one-world government that is evil and sinful. The False Church rides in control on the scarlet colored beast. She is therefore in control of the nations.

c. She is Clothed (vs. 4)

The Bride of Christ is dressed in fine linen clean and white which is the righteousness of saints (Revelation 19:8). This woman is dressed in the attire of a harlot.

• She is arrayed in purple which is the color of royalty. This woman is not truly royal, but is a hypocrite.

• Not only is color of the beast scarlet, but she is also clothed in scarlet. Scarlet is the color of sin.

Isaiah 1:18—…though your sins be as scarlet…

She revels in all that is an abomination to God. Read Proverbs 6:16-19; Deuteronomy 22:5.

• She is decked with gold and precious stones and pearls.

There are two Scriptural aspects to Gold. In the positive, gold speaks of divinity and the perfect nature of God. In the negative, gold is the best of the riches of the world. She is not godly or divine, but she is rich with the riches of the world.

All her ornaments are form the world. Her inspiration comes form the pagan and godless cultures of the world.

d. She Has a Cup in Her Hand (vs. 4)

This not the cup of the Lord, but is the cup of devils. This golden cup is filled with the abominations and filthiness of her fornication. She is not sharing the Gospel, but it is "another gospel".

vs. 2—With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

She is very influential. She has corrupted many others with the teaching of her false religion (1 Timothy 4:1).

e. She has a Name (vs. 5)

MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

f. She is Drunk (vs. 6)

She is drunk with precious blood of martyrs who are the saints of the Lord Jesus Christ. This was all a great (megas) mystery (admiration) to John.

g. She has an End (vs. 16)

There is a two-foldness to her judgment. Her fall is mentioned twice (17:16 and 18:21).

She is hated and overthrown. At first the beast carries the woman (vs. 3) and the torn horns hate her and make her desolate and naked and then burn her.

She had her time of rule and it glittered like gold, but "pay day" always comes for the enemies of God. With every blasphemous act or false doctrine she added to the cup of her own judgment.

Revelation 17:16—…burn her with fire.

Those that are with the Lamb

Those that are with the Lamb (17:14)

In the midst of judgment within a spiritual wilderness, we see a glorious promise.

Revelation 17:14 — These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

We see the action and the resulting end of the False church, Antichrist and the powers that rule with him. They make war with the Lamb and the Lamb will overcome them! For He is Lord of lords and King of kings. There are those who set themselves in opposition to the Great King, but in this verse we also see some are "with Him". Herein is a promise to some, that they can overcome WITH the Lamb. These are the Called, Chosen and Faithful of God. These are the army of the Lamb.

Called

Definition of "called": GREEK - kletos - adjective - invited, appointed

Romans 1:7—To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

• Called to Salvation. All are invited to salvation (Matthew 11:28; 20:16; 22:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13).
• Called to be Saints. We are saints "by calling" (Jeremiah 31:3; John 6:44; 12:32; Romans 1:7; 8:28; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Jude 1).
• Called According to His Purpose.

Romans 8:28—And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Chosen

Definition of "chosen": GREEK - eklektos - adjective - chosen out, select, favorite.

• Luke 23:35; 1 Peter 2:4,9
• Not all are Chosen (Matthew 22:14)
• Chosen Before the World (Ephesians 1:4)
• To Pick Out. To hand pick and choose for oneself. This does not imply the rejection of what is not chosen (Mark 13:20; Luke 6:13; John 15:16; Ephesians 1:4; James 2:5).
• To Take that which May be Taken. Taking that which is eligible or suitable to be taken. The choice is made according to suitability (Matthew 12:18; Psalm 25:12).
• The Chosen are the Elect (1 Peter 2:9)

Faithful

Definition of "faithful": GREEK - pistos - verb - trustworthy, true, reliable, loyal, believe, faith.

• Passive: Meaning Faithful in the sense of to be trusted and reliable. Matthew 24:45; 25:21-23; Acts 16:15; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Ephesians 6:2; Colossians 1:7; 1 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 3:5
• Active: Faithful in the sense of actively believing and trusting. John 20:27; Acts 16:1; 2 Corinthians 6:15; Galatians 3:9.
• The Faithful will be wise
• The Faithful will be good
• Faithful to God
• Faithful to the Truth

Conclusion

These are not separate groups (Called, chosen, faithful), but is a description of those who are WITH and overcome WITH the Lamb.

2 Timothy 2:12 — If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Fall of Political and Commercial Babylon

Fall of Political and Commercial Babylon (Ch. 18)

The Uniting of Babylon the Great

Babylon is an unholy union of the religious, commercial and political systems of the world. The system will be judged in two stages (17:16 and 18:21): Religious (Ch. 17) and Commercial/Political (Ch. 18).

In the judgment upon the religious part of the system (Ch. 17), she is put down and taken over by the Antichrist. She will for a season "rule" over the kings of the earth (17:3,18) — after her judgment, we see who is really controlling who. These kings will turn on her being inspired by God [as a sovereign act of judgment]. Those in whom she trusted so much and with whom had become mutually enriched, will rejoice to finally be rid of her.

Revelation 17:3 — So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

Revelation 17:13, 16, 17 — 13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

This will unite religion and commerce, making the State (Antichrist) supreme. Babylon the Great, in final revelation, is a city ruled over by the Antichrist as both the religious and political head. She becomes abundantly rich in carnal wealth for her aid to the devil but she will ultimately suffer greatly for her supporting role in the Antichrist's efforts.

Placing Babylon

Babylon is a place as well as a system. Presently, there is no city "Babylon". If the ancient city of "Babylon" (50 miles south of modern Iraq) is to be included in this judgment, Babylon as a city must first be rebuilt.

Babylon is mentioned 287 times in the Scriptures, more than any other city except Jerusalem.

The more important detail concerning Babylon is not where on a map can we place her, but what is she guilty of that would incur such severe action from God. Babylon in Chapters 17 and 18, is at the very least symbolic of both a religious system (ch. 17) and a commercial system (ch. 18) that made themselves enemies of God.

The concept of Babylon is greater than Revelation 17-18 and the Antichrist’s reign. Babylon was present before and in John’s day (typified by Rome), in our day, and throughout history, as the world system. But under the Antichrist, Babylon (in both its religious and commercial aspects) will have influence over the earth as never before

• Cain Genesis 4:16,17 Cain went out from the presence of the LORD ... Cain built a city. Cain being uninterested in being ruled by God and attempting to ensure his legacy of self rule by building cities
• Tower of Babel - Resisting the Sovereignty of God
• Compare Revelation 18:21-24 & Jeremiah 51:63,64

Normalization of Babylon

Babylon will be a "one world" system that by nature of its pervasiveness will effect everything. Despite her extremes, excesses, perversion and corruption, she will become "normalized' in a reversed sense. Instead of bringing her to a standard of "normal", normal will be redefined to be in harmony with her standards. Any rebellion against the system and her corruption, will be viewed as "crimes against humanity".

For example:

• Refusing the Mark of the Beast to buy, trade and sale will be characterized as criminal to the level of worthy of capital punishment.
• Refusing to worship the Beast or his image, will be characterized idolatry.
• To speak the TRUTH of God's Word, will be condemned as spreading lies and false information.
• State sponsored corruption will be accepted "as they way things are" and any rebellion (verbal, action, inaction) against Babylon will be characterized as acts of terrorism.

Though for a season Babylon will be the standard of the world, she will be judged for her corruption.

The Announcement of her Judgment (vs. 1-8)

The Announcing Angel, vs. 1-3

A glorious messenger appears from out of heaven.

He Comes with Great Authority

All power and authority truly belongs to God! (Daniel 7:14; John 5:26-27; 1 Corinthians 15:24)

John 5:25—Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

The Earth is Lighted with His Glory

This is never said describing created beings, but is often said of God! (Psalm 72:18,19; Isaiah 6:1-3; Ezekiel 43:2; Revelation 1:13-16; 21:23)

He Cries Mightily with a Strong Voice

The Calling Out of God's People, vs. 4-8

Revelation 18:4—And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Before the mighty word goes into effect, a voice from heaven (probably, the Father) says come out of her, my people. His people are warned to avoid getting caught up in the marketing of the evil system. (An effective advertisement is one that convinces you that you need something.)

• Come Out of her
• Call on Jesus
• Repent of Sin
• Be Born of the Spirit (Not a soul-ish or intellectual thing, but a spiritual experience.)

Satans really merchandise is the souls of men. He takes advantage of and seeks to rob a man of his soul. What do we want? Faith or Feeling. Bible or Psychology. (1 Corinthians 13:45) The devil employs all manner of means in this market: business, religion, drugs, sex, gossip, lustful and rebellious music,

The Reaction to Her Judgment (vs. 9-20)

The fall of Babylon is one of the most marvelous events of all time (i.e., the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah). Consider how this would effect the whole world and even how it would effect you. Her fall is a great disappointment to many as just at her height of success she is destroyed. All the schemes of human progress are left disappointed and many will lament. , but there are mixed reactions to her judgment for two worlds are involved. There some who will rejoice while others are crying.

Revelation 18:9,20—And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

Lamentation

Lamenting of Royalty, vs. 9-10

Lamenting of Merchants, vs. 11-16

Lamenting of Shipmasters, vs. 17-19

But while these lament, a grand jubilee fills the sky!

Rejoicing

The Heavenly Beings Rejoice

The Apostles Rejoice

The Prophets Rejoice

After her Fall (vs. 21-24)

Jer 51:63 And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates: 64 And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.

Re 18:21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. 22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; 23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.