Podcast Episode 30 (Condensed)
Welcome back to Wytinsea Writes! We made it through another month. Thank you, Jesus! If you missed last month’s bible study, click here. If you’re new to my blog, click here to start with Revelation 1. We’ve coming to the end of the book of Revelation. Studying the book of Revelation has been a journey. Most importantly, it has served as a warning to all. We must prepare for the days ahead. We must not get distracted or be deceived by the devil’s tactics. Not only that, but it serves as an encouragement for those of us whose faith is in Christ. Don’t give in. Don’t give up. Don’t lose hope because great is our reward in heaven.
God has been showing John the Revelator prophetic visions concerning the end times. Revelation 18 continues about Babylon. Let’s begin. Revelation 18:1-2 NLT, “After all this I saw another angel come down from heaven with great authority, and the earth grew bright with his splendor. He gave a mighty shout: “Babylon is fallen—that great city is fallen! She has become a home for demons. She is a hideout for every foul spirit, a hideout for every foul vulture and every foul and dreadful animal.”
Some people view Babylon as symbolic rather than literal. Regardless, Babylon is full of wickedness. If we recall Isaiah 13:19-20, it mentions how Babylon will not be rebuilt, but will become a habitat for wild animals. Read Isaiah 13:21-22 as well.
Revelation 18:3 NLT says, “For all the nations have fallen because of the wine of her passionate immorality. The kings of the world have committed adultery with her. Because of her desires for extravagant luxury, the merchants of the world have grown rich.”
The corrupted people and nations prove how selfish and evil Babylon is. They loved money, riches, and worldly glories. Luke 16:19-31 tells a story told by Jesus about a rich man who lived selfishly. He had money, fine clothes, and feasted daily. Yet, he never turned to Jesus or helped the poor beggar, Lazarus outside his home. When the rich man died, he went to Hades where he was in anguish. He called out to Abraham, but his fate was already final. Luke 19:25 states, “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.” Basically, those who pursue riches and worldly glories over a life committed to Christ will suffer when Babylon falls.
Revelation 18:4-6 NLT states, “Then I heard another voice calling from heaven, “Come away from her, my people. Do not take part in her sins, or you will be punished with her. For her sins are piled as high as heaven, and God remembers her evil deeds. Do to her as she has done to others. Double her penalty for all her evil deeds. She brewed a cup of terror for others, so brew twice as much for her.”
Verse 4 is similar to the story of what happened in Sodom and Gomorrah. Two angels urged Lot to leave the wicked place and never look back (Genesis 19). Just because we live in a fallen world doesn’t mean we should live like those who are lost (2 Corinthians 5:9-11). The book of Judges reveals how God punishes people who thinks their righteous and just (in their own eyesight), but in reality, they’re living in evilness. Even the prophet Jeremiah spoke on the sin and judgment of Babylon in Jeremiah 51:25-26.
As the chapter continues, Revelation 18:7-10 NLT says, “She glorified herself and lived in luxury, so match it now with torment and sorrow. She boasted in her heart, ‘I am queen on my throne. I am no helpless widow, and I have no reason to mourn.’ Therefore, these plagues will overtake her in a single day—death and mourning and famine. She will be completely consumed by fire, for the Lord God who judges her is mighty.” And the kings of the world who committed adultery with her and enjoyed her great luxury will mourn for her as they see the smoke rising from her charred remains. 10 They will stand at a distance, terrified by her great torment. They will cry out, “How terrible, how terrible for you, O Babylon, you great city! In a single moment God’s judgment came on you.”
Just like the builders of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, Babylon tried to make a name for herself. How foolish! Today, many people think the world revolves around them. They are self-righteous because of titles, money, fame, and more. It’s important to remember what Proverbs 16:8 says about prideful people taking a great fall.
The Lord will show His swift judgment on Babylon. From a carnal perspective, Babylon was beautiful, ideal, and worthy. From God’s point of view, Babylon was self-centered, prideful, egotistic, wicked, and idolatrous. All those that forgot God will someday be rendered death (Psalm 9:17).
Charred remains = burnt and turned black from fire.
As verses 11-14 of Revelation 18 continues, it says, “The merchants of the world will weep and mourn for her, for there is no one left to buy their goods. 12 She bought great quantities of gold, silver, jewels, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet cloth; things made of fragrant thyine wood, ivory goods, and objects made of expensive wood; and bronze, iron, and marble. 13 She also bought cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, wagons, and bodies—that is, human slaves. “The fancy things you loved so much are gone,” they cry. “All your luxuries and splendor are gone forever, never to be yours again.”
Many scholars believe that Babylon engaged in human trafficking based on the verses above. God is not pleased with that. Exodus 21:6 lets us know that we are God’s creation. Therefore, human trafficking is not only inhumane, but demonic. Sadly, people are still human trafficked today, but God will render judgment to those who partake and participate in it. Babylon also chose the finer things in life over God but will pay the consequences for that too. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the finer things in life, but don’t choose the gold and riches over Christ. Don’t allow the glitz and glam to cost you your soul.
Luke 12:21 tells a story about a man who “lays up treasures for himself and is not rich towards God”. In other words, he store away his riches, but in the end, he is a fool because his soul is at stake. There is nothing wrong in having things, but there is much wrong with things having us. Read that again.
Revelation 18:15-20 states, “The merchants who became wealthy by selling her these things will stand at a distance, terrified by her great torment. They will weep and cry out, “How terrible, how terrible for that great city! She was clothed in finest purple and scarlet linens, decked out with gold and precious stones and pearls. In a single moment all the wealth of the city is gone!” And all the captains of the merchant ships and their passengers and sailors and crews will stand at a distance. 18 They will cry out as they watch the smoke ascend, and they will say, “Where is there another city as great as this?” 19 And they will weep and throw dust on their heads to show their grief. And they will cry out, “How terrible, how terrible for that great city! The shipowners became wealthy by transporting her great wealth on the seas. In a single moment it is all gone.” Rejoice over her fate, O heaven and people of God and apostles and prophets! For at last God has judged her for your sakes.”
If we want something that is eternal, we must obey God and surrender our lives to Him. Only through our faith in Christ will we be saved. That is what endures forever. God searches our hearts and knows everything we think about, intend to do, and more (Jeremiah 17:10).
God is in control of time. Therefore, whatever God considers a “single moment” can occur within a blink of an eye (if it is His will). What people considered worthy became worthless with a quickness. Matthew 6:19-20 tells us not to lay up earthly treasures, but that is what Babylon did. People in the city questioned if there could be a greater place because they are deceived to think Babylon is so great. But one day, buildings will crumble and burn away, and no one will be able to stop it.
Just like heaven rejoices when just one sinner repents and turns to God, the angels rejoice in verse 20 of Revelation 18 because Babylon is fallen. Babylon’s judgement was also necessary due to the apostles, prophets, and saints who suffered. The ending of Revelation 18:21-24 is strong, “Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a huge millstone. He threw it into the ocean and shouted, “Just like this, the great city Babylon will be thrown down with violence and will never be found again. The sound of harps, singers, flutes, and trumpets will never be heard in you again. No craftsmen and no trades will ever be found in you again. The sound of the mill will never be heard in you again. The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The happy voices of brides and grooms will never be heard in you again. For your merchants were the greatest in the world, and you deceived the nations with your sorceries. In your streets flowed the blood of the prophets and of God’s holy people and the blood of people slaughtered all over the world.”
Music can be used to honor or dishonor God. Psalm 150 involves music to praise God. King Nebuchadnezzar used music to dishonor God because he wanted them to fall down and worship the image on the plain of Dura (Daniel 3:4-5). Fortunately, music will never come from the mouth of Babylon again. Sorcery is mentioned because that is what Babylon engaged in as well. Sorcery is divination and witchcraft. It is not of God. No matter who tries to justify it and make it seem as though it is “ok”, it is not. If you practice sorcery, divination, or witchcraft, repent now. The time is drawing near for God to return and there is no place in heaven for those who practice sorcery (Galatians 5:19-21).
The Greek word for sorcery is pharmakeia aka pharmacy. Many theologians, scholars, and bible teachers believe that the end-times Babylon that will be upon the earth will include wicked drug production and schemes. Think about the lab-made sicknesses, illnesses, viruses, and diseases that are upon the earth today. This is just a thought.
Babylon cannot deal or handle God’s people. They are enraged and hateful towards them. The beast and his followers hate God’s people. They have and will continue (until God puts a stop to it) kill God’s followers and the blood will lie in the streets.
So, how can Revelation 18 be summed up? What is the moral message in this chapter? The evil system led by the beast is mentioned in John’s vision where believers are martyred (Revelation 13:7). Babylon has a goal to destroy all of God’s people who refuse to worship the beast and the evil system it entails. God never promised us a perfect life, but he promised us a perfect eternity if we endure to the end. We will suffer persecution (John 15:19). But the overthrow of Babylon will arrive. God will render his righteous judgement on Babylon. Those who have been persecuting Christians may think they’re getting away with it, but God will punish them one day. Babylon is fallen and God will be glorified.
Babylon will be destroyed once and for all. As for us, the believers in Christ, hold fast to your faith. Peter prophesied about Jesus coming back like a thief in the night (2 Peter 3:10). The hour is drawing near of God’s return. Don’t be caught in sin. Don’t be caught slipping. Don’t be caught off guard. Stay on guard. Stay on your post. Repent daily (even when you think you’ve had a good day and didn’t sin). Sometimes, it seems like evil people have their way. I remember going through a season of persecution and warfare. Crying daily. Praying daily. Fasting weekly. I couldn’t understand why I was being attacked so much and so often.
I read the book of Psalm daily—for months—even years. I felt like I understood a tiny portion of the warfare David went through, especially when he questioned God as to why evil people have their way, flourish in life, and continue to get away with their attacks against God’s people. In reality, they’re not actually getting away with it. God is keeping score of their wickedness since they won’t repent.
Just like in this chapter, Babylon is committing great sins against God. Babylon is evil and attacks God’s people in every way. Just like God is going to handle Babylon, God will handle your enemies. Those that persecute you, lie on you, and assassinate your character will be dealt with by God.
So again, hold fast to your faith. Trust in God. Don’t grow weary in welldoing (Galatians 6:9). That means, don’t stop being a good person. Don’t stop loving your enemies. Don’t stop being a cheerful giver and kind-hearted. Don’t let a root of bitterness enter your heart (Hebrews 12:15). Because “at just the right time, you will reap a harvest if you don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9). What is the harvest? The blessing for your faithfulness, the miracle that you’ve prayed and longed for, the vindication from God that you’ve fasted about, and the eternal reward from the Lord. The promise that God would “make your enemies your footstool” (Psalm 110:1) and “prepare a table in the presence of your enemies” (Psalm 23:5) are real.
I hope that this bible study has caused to reflect on your own lifestyle choices. Be sure that your lifestyle choices do not align or are similar to the sinful ways of Babylon. If so, repent now. I hope that this chapter has also given you encouragement concerning your own warfare and persecution you’re facing. If God promises to not allow Babylon to get away with evilness, He’ll never allow your enemies to continue doing wickedness against you forever. Vengeance belongs to God (Romans 12:19). Be encouraged. Share this bible study with someone whose soul you care about. Until next time, with Wytinsea Writes.
