Revelation Chapter 18

Revelation 18:1

After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory.

After the introduction and identity reveal of the prostitute Babylon and of the beast and all the kingdoms involved another angel is revealed. In chapter 17 one of the most difficult teachings to accept is that God rallied ten kings to side with the beast in order that His plan comes to pass. One is left asking what is so bad about Babylon that God would raise up such a kingdom for the beast just to destroy her? In this chapter we find out just why she is so vile in the sight of God. We start off by seeing an angel coming down from heaven. The angel’s appearance is so glorious that the earth was made bright and he has great authority. He has come to announce the destruction of the whore Babylon as well the reasoning behind her fall because of the evil she promotes. This is one of the longer chapters in Revelation and this may be in part due to the warning and severity of Babylon’s destruction.

Revelation 18:2

And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. (KJV)

After John witnessed the destruction of Babylon by the beast and ten kings, this angel comes out and declares that Babylon the great has fallen. She has been made desolate and naked as well as being devoured and burned with fire. Now that this has happened Babylon has become a dwelling place for demons, evil spirits and unclean birds. It is difficult to imagine that this is in some way preferable to the things Babylon was responsible for. This has been God’s desire for a long time, that Babylon be destroyed in this manner, just to be taken over by another force of evil. That should be eye opening to us about the way God feels the enticing sins that Babylon had to offer. At least with demons and unclean birds you have a pretty good understanding of the evil you are getting. Not so with Babylon and her sins. I think we really have no idea the extent of depravity we gradually allow to linger in our minds when we partake in being sexually immoral and greedy beyond measure. If we were to take down the names of everyone we know personally and begin crossing names out if they have had partook in some form of sexual immoral behavior; it is unlikely that we would be left with very many names, if any at all. And think about how the consequence of all of these piled up sins affect our day to day lives. We don’t really look at it this way but that must be a pile of stench rising up to heaven before our God. How many of the people you know have some sort of broken home situation due to sexual sin? The sad part of all that sin is that we learn to live with it. Eventually we adjust to our particular situation and mostly don’t feel like anything is even wrong with the broken lives we have come to love.

Revelation 18:3

For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”

Sexual passions and wealth, what an amazing combination. This shows us just how different our thinking is from the Lord’s. It seems that God has been patiently waiting for the time to destroy Babylon but if we had to choose we would say He chose the wrong nation. We think that if there was going to be kingdom God would happy to crush, it would be one that causes harm to its subjects but here we see a different point of view. Babylon had become so rich and powerful and sexually promiscuous that the nations were seduced by lustful passions. In the western world especially we see nothing wrong with the pursuit of money and being as sexually open as we desire, but these are not the things God desires for our lives. In fact He calls us to contentment and modesty in these areas but we choose not to listen to His voice. That may be the reason that after the beast destroys Babylon that he takes part in giving land away and making people receive the mark in order to buy and sell. The beast essentially takes up the mantle of things started by Babylon in order to gain subjects of both believers and non-believers.

Revelation 18:4

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;

Until we get toward the end of Revelation, there are not many times where we read about something good and encouraging but I’d have to say that this verse is definitely one of them. Apparently before Babylon’s complete destruction we will receive a warning that this about to take place. A voice comes from heaven commanding us to come out of Babylon. This is great news IF we heed the call. Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins. It is crazy to imagine that there will possibly be Christians who do not follow these directions, Christians who will decide to hold on to the decadence that Babylon offers and who will reject leaving. A voice will call from heaven telling His people to come out of her but good living has become more important that obedience. These along with others will definitely take part in her sins and therefore will have a share in her plagues. In fact in this day and age it might be more difficult to imagine that there will be Christians who actually will listen, Christians who would rather endure hardships and even death rather than the fleeting pleasures of sin.

Revelation 18:5

for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.

In Jeremiah we see a slightly different perspective of this destruction of Babylon. “Flee from the midst of Babylon; let every one save his life! Be not cut off in her punishment, for this is the time of the Lord's vengeance, the repayment he is rendering her. Babylon was a golden cup in the Lord's hand, making all the earth drunken; the nations drank of her wine; therefore the nations went mad. Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been broken; wail for her! Take balm for her pain; perhaps she may be healed. We would have healed Babylon, but she was not healed. Forsake her, and let us go each to his own country, for her judgment has reached up to heaven and has been lifted up even to the skies. The Lord has brought about our vindication; come, let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God.”

Something very interesting and true about Israel and about us is revealed here, if we are to be truthful with ourselves. Babylon is going through the judgement of God. She has been filthy with her adulteries and has seduced the world into drinking her cup of abominable things. Needless to say her destiny for destruction is set. Then we read Jer 51:8-9 and see that Israel begins to mourn for her. Not only that but they call for balm for her pain in the hopes that she might be healed. I wish I could say that Christians will act better than Israel but I don’t really believe that. In the midst of her being destroyed, many Christians will be just as Israel is; sad that her demise is at hand. If only there was something we could do in order to somehow spare her. Balm is given and I dare to say that there will most likely be prayers given to the Almighty God that this prostitute be saved. We would have healed Babylon, but she was not healed. The Lord has brought down punishment upon her and though the desire is to keep her with us, the command is to forsake her. Come out of her my people, lest you take part in her sins and share in her plagues. Her sins are piled to heaven and God has vindicated Israel in Babylon’s doom.

ref: Jeremiah 51:6-10

Revelation 18:6

Pay her back the way she also paid, and double it according to her works. In the cup in which she mixed, mix a double portion for her.

How merciful is our God? Babylon’s sin are heaped high as heaven. She has been a thorn in the side of God’s people for many generations. If ever there was an instance where a little excess force or vengeance would be tolerated, surely it would be in regards to this ancient prostitute, but this is not the case. We have been ordered to pay her back in the same way she paid. As it is written, “O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us! Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones

and dashes them against the rock.” Apparently one of the defining works of what Babylon has done is the murder of little children. Could this possibly be speaking of aborted babies? Nevertheless scripture says that those who repay her in the same way will be blessed. In the same way is the key to this scripture. Don’t go above and beyond in the punishment due. If her crime is that she withheld payment from you we don’t get to all of a sudden get to charge her extra for “pain and suffering”. It goes on to say double her payment according to her works but don’t change the way in we do this. You have heard it said eye for eye and tooth for tooth but this is not typically the way we want repayment. We demand that above and beyond type of payment, not eye for eye but instead eye for eye+tooth+toe. Instead in this specific instance He allows teeth for tooth and eyes for eye but still in the same vein of punishment she inflicted. We demand interest for our wrong-suffering and not in the way God allows even unto His enemies but where we would require a 10 fold portion, He only allows double. In that His mercy and justice is continually displayed. Blessed are those, (who in this case), pay back in the way she has done to us; in the same cup and with the same works.

ref: Psalm 137:8-9

Revelation 18:7

As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, ‘I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see. ’

“You felt secure in your wickedness, you said, “No one sees me”; your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, and you said in your heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me.” But evil shall come upon you, which you will not know how to charm away; disaster shall fall upon you, for which you will not be able to atone; and ruin shall come upon you suddenly, of which you know nothing” The prophet speaks on this matter with some more clarity. The prostitute was absolutely secure in who she was. She felt secure in her wickedness and her kingdom. She lived the same as many of us saying “no one sees me.” How different would we live if we were under a king that kept an eye on us. Of course that is how we are supposed to live, knowing God is watching but in reality we don’t act like anyone sees us. In that respect we are in many ways like Babylon. We live day to day believing that someone “may” be watching but with no regard to a sudden disaster that can come upon us. We say I am no widow and I will never see mourning because we hold close the belief that the rapture will save us. It seems fitting that we believe the fact that we will not mourn in the same way Babylon says she won’t even though one of the first warnings John decreed was, “Look! He is coming with the clouds,

and every eye will see Him, including those who pierced Him. And all the families of the earth

will mourn over Him.” Do we believe that we will wail on His account or do we really believe that we will be saved from the mourning and live in a glorious utopia all the while watching others suffer through the tribulation? Either John will be proven as a prophet or we can believe that all the things decreed for daughter Babylon will not come to pass. This is certain. Amen

ref: Isaiah 47; Revelation 1:7

Revelation 18:8

For this reason her plagues will come in one day — death and grief and famine. She will be burned up with fire, because the Lord God who judges her is mighty.

Babylon has boasted in her heart that she is a queen and will not be a widow and will never mourn. Now we know the proverb that says, “Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall”, but don’t really find any practical application of it until it is too late. The prostitute, being prideful and arrogant has not heeded the warning that falling and destruction was following close behind. I can’t help but wonder if we realize that this scripture also has something to say to us. John states that this destruction comes quickly, in one day as he has stated over and over again and yet we still wait on tomorrow as if it is promised to us. James warned us about this type of thinking. “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.’ You don’t even know what tomorrow will bring — what your life will be! For you are like smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes. Instead, you should say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’ But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So it is a sin for the person who knows to do what is good and doesn’t do it.” Assuming we have tomorrow to do what is right is boasting in arrogance and is evil. We have only today to do what is good and if the Lord is willing tomorrow; for a single day will come where we no longer have a chance to make plans. We are warned of this in another proverb saying, “Don’t boast about tomorrow, for you don’t know what a day might bring.” This boasting without the recognition of God shows up in all types of places for us. Even if we go to our refrigerators, we notice that we have food in there that is intended for a future time, if only we are so lucky. We may even pray to the Lord that He give us this day our daily bread all the while boasting in our hearts that our weekly bread has already been purchased. In contrast Paul boasts in his second letter to Corinth that, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” He boasted in a way that is not sinful, bragging that he had greater labors, more imprisonments, countless beatings, was stoned, three times shipwrecked, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on him of his anxiety for all the churches. That stands in opposition to the way Babylon and Christians boast. Like Babylon we demand our best life now and even go as far to claim everyone of the promises God made to Israel as ours alone; not realizing that the things Paul boasted in were also decreed for us. But at the end of a single day Babylon is destroyed by fire from the evil God had created, the beast. Mighty indeed is the Lord God who judges her.

ref: Proverbs 16:18; James 4:13-17; Proverbs 27:1; 2 Corinthians 11

Revelation 18:9

And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning.

By now it is clear that Babylon is evil and will be destroyed by Almighty God. Let’s step back for a minute and and look at another player in her evil, these nations who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury WITH her. A few lessons back I spoke on a theory that if these events unfolded today, Babylon looks shockingly similar to the U.S. For an American this is certainly not good news but for the sake of perspective let’s assume that the U.S. is not Babylon, where exactly would her allegiances lie? There are several groups that nations could be found in during this time period. The first is Israel, of which will be pulled aside during this time to be actively taught by the Lord. Secondly is Babylon herself of whom bears the brunt of the wrath of God. Thirdly there are those nations who will rise up specifically to defeat Babylon. Scripture even pointed out that they were in agreement with the beast in hating the prostitute. Even though they find themselves in agreement with God that she needs to be destroyed, this is not the group we want to find the U.S. in due to the fact that they will make war against and be directly defeated by the Lamb. Fourth, are these nations who are seemingly on the same side as Babylon. John states that the kings lived in luxury with her and find themselves sad when she is destroyed. Now I would be absolutely shocked if those ten kingdoms who sided with the beast didn’t live in stark contrast to the luxury these kings live in. Scripture doesn’t expound on why those kingdoms hate Babylon but it isn’t hard to imagine that it has something to do with commerce and her luxury since that is primarily how scripture defines her. If possibly one of the greatest, most decadent, and wealthy nations is destroyed in a single day, it would be be a great stretch to believe that the U.S. would not mourn for her. There would indeed weeping and wailing in the streets of this nation over the fall of this empire. There would most likely be nonstop coverage of the smoke of her burning in hopes that she might be able to make it out alive. We would then look inwardly at ourselves and possibly notice that we have indeed committed sexual immorality with her and might then wonder how or when we might be destroyed as well. Of course there is another group that exists during this time as well. They have been largely silent in these affairs and have been mostly busy surviving the horrors caused by the bloodthirsty lust of Babylon for they have been trying to simply survive. These would be the righteous nations of the earth of which may partially hold those who belonged to God that were called out of Babylon before her destruction. It sounds nice to be able to name us among one of those nations but we would have to suspend reality for that to be the case. We have a great track record of sticking our nose in worldly business and I’m not saying that in a bad way necessarily. Wealth and commerce is at the forefront of what America stands for and as we watch on a daily basis our priorities and allegiances move away from the kingdom of God, we ought to at least contemplate on how this nation will be seen at the end of all things.

Revelation 18:10

They will stand far off in fear of her torment, saying: “Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the mighty city! For in a single hour your judgment has come.”

“Stand fast in your enchantments and your many sorceries, with which you have labored from your youth; perhaps you may be able to succeed; perhaps you may inspire terror. You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you.” When we look at scripture, how can we fathom the complexities of God? This scripture in Isaiah shows another side to God that we often forget exists. We see this in a few places where God begins mocking those who claim to be in the know. It says to Babylon to stand up for what you believe because you may be able to be the victor here, in what seems like a very condescending way. Babylon might be able to make it out of this thing alive and if she does perhaps she may inspire terror; but wait...no. Her judgement comes in one hour. Everyone stands far off in awe, shocked at how it went down. This great city, this mighty city, is ruined. They stand far off in fear of what has just happened. She was the brightest of all the cities and yet she was destroyed swiftly. We’ll notice a little later that these that are watching and weeping have their own reasons for doing so, and it’s not because they hold some affection for her but sad at the fact the world can no longer grow rich from her. But we must also remember to put this in the timeline of events; to have perspective on what has happened. The beast, Leviathan, has come out of the sea and been given more power from the dragon. There is some kind of alliance with 10 kings and they set off and defeat Babylon in a single hour. This seems to happen at the very first of the beasts reign, so this is a great way to make himself known. It would be hard to imagine that fear would not be present in most of the earth who has seen these events transpire. He has slain the prostitute and now sets up his own kingdom to reign over the earth and after what we have seen it seems unlikely that a lot of people would want to stand in opposition to him for fear of becoming like this mighty city. This is compounded by the fact that there will be these two “troublemakers” at the temple in Jerusalem who are speaking all this truth all the while inflicting pain upon those who attempt to harm them. Meanwhile the beast is dividing land up and to the contrary of what we naturally believe, are making many prosper. All and all things are not that bad except for these witnesses in the holy city. Then all of a sudden, the beast finally defeats them and there is rejoicing for three days. This is the real terror. We will have traded one nation for another and have received a greater evil to contend with than Babylon was. All these happen so that the saints of God may persevere; that we have the opportunity to exhibit our faith in the one and only God on the earth. Many will die because of these events, but to repeat the words of Jesus, “The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.” We must not let our fear overtake us but rather have a steadfast spirit in order to be proven faithful.

ref: Isaiah 47:12-13

Revelation 18:11

And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo anymore,

We tend to think that the end of the world will begin with war; with nations battling one another and while that may be partially true here we catch the flip side of that coin. An economic power, or maybe THE economic power of the earth has fallen. For the sake of an example, imagine that tomorrow the world wakes up and America no longer exists. No warning or years to prepare but she is suddenly destroyed in one day. How would the nations react? Think about all of the worthless things we buy on a daily basis that are made in other countries, could their economies live, let alone thrive as they do? As much as they hate this woman for making them drunk as she was, they came to prosper from that type of existence. So now they find themselves without a leader in this prostitute ring and they find themselves mourning for her. They have created an environment where they prosper off of the sale of their cargo and now there is no one to buy it. What good is all the merchandise in the world if there is no one spoiled enough to sell it to? This is reminiscent of a similar question asked by Jesus, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.” What is it that we are profiting from and will that profit be the cause of the forfeiture of our soul?

ref: Matthew 16:26-27

Revelation 18:12-13

cargo of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble, cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls.

Once again I will make a reference to Babylon being the US. In the last lesson we covered the fact the merchants of the earth will mourn over her because no one is left to buy their merchandise and today we see a glimpse of the types of cargo that goes unpurchased. With this list it seems there is hardly an economy in the world that is not going to be affected by Babylon’s destruction but there is one item that stands in the forefront in regards to meaning. Scripture says no one will buy their slaves, that is, human souls. This prostitute is in the business of buying human souls and I wish I knew exactly what this entailed. As an American, when I hear slaves I envision boatloads of people being brought in for sale and that may be exactly what is happening but perhaps not in the racist way it happened in the past. Since her profile is one of adultery and sexual promiscuity I wonder if it may be talking about illegal sex trades that we hear about on the news. I wonder how many humans are shipped over to America that go unnoticed but that may actually fulfill prophecy. Whether this is what is being referenced here or not I don’t know but it most definitely ought to make those of us that believe that the time is near to sit up and notice.

Revelation 18:14

“The fruit for which your soul longed has gone from you, and all your delicacies and your splendors are lost to you, never to be found again.”

Babylon is gone never to be found again. She is that great burning mountain which is to be thrown into the sea, never to be seen again. “Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, declares the Lord, which destroys the whole earth; I will stretch out my hand against you, and roll you down from the crags, and make you a burnt mountain. No stone shall be taken from you for a corner and no stone for a foundation, but you shall be a perpetual waste, declares the Lord.” This agrees with what is written earlier, “The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.” She longed for splendor and declared she will never mourn and now all that is left is the residual smoke from her burning going up forever and ever. The world has now changed forever and has been placed in the hands of the beast(s). Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, the two prophets are about to begin their 3 ½ year ministry while the world will mourn for a time but will come to enjoy themselves and receive the mark of the destroyer of this great prostitute. And what is the Christian’s role in the aftermath of the destruction of all these delicacies and splendors? Rejoicing! We return back to the basics of taking up our crosses daily and following Him; not in a general way but in this very specific way: dying for the testimony of Jesus.

ref: Jeremiah 51:25-26; Revelation 8:8

Revelation 18:15-16

The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud, “Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls!

She was the city everyone looked up to. She is dressed nicely, very similarly to the way we like to dress. On any given Sunday you can see Christians dressed exactly like this great prostitute dressed in purple and scarlet, with jewels adorning her. In fact this is the most strikingly similar comparison to what is described as a Proverbs 31 woman. “She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself;

her clothing is fine linen and purple.” Obviously this is an aspect of what we would describe as someone being “blessed”. A woman with nice things is what we seek after and it seems to be no coincidence that Babylon is also sought after by the many nations. She looked the part and walked the walk, so it’s no surprise that the nations would be intoxicated by the wine of her adultery. In short these things are not what we should be seeking after but instead should be seeking to please God. Still it is difficult to reject these things simply on the basis of “simple living”. If someone gives us gifts such as these are we not to consider them blessings and wear them accordingly? I just bring this up that we might stop in the midst of our day and consider the things that we do on a daily basis and how they are seen by God. After the rejection of Saul as king and the curse of his son Jonathan, David lamented over them and said, “You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle.” Poor Saul, whose downfall was offering an untimely sacrifice to God, thought it best to give to the daughters of Israel the nice things of this earth. It is in the descriptions of these nice things that David reminds them that their king and his son are doomed. So in this season with resurrection day coming upon us, take time to stop and ponder on the way God may feel about the way that we lavish ourselves with luxurious gifts.

ref: Proverbs 31; 2 Samuel 1: 24-25

Revelation 18:17-18

For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.” And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, “What city was like the great city?”

Over and over again we see this idea that this great city is destroyed very quickly. In a single hour her doom has come, judgment has come upon her and her wealth destroyed. We do notice that while the world mourns for her there is little said about her destroyer from the people on the earth. There has been commentary from those in heaven, but it would seem that there would be some sort of fear involved over the one that has destroyed such a great city. This is part of the reason why so many have a problem understanding Revelation, because it is difficult to have to go back and place all of these singular type stories into a comprehensive timeline. This great city has fallen and while we know that God is ultimately in control the world stands off in the distance and watches these events play out. They see a giant sea monster come up from the sea and destroy this great city. How can they wrap their minds around this? If we go back to chp 13 we see how they actually respond to this event taking place from a perspective of fear, especially fear of the unknown. “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” This is the beginning of the end for them. The world has seen something fantastic and terrifying so what else could be their response but to worship this creature? In their mourning, there is no time for God because we have seen something that Christianity has not warned about. I have never heard in a church teaching about an incredible sea beast named Leviathan coming up and becoming ruler of the entire earth. It is always explained away as representing something else, but what if it is exactly as God has described it, would that shake our faith? Jesus once stated, “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” Can we accept the testimony of God that there is indeed an enormous sea creature that knows no fear or is that too far fetched for us? Surely when He was speaking with Job He was actually referring to gentiles, or the pope, or one of the other ideas we’ve concocted in order to fit God into our little boxes. Or just maybe God is capable of creating and doing exactly what He said He would do and we should just humbly accept His testimony and believe both in the earthly things as well as the heavenly things.

ref: Revelation 13:4

Revelation 18:19

And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out, “Alas, alas, for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been laid waste.

It is interesting and yet frustrating to try to figure out what is being portrayed in parts of Revelation. So far in the destruction of Babylon we pretty much understand the way people are feeling about what has transpired but then we come to this verse describing those who put dust on their heads as they weep and mourn. Now any student of scripture should realize that this is something that was often done as part of the mourning in the bible. We saw it several times throughout scripture where people mourned in dust and ashes and sackcloth so we do have reference points for this behavior. What is not made clear is why these people do this since it is a practice that has mostly fallen out of our modern customary rituals. To be sure there are still some peoples around the globe who still practice this but by and large, especially in the west it is not something that is seen often or even at all any longer. But we have John here proclaiming that the people seeing this destruction throw dust on their heads, so what must transpire from this day to that in order that scripture be fulfilled? Anything we guess at for the reason is purely speculation even if it does have some basis for truth. There certainly seems to be a movement of spiritualism that is growing in our nation and even in our churches that may be able to explain this shift. We see it more and more that there seems to be an awful lot of attention focused on looking to be a certain way than actually practicing and believing in truth. However unlikely it seems today that very soon we will begin seeing people mourning with dust on their heads, we cannot deny the fact that most of what we do is done for people to see. We crave attention in this way. Few things make us happier in this world than to disobey Jesus and perform our acts of righteousness in front of many people to be seen. If we help people you better believe that this kindness will be plastered all over facebook, if not by us then by the people we help. Naturally we justify these actions, saying that we must do these things from time to time in order to show the world how the love of Christ is played out. So it is not so far fetched that a time would come where this custom becomes the norm once again, so everyone is able to look upon us and tell that we are faithful people who mourn in accordance with the bible. Of course all this is speculation as to the way God’s plan will unfold and should be taken with a grain of salt.

Revelation 18:20

Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!”

“Rejoice with him, O heavens; bow down to him, all gods, for he avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on his adversaries. He repays those who hate him and cleanses his people's land.” At this time God is in the business of cleansing His people’s land. God has a very intricate plan of restoring the earth back to His chosen people. From the time Babylon is destroyed until after Jesus returns there is a very serious plan to first, sift the evil from the righteous and secondly, to destroy and remove those who are evil from the face of the Earth so that the meek may inherit it. He will do these things first for the sake of Israel, with the Christians very obviously benefiting from it. He says, “Then the heavens and the earth, and all that is in them, shall sing for joy over Babylon, for the destroyers shall come against them out of the north, declares the Lord. Babylon must fall for the slain of Israel, just as for Babylon have fallen the slain of all the earth.” Over and over again I have stated one greatly terrifying fact that these “destroyers” are the beast(s) along with possibly Satan himself to destroy Babylon for the sake of Israel and the slain of the earth. There will be a fine line that will exist over the commandment to rejoice in the fact that God has given judgment against Babylon, and to be careful not to worship the vessels (the destroyers) that He sent to accomplish His will. And now we insert possibly one of the most quoted but misunderstood passages in scripture: “Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy; no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” We like the no weapon formed against you talk but neglect to see what else is happening in the surrounding verses. First we notice that a weapon is in fact formed against you and ultimately the Lord is responsible for the weapons formation. If we don’t believe that’s what it’s saying we can simply go to the gospel that says, “without Him nothing was made that has been made.” God created a weapon, a ravager to destroy. Now that ravager may very well destroy our very lives on earth but it will not prosper in rising up against us in judgement for those of us who hold a heritage of the Lord. He is the vindicator. Though we be possibly destroyed, He is our redeemer and no one is able to pluck us out of our Father’s hand. So rejoice saints, apostles, and prophets for God will give judgement against them for us.

ref: Deuteronomy 32:43; Jeremiah 51:48-49; Isaiah 54:16-17

Revelation 18:21

Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more;

"Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.” We had spoke in previous lessons about the second trumpet and second bowl of wrath possibly referring to the destruction of Babylon. In both instances we saw instances involving the sea and blood with the trumpet talking about something like a great mountain being thrown in the sea. Back to this quote from Jesus. Not believing that Jesus wasted any words I noticed something specific recently. Jesus tells them whoever says to THIS mountain...but believes it will come to pass, it shall be done. First there is an implication that this mountain will not be moved immediately but eventually. Secondly Jesus seemed to be talking about a very specific mountain. Now this mountain was in between Bethany and Jerusalem and may have been the Mt of Olives and thus probably not talking about that “great mountain” Babylon, but nevertheless says something about the way we should pray and ask. In the course of human events many mountains will be made low and split apart and at least one will be thrown into the sea. As far as it relies on us we must make sure the things we ask in God’s name are according to His will. Therefore when we pray that a mountain be thrown into the sea, it may be best to have some spiritual and biblical knowledge behind what and why we ask for these things. Also notice that Babylon is thrown down with violence. This word has implications of being done in a rush or by impulse. Though thoroughly planned out by God those doing the destruction do so in haste. It is amazing how many times in these set of verses God wanted us to know how quickly these things happened once they began. Quite literally she was glorious in splendor then the next moment she was destroyed.

ref: Mark 11:20-25

Revelation 18:22

and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will be heard in you no more, and a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more, and the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more,

“How the oppressor has ceased, the insolent fury ceased!..The whole earth is at rest and quiet; they break forth into singing.The cypresses rejoice at you, the cedars of Lebanon, saying, ‘Since you were laid low, no woodcutter comes up against us.’ Sheol beneath is stirred up to meet you when you come; it rouses the shades to greet you, all who were leaders of the earth; it raises from their thrones all who were kings of the nations. All of them will answer and say to you: ‘You too have become as weak as we! You have become like us!’ Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, the sound of your harps; maggots are laid as a bed beneath you, and worms are your covers.” When Israel is finally given rest and is being taken care of by the Lord in the wilderness they will take up this taunt against the prostitute. The king of Babylon has wanted to curse and kill the nation of Israel for some time but now Israel has found peace and rest. Of course it is at this moment that the beast comes into power so naturally many believe that Christians are finally whisked away in what we call the rapture; but I tell you this promise is held for Israel, not for the Christian. Babylon’s music and workmen are silenced and are no more. All the former kings of the earth send taunts her way as well. Suddenly, in one hour, she has been made as weak as them. Her splendor has vanished from the earth while she is given a bed of maggots and a covering of worms. She is finished never to be seen again.

ref: Isaiah 13:4-11

Revelation 18:23

and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.

I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it. “Thus says the Lord: In this place of which you say, ‘It is a waste without man or beast,’ in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man or inhabitant or beast, there shall be heard again the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord.

Look at the stark contrast of the way the Lord speaks about Israel and Jerusalem compared to the way He looks on Babylon. No more will anything be found in Babylon, but this woman Israel, who has disobeyed Almighty God at every turn, will once again flourish. They will hear the voice of bridegroom and bride, they will hear voices of gladness and singing. But instead we think that they are done for. I wish it was a new thing that the world and even Christians look down upon Israel in disappointment and sometimes utter contempt. We believe they deserve everything that has come upon them, even to the point where we swap places with them in the book of Revelation. We say the church is raptured out and Israel will have to suffer through the worst of it. We believe Israel is cursed in this way, and that is a dangerous belief. At the onset of their nation the Holy Spirit spoke about the Father and Israel saying, “He crouched, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.” To the best of my knowledge this proclamation has not ceased to be. God still favors Israel and apparently those who bless them. He will forgive all of their sin and rebellion. Israel will be made whole and all of Israel will be saved. Glory be to God.

Ref: Jeremiah 33:1-12; Numbers 24:9

Revelation 18:24

And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.”

“Babylon must fall for the slain of Israel, just as for Babylon have fallen the slain of all the earth.” This discourse is strangely reminiscent of when Jesus was rebuking the scribes and pharisees and charged them with this same evil. “Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.” In a separate incident Jesus had conversed with some like these in relationship about who their father was. They claimed that Abraham is their father and then because they were not illegitimate, that God was their father. Jesus rejected this idea because they failed to listen to the One the Father had sent. He goes on to point out that they had done the works of their father and said, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.” We will inherit the blessings of our Father dating all the way back to the garden, as long as we do the works of Him of whom we belong. So likewise, in turn will they inherit the curses of their father beginning with the blood of righteous Abel up to and including this generation of daughter Babylon, as long as they do the works of their father.

Ref: Jeremiah 54:49; Matthew 23:31-36; John 8:44