Chapter 18 details the fall of Babylon “the Great”. Let me try to put it into perspective.
You should understand that under the leadership of the Antichrist and the influence of the one-world religion (aka “Harlot Babylon), Babylon will be the center of all things in the end of the age. It will be the headquarters of government under Antichrist’s rule. It will be the capitol of the one world religious system. It will be the center of great industry and amazing, luxuriant prosperity. The opulence of the Antichrist’s rule cannot be underestimated. Because it will be so wealthy and brings the same to those who submit to it, it will be very attractive to the peoples of the earth. Babylon as it leads in all these things will also multiply the highest heights of perversion and sin. But, because the people are blinded by wealth and the imperceptible yet mammoth growth of compromise and deception, nearly all of the earth will be intoxicated into this “unified”, “peaceful”, “prosperous” one-world system. They will be “drunk” on its seeming euphoric pleasures.
All the things that we as humans are so easy to put our trust in– money, industry, government stability — these will rise to such a level as to be seemingly unshakable. It will be so “good”, that people will be blinded to anything but the “here and now”. While living in such comfort, ease, pleasure and “peace”, people will long for nothing. The cry on the inside for something better and eternal will be squelched out by the apparent abundance all around. It will seem foolish to desire Heaven. Why, when life on earth is so “good”? This will be the greatest deception. It will be very deceptive to any who are not firmly grounded in Truth and understand two things about it all —
1. It is borne of Hell
2. It’s fleeting. In one breath, God will blow it all away!
Because of her sin, arrongance and pride:
verse 8 . . in one day her plagues will overtake her:
death, mourning and famine.
She will be consumed by fire,
for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
death, mourning and famine.
She will be consumed by fire,
for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
verse 17 . . in one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’
Why will God so quickly and severely judge this city?
verses 23-24: By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.
In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints,
and of all who have been killed on the earth.”
and of all who have been killed on the earth.”
Because the decadence of this place will lead people away from God, and this system will be extraordinarily hostile to God and His people. How can He not judge her?
Again, it’s helpful to reference here some of Jesus’ words from his end-times seminar (I recommend a thorough study of Matthew 24 & 25 — it’s Jesus explaning the End!), Matthew 24:35: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.”
Everything is fleeting! Everything that is, except Jesus and His Word!!! Are you getting the message yet?? The Word, the Scroll, our only Foundation — cling to Him alone!
And the message to us?
4Then I heard another voice from heaven say:
“Come out of her, my people,
so that you will not share in her sins,
so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
5for her sins are piled up to heaven,
and God has remembered her crimes.
6Give back to her as she has given;
pay her back double for what she has done.
Mix her a double portion from her own cup.
7Give her as much torture and grief
as the glory and luxury she gave herself.
. . . She will be consumed by fire,
for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
“Come out of her, my people,
so that you will not share in her sins,
so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
5for her sins are piled up to heaven,
and God has remembered her crimes.
6Give back to her as she has given;
pay her back double for what she has done.
Mix her a double portion from her own cup.
7Give her as much torture and grief
as the glory and luxury she gave herself.
. . . She will be consumed by fire,
for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
We are not to participate in the revelries, the decadence, the false abundance, pride and festivities. We are to be separate, different, called and chosen, HOLY unto the Lord. We whould not put our trust in riches or in the leadership of human governments, even when they seem to bring peace (it will be a false peace).
Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
And, there will be no true peace until the Prince of Peace comes to rule on the earth! The “peace” that the Antichrist brings is a “peace” that will lead people straight into the lake of fire!!! This is peace we DO NOT want!!! Nor do we want others to be deluded by it!!
I tell you, there will be supernatural provision and protection for God’s people (and it will be necessary since we will refuse to take the mark of the beast and therefore not be allowed to participate in the commerce).
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked. 9 If you make the Most High your dwelling-
even the LORD, who is my refuge- 10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked. 9 If you make the Most High your dwelling-
even the LORD, who is my refuge- 10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Psalm 27:5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
And, once again we something astounding here; our partnership with Jesus in releasing judgment on the evil kingdoms of the earth:
from verse 7:
Give her as much torture and grief
as the glory and luxury she gave herself.
. . . She will be consumed by fire,
for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
as the glory and luxury she gave herself.
. . . She will be consumed by fire,
for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
In what way will we return on her her judgment? Through intercession! And she will be consumed by fire from God, as we pray with Him to make it so!!!
Let us cry out as the disciples did — “Lord teach us to PRAY!!!” It will not be an option!!
Let us find every way we can to enter in to a life of love for Jesus and learning His heart in intercession, as He forEVER lives to intercede (Hebrews 7:25).
Ask Him, “Lord, what is on Your heart today? How can I join with You in intercession today? Teach me to pray, Jesus!!”
Let Your Kingdom come!
Thoughts?
Jessie Still 
Sober but faithful reminder for us all of what God has said. Just a couple of thoughts-
1) The force of Christ’s words not passing away is perhaps the most important thing for the People of God of all ages. That is simply because he himself was always careful to insist that he only spoke what he had received from the Father. So he the Son of Man shows us both the eternity of God’s word- that which was formed in the coucil of God before creation-and the perfection of that word accomplishing God’s predetermined good pleasure to the praise of His glory (Eph.1). The perfect rest for the People of God has always been found then only in living in harmony with that word (see the confessions of an Old Testament Saint in Psalm 119).
2)”there will be no true peace until the Prince of Peace comes to rule on the earth!” Isn’t part of the Gospel the fact that Christ is already reigning, that when he returned to the right hand of the Father he was given all authority in heaven and earth? He was announced as the Prince of Peace at his birth and he has begun his Kingdom of Peace and Righteousness and those who embrace him as he is witnessed to by the Father enter into and become a part of that reign, that Kingdom now. Yes, we surely believe that the full consumation of this reign will only be at his second coming, but please don’t push all of promised peace and presence with his peole into the future.
John Paul Todd
John Paul-
Thanks for stopping in and for posting your thoughts! It is appreciated! 🙂
I absolutely agree with you on both points.
On #2, let me clarify. The “peace” I was referring to was the peace that the Antichrist regime will bring on the earth — a false, deceptive peace that will ensare many.
1 Thessalonians 5:3
While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
To receive the “peace” of Antichrist’s rule as a good thing will lead to destruction. That’s what I was referring to.
We are watchful for the Prince of Peace to return and restore all things and bring TRUE peace ON EARTH, in EVERY sphere of society. Surely He is reigning today in those who submit to Him. But the manifestation of His government and peace will know no end (Isaiah 9) as He brings it to bear as a Man ruling the Earth in the Millenium.
#BYEBABYLON #WOE #WOE #SEEKFIRSTTHEKINGDOM #EVERYTHINGISFLEETING! #ALLCONSUMINGFIRE #COMEOUTOFHER #OURGODISAMIGHTYWARRIOR #ONEHOUR #LETHEAVENCOME #BFFSMYLIFE #GODALWAYSWINS