THE FALL OF BABYLON

Revelation 18 proclaims God’s judgment on Babylon. As I study this, I have two basic questions. What is the identification of this political power and what is the implication of this prophetic passage?

First, let us deal with THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE POLITICAL POWER. 

This could be a literal city of Babylon that is rebuilt in the Middle East—in what is present day Iraq. That would be a strategic place as we consider the struggle for economic supremacy that involves oil and its prominence in the world’s economy. Likewise, such a city would be a buffer between the hostility between Arabs and Jews that threatens to ignite world war.

More likely, it is a symbolic reference to the city of Rome. John had experienced Rome’s hate in his exile on Patmos. The church was undergoing the kind of persecution by the pagan Roman Empire that is portrayed here. When the Apostle penned these words, Rome dominated the world politically and economically. Thus, many Bible scholars have identified Babylon as Rome. In this scenario, the Antichrist will establish his reign from Rome as the seat of his power. 

Second, we focus on THE IMPLICATION OF THE PROPHETIC PASSAGE.

While there may be some debate about the identification of Babylon, the implication of this text should be clear. Babylon symbolizes the center of a global ecclesiastical system, (see chapter 17) and a global economic system, as described in chapter 18.  I like how Chuck Swindoll interpreted this:

When this passage speaks of the fall of Babylon, it has in mind the system of thinking that will be embodied in the Antichrist’s regime. 

We have similar figures of speech today that refer to places we connect with a system of thinking. We speak of Wall Street, Hollywood, Madison Avenue, and Vegas. You can actually go to these places, but usually their names are used to represent something other than only locations.  They represent lifestyles or systems of thinking.

For those familiar with Israel’s history and the Old Testament, any mention of Babylon evokes the idolatrous and immoral apostasy of God’s people as well as God’s judgment on human conceit, expressed here in the future of this empire.” (The Swindoll Study Bible, p. 1663).

What is certain is that an ecclesiastical and economic system that seeks to unite the world as a substitute for and in opposition to Christ will be suddenly and permanently destroyed by Christ.  Heaven will rejoice!  

As we see events of our day moving toward such a globalist agenda, we must wonder how close we are to the climax of human history and the coming again of the Lord Jesus.  I set no dates. Jesus said none of us know the day or hour. But, He also told us, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near,” (Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭28‬‬).

THOSE WHO OVERCOME

Identifying Christ and His people as those who “overcome,” is a dominant theme in the book of Revelation. It is the Greek word, “nikao,” and is used seventeen times, variously translated in English as “overcome,” “conquer,” “prevail,” etc. though it is the same word in the original. The seven churches in chapters two and three are each given a specific promise related to those who “overcome.” 

For this study, we will identify the characteristics of those who overcome as presented in Revelation 17:14 that reads, “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of Lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” In this chapter, the fiendish foes who will rise to oppose Christ are the scarlet woman and the scarlet beast—whom I identify as the False Prophet of a one-world religion and the Antichrist and his global governance. These oppose Christ, the Lamb of God, with the climax of their hate being the battle of Armageddon at Christ’s return, (Rev. 19:11-21). “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of Lords and King of kings,” (Rev. 17:14a). We will be in that victorious vanguard, “and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful,” (v. 14‬‬b). 

These are THE CALLED, “those who are with [Christ] are called.” They have heard the call of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit has summoned these to follow Christ. It is a work of grace that bids the spiritually dead to rise as Lazarus was called by Christ to come out of the grave.  Those who overcome have heard Christ’s call.

These are also THE CHOSEN, “those who are with [Christ] are…chosen.”  The Gospel call is to extend to all sinners, but is effectual only to those chosen—those who attest to that in their responding by faith to Christ. Our Lord taught, “For many are called, but few are chosen,” (Matt. 22:14). I think of the rich young ruler that our Lord called to follow Him, who sadly walked away. Those who overcome have been chosen and have heeded Christ’s call.

These are furthermore, THE COMMITTED, “those who are with [Christ] are…faithful.”  If you take the word faithful and turn it around it would define this attribute as those full of faith. These have not merely made a profession of faith, but are in possession of faith. The verbal commitment to Christ in their confession is validated by the visual commitment to Christ in their conduct. Judas Iscariot once identified himself as a disciple, but in the end proved his profession to be false.  He was overcome by the world, the flesh, and the devil rather than overcoming these as a true believer will. This is the perseverance of the saints. Those who overcome have been called, chosen, and are committed.

BE PREPARED!

When I was a young lad, I was part of the Boy Scouts. The motto was, “Be prepared!”  Concerning the second coming of Christ and the consummation of the age, that is to be the believer’s spiritual state also.  Our Lord declared, “ ‘Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.’ ” (Revelation‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬‬).

Prophecy is not given to us just for information—though God desires that we know the truth. Nor is it written to only bring inspiration—though it certainly should cause that. Most importantly, it is for preparation—that we would be ready for the Lord’s return—living in such a way to please Him.  There are three dimensions of being prepared that we see in this verse.

We are to be ALERT, “ ‘Behold, I am coming as a thief.’ “ Throughout my adult life, I have had a practical routine.  Before I leave the house, I lock the doors; before I go to sleep, I check to see that they are locked. Now, I have taken it a step further. There is an alarm that will be set and cameras installed to give warning should a thief break in.  I know that a thief will not send out a notice telling me that he is coming on a certain date and time. His arrival will be unexpected. So, will the return of the Lord Jesus. That call to be on the alert has been given and repeated for 2000 years, day after day. While unbelievers scoff, the child of the God knows today could be the day and stays on the alert!

Our attitude is to be ANTICIPATING, “ “Blessed is he who watches,’ “. Jesus declares a special blessing on those who are living with expectancy. We love Jesus and long to see His face. Think of a loved one who has gone on a trip. There is sorrow in not seeing them. But, as the day approaches for their beloved to return, there is an intensifying of that desire. When that day comes, there is a joyful embrace—overflowing emotion and great satisfaction. How does it make you feel that Christ could come back today?  Preacher, as you prepare to speak to your congregation, how does it affect you to know this could be your final sermon before we are all called to be with Jesus? 

That leads to a final point. We are to be ADORNED. The blessing is also for the one who, “ ‘keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.’ ” Paul wrote this:

“According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (1 Cor.‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬-‭15‬‬). 

It is a picture of someone awakened in the middle of the night by a fire consuming the house. They jump out of bed in their underwear or nightgown and flee the flames. There is no time to dress. If they are naked, they save their skin, but nothing else of value. We do not minimize being saved—even if there lingers the smell of smoke on us. Some will get to heaven—just in and nothing more. You might think now, “That is enough!”  But, when you stand naked before the Lord, you will think differently. While you will not be cast into eternal flame, your works will be burned up. It will be a lifetime of missed opportunities and wasted years.

Be prepared!

VICTORY IN JESUS!

No matter the challenges of the present, all believers are assured of conquest in the future. Ultimately, we have victory in Jesus!  It is an inexorable march of triumph over all the forces of hell. We see this in Revelation 15. 

Then, we will hear THE MUSICIANS, “And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God,” (v. 2). The victors form this mighty chorus. They play harps that echo through the holy halls of Heaven. 

Consider THE MESSAGE,  “They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!’ “ (v. 3). These are the saints who have been saved and the message in their music is to praise the Lord who has redeemed them. Two songs with one message are sung. 

“They sing the song of Moses,” extolling how God redeemed Israel from Egypt by the blood of the Passover Lamb. He brought Israel out from their bondage to make of them a covenant people. 

They also sing, “the song of the Lamb,” showing how that lamb of the Old Covenant was fulfilled by the blood of Christ on Calvary in the New Covenant, redeeming sinners from every tribe and tongue. 

The musicians and their message arise from THE MOTIVATION,  “Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.’ ” (v. 4‬‬). How can we help but reverence God and rejoice in Him—to bring glory to His name which is above all names!  He is holy, but has made a way for sinners to be made holy through redemption and regeneration, so that, “that He might be just and the justifier one who has faith in Jesus,” (Rom. 3:26).

Let’s warm up by singing E. M. Bartlett’s song, “Victory in Jesus!”

I heard an old, old story how a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory

Chorus

O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood

Verse 2

I heard about His healing, of His cleansing pow'r revealing
How He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit,"
And some sweet day I'll sing up there the song of victory.

Chorus

O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood

Verse 3

I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory,
And I heard about the streets of gold beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing and the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I'll sing up there the song of victory.

Chorus

O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood!

ENDURING TO THE END

We are not saved because we endure, but we endure because we are saved. The grace of God that saves us, secures us, and sustains us. Even though Revelation 14 speaks specifically of those who will come to faith in a future time of tribulation, it also applies generally to saints of all the ages, and their “patience,” that is, their perseverance, (v. 12-13).  Those who are blood-washed and born again belong to Christ and endure to the end.

We note their RIGHTEOUSNESS,  “here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,” (v. 12b).  Because we are kept by the grace of God, we are governed by God and keep His commands. As has been said, “Faith alone saves, but saving faith is never alone.”  Faith in Christ is the root of our salvation, but obedience is the fruit of it.

Further, we find their REST,  “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: ‘ “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” ’  ‘ “Yes,” ‘ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors,’ “ (v. 13a). The righteous who are faithful unto death need not fear death when it comes. If we are “in the Lord,” having a genuine relationship with Him, then we die in the Lord’s arms, as He rocks us to sleep, and carries us home.

Then comes their REWARD, “ ‘and their works follow them,’ ” (v. 13b).  The all-knowing God is documenting every deed done in His name and for His glory. Others may not take notice. We may never get recognition here, but we are assured of reward hereafter!  This reality is echoed in Hebrews 6:10,  “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

So, servant of God—press on!  Do not think about quitting!  So long as God keeps you here, keep true to Him, and He will keep you by His grace to endure to the end!

THE UNHOLY TRINITY

Satan is not very original. He seeks to mimic God, as he twists the truth. In the last days, there will arise an unholy trinity, as is pictured in Revelation 13. 

There is the dragon—Satan himself who is a perversion of the Sovereign God. He is the head of this unholy trinity. His is the power at work behind human government at the close of the age.

There is the beast—the Antichrist who is a distortion of the Son of God. There is even a counterfeit resurrection which brings awe to the  world, as they worship this man of sin.

There is the other beast—the False Prophet who is an imitator of the Spirit of God. As the Holy Spirit bears witness to Christ, this evil personage calls for the worship of the Antichrist. 

The result is that a world that rejects the witness of the Holy Spirit, by refusing the work that Christ has done in bringing salvation, and will not worship the True and Living God, will be given what they want—a false god from hell, and a false messiah as a demonic dictator of global governance, and a deceiving prophet that directs a one world religion.

While we can, let us shine the light of the Gospel. May we point people to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The church is to be salt, resisting the rot of sinful society. I believe there is coming a day when the church will be removed from the world, and then all hell will break loose. That time may be very near!

OVERCOMERS

Revelation 12 presents an overview of the great cosmic conflict between Satan and God’s people. His war against God is futile, as he has not even a sliver of a chance to overthrow the Almighty, so he rages against the people of God. Yet, we are overcomers, and Revelation 12:11 displays how we defeat the Devil. 

We overcome BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB,  “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb…”. The word Satan means, “the accuser,” as he is described in the previous verse. He wants us to stand condemned, yet we can stand in confidence, for the redeemed have the righteousness of Christ. Our sins are cleansed by the blood!

We also overcome BY THE WORD OF OUR TESTIMONY, “And they overcame him…by the word of their testimony…”. Believers can confess the truth that rests in the testimony of the Word of God. That is the Sword of the Spirit. Jesus showed the pattern perfectly in defeating the Devil in the wilderness by speaking the word of God. We may follow His example.

Then, we overcome BY THE COMMITMENT OF OUR ALL,  “And they overcame him…and they did not love their lives to the death.” What is the worst Satan can do to you? Kill you?  Then you just go to heaven and isn’t that wonderful! There the martyrs are crowned and celebrate the goodness of God. You cannot strike fear into the hearts of those who have such faith!

Martin Luther stated it thus in his hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”

1 A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

2 Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.

3 And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

4 That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still;

his kingdom is forever!