CHAPTER 18: BABYLON IS DESTROYED

> Read Revelation 18 <

We see in this chapter where “Babylon” is destroyed.  The entity we have identified as “Apostate Israel” consumed in the World is burned up because they rejected Christ.  What moves forward in opposition to God is the Beasts (governing system), Death and the Satan (dragon).

STUDY NOTES

Verses 1-4: We have a proclamation for a need for Judgement to come on the city.

Verses 4-5: The phrase “come out of her my people” speaks to the fact that Jerusalem is about the be punished.  Similar to the story of Lot being told to leave Sodom (Book of Genesis), so Judgement is coming and the Genesis story alludes to the type of judgement.

Verses 6-7: Sin is listed, discussed, and given reason for the severity of the punishment.

Verses 9-19: We find the kings and merchants weeping and wailing, not for the loss of the city, but for their own losses.  There is much fear as the merchants watch the city burn.  The city is completely gone (like Northern Israel tribes) and other complete judgements.

Verse 20: God’s people rejoice in the justice God renders to those who have rejected Christ.  We must keep in mind that Judgement comes to those who do not believe in Christ and have fully rejected Him.  Faithful people… faithful Israel… are not included in the Judgement.

Verse 21: An angel takes up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea.

This is symbolic and recalling Jeremiah 51:62-64: “O LORD, You have said concerning this place that You will cut it off, so that nothing shall dwell in it, neither man nor beast, and it shall be desolate forever.’  When you finish reading this book, tie a stone to it and cast it into the midst of the Euphrates, and say, ‘Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more, because of the disaster that I am bringing upon her, band they shall become exhausted.’”

We also see a reference to Matthew 17:20 where Jesus said with the faith of a mustard seed you can move a mountain (paraphrased) and toss it into the sea.  By faith, the remnant will hold onto faith and be able to withstand the judgement.  Faith is the key here and those who are of God’s people will be seen through these trying times and can overcome.

Verses 23-24: The chapter concludes with a  more allusions and  reasons for the destruction to she who is called Babylon.

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