GOD JUDGES BABYLON
Revelation 17:1-18:24
Key Verse: 18:20
“Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.”
Revelation chapters 17 and 18 is a further explanation of the fall of “Babylon the Great,” coming at the end of the 7-seals, 7-trumpets and 7-bowls of God’s wrath poured out on the evil world. In ch.16:19 – God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of His wrath. Outwardly, Babylon is impressive – rich, strong and attractive. But inwardly, it is corrupt, wicked, blasphemous, and abominable. Today’s message is about the nature, wealth, influence, and corruption of Babylon, and God’s mighty judgment on her.
PART 1 – THE PUNISHMENT OF THE GREAT PROSTITUTE (ch.17)
In our study of the book of Revelation, we have seen many scary judgments pronounced upon unrepentant sinners, whereas, God’s people are marked with God’s seal, protected and clothed with the righteousness of Jesus, and singing songs of victory. In this chapter, we see the climax of God’s judgment, when He judges Babylon – the mother of all the abominations of the earth. By God’s Sovereign plan, Babylon was totally destroyed (never to be found).
[vs.1] – One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters.
In this introduction by the Angel, we hear of this prostitute that sits by many waters. This is how best the Angel could describe Babylon – as a prostitute. Why so? Babylon is called a great prostitute because she leads the kings and people of the earth into adultery (vs.2). Just as a prostitute lures some men away from their wives, she lures kings of the earth away from the one true God to join her in the way of the world. To better understand this, we need to know what Babylon is, and what is this adultery mentioned here.
BABYLON – Babylon is a famous world power kingdom ruled by Nebuchadnezzar. Babylon was known for idolatry, materialism/wealth and oppression of God’s people.
Have you ever thought about the literal meaning of Babylon? Babilon (Greek rendition of Akkadian Bab-ilani) means “the gate of the gods,” It symbolizes the center of idol worship. Babaylon used in this revelation is symbolic, it is not an exact woman or place. It represents the world’s evil system, that lures/deceives people away from God, enticing them with the wine of her adultery, and for those who refuse what she offers, they are severely persecuted even unto death. The general goal of Babylon the great is to oppose God and His people.
For John the writer of this revelation, Rome was the Babylon of his day. Romans ruled the world. They encouraged idolatry and emperor worship, and strongly persecuted Christians. Today, if we think about Babylon, we can say it represents the ungodly world and false religions that are against Jesus Christ and against Christians. In the future, the antichrist world will be the Babylon of the time. But in the end, God will judge the earth, He will condemn every Babylon kingdom to eternal destruction, and establish a pure everlasting kingdom where Christ reigns forever with His faithful followers – you and me. We will no longer be in Babylon, but in The New Jerusalem – rejoicing. Halleluiah!!
ADULTERY – It is better to see this as spiritual adultery. Spiritual adultery is forsaking the proper relationship with God our Maker and chasing after idols/things. It is an act of desiring other things rather than God. So, the adultery of Babylon is simply idolatry / separation from God / love of the world and its pleasures.
1John 2:15-17 – 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
In vs.3-5, the Angel showed John a well-dressed woman sitting on a scarlet beast and holding a golden cup filled with abomination. Her name is – Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and abomination. The beast she sat upon had 7 heads and 10 horns, and was covered with blasphemy. From vs.1-5, we see that the woman sits by many waters and sits on the beast. The waters represent peoples and nations of the earth. Likewise for the beast – 7 heads represent the kingdoms and 10 horns represent kings of the earth. So the woman/prostitute is sitting over the people on earth. This tells us that there is an evil system ruling over this world, and its ultimate intention is to lure people away from God.
In our world today, there are many distractions that appear beautifully dressed, enticing people with a golden cup that shines on the outside, but inside it is a lot of abomination. Outwardly, Babylon is impressive – rich, strong and attractive. But inward, it is corrupt, wicked, blasphemous, and abominable. (Sinful pleasure is like a beautifully wrapped ticking time-bomb.)
Prov.14:12 – There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
While many people fall into the seductions of idolatry, sexual immorality, worldly wealth/acceptance/beauty/fame, many believers hold onto their love for God and faith in Jesus Christ. These ones are persecuted severely by the evil world.
[vs.6] – I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.
I will talk a little about Martyrs: Some of the most vicious persecution conducted against true Christians has been done in the name of the church. In the days when the Roman Catholic Queen Mary ruled England (she was known as Bloody Mary), some 288 Christians were burnt at the stake for their stand for Christian truth between 1555 and 1558. The first of these martyrs was a man named John Rogers, who, as he stood chained to a stake, and the fire rose around him, up to his legs and shoulders, he rubbed his hands in the flames as if he were washing his hands in cold water. Then he lifted his hands to the heavens and held them high until he was completely consumed by fire. Rogers went to the stake with such calm and dignity that the French Ambassador wrote that he went to his death “as if he was walking to his wedding.”
Another person of note in the history of Martyrs is Tertullian. The phrase “the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church” was coined by him. Romans wanted to execute Christians in order to discourage others from becoming Christian, but Tertullian believed that the number of Christians would only increase no matter the persecution. He said to the Roman empire; “..you can’t just exterminate the believers; the more you kill the more we are! The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church!” I would like to add that; the sacrifice/effort/sweat/discomfort/blood of Missionaries and Bible Teachers is the seed of next generation global leaders. Amen. Tertullian believed that the willing sacrifice of believers’/martyrs’ lives would lead to the conversion of many others.
I see a strange reason to rejoice here. Satan may persecute the church, but in the end he is losing much more. For someone here, you may be persecuted because of your godly choices and faith in Jesus; your health may be under satan’s attack, family may be under the same attack from satan, your finances may suffer, your mind/mental state may be troubled. But today, I admonish you in the name of God – rejoice! Because in the end, as long as you have come to this mission field in the name of The Lord Jesus Christ, you will have the eternal victory and last laugh! Amen!! This paragraph is my testimony. It is my current situation as a Missionary in America. Though I face a lot of scarcity and uncertainties, I believe that I have come in the name of The Lord, and I trust that in God I am victorious. God has been faithful in helping my family go through these tough times. We are in God’s hands – we are safe no matter what comes our way. As we face many temptations/persecution in this world, let us keep our faith in Jesus. In the end, our patient endurance will yield many fruits of next generation leaders for the kingdom of God. 1Cor.15:58 – my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
In vs. 7-18, the Angel explained to John the mystery of the woman and the beast she rides. There are different explanations of this revelation, but remember in vs.9, the Angel advised that we must approach it with wisdom. We need the wisdom of God to be able to understand His plan/revelation – His plan to put an end to evil and establish His righteous Kingdom forever. The beast represents different kingdoms/governments of the earth. In the last days it will be the antichrist government. vs.8 says – The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss.., ..it once was, now is not, and yet will come. These are similar words relating to Jesus Christ Who came to the earth, died and resurrected, and will come again the second time to rapture the believers. The beast is antichrist in that it is a false representation of Christ. Even though the beast once was and yet will come again, its final destination is destruction! (vs.11) And that’s the same destination for all who are deceived by the antichrist.
Vs.9b-14a shows the worldly alliance, where kings of the earth will come together as one beast, and wage war against The Lamb. The seven heads and ten horns of the beast had been explained as 7 kingdoms and 10 kings of the earth. It is not so easy to fully grasp this, some authors tried to explain the 7 kingdoms as the world empires (vs.9b,10a – The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come..): The 5 that have fallen represents the five world empires before John’s day: Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Medo-Persia, and Greece. ‘One is,’ this refers to Rome – the world empire of John’s day. ‘The other has not yet come,’ this refers to the one-world empire to come.
[12-14] – 12 “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
To avoid any confusion, we may conclude that the ten kings ruling for one hour with the beast represents the evil kingdom/government of this world, and it would be under antichrist rule in the last days. In the last days the antichrist with all the ungodly kings will gather with one purpose – to fight against Jesus Christ and the believers. [14b] – ..but the Lamb will triumph over them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings – and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers. No one can defeat the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. Believers are identified as His called, chosen and faithful followers. We have been called according to His purpose and chosen by His grace. The victory is not for Jesus alone, but for you and me and for all His called, chosen and faithful followers. Let us be faithful followers of Jesus Christ, and we will surely rejoice and partake in this eternal victory with Jesus.
Verses 16-18 tell us how Babylon’s fall came about. Surprisingly, Babylon will be destroyed by the beast and ten horns. They had coexisted for mutual benefit for a while. But the time comes when the beast and the ten kings hate the prostitute, Babylon. They bring her to ruin and leave her naked, taking away all of her wealth, clothing, and jewels. They even eat her flesh and burn her with fire bringing about her complete destruction. All this happens according to God’s Sovereign plan.
PART 2 – REJOICE, GOD HAS JUDGED HER (ch.18)
[vs.1-3] – After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted: “‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”
Ch.18 is an announcement about the fall of Babylon that happened in the previous chapter (ch.17). Babylon was judged by God because she led people into adultery – which we explained to mean idolatry and opposition to God. The kings and merchants of the earth practiced idolatry and the love of the world.
After the fall of Babylon was announced, believers were instructed to come out of her so as not to share in her sins and punishment.
[vs.4-5] – 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; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
This is an important warning to help some Christians who may humbly hear this and repent of all secret sins. Those trapped in sinful habits and dishonest schemes must come out of them. As we come out of Babylon, we transfer our attention to having deeper fellowship with Jesus Christ and other Christians. We need to keep a clear Christian identity while working and studying in this hostile Babylon world.
Jn.15:19b – As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. Though we Christians are in the world, we do not belong here. We are God’s people. As His people we have a different mindset, mission/ambition and lifestyle than the world. Ro.12:2 – Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..
2Cor.6:14,17 – Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?… Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
[vs.6-8] – 6 Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup.
7 Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit enthroned as queen. I am not a widow; I will never mourn.’
8 Therefore 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.
In vs. 6-8, we learn about the great double judgment that Babylon received from Almighty God. The punishment of Babylon would be greater than all the pleasures and glory she enjoyed. It is also sudden – vs.8 ..in one day her plagues will overtake her. Unrepentant sinners who constantly reject God’s warning, would also suffer terrible consequences greater than the pleasures of sin. But for the faithful believers, Apostle Paul writes in Rom.8:18 – ..that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
[9….19] – 9 “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her.
10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!’
11 “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore –
17 …“Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off.
19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’
The destruction of Babylon will be an open affair, visible to all. The smoke of her burning will rise, and all those who explored her benefits will be terrified and weep over her.
[vs.20] – “Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.”
While the evil world laments, the faithful believers rejoice. Apostles, Prophets and Martyrs who had suffered death and great persecution from Babylon will rejoice. Missionaries and Bible Teachers rejoice. We rejoice because God’s judgment brings an end to evil, and ushers in the eternal reign of Christ with the believers in God’s Kingdom.
[21-24] Like a stone that is thrown into the sea, Babylon/evil will be totally destroyed and gone forever, there will be no more killing of prophets and God’s holy people. There will be no more music, trade, light or wedding in Babylon, but in God’s Kingdom we will be rejoicing, singing, shining as the stars and enjoying the wedding feast with Jesus Christ forever.