THE BOOK OF REVELATION
~ The Revelation of Jesus Christ
Revelation Chapter 18
Revelation chapter 10 records certain events which will transpire just before the Rapture takes place. A message is given to prepare the living element of the Bride for their transformation to meet the Lord Jesus in the air. There will not be many Christians who will make it to the Rapture. No matter how many anointed servants of God are sent and no matter how many times the Word of God is preached, calling believers to flee and separate from apostate Christendom, the Roman Catholic Church will still prevail and prosper and the Protestants will still continue to thrive in their religious activities. The Foolish Virgins and many religious Protestant Christians will be left behind to face the wrath of the Antichrist.
In this 18th chapter we see a little more details concerning “the judgement of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters” (Rev.17:1) as the 144,000 Jewish servants of God preach their message — “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication” (Rev.14:6-8). The voice of the 144,000 “virgins” (cf. Rev.14:4) will cry out against the Babylonian system of the Organized Churches for the whole duration of the second half of Daniel's 70th Week. Their message is simple enough to understand by all who dwell on earth at that time: “Fear God…, give glory to Him… and worship Him”. Though it is not mentioned in this chapter, we know that God is primarily dealing with certain individual Faithful Jews and the Foolish Virgins during this period of time. Both these groups of people will be greatly affected by the ministry of the 144,000 and, in obedience to the Word, will then give their lives as martyrs. They are the great multitude “which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” that John saw standing before the Throne of the Lamb (Rev.7:14).
The Fall of Mystery Babylon
As the seven last plagues of God's wraths are poured out in judgement of the wicked and the Beastly system (Rev.16), the Apostle John saw the effects they had upon Mystery Babylon, the Great Whore (Rev.17). And finally John saw the vision of her great FALL.
Verse 1: And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
Verse 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.
In comparing this angel with the one in Revelation 10, many Christians believe this angel to be the Lord Jesus Christ in angelic form because of the following descriptions: “having great power”, “the earth was lightened with his glory” and “cried mightily with a strong voice”. In Revelation 10, the language used by the Apostle John was unmistakably clear for he knew Who he saw in that vision. However, the angel seen here is but only a very powerful and authoritative angel of a high rank or order. And the glory of the Lord accompanies him as he cries mightily with his strong voice, which will certainly strike awe and terror in people's hearts, as he proclaims around the world the message of the destruction and the fall of Babylon the Great.
As the Great Tribulation comes to an end, the 144,000 Jewish servants of God will have proclaimed the fall of the Great Whore. “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.” This will be the climax of their ministry.
Consider the great city of ancient Babylon and what had become of it (cf. Jer.50-51). Then compare it with religious Babylon. In ancient days, a great city provided good refuge. The city of Babylon was such a city. It was a large city with high and thick strong walls all around it. It was well fortified because it was wealthy and filled with much teasures and luxurious goods. It attracted people from all over the world. And the inhabitants of that city believed that the city was impregnable and would stand forever. This same belief is held by those who flock to religious Babylon. But the judgement of God came upon ancient Babylon and in one fell swoop the great city fell to the Medes and the Persians. It laid in ruins and became a desolate place for every bird of prey and scavenging animal. So shall it be with religious Babylon. Though used in a figuratively sense here, the meaning of the angel's proclamation remains the same, which is that of absolute desolation and utter ruin; a dwelling place for every unclean bird of prey and for demons (cf. Isa.13:19-22; 34:14-15). Even at this present moment the ecumenical union of this religious Great Whore and her religious Harlot Daughters have become the very abode of every foul spirit (which does every evil work) and the prison of every unclean and hateful bird (which gathers together to partake of the filthy carcasses — false doctrines, dogmas and creeds — that are lying out there).
Verse 3: For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
The great angel has announced the judgement and destruction of Babylon the Great. Unlike the immaculate Bride of the Lamb, the Holy City New Jerusalem, this woman, Mystery Babylon, has committed fornication with the kings of the earth and “by the wine of the wrath of her fornication all the nations have fallen; …and the merchants of the earth became rich by the power of her wantonness” (Bethel Edition). Undoubtedly, the merchandise of her religious wares of Indulgences, Mass, idolatries, superstitions and worldly compromises have created great wealth for herself and her merchants. The power of her voluptuous yet insolent spirit has attracted many to fornicate with her. Mystery Babylon is not only a harlot but “the mother of harlots”. Her daughters, the organized Protestant Churches, are just as guilty as her for they are drawn to “the power of her wantonness” and have become apostate. Together the whole apostate Church — Harlot Mother and Harlot Daughters — deserves the wrath of the last plagues of God.
God's Warning To His People
Verse 4: And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Verse 5: For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
Why, O why, are the Protestant Churches not obeying the Word of the Lord God? It is evident that they have departed from the faith. They are attracted to the wooing of their “good” mother, who will indeed gather all her daughters to her ample bosom as the end draws near. And the end is near! Like the city of ancient Babylon, Mystery Babylon the Great will surely fall! “Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence. Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad. Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed. We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies” (Jer.51:6-9 cf. 51:45-59).
To have fellowship with religious Babylon is to share in her sins and the plagues reserved for her and her followers. It is impossible to remain in her domain without guilt, “for her sins are heaped up even unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities” (Numeric N.T.). Yes, she has committed the most corrupting and grievous sins with her contemptuous disregard for and defiance of the Holy Word of God. She remains unrepentant. Are the fallen Protestant Churches any different? No, not at all! “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor.6:17-18). Selah.
Verse 6: Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
Verse 7: How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
What a whore! What evil! What pride! No wonder God will pay her back double for all her filthy evil works. She claims to be a queen on a throne and indubitably the world regards her as one because she dominates many rulers of world powers. She will have control over those who are in agreement with her, especially those in the prophetic world. No doubt, the rest of the world will feel the effects of her power because she possesses great wealth. She will definitely be in control of the monetary system of the European Union by virtue of her possessions. She will hold the reins of power over the Beast. The single Euro Currency system will definitely have powerful effects on the world economy. Yes, she is living up to her boastful claims, but her self-glorification will soon turn into sorrows (cf. Isa.47:7-10).
Verse 8: Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
This prophecy will soon be history. The handwriting is on the wall — “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN” (cf. Dan.5:25). The “queen” is “weighed in the balances, and art found wanting” (cf. Dan.5:27). And just as God had stirred up the spirit of the Medes and the Persians and moved them to overthrow ancient Babylon, so will He stir up the communistic spirit of the Ten Horns (Euro-Communism) of the Beast to turn against their “queen” and utterly destroy her. “And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled” (Rev.17:16-17 cf. Lev.21:9). Yes, religious Babylon the Great will have a great fall and will lay in ruins. She will be utterly consumed in one great catastrophe.
Earthly Lamentation Over The Desolation of Babylon
Verse 9: And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
Verse 10: Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
Overcome by the fear of the “torment” of the Babylonian Whore, the kings of the earth (who fornicate with her) will keep their distance and bewail her. And the Ten Horns, which destroy the whore, will now seize the power of the Great Harlot and gain control of the Beastly system.
Verse 11: And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
Verse 12: The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
Verse 13: And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
Verse 14: And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
Verse 15: The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
Verse 16: And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
Verse 17: For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
Verse 18: And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
Verse 19: And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
The kings of the earth who commit fornication with Babylon the Great will lament her fall. The merchants who grow wealthy on her traffic will lament the loss of their commerce and markets. They will bewail her fall because “no man buyeth their merchandise any more”. But what are the merchandise which make these merchants rich?
In the past, religion and business did not mix. Today, religion is big business. And where money is, politics follows. Religion has been highly commercialized and politicized. In paganism there are much superstitions. With Popery around, more superstitions abound. Superstitions generate money for both the commercial and the religious merchants. The commercial merchants sell religious wares and idols made according to the specifications of the Apostate Church, and the religious merchants sell Indulgences, Mass and other false and deceptive doctrines. The Popish Religion is both political and commercial in nature. She amasses luxurious goods and earthly treasures (verse 12) and also enslaves people (verse 13). It will not be long before she again calls the shots and dictates the world economy, much like what she did in past history during the Dark Ages — “A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny” (Rev.6:6). Yes, Babylon the Great is a rich, powerful and wicked woman; she enslaves people in her system and destroys their souls.
Heavenly Rejoicing Over The Desolation of Babylon
Verse 20: Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
Yes, heaven and the saints of God will truly rejoice over the destruction of that mighty city, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the earth.
Verse 21: And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
The symbolic action of the strong angel replays an intense picture of the act which Jeremiah commanded Seraiah to perform against ancient Babylon. “So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, even all these words that are written against Babylon. And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When thou comest to Babylon, and shalt see, and shalt read all these words; Then shalt thou say, O LORD, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever. And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates: And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah” (Jer.51:60-64). As ancient Babylon fell with a great violence and sank to rise no more, so shall be the fate of religious Babylon. Undoubtedly, the Vatican City, the very heart and icon of religious Babylon, will be destroyed with great violence by a consuming fire (perhaps an atomic blast) in the hands of the Ten Horns (Euro Communism).
Verse 22: And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
Verse 23: And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
Like ancient Babylon, religious Babylon is a place of great joy and delight, music and songs, and hum of many different activities. But all these will come to an end with the fall of Babylon the Great. “For thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.” The Romish clergymen are merchants who peddle false doctrines. They hold themselves up as great men who are able to forgive sins and use prayers to free the dead from purgatory (an imaginary place which Papal Rome has created). By their sorcery, trickery and hocus-pocus, they are deceiving the nations. They are all abominations in the eyes of the Almighty God. God has decreed that not even a little candle light shall be seen in her any more, and that total darkness shall overwhelm her completely.
Verse 24: And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
God is against the Great Harlot, the Roman Catholic Church, because the Satanic world system of Babylon has killed countless Christians and others who opposed her false doctrines and traditions. She is still on the rampage today, even supporting mercenaries to fight on behalf of those kings who fornicate with her. She is ready to kill anyone who stands on the Word of God. But the 144,000 Jewish servants of God will bring a message of judgement against her – “Babylon is fallen!” – and God will completely destroy this great “Mother of Harlots and the Abominations of the Earth”, including all her harlot daughters, the organized Protestant Churches.
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Revelation Chapter 19
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