CHRIST AND THE FALL OF BABYLON. CHAPTER S 17-19 (1 John 2:17) _This is the sixth parallel section. The central idea is: "The world and everything in it that men desire is passing away." We once again return to the First Coming. Chapter 17 shows the nature and history of the prostitute; chapter 18 s... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THIS I SAW ANOTHER ANGEL. Angels are sent to announce God's decree, and to carry out his work. GREAT BABYLON HAS FALLEN! Compare Isaiah 21:9; Jeremiah 50:2; Jeremiah 51:8. The angel uses the "historic future" to speak of Babylon's coming fall as though it had already happened. The emptiness an... [ Continue Reading ]
COME OUT, MY PEOPLE. Notice that God has people living in Babylon. God's people in all ages are commanded to _come out of Babylon. (Compare_ Isaiah 48:20; Isaiah 52:11; Jeremiah 50:8; Jeremiah 51:54; Zechariah 2:7; 2 Corinthians 2:16-17_.)_ Since Babylon is the World, as a center of _seduction,_ God... [ Continue Reading ]
AND GOD REMEMBERS HER WICKED WAYS. It may look like God has forgotten, but he has not!... [ Continue Reading ]
PAY HER BACK TWICE AS MUCH. She deserves what she will receive!... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR SHE KEEPS TELLING HERSELF. In the vision, Babylon is proud and arrogant. (_Compare_ Isaiah 14:13-14; Isaiah 47:8; Jeremiah 50:29.)... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE OF THIS. Because she is proud and boastful, her plagues will all strike her in one day (symbolic of sudden, complete destruction). The Lord God, whom she has opposed, is very strong!... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KINGS OF THE EARTH. The kings (men of influence) cry and weep when they see her destroyed. They shared her immorality and enjoyed her luxuries. Notice they stand _a long way off_ because they are afraid.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BUSINESSMEN OF THE EARTH. The businessmen cry and mourn, because their goods have suddenly become worthless! Most of the list of goods are luxuries for a pleasure-mad world! These include _slaves and even men's souls._ Fortunes have been made through the "seduction of the world." Notice these bu... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE SHIP CAPTAINS. Those who make their fortune by the sea (exporters, importers, fishermen, pearl-divers, etc.). They throw dust on their heads as a sign of sorrow and grief. AND IN ONE HOUR SHE HAS LOST EVERYTHING. Babylon's fall happens again and again throughout history. The fall of Babylon... [ Continue Reading ]
BE GLAD! The world makes God's people suffer (_see note on_ Revelation 2:20). God will judge the world in vengeance! He does this again and again by making Babylon fall.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN A MIGHTY ANGEL. The large stone is _thrown down_ to the bottom of the sea where no one can retrieve it! This is symbolic that Babylon will be found "never again!" [God continually judges "society" because "society" persecutes and harms God's people.] FALSE MAGIC, Compare Isaiah 47:9-15. The "gl... [ Continue Reading ]
PUNISHED BECAUSE THE BLOOD. Babylon is "stained with the blood" of prophets and God's people. This requires God's vengeance! Also, this is another reason to think of Babylon as past, present, and future, rather than just a city or power at the "end time." _Heaven celebrates God's victory over the pr... [ Continue Reading ]