I apologize for their being no Musings last week.  Marlys and I were able to fly down to Dallas to spend some time with Beth (Greg was on a short term missions assignment in Brazil) and the boys.  Marlys left on Tuesday afternoon and I flew down on Thursday.  Of course that was just as the really big storm hit.  I was on one of the last flights before they closed the airport.  We had over two feet of snow on Thursday and Friday...glad I was in sunny, warm Dallas.  This is the most snow I have seen on the ground since we have moved to Minnesota eight years ago.  In our yard, we have over thirty inches, and piles several feet high.  It will take a lot of warm weather to get it all melted.  There is a brightness as the sun is reflected off the snow.  I trust the world is able to see the brightness of Christ reflected in my life.

 

I want to spend some time this week in Revelation 18.  This chapter is parallel with Revelation 17.  Both are describing Babylon.  Chapter 17 focuses upon the religious activities of Babylon - namely, the false religion that will dominate the world in the early days of the Tribulation.  Chapter 18 focuses upon the governmental and economic impact of Babylon - namely, the dominance that city will have over the world.  The Babylon described in Revelation 18 seems to refer to Babylon, the city that is situated along the banks of the Euphrates River.  Interestingly enough, it is a city that Saddam Hussein was pouring billions of dollars into rebuilding in the hopes that Christians would come from around the world to visit it.  I believe the city will be destroyed by the great earthquake that we read about in Revelation 16.

 

I.  Announcement of Judgment - Revelation 18:1-3

 

    A.  The key to the entire chapter is found in verse 2: "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!"  The emphasis in this chapter is on the judgment to come upon the city.

 

    B.  Babylon is fallen - the repetition is used for emphasis.  Though the event is future at the time this prophecy is spoken, because of the certainty of the event it can be said that is is already accomplished. 

 

    C.  Why is this judgment going to come upon Babylon?  It will be divine judgment for the utter wickedness of the inhabitants, specifically mentioned are kings and merchants.  One of the problems being the incredible wealth of Babylon.  It seems that the richer nations become, the less they rely upon God.  (compare with Ezekiel 16:49-50 - careless ease was the very reason God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah).

 

II.  Appeal in view of the Judgement - Revelation 18:4-8

 

    A.  Verse 4 calls for separation from Babylon.  As Lot had to come out of Sodom, so God's people will have to come out of Babylon before He destroys the city.  This is so that these people will not suffer during the destruction (Jeremiah 51:6, 45; Genesis 19:15-22).

 

    B.  Verse 5 records the measurements for the sins of the world during the Tribulation.  Babylon has a long history of accumulated sins and God has the record.  God remembers.  (Note: the word translated "piled" is the word meaning "glued" or "welded together"  It is used in Genesis 11:5-9 to describe the building of the Tower of Babel.  The bricks were "glued" together)

 

    C.  Verse 6 records what will happen when God pours out His wrath on Babylon.  She will receive double retribution.  This declares the enormity of her sins.

 

    D.  Verse 7 portrays the self-pride and complacency of Babylon.  Babylon has lived in luxury, in sensuality, and with the thought that Babylon was its own god. 

 

    E.  Verse 8 proclaims the coming judgment upon Babylon.  There will be death, mourning, famine and destruction by fire.  And all these things will happen in just one day.  Revelation 16:18-19 tell how Babylon will be destroyed.

 

III.  Anguish because of the Judgment - Revelation 18:9-19

 

    A.  In Revelation 17, when "Mystery Babylon" (religious Babylon) was destroyed, the kings rejoiced because now they could have their own way; in Revelation 18 there is no rejoicing when commercial Babylon is destroyed.

 

    B.  The kings mourn because - Babylon was great in the extent of its power and accomplishments and might in the strength of its rule.  But in spite of this, it fell in one hour. 

 

    C.  The merchants mourn because - they see the source of their "careless ease" vanishing before their very eyes; their businesses were drying up and being destroyed.

 

    D.   The sea merchants mourn because - Those who are dependent upon Babylon's wealth will weep and wail because of their financial losses.

 

IV.  Rejoicing in Heaven over the Judgment - Revelation 18:20-24

 

    A.  To men of business and politics, this destruction if a tragedy, a total bankruptcy; to heaven it is joy because the holiness and justice of God is vindicated.

 

    B.  Verse 21 clarifies the method of Babylon's destruction.  A great stone will fall upon the city.  The earth will open up and Babylon will sink into the earth, most likely into hell itself.

 

    C.  Verses 22-23 declares an end to the last great stronghold of Satan and his religion.

 

Thoughts to Ponder: Babylon was a great city.  In history it is remembered as one of the most beautiful of all cities.  Yet its destruction was complete when the Persians captured it.  In days yet future, Babylon will be rebuilt.  It will once again be glorious.  Its prosperity will be known around the world.  Its commerce and industry will blossom and flourish.  It will be the Wall Street of the end times.  Yet the presence of God will be absent there.  In fact, believers will be greatly persecuted there.  And once again God will cause its destruction.  I believe there is a lesson here.  It is too easy to build a security upon either financial or business success.  If we lay up for ourselves treasures on earth, they will be easily consumed.  If we place our hope for tomorrow on the riches of today, we have a misplaced hope.  Our confidence needs to be always directed toward the Lord.  Our hope is to be found in Him, not in our material resources.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: You can't be the salt of the earth without smarting someone.