REVELATION 19: 11-21 “THE RIDER ON THE WHITE HORSE“

In the closing  chapters of  the  Revelation given to  the apostle John,  he  is given  insight  into what happens at the end of time  as we know it, when  God’s judgment finally comes upon the whole earth.  It will be the  end of all   gospel preaching. It will  be the end of the great invitation for all sinners  to  be reconciled with God through Christ. It will be  the end of  God’s  great  mercy expressed to an unwilling and rebellious  people.   It will be the day of accounting. And it will be the beginning  of a new era for God’s  people. This era begins with  a  feast!

I remind you  again of the  scheme  and flow  of the  Revelation to John. Central  to the  Revelation  are  the visions of  three cycles of judgment  - seven seals (6:1-8:5), seven trumpets (8:6-11:19) and seven bowls (16:1-21). Each  cycle  represents the   time  between Christ’s  ascension and  His descension, and  the cycles occur with  ever increasing  intensity. Following this  comes  a revelation  of the end,  a vision  of  the  glorious redemption of all the saints and  of  the final destruction of all of God’s enemies -  the prostitute, the beast, the false prophet, and finally Satan himself.

It all begins  in  16:17. 

There we  see  the  judgment  of God  beginning  upon the great prostitute  - Babylon  -  the city of man -  the bride of the dragon (16:17-18:-24). This vision is then contrasted with  a vision of   heaven, and the gathered saints - the bride of Jesus Christ,  the church! (19:1-11). 

A Remarkable  Contrast!

* The beast has ten crowns (13:1), indicating that his kingdom is limited, while Christ wears many crowns/ diadems  (19:12).

*The beast has blasphemous names on his head  (13:1), while Christ has a name  called “King of kings and Lord of lords” (19:16).

*The dragon,  Satan gives the beast his power (13:2), while Christ, the Lamb’s  power and authority is  from God  the eternal Creator.  (5:12 etc.)

*The beast imitates  Christ  (who bears the marks of the cross  (5:6,12) and who rose again) through a fatal wound that is healed (13:3). 

*The beast seeks the worship of  the inhabitants of the world (13:4 etc.). But Jesus Christ is destined to be confessed  as   King of Kings and Lord of Lords (17:14).  He is the true  object of worship.

*The beast has been waging war on the saints (13:7) and  Christ now makes war on the beast.(19:11)

We noted then that  destruction  finally descends  upon  the great  prostitute,  Babylon, who has caused the  saints so much trouble. She is the city that symbolizes  and represents  every  city  in which immorality and greed  and all forms of ungodliness  are  welcomed. We have noted that heaven  rejoices over her destruction (18:20 à  19:1-5).  The only ones who weep for  the destroyed city  are  the kings  of the earth (18:9)  and the  merchants of the earth (18:11,15)   who had  made their living out of her, and whose identity was from her.  They are grieving  because their life  and their  livelihood is now gone.

Following  this  we find  the greatest love story ever told.  The  long suffering  bride of Christ, the church, which He purchased with His blood  (5:9-10),  has greatly suffered  in Babylon.  But now  she is united  with her great   bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ (19:6-10).  

It is a happy ending. 

It is the completion of a promise. The bridegroom has come to fetch his bride  that she may be  where He is (John 14:1-3).  Here  is the consummation of the marriage promised ages ago.  This  was foretold by Israel’s prophets, and  by Jesus in several of his parables.  NOW the time has come  when  God’s people ( metaphorically called the bride) WILL BE joined  to  their  Lord Jesus  (metaphorically called the bridegroom of the church).

Babylon’s destruction   ushers  in  the  wedding feast.  The time has now come for  church to be physically and actually  united to her  Saviour,   whom until this time  she  has  only  loved  by faith, and not by sight. Now is the time  in which the true church  will be  united with her  Saviour,   and it  all  starts  with a huge  wedding  banquet.  This is  a party  and a feast   beyond all human comprehension.  In some  measure  this  is  what we look forward to every time we celebrate the Lord’s supper. This is  what we ought to be  reminded of  every time  we attend a wedding.  

Have you received your wedding invitation?  “ Blessed are  those who are invited to the marriage supper of  the Lamb”  (19:9) 

What about those  who are not invited to the  marriage of the Lamb?

Texts like this  beg a question.   “What  will happen to those  who  have denied or refused  Christ  in the day when the gospel was preached?” The answer to that  is, “It will be terrible!” But before you  get very  discouraged  about that  thought,  remember that right now we are  still living in the  gospel age. “Behold, now is the favourable time; behold now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 6:2). This is  still  the  age of God’s mercy. 

We are still living  under the shadow of the cross. 

We are still living in the days of the outpoured  Spirit. He still  opens people’s  blind eyes and deaf ears.   So,  if you are thinking about your  loved ones that  do not worship  Christ,  do not loose heart! Pray and seek the Lord for their  salvation. Remember  Bible  promises  like Luke 11:13  and  Luke 18: 1- 8  and  Rev. 5:8 ; 8:3-4.  Remember that God  is  still in the business of answering our prayers.

Revelation 19: 11- 21 -  Two visions

(i)            First vision - 19:11-16 - The Lord  Jesus  Christ  on a white  horse, like  a  conquering king is ready to    defeat  His enemies.  He  comes to   strike  all the enemies of God – all those that  have opposed Him, inspired by their leader   Satan  (the dragon- Ch. 13 ),   and the  anti-Christ (the first beast) and the false prophet (the second beast). Christ appears on a white horse with the armies of heaven (v. 14)  who  are also seated  on  white horses.  The  horse is  for war. Notice  that  our Lord does not appear now  on the colt of a donkey[1]  but on a horse.  He does not now come as  the meek One, announcing the kingdom  of God and calling people everywhere  to repent  and believe the gospel.  No! He now comes  as a warrior and a judge. He is  fighting  a  battle that He will win.  His  personal appearance and His body language say it all. His eyes are like a flame of fire.[2]  He sees everything for what it is, even the   inmost thoughts of the human heart.   Nothing is hidden  before Him when He comes for judgment. He   is called  “ Faithful and True”. He is the Faithful One as He now comes on the clouds of heaven according to His Word, as he said He would (e.g Matt 24:30)  to meet the expectation of the  church of all the ages  that has been waiting  for His return. Jesus had spoken many  times about His second coming.  The prophets  and the apostles had spoken about His second coming. He is the True One.  Many false Christ’s  arose in His absence,  just as He said, and  according to His Word (e.g. Matt 24:4,5). When He returns,  the difference  between  the false christ’s and Him will be overwhelming!  

On His head He wears many  crowns (diadems)  symbolic of victories won in the past. This is not the first time that He has won the battle.  On the cross He already has overcome sin and  the devil.  

“… and  he  has a name  written that no one knows but himself.” This  name is no secret. It is in fact revealed in v. 16:  “On his robe and on his  thigh he has  a  name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”     

In v. 13 we read that the  Lord Jesus  is “clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and he  is called  the Word of God.”  We are immediately reminded of    5:9:  “worthy  are you … for you were slain, and  by your  blood you ransomed people  for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”  

A number of commentators think that  the  imagery here relates to  Isaiah 63:1-3 – a reference to the day of the Lord: 

“Who is  who  comes from Edom,  in crimsoned garments from Bozrah,  he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? It is  I , speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.  Why is  your apparel red, and our garments like his who treads in the winepress? I have trodden the winepress alone  and from the peoples  no one was with me. I trod them in my anger and trampled  them in my wrath; their lifeblood spattered  on my garments, and  stained all my  apparel clothing.”  

The image of  a robe dipped in blood corresponds  with the  last judgment  and  it appears  that  Isaiah  63 and John 19:11ff speak about the same thing. They  speak  about the terrible judgment of God  on all His opponents.

V. 14  “And the armies  of heaven, arrayed in fine linen  white and pure were following him  on white horses”.  When  the Lord Jesus  returns in judgment He does not come alone.  He will be accompanied by   His angelic army – just as He said in   Matt. 13:39-49; Matt  16:27; 24:31; 25:31.   

V. 15  Notice too, that this army  does not fight in the great battle. They  accompany  Christ  who will  simply strike the nations with his  Word[3] and rule them with a rod of iron[4]!  He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty  alone[5]!   

(ii)      Second vision - Vv.17- 21 :    An angel  makes a gruesome  announcement.  This    sounds  similar to what we read of in Ezekiel  39: 17 -19. Here  Ezekiel   speaks  of a coming judgment, in which the birds  will feed upon the flesh of those defeated by the God of Israel. John links this picture  with  the day of judgment.  

Note  the  irony!  In the first 10 verses of  Ch.19 John speaks of the great blessing  of  being invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. In verses 11 and following  there is a   “feast of judgment”. For this feast,  the LORD  issues an invitation to the birds, “Come and dine!”   All who reject the   free offer of Christ  will  be handed  over to the birds!  They won’t be guests. They will be the main course!

Here follows  the  climax (Vv.  19-21). The servants of the devil  will now suffer the full consequences of their actions. In this  last battle ( called  Armageddon – 16:16)   the beast and the false prophet do their utmost to destroy the church,  when  suddenly  the Lord Jesus appears!  We read that  the beast  and the false prophet  were  captured  and thrown into the lake of fire, to be tormented forever and ever. All those who  have  followed the beast and  who bear his mark   will be consumed by the wrath of God, their remains will be eaten by  the birds.

Summary 

The prostitute  has been judged; the   anti-christ  (the first beast)  is  now judged, and the false prophet ( he second beast )  is now  judged.  All those who serve them will be judged.  In chapter 20 we will  see  Satan  judged.

The second coming of Jesus Christ is  wonderful good news  for all those invited to the marriage supper of Christ the Lamb.

Those who  have ignored the  message of Christ and who have  mocked His word  and who have refused  to come to Him  to have life will  then be judged  by Him.

Be warned. If you are not trusting in Christ for your salvation now,  you cannot standin the dy of His wrath. You will be handed  over to the wrath of the Lamb. 

You now know what awaits you.

Right now it is not  too late  to   respond  and to receive that  invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb.  

I beg you to flee  to Jesus Christ this very moment  before that day comes when He shall be your Judge, and not your Saviour.

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[1]  Luke  19: 28- 38  à Zech. 9:9

[2] See also 1:14

[3] Isa 49:2 ; 11:4

[4] Psalm 2:9

[5] Isaiah 63 

REVELATION 19: 1-10 “ARE YOU INVITED TO THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB?“

It has been a while now since we have  been in the book of Revelation  and  it  would  be helpful if  I  gave you a  short summary  in terms of what  we have considered previously  as we are now rapidly heading towards the end of this  great part of (often neglected) Scripture.  The  Revelation has been given to the church to remind her  that she  exists  in the midst of  a gigantic spiritual war. The Revelation  assures us of the outcome: “They will make war on the Lamb,  and the Lamb  will conquer them, for he is the  Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called chosen and faithful.” (Rev. 17: 14)

I  remind you then that the  Revelation to John begins  with a focus  on  the struggles of the church (Rev. 2&3)  against  the deceptions  of  false teachers ( 2:6, 15,20ff)  and as she is at the mercy of  the satanic  persecutions of  the synagogue of Satan (jealous  Jews – 2:9; 3:9)  and of the  Roman empire.   All this provides a general picture  of the experience of  the church  in all the ages. 

Before we consider  Rev. 19,  and  the thrilling account of the marriage supper of the Lamb (19:7,9,17) we    need to take  note of  the  contrast  between the bride of Christ (19:7) - the church  and  the great multitude  (19:1,6) preparing  to meet  her  heavenly bridegroom (the  Lamb 19:7,9) and the great  prostitute  Babylon, the bride of the dragon   who  is  committing spiritual adultery with  the nations ( 17: 1-2,5;15-16).  This is the war between the bride/  Christ  and the prostitute/ Satan.  

In order to  appreciate this contrast  between the  bride of Christ and the bride of the dragon, we  must go back to  Rev. 16:17-21 ,  the  account of the 7^th bowl  of  God’s wrath poured out.  The 7 bowl judgments  are  the last of  the three  cycles of judgment found  in the  Revelation to John,  the other two being the seven seal judgments  and the seven trumpet judgments.

We saw  that the 7^th bowl  judgment splits  Babylon into three parts,  along with all of the cities of the nations   which were linked to Babylon  (16:19).  Babylon is  then  introduced  as  the great prostitute  in Ch. 17.   In 17:9 -10 we learn that  this  immoral  city  is seated  upon seven  mountains. We are told  that from  this city  a series of 7 influential kings (5  who had fallen by this stage) had ruled their  evil authority  (17:9-10).   John and the readers of his day knew that this city  referred  to Rome . Rome was  now the symbolic “Babylon”, for  Babylon in the  eyes of  the OT  Jews  had  always been understood to be a  city of  oppression, persecution  and  humiliation  for  the Jews.  Rome had become a highly immoral city and  she exported  her vileness to the nations. Her emperors  hated Christians , because  by their lives and testimonies they condemned  their practices of the  Roman  empire. This was the case also with the Babylon  which in OT times  was a thorn in Israel’s flesh. She was  depicted by  Israel’s prophets as the epitome of  godlessness,  and the  prophets foresaw  a day when under the wrath of God,  Babylon  would  fall and  be repaid for all her sins.  This is what  Rev. 17-18 is all about!

Revelation 18 describes the  fall of Babylon and  the subsequent  responses  of both and heaven (18:1-8; 21-24) and earth (18:9-20) in response  to the judgment of God  upon Babylon.   Heaven  rejoices  at her judgment  but the earth (all those who had loved  and depended  upon the prostitute) weeps and wails and mourns   over  her  loss (18:9,11,15,18)  because in so doing  they that loved the prostitute  have lost all their wealth! That which the lovers of the prostitute  lived for was now  gone.  The closing verses of chapter 18  describe a mighty  angel   crushing Babylon with a millstone  (18:21-24). All this is  a reminder  and an encouragement to the saints  to be patient and to persevere. It is an assurance that the  great prostitute  which has made the life of the church so difficult on earth , and who has  killed  many  saints  will be  crushed by God. Her fate is sealed, her doom is sure.  This brings  us  to  Rev. 19:1-10, the vision of  the church, the bride of  the Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation  19: 1-10

[19:1] After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,[2] for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute  who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” [3] Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”

Whilst  Babylon,   the city of man has been prospering and going from  strength to strength in her iniquity, mocking, persecuting, seducing  and killing the saints, God has not been idle. In the midst of  the prostitutes deceptions  upon the people of the earth,  God  has always been in the business  of  gathering the church, the elect of God  over  all the ages. He has been  preparing a bride for his Son, and as  the end  of  the great prostitute -  Babylon is  now complete, the kingdom of God  and the  long- awaited   “marriage supper  of the Lamb” is about to  happen. The picture of  the  destruction of the prostitute (which was begun in 16:17ff)  now gives way to the picture  of the marriage of the Lamb, and heaven’s citizens celebrate with frequent  hallelujah’s !  (see  19:1,3,4,6)

In Rev. 18:20,  we find the first invitation  from  God  to begin the celebration: “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints,  apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment  for  you against her.” Justice is finally done! God has now avenged the blood of all those who have suffered for righteousness sake at the hands of the  great prostitute. God has  avenged  all those  who remained poor in spirit[1] (humble)  while the  prostitute  made her people to boast  in their own glory. God has avenged  all those who mourned over sin  while the prostitute made  her people revel  in sin; God has avenged  all those who remained meek while the  prostitute taught  her  to  be  proud and self- assertive;   God has avenged all those all those who hungered and thirsted after righteousness while the prostitute taught her people  lawlessness ;  God has avenged all those  who were merciful, while the prostitute  taught her people self -centeredness; God has avenged  all the pure in heart  whilst with the help of  the prostitute  many people  set up idols in their hearts;  God has avenged all the peacemakers  whilst the prostitute  currently stirred up war and strife among the nations.  God has finally avenged all  those  who were  persecuted  and harassed  while  the prostitute   caused her customers to live  in a fool’s paradise.  I am  quoting Jesus words in the beatitudes, and He concludes: “Great is their reward in heaven”  (Matt 5:  2- 12).  

Notice too that this is no small group rejoicing in heaven. John describes them as a great multitude  ( 19:1,6  - see  also  Rev. 7:9 -   “ a great multitude  that no one could from every nation, tribe, people and language”).  All of them have come out of the great tribulation, which is the entire period of time between the first and second coming of Jesus Christ.  The true church  has  suffered  on earth,  but  her  time has now come to celebrate! The  church is  finally at rest – Hallelujah!

[4] And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!”  The worship and the praise  goes as always  to God, and  we note in verse 5 that immediately after their “Amen!” another voice is heard, directing the  church in heaven  to worship the God who has delivered  His people from their enemies: “And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.”

The destruction of Babylon  is a  cause for celebration[2],  for the church has entered into her promised rest  (Hebrews  3:7 - 4:13), but there is more  to that celebration  than this. Here is  the beginning of the consummation- that which happens when  a marriage is formalized. And so we read in vv. 6 - 7: [6] Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God  the Almighty reigns. [3][7] Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.”

A wedding is a  time of celebration  and fine dressing. And so we read:  [8] it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. Please note:

·       the wedding garments are said to be given to the bride by her groom before the wedding.[4]

·     Clothed in His righteousness  the church   shows  evidence of her  love for Christ  through the showing of her righteous deeds. The church is  not only righteous by proclamation; she is also righteous by demonstration!  …” we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2:8-10) One way in which the bride prepares herself for the marriage  feast is by remaining faithful to her bridegroom is to resist  the seductive ways of the prostitute and by living righteously.

Jesus  transforms His people  into a radiant, spotless church,  something which Paul  points out   in Ephesians 5:25: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”

With the time for the wedding now at hand, we read in verse 9 : “And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”  

In Matt. 22:1-14 / Lk 14:15-22, Jesus told a parable about a  wedding banquet, in which a  king invites a number of people  to the wedding of his son, but they say that they   are too busy to attend. Here in John’s vision, the people in Jesus’ parable who refuse to come to the wedding would be those who would rather serve the beast and the prostitute.

Since Christ’s invited guests  (Israel) will not come, we read that the king “said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.” In fact, Jesus goes on to speak of how the king provided his guests with appropriate wedding garments. So here is the wedding  invitation from God to attend the wedding of his Son. But this invitation is not that of a guest, but as a bride!

To all of you who are trusting in Jesus Christ through faith alone, you have received your invitation to the marriage supper of Christ the Lamb. And we are invited to this wedding not merely as guests or spectators. We are invited to become Christ’s own glorious bride: “radiant, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb! Amen.

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[1] See Matthew  5:2-12  ( Beatitudes)

[2] This doesn’t mean that God has not ruled  over all prior to this moment. Of course he did. But until this moment, God has ruled according to his long-suffering mercies, allowing evil to run its course, even allowing the dragon, the beast, the false prophet and the harlot to persecute his people. No longer. God’s wrath is now complete.

[3]  The “Lord God Almighty reigns.”  Should be translated as   “The Lord God Almighty has begun to reign!” (an ingressive aorist tense ,  not a present tense). John hears the great multitude shouting “Hallelujah!” with great intensity because something dramatic and climatic has happened .

[4] In Isaiah chapters 61-62, the prophet speaks of God giving to his people, Israel, fine wedding garments, which are said to be “garments of righteousness.”

REVELATION 18: 1-24 “THE FALL OF BABYLON “ #2

Last time  we saw in John’s context  that Rome was the great prostitute seated on 7 hills (17:9)  which rides on the beast, the Roman empire, which  brought prosperity  to the nations  through the Pax Romana ,  but to the Christian church Rome  brought  much suffering. A Roman instituted king called Herod  wanted Jesus killed . A  Roman  governor called Pontius Pilate  handed  Jesus  over to Roman soldiers to be crucified.  The apostle Paul  was killed by the Romans. So were many of the  apostles  and Christian people.  Rome,   for John was a prototype of Babylon,  the scourge of  ancient Israel, which became     the  symbolic city of  sinful man which stood against  God and  His people .

In addition  to this  she was a temptress. Her  many  seductive attractions  and features  were used by  Satan, and the antichrist and the false prophet  to  seduce  the kings of the earth, (17:2,5,15).  But in the end, we have seen   that  when she has served her purposes, she will be hated and discarded.  (17:16)This is what happens to a prostitute . She is loved by everyone, and then she is loved by no one . At the end of her usefulness she is thrown away.  

This is   now described in greater detail in  the 18^th  Chapter, following   17:16 .  

The destruction of Babylon   is a part of the “7^th  bowl judgment” (16:17-21), which  represents  the final cycle of judgments in the  Revelation of  the Lord Jesus to John.  With this judgment  the  wrath of  God  is complete.  With it, the  end of the world, as we know it, has come.

What about God’s people at this time?   Just as  God spared His people in the midst of His terrible wrath poured out upon Egypt  by  the 10  plagues (Exodus  7-12), so also   God will  spare His people  from  His  wrath  upon the earth  at the end of times.  His people  are marked and  sealed in  the name of Christ[1]. However,  all  those who worship the beast and  who bear his mark [2] will bear the full fury of God’s wrath.

I want to repeat something important. The logic of the book of Revelation  teaches  us that  the church in every age   between Christ’s ascension and descension  (or the second coming) goes through  tribulation.  This was the purpose  of  Revelation 2&3 – to show us the  various sufferings of the church in all ages . The faithful church is  kept by the power of God  in all   her tribulations .    During the final battle  at  a place called  “ Armageddon”[3]   (16:16), just before Christ’s  second  coming ,  the nations  shall gather  with the intent to  destroy the people of the Lamb of  God (17:14), and as they do this , the angel  pours the 7^th bowl of God’s wrath  upon the world.  Babylon,  the  city of man  and the cities of the nations (16:19)  will be judged (Ch’s 17 &18) at this time.

During this time  the  people of God will exist and live  in their midst (as we do today!) , but    those who hear the  warning words will come out of her  (18:4)- just as Abraham avoided the sinful  cities of the plains , Sodom and Gomorrah where his nephew Lot had lived.  God’s people  will  continue to be on earth during the time of this severe tribulation , and God keeps them in that  situation as he also kept His people in the time of the 10 plagues upon Egypt. 

I mention  this  because there  is an eschatological  view [4] that  maintains that   the people of God  (the church) will be taken out of the world  (raptured)   by the Lord Jesus before  the final , great tribulation after which, they say ,  there will be a period of seven years of  great tribulation for the world.  After 7 years of terrible suffering , it is said  that the Jesus will return  to establish  His millennial  kingdom[5] (a golden era on earth), after which Satan will be  freed for a short time  to  do more of his destructive work,  after which  Jesus  finally defeats him and  sends him into eternal hell.  

However  this is not  the  flow and logic of the Revelation to John.  The Revelation certainly teaches  that  the church goes through tribulation at all times, BUT at all times  we are assured that  the Lord keeps His people.  Even those who lose  their lives for the sake of the gospel , are not forgotten . They are  kept safe  in heaven, awaiting the judgment of the wicked  and resurrection of the body  at Christ’s  return.  Judgment day occurs when Christ comes back.

What about the 1000 years – the  millennial age of  peace and prosperity  upon the earth?   The millennium  certainly is not a time of peace and prosperity  for those on the earth, but we can certainly say  that  peace and  tranquility is certainly experienced  by those who are now in heaven , who have entered in His  promised rest ( Hebr.11:13-16;39-40 )  

Why do we make   this such a big issue ? Pastorally speaking this is an important point !  Jesus through  John  offers hope and perspective  to  the persecuted  church  in the time of His absence.  He shows  us that  God is not indifferent  to the  sufferings of his people. He is pouring out temporary judgments upon the earth, and He is directing  everything  to a final end. In the end  His people will be vindicated   when  all  evil shall be cast into eternal hell . We have reason to believe that  this knowledge  not only brought tremendous comfort to John’s immediate readers but also  to us  who are currently looking at the state of the world and who are asking , “How long, oh Lord , how long ?” The  Revelation reminds us again and again : Jesus  will reign!  The Lamb of God will triumph in the end!

Revelation 18  

In  the closing verses  of  Revelation 17:15-18, John had already  announced  what the end of the great prostitute would be.  It is ironic that  the  lovers of the prostitute  (the kings of the earth) whom she had seduced will in the end  hate her and destroy her, and then ironically  again,  mourn her loss.

When the news of Babylon’s destruction is announced there are two  responses:

(i)                Heaven’s  response  in Rev. 18:  1-8 & vv.20 -24

(ii)              Earth’s response  Rev. 18:9-19 -  the lament of those who profited from the great city and who participated in her idolatry.

1.     Heaven’s Response : ( Vv 1-8) 

V.1, “After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven having  great authority, and the earth was made bright with  his glory. And he called out with a  mighty voice : “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!” The doom of  Babylon was first  announced in  14:8 .  These are images of  Jeremiah 50 &51. Israel’s  prophets foretold that  Babylon and other cities  that oppressed the   people  and the work of  God in this world  would be destroyed by  God. All these OT images are  pictures   of what will happen to Babylon – the sinful city of man , the abuser of God’s people at  end of time.  Note the angels words in  vv 2-3.  The city of man  with all its seductions and glitter  and attractions  has become a haunt of demons.  Her beauty is  gone .  She  has become   exposed  for what she actually  is – a demonic  haunt ! 

A second voice from Heaven : vv 4- 8 : “Then I heard another voice from heaven saying : Come out of her, my people, lest  you take  part  in her sins, lest you share in  her plagues; for her sins are heaped  up to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities .”

This is  a  commandment and a  warning to God’s people,  to flee from the city  of man before God’s wrath  is poured out upon her rains down upon her (see  Jer 51:45ff ; Isa  52:11). John  stands in  the line of these prophets,  as he repeats this message for his and for  our present day. 

Remember that we are strangers and  aliens in this world (Hebr.  11:13; 1 Peter 1:1,17;2:11).

We are not at home. We live  in exile  in the city of man. We  are pilgrims through hostile territory (John Bunyan) . We are  on our way to the heavenly city  whose Designer  and Builder is God (Hebr.11:10). While it is true  that we take  our journey  in this life seriously , leaving  this world in a better shape than we have found it (fulfilling the cultural mandate)[6]  , we know that  we are destined for this better city . Our greatest challenge is  this great prostitute which continuously  seeks to  seduce us  away from our bridegroom , the Lord  Jesus Christ  and from our final goal – the heavenly city.   Here we are warned not to  be enticed, and  Jesus words  need to  be vivid reminders of  how we need to  do that ( see Matt 5:27-30). John warns us here in Revelation 18  that  the city of man (Babylon)  will be  judged  by God , and if  we  are involved in her sins  we too shall be judged with the wicked city . 

This is why the angel  says  in  vv  6-8, “ Pay her  back as she herself  has paid back others, and  repay  her  double for her deeds…” . Payback time will come  , and it  a  frightening picture of what awaits  those who have loved the city of man more than the city of God  - who have  chosen  in a rather short sighted manner  to live in this soul deadening  luxury  ( see Luke 16:19-31 – the rich  man and Lazarus).

2.      The response of the earth  as they hear of the fall of Babylon ( Vv 9-19)

In verses 9  & 10  we read :  “And the kings of the earth , who committed  sexual immorality  and lived in luxury with her, will  weep and wail over her when they see the  smoke of her burning…” . The kings of the earth loved the prostitute   because she provided them with a luxurious  and lavish lifestyle .   But her destruction comes fast  – “ in an hour” . And now there is a vacuum – it is all gone !  All is up in  smoke ! They feel a sense of dreadful loss. 

And not only the kings , but also the merchants ! ( vv 11-17) … “And the  merchants of the earth  weep and mourn for  her , since  no one buys their cargo  any  more….  ( Note … this included human souls – slave trading - v. 13) There’s a terrible sense of loss  and a resultant  emptiness here , for what do you have  if you only have these things  and no God ? What do you live for  when your riches are gone?  Do you see their dilemma ?  What does your heart hope in and long for ?

The global extent  of  the losses becomes even more  apparent in 17 b. :  “And all ship masters  and seafaring men ,  sailors, and all whose trade is on the sea   stood far off and cried out  as they saw the  smoke of her burning…” .  They join the kings of the earth and the merchants in a  great outpouring  of   grief !  “ Alas , alas, for the great city… in a single hour she has been laid waste ! ( v.  19)

Heaven rejoices ! (v.20)

Now note  the  response of heaven once again: v.20: “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you  saints and apostles and prophets, for  God has given judgment  for you against her.”  Here is your comfort ! Years of abuse will be vindicated!   And so with the knowledge that heaven rejoices while the earth mourns, John now describes the tragic, but inevitable end of the great city.

V. 21 ff: “Then a mighty angel took up  a  stone  like  a great  millstone and threw it into the sea, saying:  So will  Babylon the great city  be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more…” Her end is certain, the judgment upon her will be complete. Nothing will remain of her. 

The lesson is clear !  

·       Don’t trust  in that which the great prostitute has to offer !

·       Remember that  her  beauty is false and her wealth  is fake !

·       Remember  that all those   who are enticed by her  will  feel  a great sense of loss as the centre of their existence  is  ripped out under their feet .

·       Christians must  be vigilant and not get caught up in her  schemes . Christians  lead  productive lives  and change their world on the way to the heavenly city .

·        John  will make clear in   chapter 19  that  true riches and  satisfaction can only be found in Jesus Christ. Jesus  has died for His bride, purifying her from every sin, and Jesus provide her with a perfect righteousness.  While the bride of the beast (the prostitute ) faces certain destruction, the bride of Christ is being prepared for a glorious feast, the marriage supper of Christ the Lamb.

What will it be for you ?

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[1]  The mark of the Lamb : Rev  7:3,4; 9:4 ; 15:2 ;  These are the same  whose names are written in the  Lamb’s book of lifeà   Rev 3:5;13:8;17:8; 20 :12 ;21:27

[2] The mark of the beast :  Rev. 13:16-17 ; 14:9 ; 16:2 ;19:20; 20:4

[3] “Har Magedon” – literally means   “ Mount of Assembly”

[4] Pre-millenialism

[5] They base this upon Revelation 20

[6] Genesis 1:28