Revelation-18-Bayblon Has Fallen

Tonight we continue the study of Revelation.

Revelation 17 and 18
INTRODUCTION
Good evening, everyone!

We are so delighted that you joined us once again for this midweek service here at First Assembly. I pray that you are growing stronger in your understanding of the Word of God.
We are winding down now at the end of our study of Revelation, and soon we will see the total triumph of Christ over all of creation.
Tonight, however, we are going to continue looking into the end of the tribulation period and gain some understanding of the figures represented here.
TRANSITION
Look with me here at the following chapters as we identify key information.
APPLICATION
1. The Great Harlot (17 vs. 1-6)
- In our text, we see a woman who is identified as the Great Harlot, or as the old KJV says in much stronger language, the Great Whore.
NOTE: Usually a woman in symbolism denotes a religion or religious system (ie. The woman and Israel, the Bride of Christ, and this woman.
- We also know that whoredom or harlotry in the symbolic sense does not mean sexual. It means idolatry, or departing from the ways of God. Jeremiah and the other prophets tell us this. It’s in a sense “cheating on God” and breaking covenant with Him.

-This is unification of all false, idolatrous religion, with representatives from apostate Catholicism, Protestantism, as well as a smorgasbord of other religions of the world.
- “The woman pictures false religion that will dominate the world in the tribulation period.” (Hocking) Many people like to identify this great harlot with the Roman Catholic Church, but false religion is not limited to any one church.
- “That Rome and the Romish system are involved, may readily be admitted; but that this is all, and that the sudden fall of Great Babylon is simply the fall of Romanism, or the utter destruction of the city of Rome, must be emphatically denied.” (Seiss)
- The inhabitants of the earth were made drunk: Religious Babylon intoxicates kings and peoples. Karl Marx was partly right when he said, “Religion is the opiate of the masses.” He was partly right because empty religion is the opium of the masses.
- Made drunk with the wine of her fornication: The idea of fornication often has strong associations throughout the Bible with idolatry. Since this is a well-accepted religious system, it is likely to appear as attractive and spiritual, though not necessarily moral.
- On her forehead a name was written: The name on her forehead identifies her in more ways than one. Roman prostitutes frequently wore a headband with their name engraved upon it.
- The woman was arrayed: The woman is clothed with emblems of luxury (purple... gold and precious stones) and government (scarlet). Yet she offers idolatry (abominations) and impurity (filthiness of her fornication) in this sumptuous setting.
- Purple and scarlet were colors of splendor and magnificence; the dyes to make fabric these colors were rare and costly.
- Her association with blasphemy and the dragon’s beast are clearly seen from God’s perspective. But to the people of the earth she will look quite religious, and have the “faith” everybody wants.
2. The Scarlet Beast (17 vs. 7-18)
- The harlot rides the same beast (seven heads and ten horns) that was previously seen in Revelation 13:1.
- It speaks of the Antichrist and his dictatorship.
- “Her position, that of riding the beast, indicates on the one hand that she is supported by the political power of the beast, and on the other that she is in a dominant role and at least outwardly controls and directs the beast.” (Walvoord)
- “We find in the course of church history that one of the deadliest marks of ecclesiastical corruption is the lust for temporal power.” (Barnhouse) Purple and scarlet were the colors of rulers, whether economic or political.
3. Mystery Babylon (18)
- MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT: This title is not for literal Babylon; but its spiritual (mystery) representation, which is the source (mother) of all idolatry (abominations) and spiritual adultery (harlots).
- Seven mountains associated with the beast.Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.
- The seven heads are seven mountains: Many quickly associate the seven mountains with Rome and the Papacy, because Rome is well known as the city on seven hills. Yet literally, the Greek word means mountains, not hills.
- In the Bible, mountains are sometimes a figure of governments (such as in Daniel 2:35) and the city of Rome is built on hills, not mountains.
- The seven heads are seven mountains: It is probably better to see the seven mountains as representing the seven kings and kingdoms described in Revelation 17:10
- Many people find the connection between religious Babylon and Roman Catholicism irresistible, yet it is flawed in the sense that there is no doubt that religious Babylon will incorporate a strong Roman Catholic element, but it will be much bigger than Roman Catholicism.
- Tendencies for Roman Catholicism’s ultimate partnership with a one- world religion were evident in Pope John Paul II’s bizarre involvement with and approval of other anti-Christian religions.
NOTE: In addressing a “prayer gathering” of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and others, Pope John Paul II told participants that their efforts were “unleashing profound spiritual energies in the world and bringing about a new climate of peace.” The Pope pledged that “the Catholic Church intends to ‘share in and promote’ such ecumenical and inter-religious cooperation.”
- The Catholic Review commented on this and said, “The unity of religion promoted by the Holy Father Pope John Paul II and approved by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not a goal to be achieved immediately, but a day may come when the love and compassion which both Buddha and Christ preached so eloquently will unite the world in a common effort to save humanity from senseless destruction, and lead toward the light in which we all believe.”
- Seven kings and kingdoms.There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.
- Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come: This is one of the more difficult passages in the Book of Revelation. Some explain these seven kings, five past, one present, and one to come in the succession of Roman Emperors in John’s era, but there are many historical difficulties with this approach. More likely, it is a reference to:
- Five have fallen refers to the five world empires before John’s day: Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Medo-Persia, and Greece
- One is refers to the world empire of John’s day: Rome
- The other has not yet come refers to the one world empire to come: a revival of the Roman Empire
- When he comes, he must continue a short time: This seventh will quickly be taken over by an eighth – and will become the state of the Antichrist (Revelation 17:11
- There are problems with this viewpoint as well (so some have taken the seven as symbolic). This plainly is a difficult passage!
- The beast (the Antichrist) is clearly identified as the eighth king.And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.
- Is himself also the eighth: He is of the seven in the sense that he shares characteristics with all previous world empires, but his fate is clear. Perdition means “destruction,” and the beast will be destroyed.
- (12-15) Ten kings to come, allies of the Antichrist.
“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.”
- Ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet: This probably alludes to a ten-nation confederation (as in the toes of the Daniel 2:24-45 image), but some take ten as a symbolic number.
CONCLUSION
What we know for a fact is that this system and their influence upon humanity is suddenly coming to and end.