A Study of Eschatology

Revelation 18

Jesus Christ is coming again – this is a fact that thrills the souls of those of us who wait for His return. This truth satisfies the souls of those waiting eagerly for Him and terrifies the souls of those who are not ready for Him. We have five chapters remaining in the Book of Revelation and in these chapters we will learn about His Second Coming, His Final Judgment, His Rule on Earth and who it is that will be invited to the share in the eternal rewards. As we study these final chapters please understand this. All of this study is about Jesus Christ and His Personal relationship with us. We are learning about Eternal Life and all that God is doing to prepare us for His realm. John 14:1-6 and 2 Corinthians 5:1-8.

The judgment of the seals, trumpets and the bowls are complete, the earth and the remaining inhabitants have felt the totality of God's wrath. Also, religion and the counterfeit systems of secular humanism and political corruption are defeated. Chapter 19 of Revelation reveals that this great power tries one last time to overpower God. But, God who is all powerful and rich in mercy does something as unique as His Character. God snatches a few more people out of the hand of Satan in order to demonstrate to the world that Justice and Righteousness, Love and Mercy are four characteristics of God that destroys the character of pride and sin, hate and disobedience – the characteristics of Satan.

The same principle we have seen in the book of Revelation regarding the judgment of man's rebellion against God is in place even today in our own lives, countries and cultures. Storms, fire, disease, war, poverty and crime are with us today but to a lessor degree than seen in our study of Revelation. This has led some people to believe that we have been living in Revelation to one degree or another since the Ascension of Christ. I believe that all of us reel with the effects of a world drunk with the wine of the WRATH of the spirit of Babylon. Like the everyday drunk we know that it takes a season of time before intoxication reaches the peak of inebriation. The restraint is the power of the Holy Spirit at the present time. 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7. Chapter 19 is a vivid picture of mankind reeling from his drunken condition and not having two nickels to rub together to buy another drink.

To the kings of the earth knowing of the fall of false religion will consider that this is the final victory over the unseen forces that have controlled man for the last seven thousand years. God is dead they will say, thus we are free to pursue human control and prosperity. This is socialism at its peak, the result of secular humanism. Mankind will be operating under his own set of norms and standards and things will seem to be prosperous. It will not take long for the peoples of the world to realize that it is not God who is dead, but false religion and evil that has slipped into the abyss.

The Spirit of Babylon (Revelation 18:1-9) The Babylonian Empire during the life of Daniel was full of pride and arrogance. Daniel 1 through 4 explain the epitome of man's attempt to function in the world apart from God. To mankind religion has seemed to interfere with his independence, now in these final days it will seem that spirit on independence is resurrected and man is free at last. This is short lived.

There are two systems of believe about the Babylon of Revelation: One – that the physical city of Babylon must be rebuilt. Second – that the city does not need rebuilding for the spirit of independence to take hold of mankind. But both groups do agree that the city whether built or not will represent the social, political, cultural and commercial life of the wicked system of a universal government that operates independent of spiritual (good or evil) doctrines. This form of government will rule for a short period before the Second Coming of Christ.

The Judgment of Secular Humanism and Political Corruption: Revelation 18:10 While it has taken seven thousand years to subdue Satan and his counterfeit religious system of works. It will take only one hour for the destruction of secular humanism and political corruption. This does not mean that these human systems have not been judged over time, or that God has ignored man's secular nature or political behavior. God has on many occasion destroyed kingdoms and rebuilt them by judgment through mercy. Mercy identifies the “Long Suffering of God toward man's lost condition” 2 Peter 3:9. So kingdoms do fall and some come to power again. But God who is rich in mercy keeps open the door for the gospel of Jesus Christ to reach the lost. Revelation 18:4

The Greek word episen is the word fallen in verse two and means instantaneous action and points to verse 10, so a swift destruction will happen to this city of Babylon, whether this is a real place on the map or the last system of opposition against God and His Son, it will be destroyed and will not rise again. But the iniquity of mankind is reaching the realm of heaven itself. There are two types of sin recorded in the bible. As sin on earth increases with time the sin of Adam and Eve (Original), is the root of sin in mankind that falls into these two categories. Iniquity is sin against the Moral Code of Law of God like adultery with Bathsheba by King David. And the sin of Transgression which is sin against God's Ethical Code of Law. Both of these sub-categories of Sin are clearly identified in Isaiah 53:5. We as a people are guilty of Both. It is the Blood of Jesus Christ the LAMB of God that sets us free. John 1:29

In Revelation 18: 5 we see another interesting Greek word kalao and this word means to weld or glue together one object like a brick upon another and this helps us to understand the principle of what God sees about the Tower of Babel that we do not. Socialism is man's attempt to make himself to be God. Throughout the history of mankind his iniquities have been mounting higher and higher through the progressive effort evil and false religion The desire of Satan to overcome God. Now, the secular humanism and political corruption of man's socialistic existence is a stand alone effort to over throw the Throne of God. Now remember the battle of sin is over, Isaiah 53:1-12 and John 19:28-30. Also, that man was made in the image and likeness of God, but the desire of man to be independent of God redirected his future, now mankind is made in the image and likeness of the first Adam, the sinner. Genesis 5:1-3.

The Reality that Socialism will die, Babylon will fall A sure as salvation by faith has rescued sinners for the past seven thousand years, Babylon will fall. There is no escaping this judgment for the peoples of the earth. Six times the phrase “not...anymore” is used in Revelation 18:21-23. This is the strongest way in the Greek language to say, “never again” All of the kings and merchants of the earth will be removed from the earth in one hour.

God hates sin so what does sin look like? “The sound of violence” “The sound of music” “The sound of work” “The sound of prosperity” “The sound of the bride” and “The sound of living” You say now wait just a minute. These are things we do daily, oh! Very true indeed, but most all of this is done apart from God. Socialism is the system developed by man to do human good apart from giving glory to God. This hour is referred to by the LORD Jesus in Matthew 24:36-38.

There will be a Reaction to this judgment: The monarchs, merchants and the mariners in Revelation 18:17-19. As Babylon dissolves in one hour, those who control, those who sell and those who deliver the merchandise of socialism will say; “Woe, what is like this great city?” in other words. &ldquoo we have a backup plan?” Of course the answer is no and verse 19 explains their fate.

Heavens Response to the Judgment: At the start of the fall of Babylon, God calls to those who will respond to the message of the “Everlasting gospel” Revelation 19:4 is one of seven times that God calls people to come out of the evil of Socialistic Babylon and be saved, the call is to those who will hear His calling. This is not a call to be “holier than thou” as some would say. It is God's call to anyone who will hear what Spirit of God is saying. “Now is your day of redemption, now is the moment of your salvation. Holiness is separation from ungodly conduct that looks like good works, but in the reality of works under the control of Babylon is nothing more than evil deeds. As we move into later chapters we will see this more clearly.

A thought or two more: We are seeing through the Book of Revelation the end of three forces that has borne and buried the world sin. These systems are: The fallen spiritual world, false religion and socialism. In the remaining chapters we will see the Second Coming of Christ who will set forth to judge the world. Not for sin, but for the works of mankind. Along with the beast and the false prophet unregenerate mankind will follow. So what we see in chapter 18 is that people will chose between to cities. One is the great city of Babylon and the other is the City who's builder and maker is God. A city where holiness is. Hebrews 11:15-16.

Heavens response is found in Revelation 18:20 and we will see this exultation in Revelation 19.