The Prophecy Of Babylon’s Fall Series

Alpha and Omega, Part 41, Revelation Part 18

The Prophecy of Babylon’s Fall

Revelation 14:8

Introduction

- Been studying Revelation together, to understand God’s plan for creation

-- REM: Redemption of sin is granted through Jesus; and yes, we have a choice

- Last time, examined 144,00 and their ministry to evangelize and rescue others

-- RE: The focus & mission is simple: Fear God and Worship God

-- Direct, and timely, instruction for living in the Great Tribulation (and today)

- Tonight, we’ll try to answer three questions (directly related to ministry above):

• What, or more specifically, who is "Babylon"?

• What is their role in the Great Tribulation?

• What can we learn from this doomed civilization for today?

- Read Revelation 14:8 / Pray for wisdom

Point 1 – Who is Babylon?

- Need to level set: Jesus will triumph over even the most prosperous city

-- But the godlessness and corruption will be without limits in the final days

- Babylon is the symbol of the global political, economic, and religious capitol

-- It is the headquarters of the most godless society mankind has ever established

-- KEY: Babylon, in Revelation, refers directly to the city of the Antichrist

-- It is his home base, where he dwells and leads his godless revolution

- Here is what we know about Babylon’s prophetic demise from the OT:

-- Jeremiah 50:22-25, “Let the battle cry be heard in the land, a shout of great destruction. Babylon, the mightiest hammer in all the earth, lies broken and shattered. Babylon is desolate among the nations! Listen, Babylon, for I have set a trap for you. You are caught, for you have fought against the Lord. The Lord has opened his armory and brought out weapons to vent his fury. The terror that falls upon the Babylonians will be the work of the Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

- CHALL: One might think that a one-world system would be a good thing?

-- Thought to consider: If Earth is a utopia, why would this be a bad thing?

-- In order to answer that we must look at the references to the city in Rev

Point 2 – What is Babylon’s role?

- Babylon will be like a prostitute who entices men with alcohol; unable to resist

-- Her charge will be to ruin the Gentile and Jews – to lead them to evil

-- Think of it this way: It’s the ultimate playground with no boundaries

- The end times gov’t is compared to this very thing … seductive and appealing

-- It will use its power and influence to draw other nations to itself

-- Perhaps using a “constant party atmosphere”, it will lead others to be seduced

- REF: NGL, “Do you like to party? Well, what comes after the party?”

-- The second question is never asked in Babylon … the party has no consequences

-- Then, when they are comfortable – their power will be given over to it

- This is how the city (led by the Antichrist) is given power of the other nations

-- He will not take it by force – but they will be drawn in and willingly surrender

Point 3 – What can we learn about Babylon for today?

- What is the corruption of this city? 5 things to see very clearly:

1. Idolatry – placing your interests above God, making God 2nd

-- 1 John 5:21, “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.”

2. Murder – the wrongful taking of a life

-- Exodus 20:13, “You must not murder.”

3. Sorcery – allowing your life to be led by astrology, horoscopes, & witchcraft

-- Isaiah 8:19, “Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead?”

4. Fornication – following immorality to its wicked (and deceitful) end

-- 1 Cor 6:18, “Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.”

5. Thievery – stealing what is not yours for your own sinful benefit

-- Exodus 20:15, “You must not steal.”

- APP: We’ve seen the corruption of this time before!

-- Rev 9:20-21, “But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk! And they did not repent of their murders or their witchcraft or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”