When Babylons Fall, Cry, Or Celebrate? (Revelation 18:1-19) Series

Last week, in Revelation 17, we read in depth about two main characters: the Beast, and Babylon. We've seen repeatedly that the Beast is a symbol for evil human empires. Satan takes ordinary nations, and makes them extraordinary by giving them his power, and authority, and throne. But as part of this process, those nations become extraordinarily evil. They are committed to deceiving people into giving their allegiance to the wrong flag. And they are committed to persecuting Christians. In the first century, the Beast took the form of the Roman empire, especially under the reigns of Nero, and Domitian. Domitian, in particular, called himself "Lord" and "God," and he expected to be worshipped and served as such. But anywhere that we see nations lifting themselves up as exceptional, and expecting every other kingdom to toe their line, and do what they want, you are seeing the Beast. Anywhere you see Christians harmed, you're seeing the Beast.

So that's the Beast.

The second main character we read about last week was Babylon. Babylon, as the rider of the Beast, represents something like the cities that stand at the center of the empire (not completely happy with this, fwiw. There is a nuance here I need to add.). These cities are known for their remarkable wealth, and power, and pleasure. They are also known for their violence, against all who oppose them. In the OT, the greatest example of this was Babylon. Babylon was wealthy, and powerful. She was also idolatrous, and violent, and immoral. The original Babylon has long since been destroyed by God. But new Babylons emerge. In the first century, Rome was (a type of) Babylon. So Rome was called Babylon, the Great City, the Great Prostitute.

Now, if you were a first century Christian, living under the Beast, and under the Great Prostitute, the question you find yourself asking, is this: "Is the Great Prostitute good-looking, or not?" Her goal is to seduce you by her offer of wealth, and power, and luxury, and security. When you find these things available to you, do you find yourself drawn to her, away from the Lamb? Or are you able to stop, and focus on the right things-- on her persecution of the church, on her idolatries, on her violence, on her many detestable things?

And most importantly, do you see her end? She, along with the Beast, are on their way to destruction. God comes in judgment on every evil superpower, that aligns itself with satan, and gives itself to attacking the Lamb, and the church.

As we've continued our study in Revelation, thinking about these things, I'm becoming more and more confident that we find ourselves in a parallel situation today. The Beast, today, takes the form of the U.S. There's other countries involved with that, who have aligned themselves with the U.S. The Beast is bigger than just us. Talk to any Canadian Christian, for one thing, and they'll be happy to talk about the dark, demonic turn their nation has taken. But when I look at our rampant idolatry, and violence, and immorality, and then I look to see how we've spread our values across the world, we look like the Great Prostitute, who has birthed prostitutes across the globe. When I was driving through Minnesota this past week, and saw a billboard celebrating how the state is at the forefront of providing abortion access for the region... it's the Beast.

So last week, in Revelation 17, we found ourselves confronted with one main question: Is the Great Prostitute good looking, or not? At first glance, we probably see her decked out with all kinds of earthly wealth-- gold, precious stones, and pearls, dressed in purple and scarlet. In her hand, she had a golden cup.

If that's all you let yourself see, she looks good. She's attractive. You'll be tempted to chase her. You'll find yourself on her doorstep, compromising yourself, turning away from the Lamb. But if you stop and look inside her cup, you'll realize she's offering you detestable things. And, on top of that, if you let yourself see her commitment to harming the church, you'll stay away. What the Prostitute offers, in places like Babylon, and Rome, and Hollywood, and Vegas, and Washington D.C., maybe looks tempting. But the offer is deceptive, because nothing of lasting value is involved. And in the end, Jesus is coming in judgment on the Prostitute.

So we may be tempted, when we look at superpowers, and at their great centers of culture, and beauty, and wealth, to turn from the Lamb to the Prostitute. It's hard not to walk the streets of Vegas, or Hollywood, or New York City, without getting sucked in. But don't marvel; remember her end.

So that was last week, chapter 17.