Fall of Babylon

• 1^st – Proclamation… vs. 1-3
  • 1^st – Mighty Angel… vs. 1
    • Another Angel…
      • After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven – having great authority.
      • And the earth was illuminated with his glory!
      • After [Μετὰ ταῦτα] the FALL of the one world RELIGION…
      • John saw another [ἄλλος] ANGEL come out of heaven – with GREAT [μέγας] power…
      • His GLORY [δόξης] gave LIGHT to the whole world!
    • Who is the Angel…
      • Much like the Angel who gave John the little book – Revelation 10:1
      • The description of this ANGEL here has led some to believe it is Jesus!
      • There are times in the OT when Jesus is referred to as the ANGEL of the LORD – Exodus 3:2
      • BUT – TWO Greek words for ANOTHER – [ἄλλος] same kind – [ἕτερος] – different kind
      • This mighty ANGEL was the same kind [ἄλλος] of ANGEL as the others John had seen!
      • It does NOT appear to be Jesus – instead perhaps the ANGEL we saw – Revelation 14:8
  • 2^nd – Babylon the Great… vs. 2
    • The Location…
      • He cried mightily with a loud voice – saying – Babylon the great is fallen – is fallen!
      • The ANGEL cried out that BABYLON has FALLEN [indicative]
      • BABYLON – in modern day Iraq – will be the CENTER of the economy of the Antichrist!
      • The world runs on OIL – and almost 50% of all the oil in the world is in the Middle East…
      • Making the region a modern CENTER of FINANCE and commerce!
    • Unclean…
      • [Babylon] has become a dwelling place of demons – a prison for every foul spirit.
      • And a cage for every unclean and hated bird!
      • All the WEALTH of BABYLON will make it a VERY spiritually DARK place…
      • It will be a place where DEMONS call home…
      • Every [πᾶς] wicked [ἀκάθαρτος] spirit of MEN – will be drawn there…
      • Every unclean BIRD [satan] – will find it a place they cannot leave…
      • Because the LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of EVIL – I Timothy 6:10
      • If our main goal in life is getting RICH – it will take us to DARK places…
      • In an effort to get the latest toy – best car – prettiest house – none of which we NEED…
      • We will get into lots of DEBT – and compromise our MORALS to get an extra PESO…
      • All because we thought having MONEY would solve all our problems!
      • Hebrews 13:5 – “Do not love money – be satisfied with what you have…”
  • 3^rd – The Crime… vs. 3
    • The Nations…
      • For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication!
      • ALL [πᾶς] the NATIONS have become DRUNK on the WEALTH of Babylon!
      • In the year 1900 – the total GDP [wealth] of the world was – $3.5 TRILLION
      • When I was BORN in 1974 – the GDP of the world had grown tenfold to – $30 TRILLION
      • In the year 1995 – the GDP of the world had almost doubled again to – $50 TRILLION
      • By the year 2015 – the GDP of the world was over $108 TRILLION
      • HALF of all wealth EVERY made in HISTORY – has been created in the past TWENTY years!
      • This unprecedented growth in WEALTH – has made the world DRUNK on money…
      • It has caused EVERYONE – in EVERY nation – to believe MONEY is the answer…
      • Buying into the LIE [fornication] – there is something other than GOD we should live for!
    • The Kings…
      • The kings of the earth have committed fornication with her!
      • The LEADERS [kings] of the earth – all have bought into the LIE!
      • China is a COMMUNIST country [since 1949] – formed as a SOCIALIST economy…
      • Meaning no one owned ANYTHING – there were no PRIVATE business…
      • But in the 1990s CHINA changed – and went after the MONEY…
      • They are now the SECOND largest economy in the world!
      • With only a handful of exceptions – every country on earth today is CAPITALIST…
      • ALL the governments on earth see their purpose as getting more MONEY!
    • The Merchants…
      • The merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury!
      • MERCHANTS [ἔμπορος] – used FOUR times in our passage…
      • Those who BUY and SELL – have been given the POWER [δύναμις] to become RICH!
      • People are making a LOT of money these days…
      • It used to be a rare thing for a person to be a MILLIONAIRE…
      • Over the next THREE years – the number of MILLIONAIRES in the world will grow by 40%
      • Meaning around 25 MILLION people – are about to enter the MILLIONAIRE club!
      • Where is all this MONEY coming from – MERCHANTS buying and selling…
      • As they world becomes more and more addicted to MONEY!

• 2^nd – Get out… vs. 4-5
  • 1^st – Escape… vs. 4
    • I heard another voice from heaven saying – Come out of her – my people!
    • John heard another [ἄλλος] voice from HEAVEN – come OUT [imperative] of [Babylon]
    • We who are the PEOPLE of God – are NOT to take part in this WORLDLY system…
    • We do NOT live for MONEY – we do NOT put our trust in pieces of paper…
    • We realize that God is the one who PROVIDES for all our NEEDS – Luke 12:31
    • We are to be an EXAMPLE to the world – we do not follow their EXAMPLE!
    • II Corinthians 6:17 – “Come out from among them and be separate – says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you.”
  • 2^nd – Do not share… vs. 4-5
    • Lest you share in her sins – and lest you receive of her plagues!
    • For her sins have reached to heaven – and God has remembered her iniquities!
    • If we do NOT reject this obsession the world has with MONEY…
    • Then we will end up SHARING [κοινωνέω] the same FATE [sin] as the WORLD…
    • We also will receive the PLAGUES [problems] that God will send on them…
    • Because the SIN of GREED builds – till it reaches up to heaven – and God remembers it!
    • The problem is people make MONEY their god – instead of Jesus…
    • We cannot dedicate our lives to MONEY – and to the Lord – Luke 6:24
    • The pursuit of money is a TRAP – and it only leads to DESTRUCTION!
    • I Timothy 6:9 – “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare – and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.”

• 3^rd – Justice is served… vs. 6-8
  • 1^st – Double judgement… vs. 6
    • Render to her just as she rendered to you.
    • Repay her double according to her works – in the cup which she has mixed – mix double for her!
    • RENDER [ἀποδίδωμι] – to pay off a DEBT that is owed…
    • The DEBT of BABYLON – was to be paid DOUBLE – because of what she had done…
    • In the LAW – if someone stole something – they had to restore DOUBLE – Exodus 22:4-9
    • The suggestion is the wealth of BABYLON – has been STOLEN from others!
    • The pursuit of MONEY is SELFISH – it causes us to take advantage of others…
    • We stop caring about what happens to them – so long as we are RICH!
  • 2^nd – Just judgement… vs. 7
    • In the measure she glorified herself and lived luxuriously – give her torment and sorrow.
    • For she says in her heart – I sit as queen – and am no widow – and will not see sorrow!
    • As WEALTHY and PAMPERED a life as those who follow after the money live [Babylon]
    • In that same measure – they must [imperative] be TORTURED and have SORROW…
    • Because they will say in their HEART – they are QUEEN – and will NEVER be SAD!
    • The pursuit of MONEY is CALLOUS – we think money will PROTECT us…
    • But the arrogance of WEALTH – brings about even greater judgement from the Lord!
  • 3^rd – Quick judgement… vs. 8
    • Therefore – her plagues will come in one day – death and mourning and famine. 
    • And she will be utterly burned with fire – for strong is the Lord God who judges her!
    • All this will happen to BABYLON in ONE day – and to those who her believe her LIE…
    • There will be FAMINE [lack of food] – MORNING [lack of money] – and DEATH…
    • Which will be followed up by eternal JUDGEMENT [fire]
    • Because the Lord [κύριος] God who judges is STRONG – and her MONEY will not save her!
    • WEALTH promises GREAT things – and it seems to be able to deliver…
    • But the SAD truth about MONEY – is it CANNOT save anyone…
    • Just when it is NEEDED most – it is GONE – and it leaves us NAKED before the Lord [κύριος]
    • What good a bunch of colorful PAPER – when we have to give an account before a HOLY God!

• 4^th – Mourning Babylon… vs. 9-19
  • 1^st – The Kings… vs. 9-10
    • The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her.
    • Will weep and lament for her – when they see the smoke of her burning.
    • Standing at a distance for fear of her torment – saying – Alas – alas that great city Babylon.
    • That mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come!
    • When the HOUR of comes – the WORLD will mourn the loss of BABYLON…
    • We see this described in THREE groups – FIRST is the KINGS [governments]
    • They were in BED [fornication] with BABYLON – fully supporting the MONETARY system…
    • And when it BURNS to the ground – they WEEP because they LOSE their MONEY…
    • But they do not get too CLOSE – they stand at a DISTANCE – because the JUDGEMENT has come!
    • If I had a friend whose house was on fire – I would not stand by and WATCH…
    • A true friend would run over and try and save the person he LOVES!
    • People who are our FRIENDS – only because of what they get from us…
    • Will NOT be there to help us – in the day when life falls apart…
    • They might shake their heads in pity – but they do NOT want to risk getting hurt!
  • 2^nd – The Merchants… vs. 11-17
    • No more business… vs. 11
      • The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her.
      • For no one buys their merchandise anymore!
      • SECOND – the MERCHANTS also will weep and mourn the loss of BABYLON…
      • Not because they care about HER – but because they no longer are making MONEY!
    • The inventory… vs. 12-13
      • Merchandise of gold and silver – precious stones and pearls – fine linen and purple.
      • Silk and scarlet – every kind of citron wood – every kind of object of ivory.
      • Every kind of object of most precious wood – bronze – iron – and marble.
      • Cinnamon and incense – fragrant oil and frankincense – wine and oil – fine flour and wheat.
      • Cattle and sheep – horses and chariots – and bodies and souls of men!
      • The LIST of the MERCHANDISE that is given is quite inclusive…
      • What strikes me is how similar the list is to what is BOUGHT and SOLD today…
      • Nothing in this list would look unfamiliar in a CARGO manifest of an ocean liner today!
      • From precious METALS [gold and silver] – to fine CLOTHING [linen and silk]
      • To rare WOOD and ivory – to fragrant SPICES – to WINE and wheat…
      • Even LIVESTOCK [cattle and sheep] are included in the list!
      • The one thing that seems to stick out of the group – is the SOULS [ψυχή] of men…
      • We have abolished SLAVERY in the world today – it is no longer legal…
      • But that does not mean people still do not SELL their SOULS for money…
      • There is nothing wrong with having MONEY – the problem is when MONEY owns us…
      • We can become a SLAVE to this world – living for MONEY rather than for the Lord!
    • No more wealth… vs. 14
      • The fruit your soul longed for has gone from you. All the things which are rich…
      • And splendid have gone from you – and you shall find them no more at all!
      • ALL the WEALTH [fruits] that their SOUL longed for will be GONE…
      • All the RICHES – all the TOYS – are gone and they will NEVER [οὐ μὴ] see them again!
      • People think they have EARNED what they have in LIFE – that they DESERVE it…
      • But everything we have we received from God – and He can take it away!
      • I Corinthians 4:7 – “What do you have that God has not given you? If all you have is from God – why boast as though you have accomplished something on your own?”
    • At a distance… vs. 15-17
      • The merchants of these things – who became rich by her – will stand at a distance.
      • For fear of her torment – weeping and wailing – and saying – Alas – alas – that great city.
      • Clothed in fine linen – purple – and scarlet – adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls.
      • For in one hour such great riches came to nothing!
      • These MERCHANTS – like the KINGS – will stand far off fearing the JUDGEMENT…
      • But they will weep because Babylon – who was dressed in such wealth…
      • NOTE: the description is VERY similar to the HARLOT – Revelation 17:4
      • Lost ALL of her riches in just ONE hour – they came to NOTHING!
      • What is the MAJOR religion of the world today…
      • It is not CHRISTIANITY – or ISLAM – the main RELIGION is MONEY [materialism]
      • Men put their HOPE – their FAITH – in what MONEY can do for them…
      • And when their MONEY fails – and it will come to NOTHING – they will WEEP!
  • 3^rd – The Sailors… vs. 17-19
    • Every shipmaster – all who travel by ship – sailors – and as many as trade on the sea.
    • Stood at a distance and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning.
    • Saying – What is like this great city? They threw dust on their heads and cried out.
    • Weeping and wailing – saying – Alas – alas – that great city in which all who had ships on the sea.
    • Became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate!
    • THIRD all of those involved in the SEA trade will MOURN [captains – sailors]
    • This is VERY interesting – because SEA trade was NOT very big in the days of John…
    • But today there are 50 THOUSAND ships – from 150 NATIONS – manned by 1 MILLION sailors…
    • That carry 11 BILLION tons of EVERY kind of good by SEA every year…
    • That breaks down to 1.5 tons of goods – for EVERY person on the face of the earth!
    • But these shipping lanes – that are the international life blood of a GLOBAL economy…
    • Will end abruptly – as in ONE hour BABYLON will become DESOLATE!

Which is why – HEAVEN will rejoice when the ECONOMY of the Antichrist falls!

5^th – Celebrating in Heaven… vs. 20-24

1^st – Rejoice… vs. 20

Rejoice over her – heaven – and you holy apostles and prophets – for God has avenged you on her!

The CONTRAST could not be greater in HEAVEN…

Where those on the EARTH mourn the loss of BABYLON…

All those in HEAVEN rejoice [imperative] – the APOSTLES – the PROPHETS…

Because the time of the JUDGEMENT of God on this WICKED economic system has come!

The INFLUENCE of a MONEY obsessed world has managed to creep into the church…

There is a movement in Christianity called the Word of Faith…

Teaching if we only have enough FAITH – and SPEAK it – God has to do what we say…

This flows into what is called the PROSPERITY Gospel – God wants us to WEALTHY!

Philippians 3:18-19 – “They are enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their future is eternal destruction. Their god is their appetite… all they think about is this life here on earth.”

The Gospel is NOT about getting rich – a better life here and now…

If we are looking for MONEY as a reward for our obedience to Christ…

We might very well be disappointed – God promises us tribulation here – John 16:33

The rewards for serving Jesus are far greater – they are eternal – it is about heaven!

2^nd – The Stone… vs. 21

Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea – Saying:

Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down and shall not be found anymore!

John then saw the mighty ANGEL take up a MILLSTONE – and throw it into the SEA…

Because BABYLON – and her unhealthy focus on WEALTH – had STUMBLED the people of God!

Luke 17:2 – “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck – and he were thrown into the sea – than that he should offend one of these little ones.”

God does not play around when it comes to stumbling His children…

He is a VERY protective Father – and will deal with anyone who threatens His kids!

3^rd – No more… vs. 22-23

The sound of harpists – musicians – flutists – and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore.

No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore.

And the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore.

The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore.

The voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. 

Your merchants were great men of the earth – but by your sorcery all the nations were deceived!

As a RESULT of the JUDGMENT of BABYLON by God…

There would NEVER [οὐ μὴ] – be any MUSIC played in the city again…

There would NEVER [οὐ μὴ] – be the sound of CRAFTS or the MILL in the city again…

There would NEVER [οὐ μὴ] – be the light of the LAMP in the city again…

There would NEVER [οὐ μὴ] – be the voice of a WEDDING in the city again…

Because through SORCERY – the city had DECEIVED [πλανάω] nations!

SORCERY [φαρμακεία] – is a word that can mean DRUGS…

In the context here is seems to point to POISON – referring to MATERIALISM [wealth]

The city had POISONED the NATIONS – by getting them to believe the LIE they needed MONEY…

And for the sake of MONEY – people had DENIED their FAITH in Jesus!

4^th – Blood of saints… vs. 24

In her was found the blood of prophets and saints – and of all who were slain on the earth!

Do not FORGET that this is the MONETARY system of the Antichrist…

In order to BUY or SELL – people will need to take the MARK – Revelation 13:17

Because the world has become OBSESSED with WEALTH [even now]

There will be MANY who will DENY Jesus – take the MARK – for the sake of MONEY…

And any who do NOT – will STARVE – or be put to DEATH for their FAITH – Revelation 20:4

BABYLON will be covered in the BLOOD of the prophets and SAINTS…

Because of this wicked ECONOMY – countless millions will DIE…