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From the Rapture to the Second Coming
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Revelation 18: "One World Political & Economic System"
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Link to Printer Ready PDF Version of this document. |
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Chapter Highlights
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Chapter Aids
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Topical Index
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Chapter 17 described the destruction of Mystery Babylon's first identity as a one-world prostitute religious system. This chapter describes the destruction of Mystery Babylon's second identity as a city that is home to a one-world political and economic system. The destruction of these two entities will rid the world of a lot of its problems.
What Others are Saying:
- Tim LaHaye: What all of this means is not too difficult to grasp. The one-world government, the one-world religion, and the one-world banking system that makes possible the commerce of the world is already gathering momentum. It is just a matter of time before it decides to locate in a single spot. That spot will be Babylon. 18-1
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Revelation 18:1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.
After witnessing the coming destruction of the one-world prostitute religious system John received a new revelation. He saw another angel coming down from heaven that will tackle the powerful and wealthy one-world political and economic system. When this angel arrives it will not be the sun, moon, or stars that light the earth but the angel's glory. This suggests that he will come directly from the presence of God (Ezekiel 43:2).
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Revelation 18:2 With a mighty voice he shouted: "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird.
The angel will prophesy about the future of Babylon the Great. It will fall and become the habitat of demons, the dwelling place of all evil spirits, and the home to all unclean birds. The great and beautiful city will become a dark and loathsome place. This fulfills what the Old Testament prophets (Isaiah 13:19-22; Jeremiah 50:38-40) said.
Remember This…
- Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great (Revelation 14:8).
Warning!
- Certain scholars suggest the great city described in this chapter cannot be the literal Babylon. They seem to think the current city of Babylon is too small, too remote, and more of a tourist attraction. They overlook what the Antichrist could do if several dozen nations flew in work crews and materials from around the world. A hundred nations with unlimited financing, hundreds of engineers, modern equipment, and thousands of workers could turn Babylon into a great city virtually overnight.
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Revelation 18:3 For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries."
This is a picture of government and business becoming obsessed with, and controlled by, a concept. Every nation on earth has delved into the idea of world government and world trade. By the time the Tribulation Period arrives they will be intoxicated with it. The idea will receive their full support, and the businessmen involved will become extremely wealthy.
Key Symbols:
What Others are Saying:
- Ed Hindson: The fall of communism has paved the way for a world economy and a world government. The global web is tightening around us every day. 18-2
- Peter and Paul Lalonde: In the fall of 1994, over 200 spiritual leaders met in Khartoum, Sudan to discuss the need for a world council of religions which would represent all faiths. Such a council would foster cooperation between the world's major religions. Those who attended not only called for peace and religious harmony between the world's religions but for a new political order as well. 18-3
Something to Ponder
- Many people ask what prophecy says about the United States. Some students of prophecy think the United States is mentioned in a general way (not by name), but that is mostly speculation and cannot be proved. Others think the United States will collapse or be destroyed because it is not specifically mentioned, but that is also impossible to prove. The United States would be wise to support Israel during the Tribulation Period, but with the Church gone it seems reasonable to conclude that it will be closely aligned with Europe and its Antichrist.
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Revelation 18:4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
A voice from heaven will urge God's people to leave Babylon for two reasons: so they will not become involved in Babylon's sin, and so they will not fall victim to the plagues God will inflict on Babylon. Even during this terrible time of God's wrath being poured out we can see that God still cares about his people.
What Others are Saying:
- David Hocking: It is clear… that God desires to protect his people, and… punish Babylon. 18-4
- J. Vernon McGee: This verse reveals that God's people are going to be on earth to the end (it is not speaking of the Church which has already been removed before the Great Tribulation began). 18-5
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Revelation 18:5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
In the Old Testament, God did not overlook what Babylon was doing when she tried to build a tower to heaven, and he will not overlook this. To stop construction on the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9), he confused their language and scattered them around the world. In the future, to stop their sins from piling any higher, he will burn her to the ground.
What Others are Saying:
- David Jeremiah with C.C. Carlson: The sins of Babylon have piled one on another like bricks in the Tower of Babel. Each stone is an indictment about its sick condition. 18-6
- J. Vernon McGee: The judgment of God may be delayed, but it is sure. It may seem to us that the unbeliever is getting by with sin, but God's judgment is coming. 18-7
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Revelation 18:6 Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Mix her a double portion from her own cup.
It will seem for awhile that Babylon will be getting away with killing God's people. Her day, however, will come, and when it does, she will be severely dealt with. Those who offer no mercy will receive no mercy (Galatians 6:7). This is true justice.
Key Point
- Those who offer no mercy will receive no mercy
Related Current Events
- The People's Republic of China (PRC) calls its Holocaust Laogai (Reform through Work)… Dr. Harry Wu estimates that more than 50 million people have been imprisoned in the Laogai since 1949. The PRC, in 1984, officially admitted to 20 million. Of the 50 million, Wu estimates that half have died or will die… 18-8
Something to Ponder
- It is predicted that in 30 years there will be no Christians in the Palestinian controlled areas of Israel. Palestinian persecution is driving them out of the land where Christ was born.
Remember This…
- Babylon's cup (Revelation 17:4) will be filled with abominable things.
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Revelation 18:7 Give her as much torture and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, 'I sit as queen; I am not a widow, and I will never mourn.'
This godless city will be filled with the proud and haughty. Her residents will declare her beauty, greatness, glory, and her reign over all the earth. They will think she is a queen, and that she is married to the kings of the earth. As such, she is not a widow but a wealthy queen who has nothing to mourn about. They will be self-deceived and will extol her around the world. Never mind the fact that God brought her down in one day during the reign of Belshazzar (Daniel 5:17-31).
The voice from heaven will say, "Let her torture and grief be in accordance with the way she glorifies herself." This will be one of God's standards of judgment when he remembers Babylon: the great grief of the godly will be turned into glory, and the glory of the godless will be turned into great grief.
What Others are Saying:
- David Hocking: The sovereign control of God in the affairs of human history is a constant theme throughout the Bible. God is not a passive observer to human events. He is working them all out for his glory. He is accomplishing His plan on His time schedule. 18-9
- J. H. Melton: When nations become wealthy, they become independent, and no longer sense the need of God. The history of the great nations in the past reveals wealth and prosperity to be responsible for their fall. 18-10
Something to Ponder
- Today, many global corporations and world leaders are making decisions for the sole purpose of producing wealth. They cannot see God's love, mercy, and grace because they are only looking for a big return on their investments. Unfortunately, their willing blindness will be no excuse when God decides that their sins are piled high enough.
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Revelation 18:8 Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning, and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
As the home of one-world government and global trade, Babylon will think she is very powerful. She will control powerful weapons and great armies. But compared to the Lord God who will judge her, this highly touted strength will be like a dart gun.
What no earthly army can do, God will accomplish in one day. First, the angel of death will pass over Babylon. Second, this city which just finished saying, I will never mourn will grieve bitterly. Third, this rich city will suddenly run out of food. Lastly, it will be burned to the ground.
What Others are Saying:
- Peter and Paul Lalonde: Most experts now agree that one major natural disaster, or weather catastrophe, could mean a major food crisis that would be felt worldwide. 18-11
Remember This…
- The head of a Gentile world kingdom in Egypt was a man called Pharaoh. He dreamed about seven fat cows (Genesis 41:25-37) with plenty to eat followed by seven skinny cows with very little to eat. He thought this was very significant and called in his advisors, but they could not interpret the dream. Then he called in Joseph who told him God is letting Pharaoh know that Egypt will go through seven years of good harvests with plenty to eat followed by seven years of poor harvests with very little to eat. Pharaoh believed Joseph, built storehouses for food, and located them in areas where the food could be easily distributed. The preparations paid off. Seven years of tremendous harvests came followed by seven years of worldwide famine with Egypt being severely affected, but the nation handled it well.
- After moving to the promised land, Abraham and his nephew Lot decided to separate. Lot eventually moved to the city of Sodom. It was a beautiful city, but it was full of injustice and sordid sins called sodomy (homosexuality). Because of this God decided to destroy Sodom and the equally sinful neighbor city of Gomorrah. He sent angels to tell Lot (Genesis 19:1-28) what was going to happen and to get Lot and his family out of Sodom. Lot barely escaped when fire fell from heaven and burned the cities to the ground.
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Revelation 18:9 "When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her.
The destruction of Babylon will be worldwide news. Kings, dictators, politicians, and those who supported her will see the smoke billowing up into the air causing them to grieve and cry.
What Others are Saying:
- J. Vernon McGee: No one dreamed that this great city would be judged. Yet, by the time the sun goes down, Babylon is nothing but smoldering ruins. 18-12
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Revelation 18:10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: "'Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!'
The kings, dictators, and politicians will shake in fear. Panic will grip them. Their cry of woe, woe reveals deep anguish and terror because her destruction will come in one hour. A few experts suggest that one hour could mean "a short space of time" or "spread out over a few days," but most think it means suddenly or instantaneously. That will add to the panic and terror.
What Others are Saying:
- Ed Hindson: The real tragedy in all this talk of global unity is the absence of any emphasis on the spiritual roots of democracy and freedom. The gospel has been blunted in Western Europe for so long that there is little God-conscientiousness left in the European people. Without Christ, the Prince of Peace, there can be no hope for manmade orders of peace and prosperity. There will be no Millennium without the Messiah! 18-13
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Revelation 18:11 "The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more:
Not only will the heads of state weep but so will the world's big businessmen. However, it will not be over the loss of life, loss of souls to hell, or even their own sins. They will weep and mourn over their loss of customers.
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Revelation 18:12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron, and marble;
Purple and scarlet was worn by royalty in John's day. Silk was so scarce at one time it was outlawed. Citron wood was also scarce and highly sought for ornamental purposes. However, during the Tribulation Period, Babylon will import these cargoes frequently. These are the goods of an affluent society. The global traders will pile them up in Babylon, but the Apostle James warned about such things when he said, Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days (James 5:1–3). It will be boom time in Babylon when the billionaires head there, but it will be bust when the ball of fire falls. God gives wealth, but he meant for it to benefit society, not to enrich a few.
What Others are Saying:
- J. Vernon McGee: These are the products of an affluent society… You will not find a cotton dress or a pair of overalls anywhere in this list. 18-14
Remember This…
- The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones, and pearls (Revelation 17:4).
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