Revelation 18:9-20 – “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. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!’ 11 “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 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; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves. 14 “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out: “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! 17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’ “Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off.18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’ 20 “Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.”
“They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’” All that Babylon lived for is gone. Just as people strive to live in the most expensive houses, in the best neighborhoods, have the highest paying jobs, drive the most luxurious or exotic or fast cars, if they don’t have Jesus, it is all for nothing. They have sand in hands too feeble to keep it from falling through their fingers. Worse is when a Christian does this without perspective. It is beautiful to see the Lord bless a person with riches and the person remains humble, lives humble and uses the riches as the Lord directs. But when such people become proud of their, when they get “that” look in their eyes (Proverbs 6:16-17), when fellow believers just don’t interest them unless they are in their same status, then that believer better be careful. What is within them is beginning to look more like Babylon than Jesus. Does the believer who is poor not merit an invitation to their home and to have a meal, or a swim in the pool because they are embarrassing or because they have nothing in common (ouch)? Be very careful, that poor person is a precious child of God. Jesus said that he who rejects the Father’s Son shall find themselves rejected. How about those who reject, or just don’t love, these precious children of God (Matthew 25:31-46). Family, the riches of this world are like trying to clench water in a fist. After time, it is all gone. Such is what will happen to Babylon and such is what happens with all who think like her and defend her life view. God forbid that it would me any of us!
A note aside. Family, let’s not be guilty of economic prejudice and thereby sin ourselves. The poor are often very haughty and accusing when looking at the rich. They assume that those with money are not good Christians. I have heard this too many times. Family, that is not true. There are many wonderful Christians with great amounts of wealth who listen to God’s leading and use their blessings to bless God’s work and to bless others. Now, they aren’t looking for others “opinions” on how they should do that. They are being led by God. Let us assume the best about each other (1 Corinthians 13:7). If we have “concerns” about each other, than earnestly and persistently pray for each other. It is what we are called to do (Ephesians 6:18). Let us truthfully strive to live in peace with each other (Romans 12:14). Love each other! (John 15:12). When God’s children “get-a-long”, when they love each other, He is very pleased! Praise our God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob withRevelation 18:9-20 – “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. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!’ 11 “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 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; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves. 14 “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out: “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! 17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’ “Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off.18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’ 20 “Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.”
“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. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!’” This Babylon, the “great city” has experienced her sudden doom. This verse is describing something that has already happened. Babylon has been destroyed. She who was powerful and rich now lay in smoldering ruins. The Kings of the earth, who were seduced by her, are in utter despair, not merely weeping, but wailing at her loss. For with the loss of this “great city” goes the economy of the world. She will not be around to buy the goods from the world. She is gone and the economies of the world are sent into a tailspin. They mourn but not for her, but for their selves. Babylon has violently and suddenly been destroyed. What event but a nuclear attack could bring about such sudden, complete and utter devastation? What event but a nuclear attack would keep the other countries at bay from approaching her. Her destruction comes in “one hour” and no comes to help, but merely watch the smoke of her destruction from a distance. These kings, watching from afar, afraid of nuclear pollution should have feared what she peddled that was worse, moral pollution. They should have never gotten into in bed with her and thereby tied their future to her. This Babylon exported the love of money and the me-first attitude. Now she is burning in judgment because of her sins. Yes, the kings and the world should not have been seduced. Now they should learn (though they should have learned sooner) that all who align with her will also be destroyed. Woe, woe indeed!
““The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore—“ The kings of the world worry, they know that the commerce of their nations is now in a freefall. The merchants are also watching this happening. They are also all out wailing and mourning over the destruction of Babylon. Yet they do not mourn for Babylon’s sake but for their own. The smoke of Babylon represents the fate of their own businesses. The great importer is gone and there is none who can buy and consume as she did. The merchants mourn for themselves.
“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; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.” What Babylon was buying from the world was not necessities, but luxuries. They were buying expensive materials for fine clothing decoration. They were buying the finest materials for their houses and the furnishings. They bought the finest perfumes and cosmetics. Food that was purchased was not needed for sustenance, but rather for fine dining. Expensive transportation flooded through their ports. Then, and worst and most damning of all, they were involved in the buying and selling of human bodies and destroying human souls (KJV- “bodies and souls of men”). Babylon was heavily involved in human trafficking. People were used as objects to bring ease, comfort, and or momentary pleasure to the rich. Even the poor would join in to pleasure themselves with enslaved women. Shamefully, even children were purchased. Children had their spirits walked upon for a few minute pleasure! Oh God, how patient you are! The stop-at-nothing lust for self-indulgence consumed the lives of the helpless. And God seethed.
This nation of Babylon did not receive power and wealth in and of itself, just as no man or corporation is built without God. For God’s purposes He had blessed Babylon but Babylon did not use her riches to spread the blessings of God throughout the world, but rather became puffed up with pride. She thought herself invincible, even untouchable (Revelation 18:7). She used others, she consumed while she did not share. She turned inward and thought not to bless others but deny others that her pleasure might not be lessened. Her pleasure was greater to her than the lives of anyone who did not belong to her. Oh Family, may we always remember that our treasure, our blessings, are greatest reward is to love and please God and to care for each other. The smile of God is more precious than all the riches of the world! Praise our God who loves us so!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob withRevelation 18:4-8 – 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;
5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. 6 Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup. 7 Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself.
In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit enthroned as queen. I am not a widow; I will never mourn.’ 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.
“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.” God has always called His people to lives that are separated from the ways of the world. He called Abraham out of his country to a promised land (Genesis 12:1). Jeremiah 50:8, 51:6, 45 calls the Jews out of Babylon and to not be associated with her sin and so also with the judgement to fall upon her. Likewise Lot and his family were ushered out of Sodom to escape the imminent destruction to fall upon her so that Lot would not also suffer the judgment meant for Sodom (Genesis 19:15). In the New Testament we are likewise urged to live our lives separated from the ways of the world (Romans 16:17-18; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1). Family, it is very easy to lose our focus and become distracted by the world. And the distraction becomes an evil habit. Let us be diligent in our walk with God. To allow evil into our life is to have idols in our life.
“for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.” This is reminiscent of the original Babylon, the tower of Babel. They thought they would build a tower so high it would reach to heaven, making them have no further need for God. Yet, in one day, the Lord destroyed their plans and scattered them (Genesis 11:1-8). They did not build a tower that reached Heaven, but their evil plans did reach Heaven. God is neither unaware nor forgetful of the sins of man. Rather the sins of the unredeemed are known and remembered by God.
We must not attempt to serve God and the world lest we get trapped by the world and also suffer the punishment coming to the world (Ephesians 5:11-12).
“Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup.” Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” A man receives back the penalty for his sins. God has His timing, perfect timing for all things, including when times of judgment (2 Peter 3:9). The evil that the world does is first against God and also against His people. Babylon will receive punishment double for what she has done. She will receive a double portion of judgment. Very scary.
“Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself.
In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit enthroned as queen. I am not a widow; I will never mourn.’” Babylon is steeped in pride. She is prideful and lives in luxury. She has the same mindset as many in the world, that they deserve their riches and sees no reason to help the less fortunate. She thinks she has because of she has earned, giving no credit to God. She wants no-one to say she is lacking anything and she thinks no-one, even God, will take her riches from her. Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
“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.” All who stand against God will suffer the same fate as the devil they follow. One day, judgement comes, and they will fall. Hosea 5:12 states that judgment came come slowly like a moth eating away of suddenly like a lion pouncing as in Hosea 5:14.
As Galatians 6:7 states, let no one deceive themselves. All who reject Jesus shall suffer for their sins. Yet not the believer. The sins of the believer are forgiven and forgotten (Psalm 103:10-13). Let us remember that judgment falling on the unredeemed is also evidence of the truthfulness of God’s Word and therefore also is proof that we will live with God forever! Let these things that are to happen not cause fear to the redeemed, but a time of glorifying God who always speaks the truth. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob withRevelation 18:1-3 – After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. 2 With a mighty voice he shouted:
“‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. 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.”
“After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.” The angel that comes down from heaven is said to have “great authority” and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. This angel was surely one of the most powerful angels.
“With a mighty voice he shouted: “‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’” Babylon who had great power and influence over the world to entice the world to emulate her is fallen. It is not a slow ebbing away, but a mighty crash that the world will see and mourn.
“She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.” As we have seen Babylon has been described, she is a city loved by those who do not love God and to those who do love God, she is a horror. Nowadays people don’t want to believe in the supernatural, they don’t want to believe that in our day and age demons are a trouble. They want to ascribe their evil in ways that don’t frighten, or that make sense to them. Even in the church. The Word of God is clear that demons have always plagued mankind and they will continue to so.
“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 Babylon is a three headed monster, it is political, financial and religious. The Antichrist uses these points to infiltrate all the earth. It is easy for those who care to honestly look at the contemporary world, that the antichrist spirit is alive and thriving in our world. We have people and nations whose politics care nothing for the will of God, or for the good of all, but only want the politics to suit their own beliefs. Their selfish beliefs are placed before God. Financially those who have and could give that none should suffer refuse to do so. This is a me-first world. On the religious front every year more and more churches accept the abominable to appease their sinful desires and to appease the evil in the world. In the final days, this will all be magnified.
In the next verses we will see that all believers are called to be separated from the abominations of the world. God has always called us to be separate from the world. Not physically separate, but spiritually separate. We do not live in separated colonies because then we could not share the Gospel with them. We are not to pull back our affections but to love them as God loves them. But we are not to love and approve of their evil deeds. Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus and follow Him. Then we shall find ourselves forever with God in Heaven. Praise God.
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob withRevelation 17:9-18 – “This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. 11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction. 12 “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” 15 Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”
“but the Lamb will triumph over them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers.” Jesus indeed is the Lord of lords and King of kings. He is not coming back as the Suffering Messiah. Some assign Him as a meek and not strong person. But in the Bible He is portrayed as someone who is indeed strong (Ephesians 6:10), but who withholds showing His mighty power during His time on earth (Philippians 2:7, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Matthew 20:28). When He first came He came to make the way for us to once again have shalom with God (Colossians 1:20, Ephesians 2:14). He came to pay the price for our sins (Matthew 8:17). When He comes back He comes back to evict the enemy and to reclaim what was created by Him. He comes back as the Mighty Warrior. Nothing can resist His power or His righteous judgement (Revelation 19:11-16). And we who love Him shall be there to witness the unleashing of His divine power and that none can resist Him. Like proud children who see their father step between them and danger, so we will be in awe of our Lord, proud of Him, and certainly in awe of Him.
“Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.” As previously discussed, the waters represented the people of the world.
“The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.” The devil and the beast hate the prostitute. The prostitute is one who once was with Christ, but received within herself many filthy false religions and false practices that are abhorrent to God. The prostitute thought it permissible to commit adultery with what is ungodly, what is not from God, to try to entice them to God. But deceiving oneself that it is okay to become one with the ungodly for a good reason is only allowing one to join the ungodly as ungodly. The Spirit of God does not reside as one with those who oppose God. Still, to the Devil and the Beast, the prostitute is detestable to them also. They not only have no respect for her, but they cannot stand the stench of her. The prostitute, trying to be both one with God and one with the World, ends up being repugnant to both God and to the enemy she sleeps with. She is used by devil and the beast as long as she is beneficial to their rise and power. Once their purpose with her is done, they will, with great distain and antipathy, expose her and tear her apart. She who thought herself so wonderful and so loved will find that there is no love in the arms of the devil and the beast. Evil only has affection for itself and once the purpose of the devil and the beast for the prostitute is done, they cast her aside. Now, the world has come to point of worshiping the devil and his beast, the harlot is no longer of use. The harlot’s patron is done with her and despises her. Like Jack the Ripper, she is butchered in the streets. Remember Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
2 Kings 9:30-37 “Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard about it, she put on eye makeup, arranged her hair and looked out of a window. 31 As Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, you Zimri, you murderer of your master?” 32 He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” Two or three eunuchs looked down at him. 33 “Throw her down!” Jehu said. So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered the wall and the horses as they trampled her underfoot. 34 Jehu went in and ate and drank. “Take care of that cursed woman,” he said, “and bury her, for she was a king’s daughter.” 35 But when they went out to bury her, they found nothing except her skull, her feet and her hands. 36 They went back and told Jehu, who said, “This is the word of the Lord that he spoke through his servant Elijah the Tishbite: On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs will devour Jezebel’s flesh. 37 Jezebel’s body will be like dung on the ground in the plot at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say, ‘This is Jezebel.’” This prostitute also dies an ignominious death.
“For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled.” What this is saying is that it is God who controls. The devil and those who follow him shake their fist at God and think they have accomplished something have accomplished only their doom. They think they are freed from Him. They find out that what they call freedom is merely proof of their condemnation and bondage. Their manacles tighten and at this point their hope of escaping is gone (Proverbs 29:6). Sad. Eternally sad.
“The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.” At the time that Revelation was written the great city that ruled was Rome.
Thinking of the prostitute the Word from Galatians 6:1-10 comes to life: “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Family, “let us not become weary in doing good.” At the proper time, at the perfect time that God has preordained (Habakkuk 2:3, Proverbs 3:1,11), we shall stand before the Lord and be found blameless thanks to the sacrifice of the Lord. By His blood we are made clean (1 John 1:7). Let us persevere now and reap the reward of doing so, and that being true, living forever with our God and in His love. What a great and sure hope we have! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob with
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Revelation 17:9-18 – “This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. 11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction. 12 “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” 15 Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”
“This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits.” As in Revelation 13:18 John is told that the person who will understand will need to pause and think about it. It is not being said that it cannot be known who the seven heads are, but that it must be figured out through what can be known from common knowledge and perhaps esoteric knowledge, combined with spiritual knowledge. We can know the who and the where that is being described if we are willing to figure out the clues that are given. This may become more possible to deduce who is being described as time passes and events, countries, and worlds have risen to power.
As previously discussed, in the ancient world the “seven hills” usually refer to Rome. Does this refer to the Roman Empire of the time? Or perhaps a religion based there? Or perhaps to the cooperation of both?
“They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while.” We previously reviewed the possible identities of these seven kings.
“The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.” The Beast, the Antichrist, is an eight king. Again this beast is something that once was, yet at the time of the writing of Revelation, was not, but something that will rise up again. It appears that it is something, or someone, that rises up from among the seven. They, or one of them, cede power to him and he rides their power to prominence greater than the seven themselves. He is their champion lifted and glorified on the shoulders of the seven. He and the seven are headed toward destruction.
““The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.” As previously noted, horns often represent power and authority. Here we see this is so as the ten horns are ten kings, who, at the time of the writing of Revelation, had not yet received a kingdom. When they do come to power part of their reign will be during time the Beast rises to power. They will be aligned with the Beast and they will be in power for a short time. During our time we should assess if there is in place a certain alignment of nations that number at least ten that may part of, or be, these ten horns. Certainly most scholars and biblical pastors believe that we are close to the return of the Lord. Therefore we likely already have strong clues in place.
“They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.” When these ten kings consolidate it will be for the purpose, though they may not know it from the start, to hand over their power and authority to the beast. They have aligned with him and intend to promote and protect him.
“They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” The Beast and all who support and follow him will wage war against the Lamb, who is Jesus (John 1:29, 36). Of course, it is such a futile effort on their part. God is omnipotent and cannot be defeated and Jesus is God as described by others, as Jesus did not refute the statements of His deity, and Jesus Himself said that He and God are One (John 1:1, Romans 9:5, John 1:14, John 17-3-5, John 14:6-7, Colossians 1:16, Mark 8:30, John 8:58, John 18:6, John 5:18).
John 5:18 “For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.” Family the Lord Jesus described Himself in terms that related that He was God. The Jews of the time understood Him completely. They were so sure that He was calling Himself God that they wanted to kill Him. Since they did not believe Him they believed He was committing blasphemy. Yes they killed their Messiah. Yet we can thank God for the many Jews who are now coming to the Lord (https://www.oneforisrael.org/met-messiah-jewish-testimonies/) (https://youtu.be/cBErCbZvzRs). We can thank God for calling us to Him and thereby to our salvation (2 Timothy 1:9). Praise God! We have been saved and forever will we be with Him. Let’s think about that and get excited about that! Family, praise God, we are going to Heaven because He desired every single one of us, individually and as a group, to be with Him (1 Timothy 2:4). Praise God! Praise God indeed!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob withMatthew 3:13-17 – 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Jesus started His ministry in obedience and humility. Jesus came to be baptized to set the example that men were to repent and to be baptized. The baptism of John the Baptist was the baptism of repentance. What is described here is the Son of Man, the One and Only Son of God who indeed is also God (God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit), God in the flesh coming to a man to be baptized by Him. Wouldn’t we all have said to the Lord Jesus walking up to us and asking us to minister to Him “No Lord, please minister to us. I am not worthy to minister to you (John 1:27).” We would be thinking that we are impure and we should set aside any authority that was given to us to yield to Jesus. Certainly John was amazed that Jesus would come to John to be ministered to, to be baptized by.
John fully knew that Jesus was the Messiah, that He was God in the flesh and so John knew that Jesus had no “need” to be baptized by John’s baptism of repentance. Jesus had never sinned and would never sin (1 Peter 2:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21) so He had nothing to repent of. Then why did Jesus get baptized, to be an example for us. Therefore Jesus yielded His will to the Father’s will (Luke 22:42) and humbly submitted Himself to be baptized by a man. Jesus was baptized as an example to us as we are called to be baptized. Jesus yielded His will to the Father and we must yield our lives to the Lord. We, unlike Jesus, all have sin (Romans 3:23). We must humble ourselves and submit to the will of the Father and know Jesus as Savior and Lord. We are baptized because we love Him who first loved us and those who love God are obedient to God (John 14:15). Jesus set the example! Praise God!
Jesus told John to baptize Jesus as it was the right thing to do. It was fulfilling the righteousness of God. John submitted to His Savior and Lord and baptized Jesus.
After being baptized, “At that moment,” heaven was opened. The sky parted, indeed descending from heaven itself the Spirit of God descended a Jesus in the form of a dove. Doves are often used as symbolism of purity, innocence and peace. In Genesis 8:11 Noah sent the dove out to see if there was dry land. The dove brought back a freshly plucked olive leaf. So the dove brought back a symbol that the judgement that had come upon the earth was passing away. It is also noteworthy that the dove brought back an olive leaf, with the olive tree being symbolism about Israel. So the heavens parted and from Heaven a dove was used to announce the end of judgement and a new age. The Holy Spirit came in the form of a dove to alight on Jesus who was bringing in the new age of grace from God for peace with God through Jesus the Son of God. Isaiah 11:2 and 61:1 states the Spirit of God will rest on Him. We have to appreciate the beauty and consistency of the Word of God.
Also from Heaven was the voice of the Father as He said “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” The Father was announcing to the World that Jesus is indeed His Son (Which make Jesus God in the flesh) and to follow Him. God the Father was bearing witness to whom Jesus was and is. As in Deuteronomy 4:12 those present only heard the voice of God, not seeing His form (1 John 4:12), though Jesus, being one with God, did state that if one has seen Him, then one has seen the Father (John 14:9).
For those who do not believe in the Trinity these scriptures clearly reveal it. Here, all member are present at the same time. They all are part of the ministry of Jesus. They are all one in it.
What a blessing that day when we shall be with all Three, who are One. Then we will live forever in the singular love of the Three who are One. Praise God Almighty!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob withRevelation 17:6b-8 – When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7 Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the Beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The Beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the Beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.
“The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the Beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.” The “inhabitants of the earth” is a way of speaking about those who do not belong to Christ. These are they who deny the deity of Jesus (1 John 4:3). It is clear that the Word of God clearly states that Jesus is God in the flesh (John 1:1, Titus 2:13, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 1:8, John 1:3, Colossians 1:16). In Mark 2:3-12 we read of friends of a paralyzed man taking extraordinary effort to bring him to Jesus, hoping that Jesus would heal his paralyzed condition. When Jesus saw that the man and his friends had faith that Jesus would be the answer for their friend He told the paralyzed man that his sins were forgiven. Now it would seem that the friends of the paralyzed man, and perhaps the man himself, were thinking something like “What? We’ve carried our friend so that Jesus could merely tell him that his sins are forgiven? We wanted Jesus to heal his paralyzed condition!” The Word states that Jesus knew what those present were thinking in their hearts (consider that for a moment!). From a natural perspective, rather than a spiritual perspective, they were thinking that anyone could say the man’s sins were forgiven. How could they even know if Jesus truly had the right to forgive sins? Some of the “teachers of the law” were sitting there thinking, within themselves (no verbalization), that Jesus was blaspheming because only God can forgive sin (which shows that all sin is first against God).
Jesus had no responsibility to prove Himself (Mark 8:11-13), yet for the benefit of all there (and for the benefit of men throughout the ages, including us) He did illustrate His right to forgive sin. Coming down to their level of understanding He asked them what is easier to say, that the man’s sin are forgiven or to heal him and tell him to get up and walk? To the natural mind, since it lacks understanding, it would be easier to say to that sins are forgiven (Though they would know that to God Himself, both are equally possible for God to do). After all, having said that, who could disprove whether the sins are forgiven or not (though sins in the mindset of the Jews at that time, were the cause of the man who was paralyzed, or from sins of his parents). They may have thought that any one of them could say that the man’s sins are forgiven. To them that was easy to say but lacked proof. In their misunderstanding they likely thought that if his sins were forgiven then he would be healed. Jesus then healed the man and showed that He had the authority to both heal the man and to forgive his sins. Now the lawyers there (teachers of the law) rightly spoke that only God can forgive sins, and the healing of the man showed that Jesus definitely had divine power working through him. Jesus, by proving that He had the right for forgive sin (by healing the man), and He proved that He was (and is) God. Thus Jesus was asserting His divinity.
Also, only an evil man (or a crazy man) would accept worship that was intended for God. In Isaiah 42:8 God clearly states that He will not yield the right to be glorified as God to any other. Yet Jesus allowed Himself to be worshipped (Matthew 28:9, Luke 24:52, John 9:38, John 20:28). If Jesus were not God in the flesh He would have been sinning greatly to accept worship as God. But Jesus did not sin (1 Peter 2:22). He indeed was God in the flesh.
Therefore the “inhabitants of the earth” are those who refuse the obvious, that Jesus was God the Son in the flesh. They were not part of, and never will be a part of, God’s kingdom.
God has always known who would be part of His kingdom. God knew who would respond to Jesus and submit to Him, and who would not (In Romans 8:29). Since God has always known who are His and who are not His, these inhabitants of the earth have never had their names written in the Book of Life. The Book of Life has the names of all those who belong to God and these who do not know, love and serve Jesus are not in the Book of Life because they are not God’s children.
The “inhabitants of the earth” are astonished, and deceived, because they refused the Truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10-13). So they believe that the Beast is a god, and so by virtue of refusing the truth, have been consumed by a lie. Just as mankind has done throughout history and continues to do now.
In Revelation 3:4-5 Jesus promises to the Church in Sardis “Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.” We who belong to Christ are held close, are protected, and will forever be with Him. Praise God that we have our names written in the Book of Life and God has no intention of every blotting our names out of it. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob withRevelation 17:6b-8 – When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7 Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the Beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The Beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the Beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.
“The Beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction.” The Beast is the Antichrist. Yet the Beast can refer to either the person or the kingdom of the Beast. Whether the person or the kingdom, they are merely the tools Satan uses to advance his hatred and his work.
The expression that the Beast “once was, now is not and yet will come” is likely a given comparison and also an expression of who he is, contrary to whom he wants to convince the world he is. The statement about the beast draws us back to the statement of Jesus in Revelation 1:4 “Grace and peace to you from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come.” This verse is speaking of Jesus. Here we see that the Antichrist is a poor counterfeit of Jesus. The devil would like all to believe that he and his henchman the Antichrist have the same power and eternality as our Triune God. Yet the comparison is missing something of vital importance. Jesus is the eternal pre-existing One. He has no beginning. He has always existed, He exists now and He will forever exist. Jesus was God in the flesh and He has never stopped to exist as He remains at the right hand of the Father. Whereas the devil, the Antichrist whom he uses, and the False Prophet are all created beings. They have a beginning. Now God gave them life (which they, of their own free will perverted) and so we can mark their beginning. The devil has existed since his creation, he does exist and he will continue to exist, but not to live. Eternal life, in biblical terms, is a wonderful life that never ceases to be with God. The devil however will exist, but shall not forever have access to the presence of God. In fact, the Word notes that He was thrown out of Heaven never to return (Revelation 12:12, Luke 10:18). So the devil dies, yet he exists. This is no great mystery as all of mankind have eternal souls. All of mankind shall forever exist. Mankind faces two deaths. As is manifest to any sensible mind, one inevitable fact of life on earth is that it ends. The ceasing of life in our bodies is the first death, the death of the flesh (Hebrews 9:27). The death of our bodies is a milestone, but is not the end of us. Our souls live forever (Psalm 23:6, 49:7-9, Ecclesiastes 12:7, Daniel 12:2-3). If our souls live forever what is the second death? It is spiritual death. The second death is when a soul is eternally separated from God. That soul is sent to its requested place in eternity, the Lake of Fire, that will forever burn, but not consume its inhabitants (Matthew 25:46). The Christian has no second death (Matthew 25:46). The eternal soul of the Christian, and only of the Christian, lives forever with God (John 11:26). Praise God! So all continue to exist, but not all continue to live. Those who come to God through Jesus will live forever with Him. For all who belong to Jesus eternity is not merely existing, but living. Oh praise God!
The Antichrist once was, meaning he previously existed, but he at some point ceased to exist. Then, in the End Times we see he comes out of the Abyss and is sent to destruction. It is interesting to note that the “go” is used rather than “goes” when speaking of the Antichrist’s inevitable path to destruction. While not an absolute rule, it is common to use “goes” when referring to the singular. So it would seem that “goes” would be used, instead of “go” when speaking of the Beast alone. Now this is not an absolute rule but in context, it certain avails one to consider that it not only the Beast of the End Times that is being considered, but all those who have been of the same spirit as the Antichrist of the end times. Certainly the Word says that the Antichrist spirit has been active at least since the time of the Apostles (1 John 4:3). Certainly there have been those who people thought may be the Antichrist. Among those who people have thought were the Antichrist, and some may still think were, are Nero Caesar, Napoleon, and Hitler. As we consider these previously accused, we see those who committed great evil and who had a desire to conquer the world, and these are also traits of the End Times Antichrist. However, we know from history itself, and from our present day world existence as it is, that none of these were “the” End Times Antichrist. Though certainly it is possible that they had the “antichrist spirit.”
Bringing us back to “go” vs. “goes,” is it possible that this End Times Antichrist is a singular spirit that existed in all who previously had within them the Antichrist spirit. Since it is the same spirit they all shared, all those who previously walked in the Antichrist spirit, including all those who even now will not acknowledge Jesus is from and is God (1 John 4:3), are all spirits that exist together within the singular Antichrist spirit? They certainly all share the same fate (Matthew 25:41).
Again referring to the “go” vs “goes,” this could also mean to include the devil, the Beast, and the False Prophet. However it is unlikely that the devil would be included as he has never stopped existing. Even the devil in the form of evil never truly goes away. Evil may lurk in the shadows of the campfire but it exists nevertheless and always, to date, returns. The devil, evil, never gives up.
V8 states of the Beast that it comes from the Abyss (meaning a deep hole…let’s not get started on that!). The antichrist is not merely a man, but comes from deep evil. V8 also states that the Beast is going to its destruction. He will have his moment where he seems invincible and eternal, but in the right time, he will be destroyed physically and sent to eternal destruction. Why? Because God has said so and so it will be. Just as everything God says will happen will happen. God is God and there is no other (1 Corinthians 8:6). All who oppose the divinity of Jesus have the Antichrist spirit. They are one, at least in work if no other, with the Antichrist. All who, though they may appear nice, or kind, or generous, yet deny Jesus, are all of the same Antichrist spirit. They all do evil because they deceive people and lead them away from the sole Savior, Jesus Christ. Again, for the evil who reject Jesus, the End Times are scary and cause the pre-existing anger and hatred to rise. Yet for those who are called by His name, it is time of triumph and the receiving of promises of eternal life. Praise God who remembers all His own and who blesses all of His in due time. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob withJohn 14:1-3 – Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
When I get to heaven gonna walk with Jesus
When I get to heaven gonna see His face
When I get to heaven gonna talk with Jesus
Saved by His wonderful grace
Because I’m saved, saved
Wonderfully saved
Washed in the Blood of the Lamb
Saved, saved, wonderfully saved
And I’m so glad I am
Hallelujah!
Psalm 33:1-5, 20-22 – Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him. 2 Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre. 3 Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. 4 For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all he does. 5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love. 20 We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. 21 In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. 22 May Your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in You.
A day is coming for all who call Jesus Savior and Lord in which there will be no more sorrow, no more pain, no more worry and no more tears (Revelation 21:4). There is a day when the Lord will call us home to be with Him and the Father and the Spirit for eternity (1 Corinthians 15:51-5). We will see Him (Acts 7:55-60). We will walk the celestial palace our Almighty God who loves us so tenderly. He will be overjoyed at the sound of His children filling His home and we shall overjoyed to be there with Him. Oh what a joy to see Him, to be surrounded by Him, to see and hear the angels, and to see all the sights of heaven. There we shall breathe the air of the free and of the worry free. There we shall know what we only partially walk in now, the feeling of no stress and no worries. In heaven we will know as we only partly now know the all-encompassing love of our God for us. We shall be the adored kids living with God and we will all have our own place, especially and individually prepared for each of us by the one who knows us best. That day our song reaches the heights of worship, peace and joy. Oh that day to be at rest from the world and to walk in shalom with God. Oh that day! To skip the halls of God, hand in hand, with all of our beloved who preceded us there. Yes, the day is coming. We all have the appointment. We who love God know who we love and we know that we shall forever be united with Him. Praise God! We strain for the day! Praise God! Come Lord Jesus! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob with