Revelation Chapter Sixteenstorage.cloversites.com/ridgecrestbaptistchurch1... · 2013. 10. 11. · Chapter Sixteen (16) Revelation 16:3 that was in the sea. In the 1st plague in Egypt,

Revelation

Chapter

Sixteen

SERMON OUTLINE

Armageddon – The final great battle of history between

the forces of God and Satan.

Revelation 16:1-21

*The last seven (7) bowls of God’s wrath poured out upon the

world will cause . . .

1. Terrible sores -1st bowl (16:2).

2. The sea to turn to blood – 2nd bowl (16:3).

3. The inland waters to turn to blood— 3rd bowl (16:4).

4. The sun to scorch people – 4th bowl (16:8-9).

5. The beast’s kingdom to plunge into darkness –

5th bowl (16:10-11).

6. The preparation for final war – 6th bowl (16:12-16).

7. Cosmic judgment on the world—7th bowl (16:17-21).

Point 1 Revelation 16:2; Exodus 9:10-11; Revelation 8,

9,16.

Point 2 Revelation 16:3; Exodus 7:19; Revelation 8,9,16.

Point 3 Revelation 16:4;8.

Point 4 Revelation 16:8-9.

Point 5 Revelation 16:10-11; Exodus 21:21; Isaiah 60:2;

Joel 2:2; Matthew 13:24,25.

Point 6 Revelation 16:12-16; Revelation 8-9;16;

I Thessalonians 5:2; Philippians 1:10;

I Corinthians 1:8; John 6:39; II Peter 3:12;

I Thessalonians 5:4-5.

Point 7 Revelation 16:17-21; 14:8,10; 18:3.

Scriptures used throughout

this Sermon

Revelation 16:1-21

Armageddon—The final great battle of history

history between the forces of

God and Satan. The world map politically is in place for a third (3rd)

world war.

U.S.

North Korea

Iran

Russia Red China

Egypt Syria

Hard Line Muslims

Israel, etc. etc.,

There is an anti– Christian spirit growing in the world.

7 is the perfect number

7 seals

7 trumpets

7 Bowls

Chapter Sixteen (16)

Sermon notes and significant thoughts

and ideas from the sermon on this chapter

Dr. George Ladd writes . . .

There are certain similarities between the seven bowl plagues

and the seven trumpet plagues, and both series contain

certain similarities to the plagues of Egypt. But the seven

bowl plagues are much more severe and intense. While the

first four trumpet plagues fall upon man’s environment rather

than upon man himself, the first bowl plague falls directly

-1-


The loud “voice” from the temples telling the angels to

pour out the 7 bowls of wrath upon the earth is God’s.

Revelation 16:2

-2-

Dr. George Ladd (continued)

upon man. These plagues must be seen in the context of the

titanic struggle between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom

of Satan pictured so vividly in chapter twelve. These plagues

are not the expression of God’s wrath against sin in general,

nor are they punishments for individual wrongdoing. They are

the outpouring of his wrath upon him who would frustrate the

divine purpose in the world—the beast—and upon those who

have given their loyalty to him. There was an interlude between the first six seals and the

seventh, and between the first six trumpets and the seventh.

But there is no interlude here; the seventh bowl plague is

the overthrow of Babylon herself—the capital of the beast’s

empire. What is announced in the seventh bowl plague is

described in detail in the two following chapters. These

plagues are God’s answer to Satan’s last and greatest effort to

frustrate the divine rule.

So the first angel went and poured out

his bowl on the earth, and harmful and

painful sores came upon the people

who bore the mark of the beast and

worshiped its image.


The same “Greek” word is used in the Septuagint (Old

Testament scriptures written in Greek rather than Hebrew)

to describe the boils that plagued the Egyptians (Exodus

9:9-11) and that afflicted Job (Job 2:7). In the New Testa-

ment it describes the open sores that covered Lazarus the

beggar (Luke 16:21).

These boils are inflicted upon all those who took the mark

of the beast all over the world. In Exodus 9:10-11 there

was no cure at the end of history.

Trumpets of wrath = 1/2

Bowls of wrath = 100%

Lost people all over the world will be afflicted with incurable,

open, oozing sores except those who are saved and sealed

from God’s wrath.

All mankind on earth will have to declare their loyalty either

To . . .

Christ

or

Anti-Christ

Dr. Grant Osborne wrote . . .

-3-

“The thought of such a plague in any literal sense is fear-

some indeed. Medical supplies would be exhausted in a

few days with such a universal disaster. Moreover those

inflicted would be unable to walk, sit or lie down without

pain, as anyone who has had boils can attest.


Revelation 16:3

In the 1st plague in Egypt, the waters of the Nile were smitten

and became blood (Exodus 7:17-21). At the sound of the 2nd

trumpet, something like a mountain was cast into the sea

and a 1/3 of its waters became blood and a 1/3 of the

creatures died but there is no such limitation placed on this bowl.

Trumpet = 1/3 sea = blood

1/3 creatures died

Bowl = “All Die”

John McCarthur wrote . . .

Exodus 7:19

The second angel poured out his bowl

into the sea, and it became like the blood

of a corpse, and every living thing died

that was in the sea.

The worlds oceans will become thick, dark and coagulated

like the blood of a corpse. The death and decay of billions

of sea creatures will only add the misery of this judgment.

And the Lord said to Moses, “Say to

Aaron, ‘Take your staff and stretch out

your hand over the waters of Egypt, over

their rivers, their canals, and their

ponds, and all their pools of water, so

that they may become blood, and there

shall be blood throughout all the land of

Egypt, even in vessels of wood and in

vessels of stone.’”

-4-


A miniature of God’s

judgment to come

upon the whole world

This causes famine and death to all who depend on the

bounties of the sea, for the oceans of the world become

polluted.

We have no idea how much of our food we eat daily comes

from the oceans but there will be none– the economics

of the world will be brought down.

Revelation 16:4

The 3rd trumpet plague affected the rivers and fountains of

Water so that a 1/3 of them turned poisonously bitter

again no such limitation on the 3rd bowl.

The worshipers of the anti-Christ will suffer both lack of

good water to satisfy their thirst and water to clean and

wash their sores.

-5-

Egypt Whole

World

The third angel poured out his bowl

into the rivers and the springs of

water, and they became blood.


Revelation 16:10-11

This plague is poured out directly upon the center of

the beat’s power. His wrath is poured out upon the

demonic civilization of the last days.

This is similar to the plague of darkness in Egypt.

Exodus 21:21

Darkness = symbol of their spiritual darkness

Christ and the gospel = “light”

everything opposite this is darkness

-7-

In hell sinners will

not repent of sin.

The fifth angel poured out his bowl

on the throne of the beast, and its

kingdom was plunged into darkness.

People gnawed their tongues in anguish

and cursed the God of heaven for their

pain and sores. They did not repent of

their deeds.

Supernatural darkness that covers

the anti-Christ’s entire kingdom.

But if the slave survives a day

or two, he is not to be avenged,

for the slave is his money.


Worldwide darkness is associated with the judgment of

God (Isaiah 60:2; Joel 2:2; Matthew 13:24,25).

Revelation 16:12-16

This bowl is different in that it does not inflict a plague

but prepares for the final battle of history “Armageddon”

This bowl is similar to the 7th trumpet when four (4)

angels were released to lead a demonic army of 200

million that kill 1/3 of mankind.

-8-

The sixth angel poured out his bowl on

the great river Euphrates, and its wa-

ter was dried up, to prepare the way

for the kings from the east. 13 And I

saw, coming out of the mouth of the

dragon and out of the mouth of the

beast and out of the mouth of the false

prophet, three unclean spirits like

frogs. 14 For they are demonic spirits,

performing signs, who go abroad to the

kings of the whole world, to assemble

them for battle on the great day of

God the Almighty. 15 (“Behold, I am

coming like a thief! Blessed is the one

who stays awake, keeping his gar-

ments on, that he may not go about

naked and be seen exposed!”) 16 And

they assembled them at the place that

in Hebrew is called Armageddon.


The “voice” of the angel vindicating God’s justice of his judgments.

Ladd The “altar” affirms that God’s judgments are

not arbitrary or capricious but just and true.

Revelation 16:8-9

This bowl caused a plague of excessive heat which afflicted

men with a fierce sunstroke. This is “caused” by the

sovereign Judgment of God overruling the processes of

nature. The sun that normally provides light, warmth and

Energy becomes a deadly killer—polar ice caps melt and

The ocean levels rise causing major flooding, etc.,

The same “sun” that can warm and melt can also make

hard and brittle sinners harden their hearts and

curse God.

-6-

“Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who

was, for you brought these judgments. For

they have shed the blood of saints and

prophets, and you have given them blood

to drink. It is what they deserve!” And I

heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the

Almighty, true and just are your judgments!”

The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the

sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with

fire. They were scorched by the fierce heat,

and they cursed the name of God who had

power over these plagues. They did not

repent and give him glory.


Drying up the Euphrates is symbolic of removing barriers

which hold back pagan hordes.

Kings of the East

Kings of the whole world

3 Unclean Spirits like frogs

Demonic spirits (1) Out of the mouth of the dragon—Satan

(2) Out of the mouth of the beast—Anti-Christ

(3) Our of the mouth of the false prophet—religious

Deceiver

Satan

Anti-Christ False Prophet

To assemble them for battle on the Great Day of God the Almighty. * The Day of the Lord I Thessalonians 5:2

* The Day of Christ Philippians 1:10

* The Day of the Lord Jesus Christ

I Corinthians 1:8

* The Last Day

John 6:39

* The Day of God II Peter 3:12

Join

Together

The Trinity of Evil

-9-


The Day of Both:

(1) Salvation

(2) Judgment


Behold I come like a thief.

6th (Thief) 7th

“Come as a thief in the night”

I Thessalonians 5:2

“The Day of the Lord will come” like a thief in the night.

II Peter 3:10

“I will come like a thief”

Revelation 3:3

The day of the Lord is the time when the total redemptive

purpose of God will be consummated, both for salvation and

judgment, both for individuals, the church, and the whole

creation. Here, John sees the hatred that has expressed itself

throughout the ages of human history in terms of hostility and

persecution of the people of God as coming to a last grand finale

when all the rulers of the earth join hands in a final battle.

Such a battle between God’s people and their pagan neighbors

is frequently envisaged by the Old Testament prophets (Psalm

2:2-3; Isaiah 5:26-30; Jeremiah 6:1-5; Ezekiel 38; Joel 3:9-15). Verse 15. In view of the imminent crisis involved in the battle

between God and the forces of evil, Jesus himself interjects a

word to the church, both to warn his people and to assure them

of the realities behind the immediate historical events. The war

of the united kings under the leadership of the beast is not the

ultimate reality; the ultimate reality is the facts of the Lord’s

return.

-10-


Jesus will come like a thief to unbelievers

The saved will be looking for his coming.

I Thessalonians 5:4-5

Stay Awake—be morally and spiritually alert and

ready—do not fall asleep spiritually. Jesus is coming for the church and judgment on

unbelievers.

And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew

is Armageddon.

Hebrew name of Mt. Meggido 60 miles north of Jerusalem -

this is a place of decisive victory.

Barak’s victory over the Canaanites' (Jude 4).

Ahaziah slain by Jehu (II Kings; II Chronicles 35).

Gideon’s victory over the Midianites (Jude 7).

“Armageddon” is “symbolic” of the last final war that

involves all nations.

-11-

But you are not in darkness, brothers,

for that day to surprise you like a

thief. 5 For you are all children of light,

children of the day. We are not of the

night or of the darkness.

The victory by God

is absolute & final


Revelation 16:17-21

This bowl will complete God’s wrath and immediately precedes

the second coming of Christ it will usher in the worst

calamity in the history of the world.

God’s Voice

It is Done!

God will finalize the completion of his wrath with a devasta-

ting earthquake (the greatest in history) and a hailstorm

(100 pounds) of great magnitude.

-12-

The seventh angel poured out his bowl

into the air, and a loud voice came out

of the temple, from the throne, saying,

“It is done!” 18 And there were flashes

of lightning, rumblings, peals of thun-

der, and a great earthquake such as

there had never been since man was

on the earth, so great was that earth-

quake. 19 The great city was split into

three parts, and the cities of the

nations fell, and God remembered Bab-

ylon the great, to make her drain the

cup of the wine of the fury of his

wrath. 20 And every island fled away,

and no mountains were to be found. 21 And great hailstones, about one

hundred pounds each, fell from heaven

on people; and they cursed God for the

plague of the hail, because the plague

was so severe.


The great city was split into 3 parts and the Cities of the

Nations fell. Great City = Babylon—the Antichrist capital.

Details elaborated in Revelation 17:12-14 Cities of the Nations –all the cities that support

the Antichrist.

God remembered Babylon the Great, to make her drain

the cup of wine of the fury of his wrath.

Dr. Ladd writes . . .

-13-

God remembered Babylon, to make her drain the cup of

the fury of his wrath. Babylon has given to the nations of

the earth the “cup of the wine of her impure passion” and

has led “the kings of the earth to commit fornication with

her” and has enabled the merchants of the earth to “grow

rich with the wealth of her wantonness” (18:3). In return,

God makes Babylon, together with the nations who have

followed her, to drink another cup, the cup of his wrath.

This theme has already been expounded in 14:8,10. “God remembered great Babylon.” These are poignant

words. During the short period of the reign of Antichrist it

will seem as though God has forgotten his people. Evil will

seem to be the victor; no deliverance is in sight. But God

does not forget. God remembers, and he will remember to

give the mighty enemy of his people her just due.


With the pouring out of the 7 bowls God’s wrath is

completed—Revelation 17-18-19 reveal more details

concerning God’s completed wrath.

-14-

Dr. Ladd (Continued) -

Verse 20. Again John describes proleptically the consum-

mation, which will involve a renovation of the entire created

order and the ushering in of new heavens and a new earth.

This event does not take place until after the return of

Christ (19:11ff.) and is described in terms of a completely

transformed order 21:1ff.). Yet John can signal the

approach of this event by apocalyptic language of the

breakup of the old order: and every island fled away, and

no mountains were to be found. John has already, early

in his book, used similar language to describe the coming

of the end; the opening of the sixth seal witnessed the

breakup of the present order (6:12ff.). Verse 21. And great

hailstones, heavy as a hundredweight, dropped on men

from heaven, till men cursed God for the plague of the

hail, so fearful was that plague. We do not know with

certainty the measure of the weight indicated, but it seems

to have been over a hundred pounds.


1. Evil and rebellion can rule for a season but it’s day of

reckoning is definite and certain.

2. The world map is in place and it will continue to process

until Revelation will be fulfilled.

3. All governments of the world including the United States

of America are becoming more and more secular and

progressive as well as atheistic (antichristian).

4. The world is rushing toward Armageddon.

5. The church and Israel will play significant places

in this scenario.

6. Satan and evil will reveal it’s arrogance and pride

7. The judgment of a Sovereign God will be absolute and

final.

Personal Application

Revelation

Chapter

Seventeen

SERMON OUTLINE

Babylon—the symbol of secular and pagan

philosophy in opposition to God.

Revelation 17:1-18

*What do the following concepts in Revelation chapter 17

mean . . .

1. The woman arrayed in purple and scarlet.

2. The beast with 7 heads and 10 horns.

3. The waters upon which the woman is seated.

4. The ones who are called, chosen and faithful.

5. The purpose of God in relationship to the beast

and the woman.

Point 1 Revelation 17:1-6; Isaiah 1:21; Ezekiel 16:15;

Jeremiah 51:7; II Timothy 4:1-4; II Thessalonians

2:3; Matthew 25:41.

Point 2 Revelation 17:6-14; Daniel 8; Revelation 17:10-11;

Daniel 2-7; Revelation 19:16.

Point 3 Revelation 17:1-2; 15; Jeremiah 51:13

Point 4 Revelation 17:14

Point 5 Revelation 17:15-18; Amos 3:6; Ecclesiastes 7:14;

Ephesians 1:11.


this Sermon

Revelation 17:1-18

Babylon—the symbol of secular and

pagan philosophy in opposition to God.

Revelation has 4 visions

1st Vision—1:9-3:22 = 7 churches

2nd Vision—4:1-16:21 = 7 seals, trumpets, bowls

3rd Vision—17:1-21:8= Babylon/2nd Coming

4th Vision—21:9-22:5 = Heavenly Jerusalem

Epilogue 22:6-21

-1-

Chapter Seventeen (17)


and ideas from the sermon on this chapter

John’s apocalyptic narrative is now hastening to its end. He

has carried us through the time of great tribulation with its

terrible persecution of the saints by Antichrist, and he has

shown us a rebellious, antichristian civilization unbowed

and unrepentant under the outpourings of the wrath of God

in the plagues of the seven trumpets and the seven bowls.

The seventh bowl did not bring a plague upon mankind but

announced the coming of the end, particularly in the over-

throw of Babylon, an event which had already been

announced (14:8). All that remains now is to tell of the

coming of the end. John first gives the negative side of the

divine victory, viz., the overthrow of the rebellious civilization

announced in his seventh bowl (chapters 17-18), and then

tells of the triumphant coming of Christ, his victorious reign,

and finally the establishment of the new order in the new

heavens and new earth (chapters 19-22).


Revelation 17:1-6

A woman arrayed in purple and scarlet and adorned

with gold and jewels and pearls holding in her hand

a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities

of her sexual immoralities.

-2-

Then one of the seven angels who had

the seven bowls came and said to me,

“Come, I will show you the judgment of

the great prostitute who is seated on

many waters, 2 with whom the kings of

the earth have committed sexual immo-

rality, and with the wine of whose sexual

immorality the dwellers on earth have

become drunk.” 3 And he carried me away

in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw

a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that

was full of blasphemous names, and it

had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The

woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet,

and adorned with gold and jewels and

pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup

full of abominations and the impurities of

her sexual immorality. 5 And on her fore-

head was written a name of mystery:

“Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes

and of earth's abominations.” 6 And I saw

the woman, drunk with the blood of the

saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.

[a] When I saw her, I marveled greatly.


Woman = “Blasphemous religion” she symbolizes

“Idolatry” and “Religion Apostasy”

(Apostate Christianity) The Tower of Babel was a monument to rebellion and

false religion “idolatry” this spreads across civil-

zation.

Purple = color of “royalty”

Scarlet = color of “wealth” This typifies the incredible commercial prosperity

of the Roman Empire.

In the Old Testament the metaphor of adultery was

frequently used of Israel as God’s faithless wife who

had proved unfaithful by turning to false gods.

Isaiah 1:21

Ezekiel 16:15

Rome

Miniature

Global

end of

History

How the faithful city has become a

whore, a she who was full of justice!

Righteousness lodged in her, but now

murderers.

“But you trusted in your beauty and

played the whore because of your

renown and lavished your whorings on

any passerby; your beauty became his.

-3-


Ladd writes . . .

The kings of the earth commit fornication with her

they enter into “commerce” with her and share her

wealth and prosperity. In so doing they have also

shared her vices and idolatries. Jeremiah 51:7

The particular form of fornication in the present instance

is enticement of the people to worship the beast.

The wine of whom sexual immorality the dwellers of

the earth have become drunk. Seduction—the enticement by which she seduces

the nations to share her ungodly character -

they have joined in her sins.

Dwellers on the earth = ungodly sinners.

-4-

“The idea here is not one of spiritual faithlessness but of

prostitution of everything to commercial gain—Nineveh is

also described as a harlot (Nahum 3:4) because of the way

she enticed weaker nations by her display of power and

splendor only to scorn and enslave them. #Here the harlot is

Babylon, the symbol of human civilization with all its pomp

and circumstance organized in opposition to God—the city

which has dominion over the kings of the earth.”

Babylon was a golden cup in the Lord's

hand, making all the earth drunken;

the nations drank of her wine; therefore

the nations went mad.


A golden cup full of abominations and the impurities

of her sexual immorality. The harlot’s influence will extend beyond the world rulers

to the rest of mankind—the imagery does not describe

actual sin and sexual sin but pictures the world’s people

being swept up into the “intoxication” and sin of a false

system of religion. Golden Cup = great wealth

Woman = The great city (Babylon) Rome in the 1st Century pointed to the end of history. Cities of the 1st Century were centers of . . .

1. Idolatry

2. Materialism

3. Immorality

Babylon promises sensuality and prosperity [mother of

prostitution].

On her forehead was written a name of mystery.

Prostitutes in Rome would wear a headband with

their name on it (Jeremiah 3:3) parading their

immorality for all to see. Mystery = “Babylon the Great”

False religion has its roots in Babylon.

-5-

She deceives nations into committing spiritual

fornication with her.


The woman drunk with the blood of martyrs of Jesus.

False religion has killed millions of Christians. The

final system will be deadly.

False religion is deadly

Seductive

Addictive/Intoxicated

Destructive

Satan’s masterpiece is . . .

False religion (false prophet)

and

Political power (Antichrist)

Joined together

II Timothy 4:1-4

I charge you in the presence of God and of

Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his

kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke,

and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when

people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate

for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from

listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

-6-


II Thessalonians 2:3

The rebellion is both

1. Religious = God/Word

2. Political = Civil/Lawlessness

We live in a time of religious apostasy and lawlessness.

False religion is deadly for many reasons:

1. The true Gospel is never preached.

2. The major doctrinal truths are denied.

3. It is Satan’s masterpiece—the unholy trinity.

4. It is destined for destruction and eternal hell

(Matthew 25:41).

Revelation 17:6-14

Let no one deceive you in any way. For

that day will not come, unless the

rebellion comes first, and the man

of lawlessness is revealed, the son of

destruction.

And I saw the woman, drunk with the

blood of the saints, the blood of the

martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I

marveled greatly. 7 But the angel said to

me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you

the mystery of the woman, and of the

beast with seven heads and ten horns that

carries her. 8 The beast that you saw was,

and is not, and is about to rise from the

-7-


7 Mountains = 7 Kingdoms and their kings.

Rome “Prophetic Telescoping”

(Like Egypt)

A micro-cosom

of

The future Rome

There are at least (7) interpretations of the 7 kings.

The following is my view:

Beast = Antichrist

Woman = False religion

Egypt/Assyria/Babylon/medo-Persia/Greece

Kings represent a kingdom

Adolf Hitler = Germany

Joseph Stalin = Russia

Saddam Hussein = Iraq

Kim Jun Un = North Korea

The Lord Jesus = God’s Kingdom

One is = Rome—A.D. 95

The other has not come = Antichrist

-8-

Global

Rome

7 Kings = 7 kingdoms & their kings

5 have fallen


-9-

Revelation 17:6-14 continued . . .

bottomless pit and go to destruction. And

the dwellers on earth whose names have

not been written in the book of life from

the foundation of the world will marvel to

see the beast, because it was and is not

and is to come. 9 This calls for a mind

with wisdom: the seven heads are seven

mountains on which the woman is seated;

10 they are also seven kings, five of whom

have fallen, one is, the other has not yet

come, and when he does come he must re-

main only a little while. 11 As for the

beast that was and is not, it is an eighth

but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to

destruction. 12 And the ten horns that you

saw are ten kings who have not yet re-

ceived royal power, but they are to receive

authority as kings for one hour, together

with the beast. 13 These are of one mind,

and they hand over their power and au-

thority to the beast. 14 They will make

war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will con-

quer them, for he is Lord of lords and King

of kings, and those with him are called and

chosen and faithful.”

False religion and civil government

in alliance together.


The Beast that you saw was, and is not and is about to

rise from the bottomless pit and will go into destruction.

Nero “Antichrist”

(AD 54-68) Antiochus Epiphanes “Antichrist”

(167-164 B.C.)

Daniel 8

As for the Beast that was and is not it is the eighth but

it belongs to the seventh and it goes to destruction.

6 7-8

King Antichrist

Rome Last Days John MacArthur writes . . .

17:10 seven kings. Representatives of the 7 great world

empires (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome,

and that of the Antichrist). Cf. Daniel’s image in Daniel 2:37-45.

Five have fallen, one is, and the other. When John wrote,

the Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Medo-Persian and Greek

empires had gone out of existence; Rom still existed; and the

Antichrist’s empire had not yet come. When it does, it will be

brief (12:12; 13:5) and he will end in perdition (v. 11; see note on

v.8).

17:11 and is not . . . The eighth. The Antichrist’s kingdom

is said to be both the seventh and eighth kingdoms because of

his supposed demise and resurrection. He is the seventh king

before and the eighth king after his “resurrection” when he

destroys the harlot’s religious empire and demands exclusive

worship of himself (v. 16).

-10-


“And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have

not yet received royal power, but they are to receive

authority as kings for one hour together with the Beast.” These are sub-rulers under the Antichrist, whose

empire will be divided into 10 administrative districts. 10 Horns = power and strength and 10 kings under the

Antichrist. These are of one mind, and they hand over their power

and authority to the Beast. The are colleagues and supporters of the Beast. One hour = a very short period of time. 10 kings = Daniel 2-7 4th beast has 10 horns who are 10 kings out of

which comes a final king (Antichrist).

The 10 kings are allies of the Antichrist they

do not seek their own ends; they are complete in

in their devotion to the beast.

They make war on the Lamb and the Lamb will conquer

them.

-11-

Revelation 19:16

“On his robe and on his thigh he has a

name written, King of kings and Lord

of lords.”


Revelation 17:1-2;15

Verse 15— “And the angel said to me, the waters that

you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are

peoples and multitudes and nations and

languages.” This description does not fit historical Rome, for while the

Tiber flows through the city, Rome was not built upon many

waters. This does describe historical Babylon, it was built

upon a network of canals. Jeremiah spoke of Babylon as

the city which dwells by many waters.

Jeremiah 51:13

Then one of the seven angels who had

the seven bowls came and said to me,

“Come, I will show you the judgment of

the great prostitute who is seated on

many waters, 2 with whom the kings of

the earth have committed sexual im-

morality, and with the wine of whose

sexual immorality the dwellers on

earth have become drunk.” And the angel said to me, “The waters

that you saw, where the prostitute is

seated, are peoples and multitudes and

nations and languages.”

O you who dwell by many waters, rich in

treasures, your end has come; the thread

of your life is cut.

-12-


“Waters” = peoples, multitudes, nations and languages

(unbelievers).

Eschatological Babylon will seduce all the world to

worship that which is not God. All nations of the

world equals globalism. This is why this can not be

just 1st Century historical Rome.

Rome End of

(microcosm) History

Revelation 17:14

The people of God (Saints)

Called (Romans 8:30)

Chosen (Ephesians 1:4)

Faithful (Ephesians 1:1)

Revelation 17:15-18

Global

Babylon

“They will make war on the Lamb, and

the Lamb will conquer them, for he is

Lord of lords and King of kings, and

those with him are called and chosen

and faithful.”

15And the angel said to me, “The waters

that you saw, where the prostitute is

seated, are peoples and multitudes and

nations and languages. 16And the ten

horns that you saw, they and the beast

will hate the prostitute. They will make

her desolate and naked, and devour her

flesh and burn her up with fire, 17 for

-13-


An incredible turn of events takes place the Beast and

the 10 kings turn on the woman and destroy her.

The Reason?

The sovereignty of God

Revelation 17:17

God has 3 intentions which are that the 10 horns should . . .

1. Do His purpose—Destroy the woman.

2. Be of one mind.

3. Give their kingdom to the Beast.

-14-

Revelation 17:15-18 continued . . .

God has put it into their hearts to carry

out his purpose by being of one mind

and handing over their royal power to

the beast, until the words of God are ful-

filled. 18 And the woman that you saw is

the great city that has dominion over

the kings of the earth.”

“For God has put it into their hearts

to carry out his purpose by being of

one mind and handing over their royal

power to the Beast, until the Words of

God are fulfilled.”

God’s sovereignty runs from

Genesis to Revelation


Amos 3:6

God can permit, allow or cause things to happen

(Daniel 4:34-35).

Ecclesiastes 7:14

Ephesians 1:11

Because God is absolutely sovereign the Antichrist

and his 10 kings turn on the woman (false religion)

and a wicked city) and completely destroy her.

-15-

“Does disaster come to a city unless

the Lord has done it.”

In the day of prosperity be joyful, and

in the day of adversity consider: God

has made the one as well as the other,

that man may not find out anything

that will be after him.

In him we have obtained an inher-

itance, and having been predestined

according to the purpose of him who

works all things according to the

counsel of his will,


1. Apostate religion is one of Satan’s greatest tools of

deception.

2. Governments always have the potential and desire to

“control” and “rule” over people.

3. There is no greater evil than apostate religion and godless

and pagan government become allies.

4. Economics and wealth are powerful factors in the

development of correction in both religion and government.

5. Seduction, intoxication and destruction are the 3 evils

of religious and government evil.

6. Suffering, persecution and death result from apostate

religion and evil government.

7. God is sovereign and will cause evil to turn on itself and

ultimately destroy it.

Personal Applications

Revelation

Chapter

Eighteen

SERMON OUTLINE

Babylon – the symbol of paganism and secular

anti-Christian philosophy.

Revelation 18:1-24; 19:1-5

*Chapters 18:1-24 and 19:1-5 of Revelation reveal the . . .

1. Announcement of Babylon’s fall (18:1-3).

2. Warning to God’s people (18:4-5).

3. Cry of vengeance (18:6-8).

4. Lament of the kings and merchants (18:9-19).

5. Outburst of praise (18:20).

6. Destruction of Babylon (18:21-24).

7. Thanksgiving for the judgment of Babylon (19:1-5).

Point 1 Revelation 18:1-3

Point 2 Revelation 18:4-5; Matthew 24:21; I Corinthians

15:33.

Point 3 Revelation 18:6-8; Romans 12:14, 17; 14:19;

Daniel 5:30-31

Point 4 Revelation 18:9-19.

Point 5 Revelation 18:20.

Point 6 Revelation 18:21-24

Point 7 Revelation 19:1-5; 1, 3, 4, 6; 16:14.


this Sermon

Revelation 18:1-24; 19:1-5

Babylon—the symbol of secular and pagan

philosophy in opposition to God.

This chapter (18) contains a series of :

Announcements

Dirges (song, poem, hymn of lament)

Thanksgiving

The main theme of this chapter is = the judgment of

the great city. Rome—1st Century

Babylon—end of history

Rome

(microcosm)

Prophetic Telescoping

Tyre (Ezekiel 26- )

Babylon (Isaiah 13-14; Jeremiah 50-51)

-1-

Chapter 18:1-24; 19:1-5


and ideas from the sermons on these chapters

Global

Rome

The background for this section is found in the

prophetic dirges (a song, poem, hymn of grief)

over the fall of . . .

Chapters 18:1-24; 19:1-5

The announcement of Babylon’s fall (18:1-3).

Revelation 18:1-3

John is back on the earth because he sees an angel coming

down from heaven.

The 5th bowl plunged the Beast’s kingdom into darkness

but this angel’s “radiance” lights up the whole earth. He has great “authority” which is synonymous with

power—who this angel is we are not told.

His message!

Fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great

-2-

“After this I saw another angel coming

down from heaven, having great

authority, and the earth was made bright

with his glory. 2 And he called out with a

mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon

the great! She has become a dwelling

place for demons, a haunt for every

unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean

bird, a haunt for every unclean and

detestable beast. 3 For all nations have

drunk the wine of the passion of her

sexual immorality, and the kings of

the earth have committed immorality

with her, and the merchants of the earth

have grown rich from the power of her

luxurious living.”

Chapter 18:1-24; 19:1-5

1. Religious Babylon—Apostate religion entices the

world to worship the Antichrist. Woman—Apostate religion

Enticing

Seducing

Destroying

Spiritual Intoxication

False religion causing unbelievers to take

the mark of the Beast.

Politically Correct Agenda

No body can judge others.

Truth is relative.

No religion is final.

Christians in particular are singled out

for persecution.

2. Commercial Babylon—great wealth

“For all nations have drunk the wine of her impure

passion.”

This language points not only to her luxury and immora-

lity but to her seduction in enticing men to follow the

Beast.

-3-

This is in process now

Chapter 18:1-24; 19:1-5

The evil seduction has affected the “political” and

“economic” leaders of nations.

Revelation 18:3

Immorality = “Idolatry” worship of the Beast. The woman promises power, wealth, and luxury.

Power and wealth were employed in the name of

demonic religion.

The warning to God’s people (18:4-5)

Revelation 18:4-5

The voice from heaven calling upon the people of God to

flee the city lest they share in her sinfulness and her

judgment.

-4-

“For all nations have drunk the wine

of the passion of her sexual immorality

and the kings of the earth have

committed immorality with her, and

the merchants of the earth have grown

rich from the power of her luxurious

living.”

4Then I heard another voice from heaven

saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest

you take part in her sins, lest you share

in her plagues; 5 for her sins are heaped

high as heaven, and God has remembered

her iniquities.”

Chapter 18:1-24, 19:1-5

I Corinthians 15:33

“Her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God

has remembered her iniquities.”

Babylon will be judged!

The cry of vengeance (18:6-8) Revelation 18:6-8

We are in the world but we are

not to be of the world.

“Do not be deceived: bad company

ruins good morals.”

Christians must be watchful

and on guard at all times.

6 Pay her back as she herself has paid

back others, and repay her double for

her deeds; mix a double portion for

her in the cup she mixed. 7 As she glorified herself and lived in

luxury, so give her a like measure of

torment and mourning, since in her

heart she says, ‘I sit as a queen,

I am no widow, and mourning I shall

never see.’ 8 For this reason her

plagues will come in a single day,

death and mourning and famine,

and she will be burned up with fire;

for mighty is the Lord God who has

judged her.”

-5-

Chapter 18:1-24; 19:1-5

The voice now summons the angels of retribution

to inflict a just vengeance upon the city.

Pay Her Back !!! This language runs throughout Scripture, only God

can pay back—not Christians (Romans 12:14,17).

Romans 14:19

When God exacts vengeance on sinners it is always

just and righteous.

For this reason her plagues will come in a single day

Single Day = small period of time

Babylon of old fell in one day

Daniel 5:30-31

The lament of the kings and merchants

(18:9-19)

-6-

So then let us pursue what makes for

peace and for mutual upbuilding.

30 That very night Belshazzar the Chal-

dean king was killed. 31 And Darius the

Mede received the kingdom, being

about sixty-two years old.

Chapter 18:1-24; 19:1-5

Revelation 18:9-19

9 And the kings of the earth, who commit-

ted sexual immorality and lived in luxury

with her, will weep and wail over her when

they see the smoke of her burning. 10 They will stand far off, in fear of her

torment, and say, “Alas! Alas! You great

city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a

single hour your judgment has come.” 11 And the merchants of the earth weep

and mourn for her, since no one buys

their cargo anymore, 12 cargo of gold,

silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple

cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of

scented wood, all kinds of articles of

ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood,

bronze, iron and marble, 13 cinnamon,

spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine,

oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep,

horses and chariots, and slaves, that is,

human souls. 14 “The fruit for which your

soul longed has gone from you, and all

your delicacies and your splendors are

lost to you, never to be found again!” 15 The merchants of these wares, who

gained wealth from her, will stand far off,

in fear of her torment, weeping and

mourning aloud, 16 “Alas, alas, for the

great city that was clothed in fine linen,

in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold,

with jewels, and with pearls!

-7-

Chapter 18:1-24; 19:1-5

Sinners weep not over the loss of the city but over their

own personal loss—wealth/pleasure/power. Instead of

grieving over their sins and selfishness they grieve over

their loss of things. The kings of the earth all over the globe

were enticed and deceived by the great prostitute, by the

glitter and glamor of her wealth and luxury. Their grief

is altogether selfish and mercenary; the destruction of the

city means their economic ruin.

Babylon is both:

A local place (Iraq)

A global entity

John gives a list of all the merchandise for which there

are no more buyers.

[Gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple]

cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, etc.

[Fruit and the dainty luxuries and splendors.]

-8-

Revelation 18:9-19 continued . . . 17 For in a single hour all this wealth has

been laid waste.” And all shipmasters and

seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade

is on the sea, stood far off 18 and cried out

as they saw the smoke of her burning,

“What city was like the great city?” 19 And

they threw dust on their heads as they

wept and mourned, crying out, “Alas, alas,

for the great city where all who had ships

at sea grew rich by her wealth! For in a

single hour she has been laid waste.

Chapter 18:1-24; 19:1-5

All who share in her wealth mourned- they weep

and throw dust on their heads because in a single

hour she is laid waste.

Example

Today the country of Dubai is stunning in:

Buildings

Wealth

Oil

Beauty, etc.

The parable of the rich fool captures this truth.

Luke 12:13-21

13 Someone in the crowd said to him,

“Teacher, tell my brother to divide the

inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to

him, “Man, who made me a judge or

arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to

them, “Take care, and be on your

guard against all covetousness, for

one's life does not consist in the abun-

dance of his possessions.” 16 And he

told them a parable, saying, “The land

of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What

shall I do, for I have nowhere to store

my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do

this: I will tear down my barns and

build larger ones, and there I will store

all my grain and my goods. 19 And I

will say to my soul, “Soul, you have

ample goods laid up for many years;

-9-

Chapter 18:1-24; 19:1-5

The outburst of praise (18:20)

In contrast to the mournful lament of the kings and mer-

chants of the earth, the judgment of the city is a cause

of rejoicing in heaven. These are the words of the prophet

calling upon the saints to rejoice in the triumph of God’s

righteousness.

Luke chapter 12:13-21 continued:

relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God

said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is

required of you, and the things you have

prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is

the one who lays up treasure for himself

and is not rich toward God.”

Revelation 18:20

“Rejoice over her, O heaven and you

saints and apostles and prophets for God

has given judgment against her.”

-10-

This is not a gleeful song of personal

vengeance but an announcement of the

vindication of God’s :

Justice

Righteousness

Chapter 18:1-24; 19:1-5

The destruction of Babylon (18:21-24)

Revelation 18:21-24

21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone

like a great millstone and threw it into the

sea, saying, “So will Babylon the great city

be thrown down with violence, and will

be found no more; 22 and the sound of

harpists and musicians, of flute players

and trumpeters, will be heard in you no

more, and a craftsman of any craft will be

found in you no more, and the sound of

the mill will be heard in you no more, 23

and the light of a lamp will shine in you no

more, and the voice of bridegroom and

bride will be heard in you no more,

for your merchants were the great ones of

the earth, and all nations were deceived by

your sorcery. 24 And in her was found the

blood of prophets and of saints, and of all

who have been slain on earth.”


The fall of the city had already been announced at the begin-

ning of the chapter. Now the overthrow of Babylon is again

proclaimed by a symbolic act. Verse 21. Then a mighty angel

took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into

the sea, saying, “So shall Babylon the great city be thrown

down with violence, and shall be found no more.” No

problem exists in the fact that the fall of Babylon has already

-11-

Chapter 18:1-24; 19:1-5

The completeness of destruction is vividly pictured in

the cessation of the various activities characteristic

of the city.

1. No more sound of the harpist, musician, flute

players and trumpeters. 2. No craftsmen

3. No sound of the mill.

4. No light of lamp will shine

5. No voice of bridegroom and bride.

-12-

Dr. George Ladd writes (continued) . . .

twice been proclaimed as an accomplished fact (14:8; 18:2),

prophesied as an imminent event (17:16), and is now once

again announced. Apocalyptic language is not prose but a

series of pictures whose main concern is not chronology and

sequence, but ultimate realities.

The casting of a great stone into the sea is a symbolic act

representing Babylon’s overthrow. The prophets frequently

engaged in prophetic symbolic acts. Jeremiah wrote a book

describing the destruction of historical Babylon and then

commanded that a stone be attached to it and it be thrown

into the Euphrates: “Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no

more, because of the evil that I am bringing upon her”

(Jeremiah 51:63).

Chapter 18:1-24; 19:1-5

In her was found the blood of prophets and of saints,

and of all who have been slain on earth.

The influence of Babylon extended throughout the

world and inspired other cities to persecute and

kill Christians—this was not true of the 1st Century

only Eschatology Babylon.

The thanksgiving for judgment of Babylon (19:1-5).

Revelation 19:1-5

-13-

After this I heard what seemed to be the

loud voice of a great multitude in heaven,

crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and

glory and power belong to our God, 2for his judgments are true and just; for

he has judged the great prostitute who

corrupted the earth with her immorality,

and has avenged on her the blood of his

servants.” 3 Once more they cried out,

“Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up

forever and ever.” 4 And the twenty-four

elders and the four living creatures fell

down and worshiped God who was seated

on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelu-

jah!” 5 And from the throne came a voice

saying, “Praise our God, all you his

servants, you who fear him, small and

great.”

Chapter 18:1-24; 19:1-5

Chapter (19) continues the celebration of the fall of

Babylon and consists of thanksgiving in heaven that

God had judged the harlot.

A great multitude crying “Hallelujah” salvation and

glory and power belong to our God. Angels are singing!

Hallelujah— “Praise Jahweh”

= 4 consonants with the vowels

from Adonai = Jahweh (Psalm 111:1; 112:1; 113:1; 146:1)

Praise the Lord!

(Revelation 19:1, 3, 4, 6 = Jahweh)

Salvation—deliverance from the Beast and Babylon

He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.

With the removal of Babylon God’s kingdom arrives

in it’s fullness.

“Hallelujah” the smoke from her goes up forever and

ever. Babylon was destroyed by fire by the Beast and the

ten (10) vassal kings. This is a poetic metaphor

drawn from the prophets (Isaiah 34:10). To indicate

the utter destruction of the city.

-14-

Chapter 18:1-24; 19:1-5

24 Elders echo Hallelujah—Amen!

24 angels who represent the 12 tribes/patriarchs

and 12 apostles. From the throne—praise our God.

The voice from the throne (elder) calls all God’s

servants on earth to join in praise of God. Question? Why is America not mentioned at the end of

history. Answer: She is a part of the kings of the whole world

mentioned in Revelation 16:14 “For they are

demonic spirits, performing signs, who go

abroad to the kings of the whole world, to

assemble them for battle on the great day of

God the Almighty.” America is no longer an exceptional nation but just

one among many and now a “weak” nation.

1. Destruction and breakdown of the family.

2. Educational decline.

3. Moral decay and violence.

4. National debt, high taxes and nanny state.

5. Class warfare and wealth distribution.

6. Inequities of justice.

7. The decline of evangelical, orthodox and conser-

vative churches.

-15-

What causes nations to decline?

Chapter 18:1-24; 19:1-5

The Frenchman Alexis De Tocqville said . . .

Thus when Christ returns at the end of history the

majority of the world and nations will have sold

themselves to evil and the Antichrist and will rightly

deserve the judgment and wrath of Almighty God!!!

-16-

I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America

in her harbors . . . in her fertile fields and boundless

forests, in her rich mines and vast world commerce; in her

public school system and institutions of learning. I sought

for it in her democratic Congress and in her matchless

Constitution. Not until I went into the churches of

America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness

did I understand the secret of her genius and power.

America is great because America is good, and if American

ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.

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Revelation Chapter Sixteenstorage.cloversites.com/ridgecrestbaptistchurch1... · 2013. 10. 11. · Chapter Sixteen (16) Revelation 16:3 that was in the sea. In the 1st plague in Egypt,