Revelation 17:3
Watching Babylon Fall
For those who were not here last week, I believe chapters 17-18 go
together. I believe they are the fulfillment of the message given
earlier:
Rev 14:8 …Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that
great city, because she made all nations drink of
the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Notice the topic of conversation is "Babylon."
As I have told you repeatedly, it is impossible for anyone to know
for certain all the book of Revelation is revealing. Prophet Bible
passages are inherently difficult to understand because they are
cloaked in symbolism. By the time we get to these chapters, we are
nearing the end of the Tribulation meaning that the current events of
today may be of very little use. Neither do we have a lot history to
help us in understanding these prophecies for nothing quite like this
has ever happened before. And to top it all off, there are very few
other Bible passages we can look to for help. The best I can do is to
show you some possibilities.
I believe Babylon is the code name either for the all of the
anti-Christ’s system or for anyone of its three major arms. It has
three major arms. For this, I do have Scripture for the three arms
of his system for they were revealed in Revelation 13.
1. \\#Rev 13:4\\ "…they worshipped the dragon… and they
worshipped the beast…." - The religious arm.
2. \\#Rev 13:7\\ "…power was given him over all kindreds, and
tongues, and nations." - The political arm.
3. \\#Rev 13:17\\ "…no man might buy or sell" - The
economical arm.
What chapter 14 spoke of, chapters 17-18 seem to be describing. Last
week, we read what appears to be the fall of religious Babylon. The
religious arm is referred to as the Great Whore in \\#17:1\\. It will
be rich, power, and bloody, especially to the saints \\#Rev 17:6\\.
Yet, it will be attacked and destroyed, perhaps completely destroyed,
by the Ten Horns \\#Rev 17:16\\.
Let’s see what happens to the other two arms: the political arm and
the economical arm; but first, let’s ask ourselves a question.
What is going to happen to the United States of America? Our country
is on the verge of electing its first open socialist/communist
regime. Our nation is at a crossroads. America is misunderstood and
hated by its own today, but where does it end? What will happen
afterward? Sooner rather than later, the actions of today will open
the door for the anti-Christ and his kingdom. Revelation 17-18 tells
us how they will fall. It may even be telling us how America will
fall.
I. The Ten Horns Will Be the Political Arm.
Re 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into
the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a
scarlet colored beast, full of names of
blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
A. We have been reading about the Ten Horns for a while.
1. \\#Rev 12:3\\ Ten horns are included in his description of
the red dragon who is the devil.
2. \\#Rev 13:1\\ The horns are included a description of the
beast who I believe is the anti-Christ.
3. And ten horns are included in the description association
with the Great Whore.
a. The Great Whore does not have the seven heads and ten
horns.
b. The Beast does, but she rides on the Beast’s back,
meaning that the ten horns of the Beast help her as
well, at least for a while.
B. John tells us who the ten horns are.
Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest
are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as
yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the
beast.
1. There is very little difficulty in understanding this
passage.
a. It is plainly explained to us.
b. The ten horns are ten kings or rulers.
2. These ten kings are the political arm of the anti-Christ’s
system.
3. The number of kings will change; but their connection to
the beast (anti-Christ) will be constant.
a. We will read that the number of kings changes, but
since the beast HAS the ten horns then the ten kings
and the anti-Christ are connected for the long haul.
b. The Great Whore is a rider who will be dumped, but to
remove the horns will not be so easy.
c. It is my thought that—in the beginning—the ten kings
work with the anti-Christ, perhaps even helping him
to come to power.
d. This is not altogether my imagination as they are also
mentioned in the Old Testament.
C. Daniel spoke of these ten horns.
Da 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions,
and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible,
and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron
teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and
stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it
was diverse from all the beasts that were before
it; and it had ten horns.
1. We cannot go too deep here but take my word for some
things.
a. The beast here is not the same as in Revelation, but
the horns are.
(1) The fourth beast here, the one that is dreadful
and terrible, is the Roman Empire.
(2) That empire did not die. It just fell apart
around 400 AD.
(3) However according to \\#Dan 9:27\\, it will be
revived in some fashion in the future.
b. I think something like this exists already.
(1) It could be what we today call G7, G8, or G10
(Group of Seven Eight, or Ten).
(2) Each of these groups are slightly different, but
they are nations who together form an alliance
for common purposes.
(3) G10 is presently made up of 11 of the world’s
leading industrial countries; Belgium, Canada,
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands,
Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the
United States.
(4) These groups can, do, and will change; but
generally they, or something like them, made up
of nations that were a part of the old Roman
Empire could easily be adapted to promote and
work with the anti-Christ.
c. Understand that the alliance that puts the anti-Christ
into place does NOT have to be a military group.
d. It only has to have the authority to get things
rolling and after that, the anti-Christ will get
himself put in charge and shape his political arm as
he wishes.
2. Out of the ten kings or rulers, one will arise which will
replace three of the kings.
Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold,
there came up among them another little horn,
before whom there were three of the first horns
plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this
horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth
speaking great things.
a. \\#Daniel 11:21\\ even tells us how this horn comes to
power.
b. It will not be through military conquests but through
flatteries.
3. That last horn, the eight one, will have a big mouth,
speaking great things. The things that he says will be
against God.
4. John did not specifically tell us how these kings are
destroyed, but Daniel did \\#Dan 7:9-11\\.
a. The horn with the big mouth and his kingdom will rule
until God returns and destroys it.
b. The last horn is the anti-Christ.
c. So when Jesus returns in Revelation 19, the kings and
the armies that are surrounding the city of Jerusalem
will be from these nations.
5. Is it not amazing that God has been telling us what is
going to happen for thousands of years, and we are very
likely living in the time when it will come to pass.
D. Back to Revelation, we learn some things about these kings.
1. \\#Rev 17:17\\ God will put it into the hearts of the ten
kings to support and to help the anti-Christ.
Rev 17:17 For God hath put in their hearts to
fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their
kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God
shall be fulfilled.
2. \\#Rev 17:12\\ As John was seeing this vision, the ten
kings had not received their power or place yet. (They
still have not, but I believe they are getting closer.)
3. \\#Rev 17:16\\ I told you last week, that it was these
ten kings who attacked and destroyed the Great Whore
which is the religious arm of the anti-Christ system.
Rev 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest
upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and
shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat
her flesh, and burn her with fire.
a. Even if these are not military powers when they begin
to work with the anti-Christ, they will be.
b. As I have said, I once believed everything would come
up roses for the anti-Christ during the seven years
of Tribulation, but I don’t think that any longer.
c. His whole kingdom is based upon lies, deception, fear,
and blood.
d. There will be no loyalty, no devotion, no nobility to
his kingdom.
e. And because of that, there will be infighting from the
beginning.
f. I believe it takes the anti-Christ 3 1/2 years to get
into the position where he feels comfortable exposing
himself, but no sooner does he get his empire and
system in place, and God begins to take it a part.
g. Ultimately, the political arm will destroy the
religious arm—perhaps totally and permanently.
E. That leaves one more arm to discuss, the economical arm. All
of chapter 18 is devoted to that.
II. An Un-named Place Will Be the Economical Arm
Rev 18:1 And after these things I saw another
angel come down from heaven, having great power;
and the earth was lightened with his glory.
2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice,
saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is
fallen….
A. This is the same message of \\#Revelation 14:8\\.
1. The message is deliberately repeated to show the
connection.
2. This is the last event to fulfill that message.
B. This whole chapter is about the effects of God’s judgment of
the economical arm of the anti-Christ.
1. The Bible does not tell us how it is destroyed or when it
is destroyed.
2. It does describe in detail the effect of the destruction.
3. Let’s read just a few verses:
Rev 18:11 And the merchants of the earth shall
weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their
merchandise any more:
12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and
precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen,
and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine
wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all
manner vessels of most precious wood, and of
brass, and iron, and marble,
13 And cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and
frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour,
and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses,
and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are
departed from thee, and all things which were
dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and
thou shalt find them no more at all.
15 The merchants of these things, which were
made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the
fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that
was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and
scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious
stones, and pearls!
17 For in one hour so great riches is come to
nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company
in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by
sea, stood afar off,
18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her
burning, saying, What [city is] like unto this
great city!
C. This chapter is about a place.
Rev 18:2 …and is become the HABITATION of
devils, and the HOLD of every foul spirit, and a
CAGE of every unclean and hateful bird.
Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven,
saying, COME OUT OF HER, my people, that ye be
not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive
not of her plagues.
1. Whatever this place will be, it will be utterly evil
before it is destroyed.
a. \\#Rev 18:2\\ Devils will live there..
b. "every foul spirit" will live there.
c. "every unclean and hateful bird" will live there.
d \\#Rev 18:4\\ Christians are commanded to come out of
it or else be judged with it.
2. Just a thought.
a. That is what that place will become, but it is not
likely that it started that way.
b. It is the economical capital of the world.
c. It should have been a better place at one time.
D. Let’s think for a moment.
1. Again, I tell you that all I can do in this section is
offer guesses.
2. Since we believe that the rapture could happen at any
moment, what would we consider to be the economic
capital of the world today?
a. I would say the United States, specifically New York.
b. We know that the rapture may not happen for many
years, but if it happened today, New York would
most likely be considered the world’s economic
capital, after that maybe London and then perhaps
Japan.
c. Maybe before long it will be Shanghai; but today,
it’s the United States.
3. Wherever the economical capital of the world is when
the rapture occurs, it is likely to stay there.
a. From the very beginning of the Tribulation, the world
is thrown into chaos.
b. From the very beginning (Rev 6), peace is taken from
the world, famine, death, and hell come riding
across the country.
c. By Revelation 8, 1/3 of the trees and grass are
burned, 1/3 of the seas are polluted and dead, 1/3
of the fresh water is polluted and dead, and 1/3 of
mankind is afflicted by demonic, scorpion, locusts.
d. And that is just in the first half of the
Tribulation.
e. It doesn’t seem to me like there will be time to MOVE
the financial capital of the world after the rapture
of the church.
4. IF that is the case and IF the rapture were occur soon,
this chapter could be about the United States and the
city of New York particular.
a. I am not saying it is.
b. No one could or should.
c. I am just considering possibilities.
d. One thing is for certain, New York and the United
States ARE becoming the habitation of devils, the
hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every
unclean and hateful bird.
What is going to happen? Where will it end? It will end with the
destruction of the anti-Christ’s religious arm, his political arm,
and his financial capital. That is all we know for sure, but we are
getting closer and right now, our nation is the most likely nation to
be involved.
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