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The Revelation Chapter 18 Working Copy.docx
- 1. 1 SECTION OUTLINE 18(REVELATION 18:1-24) The coming destruction of Jerusalem, Babylon being signified as her, the great harlot A. Verses 1-8 1. Who came down from heaven next? Vs 1 – 2 Another angel/messenger Rev 16:1 great voice out of the temple to the seven angels/messengers Rev 17:1 came one of the seven angels/messengers a. What did he have? He had great power - #1849 – exhousia – authority, jurisdiction, power, right, strength Mk 2:10 – power on earth to forgive sin Matt 28:18 – all power given unto me Lightened – photizo - #5457 – to shed rays, to shine or brighten up John 1:9 – the true light that lighteneth every man Rev 21:23 – Glory of God did lighten Rev 22:5 – the Lord God giveth them light Glory – doxa – dignity, glory, honor, praise, worship 1 Pet 1:24 – the glory of man – as a flower 1 Pet 5:10 – God …who hath called us unto His eternal glory b. List what he said of Babylon. Babylon the great – Is 13:19-20 – shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Is fallen Jer 51:6-8 – Babylon is suddenly fallen Is 21:9 – Babylon is fallen Become the habitation of demons Rev 16:13-14 – they are the spirits of demons Rev 9:20-21 – they should not worship demons Hold of every foul/evil spirit Rev 16:13 – I saw three unclean spirits
- 2. 2 Rev 16:14 –they are the spirits of demons Matt 12:43 – 45 – when an unclean spirit is gone out of a man..so shall it be for this generation A cage for every unclean and hateful bird Ezek 31:2-3; 6 – 7; 16-18 - the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon …all the fowls of heaven made their nests in her… c. What had the nations done? Vs 3 The nations had participated in her unfaithfulness Is 23:17-18 Similar words for Tyre Ezek 16:2, 26 – Cause Jerusalem to know her abominations (1.) The kings? Ezek 16:26-29 – fornication with the Egyptians…Assyrians (2.) The merchants? They were made rich through the power of her luxurious living ESV Ezek 27:32-36 merchants made rich through her merchandise d. Describe the condition of Jerusalem in your own words. Jerusalem had become rich physically. The religious leaders were engaged in the false religions of the Gentiles they did business with so they could continue those business relationships. They were no longer faithful to God and were guilty of spiritual fornication. The church at Laodicea ended up in the same condition. 2. What did the next voice say? Are there other N.T. references to the same admonition? Vs 4 – 8 It said to come out of her. Yes. Matt 24:15-18 – flee into the mountains Mk 13:14-16 – flee to the mountains Lk 21:22-24 – flee to the mountains 2 Cor 6:17 – come out from among them and touch not the unclean thing Eph 5:11 – Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness a. Why the warning?
- 3. 3 To get thepeople to leave Jerusalem (Judaism) or they would suffer with her 1 Cor 6:15-16 – he that is joined to an harlot is one body Eph 5:11 – have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness Acts 10:34 – God is no respecter of persons Ezek 18:31-32 I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked b. Does God pay any attention to “national sins”? Provide some scriptural references. Yes. For sure. Gen 15:16 – the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full Jon 3:10 - Nineveh turned to God Jere 18:8 – If that nation turns from their evil, I will repent Dan 2:21- God removes kings and sets them up Dan 4:17 God rules in the kingdoms of men, given to whosever He will c. Does God reward national behavior? How? Yes. 2 Chron 7:14 – If my people …turn from their wicked ways …willo forgive them Gen 1:2-3 I will make of thee a great nation… Prov 14:34 – Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach Righteous nations are exalted by God. Wicked nations are removed by God “when their cup is full.” d. What was Israel’s problem? V5 They had a history of disobeying God when they mingled with their heathen neighbors. Neh 13:23 – They married wives of Ashdod, Ammon and Moab contrary to God Lam 1:1-22 – she (Jerusalem (v8) is become as a widow Now, her sins were so big and numerous, that they were piled up to or as high as heaven. Her cup was full and God had to take action. e. What would happen to her? V 6-8 (1.)God would reward her as she rewarded Him. Doubled according to her works. Remember what Jesus said. Matt 23:32- fill ye up the measure of your fathers – see context
- 4. 4 Rev 6:9-11 tobe fulfilled here Rev 17:2-4 her golden cup filled with her abominations; the punishment doubled by God (2.)She glorified herself and says in her heart I sit as a queen and am no widow Lam 1:1 – she is become as a widow Is 47:7-8I shall not sit as a widow (Babylon) (3.)Her plagues would come in one day – the Lord would judge her Zeph 3:1, 5-7 – woe to her that is filthy..the oppressing city..I said Surely thou shalt fear me. The punishment executed in AD70, the city leveled, Temple destroyed, Judaism destroyed along with the nation for their iniquity culminating in the crucifixion of their Messiah, Jesus the Christ. Matt 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. KJV B. Verses 9-19 1. What did the kings of the earth do now? Vs 9 – 10 They bewail (#2799 – to sob, wail aloud, weep) Luke 23:28 ..daughters of Jerusalem, weep for yourselves Jer 50:46 –noise of the taking of Babylon …the cry (OT #2201 – shriek, outcry) is heard among the nations They lament (#2875 – to chop, beat the breast) for her Rev 1:7 .. He cometh with clouds ... all kindreds of the earth shall wail Rev 18:9 – the kings of the earth shall lament (#2875 - wail) for her Matt 24:30 then shall appear the sign of the Son of man appear in heaven and then shall all tribes of the earth mourn (#2875 – wail) … coming in the clouds a. When would they do this? V 9 When they see the smoke of her burning Rev 18:18 ... they saw the smoke of her burning Rev 19:3 ...her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
- 5. 5 Rev 14:11 ...thesmoke of their torment ascendeth up forever Is 34:8-10 ..the day of the Lord’s vengeance…the smoke shall go up forever b. Would they try to save her? No. The text says they stood far off. They were fearful, having no intentions to help c. Did they recognize what was happening? V 10 Yes. They said her judgment had come in one hour. Jer 51:8-9 ...Babylon is suddenly fallen…her judgment reaches up to heaven One hour – short time period, quickly Rev 17:12 – receive power one hour Rev 18:8 her plagues shall come in one day Rev 18:17 in one hour such riches come to naught Rev 18u:19 – in one hour she is made desolate 2. What did the merchants do? Vs 11 – 17 They would weep ( #2799 - wail) and mourn (#3996 – to grieve, the feeling or the act) over her. a. What were they most interested in? List. V 11-14 Their merchandise. No man bought it any more John 2:13-17 – make not my Fathers house an house of merchandise (1.)Gold and silver (2.)Precious stones (3.)Pearls (4.)Fine linen – purple, silk scarlet (5.)Thyine (sweet, fragrant - citreon) wood; orange, lime, lemon (6.) Ivory (7.)Precious wood (8.)Brass, iron marble, (9.)Cinnamon, odors, ointment (10.) Frankincense, wine, oil (11.) Flour, wheat (12.) Beasts, sheep, horses, chariots John 2:13-16 – Jesus …found in the temple those who sold sheep
- 6. 6 (13.) Slaves (14.) Soulsof men 2 Pet 2:1-3 – many shall follow their pernicious ways … they with feigned words make merchandise of you The religious leaders of the city lusted after these things from their Gentile benefactors, and they agreed with them in order to continue to do business with them and the Roman authorities who controlled the businesses. Matt 6:24 – cannot serve 2 masters b. Where did the merchants stand? Why? V 15 Like the kings of the earth, they stood far off fearful of her torment, weeping and wailing. Torment - #929 – from #928 – torture Rev 9:5 – their torment as the torment of a scorpion Rev 14:11 – the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever Rev 18:7 – so much torment and sorrow give her Rev 18:10 – for the fear of her torment Rev 18:15 – for the fear of her torment c. What did they say? V 16 (1.)They said Alas, Alas - 3758 - an exclamation of grief, woe. They go on to list some of the items that they sold to the city/state referring to the richness of her clothing and jewelry. (2.)Note that this is a different woman than the one depicted in Rev 12:1 who was clothed with the sun which was heavenly Jerusalem. There are 2 Jerusalems. Gal 4:22-26 - one Jerusalem that now is and the other Jerusalem that is above which is the mother of us all Rev 21:9-10 the Lamb’s wife …holy Jerusalem Heb 12:22-23 – Ye are come unto …the heavenly Jerusalem 3. Where did the shipmasters stand? Vs 17 – 19 As with the others, they stood afar off. a. What prompted them to cry out? V 18
- 7. 7 When they alongwith those who trade by the sea, saw the smoke of her burning. Her destruction had begun in the vision but would actually occur several years later. b. What are they most concerned about? V 19 They were concerned about the riches that had been made through her that would no longer be possible. They were losing their customers. These are greedy and materialistic people. c. What did they say about her condition? (1.)In a short period of time, she had become desolate. Desolate - #2049 - verb -– eremoo – to lay waste, literally or figuratively Matt 23:38 – your house is left …desolate (#2048 – noun) Matt 24:15 – the abomination of desolation (#2050 – noun from #2049 – despoliation – Mk 13:14 – same Lk 21:20 – know that the desolation is nigh (#2050 – noun from #2049) (2.)Daniel’s prophecy in 9:25-27. C. Verses 20 – 24 1. Who was told to REJOICE? Why? Scriptures? Vs 20 – 21 Heaven – #3772 – Ouranos – elevation – the sky, cosmos, where God is. Rev 12:12 – therefore rejoice ye heavens and them that dwell Ps 96:10-11 – let the heavens rejoice Is 49:1, 13 – the Lord hath called me from the womb …sing o heavens and be joyful Prophets - #4396 – a foreteller, inspired speaker Zech 1:1-6 – My words and my statutes commanded I my servants the prophets Matt 23:30-31 – ye are children of them that killed the prophets Apostles - #652 – Apostolos – a delegate, ambassador of the gospel Lk 11:49-51 – I will send them prophets and apostles and some they shall slay
- 8. 8 Because God hadavenged them on her. Rev 16:5-7 – true and righteous are thy judgments Rev 6:9-11 – dost thou not judge and avenge our blood Lk 18:6-8 – I tell you He will avenge them speedily Lk 21:20-22 – these be the days of vengeance a. What did the angel/messenger do? V 21 He took up a stone (# 3037 - lithos) like a great millstone (#3458) and cast it into the sea (signifying people) Mk 9:38-42 – it is better that a millstone be hung around his neck Matt 21:42-44 – the stone (#3037) that the builders rejected is become the head of the corner …whoso falleth on this stone shall be broken b. What significance is this? Verse 21 explains it. The great city Babylon/Jerusalem would be thrown down from heaven (God’s favor also man’s favor) and never enjoy that position again. Jere 51:53, 63-64 – though Babylon should mount up to heaven .. thus shall Babylon sink. Same symbolism in Revelation Rev 12:7-8 – war in heaven against Satan, (spiritual wickedness in heavenly places), neither was their place found anymore in heaven Rev 16:19-21 – great Babylon came in remembrance – and were not found 2. List the things that would be no more. Vs 22 – 24 The voice of harpers Musicians Pipers Trumpeters Craftsmen of any craft Millstone operating Candlelight Bridegroom or bride voice All of the joyful things of a successful society. a. Who were the great men of the earth? V 23
- 9. 9 The merchants –those who traded the riches b. How were the nations deceived? Through her sorceries - #5331 – pharmakia – medication – pharmacy. Magic, literally or figuratively. Gal 5:19-22 – witchcraft (# 5331) Is 47:8-15 - for the multitude of thy sorceries – Babylon Nah 3:1-7 – Woe to the bloody city … Nineveh is laid waste Mic 3:8-12 – Israels sin and sentence Is 2:5-10 – Judgment of Judah and Jerusalem …soothsayers Is 30:8-10 – speak unto us smooth things Jer 5:20-31 ... have eyes that see not and ears that hear not …and the people love to have it so John 12:37- 40 – that they should not see with their eyes 1 Sam 15:22-23 – to obey is better than sacrifice… c. What was found in her? Do you find similar language in the N. T.? If so, where? In her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and ALL that were slain on the earth. Yes. Matt 23:34-38 – that upon you may come ALL the righteous blood Lk 11:47-51 – that the blood of ALL the prophets which was shed Acts 7:52 – which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted ...and the coming of the Just One whom ye have become the betrayers and murderers 1 Thess 2:14-15 – Jews who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and have persecuted us Rev 11:7 shall make war against them, overcome them and kill them Rev 16:6 – they have shed the blood of saints and prophets Rev 17:6 – I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints and the blood of the martyrs (witnesses) of Jesus Parables relating to destruction of Jerusalem Matt 22:1-7 – destroyed the murderers and burned up their city Matt 21:33-45 – He will destroy those wicked men
- 10. 10 As you answerthese questions, look for similar wording in the O.T. prophets. If you find similar wording, notice who it applies to and what was happening there. You should use a good concordance as well as the center or side reference if your Bible has one. These don’t always apply, but are sometimes helpful.