And already getting great feedback for the chapters we've done. After chapter 18, we only have four chapters to go. So we are nearing the end and we've just got one more, well, one more chapter to finish up the seventh trumpet. That'll be chapter 19 with the coming of the Lord. So that'll be, that's something to look forward to. Revelation chapter 18, the mourning of Babylon's fall. Mourning as in the weeping and wailing of Babylon's fall by those who have been enriched and pleased by Babylon. The shock and awe of God's wrath will confound the world's population who have put their trust in Satan and in the Antichrist beast. When the seventh trumpet sounds, the entire world will be judged in one day and Babylon in one hour. At this point, the reign of evil on earth will come to an end and all the kingdoms on earth will become the kingdoms of Christ. The final hour of judgment will hit the great city of Babylon like a surprise tsunami. God will turn the hearts of the 10 kings against Babylon. They will desecrate her with fire and plunder. Revelation chapter 17 verses 16 and 17 states, and burn her with fire. 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. Just as 2 Chronicles chapter 20, verses 20 through 24 records the time when God confounded the children of Ammon, Moab, and and Mount Seir to turn against each other rather than fight Israel, so too will the 10 kings turn on Babylon, the great city that rules over all kings and kingdoms on earth. Regardless of the presence and power of evil, God is always in control. He'll cause the confusion resulting in kings devouring Babylon to illustrate how rebellion against God is a rebellion against everything. In other words, the wicked also devour the wicked. Revelation 17, verse 18 says, And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. Babylon will be the seat of power on earth at that time. This is the capital city for evil on earth, where Satan and the Antichrist beast will rule. It will be the world trade center for everything on earth, from merchandise to philosophy to evil. Whereas Revelation chapter 17 reveals the identity of Babylon and the Antichrist culture of spiritual harlotry and wickedness to be judged, Revelation chapter 18 reveals the judgment of Babylon. Revelation chapter 18 verses 1 and 2 state And after these things, I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power, and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. After the first six vials of the seventh trumpet judgment are poured out, the populations of the world will be filled with great anxiety, confusion, and pain. They'll be outraged by sudden and tragic events caused by God of Israel. I should say, by the God of Israel. Once again, He will be the cause of disrupting their lives. Their kingdoms, darkened by evil, will be judged and destroyed. The glory of God will shine and illuminate the world with righteous judgment. There will be no doubt about who is the cause of the destruction taking place at that time. God's judgment will be executed on the entire world, but the focus will be on Babylon. Babylon, as the capital of the world, under the rule of Satan and the Antichrist beast, will be responsible for all that happens in the world. In Revelation 17, verse 18, the angel describes her to John, saying, And the woman which thou sawest is that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth. Babylon is a foul city. It's the dwelling place of everything evil, every evil spirit, the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird, as it says. Everything evil spews throughout the world from Satan's headquarters in Babylon. The city is the stronghold of evil and its influence. Babylon becomes the world trade center of spiritual darkness as well as commerce. And maybe I should say that again. The city is the stronghold of evil and under its influence, Babylon becomes the world trade center of spiritual darkness as well as commerce. Satan's city is the center and gathering point of evil and demonic activity. Evil of every kind lurks and resides in Babylon. It's the spiritual cesspool of the world and the seat of power from where the Antichrist rules. The evil worldview agenda in the city of Babylon serves as a magnet for every evil Antichrist character. Wickedness will run rampant and world power will reign supreme from here. Babylon is the control center for wickedness, both spiritually and physically on earth. Revelation chapter 18 verse 3 reveals that all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. The kings and nations of the world are and will be fully caught up in the ungodly activities and agendas of Babylon. Babylon. They are drunk with wanton pursuits to fulfill the lust of their eyes, the lust of their flesh, and their pride of life. Their drunkenness speaks to their shameless and unrestrained pursuits of filthy, ungodly idolatry. Their spiritual fornications result from abandoning faithfulness to God and turning to other gods they have invented in their own imaginations. They despise God in all of his ways. They justify their ways with their own gods. Romans 1, verses 27-32, described the foul ways of those choosing their own way, saying, And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient. being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, deceit, debate, deceit, malignity, whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, boasters, inventors of evil things, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful, who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. The way of Babylon is the way of worshiping and glorifying materialism, worldly wealth, and depravity. Babylon will be the role model for achieving personal enrichment and social status. All that humanity lusts for will be embodied in the city of Babylon, and they will desire to emulate her and will be beholden to her. In just three and a half years, Satan and the Antichrist beast will have turned the chaos of the world, reeling from the judgments of God, into a thriving social order of prosperity. Merchants will become wealthy and humanity, surrendered to the ways of Satan, will delight in their new prosperity, but their pleasures will be short-lived. In Revelation 18, verse 4, an ominous and sobering warning is announced. John wrote, and I heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sin, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Babylon represents every way that is anti-Christ, which is the way that no one, especially Christians, should participate in. The proclamation to come out of her is a warning to flee from evil and to forsake the ways of sin. It will be too late for those who have been judged at the last trump, as indicated by Revelation chapter 15, verse eight saying, and the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power. And no man was able to enter into the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. The time to repent is now, without delay. Every delay in postponing trust and surrendering to Christ is a loss of blessings that begin the moment once one is saved. And every delay increases the risk of missing the opportunity to be saved. The call of God to be saved is to all who will hear him. It's the same call he's given from the beginning of creation. Jeremiah chapter 51 verse six admonishes, flee out of the midst of Babylon and deliver every man his soul. Be not cut off in her iniquity for this is the time of the Lord's vengeance. He will render under her a recompense. Jeremiah 51, 45 says, My people, go ye out of the midst of her and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the Lord. God is calling his people. and everyone out of Babylon, as John 3, verse 16 says, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. And Paul says in Romans 1, verse 16, that the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Revelation 5, Revelation chapter 18, verses five and six, call for Babylon's judgment due to her sins, saying, for her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her, double according to her works, in the cup which she hath filled to her double. Babylon represents not only guilt for committing sins, but she's also guilty of endeavoring to censor, persecute, and kill God's people and His message. All of God's people are the targets of Antichrist, but Israel is specially targeted. During the last three and a half years of the seven years of great tribulation, Satan and the beast will target Israel for annihilation. Only by the grace of God will Israel be spared, comforted, and cared for in a place God prepares for her during that time, according to Revelation chapter 12, verses 13 and 17. God will avenge all his children. and he will bring an end to all persecution of the ungodly. He will avenge his followers. Babylon will be judged for both her guilt of sins and for her attempts to destroy God's people. The voice John hears from heaven cries out for double vengeance upon Babylon because she slaughtered the saints and committed abominable sins. The time for vengeance will have come. All those who have endured and suffered cruel torments at the hands of the ungodly will see divine judgment executed on their persecutors and on the system that sanctioned their persecutions. the prophetic voice from scripture, echoes the words of Jeremiah 17, verse 18, which says, let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded. Let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed. Bring upon them the day of evil and destroy them with double destruction. Just as the culture and people of Babylon reject God, they will be rejected by Him. Just as Babylon shows no mercy, she will be shown no mercy. Just as she sought to destroy God's people, she will be destroyed. Obadiah 1.15 describes the judgment that's appropriately befitting for the enemies of God's people, saying, For the day of the Lord is near upon all the heathen. As thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee. Thy reward shall return upon thine own head. 2 Peter 2, verse 13 declares, just retribution upon the wicked, saying, they shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the daytime. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you. The arrogance, boastfulness, impudence, and brashness of Babylon are summed up by Revelation 18, verse 7, which states, she hath glorified herself and lived deliciously. So much torment and sorrow give her, for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Babylon, in all her glory, power, and accumulated wealth, sits at the top of the world, clothed in royalty and splendor. In just three and a half years, Satan and the Antichrist beast will transform the shattered economy and social order of the world into a powerful, wealth-generating global empire. From Babylon, they will rule over all the kings of the world. The city of Babylon epitomizes carnal success and is the center for worshiping the beast. She will believe she is beyond hurt. She thinks of herself as untouchable. She will consider herself to be the judge of the world and not one to be judged. She will rule the world as the queen of commerce over all nations. The city of Babylon will reflect the very attitude and arrogance of Satan and the antichrist beast. With her wealth, influence, and allies, she will rule the world. With a smug demeanor, she will declare herself invincible. She will imagine herself unmatched in power and influence in the world. She will control the businesses of the world through trade and wealth. With such wealth and power, she'll declare that she cannot be harmed and will never be without allies. In the world of humanity and fallen angels, she's great and without rival. Babylon represents all that Satan has claimed to be and desires. Isaiah chapter 14 verses 12 through 15 records God's judgment on Satan, saying, How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning? How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations? For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds. I will be like the most high. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit." Though among the nations of humanity, Babylon's global power is awesome and without equal. It's infinitesimally insignificant compared to the power of God. Babylon, under the rule of Satan, will be brought down and humbled to the degree she imagines herself lifted up. Satan, his culture, and his beloved city are powerless against God. Isaiah chapter 47, verses 5 through 10 prophesies Babylon's end, saying, Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans! For thou shalt no more be called the Lady of Kingdoms. I was wroth with my people, I have polluted my inheritance, and given them into thine hand. Thou didst show them no mercy. Upon the ancient Thou hast very heavily laid Thy yoke. And Thou saidest, Thou saidest, Thou saidest, Thou saidest, I shall be a lady forever, so that Thou didst not lay these things to Thy heart. Neither didst remember the latter end of it. Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, neither disremember the latter end of it. Therefore now, I'm sorry. Therefore, hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me. I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children, but these two things shall come to thee in a moment, in one day, the loss of the children, the loss of children, and widowhood. They shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries and for the great abundance of thine enchantments. For thou has trusted in thy wickedness. Thou has said, none seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee. And thou has said in thine heart, I am and none else beside me. Babylon's claims are the claims of Satan mentioned in Isaiah 14, verses 12 through 15, as mentioned already. Babylon's claim in Isaiah 47, verse 8 and 10, of I am and none else beside me, is the name and claim of Jehovah God, who said in Isaiah chapter 45, verse 22, Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is none else." The words of Babylon in Revelation 18, 7 are a direct challenge to the prophetic words of Isaiah 47, 8, which says, I shall not sit as a widow in defiance to God. Babylon claims she will not be judged, but Babylon will be judged and become destitute. Babylon's judgment reminds us not to trust in the powers of self, of the world, and of Satan. We should trust in the power of our Creator, not in that which was created. We should seek safety in the power of creation, not in the false strengths offered by that which has been created. Babylon may appear to have power and security in the eyes of the world, but the power she has amassed is nothing more than an illusion. Babylon will be destroyed. along with all the nations in the world in one day. Revelation 18, verses eight through 10 states, therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death and mourning and famine, and she shall be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God which judges her. And the kings of the earth who have committed fornication and live deliciously with her shall bewail her and lament for her when they shall see the smoke of her burning. Standing afar off, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas! I'm sorry, I thought I had that turned off. I did turn it off. I don't know why that's still going. Okay, let me see where I was. We were saying alas, alas, weren't we? Oh yes, there it is. Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city, for in one hour is thy judgment come. This one hour in one day of judgment demonstrates just how powerless Babylon, the Antichrist beast, and Satan are. All of their power and riches are destroyed in one day. In one hour, they will be utterly bankrupt and wasted. Babylon will fall hard and quickly. All of her accomplishments will come to an abrupt end. The security promised in her riches, power and status will fail. The Lord will judge her and show the world that there is no power greater than his. Judgment will begin immediately after the last day of seven years of tribulation. It will occur in one day, and by the end of the judgment day what remains of Babylon will be destroyed in one hour." Revelation 17 verses 12 through 13 explains the one-hour judgment of Babylon, saying, And the 10 horns which thou sawest are 10 kings, which have received no kingdom as yet, but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. Revelation 17, verses 16 and 17 say further that, the 10 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. These events of judgment poured out of the seven vials after the seven trumpet sounds will take place in one day, judgment day. This is the day after the final day of Satan's reign on earth. The seventh trumpet will blast immediately after the sixth trumpet judgment has ended, according to Revelation 11, 15. The sixth trumpet will end with the conclusion of the three and a half years of the Antichrist's beast reigning on earth. Revelation chapter 18 verses 9 and 10 describe the kings and merchants of the earth mourning over the loss of Babylon and the wealth associated with her. Revelation 18 verses 11 through 19 continue. and the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her, for no man buyeth their merchandise anymore. The merchandise of gold and silver and precious stones and of pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet and all thine wood and all manner of vessels of ivory and all manner of vessels of most precious wood and of brass and iron and marble and cinnamon and odors and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and bees, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. 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. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing. 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, for in one hour so great riches has come to naught. And every ship master and all the company and ships and sailors and as many as trade by sea stood afar off and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, what city is like unto this great city? and they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea, by reason of her costliness, for in one hour is she made desolate. On judgment day, The fall of Babylon and the kingdoms on earth will be the end of the carnal party on earth. All the pleasures and all the wealth gained during the three and a half years of Satan and antichrist beast ruling from Babylon will cease. The warnings of impending doom proclaimed in the Bible and by the prophets of God will come and be completed quickly. The merchants who benefited from the wealth generated by Babylon's socio-political and economic order will lament the destruction of all that they placed their hopes and dreams in. Babylon will fall, and the security many relied on due to her claims will vanish. Jesus warned in Matthew 6, verses 19-21, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. There is no future security in the gains of the world. The only lasting wealth that can be found is in Christ. The merchants of the world who are loyal to the ways of Babylon, Babylon's The merchants of the world who are loyal to the ways of Babylon treasure the things of the earth. What they thought would last forever will vaporize into smoke and be lost forever. When they see their treasures and everything they live for and hope for go up in smoke, they will weep and wail. As the ruin of their treasures, so too is their ruin. The treasures over which these men will be wailing over are trivial compared to the eternal treasures offered by Christ. They will literally forsake the eternal destiny of their souls for pearls, linen, silk, wood, ivory, brass, iron, marble, cinnamon, perfumes, wine, food, sheep, horses, cattle, etc. They will foolishly trade their Creator and His promises for that which He created. They will trust in their ill-gotten wealth for safety and security, and they will lose it all abruptly in one day. In one day, in one hour, the mightiest city on earth will be crushed along with all the other nations. It's noteworthy that slaves and souls are listed among the treasures of merchandise. While some become wealthy during the reign of the beast, it will be at the expense of others. There will be haves and have-nots. There will be owners and debtors. Inequities, sufferings, pain, and death are to be expected in a world ruled by Satan, as it is today. Though Babylon is described in glorious splendor, it comes at the sacrifice and ruination of many lives. The atrocities, injustices, and inequities we see today are a small and faint foreshadowing of what will occur during the time of the Antichrist beast for three and a half years. The 10 kings mentioned in Revelation chapter 17 verses 12 and 13 and 16 and 17 will turn against Babylon. They will receive power as kings one hour with the beast, which is the antichrist beast in Revelation chapter 17. The 10 kings will give their power and strength unto the beast. According to these verses, during their one hour reign with Satan and with the antichrist beast, these kings will hate the whore, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. Since they'll be ruling for one hour and destroying Babylon during that time, this must be taking place at the last hour of Judgment Day. This devouring of the wicked by the wicked is reminiscent of the prophecy recorded in Ezekiel chapter 16, verses 35 through 42. which says, wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God, because thy filthiness was poured out and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them, behold, therefore, I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated, I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness. And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged. And I will give thee blood and fury and jealousy, and I will also give thee into their hand. And they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places. They shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare. They shall also bring up a company against thee, and they shall stone thee with stones and thrust thee through with their swords, and they shall burn thine houses with fire and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women, and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire anymore. So will I make my fury toward thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from me, from thee and I will be quiet and will be no more angry. Although it's the 10 kings and the antichrist beast who destroy Babylon, it's the Lord who puts it in their hearts to do so. Revelation 17, 17 says, for God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, to agree and give their kingdom unto the beast until the words of God shall be fulfilled. the Antichrist beast will lead the 10 kings of the world to destroy the city of Babylon. This self-destruction and self-devouring of evil is an appropriate ending for evil. Babylon is the capital trade center of the world and is described as being associated with trade by sea. This suggests that the boundaries of Babylon will be expanded to at least what they were in ancient Babylon when it ruled the entire Fertile Crescent. With borders extending from sea to sea in the Middle East, it will have seaports surrounding it in the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. It will rule from the Fertile Crescent, surrounded by five seas, three of which are accessible from the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. The boundaries of the great city of Babylon will match the reputation of the city as the capital of the world and headquarters for Satan's empire and that of the antichrist beast. In contrast to the weeping and wailing occurring on the earth, the followers of Christ will rejoice. Revelation 18.20 says, Rejoice over her thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets, for God hath avenged you on her. This is not a haughty rejoicing. It's an exhilarating rejoicing that comes with long-anticipated relief being experienced. This is the rejoicing over all that the good This is the rejoicing over all the good that will come from purging of evil. The day of the Lord will be a time when wrongs are made right, justice will prevail, and righteousness will rule. For this, there will be rejoicing for victory in Jesus. Revelation chapter 6 verse 10 records the cry of the martyrs, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? The day of vengeance was promised. and it will come. Without it, there would be no hope of eternal peace and sanctuary. But now, the righteous arise and anticipate the joy of living in a world without evil and corruption. Sin and righteousness cannot coexist. Satan, the Antichrist beast, Babylon, and their followers have shown clearly that evil will not tolerate the convicting presence of God and his followers. And God cannot tolerate the rebellion of sinners that threatens the well-being of his people. Evil will always seek to overthrow God and his followers. Therefore, purging his creation of evil is necessary and a welcomed relief for the righteous. The welcomed end to Babylon is a welcomed end to violence, misery, suffering, and death in the world. Revelation 18, verses 21 and 23 say, And a mighty angel took upon And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers and musicians and of pipers and trumpeters shall be heard no more at all in thee. and no craftsman of whatsoever craft he be shall be found any more in thee, and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee, and the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee, and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee. For thy merchants were the great men of the earth, for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. Babylon and all the evil she represents will be gone forever, never to plague creation with wickedness again. She'll be banished forever, and with her end will come a permanent reprieve from chaos, fear, and bloodshed. Babylon's violence against the righteous will be exceeded only by her own violent death. She will be shown no mercy at this point, even as she has shown no mercy to the innocent, to truth, and to the righteous. All trade, productivity, music, manufacturing, and commerce of every kind will cease with her demise. There will be no more treasures in Babylon. There will be no more joy. There will be no more promises of fulfilled lusts. The alluring vices found in her will come to an end. The sorceries used to cast spells on the people of the earth and to deceive them will be no more. Most importantly, With Babylon's end will come an end to the slaughter of God's prophets and saints. With her end will come an end to the unjust and cruel violence that has taken the lives of many who serve God. Revelation 18, 24 says, and in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all that were slain upon the earth. Vengeance against Babylon will be the triumph of justice and righteousness. Glory to God for putting an end to the unjust slaughter and bloodshed of the saints. In one day, in one hour, the deceptive sights and sounds of victory in Satan's kingdom will come to an abrupt end. Babylon the Great will fall, and this is the promise of God.