30 December

Bible In 365 Days                     

Revelation 17-19

Revelation 17

We now come to the true unfolding of the nature of Babylon and the detailed account of the judgment to fall on her. The name on the forehead of Babylon commences with the word "Mystery." Babylon stands for the whole system of organized godlessness in the history of the human race. In its course it has been surrounded by every kind of material splendor, "arrayed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls." Through the ages, men turning from the vision of God have seen only the material glory of ail.

As the seer gazes on the fearful vision he wonders with a great wonder.

The angel then proceeds to explain the meaning of the vision. The beast represents the temporal authority which has been the strength of all spiritual harlotry. The heads refer to successive world powers which had risen and fallen. The powers having existed and passed at the time of John's writing were Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece. The one then existing was Rome, and still there was one to come. Ten kings remained who would finally act with the beast, having one mind with him. These will act against Babylon, and also against the Lamb, but He will overcome them.

Very striking is the seer's declaration of the overruling of God in the words, "God did put it in their hearts to do His mind, and to come to one mind, and to give their kingdom unto the beast." Thus the angel's explanation ends with a manifestation of the perpetual truth that all godlessness carries within itself the elements of its final defeat and overthrow.

Revelation 18

The vision of the destruction of Babylon as directly resulting from the government of God is now given. It is announced, "Fallen is Babylon." Her condition is described as that of a habitation of demons, the prison of unclean spirits. Nations, kings, and merchants who have lived and ruled and traded on the principles of Babylon are involved in her fallen condition. A remnant is called out from Babylon before the destruction comes. The angel pronounces a retributive sentence, "As she rendered . . . according to her works."

The fall of the city produces entirely opposite effects on earth and in heaven. The earth is plunged into mourning. The heavenly and spiritual world rejoices. From the beginning, Babylon had been in opposition to heaven. It had lived under the impulse of things seen, while denying the unseen things. At last it is overthrown, and there is rejoicing of the righteous.

A symbolic act follows, the casting of a great millstone into the sea by an angel. The result is that Babylon "shall be found no more." The overthrow is to be absolute, irrevocable. The reason for this is stated as threefold, first, "Thy merchants were the princes of the earth"; second, 'With thy sorceries were all the nations deceived"; finally, "In her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all that have been slain upon the earth."

Revelation 19

We now come to the things leading up to the establishment of the Kingdom. There are three great movements of praise: one by a great multitude who have been slain; the second by the elders and the living ones; finally, a mighty chorus which John describes by a threefold similitude as "the voice of a great multitude," "the voice of many waters," "the voice of mighty thunders." This precedes the marriage of the Lamb. The harlot is no more. The true Bride is manifest.

A word of blessing is pronounced on those bidden to this marriage ceremony.

Now comes the actual manifestation of Jesus to the world, and the judgment already foretold is described from the standpoint of His activity. The principle of His procedure is that He is "faithful and true" in character, and judging in righteousness in conduct. On His head are many diadems, suggesting His imperial sway over every realm of life. His name is "The Word of God." On His thigh is written "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." This glorious King in His manifestation is accompanied by His armies.

As the heavens are opened, and the King and His armies are manifested, an angel is seen standing in the sun, and in figurative language is heard announcing the coming victory. The massed powers of godlessness are gathered with the awful purpose of making war against the true King. The battle is immediately joined. There is no indecision, no varying fortunes. The King and His armies are supernatural. It is the hour when heaven is touching earth, and the victory is with heaven.