Sermon Devotional: The Fall of Evil
Sermon Title: The Fall of Evil
Scripture: Revelation 18 (ESV)
Revelation 18 shows the utter and complete destruction of the mesmerizing harlot, Babylon. This chapter focuses on the sudden and complete collapse of a commercial world system propped up by wanton immorality, luxurious living and human exploitation. John describes the angels’ declarations as seven words of woe. Remember that the number seven declares completeness.
The chapter begins with an angel of great authority, illuminating the earth with glory that can only come from God, the source of all light and truth. This angel announces, with a “mighty voice,” a word of woe – Babylon the great city has fallen. “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” (18:2).
Another voice rings out from heaven, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you share in her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities” (18:4-5). Here, even in the very final days of the kingdom of the earth, God is calling his people to flee evil and come to Him. His love continually pursues those who will listen to God’s invitation to repent and turn!
Then, the angel-voice declares that plagues and destruction will be swift. John tells readers that the final judgment in Revelation will “come in a single day” and even “in a single hour” (18:8,10,16,19) surprising and shocking all who witness it. To the Jewish mind, this harkens back to the declaration of the prophet Isaiah (chapter 13), who predicted ancient Babylon’s swift fall and utter destruction that was ultimately fulfilled in a surprise attack by Cyrus, leaving the citizens of the city of ancient Babylon in shock. The judgment: “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.’ 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” (18:7-8).
The whole world mourns Babylon’s fall. The kings, those in authority and power who aligned with Babylon, weep and lament for her. “Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come” (18:10). The merchants who profited from her also weep and mourn. “Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls! For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste” (18:16). Likewise, shipmasters mourn and cry. “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” (18:19). All these who became wealthy because of her extravagant riches mourn but they don’t go near. They stand far off. When Babylon, “the great city” (18:18) is desolate and in the greatest need, all who aligned with her abandon her. None come to her aid. They see the shocking judgment and “in fear of her torment” (18:15) they watch from a distance.
The final woe—a great millstone is heaved into the sea. So is “Babylon the great city thrown down with violence” (18:21). It totally disappears. This last woe is punctuated by six things that will never again occur in on the earth: all music making is “no more.” “No more” will artisans create beauty, grain be ground, lamps be lit, and marriage celebrations will be “no more” (18:21-23).
The only thing that remains of Babylon the great is the blood of the saints and prophets. God’s perfect, holy, judgment is complete.
Consider—
╬ Are you saddened to read the list of “no more’s” in 18:21-23? Music and creativity, honest work, light and love are “no more” on the earth. These are some of the God-given gifts for the flourishing of God’s people. Sad as these losses are, remember that we are moving on toward the New Jerusalem where we can’t even imagine the eternal joy of being forever with God. Do you think this list of “no more’s” will find a place in the New Heaven and the New Earth?
╬ The world system around us seems to offer much, but in the end all of Babylon and all those who loved her have fallen. Read again the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Here is a young man who is enticed by the desires and pleasures of the world, who wastes his inheritance and finds himself impoverished. But the prodigal remembers his father. He returns and repents and is restored to fellowship. When have you wandered and been enticed by the offerings of the world? Give thanks for the Father’s wooing love. In what areas of life are you still susceptible to the temptations of the world? God is still calling, “Come out of her, my people.”
╬ Father in heaven, pursuer of our souls—we are still amazed by the things of this world! Give us ears to hear your call to flee from the temptations of the world. Lord, thank you that your judgment of evil is certain. Lead us into your great mercy and forgiveness. Because of Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Scripture: Revelation 18 (ESV)
“Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!” Revelation 18:20
Revelation 18 shows the utter and complete destruction of the mesmerizing harlot, Babylon. This chapter focuses on the sudden and complete collapse of a commercial world system propped up by wanton immorality, luxurious living and human exploitation. John describes the angels’ declarations as seven words of woe. Remember that the number seven declares completeness.
The chapter begins with an angel of great authority, illuminating the earth with glory that can only come from God, the source of all light and truth. This angel announces, with a “mighty voice,” a word of woe – Babylon the great city has fallen. “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” (18:2).
Another voice rings out from heaven, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you share in her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities” (18:4-5). Here, even in the very final days of the kingdom of the earth, God is calling his people to flee evil and come to Him. His love continually pursues those who will listen to God’s invitation to repent and turn!
Then, the angel-voice declares that plagues and destruction will be swift. John tells readers that the final judgment in Revelation will “come in a single day” and even “in a single hour” (18:8,10,16,19) surprising and shocking all who witness it. To the Jewish mind, this harkens back to the declaration of the prophet Isaiah (chapter 13), who predicted ancient Babylon’s swift fall and utter destruction that was ultimately fulfilled in a surprise attack by Cyrus, leaving the citizens of the city of ancient Babylon in shock. The judgment: “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.’ 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” (18:7-8).
The whole world mourns Babylon’s fall. The kings, those in authority and power who aligned with Babylon, weep and lament for her. “Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come” (18:10). The merchants who profited from her also weep and mourn. “Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls! For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste” (18:16). Likewise, shipmasters mourn and cry. “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” (18:19). All these who became wealthy because of her extravagant riches mourn but they don’t go near. They stand far off. When Babylon, “the great city” (18:18) is desolate and in the greatest need, all who aligned with her abandon her. None come to her aid. They see the shocking judgment and “in fear of her torment” (18:15) they watch from a distance.
The final woe—a great millstone is heaved into the sea. So is “Babylon the great city thrown down with violence” (18:21). It totally disappears. This last woe is punctuated by six things that will never again occur in on the earth: all music making is “no more.” “No more” will artisans create beauty, grain be ground, lamps be lit, and marriage celebrations will be “no more” (18:21-23).
The only thing that remains of Babylon the great is the blood of the saints and prophets. God’s perfect, holy, judgment is complete.
Consider—
╬ Are you saddened to read the list of “no more’s” in 18:21-23? Music and creativity, honest work, light and love are “no more” on the earth. These are some of the God-given gifts for the flourishing of God’s people. Sad as these losses are, remember that we are moving on toward the New Jerusalem where we can’t even imagine the eternal joy of being forever with God. Do you think this list of “no more’s” will find a place in the New Heaven and the New Earth?
╬ The world system around us seems to offer much, but in the end all of Babylon and all those who loved her have fallen. Read again the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Here is a young man who is enticed by the desires and pleasures of the world, who wastes his inheritance and finds himself impoverished. But the prodigal remembers his father. He returns and repents and is restored to fellowship. When have you wandered and been enticed by the offerings of the world? Give thanks for the Father’s wooing love. In what areas of life are you still susceptible to the temptations of the world? God is still calling, “Come out of her, my people.”
╬ Father in heaven, pursuer of our souls—we are still amazed by the things of this world! Give us ears to hear your call to flee from the temptations of the world. Lord, thank you that your judgment of evil is certain. Lead us into your great mercy and forgiveness. Because of Jesus our Lord. Amen.