The
world as we once knew it is changing—not for the better, but for the worse. The
prophecies that the Bible speaks of is being fulfilled right before our very
eyes. All one has to do is turn on the news and events are unfolding in front
of us. There are wars and rumors of wars, violence, pestilence, disease,
earthquakes and much more taking place all over the world. To make matters
worse, America, the country that was once the land of the free and the home of
the brave is doing her part, to fulfill the prophecies, that were given to John
in regards to the wickedness of Babylon. Unfortunately, Babylon (America) will
be destroyed and no one will sing of her praises ever again.
God
has sent warning after warning to Babylon and yet, she is defiant as ever. The
more wicked she becomes, the more pride she takes in it. Therefore, God will
render the judgment that she has earned. John was given this warning to write
down, so that God’s people would be aware as to the days that would come right
before Jesus’ second return. There is a job to be done. The alarm must be
sounded. The gospel must be spread to those who have either not heard or have
refused to listen. God does not wish that anyone be lost. Nevertheless, many
people will go to a hell that was never destined for us.
The
time is now to choose which side you will be on. Will you be for God, or will
you fall into the temptation of Babylon. A choice has to be made! What will you
decide? Where will you spend eternity? The decision is up to YOU.
Quick Review from Lesson 9
a.) The
first angel poured out his bowl on the land and ugly sores broke out on the
people who had the mark of the beast.
b.) The
second angel poured out his bowl on the sea and it turned to blood. Every
living thing in the sea died.
c.) The
third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water and they
became blood.
d.) The
fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun scorched the people
with fire.
e.) The
fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast and his kingdom. The
people cursed God because of their painful sores.
f.) The
sixth angel poured out his bowl on the River Euphrates and its water dried up.
g.) The
seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air and a loud voice came from the
throne saying, “It is finished!”
h.) A
woman sat on a scarlet beast covered with blasphemous names with seven heads
and ten horns.
i.) The
kings of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adultery.
j.) The
woman was drunk from the blood of God’s holy people.
k.) Those
whose names are not written in the Book of Life will be astonished when they
see the beast.
l.) The
kings will give their power to the beast and they will rage war against the
Lamb.
m.) The
waters where the prostitute sat represents people, multitudes, nations and
languages.
The Cry Over Babylon’s Fall
Revelation 18:1-3 (1)After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He
had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. (2)With
a mighty voice he shouted: “ ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has
become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for
every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. (3)For
all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of
the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich
from her excessive luxuries.” (NIV)
Once again, John was shown what
would take place in the last days that we are now in. An angel came to deliver
another message of warning concerning the great nation of Babylon. In the days
of old, Jeremiah the Prophet warned that Israel would be taken captive by the
Babylonians of his day, but the Israelites did not want to listen to his
warning. They preferred the deception of the false prophets, during his time,
who spoke of peace and safety just as many in today’s do. Instead of turning to
God and repenting of the sins that they had committed, their hearts were full
of rebellion. Therefore, instead of desiring to please God, they felt that they
could continue in their idolatrous ways because they were the “chosen” people.
What they failed to realize was
because God had chosen them, they were held to a higher standard. How would
other nations know about God if His own people were not faithful in serving
Him? Nevertheless, God still had a heart of restoration for His people and
Babylon was eventually punished for its wicked ways. This punishment of Babylon
took place during Daniel’s time when King Belshazzar, son of Nebuchadnezzar,
had taken the throne to rule. Babylon fail as a mighty power to the Medes and
Persians.
Even though Iran is known as Babylon
of old, the Bible speaks of a new and mysterious Babylon. Why is it mysterious?
It is because it is not known by the name Babylon or it would be too obvious as
to who the scriptures refer. This Babylon is the United States of America. America
and Israel are the two countries that were formed by an act of God. Christopher
Columbus did not know where he was actually at when he first came to America.
He was trying the find the West Indies. However, we know that God was the one
who led him to find this continent.
America has been blessed beyond
measure and has been able to be a blessing to other countries. Therefore, she
has a huge responsibility to God and other nations. However, the United States
has become one of the most wicked nations that has ever been in existence. The
United States is responsible for nearly 60 million abortions since Roe vs.
Wade. Homosexual marriage has become the law of the land. Sin by way of
importation and exportation of pornography has caused this nation and others to
become an immoral bed of fleas. The greed of the nation’s elite causes the
innocent to suffer greatly. Lies of political leaders and their ungodly ways
has lead this nation to compromise the Word of God. Failure of pastors behind
the pulpits to warn the people to get their affairs in order has caused the
Body of Christ to be in a state of slumber. Violence is on the rise in many
cities across the U.S. and even those who are called to serve and protect have found
themselves on the opposite side of the law. Satanic rituals and demonic themes
in movies, music, games and books have replaced the God-given values within the
10 Commandments. To stand on the Word of God, in the United States, has now put
you in line to be considered a bigot, homophobe, politically incorrect,
terrorist, and other names of rebuke just for following God.
This is why Babylon will fall
because she has accepted every type of perverse evil that can possibly be
imagined. Not only has she become defiled, but she has also caused other
nations to follow her wicked ways. In July 2015, President Obama made a trip to
visit his homeland in Kenya. During that trip, he tried to make headway in
persuading the Kenyan President to adjust their anti-gay laws. However, the
Kenyan President refused to accept this ungodly abomination in his country. The
United States is guilty of enticing other countries into their web of
wickedness. To much is given, much is required and the United States owes
everything they have to God. Unfortunately, she has taken God out of nearly
every aspect of society. Therefore, Babylon will fall!
A
Warning to Flee the Judgment
Revelation 18:4-8
(4)Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “ ‘Come out of her,
my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not
receive any of her plagues; (5)for her sins are piled up to heaven,
and God has remembered her crimes. (6)Give back to her as she has
given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion
from her own cup. (7)Give her as much torment and grief as the glory
and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit enthroned as
queen. I am not a widow; I will never mourn.’ (8)Therefore in one
day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be
consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her. (NIV)
Many people within the United States
dare to be arrogant and think that this nation will never pay for the sins that
has been committed by this country against God. Countless pastors have preached
sermons concerning the same ideology that because the United States has been
the main country to help feed 3rd world countries, spread the gospel
through missionaries, radio, tv and satellite world-wide, and have worship
houses on nearly every corner, that we will not be judged. However, Israel and
Judah had the same mindset and lived to see the destruction of their nation. Daniel
1:1-2 In the third year of the reign of
Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and
besieged it. And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand,
along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to
the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.
(NIV) God never desires to punish His people,
but He will never allow Himself to be mocked because of their wickedness. Galatians
6:7-8 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction;
whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
(NIV)
John
heard the warning for God’s people to come out of Babylon, so that His people
would not share in the wrath of judgment to come. We are not to partake in the
evils of this world. The sins of this nation have reached up to God’s nostrils
and He will respond accordingly. The Bible tells the story of Sodom and
Gomorrah, which were two very wicked cities that God destroyed. The Lord warned
Abraham, upon a visit, that He would destroy them after checking to see if all
the stories of their wickedness were true. Genesis 18:20-21 Then the Lord said,
“The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous
that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that
has reached me. If not, I will know.” (NIV) Sin cannot dwell in the
presence of God. Therefore, God will allow it to go for so long, but then His
judgment will come down.
America has boasted about being the
greatest country in the world. However, that greatness has only been because of
the mighty hands of God upon it. Unfortunately, America’s wickedness has become
exceedingly great and just as Israel and Judah were overtaken by their enemies,
the future of the United States will be the same as theirs. 2
Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some
understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to
perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (NIV)
God is in the process of exposing
many of this nation’s sins. There will be no question as to why this nation is
being judged once the wrath of God fully comes down upon it. For example, the
Centers for Medical Progress has been instrumental in bringing out the evils
against the demonic organization, Planned Parenthood through an undercover
investigation of over 3 years. The videos that were taken exposed the immoral
and grotesque selling of aborted baby parts and organs as well as babies being
kept alive to harvest brains and other parts. Many may think that this was just
a coincidence that these videos were exposed, but God used this organization to
uncover the satanic sacrifices that were taking place. Every baby that is
aborted is a demonic sacrifice being offered to Satan for he is the destroyer
of life. John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and
you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the
beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he
lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (NIV)
America is going
to pay double for all the sins that she has committed against God and others.
This nation has been given much and therefore, God expects better.
Luke 12:48 But the one who
does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few
blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from
the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (NIV) Because we were
supposed to be founded upon Christian values, there is an expectation for us to
follow. Unfortunately, the leaders of this nation has taken it down a path of
destruction and much of this is the fault of leaders within the Body of Christ.
The text lets us know that there
will be death, mourning and famine as part of Babylon’s judgment. The
destruction that will overtake this country will literally bring it to its
knees. Many will die. There will be many tears. And many will die of famine
because nothing will be able to grow for those who may survive what is left of
her destruction. Isaiah 1:2-9 (2)Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the Lord has
spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against
me. (3)The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s anger, but Israel does not know, my people
do not understand.” 4)Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, brood of evildoers, children given
to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of
Israel and turned their backs on him. (5)Why should you be beaten
anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your
whole heart afflicted. 6)From the sole of your foot to the top of your head here is no soundness—only wounds
and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with olive oil. 7)Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; our fields are being stripped by
foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers. (8)Daughter
Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a cucumber field, like
a city under siege. (9)Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some
survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah. (NIV)
The
Woes Over Babylon’s Fall
Revelation 18:9-10 (9)“When
the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury
see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. (10)Terrified
at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great
city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!’ (NIV)
The merchants of America who partook in her sins will miss
the fortune they made from her. It may not be a sincere sorry over her demise,
but a longing to do business with her as they had before. Fear will incite them
as they look upon the great nation of America that will be in ruins. This is
why it is important to set a Godly example before others, so that they will see
the glory of God in us, and not be able to gloat over the judgment rendered,
due to a lack of disobedience However, this will also be a lesson to other nations to not follow the wicked ways
of America. Once they see her destruction, they will know that God sees and
judges all. Psalm 7:11-13 God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every
day. If he does not relent, he will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string
his bow. He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows.
(NIV)
Revelation 18:11-16 (11)“The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her
because no one buys their cargoes anymore— (12)cargoes of gold,
silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth;
every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly
wood, bronze, iron and marble; (13)cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of
incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and
wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.
(14)“They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All
your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ (15)The
merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far
off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn (16)and cry
out: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet,
and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! (NIV)
The U.S. is one of the top traders
in the world. From a variety of goods and services, many countries have become
rich through having trade agreements with American companies. Trading consists
of industrial supplies and equipment, consumer goods, automobiles, food, feeds, beverages, as well as
travel services just to name a few. The destruction of America will have a
major impact globally and many nations will feel the effect of her demise. The
Lord is the one who blesses a country to obtain wealth as has been the case
with America. However, when a nation decides to reject God, they also forfeit
the blessings that God bestows upon them. Isaiah 60:15-16 (15)“Although
you have been forsaken and hated, with no one traveling through, I will make
you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations. (16)You
will drink the milk of nations and be nursed at royal breasts. Then you will
know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
(NIV)
If
this text is to be taken literally, this would mean that the United States will
be destroyed in just an hour. It could be that other nations will swoop in on
her during a time of weakness when she least expect. There are a number of
scenarios that can take place to make this possible. Nuclear bombs, missiles,
strategic planning with submarines, ships, and planes could bring about a major
destruction is a very short period of time. An electromagnetic attack could
make it even possible to keep the military from being able to respond promptly
to the enemy’s advances. Many modern prophets claim to have had dreams and
visions from God concerning the destruction of America. These revelations have
shaken many to the core and as watchmen of the wall, they have urged for
America to turn back from her wicked ways and repent before God. Unfortunately
for many, the sounds of alarm are nothing more than mere babbles of mad men.
However, God has said in His word that He will always give a warning prior to
rendering ultimate destruction. Amos 3:6-8 (6)When a trumpet
sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has
not the Lord caused it? (7)Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing
without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. (8)The lion
has roared—who will not fear? The Sovereign Lord has spoken—who can but
prophesy? (NIV)
Babylon’s
Final Destruction
Revelation 18:21-24 (21)Then a
mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it
into the sea, and said: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be
thrown down, never to be found again. (22)The music of harpists and
musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No worker
of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will
never be heard in you again. (23)The light of a lamp will never
shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in
you again. Your merchants were the world’s important people. By your magic
spell all the nations were led astray. (24)In her was found the
blood of prophets and of God’s holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on
the earth.” (NIV)
John saw an angel throw a millstone
into the sea representing the great force that Babylon will come up under
leading to its ultimate destruction. The text mentions musicians will never be
heard from again. It is amazing that this is mentioned because the music
industry has become a negative tool of the devil, which has turned many people
both old and young into a habitat for sin. Much of the music that is played on
the radio and sold in the stores along with videos encourage immoral acts of
sex, violence, greed, boastful and lack of respect for authority. Even some of
the music that is labeled as “Christian” has been borrowed from the devil,
slapped with a few Bible verses, and marketed in a desperate attempt to be like
the world. However, Paul warned that the world would exemplify ungodliness, and
that we were not to be intertwined with such things and people. 2
Timothy 3:2-5 (2)People
will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive,
disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, (3)without
love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the
good, (4)treacherous,
rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— (5)having
a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
(NIV)
The
text goes on to let us know that the nation will never shine as it once did.
This is sad because we were to be a light unto the world. Jesus told the
disciples that they were the light of the world. We as a nation was supposed to
be a light to all the other nations of the world. However we have let our light
grow dark. Matthew 5:14-16 (14) “You are
the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. (15)Neither
do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its
stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. (16)In the same
way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and
glorify your Father in heaven. (NIV)
The United States has been amongst the top leaders of the world and have made
treaties with many. She has policed the world, but have also led many nations
into her idolatrous ways. Just recently, documents were uncovered after a
lawsuit of the government for disclosure that told of the United States being
responsible for the terrorist organization, ISIS, coming to power. ISIS has
been said to have killed thousands of Christians. Therefore, due to the United
States being responsible for the creation of ISIS, she is also responsible for
the murder of innocent Christians, and will pay with her ultimate destruction. Oh
how far we have fallen as a nation before God. Luke 13:34 "Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I
have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under
her wings, and you were not willing.” (NIV)
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