Revelation 18:9-12 - by Ray Viola

Revelation 18:9-12 by Ray Viola

REVELATION 18.9-24

The simple interpretation of the verses that we are covering this morning refers to the judgment of God on the great city of Babylon and the worldwide response and impact of this judgment. However, for you and me this morning, there are some very important biblical principles that we need to be reminded of regarding our understanding what our mindset should be concerning the world and our relationship to it.

Rev 18:9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Rev 18:10 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.

The devastation of watching this great city burning causes the people both near and afar off to bewail for fear of the torment (vv. 10, 15). Who cannot remember the same kind of weeping and wailing when the Twin Towers were burning and plunged to the ground 10 years ago today.
Observe that 3 times in this chapter (10, 17, and 19); the time cited for the destruction of Babylon is 1 hour.
Some Bible critics who do not know the power of God say that it would be impossible for a city this big to be destroyed in such a short period. Beloved, when God determines to destroy a city, I am surprised that He would take so long. I truly believe that even in this hour judgment, the longsuffering of God is making provision for even one soul to repent and turn to Him for mercy and be rescued from eternal wrath?

Rev 18:11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

I find it interesting that in verses 9 and 11, the merchants are not weeping over their sins and their own impending judgment, but for the fact that no one is able to buy their merchandise anymore.
Before we self righteously conclude that these people have a warped view of material things, Pastor Keith Krell asks these questions to his congregation:

How would you feel if the luxuries in your life that you have come to consider necessities vanished? Would it break your heart if you saw the things of this world go up in smoke, or is your heart in heaven, fixed on Christ? How are you managing the money and material possessions God has placed in your hands? Where are your financial priorities? Does God have first place in your checkbook?

Jesus said that a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses (Luke 12:15).
One of the glorious realities about coming to Jesus Christ as Lord and embracing His Word as ultimate truth, is that it enables you to see what is really important in life, and in doing so, it sets you free from being a slave to the deceitful riches and this fallen world systems fashions and lusts world.
The human soul is more important than stuff. People and godly relationships are more important that things.
One of the most important lessons in the life of a Christian is that which the apostle Paul learned:

Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Having food and raiment let us be therewith content Godliness with contentment is great gain.1Timothy 6:8

One of the Puritans Jeremy Burroughs wrote a wonderful book called The Precious Jewel of Contentment.

Rev 18:12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, Rev 18:13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

Please note in verse 13 beloved that amongst the other commodities of commercial-religious Babylon are the souls of men.
As far as religious Babylon goes, 2 Peter 2 warns us about false prophets and false teachers and religious systems that are motivated by greed and in the process, make merchandise out of the souls of men.

2Pe 2:3 ¶ And through covetousness (fraud, extortion, greed) shall they with feigned (Gr. plastos; molded or fictitious) words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Remember in John 2 what Jesus said and did when He confronted this very same issue?

John 2:13 And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; 16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

Jesus said to Simon Peter on the shore of the Sea of Galilee after He rose from the dead, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs (John 21.15)
Peter understood the words of Jesus to mean this: 1Pe 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
The purpose and calling of God ordained ministry is to feed the flock of God, not fleece them. To minister to God’s people, not make merchandise of them.
Many innocent people are being spiritually and financially ripped off by the greed driven false teaching of purgatory. One commentator writing on making merchandise of the souls of men says, “What is the whole system of masses for the dead, paid for out of the money drawn from mourning relatives, but a traffic in the souls of men?”
As far as commercial Babylon goes, I have no doubt in my mind that commercializing of souls also describes our present society’s various forms of “entertainment” that makes merchandise of and destroys the souls of men and women. Pornography for example is a billion dollar a year industry that is destroying the souls of men. It has been estimated that on the same day that the planes crashed into the Twin Towers in NYC, more than 3,000 babies were killed in abortion clinics across this nation because the god of pleasure and refusal to take responsibility for ones actions means more to many people in our society than the value of human life.
Beloved, the real value of the eternal souls of man and the Godward meaning and purpose of life as it is seen in Scripture has taken the back seat to the false doctrines and godless standards of secular religious and commercial Babylon.

Rev 18:14 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.

This verse echoes the warning that given to us by Solomon in the Book of Ecclesiastes about the person who lives for things under the sun instead of seeking first the kingdom of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. You have never seen a U-Haul following a hearse.
When we die, the only things that we take into eternity are the things that we have invested in the Kingdom of God and in people. Rev 14.13 Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
The kingdoms of this world and all of their wealth, power, and luxury last only for a short time. 1John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
As pilgrims and strangers, we must learn to keep a light touch on the things of this world. Jesus said, My Kingdom is not of this world (John 18.36).
May The Spirit of God give us a sound and proper understanding of what it means to live in this world but not for this world. A person whose identity and importance in life is wrapped up in what they wear, what they drive, where they live or how much money they make will be a frustrated individual who will never experience any lasting peace or joy in life. And that is because peace and joy do not come from things of this world, but from indwelling The Holy Spirit

Ro 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Ps 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

God does indeed daily load us with benefits and He richly gives us things to enjoy; but God never intended that His gifts and blessings in life replace Him, The Giver of Life.
The proper response to the goodness and graciousness of God leaves one seeking for ways to express thanks unto Him. Ps 116:12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
Like the 1 leper who was healed by The Lord Jesus, you and I have been recipients of incredible supplies of God’s grace and goodness of God. Our lives are to be an expression of thanksgiving and obedient wholehearted, worship and consecration to Him.
After coming into a true encounter with the Living, Risen Christ, the apostle Paul, formerly Saul asked the question, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Our purpose in life is to live for Jesus Christ and His glory, not the accumulation of things.

Rev 18:15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, Rev 18:16 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! Rev 18:17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

Rev 18:18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What [city is] like unto this great city! Rev 18:19 And they cast dust on their heads (ancient expression of grief), 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.

· One hour she is made desolate. How quickly life goes by beloved.

Jas 4.14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Ps 90:12 ¶ So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Rev 18:20 Rejoice over her, [thou] heaven, and [ye] holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

· The angel exhorts God's people to rejoice, not in the death of these people, but over the fact that God is just, and His justice has won the day, preparing the way for eternal peace.

Rev 18:21 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.

This utter destruction of Babylon is reminiscent of Jeremiah’s instructions to Seraiah to bind a stone to a text of Jeremiah and cast it into the Euphrates. Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. (Jeremiah 51:61-64). This applies to Babylon in Revelation 18, because she led others into sin.
But this “millstone principle” also reminds us of what Jesus said in Matthew 18:6: But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.It is a terrible thing to sin unto yourself; it is even more terrible to lead others into sin.

Rev 18:22 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;

· The Orientals grind their meal daily in hand-mills. The cessation of the sound of the millstone is therefore a sign of utter desolation. In view of the fact that this present world is one day going to be destroyed, Pater asks the question.

2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness

There is no real life apart from faith in Jesus Christ. John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 1Jo 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
This horrifying silence of Babylon here means complete devastation, just as we read in Isa 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
Please note that while the music of this world is being brought to an end, the true design for music for which music was created will continue throughout eternity.

Re 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation
Re 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

Rev 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride (symbols of joy) shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries (Gr. pharmakia; same word that is translated witchcraft) were all nations deceived.

By the sorceries (deception) of religious and commercial Babylon, the great men of the earth were deceived. When a person rejects the gospel of Jesus Christ and the authority of God’s Word, they set themselves up for any and every kind of strong delusion.

Rev 18:24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

The judgment of God upon the wicked is certain. No nation, no person, no matter how proud and powerful, can stand in that day apart from a true faith in The Lord Jesus Christ. The last days will reveal the nature of true wealth, leaving many in mourning because earthly treasures were the only wealth they knew. Saints, we are living in the last hours….we must set our affections on things above…we must live in the light of eternity.

What message did Jesus deliver to the multitudes that were looking for meaning and purpose in life?

Mr 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

What are the consequences of rejecting the gospel of Jesus Christ and being ashamed of Jesus and His Words?

38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Who really cares for your soul beloved?

John 3:16 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. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

How can you make peace with God and escape the rat race of living for this empty world system?

Mt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.