Today’s reading is Revelation 18.
An Object Lesson from Jeremiah
In Jeremiah 50-51, God had the prophet write a sermon of judgment against Babylon. Jeremiah had Seraiah the son of Neriah read the sermon in Babylon. Then in Jeremiah 51:63-64, he charged Seraiah to demonstrate an object lesson:
“When you finish reading this book, tie a stone to it and cast it into the midst of the Euphrates, and say, ‘Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more, because of the disaster I am bringing upon her, and they shall become exhausted'” (ESV).
Despite how Babylon might try to fight against the coming judgment from God, she would sink. The waters would overcome her. The city would be destroyed.
The Lord’s Angel Borrows the Object Lesson
In Revelation 18:21, a mighty angel of God mirrors Jeremiah’s object lesson:
Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence and will be found no more…” (ESV).
The angel declares so much of what commonly occurs in a thriving city will disappear from Babylon. No more musicians playing. No more craftsmen working. No more lamps shining. No more weddings occurring.
Why? Because “in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on the earth” (Revelation 18:24, ESV). The apocalypse has been clear that Babylon had slain the people of the Lord. The altar in heaven was the covering for the souls of those slain for the Lord’s testimony. The beast waged war against God’s people and killed them. The witnesses were executed.
Additionally, Babylon was not merely guilty of persecuting Christians, but was simply a murderous city. It was also full of the blood of all who had been slain on the earth. We saw some of this in yesterday’s post when we discovered Babylon traded in the bodies and souls of men.
Therefore, whatever city Babylon represented, this enemy city, this immoral woman, would be like a stone cast into the sea. It would sink beneath the waves and be found no more.
Saints and apostles and Prophets
And in all this we see a great contrast. The merchants and kings of the earth would mourn at the loss of Babylon. They would wail at the loss of their golden ticket. By contrast a different group would respond differently.
Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!” (Revelation 18:20, ESV).
We’ve mentioned this before. Judgment seems harsh when we are the ones subject to judgment. But with every judgment, there is also a deliverance. When the persecutor and oppressor is judged, the persecuted and the oppressed are delivered. When judgment brings condemnation and punishment, we will wail. When it brings deliverance, we will rejoice.
The Sticking Point
What’s the difference between the ones in this chapter who wail at the judgment of Babylon and the ones who rejoice? The ones who wail and lament find their treasure in Babylon. The ones who rejoice find their treasure in God.
When Jesus told and explained the parable of the sower in Matthew 13, He talked about seed sown among thorns. He explained, “this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22, ESV). The merchants and kings were caught up in the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches. Babylon promised those things. Babylon even provided those things for a time.
But then Babylon was judged and everything the merchants and kings valued was taken from them.
The saints and apostles and prophets often suffered when it came to the cares of the world. They were on the losing end when it came to riches. Their treasure, however, was in the kingdom of heaven. Their treasure was in God. When the judgment came, they gained everything that was of value to them.
The question for us is will we be a merchant or a saint? What will you be? Can we help you be a saint? Don’t be confused. Saints are not extra-special Christians. Disciples are saints. Would you like to be one? If we can help you with that, let us know in the comments.
Next week’s reading is Revelation 19.
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