Revelation 18: Babylon the Great Has Fallen

LINK: Revelation 18 

BACKGROUND

Remember that Babylon has always been a symbol of mankind's rebellion against God. In this chapter, it represents the world system of the beast with special emphasis on the political and economic. The world mourned because they followed her politically and benefited from her financially, but Babylon would be utterly destroyed. The Old Testament made it clear that the city would fall and not be rebuilt (Isaiah 13:19-22; Jeremiah 51:24-26, 61-64). Physical Babylon was never rebuilt (Although Saddam Hussein tried. See below.). The destruction of this city is the final blow to the "time of the Gentiles" which began at the fall of Jerusalem in 605 B.C. (Luke 21:24).

The stage is now set for the second coming of Christ (Acts 1:11)! Stay tuned!!!

REFLECTION

In 1983, Saddam Hussein started rebuilding the city on top of the old ruins (because of this, artifacts and other finds may well be under the city by now), investing in both restoration and new construction. He inscribed his name on many of the bricks in imitation of Nebuchadnezzar. One frequent inscription reads: "This was built by Saddam Hussein, son of Nebuchadnezzar, to glorify Iraq". This recalls the ziggurat at Ur, where each individual brick was stamped with "Ur-Nammu, king of Ur, who built the temple of Nanna". These bricks became sought after as collectors' items after the downfall of Hussein, and the ruins are no longer being restored to their original state. He also installed a huge portrait of himself and Nebuchadnezzar at the entrance to the ruins, and shored up Processional Way, a large boulevard of ancient stones, and the Lion of Babylon, a black rock sculpture about 2,600 years old. When the Gulf War ended, Saddam wanted to build a modern palace, also over some old ruins; it was made in the pyramidal style of a Sumerian ziggurat. He named it Saddam Hill. In 2003, he was ready to begin the construction of a cable car line over Babylon when the invasion began and halted the project. An article published in April 2006 states that UN officials and Iraqi leaders have plans for restoring Babylon, making it into a cultural center.^[37][38] As of May 2009, the provincial government of Babil has reopened the site to tourism.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon)

APPLICATION

How Can A Person Keep Away From the Evil System? 

Here are some suggestions: 

1. People must always be more important than products. 
2. Keep away from pride in your own programs, plans, and successes. 
3. Remember that God's will and Word must never be compromised. 
4. People must always be considered above the making of money. 
5. Do what is right, no matter what the cost. 
6. Be involved in businesses that provide worthwhile products or services -- not just things that feed the world's desires.  (The Life Application Bible, p. 2327)

PRAYER

Lord, keep us from the deception of the world and help us to cling only to You and to long for the glorious day of Christ's Second Coming! Amen.