SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 8/31/2015
10:01 AM
My Worship Time Focus: PT-3 Intro. To
Rev. 18
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Rev. 18
Message of the
verses: Today I want to finish the
introduction to the 18th chapter of the book of Revelation.
What we have been writing about is whether the contents
of Revelation 18 are speaking of a city or a system, and we said that what Revelation
18 is talking about is that Babylon is a city, but it also represents a
system. I know that this is a bit confusing
but if I understand things correctly Revelation chapter 18 speaks of the city
of Babylon, but what is going on in that city during the Tribulation Period
also represents a system that has gone on since we first see it in the book of
Genesis where Nimrod began a religion and a system too.
Now I want to give some evidence from the OT that shows
that some of the prophecies that are about Babylon have not been
fulfilled. John MacArthur writes “Though
some commentators view it as a symbol for Antichrist’s whole godless system,
the Babylon described in chapter 18 is most likely an actual city. It is called a city five times in the chapter
(v. 10, 16, 18, 19, and 21), and other features in the text imply that a
literal city is in view. Since the text
plainly describes Babylon as a city, and there is nothing in the context to
indicate otherwise, it is safest to view it as a real city. The specific Old Testament prophecies of
Babylon’s destruction and perpetual desolation (Isa. 13:19-22; 14:22-23; Jer. 50:13,
39; 51:37), as yet unfulfilled, also argue that chapter 18 describes an actual
city. But while Babylon will be an
actual city, its influence will be worldwide.
As Antichrist’s capital city, it will be the hub of and represent his
commercial empire. Thus, the judgment
and destruction of Babylon will kill the head, and the rest of the body of
Antichrist’s whole world empire will follow in death.”
Now let’s take a look at these different prophecies that
are mentioned: Isa. 13:19-22 “19 And
Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans’ pride, Will be as
when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 20 It will never be inhabited or lived
in from generation to generation; Nor will the Arab pitch his tent there, Nor
will shepherds make their flocks lie down there. 21 But desert creatures will
lie down there, And their houses will be full of owls; Ostriches also will live
there, and shaggy goats will frolic there. 22 Hyenas will howl in their
fortified towers And jackals in their luxurious palaces. Her fateful time also
will soon come And her days will not be prolonged.” Isa. 14:22-23 “22 "I will rise up against them,"
declares the LORD of hosts, "and will cut off from Babylon name and
survivors, offspring and posterity," declares the LORD. 23 “I will also
make it a possession for the hedgehog and swamps of water, and I will sweep it
with the broom of destruction," declares the LORD of hosts.” Jer. 50:13 and 39 “13 "Because of the indignation of the LORD
she will not be inhabited, But she will be completely desolate; Everyone who
passes by Babylon will be horrified And will hiss because of all her wounds. 39 “Therefore the desert creatures will live
there along with the jackals; The ostriches also will live in it, And it will
never again be inhabited Or dwelt in from generation to generation.” Jer. 51:37 “37 "Babylon will become a
heap of ruins, a haunt of jackals, An object of horror and hissing, without
inhabitants.” As mentioned none of these
prophecies have been completely fulfilled, but will be fulfilled when Babylon
is destroyed during the Tribulation Period.
Now we know from our study in Revelation that Babylon
will have many opportunities to repent of her sins as there will be during the
Tribulation period the 144,000 Jewish witnesses, the two witnesses, and the
angel flying in mid heaven with the presentation of the Gospel. There will also be those who have been
converted but it seems that none of these witnesses will effect what is going
on in Babylon for we have already read “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great,
she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her
immorality (Rev. 14:8).”
Answer to our last Bible
question: “Joseph” (Genesis 40:12).
Today’s Bible
question: “Which book records a father
having eighty-eight children?”
Answer in our next SD.
8/31/2015 10:23 AM
No comments:
Post a Comment