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Last Days Prophecy
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# 2 of the Eight ‘Last-Days’ Judgments
<><><>2. THE JUDGMENT OF END-TIME “BABYLON.”
Rev. 18:1-3 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. (KJV)
For all the nations have drunk the wine of her vulgar immorality. The rulers of the world have committed adultery with her, and merchants throughout the world have grown rich as a result of her luxurious living. Merchants in the Roman Empire grew rich by taking advantage of or abusing the sinful pleasures of their society. Many business people today do the same thing. Businesses and governments are almost always based on greed, money and power. So many are tempted to take advantage of ANY evil way to get rich. God’s children are warned to stay away from the lure and lust of money, prestige and the so-called ‘good’ life. We are to live according to the values Christ represented: love, humility, service, giving, self-sacrifice, obedience, faith, justice and truth. If you look around, you will see that the vast majority of business people and politicians are simply out to fill their pockets at other people’s expense. They will do anything and everything for fame, fortune and that almighty dollar and power.
Many evangelical scholars see “Babylon” in Revelation 14-18 as a code for the vast, global system that will engulf the world during the period leading up to the Lord’s Return to establish His earthly Kingdom. The Political Part of this last days system will be someone John refers to in another place as “the Antichrist.”
1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (KJV)
1 John 2:22-23 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. (KJV)
In Revelation 13, this Antichrist is the first of two “beasts” who appear in connection with end-time Babylon . . . the Beast “out of the sea” (v. 1). He is described as a political leader who is Satanically inspired and will gain influence until he is essentially acclaimed as a worldwide dictator (v. 7).
Rev. 13:7-8 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (KJV)
The Word of God does NOT say he will take up authority, or that he will seize power . . . it says, “power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations (vs.7).
During the Tribulation, the people of Earth will voluntarily submit to him . . . plus the fact that “All that dwell on the earth will worship him” (v. 8). He will be universally admired and respected, legitimately chosen and acclaimed as ruler of Planet Earth. This is the fatal flaw of democracy . . . when multitudes lack moral quality, critical thinking skills, or courage to make good and right choices, democracy can be an absolute disaster. This is one reason the American founding fathers set up a Republic (rule by elected officials) rather than a direct democracy (rule by the populace).
Europe will be the lowhanging fruit for a future manipulator who will tell them everything they want to hear. He will be catapulted to fame in his home country somewhere in the Mediterranean region (roughly the same area as the ancient Roman Empire); and from there, his magnetic appeal will spread to the rest of the world.
The future political system of the Antichrist will unite the global economy to the extent that it will be virtually impossible for anyone in the world to do business (buy or sell) without being joined to the system. The Bible indicates that participation in the system will require a special “mark” of some kind . . . the “mark of the beast” (13:17), representing “the number of his name” . . . “666” (v. 18).
There have been countless theories, and much superstitious nonsense, about the nature of that mark. That mark, whatever it is, will be a loyalty to the Antichrist that is equal to worship, making it impossible for true believers to accept it (20:4). Antichrist, the first beast is political.
Rev. 13:11-18 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. (KJV)
The second “beast” is said to come “up out of the earth” (v. 11) in John’s vision. He calls this second Beast “the False Prophet,” a religious leader who will serve the first Beast (the Antichrist), as the head of a global, ecumenical religious network. This will be a global alliance of religions and denominations [except TRUE Christians] that embrace various expressions of spineless, feelgood spirituality but reject Biblical Truth and Authority. Warnings are that this end-time religious union will also be anti-Israel and anti-Semitic.
Ecumenical institutions like the National and World Councils of Churches usually take positions on the Middle East that are pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel . . . especially during times of conflict. This evil prophet represents a dangerous intermingling of religion with state power in the last days, much like it was in imperial Rome, where Caesar was worshipped as a deity. In fact, the first beast (the Antichrist) will control this second Beast (the False Prophet). Each one of them, in turn, will be inspired and controlled by the “dragon” (Satan). Rev. 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. (KJV) Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. (KJV)
“Babylon” here in Revelation includes all the anti-god world powers of all the ages. So, the truth is that the earthly rebellion that will reach its peak in the last days, started thousands of years ago, with Adam and Eve rebelling in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3). It has continued through the ages . . . because the powers of darkness have always conspired with the devil against God and His Christ, Jesus. So, in reality, the “woman” (Rev.17), and “the great city” [“Babylon”] are one. This city is not just a historical one; it is the great city, the mother city, the model of every evil system opposed to God in history. Her kingdom has influence over the powers of the entire Earth. John’s concept of the city in Revelation involves much more than a specific historical city, even in its political and sociological aspects. The cities in Revelation are communities; they are double: the city of God, the New Jerusalem (3:12; 21:2, 10; 22:2–5), and the city of Satan, Babylon the Great (11:8; 14:8; 16:19; 18:4, 10, 20). The meaning cannot be confined just to Sodom or Egypt or Jerusalem or Rome or any future city. Instead, John describes the actual historical system of satanic evil that saturates them all.
The destruction of this end-time “Babylon the Great” is clearly portrayed in: Rev.18:8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. (KJV)
Because of her pride in her sinful life, the sorrows of death and mourning and famine will overtake her in a single day. She will be utterly consumed by fire, for the Lord God who judges her is mighty. Babylon’s fall will be very sudden . . . one day. God shall destroy her totally and completely by fire. Her grief will be so, that “mourning” is classified as a plague along with death and famine. God is extremely strong and eternally mighty!
More and more, with each passing day, the world is increasingly opposed to God’s intended authority and righteous morality. Sins and mockeries that would have been unthinkable a few years ago are now accepted in America and the entire world. God’s intended boundaries are being accepted by fewer and fewer people . . . because God’s enemies are encouraged by the support they receive from our corrupt and ungodly nation. If we are as close to the end as some think, this decline shall continue until the Tribulation Period comes. That is when God will flatten “Babylon” in a mighty demonstration of His awesome power. Even the wealthy merchants and others who benefitted from their illicit relationship with Babylon the Great will recognize that her death was God’s doing.
Rev. 19:1-2 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: 2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. (KJV)
Many liberal religionists reject Hell as an actual, literal, real place. To them, it’s a symbol, something unreal that is an exaggerated expression. BUT . . . strange as it seems, these same skeptics who doubt the truth of Hell, have no trouble with the truth of Heaven. But dear one, how can Heaven be real if Hell is not real? Jesus (Messiah) talked about both places; in fact, He mentioned Hell far more often than He did Heaven!
Does this mean the “fire” is also real, like a forest fire or a burning building? I do not know, but I do know that there are volcanoes worldwide. Here is what I think about HELL.
My personal thoughts about Hell
We made a trip to Yellowstone a while back. Beautiful country up there! We never did get to see Old Faithful, because the roads were all tore up, being repaired, and neither of us were capable of walking any distance.
There were hot springs everywhere. I want to comment on one thing that we saw . . . that being the boiling water in several places. I took pictures. It actually was scary to say the least! We were amazed. It certainly made us think! That hot water had to come from heat beneath the Earth, a volcano! I searched to find out more on volcanoes. There are volcanoes in every part of the Earth!
Now, bearing in mind . . . consider just how many hot springs there are in the world, and then consider how many volcanoes there are all over the world.
What I am trying to get across to you is just how many hot springs and volcanoes there are all over the world. WHERE are they? Beneath the ground, in the center of the Earth.
So . . . what does it look like down there? I would want to say that God tells us in every Passage in the Bible that speaks of Hell and the lake of fire! It is only common sense to think that Hell is in the center of the Earth. And thinking how large the Earth is, it only makes sense to think that Hell will indeed be large enough to house all the wicked of the world. (Isa.5:14; 14:9; 30:33; Pro.27:20; Eze.32:21; Hab.2:5; Mat.7:13; Rev.20:13-15).
DO YOU SERIOUSLY CONSIDER WHAT THE BIBLE STATES ABOUT HELL?
EVERLASTING FIRE. Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: [KJV] Jesus' Words.
EVERLASTING BURNINGS. Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? [KJV]
A FURNACE OF FIRE. Matthew 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.[KJV] Jesus' Words.
OUTER DARKNESS. Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him a way, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [KJV] Jesus' Words.
Matthew 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [KJV] Jesus' Words.
SO . . . HOW do we reconcile these two things? In reality fire and darkness are opposites! But in my mind, they can be reconciled! When we consider just how large this Earth is, and when we consider the center of the Earth, it too is massive. It seems to me that there are mnay caves there just as there are here on Earth, and they would indeed be dark, just like the caves here. Anyone who has ever bveen in a cave, knows just how dark they can be. There is not a bit of light, it is totally dark, black as can be! On the other hand, there are fires everywhere else down there from the volcanoes. When I think of Hell, this is what comes to my mind.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJV)
Some amillennialists believe the Great White Throne Judgment is for both believers and unbelievers. They draw this conclusion, in part, from: Rev. 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (KJV)
To them this means that believers will be present, as well as the lost. BUT, if they read on, God makes it very clear: Rev. 20:15 And whosoever was NOT found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (KJV) . . . Emphasis mine.
The reason the Book of Life is opened at the Great White Throne is NOT to show whose names are there on its pages . . . but instead to show whose names are NOT there!
SO, one reason for bringing lost people before the Great White Throne Judgment is to confirm, to prove, that their names do NOT appear in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Another reason is for the Judge to decide how severe and the degree of their punishment by checking their works.
Although the suffering will be severe and everlasting for all those in HELL, the specific degrees of punishment and suffering will differ depending on the measure of sin in one’s life, the extent of one’s sinful influence on others, and how much of the Gospel was rejected.
https://www.judgmentcoming.org/j_c_judgment_degrees_of_rewards_and_punishment.html
To prepare for Judgment is something we should think about . . . for NO one is exempt. We CAN prepare for Judgment ahead of time. Two questions: #1. Have you received the Lord Jesus as your Saviour from sin? If you have, you will NOT come before the Great White Throne Judgment. If you already believe in Jesus, the question is one of Lordship . . . and being prepared for the Judgment Seat of Christ. Does your life really reflect the Lordship of Christ Jesus? At the end of your earthly journey, will it be “reward” or “loss” for you? Are you living for Eternity “gold, silver, precious stones” (1 Cor.3:12-13)), or is most of your energy spent on indulgent, self-centered, temporary things “wood, hay, and straw”?
If you have NOT believed God and have NOT accepted His Only Begotten Son’s Work on the cross (1 John 5:10-13) . . . the Great White Throne looms out ahead of you somewhere! You do NOT want to be condemned to Hell.
https://www.judgmentcoming.org/j_c_truth_about_salvation.htm
See what God says about HELL! He wants you to know the Truth! . . . . . . . . . https://www.judgmentcoming.org/j_c_hell_is_it_there.htm
If you feel the Spirit of God working in your heart, simply respond by praying to the Father and asking Him to save you by His grace . . . and dear one, He will do so.
Rom. 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (KJV)
We Are Living in the Last Days.
Here Are Eight Judgments that Shall Take Place
Last Days Judgments to Come
Preparing for Last Days Judgments
Last Days Judgments, Number One
Last days Judgments Number Two
Last Days Judgments Number Three
Last Days Judgments Number Four
Last Days Judgments Number Five
Last Days Judgment Number Six
Last Days Judgment Number Seven
Last Days Judgments Number Eight
Last Days Millennial Views
Last Days Judgments on World's Worst Dictators
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