MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron
Last week we wrote about choices for each generation, between Christ and antichrist, as well as during end times. We reviewed chapter 13 of Revelation that prepares saints who may endure threats and terror of a great tribulation. But in chapter 14, saints emerge out of darkness, stand with Christ, and sing a new song. Placing ourselves in His hands, we’re surrounded with His care, and can avoid the call of culture, politics, or anything that compromises allegiance and worship. This week we’ll look at the contrast between two types of rule: rule by a seductive, evil power, or the rule of Christ.
Americans, in our Declaration of Independence, rebelled against a king as the source of injury and violation of rights, and we’ve had centuries of ambivalence about following any king. But chapters leading up to Revelation 18 take us through the reckoning with a cultural, economic power, which many follow, even worship. Introduced in chapter 13, the power is named “Babylon” or “the great harlot” and represents a lifestyle of corruption and immorality that tempts and seduces, intending to draw people away from following God’s rule.
We often think of immorality as physical and sexual, but C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity reminds it can include sins of the spirit, such as putting others down, passing the blame, bossing, patronizing, being a spoilsport or backbiter, taking pleasure in power and hatred. Even cold self-righteousness is included. Each leads to self-edification, in an effort to feel better about oneself.
Jewish people reading John’s Revelation would be reminded of a time in history when their land and temple were overrun, and their people lived under Babylonian captivity (remember Daniel and the three Hebrew children). The context when John wrote Revelation was existence under Roman rule, which could also be equated with Babylon. Every generation, even our own, has its Babylon - something culturally amiss, which promises pleasure and excitement, but gains a stranglehold on her people.
We see in Revelation chapter 18 that Babylon, the great harlot, is destroyed. And it’s interesting that there is lament, great sorrow even, over her loss. A folksy or false religion promotes everyone going to heaven; but in reality, many wouldn’t want to be in a place where they couldn’t enjoy the pleasures of their Babylon. Before wrath falls on Babylon, believers should heed Revelation 18:4: “’Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues.’” Christians must not only remove ourselves from such influences, but should be actively engaged in leading others toward rescue and recovery.
With the destruction of Babylon comes a fourfold “Hallelujah” - “praise God!” - sung by a great multitude (Revelation 19:1-6) - once evil which has tormented mankind from the beginning is removed by God’s judgment. Jesus said to His disciples shortly before He went to the cross, “’These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world’” (John 16:33).
The Marriage Supper (Revelation 19:7-10) is described next. Jesus alluded to this event in Matthew chapter 25, and Paul discussed the relationship in Ephesians chapter 5. Husbands and wives love each other sacrificially, and their marriage reflects how Jesus loves, and we love Him. “’Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb [Jesus] has come and His bride [the redeemed of all the ages] has made herself ready’” (Revelation 19:7).
A brief interlude follows (19:10), where John falls at the feet of the one bringing the message. Our message is clear - we’re to be careful whom we worship, whether a human leader or an angel.
Before looking at the coming of Christ on a white horse and His reign, we should notice the final battle (Revelation 19:17-21). Sometimes we picture, or movies depict, a large number of people involved in a great final war. But these verses tell of the destruction of the antichrist, the false prophet and their armies - and it is not the assembled armies of heaven that destroy them, but Christ alone. As Israel should have learned in many of their battles, it is the Lord who fights for them and wins the victory.
The Conquering Christ is described by John. “He...is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. ..He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. ... From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations” (Revelation 19:11, 13, 15).
The next part of verse 15 is, “He will rule them with a rod of iron”, with the more literal meaning that Christ will rule like a shepherd with a staff. We can choose to love and worship Babylon, following appetites, desires and passion - but her rule ends in ruin. Or we can give our life to the “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords” (verse 16) who is faithful and true, who shed His blood for us, and who leads like a shepherd.
Read through the last chapters of Revelation, and next week will conclude this brief overview.
