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God Remembered
Babylon’s Iniquities
Revelation Eighteen
We
have already heard the message that "Babylon the Great" had fallen.
Now we will see the fall of that great and wicked nation. This rich
merchant-city is reduced to desolation. The destruction and desolation came as
a result of rebellion against the Creator. The picture of the fall of Babylon
was that of utter destruction.
God
called his people out of Rome so that they would neither partake of the sins or
the plagues of destruction. Rome's plagues would come upon her suddenly. This
great desolation came upon Rome because her crimes and transgressions were piled up as high as heaven. God remembered
her wickedness and now called them up for settlement. The afflictions and calamities came upon Rome in a single day because
"mighty is the Lord God Who judges her."
There
was much lamentation over the fall of Babylon. The lamentation came, not from
God's people, but from those that had been corrupted by Rome or that had
benefited from her. Those that wept were: (1) the rulers and leaders of the
earth who had joined in her immorality and luxury,
(2) the businessmen wept over her because no one would buy their goods any
more, and (3) the ship captains, pilots, and navigators wept because their
means of being made rich was taken away. There were no goods to transport.
While
many lamented the fall of Rome God called on others to rejoice. God's people
were to celebrate the fall of this wicked nation. The apostles and prophets
were to rejoice because God had avenged their blood upon her. The destruction
of that wicked nation was both great and final. "And never again shall the
light of a lamp shine in you, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall never
be heard in you again; for your businessmen were the great and prominent men of
the earth, and by your magic spells and poisonous charm all nations were led
astray (seduced and deluded)."
An
angel proclaiming the fall of Babylon – Revelation 18:1-8: The
appearance of the angel shows that something great is about to happen. This
angel possesses great authority, radiance and splendor. His announcement is
almost unbelievable. Satan's strongest city is about to be destroyed. The angel
shouted with a mighty voice, "Mighty Babylon is fallen!" Babylon
became the dwelling place for demons, and loathsome spirits. She became an
abode for every filthy and detestable bird. This wicked city will now pay for
the sins of unchastity, spiritual fornication and
worldliness. Sadly, Rome had led many others to join in her sins and now they
altogether feel the wrath of God!
There
was another voice from heaven that spoke to call God's people out of Babylon.
The righteous were called out so that they would not share in her sins, nor
participate in her plagues. It is now "pay day" and Rome must pay for
her transgressions. These transgressions were piled up as high as heaven. God
has always called upon His people to "get out of Babylon." Rome will
be repaid for what she has done to others.
One of
the problems of Rome was "pride." She glorified herself and reveled in her
wantonness. She boasted "I am not a widow." She said, "I sit as a queen on the
throne." Rome felt that she was so great that she would never see suffering or
experience sorrow. Rome lived in luxury but she will now suffer double punishment. In one
day she will face the plagues of pestilence, anguish, sorrow, and famine. The
mighty God shall utterly consume her.
A great lamentation
by kings and merchants – Revelation 18:9-16: The rulers and leaders of
the earth that had joined Rome in her worldliness
wept and lamented. They wept because they had enjoyed the sinful things of
Rome. There were also tears because if this could happen to "Great
Babylon" it could certainly happen to them. They are especially
distributed by the sudden destruction of this evil power. In one single hour
Rome's doom overtook her!
The
businessmen of the earth also grieve over Rome. They can no longer sell their
goods. They had the finest of goods and nothing to do with them. They dealt in
fine cloths, jewelry, instruments of war, horses and cattle, the most expensive
building material, all kinds of spices, the most delicious food, slaves and
even the souls of men for their horrible pleasure. The dealers in these things
were weeping and grieving because their luxuries,
dainties, and elegance were lost, never again to be
recovered or experienced! The lament was great for that "Great City."
A
great lamentation by shipmasters and sailors – Revelation 18:17-19: In
a single hour the power of Rome would be lost and all her vast wealth wiped
out. All ship captains, pilots, and navigators and all that live by seafaring
also lamented the downfall of Rome. She had made them rich, but now they mourn
because they have no more cargo to deliver. As the seafaring men watch what
happened to Rome they could only lament, "What city could be compared to
the great city!"
Their
lamentation was so great that they threw dust on their heads, wept, and
grieved. In one single hour God's wrath waxed hot against Rome and she was
destroyed. Those that had been made rich through her extravagance grieved.
Wealthy Rome has been destroyed and has become a desert! We again see that without
Christ there is great loss.
Great
joy at the sight of Babylon's ruin -- Revelation 18:20-24: The
righteous were affect very differently by the fall of Rome. God's people were
to celebrate the fact that He had executed vengeance upon Rome. The message
from God was "Babylon the great city will be hurled down to destruction
and shall never again be found." God told His people, "Rejoice over
her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you
on her." (Revelation 18:20) Man must never take personal vengeance.
However, we can rest assured that God will avenge His persecuted people.
"No
more at all" is the sad description given of Rome. There would be no more music.
All joy was gone. Economic life would come to a standstill. The millstone would
not produce food. There would be no light, and no marriages. What a sad overthrow of the nation that had led
astray, seduced and deluded all nations of the earth. Rome's fall was great
because she had been filled with pride, had practiced sorcery and killed the
children of God. "And in her was found the blood of prophets and of
saints, and of all those who have been slain (slaughtered) on earth."
(Revelation 18:24)
The
fact that the end could come so quickly should motivate us to obey God now. To
obey the gospel one must hear God's truth (John 6:44-45), believe in Jesus
(Hebrews 11:6), repent of sins (II Peter 3:9), confess Jesus as Lord (Matthew
10:32), and be baptized to wash away sins. (Acts 22:16) After baptism one must
serve God faithfully regardless of circumstances. Under any condition, we are
always better off to serve God because the wrath of God will be poured out on
the wicked.
- - - - Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer List: In Need Of Prayers:
Ashton Arrington, Bill Autrey, Barney Barnhart (son-in-law of Eleanor Stabler –
6850 Stillwater, Willis, Texas 77318), Malachi Beauchamp, Pattie Benson, Marie
Curlee, Nelson Daughtry, Carolyn Duncan, Randy Fullington, Ethel Gafford, Jean
Gafford, Roy Goodwin, Ramona Gravely, Ron Green, R.E. Hall, Evan Hartsell,
Jessie Kennemore, Frank Johnson, Mary Lawrence, Deborah Lewis, Raymond Mosley, Sherrie
Olive, Margaret Phillips, Mary Powell, Anna Salter (surgery), Liz
Sessions, Kenneth Smith, Osalene Smithson, Clark Sosbee, Doris Taylor, Mary
Lou Terrell, Lacey Thompson (daughter of Trina Croley), Corrine Till, Leroy
Waller and Joyce Woodham. Crowne Health Care: Mary Autrey,
Ila Ruth Callins, Laura Ellis, Kathy Johnson, Raymond Lowery, Myrtle Perdue,
Bertha Phelps, Alton (Tommy) Till, and Iva Lou Wright. Homewood Greenville:
Marie Walton. Pine Needle: Mildred Johnson. Georgiana Nursing Facility:
Wilmer Howell. Shut-Ins: Jean Hayes, Mary Lou Phelps, and Mary Tindal.
2. Remember To Pray: Alan Jackson needs
our prayers as he serves in Iraq. Alan’s address is SPC Nathan A. Jackson,
B-BTRY 1/117th FA, APO AE09378, 3rd PLT. Pray for him and
write to him often.
3. Baby Boy: Congratulations
to Bethany & Charles Forrester in birth of their son, Holland Carl. He was
born on February 8th and weighed 9 pounds 15 ounces. Congratulations
also to proud grandparents Dennis & Margaret Phillips and Jim & Martha
Forrester.
4. Covered Dish Bridal Shower:
Everyone is invited to a covered dish bridal shower to honor David Box and Amy
Church on February 18th at 5:00 p.m. in the all-purpose room.
5. Web Site: Our new web
address is:
www.walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org. Updates are frequently being
made, so visit it often.
6. Weekly Budget For 2006:
Our Elders announced that our budget for 2006 is $6,117.87 per week. God
blesses us richly. Let us give generously!
7. Thank You: To the ladies
who organized the kitchen shower and to all that brought gifts.
8. Birthdays: Celebrating
birthdays this week are: February 12th Elisha
Freeman, February 13th Anderson Bagents, February 15th Nell
Davis, February 16th Lora Gail Bagents, and
February 18th Dorothy Buck and Terry Reaves.
9. Thank You: Dear Christian
Family, Words are inadequate to express my thanks for all the love and concern
shown during my surgery and recovery. Phone calls, cards, delicious food, and
most of all prayers and words of encouragement were exactly what was needed and
these things did not go unnoticed. I love and appreciate every one of you. Best
of all, “good things are written in heaven too.” Love, Jerry & Joan Barr
10. Young Adult Fellowship: Our
February fellowship is being hosted by Dixie & Stacey Black. It will be
February 25th at 6:00 p.m. There is a list of needed items on the
bulletin board. See Dixie for what you can do to help.
11. Area Events: (a) February 19th – Strata
Church of Christ, Lapine – Speaker Mel Futrell – Time Bible Class 10:00 a.m., morning worship
11:00 a.m., Area Wide Third Sunday Singing 2:30 p.m. and evening service 4:00
p.m. (b) March 6th-9th
– Faulkner University’s 62nd Annual Bible Lectureship – Theme:
“Surviving the Storms of Life” – See bulletin board for speakers and others
details.
12. Pictorial Church Directory:
The Walnut Street Church of Christ is preparing an attractive new full-color
directory for the membership. This is an innovative resource for the life and
ministry of the church. Each family that participates will receive a
complimentary copy of the new directory. We especially want your family
included to help make this directory complete. Please sign up for an
appointment to be photographed – and keep your appointment. Remember that the
photography will feature the Digital Imaging System, so you will make only one
visit for the pictures. Photo dates are February 26th-28th.
“Shall We Remarry?”
Marriage is one of the few divinely ordained institutions we can read about in the Bible. From the beginning, God made male and female so they would leave their parents and cleave to each other. (Matthew 19:4-5.) For many, marriage is just another fleeting decision that can be nullified by the dropping of a judge’s gavel, or the placing of a signature on a legal document. This is not how God views one’s decision to be married.
In God’s eyes, marriage is a lifelong commitment, one to be
honored until death. (Matthew 19:3-9;
Romans 7:1-4.) There is no place for the man or woman who enters marriage with
the mindset that “as long as things work out, I will honor my commitment.” Malachai said in Malachai 2:16, “For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that
he hateth putting away…” God will not be tolerant of those who put away their
husbands and wives for every cause. And
the person who marries again after divorcing, or marries one who is divorced
commits adultery. (Matthew 5:32.)
Adultery is a sin against God (Genesis 39:9), against the body (I
Corinthians 6:18), and against the family. The word fornication is translated
from a word that includes any sexual activity outside of marriage. Adultery,
like all other sins, will keep one from inheriting heaven. (I Corinthians 6:9-11.) While both marital partners live, fornication
is the only action that would free
either to remarry. “But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife,
saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to
commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth
adultery.” (Matthew 5:32.) Many marriages today exist contrary to the will of
God. Many who have been divorced for reasons other than fornication are living
in adulterous marriages. Some of those marriages involve children, and it is a
difficult thing to consider ending a “happy” marriage because it does not
coincide with the will of God. But it is a far more difficult thing to consider
an eternity of punishment due to selfish earthly desires that kept you from
doing what’s right. Be assured that God is faithful to carry out his promises.
(Galatians 5:19-21.)
- - - - Darrell Powell
Life is incomplete and a failure when lived without God.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!