The Fall of Babylon
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The Fall of Babylon
1. Why Was Babylon Destroyed?
Babylon is a symbol of everything that stands against God. It embodies a spirit of self-sufficiency and rebellion that started at the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:4, where people said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves." This spirit lives on today, inviting people to trust in themselves rather than God.
Revelation 18 reveals why Babylon is ultimately destroyed:
Treachery
Babylon deceives the world by offering promises of wealth, power, and pleasure. Kings, merchants, and sailors all bought into her system, only to find it empty and false. They mourn her destruction not out of love for her but because their benefits are cut off. Babylon's deceit leads people away from God and into spiritual bondage.
Self-Glorification
Babylon glorifies herself, saying, "I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see." She exalts herself above God, embodying the spirit of "me first." Our culture mirrors this attitude, promoting self-interest and self-exaltation everywhere we look. Yet, Isaiah 42:8 reminds us, "I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other."
Brutality
Babylon's final crime is her brutality, spilling the blood of prophets and saints. She treats life as disposable in her pursuit of power. In the end, God promises justice and vindication for His people, calling them to rejoice when Babylon falls.
2. How Do We Come Out?
In Revelation 18:4, God commands His people, "Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins." How do we obey this call today?
Be Present but Distinct
We are not called to isolate ourselves but to be present in the world while remaining distinct. Jesus prayed in John 17:15-18 that we would stay in the world but be protected from the evil one. We carry the light of Christ into darkness, ensuring that the light remains on and evident in our lives.
Watch Out for Seduction
Babylon lures with promises that appeal to our sinful desires. Paul urges us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, resisting conformity to the world. We must stay rooted in truth and avoid being drawn into the patterns around us.
Live Generously
While Babylon promotes hoarding and self-indulgence, God calls us to generosity. True stewardship isn't about how much we accumulate but about how much control our possessions have over us. Living generously breaks Babylon’s grip on our hearts, showing that we trust God’s provision more than material wealth.
Find Worth in God
The Church of Laodicea in Revelation 3 thought they were rich and needed nothing, but Jesus exposed them as "wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked." We must find our worth not in fitting in or gathering wealth but in belonging to God alone. We are called to be the same person everywhere—faithful followers of Christ.
3. Choose Your City
We live in a nation with much to be thankful for, but America is not our ultimate home. Our true citizenship is in the New Jerusalem. Revelation contrasts Babylon and the New Jerusalem, and we must decide which city we will live for. There is no middle ground.
Babylon is fallen, but the city of God stands forever. As followers of Jesus, we are called to live each day boldly and courageously, proclaiming that we belong to the Lamb who has overcome. Live as those who have been set free, who have come out from Babylon, and who look forward to eternity with Christ.
SERMON DETAILS
Speaker: Jeff McNicol
Series: Revelation
Sermon Title: The Fall of Babylon
Date: Jul 7, 2024
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Revelation 18
Genesis 11:4
1 John 2:18
Isaiah 42:8
John 17:15-18
Revelation 3:17
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