Revelation 18 Babylon

Continuing our study of chapter 18.

Those who write upon the end-times are often, quite rightly, accused of newspaper exegesis, where we look at world events rushing towards us, and impose them upon our understanding of the text of Revelation.

Exegesis is where we allow the text of scripture to shape our understanding and, by contrast, eisegesis is where we allow our own understanding to shape our interpretation scripture.

Put another way, exegesis is where we allow God to teach us through scripture and eisegesis is where we allow ourselves to teach God through scripture.

That said, world events do seem to be coming together in the shape of a strong emerging Babylonian spirit.

We discussed how Babylon represents a religious/economic/political world system. It originated from the days of Babel, where man strived to equal or supersede God. This satanic system has cast its tentacles throughout society, down through the ages, delighting in keeping people under its control.

It has emerged into popular consciousness in the form of secret societies such as freemasonry and the enigmatic illuminati. Its economic grasp upon the markets has ensured that the rich stay rich and the poor are held in a cage of poverty.

Many speak of a World Government System that will take over from individual sovereign states. Some consider this to be no more than a conspiracy theory but others contend that the enemy hides his plans in the midst of a whole bunch of conspiracy theories, so that folk dismiss or ridicule them.

The end-time antichrist will cause severe devastation but his reign will only last for a short time. Mystery Babylon has tucked itself behind the scenes of world history and slowly released its blasphemous poison into society.

As we enter the end-times, many believe Babylon will seize the opportunities of chaos, to impose its dystopian vision upon society. It will offer solutions to every global problem and nations will have no other choice but to surrender to its satanic grasp. We will be told of its benign benevolence but the bars of its cages will tell another story.

Thank you for reading this. The second part will be tomorrow…

Revelation 22:20 Our cherished hope
There will be a unity of heart when everyone calls out for his glorious return. There will be a spirit of grace upon God’s people that will bring us all together in unity and brotherhood.
Revelation 22:16 God’s Word
No-one has a monopoly on the truths of this magnificent book, and we will all have our struggles and misunderstandings on our journey, but God is demanding that we treat Revelation with the utmost respect that it deserves. The truths that were sealed in Daniel’s time will be opened up according to God’s direction. This will need purified and refined souls to understand and teach, in the midst of immense confusion and mistruths. Please pray for those who are called to understand and teach.
Revelation 22:11 In or Out…
Even at this late stage, a reference to the polarity of mankind, between the righteous and the unrighteous. One thinks of Noah’s Ark, and the obedient who were safe inside and those who chose to ignore Noah’s call for righteousness and stayed outside.
Revelation 22:7 The time is near indeed
Having taken us to the very highest of heights, surveying the Holy City that is beautiful beyond words, John brings us back to our ordinary lives, waiting with a cherished expectation for our Lord to return and keeping the words of this prophecy, with all its encouragements, admonishments and warnings.
Revelation 22:3 No longer any curse
Peter praised his contemporaries for their faith in Christ Jesus although they had never met him in real life and had only heard of him through Peter. Imagine though, what it will feel like, approaching the throne and gazing into the eyes of the Divine, to reach out and touch the very hem of his garment. It will be beyond belief…