Sound The Trumpet : Revelation 18:7-8

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“Revelation 18:7-8”
by Art Sadlier
September 12th, 2010

"How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow" (Revelation 18:7).

I remind you that Babylon is representative of both false religion and anti-God political economic powers. Chapter 17 deals with the great counterfeit church, the harlot church, which is controlled by Satan. Chapter 18 deals with the political economic aspect of the Babylonian system.

"How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously," This is a description of the pride of Babylon and her indulgence in materalism. We see her focus on glorifying herself and living in luxury. "I sit a queen," the rulers of the empires of this world have focused on controlling everything and everyone around them. They get great delight in exhalting themselves over others. This is particularly true of Antichrist during his reign over his world wide kingdom in the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period. "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" (Revelation 13:7). Antichrist's purpose in having the world worship him is to ultimately cause the whole world to worship Satan.

"And shall see no sorrow," we catch a glimpse of the arrogance of Satan and his man. Satan is self-deceived into believing that he can actually defeat God. That is the very same spirit that causes men to believe that they can defy God by rejecting His offer of salvation and actually get away with. It is pride, blindness and defiance and it will bring eternal destruction down upon their heads.

God will have the last word. "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" (verse 8b).

We now have a glimpse into the very last day of the kingdom of Antichrist. Remember that religious Babylon was destroyed at the mid-point of the tribulation period, Revelation 17:15-17. We see the Lord carrying out this destruction in Revelation 19:21, "And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh." This occurs at the return of Christ in glory to set up the kingdom referred to all down through the Old Testament and in Luke 1:32-33.

"For strong is the Lord God who judgeth her," the contest between God and Satan for control over the world of men has gone on for 6,000 years. The Lord has refrained from using His omnipotent power, it has been a moral contest which at this point God has won decisively. Now the time has come for the Lord to use His almighty power and destroy Satan's kingdom and Satan's servants. The age will end in a display of God's moral excellence and God's omnipotent power. Satan thought he would defeat God, he has only succeeded in glorifying Him through his rebellion. We see that principle in Genesis 50:20, "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."

The ages long question has been answered; why has God allowed men and demons and Satan to defy Him? The answer is, that out of it all the Glory of God has been put on display.

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13