December 30 - Nº 364 Revelation 17 – 20
Just before the last trumpet sounded and the bowls of God’s wrath were poured out (see #363 - December 29), an angel transported John into a wilderness. There another vision unfolded. John saw a woman dressed as a harlot. Her name was Babylon. She had seduced the leaders of the world’s nations, causing them to leave the one true God and worship other gods. She was sitting on the beast who had seven heads and ten horns (the antichrist—see #363 - December 29). He had given her great power, and she was drunk with wine made from the blood of believers. The beast and the harlot were surrounded by multitudes of people from many nations and languages. But it wasn’t long before the beast turned against the harlot and killed her. He wanted the people to worship him, not the gods she represented. He did away with her religious system and focused all the glory on himself. “Religious Babylon” no longer existed. But “political Babylon” became even more powerful. Then an angel came down from heaven and with a mighty voice proclaimed, “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!” Another voice from heaven warned the people who had turned to God during the tribulation to leave the city immediately to escape the horrible judgment that was about to take place. Soon kings, merchants, sea captains, and people from all over the world would be lamenting Babylon’s destruction. But the people of God would be rejoicing! An angel heaved a great boulder into the sea and pronounced that with this kind of violence Babylon would be destroyed! Then the seven bowls were poured out (see #363 - December 29)! Then John could hear shouts of praise coming from heaven. It was finally time for the marriage supper of the Lamb! He watched as Jesus rode out of heaven on a white horse. He was wearing a robe dipped in blood. A sharp sword came from his mouth, and he carried an iron scepter. On his robe and his thigh was written, “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” The armies of heaven followed Him on white horses. They were dressed in clean, white linen. The beast (antichrist) and the kings of the earth lined up to wage war against him. The beast and the false prophet were captured and thrown into the lake of fire. The rest of the kings and their armies were killed, and birds gorged on their flesh. An angel came from heaven with the key to the Abyss. He seized the dragon (Satan), chained him, and threw him into that bottomless pit where he would remain for 1,000 years. During that time Jesus and all his followers (known collectively as his bride) celebrated their marriage and ruled on the earth. At the end of the 1,000 years Satan was released for a short time. He gathered troops from the wicked nations that had not been destroyed when Babylon fell. They had been subdued and ruled over by Jesus and his followers during the 1,000 years that Satan had been chained. But now, led by Satan, they surrounded God’s kingdom city ready to fight. Before the battle could begin, fire came from heaven and consumed them all. Satan was captured and thrown into the lake of fire forever! A great white throne descended from heaven and everyone who had ever lived stood before it. Anyone whose name was not written in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire with Satan. Death and Hades were cast in too! There would never be death again!
When we accept that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross for our sins, our names are immediately written in the Book of Life. Therefore, this apocalyptic end of time should not cause us any fear. It will be a time of great rejoicing for us!
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