Blood of Prophets, Saints and All Slain Revelation 18:24

An “angel” from heaven showed John the apostle many things which will occur in the tribulation time on the earth, and John wrote about the wealth and riches within the commercial center of Babylon that would exist during that time. He watched as Babylon was destroyed, and he told how the people who looked upon the city wailed, “For in one hour so great riches is come to nothing. And every ship-master, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off. And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. Rejoice over her, you heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets; for God has avenged you on her. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in you; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in you; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in you.”And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in you; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in you: for your merchants were the great men of the earth; for by your sorceries were all nations deceived.” In chapter eighteen and verse twenty-four of Revelation John sees how in Babylon, “was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain” where we read:

And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

The verse reads, “And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, ...” John began with the words, “and in her” which refers to “and within Babylon” “was found” or “was observed, learned, discovered and seen” “the blood” which means “the bloodshed” “of prophets” or “ones who were moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman and solemnly declare to men what they have received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation”, “and of saints” which refers to “the pure, morally blameless and religiously and ceremonially consecrated ones”. John saw how the “bloodshed” of “prophets” and “saints” was discovered within the city of “Babylon”.

The verse goes on to say, “and of all that were slain upon the earth.” John added the words, “and of all” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the people” “that were slain” or “who were slaughtered, butchered and mortally wounded” “upon the earth” or “within the arable land, country, territory or region”. John also saw the people who were “murdered” within the city of “Babylon”.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we understand that none of the bloodshed of the “prophets, saints or murdered people” were unseen by God Almighty. He knows who those victims are, and they are not forgotten. The city of “Babylon” will be responsible for the deaths of those who are “prophets, saints and slaughtered”, and God will indeed judge them for their wickedness. God desires to “save” people eternally through a relationship with His Son Jesus and to bring them to heaven with Him. When these horrific crimes take place in “Babylon” some may wonder if God really sees or cares, but we may be assured, He will see them then, and He sees them now, and woe be to those who are the perpetrators of such evil.

Next time we begin a new chapter as John hears, “a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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