Heaven told to Rejoice Over Babylon Revelation 18:20

An “angel” from heaven showed John the apostle many things which will occur in the tribulation time on the earth, and John wrote, “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she has filled fill to her double. How much she has glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she says in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 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 judges her. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning. Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buys their merchandise any more: The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble. And cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. And the fruits that your soul lusted after are departed from you, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from you, and you shall find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 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.” In chapter eighteen and verse twenty of Revelation we see the instruction given to “heaven” to “rejoice over” “Babylon” where we read:

Rejoice over her, you heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets; for God has avenged you on her.

The verse reads, “Rejoice over her, you heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets;” John began with the word, “rejoice” which means “be gladdened and joyful, make merry and be delighted” “over her” or “at or before Babylon”, “you heaven” which means “the region above the sidereal heavens and the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”, “and you holy apostles” or “and the pure, morally blameless and religiously and ceremonially consecrated delegates, messengers and ones sent forth with orders” “and prophets” which means “ones who are moved by the Spirit of God and hence are his organs or spokesmen who solemnly declare to men what they have received by inspiration especially concerning future events”. John heard the voice direct all of “heaven”, the “holy apostles” and the “prophets” to “make merry and be delighted over “Babylon”.

The verse goes on to say, “for God has avenged you on her.” John continued with the words “for God” which means “because and since the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “has avenged you” or “has decreed judgment, sentence and punishment” “on her” or “upon Babylon”. The “reason” “heaven, the holy apostles and the prophets” were to celebrate is because “judgment and punishment” fell upon the “city of Babylon”.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we see how there was indeed a celebration called for in heaven over the fall of the “city of Babylon”. Though “Babylon” flourished for a little while, her stand was temporary. God Almighty is interested in the “eternal” state of mankind, and He sent His Son Jesus to pay the price for every person's sins so they might live with Him forever. Though kingdoms like Babylon come, and their authority appear to be invincible, they will not stand under the power of God. Those who are wise shall not put their confidence and trust in “temporary” kingdoms or things, but rather rely upon the “everlasting” Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ.

Next time John sees how, “a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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