1. Preface
2. The Seven Churches.
3. The throne of God.
4. The two witnesses
5. The kingdom of God and the kingdom of Hell.
6. Our Personal Babylon.
7. The Accuser.
8. Rejoice not against me O mine enemy
9. The Dragon and the beast.
10. The Judgement
11. The harvest is ripe
12. Come out of Babylon
13. End of Babylon
    

Preface TOP

That great city Babylon, that mighty city (Revelation:18:10) . The ancient city of Babylon ruled by king Nebuchadnezzar fell at around 541 B.C., but the book of Revelation written at around 100 A.D. almost 600 years later mentions it around 6 times. Why does God mention anything which does not exist in principle. This short article deals with this very same question. Revelation itself says

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. (Revelation:22:18)

And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation:22:19)

Therefore I write with fear and trembling asking pardon from God if I have spoken too much or too less. It is written

Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. ( 1Corinthians:3:13)

I dedicate my work unto the Lord. He alone is the better judge if knowingly or unknowingly I am wrong Let it be revealed by his will. This work is in it's nascent stage and will be updated as soon as more light is shed on the subject. I have not gone into the details for the increase of knowledge is no concern of mine except that the truth be known.

To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen . (Romans:16:27)

John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne ; (Revelation:1:4)

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, (Revelation1:10)

I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea (Revelation:1:11) .

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks ; ( Revelation:1:12)

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. ( Revelation:1:20)

What are these seven churches that the Bible in the book of Revelation talks about. If they were the churches that existed during the Early Christian era does it have any significance today when Christianity has spread throughout the world, with a number of denominations and divisions.

I believe the message to these verses are still significant today . These churches represent a christian in their various stages of life. At each stage the Lord Jesus exhorts us to become better and better and become a better church. It also means that no matter what denomination we belong, we are all united into only seven churches. Even if we are thousands of kilometres apart and feel lonely and depressed in our christian walk. We are all together and our spirits seek the face of the Lord daily. To illustrate this I would like to highlight the message to the church of Ephesus.

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; ( Revelation:2:1)

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars. (Revelation:2:2)

And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted . (Revelation:2:3)

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. ( Revelation:2:4)

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent . (Revelation:2:5)

But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Revelation:2:6)

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Revelation:2:7)

The Church of Ephesus walks well with God, but it is engrossed so much in it's daily affairs that it has lost the love it had for God previously. This is what some of us become when we are engrossed too much with the world. Our love must increase not decrease.

Revelation Ch 4 1-11 Writes about the throne of God.

And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. (Revelation:4:6)

And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. (Revelation :4:7)

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. (Revelation :4:8: )

And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, (Revelation :4:9)

The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, (Revelation :4:10:)

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation:4:11)

What is important is that the praise and worship of God goes throughout the day. Our prayer life's must be accompanied by constant praise and Glory of God. We must rejoice as much we can. There is one Psalm for this

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Psalms:37:4)

And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (Revelation:11:3)

Who are these two witnesses, my years of bible study has revealed to me that we Christians are the two witnesss. Everyone who lives a Christian life witnesses as Jesus did by his own will or otherwise against the ways of the world and for God. But why two witnesses when we are only one. Jesus himself said.

If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. (John:5:31)

There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. (John:5:32)

The second witness is the word of God through Jesus himself. as it is written.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John:1:1)

The world does attack a witness for going against them, but the implications of this attack is terrible and the devil knows it as it is written.

And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. (Revelation:11:5)

In the end the devil will engage in a final battle against the witnesses as it is written.

And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. (Revelation:11:7)

And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. (Revelation:11:8)

And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. (Revelation:11:9)

And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. (Revelation:11:10)

And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. (Revelation:11:11)

These verses show that the witnesses will finally be overcome by the beast even unto the point of death, It could be a spritual death or a physical death. Every day might become a living death for the witness. But finally by the power of God their lives will be restored and great fear will come over all those who see them.

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever   . (Revelation:11:15)

This is the final stage in the drama of this world when the whole world shall become the Kingdom of God.

But what is the Kingdom of God. Jesus says

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. (Luke:17:20)

Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.                 (Luke17:21)

This is a key verse we are a whole kingdom within ourselves. There are actually two rival kingdoms .One is the kingdom of heaven which follows the laws of God, and the other is the Kingdom of Hell which follows the will of the devil . There is constant battle going within us in these two realms . No man fights any number of battles outside than he fights within himself first and he must decide which side he takes. That is what we do we make decisions.

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. (Joel:3:14)

We are forever in this valley of decision a Christian when faced with such a situation should take his own decision even if it is wrong. For those who wish to obey God's will shall be guided by him even if they do not know it. They should refrain from taking other's opinions.

There is also a physical kingdom of heaven but I will not delve into it much since I have not experienced it.

Our Personal Babylon. TOP

This same kingdom of hell is given the name of Babylon in the Revelation . Babylon fell at around 541 B.C. . The subjects of the kingdom where Israelites were brought as slaves did every abominable things in the sight of God. There was idolatory, astrology homosexuality etc. At the end times near 541 B.C. the kingdom came into perilious times there was attack from all sides. All the soothsayers of the kingdom predicted salvation for the kingdom and destruction of it's enemies but see what God sayeth.

Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate. (Isaiah:47:1)

Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers. (Isaiah:47:2)

Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man. (Isaiah:47:3)

Finally babylon fell in 541 B.C.

In Revelation God uses Babylon as a symbol for anything that exalts itself above judgement and does what is wrong. It could be individuals, groups, institution, government even the whole world. The final destruction of any Babylonian empire is in three steps.

And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. (Daniel:5:25)

This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. (Daniel:5:26)

TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. (Daniel:5:27)

PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. (Daniel:5:28)

1. The Kingdom is numbered to be finished.
2. The kingdom is weighed in the laws of God.
3. The Kingdom is divided and given to others.

The final state of the kingdom are the seven vials of God's wrath

And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. (Revelation:15:6)

And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. (Revelation:15:7)

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation:12:9)

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (Revelation:12:10)

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Revelation:12:11)

Accusation is the most strongest weapon of the devil Everyone who battles babylon would have encountered the accusation attack. But as long as we repent of our iniquities we should not be concerned about it.

We overcome the accusation attack by using the word of God as Jesus did and by looking at the cross which is what the blood of the Lamb means.

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me . (Micah:7:7)

Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. (Micah:7:8)

I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness. (Micah:7:9)

Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the LORD thy God? mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets. (Micah:7:10)

Micah the great prophet wrote this beautiful verse when possibly he was in his lowest ebb in his battle against the Babylonian empire. This also should be our view of what Babylon is , It rejoices to see it opposers fall, but one day it shall fall itself and be confounded.

One of the greatest psalms which shows what our attitude should be in our battle against Babylon is Psalm 37 . It is one of a gem of all Psalms. I would like to put down the entire Psalm because I like it so much.

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity .
(Psalms:37:1)

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. (Psalms:37:2)

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed . (Psalms:37:3)

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Psalms:37:4)

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalms:37:5)

And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. (Psalms:37:6)

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. (Psalms:37:7)

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. (Psalms:37:8)

For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth . (Psalms:37:9)

For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. (Psalms:37:10)

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace . (Psalms:37:11)

The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. (Psalms:37:12)

The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. (Psalms:37:13)

The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. (Psalms:37:14)

Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. (Psalms:37:15)

A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. (Psalms:37:16)

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. (Psalms:37:17)

The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. (Psalms:37:18)

They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied . (Psalms:37:19)

But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. (Psalms:37:20)

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. (Psalms:37:21)

For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off . (Psalms:37:22)

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. (Psalms:37:23)

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand . (Psalms:37:24)

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. (Psalms:37:25)

He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. (Psalms:37:26)

Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. (Psalms:37:27)

For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. (Psalms:37:28)

The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. (Psalms:37:29)

The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. (Psalms:37:30)

The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. (Psalms:37:31)

The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. (Psalms:37:32)

The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. (Psalms:37:33)

Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. (Psalms:37:34)

I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. (Psalms:37:35)

Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.    
   (Psalms:37:36)

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. (Psalms:37:37)

But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
(Psalms:37:38)

But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
(Psalms:37:39)

And the LORD shall help them and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him. (Psalms:37:40)

Everything that is needed is said in a few words.

And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. (Revelation:12:3)

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. (Revelation:12:4)

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. (Revelation:12:5)

The dragon truly is the devil the ruler of babylon. The man child is Jesus Christ whom the devil tried to destroy but one who rose up again.

And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
(Revelation:13:1)

The beast is accumulation of our individual Babylon's in the physical realm. It could be institutions, Government communities' etc. The main thing is that it stands against God many people will have to fight this beast who truly wish to remain faithful with God.

And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? (Revelation:13:4)

Being on the side of the beast means really worshipping devil himself or the dragon.

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)

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation:13:8)

He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Revelation:13:10)

This verse says that those who take side with the beast lose their salvation,whatsoever we sow we reap. Everyone who is fighting the beast will have to keep patience.

And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. (Revelation:13:11)

And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed . (Revelation:13:12)

The second beast is really an extension of the first beast. It looks milder from outside, possibly it tries to show itself to the the world that it does justice, but in reality it is even more ferocious than the first beast.

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads (Revelation:13:16)

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name (Revelation:13:17)

This beast to achieve it's purpose would want everyone to remain far from the kingdom of heaven and thus would cause everyone to be marked, here right hand or forehead means actions and thoughts which is when we follow the beast's philosphy of injustice and discrimination. It could also translate into a physical mark like the Tilak on the foreheads or the tying of threads on hands to show the unity with the dragon(the devil).

Those who do not work with the beast may have to face stiff sufferings even financial ones like not being able to buy or sell which is how everyone lives. But even then their needs would be miraculously satisfied as it is written when Prophet Elijah had to flee.

So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. (1Kings:17:5)

And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. (1Kings:17:6)

The main thing the beast tries to put into the people that oppose him is fear.

But when jesus walked on the water he did not even fear the forces of nature, because he knew they were for him.

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. (Mathews:14:25)

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. (Mathews:14:26)

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. (Mathews:14:27)

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. (Mathews:14:28)

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. (Mathews:14:29)

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. (Mathews:14:30)

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (Mathews:14:31)

Whenever fear takes it hold on us we must call on to jesus, who is always ready to help.

The life of a christian in it's battle with babylon goes through the following stages as shown by our Personal circle of influence in Green and world's influence in Red.

Initial stages

As we Grow

In the end

The basic principle of fighting the beast is to stay on, pray and even complain to God. Because God will surely reveal himself to you.

And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. (Revelation:14:8)

And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, (Revelation:14:9)

The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. (Revelation:14:10)

And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
(Revelation:14:11)

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation:14:12)

The judgement of the Babylon would be perilious than any man has known. It would fall by the might of God himself. Both the spiritual as well as the physical babylon would fall. People heart for those who had recieved the mark of the beast would melt to dust. Notice the similarity of the verse with Revelation 13:10. The saints who had remained patient at the time of tribulation would themselves see the downfall of Babylon.

And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. (Revelation:14:15)

And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
(Revelation14:16)

These verse can be better understood by Jesus words himself.

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few
(Mathews:9:37)

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
(Mathews:9:38)

When wickedness increases jesus said the harvest is ripe. This is what always happens Gods laws are always at work and judgement truly is near.

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (Revelation:18:4)

This verse is an exhortation from God to come out of the babylonian Empire lest we be a partaker in it's sins and her punishment.

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.
(Revelation:18:21)

And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; (Revelation:18:22)

And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. (Revelation:18:23)

And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
(Revelation:18:24)

This verse talks about the final destruction of Babylon and how it will look in the end.