Day 5: Revealation 17-19

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Sermon by Malcolm Gill: https://www.smbc.edu.au/resources/bibletalks/revelation-17-19

Ideas

  • Sometimes we question where the judgement is for the wicked within this world - those that prosper (from worldly perspective) often don't face any judgement in this life, and this can be discouraging
  • Rome in Revelation is idolising money and living a life apart from God and convincing others that they can be happy without God
  • There is heavy prosecution to those who do not live apart from God (don't pay the Roman taxes and things of that sort)
  • However, God's judgement is deserved, swift and complete (17:8-10)
    • In a moment, all the wealth of the wicked will be gone (18:2)
    • There is no rematch - Babylon is totally defeated and the judgement is swift and thorough
    • The wicked - their judgement is deserved and one day their judgement is met
  • Judgement of the wicked reveals God's character and it leads to worship
    • The response from God's people is joy and celebration
    • The wicked and their actions do not go unchecked - there is accountability
    • God vindicates his people by remembering the crimes of Babylon (v5)
    • Punishment reveals his deep love for his children who he has not forgotten about
    • We should give thanks and praise for God's character for being so just
    • We sing because his justice prevails
    • God's character is just --> leads us to worship
Application
  • Come out from these worldly people (18:4)
    • We have the same fallen condition as those who had fallen in Rome
    • We are warned - don't get sucked in either
    • Follow the lamb, don't follow the way of the world and step into holiness

  • Rejoice because God does the avenging and will do that which is right
    • Take time in our schedules to reflect and remember what the lamb has done
    • Antidote to suffering is worship
      • Reflect on what Jesus has done and the victory we have!
    • I have deep assurance that Christ the lamb has conquered the grave

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