After these things, ( the things in chapter 17, which is God's judgment on Spiritual Babylon )
John sees another angel coming down from heaven, who had great authority or power, and the earth was illuminated with his glory
The angel cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become the dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! "
Satan has been active since before the creation of the world, and known specifically by us as recorded in Gen 3.
Down through history, satan has been telling lies, deceiving people, murdering people, hating them, and so on.
He wants to be like God, that is, being worshipped and the center of man's attention and object of his love. He has not ever been satisfied, and will not ever be. In fact, quite the opposite will happen to him as seen here in Rev18:1-2. He will actually wind up in an eternal prison called the "lake of fire" That's where he is headed.
The final area of judgement, apart from the great last battle when Jesus returns, is the judgement that is recorded for us here in this 18th chapter of Revelation.
Please notice and consider the following
1. It's God's great power and authority through one of His angels that shows this to John,
2. The earth ( the entire earth ) is illuminated with his glory. ( That's a lot of glory )
3. You wonder what his voice sounds like when he cried mightily?
4. The message will be. Babylon the great is fallen, etc, etc "
5. Satan's regime is coming to an end.
6. Man's regime apart from God's involvement in his life is coming to an end
7. Man's ungodly efforts wind up with demons in a cage.
A few more thoughts to consider.
1. We will be in heaven when this happens
2. We no doubt will be able to see all of this in real time.
3. The glory of heaven will be greater then the glory of the angel on earth.
4. We will be with the risen Christ, while man's efforts are falling.
5. We will be dwelling with the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit.
6. We will also be dwelling with angels and all the redeemed in heaven
7. We will be experiencing eternal bliss and freedom from sin, death, evil etc.
8. While on earth demons and foul spirit's are in a cage together.
9. Yikes.......
10. Every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird.
11. Birds in the Bible, ( except for the Holy Spirit/Dove ) are a symbol of evil.
12. Evil will come crashing down to it's end and it's doom. Yea, yea, yea.....
Well, more about all this tomorrow. But, for today, those of us in Christ, are free. We are free now, and will continue to be so, all through eternity, where there is no end to God's grace, love, mercy, and peace. What a glorious hope we have in Jesus Christ. We may have lot's of trouble now, but it will not be that way forever. Only a short time and we will be home with Christ in heaven. Can hardly wait.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
