December 26: CAUSE AND EFFECT

Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her. Revelation 18:8

There is a ‘hinge’ word that begins our verse today: Therefore… In this instance, it establishes the connection between the attitude of the heart, described in yesterday’s verse, and the consequences that are invited when it becomes clear that there is no intent to accept divine correction. The deluge of self-inflicted problems – her plagues – are the same as the bowls of wrath of God listed in chapter 16. These terrible afflictions are prophesied to come in one day. The day-year principle of prophecy (Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6; Luke 13:32) presents the likelihood that the seven last plagues to fall upon the rebellious world just before the return of Jesus will occur over a period of about a year, unless those days [are] shortened . . . for the elect’s sake (Matthew 24:22).

The culmination of Babylon’s practice, to glorify herself and live luxuriously (v.7) is answered with death and mourning and famine. Earlier we were shown that her support will be dried up (Jeremiah 50:38; Revelation 16:12) and those who had loved her will come to hate the harlot…and burn her with fire (17:16) which corresponds with today’s announcement: And she will be utterly burned with fire. For judgment to fall by the hand of the godless upon the professed people of God who fall away from the truth is a well-established fact of Biblical history, repeated many times over. Think of the Egyptians, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Grecians, and pagan Rome (17:10).  

Of note is that the self-glorification of Babylon begins to be dimmed as the messages of the angels of chapters 14 and 18 go out to the world. John saw in vision that the earth was illuminated with [the fourth angel’s] glory (18:1). This is a mere precursor of the ultimate judgment against Babylon that will be accomplished by the hand of God.

When God’s people deliberately turn to worldly ways in the place of His clear instructions in any area of life, they are forfeiting the privileges that accompany wholehearted obedience. Conversely, Christ followers who sincerely seek to live by His word are journeying through this fallen world under His protective umbrella. They are seen as saints in the eyes of heaven. For them, the judgment of the Lord God is the best news ever! However, those who refuse His corrections over and over will reap a seared conscience (1 Timothy 4:2) and judgment will be terrifying. For strong is the Lord God who judges, but His judgment is better than fair. Let us look back at Daniel’s description of the judgment:

I was watching, and the same horn* was making war against the saints and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom. Daniel 7:21-22

*that is, the fallen church united with powers of the state

For further study: 2 Chronicles 16:9; Isaiah 47:7-9; Daniel 2:34-35; 44-45; 2 Thessalonians 2:4