June 29: A Kingdom Divided (part 1)

Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. Revelation 16:19

As the time of Christ’s return rapidly approaches, His word provides details to alert all people to the workings of powers that are arrayed against Him. The great deceiver labors night and day to unite the darkest powers of evil with every secular, religious, and civil/political power among human institutions. Even though the literal city of Babylon (conquered by the Persian king Cyrus in 539BC) was confined to a local setting, end-time Babylon is worldwide. It is here called the great city in contrast to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of God (Hebrews 11:10, 12:22, Revelation 21:2,16-26). The descriptions of God’s city are designed to match the God-given longings for true peace and beauty in every human heart.

The inevitable breakup of end-time Babylon has three distinct sectors of constituents, thus John’s vision of the great city. . . divided into three parts. Jesus alluded to this when He said, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” Matthew 12:25

The three parts of our opening verse are identified earlier in chapter 16 of Revelation. John wrote: And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. (v.13) In the days of Moses, Pharaoh, and his magicians, you will recall that the plague of frogs was the last plague that Pharaoh’s magicians could imitate (compare Exodus 8:7 to 8:18). The end of the magicians’ power to duplicate what the LORD did illustrates the limited power of Satan himself. The final miracles that he is able to muster will, no doubt, be spectacular—in order to deceive millions. But like frogs, the final deceptions will pale in comparison to the arrival of our Savior and Redeemer.

The first of the three parts in Satan’s divided kingdom comes out of the mouth of the dragon. It is the growing religion of the direct and open worship of Satan. While it does seem to be gaining steam, it is the least of the three divisions of his kingdom on earth. The various rituals incorporate every aspect of paganism, and those who become involved are seeking to fill the God-shaped hole in their lives with utter godlessness. And, while there are many names for the groups within this first of the three divisions, the common denominator is the complete exclusion of the one true God and His Son as Creator of all and Redeemer of mankind.

For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20

We will view the second and third parts in days to come.