The Judgment of Materialism

Lesson outline 18 in the series
Studies in Revelation

Tim Temple



  1. The Announcement of Judgement - vv. 1-3 (see also v. 17; Genesis 10,11; Jeremiah 51:8)
    1. The phrase "another angel" is significant because it tells us that this is a separate event from chapter 17, even though the subject, Babylon, is the same.
    2. The announcement concerns the loss of wealth and power of a once flourishing city - vv. 2,3
    3. Throughout the years there has been discussion of whether this is a literal or a symbolic city, but there is a sense in which it is both.
    4. A survey of the details involved reveals that it is a reference to both a literal city and the philosophy which it embodies.
  2. The Appeal to God's People - v. 4-8
    1. The appeal of v. 4 is both prophetic and practical
    2. The wording of vv. 5,6 points out that, for both individuals and nations, there is a "cut-off point" in iniquity beyond which god will not go.
    3. And the application for believers is that although we "cannot be condemned with the world" (I Corinthians 11:32) we may suffer the effects of living in a sin saturated society - see II Peter 2:7,8
  3. The Agony of the World's Leaders - vv. 9-19
    1. Verse 9 describes their anguish.
    2. The reason for their anguish is specified in vv.11-15
    3. The agony is exacerbated by the siness of the destruction - v.10; 17-19
  4. The Attitude in Heaven - vv.20-24
    1. The inhabitants of heaven are instructed to rejoice in this way - v.20
    2. And the reason for such rejoicing is the vengeance of God upon evil - vv.20,24 (see also Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19

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