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each day on our A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE Revelation 18: 1 - 10 In the next twenty-four verses, we shall witness the destruction of political Babylon. This Babylon is different from the one just discussed. Chapter 17 concerned religious Babylon, whereas chapter 18 pictures political, or commercial, Babylon. Religious Babylon was called "mystery Babylon," but commercial Babylon is referred to as "Babylon the great." Religious Babylon was presented as a woman or a mother, while commercial Babylon is portrayed as a cityła great city, a mighty city, and eventually a burning city. Religious Babylon was situated on seven hills, whereas political Babylon is visible from the sea (see verses 17, 18, and 21). Religious Babylon was destroyed by the kings of the earth (17:16), but political Babylon will be destroyed by horrendous judgments from the hand of God. When religious Babylon was destroyed, the kings rejoiced. When political Babylon is demolished, however, the kings and merchants of the earth lament [and weep] for her (18:9,15). Let's study political Babylon. Verse 1: And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. John says, after these things. After what things? After the fulfillment of religious Babylon's destruction. John's statement is further proof that the two Babylons are entirely different and distinctive of one another. Only after the events of chapter 17 does John see God's judgment upon political Babylon in the verses that follow. The angel bringing the warning of impending judgment is powerful and glorious. His appearance lightens the entire globe. Quite possibly, this is a christophany or appearance of Christ, as He is the light of the world (John 8:12). Verse 2: And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. God's judgment of commercial Babylon has begun. The angel's cry is, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen. Why? She has become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every [evil] spirit imaginable. She is a cage containing every vicious, filthy, and hateful bird in existence. A walk through New York City, Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, Hollywood, or San Francisco would be helpful at this point. America's major citiesłand minor ones as wellłare loaded with lust-ridden sinners seeking sex thrills through prostitutes, R- and X-rated movies, and pornographic bookstores. Our beloved America could possibly fit the description of political Babylon as a cage [containing] every unclean and hateful bird controlled by foul spirits and demons who inhabit the land and its people. God help us to have an old-fashioned, Holy Spirit-empowered revival in "the land of the free and the home of the brave." Otherwise, God's judgment may soon fall. Verse 3: For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. Just like religious Babylon, this political system has turned to idolatry and fornication. As we saw in chapter 17, these terms refer to the worship of strange gods and a love of this world's material goods. Seeking prestige and power, commercial or political Babylon has promoted and joined ungodly world alliances. The text states that the nations of earth have partaken of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed [spiritual] fornication with her for gain. Hence, the merchants of the earth have become exceedingly wealthy by "wheeling and dealing" with this nation who is super-abundantly loaded with delicacies. Verse 4: And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Verse 5: For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. The believers of the Tribulation hourłthose who trusted in the shed blood of the Lamb and refused the mark of the beastłare told to come out of her [and partake not] of her [evil deeds]. They are to live holy lives in the midst of a cage [full of] unclean and hateful bird[s] whose sins have reached unto heaven and caused an abominable stench in the nostrils of the Almighty. They are to be careful of materialism and to refrain from illegal gain through the love of the delicacies of this world. Verse 6: Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. Verse 7: How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Here we see God's law of sowing and reaping coming into effect: They that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same (Job 4:8). Humanity cannot get away with sin forever. God hates sin. It is inconsistent with His holiness. Except for God's mercy, most of us would have been dead and in hell long ago. His grace, however, passes all human understanding. The Lord is...longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Still God cannot tolerate sin forever, and the reaping of political Babylon' s iniquity must finally take place. What a terrible experience as Babylon receives a double portion of judgment. Literally, the verse should say, "The double is to be doubled." This was the punishment under the law of Moses (see Exodus 22:4,7). Now God says, "Double the judgment upon Babylon according to her works. Reward her even as she rewarded you." Babylon has glorified herself and lived deliciously. Her wealthy became wealthier and her poor became poorer. As a nation, she did not care about the poor, for she said, "I am a queen. I shall see no sorrow. I do not want to look at the needs of the impoverished." There is a possibility that James 5:1-6 predicted the judgment administered in Revelation 18:1,7: Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped [the poor] are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. The end of the age will not see communism enthroned. Instead, capitalism will be the ruling power as ten western nations bleed the world's inhabitants of their possessions. Now, don't misunderstand. I hate the atheistic, godless monstrosity called "communism." It will be destroyed, as will Russia, in the Middle East (see Ezekiel 39:1,2). However, "double trouble" is also coming for those exploiters of the massesłthe rich who starve the poorłaccording to the verses just investigated. Their judgment takes place as Babylon is burned. Verse 8: Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. Verse 9: And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Verse 10: Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. When the news of Babylon's destruction is received, earth's kings, monarchs, potentates, and presidents immediately begin to weep. Their source of wealth has been disintegrated. They are joined by members of the Chamber of Commerce as we will see in our next newsletter. CHANGED LIVES-one at a time Yes! Our family enjoys receiving these e-mails full of information about the Bible and the end times. We are so blessed by it. It is truly wonderful to have these studies especially in times like these. I don't feel like I am kept in the dark. I read the Bible daily and hunger for more of the Word. However, it is studies like these that help me understand things that I question from the Bible. It answers a lot of my questions. May God continue to bless you in all that you do. Please God for e-mails such as these. Please keep them coming. Brian & Rachel
Just wanted to say a big "Thank you" for our new tape "Final World Government When? NOW!" It is the best of all your excellent tapes. What a lot of great information! We're watching it several times because we need to take it all in. Thank you for all your hard work. God bless all of you. Larry & Kathleen HIGHLIGHTED PRODUCT OFFERS Thousands of our ministry partners have already discovered the breakthrough convenience of the Franklin Electronic Bible (even people who have never owned a computer find it astonishingly easy to use) and thousands have found their study of God's Word revolutionized by our unique Prophecy Bible, with its user-friendly, quick-reference coding system. But now, for the first time, these two powerful resources have been combined into a single powerhouse mini-computer. First of all, you have all the normal features of the Franklin Electronic Bible: You can look up any Bible passage - instantly!
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Final
World Government When? NOW! The back of the American dollar bill has announced the birth of the New World Order, in Latin, since 1935. Who masterminded this sinister plot? When? Where? And why would the Illuminati, The Trilateral Commission, The Council on Foreign Relations, The Bilderbergers and the New Agers all together plot, promote and propagate an irreligious and godless monstrosity which will control six billion of earth's citizens - soon - perhaps within months. This rapidly ascending dictatorship will track every last one of us through skin implants and computers capable of performing 50 trillion calculations per second. That's 8,000 pieces of information on each one of us per second. Both Protestant Theologians and Catholic Cardinals believe the Final World Government is waiting in the wings NOW. Dr. Jack and Rexella Van Impe give you the facts on this video and show you how you and your family can be ready! WE ACCEPT PRAYER REQUESTS HERE We receive prayer requests from far and wide via the mail, fax, phone, email and now through the prayer section of our website. FEEDBACK: Please help us with your valuable input. Let us know if you enjoyed this electronic newsletter. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!! CONTACT INFORMATION: E-MAIL: jvimi@jvim.com PHONE: (248) 852-5225 (8am-4:30pm Eastern Time) FAX: (248) 852-2692 MAIL: Jack Van Impe Ministries JVIM FAMILY OF WEBSITES: JVIM PROPHECY
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