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Revelation 18 – A Deadly Drumbeat

"Friendship with the world is hostility toward God” (James 4:4), but what is “the world?" In the Bible, the world often refers to a thinking and way of life that is defiant and contrary to God. In this chapter, we see God's continued judgment against Babylon, which is the epitome of “the world” in scripture.

Sermon Notes

Summary:

For over 2600 years armies have used drums to unify their soldiers. Likewise, Satan is working toward unifying the world in the worship of himself and his proverbial drumbeat is this Babylonian culture. The key text for us today is God’s word to His people in verse 4 where he commands to “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues;”. (“Her” being Babylon) God wants His people to march to the beat of a different drum. The Bible gives another description of this Babylonian thinking in 1 John 2:15-16, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”

Key Points/Questions:

  • What are the verbs and adjectives God uses in verses 3 and 7 to characterize Babylon?
  • According to these verses what drives the thinking and decision making of worldly people?
  • What should drive a Christian’s thinking and decision making?

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