Lesson Fourteen • The Fall of Babylon
Pastor Keaton Washburn
A couple of months ago, I played the game “Risk” for the first time. If you are not familiar, the goal of the game is to conquer the whole map. Each player takes their turn and chooses to take reinforcements or spend their reinforcements in hopes of expanding their empire. Winning requires strategy, a bit of luck, and enough people skills to create allies. I am not sure if it was a lack of skill or luck, but the first time I played I went on to get last place. As a result, the other three players had a large advantage and expanded their empires. As with every good game, in the end, there was a clear winner. They accomplished this by taking over the whole map and conquering every territory. As I said, I did not win, but I learned a lot and look forward to the next time I get to play.
Like “Risk,” there are empires in the world that want nothing more than to expand their territory and conquer as much as they can. Some empires want to conquer media, others land, and still others wealth. In Revelation chapter 17, the angel interprets a vision that John sees of the Babylonian empire, painted as the picture of a prostitute. In Revelation 17:9-13, the angels list many kings who hand over their power to the Beast, to expand the Beast’s empire. Verse 12 says, “And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast.” Notice how long the angel says the kings receive authority – one hour! It is for just one measly hour. We can understand this as telling us that those “kings” who serve empires whose purposes oppose the Lord will only be in power for, metaphorically, “one hour.” Though it may feel like a long time that they have had influence over culture, their reign is short.
What is the end of these kings? Verses 13-14 tell us, “These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” They oppose the Lamb, but the Lamb conquers them. Their end is defeat. Those who oppose the Lord will never win. The Lord always wins! Though it feels like the purposes of the Evil One are prevailing at times, his end is always defeat and he hates to be reminded of it. So today, if you are a follower of Christ, your King always wins. His purposes always prevail. Darkness will be defeated once and for all!