BETHANY BAPTIST BIBLE STUDY

Welcome! We are glad you are here! Don’t worry if you don’t know how to do this,

we will teach you as we go!

HOW TO DO A CHAPTER SUMMARY BIBLE STUDY

Three Easy Questions

Chapter Summary

Three Questions when you read the chapter you wish to study:

1. What does the chapter say?2. What does that mean – specifically – to me?3. What am I going to do about it?

Some add an optional memory verse as a part of the process to help them retain what God has said to them.

Revelation 18

KV 4: The choice of every person

1 - 3: Babylon the great is fallen...4 - 8: Of choices and consequences...9 - 20: Laid waste in an hour...21 - 24: The scope and reasons for destruction...

Things to remember!

Things to remember!

Remember – at least four six(!) levels to understand!1. To the believers at that time in that place (Historical context)2. To all the churches (Ecclesiastic context):

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

3. To all believers (Homiletic context): “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

4. To world historical events (Prophetic context)5. The Symbolism and interpretation thereof (Symbolic context)6. Geopolitical context (won’t say much here)

Revelation Overview

Some principles of Bible study: Take the text in context Be sure of literal or symbolic interpretations Don’t be afraid to ask the Author ;) Cooper’s first rule of Interpretation:

If the plain sense of Scripture makes good sense, then seek no other sense!

Revelation 18Babylon the great has fallen, fallen…

It becomes a place of residence for great evil. I do not understand the implications of that, but I do know I don’t want to be there.

Verse 3 gives the reason for her final judgement – because she has mislead people and killed the servants of God.

Just a note about the list of things that they bought and sold – read verses 12 and 13.

We’ll say more about this in a bit.

Revelation 18Of choices and consequences…

Have you ever heard this expression? “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.”

God calls each one of us out of the world in the same way, and it is our choice whether we will obey or not.

It’s a simple equation:

Faith/Belief/Obedience

OR

Faithless/Unbelief/Disobedience

Those are our only options, and the choice is ours.

Revelation 18Laid waste in an hour…

This causes great distress for all the world merchants and governments.

One Hour – suggests a rapidity to things that will be terrible and amazing at the same time.

Laid Waste – suggests that the devastation will be complete, and the city will be unrecoverable.

It will cause great joy in Heaven that the false belief system is finally dealt with for all time.

Revelation 18The scope and reasons for the destruction of Babylon…

Let’s look at what Verses 21-24 say.• Everything is taken away• The Bridegroom and Bride

will not be there• No music, craft, trade – ever• No light in her – ever

WHY?1. She deceived the nations

with “sorcery” (use of potions, drugs, and spells)

2. She killed God’s servants and people without thought or remorse

So what does this say to us?

Things to consider…

1. God and His plan will not be mocked. If people do not choose Him and His way, they are choosing an “alternate ending” that will not work out well for them.

2. God’s people have a choice – to come out from among them – then and there, as well as here and now. It is the very same choice – because those who choose against God and His plan will be participants in her sins and in her judgements.

3. God’s judgements are swift and terrible. No one can stand in His presence without His mercy and grace. Choose to follow Him.

The MAIN point…

All choices have consequences. When you make your choice, you choose the consequences.

So choose:“If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15 NASB)

The MAIN point…

Believers in Jesus have a UNIQUE, God-given right and ability to follow Jesus and choose for Him. We, as His disciples NEED to choose for Him. But how?

Acts 2:42 – “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

We must cultivate this attitude with these activities daily.

And that’s all Folks!

Questions?