So that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous bloodshed. Rev 18: 20-24.

 This dive into Revelation 18 begins with verse 20.

Revelation 18:20 NASB "Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her."

When you think about the judgment and what that horror looks like for the nations and Israel, why would you rejoice? 

One answer might be because this means that the beginning and the eventual end of this fury, from both humanity and God, is close and peace is finally near. Another train of thought occurs to me, for as you migrate through the Revelation, you see the martyred saints crying out, how long, oh Lord. It is difficult to see this question as anything other than a cry for vengeance. Considering that these are before the throne when they say it and that those who have been martyred, which are now in heaven, cannot stand before the throne without this change we see in 1Corinthians 15:22. It does not make sense that they would be seeking an eye for eye justice since the drive to sin has been removed from them.

Look at what Revelation 6 tells us. 

and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.
(Revelation 6:10-11 NASB)

Completion?

Sadly, our religious training drives us to look at the Great White Throne, as a place where many teachers send all who come to this throne to their final, inescapable day of justice.

Do I rejoice over the idea that we can so easily send people to hell?

No, I mourn, as many have foolishly chosen to follow Satan to his eternal punishment and they don't need our help. Ah, but there is a high point in this throne of judgment, for many will be found worthy to enter the kingdom. You see, this Great White Throne is the same throne we see in Matthew 25, and there Jesus, the gentle shepherd, separates the crowd into two groups. One He calls the sheep and the other goats. Jesus tells the “sheep” to enter the kingdom, while those referred to as goats get sent to the eternal hell meant for Satan and his followers. So, there is hope even in this.

Justice/judgment began with the breaking of the first seal in Revelation chapter 6 and comes to completion approximately seven years later when Jesus returns as the conquering king at the end of the seven years. As you begin to read Revelation 6 you see a rider on a white horse and another on a red horse. The rider on the white horse represents the antichrist and he comes conquering. The red horse rider takes peace from the earth. If you can understand that God just used two humans to fulfill His prophecies, then you are on your way to understanding the Revelation.

'He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father; (Revelation 2:26-27 NASB)

The only one who has overcome and kept God's deeds until the end is Jesus. He is the one who has the authority over the nations.

Note the ominous words, He (Jesus) shall rule them with a rod of iron, as he breaks the vessels to pieces.
God is the one who made every vessel (that includes you and me,) and He is the one who has the right to destroy those vessels.

What did the Holy Spirit say in Revelation 18:20?

God has pronounced judgment for you against her.

So, who is the “you” in this sentence?

The verse itself tells us that it is the saints, the apostles, and the prophets.
Saints, in the context of the Revelation, apply to those who have been martyred during the time of God's wrath.
If the application applies to all saints, then wouldn't they already be in heaven, with the Father; they would.

"For indeed, while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord--" (2 Corinthians 5:4-6 NASB)

Assuming that we, the church, fit into one of these categories, saints, apostles, or prophets then the potential is here for at least a couple of these as being descriptives of the church; and, I could then say, yes, we are saints.

Use 1Corinthians 1:2 as a definition of a saint,

To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: (1 Corinthians 1:2 NASB)

Secondly, as the prophetic, in the Revelation, is defined like this, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy, then believers fall under this category as long as you are testifying of the work of Jesus in your life, as described in the Word. In a sense, you are prophesying every time you proclaim Jesus. Let that sink in.

Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he *said to me, "Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19:10 NASB)

I am bypassing the term apostles as it is saturated with controversy and misuse. It effectively means sent ones, and according to Jesus' commission, we have all been sent to spread the good news of the kingdom.

A former pastor used to say, in heaven, we will be looking down over the edge of the balcony, able to see what is going on here on earth during the time of wrath, and we will rejoice with those who come to know Jesus and enter into the kingdom because they are martyred. That pastor seems to forget that there will be no more sorrow in heaven. Being able to witness the horror and suffering that those on earth will continue to experience until that Revelation 19 moment when Jesus comes back to end all fighting seems rather sadistic and bizarre.

If I can find the church among those rejoicing, it is only because God has pronounced judgment.

Revelation 18:21 AMP Then a single powerful angel took up a boulder like a great millstone and flung it into the sea, crying, With such violence shall Babylon the great city be hurled down to destruction and shall never again be found. [Jeremiah. 51:63, 64; Ezekiel. 26:21.]

There is that phrase once again, the great city. One dramatic verse is Revelation 11:8, where it says.

And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. (Revelation 11:8 NASB)

The context of Revelation chapter 11 has much to do with God's two witnesses coming back to earth and giving testimony of God, His power, and Jesus Christ. That last one, Jesus Christ, will still only be marginally acceptable to the Jews.

Notice that their dead bodies lie in the street of that great city. The only place God puts these men is in Jerusalem, so the city is Jerusalem. Verse 8 continues on by identifying Jerusalem as Sodom and Egypt, spiritually. Obviously, it is NEITHER of those two places.

So, if Jerusalem can be referred to as Sodom and Egypt, then what is to prevent it from being called Babylon?

Well, nothing really. Revelation 18:21 says, “with such violence shall Babylon the great city be hurled down to destruction and never be found.”

In the book of Lamentations, we find this.

"The Lord has rejected all my strong men In my midst; He has called an appointed time against me To crush my young men; The Lord has trodden as in a wine press The virgin daughter of Judah. (Lamentations 1:15 NASB)

It is the Lord that is doing the crushing and He is doing it because of sins.

For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen, Because their speech and their actions are against the LORD, To rebel against His glorious presence.
(Isaiah 3:8 NASB)

More evidence for why they are fallen.

Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity. (Hosea 14:1 NASB)

In the book of Amos, we again see a direct address against Israel.

Hear this word that I take up against you in lament, house of Isra'el: The virgin of Isra'el has fallen; she will not rise again. She lies abandoned on her own soil with no one to lift her up. (Amos 5:1-2 CJB)

Continuing through chapter 18.

Revelation 18:22-23 NASB (22) "And the sound of harpists and musicians and flute-players and trumpeters will not be heard in you any longer, and no craftsman of any craft will be found in you any longer, and the sound of a mill will not be heard in you any longer; (23) and the light of a lamp will not shine in you any longer, and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you any longer; for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.

If this is the definitive telling of the end of Jerusalem then where and when is this new city going to come and sit?

At the end of the seven years, after Jesus has ended the fighting and bloodshed, the New Jerusalem will come down. It will sit upon the entirety of the land God promised to Abraham – 1500 miles square, and it will be filled with the sound of music, laughter, water running, merchants, and joy.

At the end of this morass and punishment, the new Jerusalem will be filled with the opposite of the curse. Within the city, there will be no deception and sorcery.

Sorcery?

For me, my imagination turns to something that looks like a scene from Harry Potter. No, I have never seen any aspect of Harry Potter except for commercials. This word sorcery seems so simple and self-explanatory, and it is unless sorcery was a poor choice for a translation.

Sorcery is the Greek word pharmakeia and means medication. The word also conveys the idea of using or administering drugs and poisoning people by drug usage. What do you think the so-called vaccinations are?

You might ask, what does this have to do with Israel and Jerusalem?

Are you not aware that Israel was in full agreement with this globalist agenda of population reduction and made it very difficult for anyone that was not fully inoculated. After they noticed, that many of their population were having horrid reactions to the vaccines and that the majority of Covid cases we coming from fully vaccinated people, they dropped the mandates. Don't worry, the propaganda has had the desired effect and many, even in the church, are enveloped in fear and will probably comply with all future attempts to control the populace.

The last verse in chapter 18, and my last attempt at convincing you that we are NOT looking for a rebuilt Babylon speaks about the fact that the blood of saints and prophets have been found in her.

Revelation 18:24 NASB "And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth."

I have pointed out, on several occasions, that the primary source of information we have on Babylon is from the Prophet Daniel and the three Hebrew young men who were taken captive with Daniel. Every attempt to kill these young men failed, so surely these are not the subject of verse 24.

Since Babylon is a continuation of Babel, then we know even less, and what we do know is wholly extra-biblical.

What do the scriptures say about this blood?

"Also on your skirts is found The lifeblood of the innocent poor; You did not find them breaking in. But in spite of all these things, (Jeremiah 2:34 NASB)

I suggest you read all of Ezekiel 22.

"You have despised My holy things and profaned My sabbaths. "Slanderous men have been in you for the purpose of shedding blood, and in you, they have eaten at the mountain shrines. In your midst, they have committed acts of lewdness.
(Ezekiel 22:8-9 NASB)

And I will end this with Jesus' words from Matthew's gospel.

"Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous bloodshed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
(Matthew 23:34-35 NASB)

Did you get that?

“ so that upon you (Israel) may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth

How badly some want to see Babylon rebuilt. I suppose it comes from a need to validate their false prophecies.

Do you understand that I want you to be able to understand the Revelation and the words you find here? It is not that difficult when you realize that the majority of the prophecy is derived from the Old Testament and that figuring out what the context is, is key.

I was accosted by one of my pastors, several years ago, when he said, NO ONE understands the Revelation or the prophetic. I later learned that this pastor's anger was triggered by another brother in Christ who pushed his theories with the insistence that the pastor allow him to teach his theories.

I have written to believers who wish to understand God's word, as I do.

If you are not a believer and want to be, then follow these simple words.

A - Admit you're a sinner.

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

B - Believe Jesus is Lord.

John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

C - Call upon His name.

Romans 10:13 "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

A massive earthquake, such as has never been seen. Rev 16:18 - 21

 In our last look at Revelation 16, we saw a demon horde gathering all the rulers and their armies to a place with the Hebrew name Armageddon. I pointed out how this term Armageddon is only found one time, in one place, and that is here in Revelation 16:16, it is however a common term when you look up the term Jezreel valley and Meggido. Virtually every biblical battle has been fought in this valley, including the one in which Goliath was killed by David.

The NASB entitles this next section THE SEVENTH BOWL.

The seventh wrath event, whether it be the seals, trumpets, or bowls, has been the transition into the next event. The difference here is that God's wrath being poured out ends with the bowls.

Revelation 16:17 NLT  Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air. And a mighty shout came from the throne in the Temple, saying, “It is finished!”

Immediately I noticed something different; the angel is pouring this final bowl into the air.

Why is that important?

Because humanity does not live in the air, that appears to the realm of the spirit, which has more reality to it than the earth does. While some might try to argue that we have our influence over the air because we have people living in space stations to prove the point. Fools, you are merely pointing out the extent of your pollution.

Just a side note to ponder.

Ephesians 6:12 NASB For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Pay attention to the terminology used in Ephesians 2:2.

Ephesians 2:1-2 NASB And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, (2) in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

Who is the prince of the power of the air?

If you said Satan, you would be correct.

The earth, with all its resources and beauty, has been the fuel for the damage done to the earth, the very thing that God gave Adam dominion over. Since Adam saw fit to hand the dominion of the earth over to Satan, wouldn't it then be fitting to destroy this polluted earth and start over?

In Revelation 16:17, what does the angel mean when he says, “It is finished”?

The phrase refers to the end of wrath and that only happens when Christ returns as the warring Messiah, which is defined in Revelation 19 and conveyed over several verses.

Revelation 19:11 NASB And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness, He judges and wages war.

Revelation 19:14-15 NASB (14) And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. (15) From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the winepress of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.

Revelation 19:19-21 NASB (19) And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. (20) And the beast was seized, and with him, the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. (21) And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

It is done, and this is what happens next.

Revelation 16:18 CJB  There were flashes of lightning, voices, and peals of thunder; and there was a massive earthquake, such as has never occurred since mankind has been on earth, so violent was the earthquake.

Lightning, voices, and peals of thunder; what happened when God spoke words of affirmation over Jesus when He got baptized?

The people standing around there heard thunder, and we know that a couple of them became disciples of Jesus shortly after this event. Consider what the people heard as Moses spent time with God on Mount Ararat; they heard thunder.

Isaiah 30:30 NLT  And the LORD will make his majestic voice heard. He will display the strength of his mighty arm. It will descend with devouring flames, with cloudbursts, thunderstorms, and huge hailstones.

What is my point?

God has been trying to speak to people since the garden, but most only hear indecipherable noise and thunder.

As a result of this earthquake.

Revelation 16:19 MKJV  And the great city came to be into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the anger of His wrath.

“The great city” is Jerusalem. Some would have you believe that this is Rome or (a rebuilt) Babylon. Let me show you something.

"And I will give power to My two witnesses, and they will prophesy a thousand, two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone will hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone will hurt them, so it is right for him to be killed. These have authority to shut up the heaven, that it may not rain in the days of their prophecy. And they have authority over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire. And when they complete their testimony, the beast coming up out of the abyss will make war against them and will overcome them and kill them. And their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And many of the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will see their dead bodies three days and a half, and they will not allow their dead bodies to be put in tombs." (Revelation 11:3-9 MKJV)

These two witnesses are the two prophets that God sends back to earth. Revelation 11:3-9 defines not only where these two witnesses are standing, but backs it up with the bold statement, “where our Lord was crucified.”

As for these other references.

"Also among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: The committing of adultery and walking in falsehood; And they strengthen the hands of evildoers So that no one has turned back from his wickedness. All of them have become to Me like Sodom And her inhabitants like Gomorrah. (Jeremiah 23:14 NASB)

In the next verse, He directly calls them Sodom and Gomorrah, communities that had long since been destroyed.

If the LORD of Heaven’s Armies had not spared a few of us, we would have been wiped out like Sodom, destroyed like Gomorrah. Listen to the LORD, you leaders of “Sodom.” Listen to the law of our God, people of “Gomorrah.” (Isaiah 1:9-10 NLT)

Ezekiel has the strongest association of Israel to Egypt because it refers to Samaria and Jerusalem and these are central to modern Israel.

They became prostitutes in Egypt. Even as young girls, they allowed men to fondle their breasts. The older girl was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. I married them, and they bore me sons and daughters. I am speaking of Samaria and Jerusalem, for Oholah is Samaria and Oholibah is Jerusalem. (Ezekiel 23:3-4 NLT)

Some would say, that was overkill, but I have experienced the arguments of those who reject wisdom merely because I left out one example or detail. So, in my mind, there is no doubt Revelation 16:19 is talking about Jerusalem.

Keep in mind the fact that this last bowl was poured out upon the air. It may not make any difference in the scheme of things but it does demonstrate that God can have anger and wrath. (Side note, He never pours out that wrath upon those who are His. This statement becomes clear when you understand that His nature is love, though it may not seem like it especially when there are laws attached to His actions.)

Consider, how we opened this look at Revelation 16, with a massive, violent earthquake, such as has never occurred since mankind has been on earth. Add to this the fact that thunderstorms, along with lightning, tend to bring about severe weather.

Revelation 16:20-21 NASB (20) And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. (21) And huge hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, *came down from heaven upon men; and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail because its plague *was extremely severe.

• Every island fled away,

• the mountains were not found,

• huge hailstones - about one hundred pounds each, came down upon men;

And what did the humans do?

• They blasphemed God because of the hail and its severity.

I know I have mentioned this before, but an acquaintance of mine tried to tell me that this time is NOT God's wrath. Oh, I beg to differ as I am hard-pressed to call it anything else.