03.22. Lesson 22
Lesson 22:Read Revelation 17:1-18, Revelation 18:1-24, Revelation 19:1-10 once, then read Revelation 18:1-24, Revelation 19:1-10 at least two more times, without looking at notes or commentaries. Then read Isaiah 47:1-15, Ezekiel 26:1-21; Ezekiel 27:1-36, and Jeremiah 50:1-46; Jeremiah 51:1-64.
(1) Enumerate the parallels between Revelation 18:1-24 and the Old Testament passages you just read. How was the prophecy in Isaiah fulfilled originally (see Daniel 5:1-31)?
(2) In Revelation 17:1-18 Babylon is pictured primarily as a prostitute. What is the predominant picture of Babylon in Revelation 18:1-24?
(3) Think of Revelation 18:1-24 as the script for a play. Who are the speakers? List and number them. Remember, in the Greek New Testament there are no quotation marks; translators must interpret the text in order to place quotation marks. Thus, the quotation marks in your translation are not inspired . . .) (4) Look at the first speaker’s statements. Why does he say that Babylon has fallen?
(5) Why does the second speaker say that Babylon has been judged? How will she be judged? Why is this judgment just?
(6) When does the second speaker stop speaking?
(7) Consider the reaction of the third group of speakers. Why are they terrified? What aspect of the judgment do they focus on?
(8) Consider the fourth group of speakers. Why are they upset? Why do they love the city? What items are in their cargo that we would find unusual? How could this have both a historical and a spiritual fulfillment? What aspect of the judgment do these speakers focus on? How is their focus different from that of the third group of speakers?
(9) Who speaks Revelation 18:20? Some translations group Revelation 18:19-20 together, as spoken by the 5th group. Others have Revelation 18:20 spoken by the second speaker, as his conclusion. Consider these two options. What is the focus of the fifth group of speakers in Revelation 18:19? Is Revelation 18:20 more consistent with that verse or with the other statements made by the second speaker?
(10) How can you summarize the statements of the 6th speaker? How is his statement consistent with his action?
(11) Consider Revelation 19:1-4. Have we heard all these speakers before in Revelation? What is the meaning of "Hallelujah"? What is the cause of their rejoicing? Why are God’s judgments said to be righteous or just?
(12) In Revelation 19:5-9, what is the new cause of rejoicing? Why is this particularly appropriate? Who is the bride? Contrast the details of the bride with the details of the woman in Revelation 17:1-18 and the city in Revelation 18:1-24.
(13) The NASB reads in Revelation 19:8 “fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” The Greek word translated “righteous acts” is dikaiw,mata., which can also be translated “decrees of justification” or “vindication”; for example, see Romans 5:16. See Isaiah 61:10-11; Isaiah 62:1-5. What purpose or purposes do the robes serve in that passage? What, then, do the robes signify in Revelation 19:8?
(14) Given our understanding of Babylon and the bride, what are the implications for us today of this section of Revelation? Consider our discussion of "real reality" once again.
Now read Wilcock pages 166-174 and Stedman pages 297-304. Revise your answers to the questions in light of their comments.