The Evil Empire of all evil empires …
- Of all the evil kings, dictators and oppressive regimes throughout the history of Earth that have dominated and afflicted the people under their rule, it seems that the reign of the dragon, the anti-christ and the false prophet during the period of the tribulation will be the worst by far—“the Evil Empire of all evil empires.”
- The picture of this evil empire could be perceived as one of a well-oiled machine, marching on with common goals and an inspired purpose, single-mindedly forging its way to world dominance, discarding lesser foes left and right, moving along with a strong, measured tread toward ultimate victory and accomplishment. Powerful. Devastating. Defiant. And seemingly unstoppable.
- And I can see that. I can see how a person could very easily draw that picture in his or her mind as he or she studied the events described in Revelation during the last days of Earth. But that person would have the wrong picture, an incorrect understanding of what was happening, and there is probably no better example of that than what we will observe in the account of the destruction of Babylon in our text today.
- The religious and political leaders who brought Babylon to prominence did so by making a deal with the devil. Literally. They forged an unholy alliance with the unholy trinity because they thought this would advance their agenda, that they would get what they wanted.
- But that’s not how it works when you make a deal with the devil. Did they not know who they were dealing with? Did they not know that the devil is a liar, the father of lies and there is no truth in him? And how could they not know? How could these powerful, seasoned leaders expect anything but disaster when making a deal with a liar and a deceiver? How could they be so foolish?
- It’s really very simple and straightforward involving a fundamental dynamic or principle in the transmission and reception of truth; a biblical principle that most people never grasp. If you refuse the truth, then you will believe the lie. As you turn away from the truth, you are prepare your heart for the lie. You are now deceived. You will still call it the truth but that is only because you are a blind person walking in darkness.
- The Apostle Paul describes it this way to the Thessalonians.
- (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 NLT) This man [the anti-christ] will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.
- The religious and political leaders of Babylon made a deal with the devil that would bring them almost instant success. Babylon would become the crown jewel of the new world system in less than seven years, enjoying unrivaled religious, political and commercial prosperity.
- They got what they wanted … until … until they were no longer useful to the devil. Imagine that. He had lied to them and deceived them. Should they have been surprised? “Oh, my, we made a deal with the devil, and he deceived us!” It’s what he does.
- They are now a threat, so he destroys them as they no longer fit in his plans. And that is where we are in this morning’s text. The alliance has fallen apart and anarchy threatens the existence of the new world system. The devil’s desperation grows as his hope to be worshiped as the god of this world is slipping away, and he lashes out with a vengeance.