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“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun,” Ecclesiastes 1:9.

This is the first part of a three-part study in which we are seeking to discover the parallels between what it was the Saviour encountered during His ministry on earth and how those events mirrored what it is the child of God may expect to face in this age that has followed His ascension.

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The details of the life of the Saviour, as it is recorded for us in the New Testament, is thus given to us as a ‘pattern’ of that which we may expect to face individually and collectively as those who follow in His steps.

His words to His disciples as recorded in John 15:18-19, surely make that clear. “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

Generation after generation sees a repeat, in principle and spirit, of that which has gone before. This has been so since the fall of Adam. Thus we may see, in the events of history, pictures and types of what this world has yet to face.

Truly, there is no new thing under the sun!

The simple reason for this is, the three main characters in the proceedings and occurrences of this world are unchangeable by nature.

First of all, God is unchanging. “For I am the LORD, I change not,” Malachi 3:6.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever,” Hebrews 13:8.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning,” James 1:17.

The Westminster Confession of Faith, in chapter 2 says this of God: I. “There is but one only living and true God, Who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body parts, or passions, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him; and withal most just and terrible in his judgments; hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.” (more…)

Yesterday I was greatly refreshed in my mind and soul as I read Revelation chapter 18.
It is a chapter which carries us into the future, to the time of the Saviour’s return in great power and of His judgment of that embodiment of rebellion and anti-God idolatry – Babylonianism!

Babylon, religious, mercantile and political is brought down most unexpectedly, decisively and conclusively.

“‭And‭ a‭ mighty‭ angel‭ took up‭‭ a stone‭ like‭ a great‭ millstone‭, and‭ cast‭‭ ‭it‭ into‭ the sea‭, saying‭‭, Thus‭ with violence‭ shall‭‭ that great‭ city‭ Babylon‭ be thrown down‭‭, and‭ shall be found‭‭ no more‭ at all‭,” Revelation 18:21.

Amidst the growing manifestation of Babylonianism all around us, in churches, parliament and commerce, it is so good to read God’s ‘epitaph’ for this evil system which He will most surely bring to an end!

I trust you benefit from the comments we made some 27 years ago on this chapter.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

“For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities,” Revelation 18:5.

(The following is an extract from the book ‘Shadow of The Antichrist’ by Rev Ivan Foster, first published in 1996)

A PDF file of the whole book is available for reading or downloading HERE!

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GRIEF AND GLADNESS – Exposition of Revelation Chapter 18.

There is a distinction between the Babylon of chapter 17 and the Babylon of chapter 18. In chapter 17 we have the system of Babylon which had been at work amongst the nations of men, virtually since the beginning of time.

That system of wickedness will be centred in the city of Babylon, first in the incorporated union of false religions that is symbolised by the Great Whore and then, when she is destroyed by the Antichrist, residing in him.

The Babylon of chapter 18 is the great city of Babylon, which rebellious man left off to build (Genesis 11:8), but which will be built to become the capital of Antichrist and antichristianity. It is here that the spirit of iniquity, or lawlessness and wickedness, will be given a base. “This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof. Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base,” Zechariah 5:8-11.

In this chapter we have the judgment of God falling on and destroying the base upon which this wickedness has been established. Again, let it be noted that there is an emphasis upon the destruction of this evil city which will appear so glorious in the eyes of wicked men. This same emphasis was seen in the vision of the great Harlot in chapter 17. God would have His people ever to bear in mind the end of these things. He who can see the evil maggot in the core of the apple will not be persuaded to bite the fruit, no matter how red and luscious its skin may appear. So it is with the magnificence that will pervade the world, particularly the Roman or prophetic earth, in the final days of this age. In its heart is an evil that will bring down God’s wrath upon it. (more…)