A CLOSER LOOK AT THE DESTRUCTION (REVELATION 17)

INTRODUCTION:

1. During better weather we see spider webs.

2. If we stopped to take a closer look at these webs,

3. If we focused our attention on what a spider had done,

4. We would find that a lot of planning went into building the web.

5. Spiders are picky about where they build their webs.

A. For instance, most (if not all spiders) make use of breezes.

B. Spiders check out the direction of the wind before building a web.

C. Spiders also look for a grassy area. (Better selection of insects.)

6. In our world, taking a closer look at things is often instructive.

7. We may look at a spider web from a distance or study it up close.

8. Sports programs alternate between a full shot of the game and close-ups.

I. LAST WEEK WE TOOK A GENERAL LOOK AT WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN TO ROME

WHEN GOD CAME TO PUNISH HER. TONIGHT WE ARE GOING TO DEAL WITH THIS

SAME TOPIC, ONLY WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THE DEVASTATION CLOSE-UP. WE

ARE GOING TO ZOOM IN ON THE DESTRUCTION BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT JOHN DID

FOR HIS READERS.

A. Before we zoom in on what was done, we need to lay some groundwork.

B. When we think of prosperity, we probably use America as an example.

C. America is not a good example to illustrate Rome’s prosperity.

D. Our best understanding of Rome’s wealth comes from God’s word.

E. This description begins in Revelation 17:1. READ.

(1) Rome “sat upon many waters”.

(2) What does this expression mean?

(3) As we learned in previous studies, some things are explained.

(4) In this instance John offered an interpretation. Verse 15 – READ.

(5) If we put Verses 1 and 15 together …

(6) Rome was over many nations and persons.

(7) Rome was the nation that essentially ruled the world.

F. Rome was, if I may use a small “g”, like a god on the earth.

G. If we compare our modern world with ancient Rome, my conclusion is that Rome was far greater.

H. She was much greater than America.

I. Rome’s stretch of power and authority was like a giant arm.

J. John says that she “sat” on many nations and peoples.

K. No wonder John called Rome “great” in Verse 1 – she was!

L. Rome was magnificent; a true power.

M. At a later time you may wish to read the second chapter of Daniel.

N. Daniel refers to four kingdoms that were built by men.

O. The last of these four kingdoms is Rome.

P. Daniel predicted that Rome would be like iron. She was.

Q. Rome had immense power and strength.

R. These assets were not all that she had.

S. Let’s add to our knowledge by looking at Verses 3-4. READ.

(1) Verses 3 and 4 describe Rome in more detail.

(2) The colors “purple and scarlet” show her financial wealth.

(3) Rome had money, power, royalty, honor and supremacy.

(4) If someone looked at Rome they would probably have said, “She has it all.”

(5) Notice that John says that she had a “golden cup”.

(6) No matter how prosperous we think America is, Rome had more.

(7) Rome had about as much as any nation can have.

(8) Here was a nation that was overflowing with wealth.

T. If we look at how history describes Rome we find that:

(1) The best countries of Europe and much of Asia and Africa were under Roman rule.

(2) Because of Rome’s power, piracy on the seas had ended.

(3) There were bookstores and libraries.

(4) There were roads for the military.

(5) Canals had been created.

(6) There were temples, theatres, public baths; magnificent buildings.

(7) Paper was being manufactured.

U. Gibbon, who wrote “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, said that this was:

V. “the most happy and prosperous period in the history of the world.”

W. I do recognize the fact that not everyone under Roman rule was happy.

X. There were poor people; slaves who had nothing were abundant.

Y. Though we may hear or think that our economy is fantastic, it is pitiful compared to what

these people had.

Z. None of us have ever seen the kind of economy that existed in Rome.

A. Much of this material is from Schaff, Volume 2.

II. TO HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT MANY OF THE ROMANS ENJOYED, WE ARE

GOING TO ZOOM IN A LITTLE CLOSER. WE WANT TO SEE JUST HOW GOOD LIFE IN

ROME WAS.

A. This closer look comes from the Bible.

B. In Revelation 18 John predicted that when Rome was destroyed, some merchants would lose their

business.

C. When Rome was destroyed, merchants would lose some good customers.

D. Revelation 18:11 says that store owners would “weep and mourn”.

E. The men who piloted ships (Verse 19) would also cry and weep.

F. Their jobs would be affected and probably ended when Rome was overthrown.

G. What were the merchants and the ship captains selling to Rome?

H. The list starts in Verses 11-12. READ.

(1) Gold, silver, and precious stones were being purchased.

(2) Jewelry stores are not a recent invention.

(3) 2,000 years ago people were buying and selling precious stones.

(4) As I drove to work one morning I was flipping through the radio and heard this question asked:

(5) “How much should a man spend on his bride’s engagement ring?”

(6) The ladies who responded seemed to prefer 6 months of a man’s wages.

(7) God and precious stones have never been cheap.

(8) Some of what the Romans bought was imported.

(9) This implies expensive stones and precious metals – costlier quality.

I. Fine linen, purple and silk were being brought in and bought as well.

(1) Purple was so expensive that only rich people could afford it.

(2) It was a color for royalty. In Rome, many were rich.

(3) How many in our culture can afford to go out and buy a $10,000 suit or a $12,000 dress?

(4) What about going home tonight and ordering an $8,000 fur?

(5) Most in America would say, “We are not that prosperous.”

(6) In Rome, many were buying the best clothing.

J. Lest you think that I am stretching the prosperity of Rome, consider this question that was

raised in the Roman senate:

K. “Should we make food containers from solid gold?”

L. When this type of question begins to be debated, money and luxury are just as Mr. Gibbon

described.

M. About midway through Verse 12 we read about “thyine wood”.

(1) This wood was known for its texture and smell.

(2) It came from North Africa and was used for fine furniture.

(3) In this area we have some stores with fairly expensive furniture.

(4) A nice bedroom set, depending on the accessories, may cost from $5,000 to $20,000.

(5) Imagine if the wood used in these was imported …

(6) Most would say, “That’s too much for us.”

N. Such was not the case in Rome’s economy.

O. John adds that there was wood more precious than thyine.

P. What this was is not known.

Q. All we can add is that ivory is also listed.

R. Items were made from ivory, plus iron and brass.

(1) We live in a time when many opt for cheaper materials.

(2) Particle board, cardboard, strand board, plastic, Styrofoam …

(3) Not these people.

(4) Even containers were made of expensive resources.

S. Now to the details in Verse 13. READ.

T. Cinnamon was used to make perfume. The same was true of other spices.

U. Since these are being mentioned, have you looked at how much spices cost in our stores?

V. What if many of our spices were imported like John describes?

W. We are again pointed to the fact that these people had money.

X. To increase the luxury and pleasure of life, Romans had:

Y. Incense, ointment and frankincense.

Z. Frankincense was not cheap. (Brought as a gift for the Lord.)

A. In Matthew 1, it is listed with gold.

B. When people speak of luxury, food is usually somewhere on the list.

C. Such is the case here.

D. Wine, fine flour and wheat.

E. Have you ever shopped at Aldi’s?

F. These people had so much money that discount grocery stores would have been non-existent.

G. They had the best food and cooking ingredients.

H. Not only did they have food, they had helpers.

I. John adds that these people had “slaves”. Servants were bought.

(1) How many here are wealthy enough to hire a live-in maid?

(2) How many people do we know who have a live-in servant?

(3) This was common in Rome.

J. Along with slaves, they also had horses and chariots.

K. Rome had so much wealth that instead of buying and using slaves for years, they had gladiator

games.

L. Slaves were like Kleenex; you can also get another one.

M. For entertainment, Rome watched slaves kill each other.

N. People were actually put to death for entertainment.

III. EVEN WITH ALL THAT OUR NATION OFFERS, WE CANNOT BEGIN TO IMAGINE WHAT

THE LUXURY OF ROME WAS LIKE.

A. Perhaps no other nation will ever have as much as Rome did.

B. Yet with all the power and glory, God said: I will destroy you.

(1) I am going to destroy your health.

(2) I am going to shut down the shipping lines.

(3) I will devastate your economy.

(4) I will take away all of your luxuries.

(5) Then the necessities of life will be stripped from you.

(6) God said, “I will divest your people of everything you have.”

(7) If these people had possessed just a little bit, that would have been bad.

(8) These people had it all.

(9) Many were able to live like kings.

(10) Rome thought that with her power no one could bring her down.

(11) Certainly a little group known as Christians would be no threat.

(12) Rome was not only brought down, she was crushed.

(13) Even the nation was eventually destroyed.

C. God does not play games.

D. Even non-Christians are quick to see this fact.

E. After Rome would be destroyed, some non-Christians would see what had happened.

F. Look at the conclusion from those who would be outside of Christ:

G. Verses 15-19 of Revelation 18. READ.

H. When unsaved men see God in action, they respond with fear.

I. These men were “standing afar off”.

J. Even at a great distance these men were made afraid.

K. The destruction of this glorious power is summed up in Verses 21-24.

CONCLUSION:

1. As I survey the destruction of Rome, one verse stands out – Revelation 18:5. READ.

2. God remembered the sins of this nation.

3. Remembrance of sins is directly linked to massive devastation.

4. What was true of this nation is true for us on an individual basis.

5. Remembrance of our sins leads to eternal condemnation.

6. The most important thing in life is to be free of sin.

7. Freedom from sin comes in stages:

A. Initially

B. Throughout life