SEVEN FINAL VISIONS (2-5) | THE SAILORS (REVELATIONS 18:17-20)

1. Revelation  

a) John wrote Revelation while a prisoner on the Island of Patmos, approximately 85-95 A.D. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all Christians to continue watching for the return and triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ. It also is to warn of the Final Judgment that nonbelievers will endure on that Last Day.

b) John wrote that Revelation is special because,“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3).

c) A brief view of the Book of Revelation. It gives you some basic understanding of the book of Revelation. 

2. The Sailors  

Revelation 18:17-20 
17 for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!’ And every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor, and as many as make their living by the sea, stood at a distance, 18 and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What city is like the great city?’ 19 And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea became rich by her wealth, for in one hour she has been laid waste!’ 20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her.”

3. Shipmaster and sailor 

Revelation 18:17-20

a) Shipmaster and sailor 

i) Next the voice from heaven describes those at sea, in distress as they watch Babylon burning; and they too have a song: "Woe, woe, the great city, by whose wealth all who had ships at sea became rich; for in one hour she has been devastated." (Revelation 18:17-19).

b) Rejoice over her 

ii) The voice from heaven’s song, after all its gloom and woe, ends on a high note: "Rejoice over her, O heaven; and you saints; and you apostles and prophets; for God has pronounced judgment for you against her" (Revelation 18:20). When a court convicts a wrongdoer and pronounces severe punishment, the victims of the crime see justice and rejoice. In God’s justice we have hope and joy. 

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