Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Revelation 18:21 – 19:9), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [18:21-24] Babylon is Babel (Genesis 11), the “Gate of God”—the humanistic, utopian, united enterprise to attain divinity without God. Harlot Babylon (see 17:1-6) is God’s own people betraying their special relationship to him, joining themselves to other spiritual powers, showing themselves to be seeking their good apart from God. Jerusalem was this harlot Babylon as she spurned God’s love, rejected their own messiah, and persecuted the church by “getting into bed” with the Roman Empire. Can you think of modern examples of “Babylon”? Can you think of examples of “harlot Babylon”? Can you think of ways in which the church is tempted to seek her good apart from God by uniting herself to other spiritual lovers?

• [19:1-4] The multitude in heaven (probably the martyrs who had been slain for their testimony, but definitely those who have already died in the Lord) praise God for his just judgment of his adulterous “ex,” Jerusalem. Can you imagine being in heaven, rejoicing in God’s justice, even though it means the downfall of the wicked? Why or why not? Do you think your perspective will be changed to align perfectly with God’s perspective on things? What does the Bible say about this? Do you give your current feelings on the matter more weight than the Scriptures?

• [5] The “voice from the throne” is the Lamb, the God-man, Jesus, calling us to “praise our God.” The Son of God has identified himself with us, and his true worship of God carries all believers, “small and great,” into praise together. We worship God in the name of Jesus. How does Christianity have a unique understanding of worship?

• [6-9] The loudest praise erupts in heaven to glorify God for the marriage supper of the Lamb. In contrast with the faithless harlot Babylon, the faithful church is the true Bride, made beautiful through her union with Christ. She is responsive to her Bridegroom, which ultimately glorifies him as the one who is worthy of such a response. To faithful believers, then, is granted true, glorious, joyful, unending intimacy with God in Christ—the very thing harlot Babylon vainly pursued apart from God. What impresses you about Jesus? What is it about him that captivates you, motivates you, changes your life? Do you rejoice, praise, and thank God for the blessing of inviting you to the marriage supper of the Lamb, for your union and communion with Christ?