The Just Result of the Falling Away

       As the end of the 6th great Day in God’s prophetic plan of redemption draws near, the next supplemental vision in Rev. 18 summarizes Israel’s condition in our own time. Her time for repentance is running out. For the offer to become the true Bride of Christ is a limited-time offer. It runs out at the end of the 6th great Day. By the time the 7th Day dawns, it is too late to become part of the Body of Christ, the Church, His Bride.
        But that doesn’t mean it is all over for Israel or for those left behind. They can still call upon the name of the Lord and be saved. They can become part of the redeemed family of God, but they miss out on becoming the heavenly court. This is what the Thief (Satan) robs from them if they are not watchful and alert to God’s times and seasons in this present age. Thankfully, if they do repent and receive Jesus as the Savior, they will live eternally with God in the new heavens and the new earth.
          As if to drive the timely point home, however, John sees the Fall of Babylon the Great and how the world reacts to it.  “For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury” (Rev. 18:3).
          From our perspective, we know that despite all of Israel’s efforts, her defenses will fall and sudden destruction will come. She confidently depended upon her own works. “For her sins have reached to Heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her” (Rev. 18:5-6). 
         Thankfully, we know that this fall is not the end. We know the remnant of Israel shall repent, this time for real, because they have finally recognized the Messiah. Sadly, their delay in accepting Him means they will have to endure the wrath of that Day along with those left behind at the rapture. Mercifully, they will have the later rain outpouring of God’s Spirit to empower them to become mighty warriors.
           End-Time Lesson: The supplemental vision is quick to point out two reactions to this literal fall as half of the city of Jerusalem goes into captivity (Zech. 14:2). As for the apostate leaders and merchants who allowed the Scarlet Woman to ride upon them, they now mourn her. Interestingly, verse 23 declares that “the light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore.”
          It sounds very much like the statue of a woman holding a lighted torch in a prominent port of the merchants, that just so happens to also be a financial center, entertainment center, and the place where abortion was first legalized. As one of the cities of the world, it shall likewise fall due to the judgments that are the wrath of that Day. No wonder John hears another voice warning the people “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues” (v. 4). 
            While the world mourns, however, verse 29 records the other reaction. “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!” God’s judgments are always righteous. In this case, since Israel clung to the Old Covenant so tightly, they experience the righteous judgments under the Old Covenant regulations.
            Those Jews who did accept the salvation that comes through Jesus under the New Covenant would have been raptured before the wrath was poured out.  The Woman has had the opportunity for 2,000 years now to repent and receive her salvation. In her pride and stubbornness, she turned her back, for the most part, on God’s grace.
            Amazingly, though, there is still hope and restoration possible. The prophecy that Daniel had read, prompting his intercession on behalf of his people, led to his prophecy concerning Israel’s hope and future (the 70 Weeks Prophecy). The first prophecy came from the prophet Jeremiah. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:11-13).