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Creekside Church, Sunday, February 15, 2026
The End of Evil
Locations & Times
Creekside Church
660 Conservation Dr, Waterloo, ON N2J 3Z4, Canada
Sunday 8:25 AM
Sunday 9:45 AM
Sunday 11:15 AM
CONTEXT: THE WORLD OF JOHN
John was writing to a persecuted church living under the Roman Empire.
They faced forced worship of the Emperor and false gods.
They lived in a system of coercion, slavery, and exploitation.
They lived in a world where "peace" was kept by whoever had the most swords.
John writes to give them hope. He writes to remind them who is actually in charge. The core of that hope is this: One day, every person, system, and nation opposed to God will fall. Evil will be destroyed.
REVELATION 17:14
They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.
THE CODE WORD: BABYLON
John uses a code word for Rome: Babylon. He uses this name because he wants the message to transcend his specific time.
What is Babylon?
Any human system—economic, political, or social—that demands your ultimate allegiance.
Any system that builds wealth on the "bodies and souls" of others.
Any system that tells you that you can have "The Good Life" without the Good Shepherd.
Babylon is being intoxicated by comfort while ignoring the "squeeze" on everyone else.
THE FALL OF THE SYSTEM
REVELATION 18:1-3
After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted: "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!" She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit... For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries.
When Babylon falls, what was always there is finally exposed.
The "luxury" was actually built on death.
The "adultery" was using positions of power to gain wealth rather than to protect the vulnerable.
Souls were traded for excessive luxuries.
THE CALL TO LEAVE
REVELATION 18:4-5
Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes."
This is a warning: It is possible for God’s people to get caught up in the systems of Babylon.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE STILL IN BABYLON?
You know by how you react to the news of her collapse. In Revelation 18, we see two different groups: those who mourn and those who celebrate.
THOSE WHO MOURN (REVELATION 18:9-19)
THE KINGS: They mourn because they lost the power and luxury they traded their integrity for.
THE MERCHANTS: The titans of industry mourn because they can’t make a profit anymore. Their "stuff" was their god.
THE SEA CAPTAINS: The logistics and supply chain experts mourn the loss of global connectivity.
Notice: They all stand "at a distance." They didn't love the system; they loved using the system. They wanted the benefits of exploitation without the judgment.
THOSE WHO CELEBRATE (REVELATION 18:20, 19:6-9)
The heavens and the saints rejoice. They aren't wearing the expensive luxuries of the world; they are wearing the "fine linen" of righteous deeds. They aren't at the table of Babylon; they are at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.
REVELATION 19:9
Then the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!"
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: COMING OUT OF BABYLON
JEREMIAH 51:45
Come out of her, my people! Run for your lives! Run from the fierce anger of the Lord.
Ask yourself: Would you mourn or celebrate the fall of the current system?
THE MARKETPLACE: When you hear about unethical companies using slave labor or sweatshops, do you "come out" by changing your habits, or are the luxuries too good? Do you prefer the "wine of ignorance"?
THE WORKPLACE: When you see manipulation, lies, or people being "thrown under the bus" for profit, do you stand against it? Or is the career luxury too good to risk?
THE PORTFOLIO: If your retirement or investments are built on the exploitation of the "ships of Babylon," would you rejoice at God's justice even if it cost you your bottom line?
PICKING A SIDE
We often try to play both sides. We want the wealth and luxury of Babylon now, and the seat at Jesus’ table later. But John says you must pick your team now.
Being with the Lamb now involves sacrifice.
Being in Babylon now involves luxury.
If your life looks exactly like your neighbor who does not know God—same values, same lifestyle, same comforts—that is an alarm bell. Coming out of Babylon should cost you something. It cost Jesus his life. It cost the early church their social standing.
What part of your life makes no sense if Jesus is not actually in charge?
CONCLUSION
When Jesus returns, he isn't looking for a group of people holding charts saying, "I knew it was today!" He is looking for a people who are faithful.
He wants to find a people who "came out" not because they saw the signs of the times, but because they love Him, serve Him, and worship Him alone.
John was writing to a persecuted church living under the Roman Empire.
They faced forced worship of the Emperor and false gods.
They lived in a system of coercion, slavery, and exploitation.
They lived in a world where "peace" was kept by whoever had the most swords.
John writes to give them hope. He writes to remind them who is actually in charge. The core of that hope is this: One day, every person, system, and nation opposed to God will fall. Evil will be destroyed.
REVELATION 17:14
They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.
THE CODE WORD: BABYLON
John uses a code word for Rome: Babylon. He uses this name because he wants the message to transcend his specific time.
What is Babylon?
Any human system—economic, political, or social—that demands your ultimate allegiance.
Any system that builds wealth on the "bodies and souls" of others.
Any system that tells you that you can have "The Good Life" without the Good Shepherd.
Babylon is being intoxicated by comfort while ignoring the "squeeze" on everyone else.
THE FALL OF THE SYSTEM
REVELATION 18:1-3
After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted: "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!" She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit... For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries.
When Babylon falls, what was always there is finally exposed.
The "luxury" was actually built on death.
The "adultery" was using positions of power to gain wealth rather than to protect the vulnerable.
Souls were traded for excessive luxuries.
THE CALL TO LEAVE
REVELATION 18:4-5
Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes."
This is a warning: It is possible for God’s people to get caught up in the systems of Babylon.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE STILL IN BABYLON?
You know by how you react to the news of her collapse. In Revelation 18, we see two different groups: those who mourn and those who celebrate.
THOSE WHO MOURN (REVELATION 18:9-19)
THE KINGS: They mourn because they lost the power and luxury they traded their integrity for.
THE MERCHANTS: The titans of industry mourn because they can’t make a profit anymore. Their "stuff" was their god.
THE SEA CAPTAINS: The logistics and supply chain experts mourn the loss of global connectivity.
Notice: They all stand "at a distance." They didn't love the system; they loved using the system. They wanted the benefits of exploitation without the judgment.
THOSE WHO CELEBRATE (REVELATION 18:20, 19:6-9)
The heavens and the saints rejoice. They aren't wearing the expensive luxuries of the world; they are wearing the "fine linen" of righteous deeds. They aren't at the table of Babylon; they are at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.
REVELATION 19:9
Then the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!"
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: COMING OUT OF BABYLON
JEREMIAH 51:45
Come out of her, my people! Run for your lives! Run from the fierce anger of the Lord.
Ask yourself: Would you mourn or celebrate the fall of the current system?
THE MARKETPLACE: When you hear about unethical companies using slave labor or sweatshops, do you "come out" by changing your habits, or are the luxuries too good? Do you prefer the "wine of ignorance"?
THE WORKPLACE: When you see manipulation, lies, or people being "thrown under the bus" for profit, do you stand against it? Or is the career luxury too good to risk?
THE PORTFOLIO: If your retirement or investments are built on the exploitation of the "ships of Babylon," would you rejoice at God's justice even if it cost you your bottom line?
PICKING A SIDE
We often try to play both sides. We want the wealth and luxury of Babylon now, and the seat at Jesus’ table later. But John says you must pick your team now.
Being with the Lamb now involves sacrifice.
Being in Babylon now involves luxury.
If your life looks exactly like your neighbor who does not know God—same values, same lifestyle, same comforts—that is an alarm bell. Coming out of Babylon should cost you something. It cost Jesus his life. It cost the early church their social standing.
What part of your life makes no sense if Jesus is not actually in charge?
CONCLUSION
When Jesus returns, he isn't looking for a group of people holding charts saying, "I knew it was today!" He is looking for a people who are faithful.
He wants to find a people who "came out" not because they saw the signs of the times, but because they love Him, serve Him, and worship Him alone.