Revelation 18
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1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory.
2 And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.
3 For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;
5 for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.
6 Pay her back as she herself has paid back others, and repay her double for her deeds; mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed.
7 As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, ‘I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.’
8 For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.”
9 And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning.
10 They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say, “Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.”
11 And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo anymore,
12 cargo of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble,
13 cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls.
14 “The fruit for which your soul longed has gone from you, and all your delicacies and your splendors are lost to you, never to be found again!”
15 The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud,
16 “Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls!
17 For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.” And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off
18 and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, “What city was like the great city?”
19 And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out, “Alas, alas, for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been laid waste.
20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!”
21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more;
22 and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will be heard in you no more, and a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more, and the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more,
23 and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.
24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.”
In Chapter 18, we see mention again of Babylon - but let’s contrast this with the Babylon of Chapter 17. Babylon in 17 is referred to as “Mystery Babylon the Great” - which, if we remember back a few weeks ago, was identified as Rome. Because of this mystery, there was a hefty portion of symbolism and its interpretation. In Chapter 18, there is no more mystery. This city refers to the REBUILT city of Babylon, the political center of the antichrist.
8 Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.”
Babylon has become a great political, commercial, social, and cultural center. Remember, as the capitol region of the rule and reign of the antichrist, this is the center of attention and with that, all the amenities that comes with it. But even as wealthy as it has become, one fact remains. It will fall and it will be destroyed. Again, we see a powerful/authoritative angel bringing this announcement from heaven, words coming from God and with His power and authority.
What is the importance of the angels during this portion of End Times?
This could be a result of the church being removed from earth, and angels will be filling the role as spiritual counsel at this time.
1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory.
The angel is bringing news, starting with the reasons why Babylon will be destroyed.
Reason for Babylons Destruction
Reason for Babylons Destruction
2 And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.
3 For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;
5 for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.
6 Pay her back as she herself has paid back others, and repay her double for her deeds; mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed.
7 As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, ‘I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.’
The angel proclaims the fate of Babylon - fallen. Because all nations became unfaithful to God, they have grown wealthy. This points out that not all wealth comes from God… As a result of this godlessness and money driven society, God’s people are to withdraw from these actions and focus on God. While God has delayed judgment at times for the sins of the wicked, when judgment comes, no sin (regardless of how big or small in our minds) will be passed over. God will give back what each has earned - good or bad. These alive and worshiping the Antichrist and his kingdom will be given a “double portion” of judgment for their sins.
Why a double portion?
Because of their arrogant defying and rejection of God and His ways.
Isaiah prophesied of this event:
9 And behold, here come riders, horsemen in pairs!” And he answered, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the carved images of her gods he has shattered to the ground.”
Isaiah may have proclaimed the fall of Babylon and saw the Assyrians and Persians overtake them, but his prediction was not pointed at the earthly fall, but the ultimate fall as the great enemy of God revealed by the angels words John penned.
Why is Babylon dealt with so harshly?
Babylon had willfully and intentionally moved themselves away from God, spiraling downward, lowering itself away from God. It has become spiritually corrupt, looking everywhere else but to God. As a result, it becomes a place where demons live and worship and a “haunt” - literally interpreted a prison for unclean spirits. Because of this, they have been overrun with immorality, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, lying, cheating, stealing, lusting over the pleasures and possessions fo the world, sorcery, devil worship, witchcraft, and astrology. They have turned from God and look to self for the definition of righteous behavior, and this once great empire corrupted the rest of the world and thought they were indestructible (I will never see grief).
As a result, all other nations and their kings/rulers will be destroyed. When we read of the drinking of the wine of her sexual immorality and committing immorality with her, and growing rich from her power, this isn’t speaking only of physical activities, but the spiritual turning away - the rejection of God and all that is Godly. The end times will on Me, My, and Mine instead of He, His, and Thine. The capital city will use its power to manipulate the nations and leaders of the world to follow their evil plan.
It reminds me of a cartoon I used to watch as a teen “Pinky and the Brain” where Pinky asks: "Gee Brain, what are we gonna do tonight?" and Brain responds: "The same thing we do every night, try to take over the world!" As crazy as it sounds, this is where this world is headed.
Let me also point out, today this old world seems like it is focusing on itself more and more each day. There are “doctors” and even “clergy” (I won’t use pastor and defile the title) who will say, all we need to do is get ourselves physically and mentally in a place of peace and all will be well! Hogwash. As long as we are living a life contrary to God we will NEVER find true peace and happiness. This world and its peoples reliance on God and Godliness is slipping away, and focusing on technology, science, education, recreation, and the comports and pleasures of this world. And as bad as it seems to be right now, this old world hasn’t seen anything yet. The antichrist’s own arrogance and pride leads to them and others to ignoring, rejecting, and denying God. As a result God will judge them and Babylon will be destroyed.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Destroyed in One Day
Destroyed in One Day
8 For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.”
Why does the destruction of Babylon come in one day, while the seals and trumpets over 3.5 years?
God has given numerous warnings and opportunities. God has been patient, but the people have chosen to reject God completely. When judgment comes to Babylon, it will be swift, coming in a single day.
Literally, plagues of death will fall one minute, and fire will destroy it the next. How complete can the fire of God destroy a city? Ever heard of Sodom and Gomorrah? It is only recently that we have come across what may be some remnants near the Dead Sea in the region of Tell el-Hammam, and listen to the description:
Across Tall el-Hammam, archaeologists found widespread evidence of an intense conflagration that left the Middle Bronze Age city in ruins. They found scorched foundations and floors buried under nearly 3 feet of dark grey ash, as well as dozens of pottery sherds covered with a frothy, “melted” surface; the glassy appearance indicates that they were briefly exposed to temperatures well in excess of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the approximate heat of volcanic magma. Such evidence suggests the city and its environs were catastrophically destroyed in a sudden and extreme conflagration.
God has destroyed cities for their blatant sin, and He will do the same for Babylon and ultimately to cleanse the world.
Impact of Babylon’s Fall
Impact of Babylon’s Fall
9 And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning.
10 They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say, “Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.”
11 And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo anymore,
12 cargo of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble,
13 cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls.
14 “The fruit for which your soul longed has gone from you, and all your delicacies and your splendors are lost to you, never to be found again!”
15 The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud,
16 “Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls!
17 For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.” And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off
18 and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, “What city was like the great city?”
19 And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out, “Alas, alas, for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been laid waste.
20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!”
What impact does economic failure in Babylon have on the world?
The world that has become reliant on this great city and its government for literally everything.
Their power will falter, their ability to get sufficient supplies will be ended, their businesses and economies could potentially collapse. We have to remember in Chapter 16, the 7 bowls of wrath has been poured out on the earth so the whole world will be undergoing disaster after disaster, and many of the great cities will be destroyed.
The mourning will not only be in Babylon, but world wide. The wealth that controlled the inhabitants of the Antichrist’s kingdom is gone! Even though the mourning is self-centered, the other leaders know Babylon could have been an asset in rebuilding, but they will not know of nor will they understand the true meaning of what is happening - Jesus is returning to claim and rule the earth. While the world mourns the loss of wealth and power, they miss the whole point - they should be mourning over their sins and impending judgment.
But why is there rejoicing in heaven over the fall of Babylon?
But this is the interesting twist - verse 20 “rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her”. There will be rejoicing in heaven when Babylon falls BECAUSE the source of the ungodliness and evil has been conquered and destroyed. The righteous One will soon establish His place of authority among all people, and will set up His kingdom on earth. There will be no more rejection and rebellion against God, and He will be worshipped in the manner in which He is worthy.
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
The Actual Destruction
The Actual Destruction
21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more;
22 and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will be heard in you no more, and a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more, and the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more,
23 and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.
What description is given of the destruction?
And now we see the actual destruction of Babylon. It will be violent, like a large boulder cast into the sea. This isn’t going to be some weakling trying to skip a rock, there will be force behind his throw, it will be a violent impact as it hits the water, and the violent waves that come from it describes the catastrophe that is to occur. The destruction is swift, violent, and the city will be reduced to ashes.
1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.
We read here six times where “no more” is used in the description of judgment. Total, complete, and final destruction will come to Babylon. Why? Simply because they rejected God and their evil and sinful influence corrupted the whole world as a result. God could not allow this to continue and repeats the reason for their destruction a second time. We will see a contrasting statement to this in Chapter 21:
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
The absence of all good in the wicked city stands in contrast to the absence of all evil in the heavenly city.
The Reason Repeated
The Reason Repeated
23 and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.
24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.”
What was the ultimate cause of Babylon’s destruction?
They (all - leadership, businessmen, tradesmen, all the way to common laborer) were deceived by the Antichrist, False Prophet, and ultimately Satan.
Babylon was judged as a nation, as the government, as a society, and as a people because they were prideful and arrogant, they were spiritually corrupt, they practiced deception over the whole world, they persecuted believers, they misused their wealth to live a life of selfish luxury, indulgence, and extravagance. Simply put, the whole empire was Godless and corrupt. At this time, the earth is completely corrupt. No good is to be found, and no one who will change their heart and be converted. When good no longer exits, then God destroys the evil so he can re-establish good. Go back into Revelation Chapter 6 vs 10:
10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
That day has come.