Sermon Tone Analysis

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.

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.

The angel is bringing news, starting with the reasons why Babylon will be destroyed.

Reason for Babylons Destruction

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:

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.

Destroyed in One Day

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

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.

The Actual Destruction

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.

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:

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

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:

That day has come.