Revelation Chapter 18

Revelation Chapter 18

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Introduction:  Revelation Chapter 18 describes the fall of Babylon. The 18th chapter addresses commercial and cultural Babylon. It essentially is the destruction of the world as a system, particularly its arrogance, affluence, and influence. It is not noted as any one time during the Tribulation, but rather as an overview that parallels other events taking place then.

I.  John Sees Another Angel with Great Power

(Rev 18:1)  And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

(Rev 18:2)  And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

The chapter commences with John recording, And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.   Who this powerful glorious angel is, we are not told directly. However, the description is clearly that of Jesus Christ.  Because the word translated as lightened (fwtizwphotizo) is conjugated in the aorist tense, it could be rendered, ‘and the earth is lightened with his glory.’  Jesus Christ remains the light of the world. 

His announcement in verse 2 is as striking as it is loud and clear. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen.  The announcement closely parallels that of Isaiah in Isaiah 2:19.

Isa 2:19  And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. 

Whereas Isaiah’s prophecy was long term, the announcement of the angel is of events about to take place. The thought is how that Babylon the great is about to fall altogether.  The fact it is repeated emphasizes the reality and finality of what is about to happen.   The question again arises, is John writing of a restored, literal Babylon or of a end-time city or a system which typifies all that arose from the corrupt root of ancient Babylon.

The latter view is consistent (all which arose from the corrupt root of ancient Babylon), not only with the text, but with history as well. The angel continued his description of Babylon. It is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.   The thought literally is, ‘It is become the habitation of demons, and the prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird.’

The destruction of the system, culture, and society of the wicked, typified in its well known headquarter city, is likened to a future abode for Satan’s minions. It is described as a prison for such demonic spirits. The latter reference to “every unclean and hateful bird” is quite apparently symbolic of these evil spirits.  The unclean and hateful bird may refer to the vulture as it circles sits above carnage. As the world system is destroyed in its fountainhead city, implied is that it will in fact become a prison for Satan’s demonic realm symbolized by the ugly, repulsive birds of death.

Chapter 19 will testify that the beast and false prophet are cast directly into the lake of fire. Chapter 20 will record the chaining of Satan for a thousand years in the bottomless pit.  Apparently throughout the Millennium, the remainder of Satan’s realm will be chained in a spiritual prison either on the site of ancient Babylon or the city typified by it at the close of the Tribulation.

(Rev 18:3)  For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

(Rev 18:4)  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Further clues are given as to the identity of this end-time Babylon.  John writes, For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. It is clear, John does not write of a literal immoral woman. Rather, what is apparent is an ungodly, worldwide system, which is typified in major city of the end times.

The word translated as delicacies (strhnov strenos) literally refers to ‘strength of wealth.’ In more modern terms, the thought is usually called the ‘economy’ of a nation.  The Babylon of which John writes is the world’s system with all its immoral values, philosophy, and culture.  World rulers are routinely influenced by the immoral, spiritual, and economic corruption of their system.

Moreover, the corporations and businessmen of the world have gotten rich through the economic power of the world and its flagship city (or nation).  The Babylon of Revelation 18 is none other than the world system, typified in a flagship city (and nation) of end-times.

Another unidentified voice from heaven cries out in verse 4.  By virtue of the fact the voice referred to the recipients of his message as “my people,” it may well be concluded this is in fact either God the Father or Jesus Christ. I believe it is God the Father speaking to His covenant people.  In the messages of the Old Testament prophets, there are a number of similar injunctions: Isaiah 48:20, 52:11.

Isa 52:11  Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD. 

The destruction of Babylon foretold in Isaiah and Jeremiah likely refers to the destruction of ancient Babylon which indeed took place during the time of Daniel and thereafter.  The destruction of ancient Babylon was a foreshadow and type of the final destruction of the world-wide system spawned by it, lasting unto the end of the Tribulation.  The injunction for God’s people to separate from the world then closely parallels what the Holy Spirit directed Paul to write in II Corinthians 6:17-18.

2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 

2Co 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.  

Even at this hour, when God’s people dabble in the world, they inevitably begin to partake of the sins and ultimately the consequences thereof. The injunction to separate from the world reflects not only the holiness of God but His mercy as well. God knows its corruptive influence and the bitter judgment which will fall upon it.

(Rev 18:5)  For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

(Rev 18:6)  Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

Further instructions are given that brings light to the identity of the speaker.  It is clear, the speaker is a member of the Trinity. Here, it is apparent, He is not the Father. The likely alternative is the Son.  He notes that the stench of the world’s sin certainly had reached to heaven and God had not forgotten it.

Our Lord implored His heavenly Father in verse 6, Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. The words translated reward (apodidwmiapodidomi) in this context essentially has the thought of ‘recompense.’  Of interest is how the Law of Moses prescribed double recompense for various sins. See Exodus 22:4,7,9.

Exo 22:4  If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double. 

Exo 22:7  If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double. 

Our Lord, in so many words, urged the Father to recompense the world with twice the judgment due for their wicked works. He used the metaphor of judgment being poured from a cup.   In this case, God was urged to pour out twice what the world has dished out against God and His people. This undoubtedly refers to the greater overview of the Tribulation. It truly will be the day of God’s wrath. The fullness of His holy righteous wrath has been held back down through the ages. During the Tribulation, it will be poured out doubly against a wicked world.

II.   Plagues to Come with Mourning and Famine

(Rev 18:7)  How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

(Rev 18:8)  Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

God is urged further: How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her.  The world system, rooted in ancient Babylon and typified in its end-time flagship city/nation, has long glorified itself. (Here, it is referred to as a female.) The thought of living deliciously again has the thought of affluence. Thus, God is urged to so judge the world system with torment and sorrow according to its arrogance, economic affluence, and boasting thereof.

The following statement is of interest: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. This is a direct reference to Isaiah 47:8-9 which spoke of the arrogance of ancient Babylon.  Quite evidently, ancient Babylon had manifested such arrogance that God foretold through Isaiah her impending destruction. That prophecy is brought to the forefront again with the destruction of Babylon’s ultimate descendant, the world’s system during the Tribulation.

The end of the world’s flagship city during the Tribulation is foretold in verse 8.

The destruction of the flagship city of the world’s system is thus effected. At some point during the various judgments of the Tribulation, this city, typifying the world and all it stands for will be destroyed. It will come in one day. It will leave death, mourning, and famine in its wake.

The city, long typifying the wicked wealth of the world, in that day, will be “utterly burned with fire.”  Whether this is by nuclear conflagration during the war of the seal judgments or one of the burning heavenly bodies described in the trumpet judgments, one can only speculate. However, in that day, the flagship city of the world’s economy and its corrupting immoral influence will be destroyed.

Lest there by any question, the text makes clear who is behind it all. “For strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.”  The greater point of Revelation 18 is the destruction of the world system during the Tribulation. It will be typified in the destruction of its flagship city (and perhaps nation) in that day.

(Rev 18:9)  And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

(Rev 18:10)  Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

The focus now shifts to the perspective from the earth and the reaction of various notables of the world’s system as they witness its destruction.  John writes first of the reaction of the rulers of the world as their system is destroyed out from underneath them.  The earth’s rulers who have willingly participated in the moral impurity of the world and benefitted economically therefrom, will grieve at its destruction.

These who have essentially sold their soul to the devil in return for the sensual pleasures and economic benefits offered by the world’s system will commiserate as they witness its destruction during the Tribulation.  As the various judgments are unleashed against the world, its economic engines which had produced such wealth and sensuality are destroyed before their eyes.

In Verse 10, of further interest is that the rulers of the world apparently gather from time to time in the flagship city of the world.  They therefore stand afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, “Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come”.  Hinted at is how this flagship city of the world also is a gathering place of the world’s political leaders. They apparently are not in the city when it is destroyed, but are well aware of it.

They accordingly lament its demise. Again, its destruction is spoken of as taking place in one hour. If that is not a nuclear detonation, it certainly is something akin thereto.

(Rev 18:11)  And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

(Rev 18:12)  The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

(Rev 18:13)  And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

Record is further made how the corporate giants of the earth lament the destruction of the flagship city thereof.   As the financial nerve-center of the world is destroyed, the business leaders thereof lament how their products can no longer be sold.  The economic activity thereof is described in terms recognized in the first century. The word translated as merchandise (gomov gomos) also has the sense of ‘commodities’ or ‘products’ in more modern terminology.

John notes the various commodities and products of the world’s economy which the destruction of the world’s economy interrupts:  The world’s economy ranging from money (gold and silver) to precious stones, to all manner of commodities and products is derailed. Of interest is the final comment about “slaves, and souls of men.”

Though no longer a part of modern western economies, slavery certainly has been so down through the ages. Moreover, it is reputedly still practiced in some Asian and third world countries, particularly in the sex industry.  The very “souls of men” are bought and sold through the pernicious philosophies marketed through the various media of the world. The corrupt world economic system so prevalent today is clearly described.

III.  All Desired Things have Departed from Babylon

(Rev 18:14)  And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.

John now turns to the perspective of the consumers of the world’s economy. The thought might be accurately paraphrased as, ‘And the products that you so desire are gone, and all the things of an affluent society will no longer be available.’  All the products of comfort, convenience, technology—amenities of an affluent society—will vanish.

The world at large lives for economic prosperity. It has become their de facto god. As long as the economic indicators are positive, people are happy, especially as it pertains to them personally.  During the Tribulation, the world economy which has brought such affluence and creature comforts will be destroyed.

(Rev 18:15)  The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

(Rev 18:16)  And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

The business leaders, the corporate moguls, and the entrepreneurs of the world will lament as their system of commerce is leveled.  The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing. As the world’s economic system, typified in its flagship city, is destroyed, there will be bitter sorrow on the part of those enriched by it. The symbols of opulence of the first century are used. It all will be destroyed, especially the arrogant, influential leaders thereof.

(Rev 18:17)  For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

(Rev 18:18)  And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

(Rev 18:19)  And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

Another clue as to the identity of the world’s flagship city is found.   This city, influencing the world through its corrupt culture and society, a city which is the economic nerve center of the world, a city which is the locus of world politics, is also a major seaport.  Again, the lament is heard of the sudden destruction of this prominent city. For in one hour  great riches is come to nought.

The maritime commerce of this great city and those involved therein lament at its sudden destruction. The sorrow over their loss of income is further noted. The epicenter of the world’s wealth and economic system including its shipping industries is destroyed. Using middle-eastern terms to describe their dismay (casting dust on their heads), the magnates thereof bewail the loss of their industry.  So what is the identity of the end-time commercial Babylon?

Some have suggested it is a rebuilt city on the site of ancient Babylon. However, even as Iraq succeeds in finishing its archeological restoration of ancient Babylon, it likely will not have the world influence described in this chapter.  The city and nation which is the pace-setter of the world in the last days will be one which corrupts the world’s morals through its popular culture and its lack of morals.

It will be a city wherein the political leaders of the world assemble from time to time. It clearly is the nerve center of the world’s economy. It is a major seaport and a hub of worldwide shipping.  One can only speculate.  However, it just might be that the economic Babylon herein described is none other than New York City, the fountainhead of American culture.

There we find the headquarters of the United Nations. There was the World Trade Center not to mention the most powerful financial center of the world, Wall Street.  There emanates the corrupt popular culture of Broadway and the vulgar Times Square, corrupting the world’s popular culture.  It is a major seaport.

It is the hub of world economic activity. Of interest is that one of the suburbs thereof is named West Babylon. Coincidence? Perhaps. But the profile of this city currently fits the description made of the economic Babylon of Revelation 18.

Keep in mind many cities worldwide meet much of the core criteria found in this chapter; In any event, during the Tribulation, the world economic and cultural system with its flagship city will be destroyed.

(Rev 18:20)  Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

(Rev 18:21)  And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

The focus now turns to heaven and its reaction.  Those already in heaven, specifically the apostles and prophets who so suffered at the hand of the world, have now been avenged. They are therefore directed to rejoice at the fall of their former enemy.

A mighty angel violently throws a great stone in verse 21, likened to a millstone, into the ocean. It is noted that in the same fashion, the final form of Babylon and its world system will be destroyed, never again to be found.

(Rev 18:22)  And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

(Rev 18:23)  And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

Further influences and activities of this rotten city cease as well.  The entertainment industry of this wicked city which so influenced the world will be destroyed.  Of interest is the words translated craftsman and craft. The root word from whence they are translated is (tech) techne’ whence the modern term ‘technology’ derives.  In ancient times it referred indeed to craftsman. The relationship of the word to modern technology is only too apparent.

Clearly implied is that the ‘technology’ of end-time Babylon (the world’s system and its flagship city) is abruptly interrupted. How and why we are not told.  The judgments of the Tribulation at the least will likely destroy the generation and transmission of electricity, so taken for granted.  Most all technology is dependent thereon. Reference to the sound of a millstone no doubt bespeaks basic industry. The world’s economic system, along with its entertainment and technology industries, will grind to a halt.

Further disruptions to everyday life are noted in verse 23. At the least is implied the cessation of normal life in the end-time flagship of the world, the notorious Babylon. Possibly implied is the failure of artificial light (i.e., electric light) therein. Such normal events as weddings will cease therein. Of interest is the past tense (imperfect in the Greek) of commercial activity in the city.

When God is through with the world’s system and its flagship city, there will never again be normal life therein. It in fact will become, as noted in verse 2, a prison for demons.  Whether this is the end-time descendent of ancient Babylon, or the ancient city itself, is not clear. What is clear is the thorough nature of God’s judgment. Nothing is left when He is through.

Once again, the corruptive influences of both ancient as well as end-time Babylon are noted: for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. The word translated as sorceries (farmakeia pharmakeia) refers to both the occult and its use of illicit drugs.  The world system down through the ages, and certainly in these last days, has not only deceived the nations of the earth, but has corrupted them through its evil influences. Not the least is the trafficking in illicit drugs.

(Rev 18:24)  And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

Even as the blood of God’s people was regularly shed by the religious form of Babylon, (the apostate church of Rome), secular Babylon (the world’s system), has been guilty of the same.  Of the several forms of Babylon down through the ages, religious as well as secular, their root focus is the same: a hatred of God’s true people.  Both the counterfeit false religions spawned from ancient Babylon as well as the impure, commercial, world system in its various forms have shed the blood of God’s people.

Though different in manifestation, religious and secular Babylon have always had the same goal: the eradication of God’s work and God’s people. Praise God, the day is coming when Babylon in all its forms will be destroyed.

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