Revelation 18: The Fall of Babylon

 Revelation 18: The Fall of Babylon

v1-8: Angels Proclaim Babylon Has Fallen

John saw another angel with great authority - whose glory brightened the world - who declare that Babylon the great has fallen. Babylon was the dwelling place for demons, and a haunt for unclean spirit, unclean bird, and detestable beast. Nations have drunk the wine of passion of her sexual immorality, and kings have committed the same immorality with her. The merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living. (v1-3)

While Babylon may or may not be a nation, Babylon is also thought to be a world system that many nations are following at the end days. The world today are moving away from God and worshiping wealth and materialism. They are flexible in sexual conducts and supporting the LGBTQ, and same sex marriage. The super-rich people are manipulating politics and economy to favor themselves. The gap between rich and poor have been increasing. Maybe we have lost the sensitivity to the sin the world is committing as we are living in their system and are among them. God is so much more holy that we think, and these are detestable to Him. That is why we cannot compromise on the commandments of the Bible and must abide in Christ. 

Another voice from heaven told the believers to "come out of her (Babylon), my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues..." (v4) The sins are heaped as high as heaven and God remembered her iniquities. Babylon should be paid with punishment for their sins - "repay her double for her deeds; mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed" (v6) - in fact, to double the punishment for their sins. The self-glory and the luxuries should be paid with torment and mourning, as she had confidently and proudly said she has power of a queen and she doesn't need anything like a widow, and she will never see mourning. (v4-7)

The voice said that this is the reason that the plaques will come in a single day, with death and mourning and famine. She will be burned up with fire, for the mighty God has judged her. (v8)

What people are verse 4 addressing to? It uses the key word, "my people", which refers to people who were faithful to God, during tribulation time. The word "come out" means two things - to stay away from the world practice, and to physically move themselves out of those countries that supports the beast. As the war will happen in Israel, it is also relevant they should move away from Israel too. 

Jesus himself warned:  “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),  then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house,  and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak." (Matthew 24:15-17)

Similarly, in the Old Testament, Lot was told to go out of Sodom before its destruction, and the people of the Jews was warned to go out of Babylon when the northern nations (i.e. Mede-Persia) invade them. (Jeremiah 50:8-9)  

v9-19: The Earth Mourns For Babylon

The kings of earth who were Babylon's partners will weep and lament for her, when they see her burning. They stood afar from  her torment, saying that the judgement has come in one hour on the mighty city of Babylon. (v9-10)

Note that Babylon is related to the Harlot in Chapter

The merchants will mourn over her as their trades with her are gone. The merchandise was describe as gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, silk, scarlet, wood, ivory, bronze, iron and marble. Fragrant and food such as cinnamon, incense, fragrant oil, frankincense, wine, oil, flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, chariots, and bodies and soul of men. (v11-13)

The inclusion of “souls of men” underscores the city’s moral corruption and disregard for human dignity. It serves as a powerful reminder that material wealth should never come at the expense of human lives. It includes human trafficking, prostitution, and pornography. 

It continues to say that the "fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you", and the things that are rich and splendid are gone as well.  The "fruit of your soul" refers to the world riches, pleasures, fame, power, and so on that are desires of men who are apart from God. (v14)

The merchants who became rich by her stood far from her torment, weeping and wailing, saying that the city of these riches came to nothing, The ships and those who trade on the sea cried out when they see the smoke of her burning, "what is like this great city?" They threw dust on their heads, weeping and wailing, saying that the great city, that had ships on the sea by her wealth, that was made desolate within an hour. (v15-19)

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It seems that Babylon's popularity and it's benefits to the whole world cannot survive God's judgement, and no one can help it. All they can do is stand far away from them and cry for them. It sounds like a nuclear bomb was dropped into the "city" of "Babylon" and wiped them out within an hour. 

While United States of America is not mentioned explicitly, but if there is a nuclear war, they will definitely be involved. In fact these descriptions of Babylon matches US precisely. If nuclear bombs fall on their key cities, they would be mourned by the world too!

  

v20-24: Finality Babylon's Fall 

A voice said "Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her."  (v20)  The rejoicing is not that many people will suffer and die, but that God has brought a holy justice on those who rebelled against Him. 

Then a mighty angel took stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, and said that it represents the violence that Babylon was thrown down and it shall not be found anymore. (v21)

Guzik said, it reminds us of  "Matthew 18:6: "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea." This applies to Babylon in Revelation 18, because she led others into sin. It is a terrible thing to sin unto yourself; it is even more terrible to lead others into sin."

The angels continued to say that all the musicians shall not be heard anymore; craftsman of any craft will never be found anymore; the light of lamp will not shine in Babylon anymore; the voice of joy of marriage will not be heard anymore. Babylon's merchants were great men of the earth, and by her sorcery, all nations were deceived.  (v22-23)

The last verse, v24 said: "In her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth" are referring to the general Babylon, not a specific nation or place.