Revelation Chapter 18
Introduction to Chapter 18
Is this the same Babylon as is described in chapter 17?
Good scholars see the issue differently. Some point to two manifestations of Babylon, one religious and one commercial or material. Others see the two as one, both being judged at the same time.
There are definite similarities between Babylon as described in Revelation 17 and Revelation 18. Both are under the rule of Antichrist, and have ruling queens; both are filled with blasphemy; both hate the saints, and shed their blood; both are associates with kings in fornication; and both are under judgment and destroyed.
However, there are also some significant differences:
Mystery Babylon (Revelation 17)
· Symbol: Harlot woman
· Identified with Rome (inland)
· Woman, whore, mother
· Guilty of religious abominations
· Destroyed by a political power that previous supported her
Commercial Babylon (Revelation 18)
· Symbol: Great city
· Identified with a port city (costal)
· Habitation, great city, marketplace
· Guilty of greed and self-indulgence
· Destroyed by sudden act of God
In my view, it is best to see them as intertwined, yet somewhat distinct. Religious Babylon of Revelation 17 is judged at the mid-point of the seven-year period of tribulation. Commercial Babylon is judged at the end of that period.
This breadth in prophecy shouldn’t surprise us. Think of what the Old Testament says about the first coming of the Messiah:
· Micah said that Messiah would come out of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
· Hosea said that Messiah would come out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1)
· Malachi said that Messiah would come to the temple (Malachi 3:1)
· Zechariah said that Messiah would come to Zion (Zechariah 9:9)
· Isaiah said that Messiah would come to Galilee (Isaiah 9:1-2)
Which of these is true? They are all true. So it isn’t strange at all to say, “Babylon is falling” and to mean it in two senses (religious Babylon and commercial Babylon) at two different times (the middle of the Great Tribulation and the end of the Great Tribulation).
This passage is very much in the style of Old Testament prophecies of doom regarding wicked cities. Two examples of this are Babylon (Isaiah 13-14, Isaiah 21 and Jeremiah 50-51) and Tyre (Ezekiel 26-28).
Is Babylon of Revelation 18 a literal or symbolic city?
Some have thought it to be a future rebuilt Babylon on the Euphrates River in the Middle East. This is now a desolate desert in modern day Iraq.
Some leaders in the Middle East (such as the late Sudan Hussein) have been outspoken in their desire to resurrect the ruined city of Babylon in all of its glory. If this were to happen, it is conceivable that a rebuilt Babylon could be a world economic center, especially with the wealth of Mideast oil. But so far, no leader has made good on the dream to rebuild Babylon.
But most likely, commercial Babylon is symbolic, like religious Babylon.
“When the Lord was here on earth He spoke of the great hatred that ‘the world’ had for Him and His own (John 15:18, 19). What is this world but a combination of religion, government and commerce? In other words, Babylon in all its parts stands for that which Christ called ‘the world.’ ” (Barnhouse)
“In portraying the destruction of a (symbolic) city, he describes God’s judgment on the great satanic system of evil that has corrupted the earth’s history.” (Johnson)
“In chapter 18, the context seems to indicate that Babylon here is viewed in its political and economic character rather than its religious aspect.” (Walvoord)
(David Guzik)
(Rev 18:1) Another Angel with Great Authority
After these things, I saw another angel coming down out of the sky, having great authority. The earth was illuminated with his glory.
This angel coming down from heaven is so “fresh” from God’s presence that he glows. “So recently has he come from the Presence (of God) that in passing he flings a broad belt of light across the dark earth.” (Swete)
“The term ‘another’ (Gr., allon) makes it clear that this angel is the same in kind as the angel of Rev 17:1.” (Walvoord)
(Rev 18:2) Babylon the great is fallen
He cried with a mighty voice, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and she has become a habitation of demons, a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird!
Revelation chapter 18 brings together the prophecies (messages from God) from many other chapters of the Bible. Those prophecies include Isaiah chapters 13, 14, 21, 46 and 47; Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51; Ezekiel chapters 26, 27, and 28; and Habakkuk chapter 2.
Those passages are all about the final defeat of Babylon, or the defeat of another city called Tyre. Tyre controlled the trade over much of the Mediterranean sea; Babylon defeated it and took over its power (Ezekiel 26:7). Similarly, other nations later took over the power that Babylon had (Daniel 2:39-43); and these prophecies are therefore against them. Nobody has yet destroyed Babylon in the manner that the prophecies describe. Revelation chapters 17 and 18 say that it will happen immediately before the return of Christ.
There seems to be a link also, to the Bible’s first mention of Babylon or Babel, in Genesis 11:1-9. At that place, people tried by their own efforts to build a city that would reach heaven. They were trying to gain great power for themselves, but God stopped them. He confused their languages and he scattered them across the world.
Soon before Christ’s return, the people from across the world will join together again to oppose God (13:7-8; 16:14). Their efforts will fail. God will act against them and they will fight against each other (Zechariah 14:12-13).
There will be a city, in the future, that really does unite heaven and earth: the New Jerusalem (Revelation chapters 21 and 22). People will not build that city by their own efforts. God will provide it as a gift to his people, and there they will always live with him. As we read about the great city called Babylon, we should contrast it with the New Jerusalem. (Keith Simons)
Even though Revelation 17 and 18 have the same city in view, she is no longer called “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,” since her ecclesiastical aspects have been destroyed (Revelation 17:16-18). At this point, approximately at the middle of the seven-year tribulation, all the ornate religious and cultural trappings of “the great whore” will have been destroyed by the ten-kingdom federation, and the beast will reign supreme in his great commercial and political capital, now called simply “Babylon the great.” This could not have referred to Babylon as it appeared in John’s day. Even though Babylon still existed as a viable city at that time, there was little indication (except via many of its ruins) that it had ever been a city that could be called “great.” At this point, the religions of the world, even in their final syncretistic New Age aspect, will have lost all their prestige and power; the beast and his false prophet will have total control.
(Henry Morris)
A sad fate for a once-great city. This is “a prophetic picture of absolute desolation where the proud achievements of man become the demonic haunts of unclean and horrible creatures.” (Mounce)
(Rev 18:3) For by the wine of the wrath of her fornication all the nations are fallen
For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her sexual immorality, the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from the abundance of her luxury.
The words of this verse are quite similar to those in Revelation 17:2. The earlier verse, however, dealt with religious Babylon (a false religious system), whereas our present verse deals with economic/political Babylon. Just as religious Babylon entices the people of the world into committing spiritual fornication (Revelation 17:2,4), so commercial/political Babylon will entice the unbelieving world into anti-God materialism. In both cases, people will be utterly unfaithful to God.
The imagery seems to indicate that the anti-God political, economic, and commercial system of Babylon will influence everyone on earth "all nations" and "the kings of the earth." The influence of Babylon will be universal. It will have an octopus-like reach around the world.
Because of the commercial success of this city, merchants around the world will become wealthy. Anti-God materialism will be rampant. The city and all that it represents will be ripe for judgment.
(Ron Rhodes)
(Rev 18:4-5) Come out of her, my people, that you have no participation in her sins
I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out of her, my people, that you have no participation in her sins, and that you don't receive of her plagues, for her sins have reached to the sky, and God has remembered her iniquities.
God gave the country called Israel to the Jewish people (the people from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) - Numbers chapter 34. When they left there to go into Babylon, it was a punishment for their sins (evil deeds). Babylon’s army forced them to remain in Babylon, and they were unable to return for 70 years.
When King Cyrus gave the order to allow them to return to Jerusalem, some people returned immediately (Ezra chapters 1 and 2). More people would return later, but some people chose to remain in Babylon.
Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51 is a prophecy (message from God) about the final, sudden defeat of Babylon. At that time, it will be absolutely urgent for God’s people to leave that place. Three times, God urges his people to escape (Jeremiah 50:8, 51:6 and 51:45).
Then the situation will be like when God punished Sodom (Jeremiah 50:40). God’s people must leave at once (Genesis 19:12-17). Otherwise, they will suffer the same punishment as the guilty people in that evil place (Genesis 19:26; Luke 17:28-32).
It has always been necessary for God’s people to live in a different manner from how other people live (Mark 8:34-38). That becomes even more important now, as the time for Christ’s return becomes near (Mark 13:32-37). Although God’s people now live with evil people in this world, at that time God will separate them completely (Matthew 13:37-42; Matthew 24:40-42).
So, the voice of God urges God’s people to separate themselves. They should not follow their selfish desires, as other people do in this world. Their real home is not in this world (Hebrews 11:13-16). They do not belong to the cities in this world, like Babylon; they belong to the New Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22-24; Revelation chapters 21 and 22). (Keith Simons)
The original name for Babylon in the Bible was Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). At Babel, people tried to build a city with a building that was high enough to reach heaven. They did not, of course, succeed. God confused their language and he scattered them across the world.
However, people did later build the greatest city in the world at Babylon. It was very impressive. Jeremiah 51:53 refers to the astonishing height of its strong buildings; they seemed almost to reach heaven. (Of course, that was only what people thought, by the standards of their time. If they saw today’s tall buildings, the sight would astonish them even more.) However, even if those buildings did reach heaven, God would destroy them.
We know now that no building on earth could ever reach heaven. However, Revelation 18:5 says that, in the end, Babylon will really reach into heaven. It will not be the buildings that reach heaven, but the city’s evil deeds. In other words, its evil deeds will come to the attention of God in heaven. Then God, as the judge of every evil thing, will issue his judgement against it (Jeremiah 51:9).
Often, God does not punish people immediately for their evil deeds. Instead he waits, to see whether they will first turn to him (2 Peter 3:9; Ezekiel 18:30-32). However, their evil deeds may become so severe that there is no remedy; then, he ‘remembers’ their evil deeds. In other words, he issues his judgement against them.
That was why, for example, God waited 400 years to punish the people called Amorites (Genesis 15:13-16). It is as if he is measuring the evil deeds of people and nations. One day, their evil deeds will reach their limit, and then God will act against them.
(Keith Simons)
(Rev 18:6-8) Therefore in one day her plagues will come
Return to her just as she returned, and repay her double as she did, and according to her works. In the cup which she mixed, mix to her double. However much she glorified herself, and grew wanton, so much give her of torment and mourning. For she says in her heart, 'I sit a queen, and am no widow, and will in no way see mourning.' Therefore in one day her plagues will come: death, mourning, and famine; and she will be utterly burned with fire; for the Lord God who has judged her is strong.
In keeping with the enormity of her sin, the voice from heaven now calls on God to reward Babylon even as she rewarded the people of God. The verb (Gr., apodido„mi) means literally “to pay a debt” or “to give back that which is due.” It is the law of retribution sometimes called lex talionis. Divine justice exacts the “eye for an eye” and the “tooth for a tooth.”
The normal law of retribution, however, is here doubled in recognition of the enormity of the sin of Babylon. Accordingly the voice demands, “Double unto her double according to her works.” In keeping with this principle, the cup of iniquity which Babylon filled is now to be filled twice with the measure of her judgment. There is no mercy for the utter apostasy found in Babylon in all her phases of operation. The verb (Gr., kerannymi) translated “fill” is literally “mix” or “mingle” as in the preparation of a drink. The same verb is used in 14:10 in connection with the wine of the wrath of God.
The same law of retribution is indicated in verse 7 where the standard of her judgment is compared to her luxurious living in which she was given to self-glorification. The expression “lived deliciously” (Gr., estre„-niasen) means “to be wanton” or “to revel” and comes from a word meaning “hardheaded” or “strong.” Her willful sin against God is now to be rewarded with torment and sorrow. The “torment” (Gr., basanismon) refers to trial by torture with its resultant mental anguish and grief (Gr., penthos). Her wishful thinking in which she said, “I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow” is going to be rewarded by sudden destruction from the Lord which according to verse 8 will come in one day in the form of plagues, death, mourning, and famine, resulting in her utter destruction by fire. Her vaunted strength is as nothing compared to the power of God. Like the church at Laodicea, her wealth has brought a sense of false security (3:17). Her claim to not being a widow has only the faulty foundation of her illicit love affairs with the kings of the earth (17:2). The fact that her judgment comes in one day, emphasized in the Greek by being placed first in the sentence, is reminiscent of the fall of Babylon in Daniel 5, which fell in the same hour that the finger traced its condemning words upon the wall. Before morning, the ancient power of Babylon has been destroyed. In a similar way, the rich fool of Luke 12:16-20 lost his barns and his soul in one night. When it is time for God’s judgment, it descends with unwavering directness.
(John Walvoord)
(Rev 18:9-19) For your judgment has come in one hour
The kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived wantonly with her, will weep and wail over her, when they look at the smoke of her burning, standing far away for the fear of her torment, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For your judgment has come in one hour.' The merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise any more; merchandise of gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple, silk, scarlet, all expensive wood, every vessel of ivory, every vessel made of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble; and cinnamon, incense, perfume, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, sheep, horses, chariots, and people's bodies and souls. The fruits which your soul lusted after have been lost to you, and all things that were dainty and sumptuous have perished from you, and you will find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, who were made rich by her, will stand far away for the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning; saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, she who was dressed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls! For in an hour such great riches are made desolate.' Every ship master, and everyone who sails anywhere, and mariners, and as many as gain their living by sea, stood far away, and cried out as they looked at the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What is like the great city?' They cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and mourning, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had their ships in the sea were made rich by reason of her great wealth!' For she is made desolate in one hour.
The destruction of Babylon in its political and economic aspects described in the preceding verses is now the subject of a lament by the kings of the earth. These kings are a wider designation than the ten kings of 17:12,16, who participated in the destruction of the harlot. Here there is lament over the destruction of that which remained. The time is the second coming of Christ at the end of the great tribulation. The very kings who participated in the wickedness and wealth of Babylon now mourn her passing, symbolized in the burning of the capital city. The lament of the kings over Babylon is most emphatic in the Greek by the repetition of the article: literally “the city the great, Babylon the city the mighty.” It was great in its extent of power and accomplishment and mighty in the strength of its rule. In spite of its greatness and strength (Gr., megale„ and ischyra), it nevertheless falls in one hour. (John Walvoord)
The Book of Revelation contrasts two great cities. The New Jerusalem on the new earth is like a bride, whose arrival is like a great wedding (21:2). It will last always; its peace will never end.
On the other hand, Babylon belongs very much to this world. A great city like that shows how much people can achieve by their own selfish efforts. The Book of Revelation describes it as a prostitute (a woman who offers herself for sex with many men). Its complete defeat is certain; its loss is like an awful funeral.
John describes that funeral in Revelation 18:9-20. People from across the world cry bitterly; they are completely without hope.
People weep, of course, for different reasons. At about the same time, Israel’s people will express their sad feelings too (Zechariah 12:10-14). There is real hope for them, however, because they are turning back to God (Zechariah 13:1).
Nobody is turning to God at Babylon’s funeral, however. The rulers of the nations have the first place in the sad procession, although they dare not go near. They have personal responsibility for this awful loss. Once, they desired more than anything else what Babylon offered to them. Babylon tempted them, and they joined with Babylon in its evil deeds.
However, the rulers were also responsible for Babylon’s complete defeat. They handed over their power to the antichrist, Christ’s great enemy (17:12-18). So the terrible act of cruelty that destroyed Babylon was their act, too.
Still, they regret deeply the loss of Babylon. They do not mention its wealth, or luxury, or beauty. Instead, they remember its greatness and its strength. That was what impressed them most about Babylon. They never imagined that such a strong city would suffer a terrible judgement like that so suddenly. Now they are afraid of what will happen to them. (Keith Simons)
“The combined picture is one of complete abandonment to the wealth of this world and complete disregard of the God who gave it.” (Walvoord)
The profits of commercial Babylon have come through cruelly using others. They sold the bodies and souls of men. This idea has many applications, none less so than today’s widespread human trafficking, prostitution, and pornography. (David Guzik)
You shall find them no more at all: Those who lived for the luxuries of commercial Babylon will be tormented their eternal absence of those luxuries all the more: you shall find them no more at all. Ultimately, hell will be a place of unfulfilled desire.
(David Guzik)
(Rev 18:20-24) Thus with violence will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down, and will be found no more at all
"Rejoice over her, O heaven, you saints, apostles, and prophets; for God has judged your judgment on her." A mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, "Thus with violence will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down, and will be found no more at all. The voice of harpists, minstrels, flute players, and trumpeters will be heard no more at all in you. No craftsman, of whatever craft, will be found any more at all in you. The sound of a mill will be heard no more at all in you. The voice of the bridegroom and of the bride will be heard no more at all in you; for your merchants were the princes of the earth; for with your sorcery all the nations were deceived. In her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on the earth."
Here we witness a change of scenery from earth's perspective to heaven's perspective. In contrast to the grief-ridden earth dwellers. God's people in heaven will respond with exuberant joy when economic Babylon collapses. It is interesting to observe that heaven also rejoiced when ancient Babylon fell (Jeremiah 51:48-49). The times may change, but heaven always rejoices when sin is overthrown. God's people rejoice that God's righteousness and justice prevail.
(Ron Rhodes)
The “sorceries” (Greek pharmakeia) indicate the widespread use of drugs as well as occult arts in this great New Age metropolis.
(Henry Morris)
Not only was Babylon (both political and ecclesiastical Babylon) the “mother of harlots,” but also the mother of persecutions. See Revelation 17:4-6. False religion and corrupt government, while demanding tolerance for themselves, have always tried to destroy true creationism and the worship of the true God, in Jesus Christ.
(Henry Morris)