Revelation 18

Rev. 18 predicts and describes the aftermath of the destruction of the harlot Babylon, the end-time religious/economic/political system.

I.            The destruction of Babylon predicted, v1-8.  An angel announces the event so a warning can be delivered to the saints to depart from her.  As with the mark of the beast, it will be clear that involvement with this system is to deny God.

II.            The destruction of Babylon mourned, v9-19.  Those who mourn are each said to do so at a distance for fear of her torment (v10,15,17), indicating her fall is an intensely fearful event.  Further her judgment is said to happen in one hour (v10,17,19) indicating a sudden and rapid dismantling of the entire system.

a.     By the KINGS, v9-10.  They were made rich off of her wickedness.

b.     By the MERCHANTS, v11-17a.  Note the merchandise manifest (v12-13) that includes the bodies and souls of men.  Everything was for sale.

c.      By the SEA TRADERS, v17b-19.  This global system involved a massive fleet of ships to move the cargo.  All this came crashing down.

III.            The destruction of Babylon enjoyed, v20-24.  The destruction of this system is a cause of rejoicing for the holy apostles and prophets.  It is God’s vengeance upon the system that persecuted God’s people because they would not participate in the idolatry.

This chapter borrows heavily from Jer. 50-51 where the fall of the Babylon of Jeremiah’s day was predicted.  The question is raised as to whether Babylon in Rev. 18 is a literal, geographical city.  Babylon is referred to as a city frequently (Rev 14:8; 17:18; 18:10,16,18-21).  Jeremiah’s prophecies indicated his Babylon would not be rebuilt but inhabited by birds and animals.  My view continues to be that Rev. 18 refers to the end-time religious/political/economic system and that it may revolve around a revived Rome.  Remember Peter’s apparent reference to Rome as Babylon (1 Peter 5:13).  Babylon stands for this system and in God’s providence the rise of the antichrist coincides with its destruction (Rev. 17:16-17).  

Let us learn three things about God in this account:

·        He remembers the sins of the wicked (v5) but not the righteous (Heb. 10:17).

·        He is strong to judge (v8).

·        He can be trusted to avenge the righteous (v20; cf. Rom. 12:17-21).

Today we need to ask if we have come out of Babylon.  The covetousness on which this system is built is idolatry (Eph. 5:5).  Remember that our lives do not consist in the things we possess (Luke 12:15).  To lay up treasure for oneself and not be rich toward God is to reveal an idolatrous heart (Luke 12:21,34).  Let us not think that there can be satisfaction in materialism, in a god that can fail us in one hour.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33).