VISION 7: - REVELATION 17:1- 22:5: - SEVEN LAST VISIONS.
STUDY 1: - 17:1-19:5 : - THE FALL OF BABYLON.
Part 2: - Ch 18:1-19:5: - The Fall of Babylon.
A) INTRODUCTION. Chapter 18 quotes heavily from OT prophecies, particularly those relating to the fall of Babylon (Isaiah 13,14; Jeremiah 50,51), and the Fall of Tyre (Ezekiel 26-28).
This chapter depicts the destruction of a literal city, one which can clearly be seen by sailors. The Literal Babylon on the Euphrates fits the bill as mariners can sail up the Euphrates beyond the site of Babylon. But Babylon here is also the system. That system of religion, economics and politics that began at Babel will, as we have seen, return there in the last days, to be judged there. There in the future Antichrist will set up his one world government.
The chapter depicts a city that has great sway in the last days. It is:
(i) The seat of religion - v2,3 "a haunt for demons...adulteries".
(ii) The persecutor of the saints - v4-8 "give her as much torture and grief...", v20 "the way she treated you".
(iii) The political ruler of the earth - v3,9 "kings".
(iv) The economic hub of the world - v11 "the merchants", v17 "sea captains".
Because of this prime position it clearly becomes the target for those forces which are in rebellion to Antichrist, the kings of the East (Revelation 16), and the hordes of Gog (Ezekiel 38,39). The context here indicates that Babylon is destroyed by a judgement of God, but it is not unusual for God to use secular powers as the instruments of his judgement. We see this in the OT regularly.
Zechariah 1:18-21.
Here we see the four empires of Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece depicted in two ways - as four horns and as four craftsmen who God used to judge Israel for her rebellion.
Hence we should probably see the destruction of Babylon to be at the hands of the other forces Satan marshals in Palestine at the end of the age.
The OT prophecies point to the Medes as being the agents of this destruction of Babylon. Yet the Medes never destroyed Babylon in History. It is conceivable that they could in the future. Media is part of modern Iran, and Babylon of Modern Iraq. There has already been tensions between them in recent years. Prophecies in the OT indicate that at the end Babylon will be under Antichrist, while Iran, or Medo-Persia will be allied with the "kings of the north", or "Gog and Magog" (Ezekiel 38,39).
To argue that the Medes do not exist today is incorrect as the descendants of them are alive and well in Iran today. The principle of family solidarity found in the scripture spans thousands of years. God does not see things in quite the same way we do! In fact the prophecy of Jeremiah is that the Medes would come with a whole host of allies "from the north". This was not true when Cyrus invaded Babylon in history, so it waits for its time of fulfilment.
The heavy use of OT prophecy in this passage reinforces the fact that these prophecies in Jeremiah and Isaiah concerning the destruction of Babylon were never totally fulfilled in history, so are still awaiting their time. Clearly Babylon has been in ruins for 1500 years and much of the prophecy seems to have been fulfilled (see Dr Keith - Evidences of Scripture). However the fact that the actual destruction never happened in history - as described in the prophecies indicates that what we have seen is only a partial fulfilment of the prophecies. Hence we need to expect to see a complete fulfilment in the future. This is line with many OT prophecies which seem to have a three fold fulfilment:
(i) Once partially in history.
(ii) Literally and fully at the end of the age.
(iii) A Spiritual meaning which seems to apply throughout time, but also in a special way at the end of the age.
B) EXEGESIS.
REV 18:1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.
"After these things I saw..."
Indicating another vision.
"another angel"
I.e. not one of the seven of Ch 16, nor the same one as 17:1. This angel's works appear to be related to those of the "angel of the gospel" (14:6,7), so we are probably intended to see this as being him.
"earth illuminated by its splendour"
The idea of illumination is clearly meant to be "spiritual illumination".
Ezekiel 43:2.
The angel of the gospel preaches the gospel, but this includes a message of judgement on unrepentant mankind.
REV 18:2 With a mighty voice he shouted: "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird.
This is a dirge, a funeral song, in traditional Hebrew dirge style. The OT has many such dirges over ancient cities, but because Babylon is the epitome of tyranny John quotes them all.
"Fallen, Fallen, is Babylon the Great"
Isaiah 21:9; Revelation 14:8,9.
The actual destruction is not described.
"a home for demons...evil spirits...unclean and detestable birds"
"unclean birds" are a symbol of demons.
Isaiah 13:21, 34:11-15; Jeremiah 50:39, 51:37; Zephaniah 2:15.
This part has been true in history, but will be more so in the future destruction of Babylon. In history Babylon - literal and symbolic - has been driven and inspired by demonic forces. Physically since its ruin, after 500 AD, it has indeed been the "home of hateful birds".
The point is, of course, that the judgement will fit the crime. Babylon willingly adopted demonic ideas and motivations, so when it is judged it will have the demonic forcibly exiled there.
18:3. The Reason for the Destruction.
For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries."
Revelation 14:8, 17:2, 18:9.
"all the nations have drunk..."
Clearly the religious system of Babylon was adopted by heathenism throughout the world.
"the maddening wine of her adulteries"
Sexual pleasure featured in the cults, heightened by the use of "maddening" drugs, drugs used to get "high" on.
"grown rich with the wealth of her wantonnness".
The kings of the earth are to be guilty of an economic alliance which will involve the worship of Mammon. In Babylon Mammon becomes master, not servant.
18:4,5. Call to the Saints to Come Out.
REV 18:4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
REV 18:5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
This has a two-fold meaning.
(i) If we look at Babylon - the system - as operating in history, Christians need to recognise what it is an not associate with it. A spiritual separation is necessary from the system of Mammon. We cannot compromise with the world system of finance and enter into alliances with it. We cannot justify involvement in usury because we profit by it. The kingdom of God has its own monetary laws to live by.
(ii) This is a call to Christians to "Come Out", i.e. the rapture is at least partially in view here. The destruction of God's enemy on earth is about to begin, and we can have no part in the judgement.
c/f Jeremiah 51:45.
A call to come out of Babylon to return to “Palestine” to avoid the invasion of Babylon by Persia. We are going to a greater home, however, whose builder and maker is God. John adds to Jeremiah a warning not to partake in her sins.
2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1.
The issue here is the not the intermarriage of Christians and non-Christians. It is the joining of Believers with unbelievers IN ANY LEGAL RELATIONSHIP. Hence marriage is included, but we should not limit it to that. Such relationships will always lead to the Christian having to compromise with the world, and will hence always place the Christian in a place of bondage where he is not always able to obey Christ.
God's call is to come out of that system. Cut yourself off from it, as with a knife. If you leave your affections and valuables in the world then, like Lot's wife, you will be destroyed in the city even as you attempt to escape from it. In other words it is too late to separate from the world's system WHEN IT APPLIES THE PRESSURE. One must separate before then.
Jeremiah 51:9.
"heaped high as the heaven".
(a) Their sins are so many that they can now no longer be overlooked by God.
It implies: (i) Many sins, and
(ii) Open sins.
Not only do they indulge in sin but they openly flaunt it.
(b) A reference to the Tower of Babel.
This strongly suggests that the site of Babylon becomes the location of Hell when it is created at the end of the age.
REV 18:6 Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Mix her a double portion from her own cup.
Psalm 137:8; Jeremiah 50:15,29; 51:24,29,49.
"pay her back even as she has paid"
Caird: "in her own coin"
The punishment shall fit the crime.
"and give back to her double"
A double judgement. Under the law Israel would get a double judgement for its rebellion. But the principle Paul espouses in Romans 2, "to the Jew first, then to the Gentile" is universally applied here. Israel and the Church have had their suffering, now it comes the time for God's enemies. As Peter puts it, "If judgement is to begin at the house of the Lord, what will it be like for the unbelievers?"
Babylon gets a double portion of judgement. She not only gets the consequential judgement of her sins, she gets added to that the wrath of God. She gets what she has dished up to others, and God's wrath mixed in.
REV 18:7 Give her as much torture and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, `I sit as queen; I am not a widow, and I will never mourn.'
Babylon's sin is self-glorification and wantonness.
Isaiah 47:8-11; Ezekiel 28:2; Zephaniah 2:15.
"a queen on my throne" - an arrogant attitude.
The emphasis is that she thinks of herself as being so. It is a self-based opinion.
REV 18:8 Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death,
mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
"in a single day".
The judgement of Babylon is not going to be long and drawn out.
18:9-19: - The Lament of Earth.
18:9,10. "rulers weep"
REV 18:9 "When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her.
REV 18:10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: "`Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!'
Revelation 17:2 - the political system destroyed.
Ezekiel 26:15-17.
One wonders at the cause of the weeping. Is it because of the loss of their power, or because they realise how they have been deceived. There is surely no concern for Babylon in the cry.
"one hour"
The speed of Babylon's judgement is emphasized. But the “hour” is not intended to be taken literally.
Revelation 17:12-14.
"One hour" of persecution is matched by "one hour" of retribution.
18:11-17: - The Merchants Weep.
REV 18:11 "The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more-
REV 18:12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble;
REV 18:13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men.
REV 18:14 "They will say, `The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your riches and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.'
REV 18:15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn
REV 18:16 and cry out: "`Woe! Woe, O great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
REV 18:17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!'
Isaiah 23. Ezekiel 27.
The strong emphasis on the merchants implies that Babylon is in command of the world's trade. This destruction of Babylon is perceived by the merchants to be a personal tragedy.
The merchants do not mourn for Babylon; rather they mourn that their source of wealth is gone.
Matthew 6:19-21.
Categories of Goods mentioned:
(1) Precious stones - gold, sliver, jewels, pearls.
(2) Fine Raiment - linen, purple, silk, scarlet.
(3) Costly articles of decoration - scented wood, ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron, marble. Scented wood was a hard dark wood used for costly furniture and all sorts of luxurious articles.
(4) Fragrances - cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense.
(5) Foods - wine, oil, fine flour, wheat. All the main food categories are mentioned.
(6) Beasts - cattle, sheep, horses, chariots.
This clearly can be extended in the modern sense:
Cattle = oxen = the means of plowing, i.e. mechanical tools and machinery.
Horses = the means of transport = cars, planes, ships, etc.
Chariots = weapons of war.
(7) Bodies - slaves, but not just physical slaves. Adherents of the ideology are included.
C/f Romans 6:17 "slaves to sin".
Greek: - "bodies" - reflects the low evaluation put on slaves by merchants in the ancient world.
Clearly there will be a widespread market in human slavery in the last days. One wonders if the so-called "non-people", those who have refused to take the mark of the beast, i.e. Christians (and others) are dealt with in this way.
From this description of goods we see that Babylon is bedecked in the world's wealth and goods.
18:17(b)-19: - The Seafarers Mourn.
REV 17(b) "Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off.
REV 18:18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, `Was there ever a city like this great city?'
REV 18:19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: "`Woe! Woe, O great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!
We should include air travel in this today. It means all means of transporting trade between countries.
v19 C/f Ezekiel 27:30.
18:20: - Outburst of Praise.
REV 18:20 Rejoice over her, O heaven! Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets! God has judged her for the way she treated you.'"
"O Heaven, O saints and apostles and prophets"
The same group described in two ways. The saints & etc are the dwellers in heaven, though sojourning on earth.
Though on earth there is mourning, in heaven great rejoicing breaks forth at the vindication of God.
This verse echoes 12:12 where heaven is asked to rejoice over the defeat of Satan. The cross-referencing between these two passages is interesting because they are the two courtroom scenes of Revelation. In Revelation 12 it is Michael against Satan, the Accuser. Here it is the people of God against its accuser, Babylon.
"for God has given judgement for you against her"
Greek literally = "God has judged your judgements from her"
6:10 - the Church judges.
"your judgements" Greek = Krima. Three meanings:
(i) The right to act as judge.
(ii) The judicial act of passing sentence.
(iii) The sentence passed (most frequently).
Hence it means:
(i) "The sentence passed by you", i.e. the Church judges - unlikely here as God is the judge, or,
(ii) "The sentence passed on you"
I.e. the judgement passed on the Church by Babylon now returns to her. An "eye for an eye".
"from her" literally = "against her" (Greek ex autes).
This is best explained by two OT laws:
(i) The Law of Bloodshed (Genesis 9:5,6). "I will require from a man the life of a fellow man".
(ii) The Law of Mosaic Witness (Deuteronomy 19:16-19).
Babylon has brought malicious witness against the saints and in God's court Babylon has been judged at fault. Therefore of her he demands the penalty she exacted from them.
With this understanding we can see why John chose to call the Christians "witnesses" (Greek Martyr) a technical term meaning "one who gives evidence in a court of Law".
John assures us that though any earthly court may condemn us, there is still a higher heavenly court that we still stand before.
REV 18:21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: "With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again.
“mighty angel"
The third to be called so. The first two were both angels to do with scrolls. Hence we may safely assume that this angel is to do with the fulfilment of the contents of both of the scrolls.
"millstone"
Jeremiah 51:63,64; Revelation 14:8, 18:2; Luke 17:2.
Utter destruction is indicated to the point of obliteration.
REV 18:22 The music of harpists and musicians, flute players and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No workman of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again.
Jeremiah 25:10; Isaiah 14:11, 24:8.
The sounds of normal life and of joyful occasions.
REV 18:23 The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world's great men. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.
Jeremiah 7:34, 16:9, 33:11; Isaiah 23:8.
"deceived by her sorcery"
Sorcery = magical, or spiritual, experiences brought about by use of drugs. Babylon not only sinned herself but insisted on enticing others to sin also with the "wine of her impure passion".
NOTE:
18:22,23 implies a continued existence for Babylon beyond its physical destruction. My Belief is that Hell will be created on the site of Babylon.
Reasons:
(i) All men are resurrected to life after death, not just the Christians. However some are resurrected to life with God, some to eternal punishment in Hell.
(ii) Man's eternal purpose and destiny, as expressed in Creation and affirmed as our eternal purpose (Revelation 5:10), is that we shall live eternally on a recreated earth. This presumably is true of all men, Christian and Non Christian.
(iii) This suggests Hell will be on earth, as will the presence of God which we live in.
(iv) The smoke of Hell is from eternal fire (20:10), yet the smoke of Babylon "goes up for ever and ever" (19:3). This suggests that there is a continuing judgement on Babylon.
It would make sense if Hell was to be created and located on Earth. It has been the capital of Satan's work on earth. It is fitting if it becomes Satan's final habitat.
Hence the following statements make sense:
"no light of a lamp"
Symbolises the word of God for salvation. Light is always seen in a positive way in scripture. Babylon's future has no positive aspects, like Hell, all is negative.
"no voice of the bridegroom and the bride"
Christ and the Church.
REV 18:24 In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints, and of all who have been killed on the earth."
19:1-5 The Judgement of Babylon.
REV 19:1 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
"great multitude"
Revelation 7:9ff, the redeemed saints.
"Hallelujah"
Used only 4x in NT - 19:1,3,4,6.
Used often in OT nearly always in the sense that God's might is/has been victorious.
The contrast between the preceding woe and the present joy could not be more dramatic. The final woe has gone; the final consummating joy must come next. The judgement of God must not only condemn the sinner; it must vindicate the righteous.
REV 19:2 for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants."
"avenged" C/f: - 6:6-11.
REV 19:3 And again they shouted: "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever."
C/f: - 20:10.
C/f :- Isaiah 34:10ff.
REV 19:4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: "Amen, Hallelujah!"
Psalm 106:48.
19:5. Call to Praise.
Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!"
"a voice from the throne"
Presumably one of the four living creatures, or maybe God himself, but this seems less likely.
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