Nov. 13, 2024

“REVELATION”

REVELATION 18:1-24

*The Destruction of Babylon- Revelation 18:1-24

Babylon was not only an ancient city and a powerful empire, but also the symbol of mankind’s rebellion against God. In this chapter, Babylon represents the world system “the beast” particularly in the economic and political aspects.

1.  The Voice of Condemnation-

Revelation 18:1-3 “After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”

This is a reference to Jeremiah 51-52, where the prophet saw the fall of historical Babylon.

Habakkuk 2:14 “For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.”

This judgment has come because the Babylonian “system” has polluted the whole world. As in the judgment of “the harlot” the sin is that of “fornication” or idolatry. 

The world system that opposes Christ has always been with us, and we must beware of its subtle influence. It caters to those who are, “…lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.” 2 Tim. 3:4

2.   The Voice of Separation-

Revelation 18:4-8 “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. 7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ 8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.”

This admonition parallels Jeremiah’s warnings:

Jeremiah 50:8 “Move from the midst of Babylon, Go out of the land of the Chaldeans; And be like the rams before the flocks.”

Jeremiah 51:6 “Flee from the midst of Babylon, And every one save his life! Do not be cut off in her iniquity, For this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance; He shall recompense her.”

Jeremiah 51:45 “My people, go out of the midst of her! And let everyone deliver himself from the fierce anger of the Lord.”

In all ages, God’s true people have had to separate themselves from that which is worldly and anti-God. 

The command throughout Scripture is for us as believers to be in the world without being of the world. That is what Jesus prayed for all of us in His high priestly prayer the night before His crucifixion.

John 17:15 “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.”

vs.5 “For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.”- This is an allusion to Genesis 11, the city of Babel.

*Double Judgment- vs.6 “… and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her.” 

It calls for “eye for eye” and “tooth for tooth” (Exodus 21:24). In other words, you punish people according to their sin.

God takes care of things:

Romans 12:19 “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”

*The False Security of Wealth- 

Proverbs 11:28 “He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.”

Don’t put your trust in money or possessions, “they will make wings like an eagle and fly away” Pr. 23:5.

vs.8 “…And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.”

3.   The Voice of Lamentation-

Revelation 18:9-19 “The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’ 11“And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore.

12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’ 19 “They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.”

Many will mourn over Babylon’s destruction. God told John that three groups will join in the lamentations over its economic collapse.

*The Anguish of Kings- vs.9 “The kings of the earth…”

*The Anguish of the Merchants- vs.11 “… the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn”

*The Anguish of Seafarers- vs.17-18 “… Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?”

Throughout this passage is a reminder of why we shouldn’t put our hope in riches, as Jesus said;

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 

Where is your treasure? What do you really value?

4.   The Voice of Celebration-

Revelation 18:20-24 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!” 21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. 22 The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. 23 The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.”

Babylon is a system that will oppose people, especially those who follow Jesus Christ, and that’s why these believers rejoice when God’ justice is executed. vs.20-21

“The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore…” vs.22

Then “… No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore.” vs.22

When verse 23 says of Babylon that “The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore.”

But there is one more reason for Babylon’s judgment; “And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.” vs.24

What is the sin of Babylon that God punishes?

1 Timothy 6:8-10