Revelation 18 - Printer Friendly

What does Revelation 18 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

The prior chapter used "Babylon" as a reference to a religious or spiritual corruption. This "religious Babylon" was tolerated and manipulated by the leaders of the world, for a time, but then destroyed (Revelation 17). In John's vision, the leaders of the world seem unphased by the destruction of this spiritual Babylon. This "fall" most likely was complete by the mid-point of the tribulation, when the Antichrist and the False Prophet fully engage in blasphemy and idolatry (Revelation 13).

In chapter 18, John's vision shifts to describe the fall of a slightly different "Babylon." In this context, Babylon is a political and economic entity. It is probably also a literal city—perhaps not with that exact name—during the end times. It's common for a capital city to stand in as a reference to a culture, or government, or even a religion. "Babylon," in this chapter, occupies a place somewhere in that range of meanings. The "fall" described here most likely occurs near the end of the tribulation, probably as a result of the horrific bowl judgments described in chapter 16.

An angel proclaims the destruction of Babylon, specifically making mention of her pervasive wickedness. As in other Scriptures, "sexual immorality" seems to have a double meaning here. The Bible often uses sexual sin as a metaphor for idolatry and other forms of false religion. The city-nation of Babylon, in the end times, is not only a hub of commerce and power, but of sin and sensuality, as well (Revelation 18:1–3).

John hears another voice warning "my people" to flee the city. This parallels the Old Testament warning given to Lot to evacuate Sodom in advance of God's judgment (Genesis 19:12–13). Not only does God want "His people" to avoid being caught up in the sins of Babylon, He warns them that tangible judgment is coming and they need to flee. The sins of Babylon are enormous, and her judgment from God will be in proportion to that sin. The rapid nature of this judgment is first mentioned here, then further noted in later verses (Revelation 18:4–8).

In the prior chapter, a "religious Babylon" was said to have fallen, but there was no notable mourning from the leaders of the world. Here, however, the fall of Babylon as an economy is met with grief. World leaders will see—probably both literally and figuratively—the smoke from her destruction, and stay far away in hopes of avoiding the same fate. Once again, the fact that this destruction was swift is a key point of John's vision (Revelation 18:9–10).

Along with political leaders, economic leaders will grieve over the fall of Babylon. This passage lists many of the most precious commodities of the ancient world. The point is not to give a literal inventory of Babylon, but to symbolize her far-reaching and enormous wealth. At some point in the end times, Babylon will go from being outrageously wealthy and powerful to desolate, faster than anyone would have thought possible (Revelation 18:11–20).

John also sees an angel throwing a "great millstone" into the sea. Millstones in that era were made of tough rock, such as basalt. A common millstone might be 18 inches (45 cm) around and 4 inches (10 cm) thick, weighing upwards of 100 pounds (45 kg). What's described here is a "great millstone," meaning one of significant size. Some millstones were so large they had to be worked by livestock, and could weigh thousands of pounds / kilograms. The imagery of a massive boulder being dropped into the ocean parallels the complete and speedy destruction of Babylon. When she falls, all her activities will cease entirely, avenging the persecution and murder of God's people (Revelation 18:21–24).

Chapters 17 and 18 depicted consequences of the tribulation which seem to have happened parallel to the various seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments. Chapter 19 will resume describing a timeline, including the end of the tribulation and the earthly return of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 18:1–8 contains a glorious angel's pronouncement of doom on Babylon. This Babylon here appears to be a literal physical city, whereas the Babylon described in chapter 17 is a corrupt religious system. The Babylon of chapter 17 was associated with a political system but was not the political power. The Babylon of chapter 18 is the center of a demonic political, commercial, and economic system. The fall of Babylon parallels what happened to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1–29). Religious Babylon falls in the middle of the tribulation to the delight of kings. Commercial Babylon falls at the end of the tribulation, and kings lament her fall.

Revelation 18:9–20 reports the reactions of kings, merchants, and seafarers to the fall of Babylon. While the fall of ''religious Babylon'' in chapter 17 was un-mourned, these men will passionately lament the demise of ''political Babylon.'' Ezekiel 26:15–21 records similar lamenting at the demise of Tyre. Realted passages such as Revelation chapter 16 described the bowl judgments directed at the beast and his kingdom. Jesus warned about the folly of building one's life on material things instead of on his Word (Matthew 6:19–24; 7:24–27). Paul and James did the same (1 Timothy 6:3–10, 17–19; James 5:1–6). Revelation 19:11–21 reveals the destructive end of the beast and his followers at the return of Jesus to the earth.

Revelation 18:21–24 provides a description of Babylon—the political and economic center of the Antichrist—after its fall. Isaiah predicted Babylon's fall and wrote about its desolation after God overthrows it (Isaiah 13:19). Daniel 2:34–35 and Daniel 2:40–45 describe the collapse of the beast's empire at the return of Jesus Christ. Jesus referred to the end of the times of the Gentiles in Luke 21:24. The times of the Gentiles began with the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylonian forces and the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, and it will end with the destruction of Babylon.

Chapter Summary:

A glorious angel announces the fall of Babylon, here used to name a dwelling place for demons and the source of corrupt commercialism. Another angel summons believers to get out of Babylon and avoid being caught up in the judgment for her sins. God is ready to punish Babylon for extensive wickedness. He promises to burn the city with fire. The kings of the earth mourn Babylon's demise, and they keep a safe distance from her as she burns. Merchants, too, weep because no one can purchase cargo from her and profit from selling her goods. Like the kings, the merchants try to put distance between themselves and Babylon for fear of sharing her destructive fate. Their mourning is intense. They throw dust on their heads, weep, mourn, and lament how quickly she fell from prominence and prosperity to a wasteful state. A mighty angel announces Babylon's doom and desolation. The city that once included renowned merchants, deceived the nations, and martyred believers, is now shattered into silence and desolation.

Chapter Context:

The word ''revelation'' means ''an unveiling or disclosure.'' This writing unveils future events such as the rapture, three series of judgments that will fall on the earth during the tribulation, the emergence of the Antichrist, the persecution of Israel and her amazing revival, as well as Jesus' second coming with His saints to the earth, the judgment of Satan and his followers, and finally, the eternal state. This content, combined with the original Greek term apokalypsis, is why we now refer to an end-of-the-world scenario as ''an apocalypse.''

Accessed 5/3/2024 12:03:56 AM