REVALATIONS CHAPTER 18
Introduction: is this the same Babylon as is described in chapter 17?
Some scholars point to two versions 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 chapters 17 and 18. Both are under the rule of Antichrist, both are filled with blasphemy; both hate the saints, and both are under judgment and destroyed
However, there are also some differences
| Religious Babylon Chapter 17 | Commercial Babylon Chapter 18 |
| 1. Mystery Babylon | 1. Babylon the Great |
| 2. Symbol: a woman | 2. Symbol: a city |
| 3. Identified with Rome | 3. Identified with a port city |
| 4. Woman, Prostitute | 4. Great city, Sales and Commerce |
| 5. Guilty: religious abomination | 5. Guilty: greed, self-indulgence |
| 6. Destroyed by a political power that used to support her | 6. Destroyed by a sudden act of God |
Again, we could see that this is just Hebrew style of writing where John first gives us one point of view then a second time from another view. It’s hard to see as the first Babylon or the women was destroyed at the halfway point in tribulations where this city Babylon is destroyed at the end of it. The Bible has done similar time loops like this throughout with prophetic writings as in the arrival of the Christ from the Old Testament
Micah said that Messiah would come out of Bethlehem where Hosea said that Messiah would come out of Egypt. Malachi said that Messiah would come to the temple, Zechariah said that Messiah would come to Zion and Isaiah said that Messiah would come to Galilee
Now we know all these were true and so we can also guess that this double falling of Babylon will also be true and we will understand it after the event.
Now will this be a literal rebuilding of the ancient city as deposed leader Sudam Hussein was planning to rebuild in Iraq or is it just symbolic and will represent a city of great evil.
CHAPTER 18
V 1-3 The angel must have came straight from God presence as he is still glowing with splendour.
V4 The call for all Christians to leave the city before its destruction.
V5 Her sins are piled high like the tower she tried to build in the Old Testament. God remembers her sins unlike a Christian when He chooses to forget Hebrews 8.
V6 In the laws of Exodus 22 in the case of theft you had to pay double what you stole. Perhaps this was how Babylon has made her wealth – through dishonest dealings.
V7 Shows how many feel today as they have a great life and feel no need for God.
V 9-10 So great is the heat and smoke of her burning that these kings must stand at a distance. Some think this may be an indication that nuclear weapons are used in the judgment of these commercial centres. Note that there was no doubt that it was Gods punishment upon the city.
V11-13 Note these are all luxuries, not necessities. The mourning is rooted in self-centred. The human slaves it talks of is the widespread cheap labour, human trafficking, prostitution, and pornography.
For the elite from this city who indulged in every sort of luxury, hell will seem worse as it’s a place of unfulfilled desires.
V14-19 Note that their sorrow at commercial Babylon’s fall is selfish as mans anger at losing wealth and not interest in God.
V20 Should God’s people rejoice when judgment comes? Yes, but we don’t rejoice in the destruction in judgment. Rather, we rejoice in the righteous resolution God’s judgment brings.
V21-24 Jesus said in Matthew 18
But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.
This applies to Babylon, because she caused others to fall into sin. Let this be a warning bad enough to sin yourself but never encourage others to sin.
The extent of this charge is an indication that this great city is symbolic of the world system at large. There is no one literal city that is responsible for all who were slain all over the earth.
God takes the persecution of His people as a personal offense. Those who attack His people really attack Him.