Bible Commentaries
Revelation 18

Verses 1-3

4. THE FALL OF BABYLON DESCRIBED

Revelation 18:1-24

The general idea of this chapter is that of a rich populous city being reduced to desolation. The fall of Babylon is the symbol by which is prophetically described the destruction of the apostate church. The vivid imagery, in the main, carries its meaning upon the surface. Only brief expressions from the text in 18:1 to 19:10 are given; hence, comparatively few notes will be necessary in explanation. The ideas of a wicked city and a dissolute woman are intermingled and carried to the end of the chapter.

(1) THE FALL ANNOUNCED

(Revelation 18:1-3)

After these things.--After the vision described in the last chapter John saw an angel in a halo of light descend from heaven. This is assurance that the announcement he made will certainly be fulfilled.

"Fallen, fallen is Babylon." This expression is borrowed from the Old Testament prophets who speak of ancient Baby-lon's fall. (Isaiah 21:9; Jeremiah 51:8.) The tense here is "prophetic past" to indicate the certainty that the event would take place. For another example consult Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 9:6. The ruins of cities become the habitation of unclean and wild animals. Compare the language about literal Babylon. (Isaiah 13:20-22.)

All the nations are fallen.--This shows the reason for her fall----she made the nations drunk with her wine, and this will lead to their fall ultimately. By her perversion of the truth leaders have been seduced into sinful practices, here described as spiritual adultery.

Merchants of the earth waxed rich.--This includes all those who traffic in papal doctrines for gain. Those made the victims of this traffic will also fall when spiritual Babylon falls.

Verses 4-5

(2) GOD'S PEOPLE TOLD TO FLEE

(Revelation 18:4-5)

Come forth, my people.--This is not the language of John, but the command of an angel of heaven. It is the same com-mand that was given Israel regarding literal Babylon. (Isa. 48:20; Jeremiah 50:8; Jeremiah 51:6.) The angel's command means that people should abandon all false doctrines taught by the mother of harlots, or any of her daughters. This is nothing less than a command to abandon sectarian teaching and practice. If any who have obeyed the gospel have wandered into human churches, they should come out at once. "My people" here probably do not mean Christians, but that noble, honest number that really want to obey God--hence, by anticipation, called God's people. (Com-pare Acts 18:10.) That means they could become God's people in fact by coming out. Two reasons are assigned for their coming out: to prevent partaking of her sins and to escape the punish-ment sure to come.

Reached even unto heaven.--Her wickedness is known to God and he will not forget properly to reward her.

Verses 6-8

(3) VENGEANCE PRONOUNCED

(Revelation 18:6-8)

According to her works.--Render to her double is language addressed to whatever powers God will use for administering punishment to the apostate church. It will be what her works deserve.

Mingle unto her double.--As her dupes drank from the cup of her false doctrines, so she must drink the cup of punishment. Her glorying in wantonness will be matched with torment and mourning.

In one day.--The harlot's boast "I sit a queen" finds its fulfillment in the papal claim of infallible authority, but her arrogant claims will end in one day--that is, suddenly. Paul represents the coming of Jesus as a "thief in the night." The plagues mentioned in verse 8 are such as naturally would come upon a city being destroyed; typically, they represent the com-plete overthrow and end of the apostate church.

Verses 9-19

(4) EXTENT OF BABYLON'S RUIN

(Revelation 18:9-19)

Shall weep and wail.--Those who have been deceived by false doctrines shall weep and wail when in fear they look upon her destruction. They will be amazed at the sudden punishment of a city so great and proud. Those who have made gain trafficking in human practices in religion will mourn because their source of income has been cut off. There will no longer be anyone to be deceived. The articles of merchandise mentioned symbolize every kind of religious device used to deceive those ignorant of God's word. The things desired by the religious merchants are gone forever. Naturally such characters will cry, "Woe, woe," when spiritual Babylon falls. The smoke and blaze seen in a burning city are a weak but fitting emblem to indicate what will happen when apostate religion is forced to end its wicked work.

Verse 20

(5) AN OUTBURST OF PRAISE

(Revelation 18:20)

Rejoice over her.--This language is in direct contrast with the preceding description of the effect on those who made gain out of similar practices. The number of the righteous who will rejoice at the end of spiritual Babylon will include apostles and prophets and all other Christians. The meaning is that God's judgment in the case will be what the suffering of saints will demand as a just reward.

Verses 21-24

(6) SUDDEN AND COMPLETE END SYMBOLIZED

(Revelation 18:21-24)

Cast it into the sea.--John next sees an angel cast a large stone into the sea. A similar act was performed to indicate the fall of ancient Babylon. (Jeremiah 51:63-64.) The sinking of the stone represents the sudden and complete fall of the apostate church; not by a slow decline, but because of a violent force against it.

Shall be heard no more.--Music which is the natural sign of joy will cease; no one in the city will have anything to produce gladness. All kinds of crafts will have no chance to operate, and machinery will cease to be heard. Lights will go out and social events will no longer occur.

All the nations deceived.--The reason for such desolation and ruin will be that false religion has deceived the nation with sorceries--all kinds of tricks, impositions, and false claims to divine power. Another reason is that in bloody persecutions this spiritual Babylon has slain saints and prophets of God. The word "all" here is used in an accommodated sense, meaning that a multitude had been slain in perpetuating the papal system.

LESSON 22.

THE FALL OF BABYLON

Read Revelation 18

1. Tell of the angel that was seen after the vision of chapter 17. Ans. Revelation 18:1.

2. He announced the fall of what? Ans. Revelation 18:2.

3. Babylon would become the habitation of what? Ans. Revelation 18:2.

4. For whose sins was this Babylon responsible? Ans. Revelation 18:3.

5. What did another voice from heaven urge God's people to do? Ans. Rev. 18:4.

6. Give two reasons why they should come out of Babylon. Ans. Revelation 18:4.

7. Who knew all her iniquities? Ans. Revelation 18:5.

8. By what was Babylon's punishment to be measured? Ans. Revelation 18:6-7.

9. Of what had she boasted? Ans. Revelation 18:7.

10. What can you say of the suddenness of her destruction? Ans. Revelation 18:8.

11. What would her destruction cause kings to do and say? Ans. Revelation 18:9-10.

12. Why would merchants weep and mourn over her? Ans. Revelation 18:12-16.

13. How would the men of the sea express their grief at her destruction? Ans. Revelation 18:17-19.

14. But the destruction of Babylon would be a cause for rejoicing for whom? Ans. Revelation 18:20.

15. How did a strong angel illustrate the fall of Babylon? Ans. Revelation 18:21 (See Jeremiah 51:63-64 regarding ancient Babylon).

16. Name five things which would never appear in the great city again, and tell why these things would be there no more. Ans. Revelation 18:22-23.

17. Whose blood was found in her? Ans. Revelation 18:24.