God Final Judgment on Babylon
Review
According to the futurist interpretation, the bulk of Revelation is an account of future events, beginning at chapter 6 and continuing through chapter 22. The seven-year tribulation period is covered in chapters 6 through 19. The last three and a half years are considered the great tribulation. This seven-year period is based on Daniel’s prophecy (Dan. 9:24-27). The last three and half years are based on Daniels’ prophecy that says, “And he (antichrist) will make a firm covenant with the many (Jews) for one week (7 years), but in the middle of the week (after 3½ years) he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing (the temple?) of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate” (9:27).
(Taken from Net.bible.org; Constable’s Notes)
The seven years consist of three sevenfold judgments: the seals (6:1-8:1), the trumpets (8:6-15:4), and the bowls or vials of wrath (15:5-16:21).
Chapters 17 and 18 describe the character, deeds, and destruction of Babylon the Great. As previously noted, “Babylon” is regarded as a codeword for Rome. If this were not the case, then ancient Babylon would have to be revived. However, many bible students believe this is unlikely since Babylon in John’s day up to today (Iraq) was and is globally weak. Ultimately, it’s in God’s hands with whom nothing is impossible.
Babylon is first mentioned in the Book of Revelation in 14:8 in a proleptic or anticipatory sense. It says, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.” Babylon is also proleptically mentioned in 16:19 – “Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath.” Chapters 17 and 18 follows up with the closing account of Babylon’s final destruction. Some interpreters regard Babylon in Chapter 17 as a corrupt ecclesiastical (or religious) system permitted by the antichrist to delude his devotees throughout the world in order for them to believe in false teachings, and practice immorality. In chapter 18, some understand Babylon to be a global commercial system which enriched many entrepreneurs. However, the two chapters do not portray different Babylonian entities. It seems best to understand that chapters 17 and 18 are portraying one Babylon with two different aspects.
Babylon is obviously not a literal woman. She symbolizes a corrupt and immoral influence on religion, politics, and economics. There are three other notable female representations mentioned in Revelation. Jezebel representing immorality (2:20-23), the pregnant woman representing Israel (12:1-2), and the bride of the Lamb representing the church (19:7-8). Babylon is by far worse than Jezebel.
As we come to chapter 18, similarities and distinctions with chapter 17 will be observed.
Things to Notice About the Woman in chapter 17
The woman influences and recruits devotees for the beast 17:1, 15
The woman is very immoral 17:2, 4-5
She will kill saints and witnesses of Jesus 17:6
She has a controlling influence in the antichrist’s government 17:3, 7, 18
The woman is associated with mystery 17:5, 7
She will be destroyed by her supporters 17:16-18
The Timing
Chapter 18:1 opens with the words “After these things” which indicate sequential time. These same words also appear in 1:19; 4:1b; 7:1, 9; 9:12; 15:5; 19:1; 20:3. They recall Jesus’ words in 1:19 where John is told to “write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things.” John has been writing about “after these things” since chapter 6. Chapters 4 and 5 is an apparent interlude between “the things which are” (chpts. 2-3) and “the things which will take place after these things” (chpts. 6-19).
The Angel Out of Heaven (18:1-3)
This angel is different (“another”) from the one in 17:1 which was one of the seven angels with the bowls of wrath (15:5-6).
He had great authority – to carry out his assignment from God
He came out of heaven – from the presence of God
His radiance lit up the earth – reflected the powerful glory of God
He shouted with a loud voice – to be heard all over the planet
His specific announcement was about Babylon’s fall:
17:16-17.
bird.”
18:3 (Her influence) “For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts
of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have becomerich by the wealth of her sensuality.” This description shows that she is the same woman in 17:2, 4.
Another Angel Makes a Plea (18:4-8)
18:4 – This angel comes from heaven to plead with saints to “come out” of the wicked city. Thomas Constable wrote, “The people addressed are faithful believers living in the Tribulation. Unless they separate from her sins, they will be hurt by the judgment coming on her, but if they do separate, they will enjoy protection.” It is difficult to understand how these saints survived the tribulation to this point, especially during the last half. The best that can be offered is that God protected them even though they apparently compromised their faith but did not received the mark of the beast. The reason they were to separate themselves was “so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues” (18:4). The plagues would affect their physical health, even unto death (1 John 5:16) but not their souls. They would remain redeemed even if they were to die from the plague.
Babylon’s Piled-up Sins Remembered
18:5 – “for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has rememberedher iniquities.” Her “piled-up” sins were very notable and unforgettable. 16:19b says, “Babylon the great was rememberedbeforeGod, to give her the cup of the wine of His fiercewrath.” In Old Testament times, it is mentioned that God’s attention was critically focused the following:
Abel’s blood (cried out to God from the ground) – (Gen. 4:10)
The wickedness of man and everyintent of the thoughts of his evil heart – (Gen. 6:5)
The arrogance of man in attempting to build a tower to reach heaven (Gen. 11:4-6)
The moral perversion of man in Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18:20-21)
18:6 – Rather than Les Talionis (punishment equal to the crime), the payback for Babylon’s sin would be doubled. Since she will boast about herself (18:7), her punishment will be doubled devastation in one day (18:8). Her burning mentioned in 17:16 will eventually bring on her complete destruction.
The Grievous Response Over Babylon’s Destruction
This section shows the commercial or economic aspects of Babylon. There are three groups mentioned who will be deeply grieved by her destruction:
18:9-10 – Kings
18:11-17a – Merchants
18:17b-19 – Shipmasters, Passengers, and Sailors
The Aftermath of the Final Judgment
18:20 – Glorious Rejoicing in Heaven for the Saints, Apostles, and Prophets
(answered prayer of 6:9-11)
18:21 – The angel’s symbolic act of Babylon’s complete and final destruction
“Then a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer.”
18:22-23b – the final judgment will stop all forms of entertainment (v. .22a), all
manufacturing activity (v. 22b), all usual nighttime engagements
(23a), and shallow marriage ceremonies (23b)
The End of the Cruel Acts of Babylon
18:23c – Deception by Sorcery (drugs). Businessmen and economists (including
politicians) were under her magical spells.
18:24 – Murder of the saints and prophets. She shed much blood of believers during the tribulation period (16:6; 17:6)
Good News from Heaven 19:1-2 – “After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, ‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; 2 BECAUSE HISJUDGMENTS ARETRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and HE HASAVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS BOND-SERVANTSON HER.’”
To become a child of God today, trust Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, as your Savior. He will save you from condemnation and punishment of your sin.
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