Revelation 18: The Fall of Babylon
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
Revelation 18 unveils a powerful vision of the downfall of Babylon, a symbolic city representing a corrupt political, commercial, and economic system. While chapter 17 uses "Babylon" to signify a corrupt religious system, chapter 18 focuses on Babylon as the center of worldly power and wealth. Understanding this distinction is key to grasping the full scope of John's message. This chapter resonates with Old Testament prophecies against cities like Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1–29), illustrating God's unwavering justice against pervasive wickedness.
A Mighty Angel's Proclamation (Revelation 18:1-3)
The chapter opens with a glorious angel descending from heaven, radiating authority and announcing the impending doom of Babylon. This underscores the active role of angels in God's plan, especially after the church is taken up. The angel declares that this man-centered society has fallen because all the nations became unfaithful to God. This unfaithfulness is depicted as nations drinking the wine of Babylon's sexual immorality, a metaphorical representation of idolatry and false religion. As a result, the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy, highlighting that not all wealth is a blessing from God. Satan, too, can bestow riches, as seen in his temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:9). The presence of wealth doesn't necessarily equate to God's approval. The city-nation of Babylon, in the end times, is not only a hub of commerce and power, but of sin and sensuality.
A Call to Escape (Revelation 18:4-8)
Amidst this declaration of judgment, a voice from heaven issues a crucial warning: "Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, and lest you share in her plagues" (Revelation 18:4). This echoes the Old Testament call to Lot to flee Sodom before its destruction (Genesis 19:12–13). God calls His people to withdraw from worldly living to avoid the judgment that is coming upon godless society. The sins of Babylon are described as being piled up and triggering God's remembrance. God may delay judgment, but when it comes, no sin will be overlooked. The rapid nature of Babylon's judgment is emphasized, highlighting the urgency of heeding God's warning. Those within the Antichrist’s kingdom are sentenced to a double portion of judgment for their sins, a consequence of their arrogance and self-centeredness. Babylon glorified herself and indulged in sensual and excessive ways, proclaiming, "I sit as a queen; I am not a widow, and I will never see grief" (Revelation 18:7). God hates such brazen rejection of His ways and will send death, grief, famine, and fire, because the Lord God who judges her is mighty (Revelation 18:8).
Lamentations of Kings and Merchants (Revelation 18:9-20)
Unlike the fall of the "religious Babylon" in the previous chapter, the destruction of Babylon as an economic power is met with profound grief. World leaders, who shared in her sensual and excessive ways, will weep and mourn, witnessing the smoke from her destruction and fearing a similar fate. They will say in amazement, "Alas, alas, that great city, Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come" (Revelation 18:10). This swiftness underscores the sudden and complete nature of God's judgment.
Economic leaders also lament the fall of Babylon, mourning the loss of their trade and wealth. The passage lists precious commodities like gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of costly wood, bronze, iron, and marble (Revelation 18:12). The point isn't a literal inventory, but to symbolize Babylon's vast and far-reaching wealth. The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn because no one buys their cargo any longer, including precious metals, cloth, spices, livestock, and produce (Revelation 18:11-14).
The divine destruction of wealth here shouldn't be misconstrued as a condemnation of wealth itself. The Bible contains many examples of wealthy individuals who walked with God, such as Abraham, Joseph, and Solomon. In Solomon's case, great wealth was a gift and reward from God (2 Chronicles 1:12). The Lord condemns being controlled by wealth, allowing it to lead to self-centeredness and denial of God, as was the case with Babylon.
The merchants lament not the loss of life or other people’s livelihood, but that in a single hour such fabulous wealth was destroyed. The judgment’s swiftness is underscored by the second and third repetitions of the phrase "a single hour" (Revelation 18:17, 19; cf. 18:10 and “just one day” in 18:8). The severity of the economic disruption is emphasized by the threefold repetition of a double woe by the residents of Babylon (Revelation 18:10, 16, 19). John clarifies the source of this economic destruction: "Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has pronounced judgment on her for what she did to you!" (Revelation 18:20).
The Finality of Destruction (Revelation 18:21-24)
To illustrate the completeness and finality of Babylon's destruction, a mighty angel throws a large millstone into the sea, declaring, "With such violence the great city Babylon will be thrown down, and will be found no more" (Revelation 18:21). This symbolizes the utter and irreversible end of Babylon's power and influence.
Commercial and social activities, not inherently evil, will cease because secular society perverts them in service of a man-centered agenda. The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters will be silenced, and skilled labor, industrial production, and weddings will cease. This will happen because people have been deceived by the lie that material wealth is all-satisfying in itself. God, in His infinite wisdom, will redirect human society to a better path.
Ultimately, Babylon's downfall is linked to her persecution of God's people. "And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who have been slain on the earth" (Revelation 18:24). The worship of the wrong object (wealth) is accompanied by wrath misdirected at an improper target (Christians). In the Antichrist’s kingdom, as with other godless societies throughout history, the blood of prophets and saints testifies to the slaughter of those who stand for God’s values in opposition to the religion of materialism.
Revelation 18 serves as a solemn warning against the allure of worldly power and wealth, urging believers to remain faithful to God and to separate themselves from the corrupting influences of Babylon. It also offers hope that God's justice will ultimately prevail, and that He will establish a kingdom of righteousness and peace.
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
Revelation 18 unveils a powerful vision of the downfall of Babylon, a symbolic city representing a corrupt political, commercial, and economic system. While chapter 17 uses "Babylon" to signify a corrupt religious system, chapter 18 focuses on Babylon as the center of worldly power and wealth. Understanding this distinction is key to grasping the full scope of John's message. This chapter resonates with Old Testament prophecies against cities like Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1–29), illustrating God's unwavering justice against pervasive wickedness.
A Mighty Angel's Proclamation (Revelation 18:1-3)
The chapter opens with a glorious angel descending from heaven, radiating authority and announcing the impending doom of Babylon. This underscores the active role of angels in God's plan, especially after the church is taken up. The angel declares that this man-centered society has fallen because all the nations became unfaithful to God. This unfaithfulness is depicted as nations drinking the wine of Babylon's sexual immorality, a metaphorical representation of idolatry and false religion. As a result, the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy, highlighting that not all wealth is a blessing from God. Satan, too, can bestow riches, as seen in his temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:9). The presence of wealth doesn't necessarily equate to God's approval. The city-nation of Babylon, in the end times, is not only a hub of commerce and power, but of sin and sensuality.
A Call to Escape (Revelation 18:4-8)
Amidst this declaration of judgment, a voice from heaven issues a crucial warning: "Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, and lest you share in her plagues" (Revelation 18:4). This echoes the Old Testament call to Lot to flee Sodom before its destruction (Genesis 19:12–13). God calls His people to withdraw from worldly living to avoid the judgment that is coming upon godless society. The sins of Babylon are described as being piled up and triggering God's remembrance. God may delay judgment, but when it comes, no sin will be overlooked. The rapid nature of Babylon's judgment is emphasized, highlighting the urgency of heeding God's warning. Those within the Antichrist’s kingdom are sentenced to a double portion of judgment for their sins, a consequence of their arrogance and self-centeredness. Babylon glorified herself and indulged in sensual and excessive ways, proclaiming, "I sit as a queen; I am not a widow, and I will never see grief" (Revelation 18:7). God hates such brazen rejection of His ways and will send death, grief, famine, and fire, because the Lord God who judges her is mighty (Revelation 18:8).
Lamentations of Kings and Merchants (Revelation 18:9-20)
Unlike the fall of the "religious Babylon" in the previous chapter, the destruction of Babylon as an economic power is met with profound grief. World leaders, who shared in her sensual and excessive ways, will weep and mourn, witnessing the smoke from her destruction and fearing a similar fate. They will say in amazement, "Alas, alas, that great city, Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come" (Revelation 18:10). This swiftness underscores the sudden and complete nature of God's judgment.
Economic leaders also lament the fall of Babylon, mourning the loss of their trade and wealth. The passage lists precious commodities like gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of costly wood, bronze, iron, and marble (Revelation 18:12). The point isn't a literal inventory, but to symbolize Babylon's vast and far-reaching wealth. The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn because no one buys their cargo any longer, including precious metals, cloth, spices, livestock, and produce (Revelation 18:11-14).
The divine destruction of wealth here shouldn't be misconstrued as a condemnation of wealth itself. The Bible contains many examples of wealthy individuals who walked with God, such as Abraham, Joseph, and Solomon. In Solomon's case, great wealth was a gift and reward from God (2 Chronicles 1:12). The Lord condemns being controlled by wealth, allowing it to lead to self-centeredness and denial of God, as was the case with Babylon.
The merchants lament not the loss of life or other people’s livelihood, but that in a single hour such fabulous wealth was destroyed. The judgment’s swiftness is underscored by the second and third repetitions of the phrase "a single hour" (Revelation 18:17, 19; cf. 18:10 and “just one day” in 18:8). The severity of the economic disruption is emphasized by the threefold repetition of a double woe by the residents of Babylon (Revelation 18:10, 16, 19). John clarifies the source of this economic destruction: "Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has pronounced judgment on her for what she did to you!" (Revelation 18:20).
The Finality of Destruction (Revelation 18:21-24)
To illustrate the completeness and finality of Babylon's destruction, a mighty angel throws a large millstone into the sea, declaring, "With such violence the great city Babylon will be thrown down, and will be found no more" (Revelation 18:21). This symbolizes the utter and irreversible end of Babylon's power and influence.
Commercial and social activities, not inherently evil, will cease because secular society perverts them in service of a man-centered agenda. The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters will be silenced, and skilled labor, industrial production, and weddings will cease. This will happen because people have been deceived by the lie that material wealth is all-satisfying in itself. God, in His infinite wisdom, will redirect human society to a better path.
Ultimately, Babylon's downfall is linked to her persecution of God's people. "And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who have been slain on the earth" (Revelation 18:24). The worship of the wrong object (wealth) is accompanied by wrath misdirected at an improper target (Christians). In the Antichrist’s kingdom, as with other godless societies throughout history, the blood of prophets and saints testifies to the slaughter of those who stand for God’s values in opposition to the religion of materialism.
Revelation 18 serves as a solemn warning against the allure of worldly power and wealth, urging believers to remain faithful to God and to separate themselves from the corrupting influences of Babylon. It also offers hope that God's justice will ultimately prevail, and that He will establish a kingdom of righteousness and peace.