CHAPTER 18

1.                               What is the difference between Political and Religious Babylon?

2.                               Who lights the entire globe as he brings a warning of impending judgments?

3.                               Could political Babylon be America?

4.                               Why does Babylon receive a double portion of judgment from God?

5.                               How long does God take to judge in this case?

6.                               Why are the merchants weeping and whaling as Babylon disintegrates?

7.                               What luxuries are destroyed as Babylon burns?

8.                               Who is the great stone that smites Babylon and other world powers at the same time?

9.                               What three scents permeate Babylon?

10.                           How does the Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah portrays Babylon?

For years many scholars believed that the Babylon of Chapter 17 and 18 were the same, i.e all having to do with the World Church.  However many have come to understand that they are not one and the same.  It is very important to get this point correct or one could have great difficulty understanding.

In the next 24 verses we shall witness the destruction of POLITICAL Babylon. This Babylon is DIFFERENT from the one just discussed. Chapter 17 concerned RELIGIOUS Babylon while chapter 18 pictures POLITICAL or COMMERCIAL Babylon. In chapter 17 Religious Babylon was called Mystery Babylon, in chapter 18 Political or Commercial Babylon is referred to as Babylon the Great. In chapter 17 Religious Babylon was presented as a woman or mother, but in chapter 18 commercial Babylon is portrayed as a city a great city a might city and eventually a burning city. In chapter 17 Religious Babylon was situated on 7 hills, in chapter 18  political or commercial Babylon is visible from the sea, verses 17 & 21  In chapter 17 religious Babylon was destroyed by the king of the earth, 17 v 16, But in chapter 18 Political Babylon will be destroyed by horrendous judgments by the hand of God. When Religious Babylon was destroyed in chapter 17, the kings rejoiced, when Political Babylon is destroyed in chapter 18 the kings and merchants of the earth lament and weep for her, chapter 18 v 9 & 15. 

Lets study POLITICAL Babylon

Chapter 18 verse 1 “ after these thing I saw another angel….. John says “after these thing”

After what things? After the fulfillment of Religious Babylon’s destruction in chapter 17. John’s statement is further proof that the two Babylons are entirely different and distinctive of one another. Only after the events of chapter 17, does John see God’s judgments upon Political Babylon in the verses that follows. The angel bringing  the warning of impending judgment is powerful and glorious, his appearance lightens the entire globe. Quite possibly this is a Christophanies or an appearance of Christ who is the light of the world, John 8 v 12.

Verse 2 “ and he cried mightily with a strong voice saying……” God’s judgment of “Commercial” Babylon has come. Why? She has become the habitation of devils and a hole for every evil spirit imaginable. She is a cage containing every vicious filthy and hateful burning existence. A walk through New York City, Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, Hollywood, San Francisco, including the state of Massachusetts and now Florida. Americas major and minor cities have now become loaded with lust ridden sinners, seeking sex thrills through R-Rated movies, Telephone sex, Internet Sex, Pornography, Prostitution, Sex Rated Book Stores, Abortion on demand and drug infestation. (Notice that all these industries are “commerce driven”). Could our beloved America possibly fit this description of Political Babylon as a cage containing every unclean spirit controlled by foul spirits and demons who inhabit the land and its people. God help us to have an old fashion, Holy Spirit empowered revival, otherwise God’s judgment may soon fall.

Verse 3 “ for all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of  her fornication…..” Just like religious Babylon this Political System have turned to Idolatry and fornication. As we saw in chapter 17, these terms refer to the worship of strange gods, and a love for the world and its material goods. Seeking prestige and power, Commercial or Political Babylon has promoted and joined ungodly world alliances. The text is the nations of earth have partaken of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. The kings of the world have committed spiritual fornication with her for gain. Hence the merchants of the earth have become exceedingly wealthy by wheeling and dealing with this nation who is super abundantly loaded with delicacies.

Verse 4-5 “ and I heard another voice…….” The believers of the tribulation hour and those who trusted in the shed blood of the lamb and refused the mark of the beast, are told to come out of her and not to partake of her evil deeds. They are to live holy lives in the midst of a cage of unholy ness, whose people’s sins have reached to heaven and caused an abominable stench in the nostrils of a holy God. They are to be careful of materialism and refrain from illegal gain through the love of the delicacies of this world.

Verses 6 & 7….Humanity cannot get away with sin forever, God hates sin, It is inconsistent with his holiness. Except for God’s mercy most of us would have been dead and in hell, his grace however passes all human understanding. 2^nd Peter 3 v 9.  Still God cannot tolerate sin forever, and the reaping of Political Babylon’s inequity must finally take place. What a terrible experience when Babylon receives a double portion of judgment. Now God says double the judgment upon Babylon according to her works. Reward her even as she rewarded you. Babylon has glorified herself and lived deliciously. Her wealthy became wealthier, and her poor became poorer. As a nation, she did not care about the poor because she says in her heart “I am a queen, I see no sorrow, I do not want to look at the needs of the impoverished.”

There is a possibility that James chapter 5 v 1-6 predicted judgment administered in Rev 18.  1-7. The end of the age will not see Communism in control, instead Capitalism will be the ruling power as ten western nations will be bleeding the world’s inhabitants of their possessions. (Think of the recent Enron scandal – Financial Power Heads craftily stealing monies and leaving the working class, teachers, police, civil servants, to hold the empty bags, stock market manipulations etc etc. we read about these daily.) Of course Communism, a Godless monstrosity must be hated, and will be destroyed as described in Ezekiel 39 v 1 & 2. However double trouble is coming to those who exploit the masses, the rich who starve the poor according to the verse we just read.

Verse 8-10 “therefore shall her plagues come……..”  when the news of Babylon’s destruction is received earths’ kings, Presidents, Monarchs  begin to weep. Their source of wealth has been disintegrated.

Verse 11 “ The merchants of the earth…….” Let’s view the commodities. Not a single item is really necessary. In fact the entire display may be classified as luxurious worldly bubbles used to impress high society. Imagine even the mark of the beast won’t hinder wealth in the Western World. Just look at the expensive dainties listed in this portion of scripture verses 12 & 13. But judgment must come. The treasures of the tribulation enterprises do not last. Why?

Verses 14-19 “………No comment is needed at this point, for the preceding texts are self explanatory. As the world weeps over the destruction of political Babylon all heaven breaks forth in praise.

Verse 20 “ rejoice over her…….” Up to this point there is only been one other command to rejoice recorded in the book of Revelation. All has been solemn and sad at the overthrow of Babylon however the Cherub and Seraphim and the other angelic beings are told to praise the Lord. The  holy apostles and prophets and all the representatives of Old and New Testament saints are instructed to join them. Why? Because the chief enemy of the people has been destroyed. The world who persecuted the apostles and prophets and saints of God during every age. Often time great suffering was inflicted upon them, some were tortured, refusing to be delivered, so that they might obtain a better resurrection. Others had trials of  cruel mocking, scourging, some were imprisoned, some were stoned, some were sawed in two, was slain with the sword, they wandered about in sheep skins and goat skins, they wandered deserts and in mountains, in caves in the earth. Hebrews 11 v 35-38. Now such oppression is finished forever. Babylon is fallen. The world can no longer touch God’s people, for God has avenged his people.

Verse 21 “ and a mighty angel took up a stone….” Some bible scholars identify this stone as Christ. Acts 4 v 11. This stone strikes at the end times when “ten toes,” ten western nations are aligned, Daniel 2 v 34, This explanation is repeated again in Daniel 2 v 45 & 46. The Lord Jesus Christ may well be the stone that pulverizes Babylon. So thorough is the stone’s destruction, that Babylon is finished forever.

Verse 22 “ and the voices of harpers……”  Entertainment ceases in this “ laugh a minute” commercial empire. All music and hilarity is forever silenced. All crafts including tool and dye  making industry are put out of business. Every single craft manufacturing productivity business. All production is haltered in Babylon, which was once the  International center of commerce.

Verse 23 “ and the light of the candle…..” Lights are extinct, possibly through energy deficiencies, marriage ceases and hearth breaks infiltrates the land, no longer is there joy, love and romance.

Verse 24 “ and in her was found the blood of  the prophets…” The closing verse of this chapter reveals three reasons for God’s judgments upon Babylon

1.                              “Love of wealth and riches”, her merchants were the great men of the earth.

2.                               Usage of Drugs, “for by her sorceries were all men deceived”. The word “SORCERIES” again come from the Greek word “Pharmacia”, Pharmacy in English. The term denotes getting high on, or getting kicks out of drugs.

3.                              Her hatred, abuse and persecution of the people of God. “in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and all was slain upon the earth.

Who is Babylon?

Certain scholars believe that the term refers to the ancient city of Babylon on the banks of the Euphrates River in present day Iraq. For the past many years during Saddam Hussein’s rule, the city was being rebuilt. Other scholars believe Babylon the Great and the United States of America, a leader of the western world to be one and the same who aligns with the Antichrist ten toes kingdom (perhaps unknowingly, caught up in the desire to remain a member of the International community of commerce and being in alliance with the EEC) Some great scholars believe this reason  especially due to the writings of  the prophets of Isaiah and Jeremiah and John in this 18^th chapter of this book. Consider the following: Isaiah 18 (although Isaiah seem to be referring at that time  to the city of Cush there seem to be an  amazing resembles  to modern day America as, this nation has:

The insignia of wings similar to our national emblem the “Bald Eagle”.

Folks Jesus is coming back soon. If you don’t know Jesus, or you are a backslidden Christian you must get right with Christ now.

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