REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 18.1

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

 

Chapter Eighteen

The Great Tribulation

Parenthesis

Mystery Babylon

(Political Babylon)

 

 

Introduction

Apart from Jerusalem, Babylon is mentioned more than any other city in the Bible, about 260 times.

 

The Lord stops the flow of chronological events at the end of Chapter 16, inserts a parenthesis, and presents two chapters with a description of Babylon. Subsequently, He resumes with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ at the Battle of Armageddon. Two anti-God systems are embodied and revealed as determined:

A.  Chapter 17 - A Babylonian religious system that has infiltrated and infected the history of mankind

 

B.  Chapter 18 – A great commercial system representing world cities throughout many eras in the history of mankind

 

Locations

Many believe Religious Babylon will have its seat in Rome because it was built on seven mountains (cf. Revelation 17:9), however, since Jerusalem is also built around seven mountains, the latter seems more likely since it fits the context of the narrative. Others believe the two descriptions are the same, yet the descriptions of their locations are stated differently (see also Revelation 18:17-19).

 

It is extremely likely, once Antichrist overthrows the religious system, he will be more interested in money and power. As a result, he will move the capital to a centralized commercial location. Most scholars agree a one-world commercial Babylon will re-emerge as a literal city on the plain of Shinar in the land of the Chaldeans. And, since Antichrist will be worshipped as a god, the false religious system's headquarters at Babylon would be apropos.

 

Babylon’s Prophecy of Doom

God planned that Babylon is rebuilt two times, historically and eschatologically. As a consequence, prophecy here has a double fulfillment, it will surely come to pass once again.

Her final demise will mirror the first:

Isaiah 13:19-22 - And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful (hooting, howling) creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs (wild goats) shall dance there. And the wild beasts of the islands (hyenas) shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons (jackal, sea serpent or monster) in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.

 

The prophet Jeremiah reiterates in like fashion:

Jeremiah 51:24-26 - And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD. Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out Mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain. And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith the LORD. [See also Jeremiah 51:61-64 (emphasis mine)].

Hence, the consummation of materialism and the destruction of worldliness shall be finally met.

 

The Two Babylons

Comparisons of Likenesses

1. Both organizations share Antichrist’s rule and power at the same time (cf. Revelation 16:10, 17-21; 17:3, 17-18; 18:1)

 

2. Both systems hate the saints and shed their blood (cf. Revelation 17:6; 18:24)

 

 

3. Both entities come under the divine judgment of God (cf. Revelation 17:1, 16-17; 18:2, 6-8)

 

Comparisons of Differences

A. Chapter 17 – Babylon is a religious network called Mystery Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth. Babylon is also an ecclesiastical  city as a whorish woman is seen sitting on the beast of government (cf. 17:1-5)

B. Chapter 18 – Babylon is a commercial organization noted as Babylon the Great. She stands as a mighty city because of her system of commerce (cf. 18:2-3; 11-19)

 

A. Chapter 17 -  Babylon being an ecclesiastical  entity is envied and hated by the kings of the earth and they rejoice at her destruction

B. Chapter 18 – Babylon being a political and commercial establishment is loved by the kings of the earth and they lament over her desolation

 

A. Chapter 17 – Babylon is guilty of religious apostasy, designed and then destroyed by man  (cf. 17:4, 7)

B. Chapter 18 – Babylon becomes abominable because of her system of commerce and is destroyed by God (cf. 18:3, 19)

 

Outline

1. The Pronouncement of Babylon’s Punishment (Vv. 1-3)

2. The Plea to the People of God (Vv. 4-5)

3. The Payment Babylon Procures (Vv. 6-8)

4. The Profits Babylon Forfeited (v.9)

5. The People Affected by Babylon’s Pride (Vv. 10-19)

6. The Praise of Persecuted Believers (v. 20)

7. The Punishment of Babylon Justified (Vv. 21-24)

 

 

1. The Pronouncement of Babylon’s Punishment (Vv. 1-3)

(Verse 1)

 

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

 

John, still a spectator, witnesses a new vision containing three things:

1. He sees another angel

2. He sees an angel having great power

3. He sees an angel illuminating the world

 

After what things (meta tauta)? Notwithstanding, It follows a point in the future, after the destruction of the false apostate worldly religious system that began at Babel. Now the Apostle envisions (stares at) yet another (of the same kind, different from 17:1) angel (or messenger) descending out of Heaven with great power, enough to illuminate the whole earth with his glory.

 

Significantly, the purpose of the angel’s visit is to show John the ruination of the Babylonian system’s later-day metropolis, i.e., Babylon’s commercial emporium of the world. So, this becomes a pronouncement of impending judgment.

 

 

(Verse 2)

 

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.

 

The authoritative angel does three additional things in this verse:

1. The angel cries

a.  Denoting a loud shrieking or screaming

b.  Demonstratively in the future, described in the past, but in the predetermined will of God (i.e., Greek aorist tense)

 

2. The angel cries mightily

a.  Denoting extreme forcible shouting

 

3. The angel cries with a strong voice

a. Denoting an overwhelmingly and powerfully loud voice

 

So, everyone alive in the world can take heed to this important heavenly announcement: Babylon the Great is fallen, is fallen.

 

Having been used by writers for several millennia, the repetition of a word or phrase is used as a tool to communicate an idea or something distinct to remember. Therefore, repetitiveness enhances memory.

 

Besides, the expression is taken from Isaiah’s prophecy:

Isaiah 21:9 - And, behold, here cometh a chariot (team, cavalry) of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he (the watchman) answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods He hath broken unto the ground.

 

And (commercial Babylon) is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird

Interestingly, the seat or throne of Babylon’s religious empire, antagonistic with God since Babel, is suddenly overthrown (cf. predictions of Isaiah 21:9; Jeremiah 51:8; Revelation 14:8). And, the commercial city left behind is an uninhabitable heap of rubbish – A loathsome state to which the capital city of Babylon is reduced. Isaiah depicts this graphic scenario per se:

Isaiah 13:21 - But wild beasts of the desert (desert howling creatures) shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful (whining, crying of afflicted) creatures; and owls (their daughters) shall dwell there, and satyrs (by analogy, a shaggy wild hairy he-goat) shall dance there.

 

Hence, Babylon’s fate shall become the dwelling place for wild beasts never more to be inhabited by man.

 

(Babylon) is become; i.e., as three things have already happened:

1. The habitation of devils (evil supernatural spirits)

This phrase has the implication that demons have already been abiding by and utilizing the Babylonian system the entire time. Counterpoint the believer’s old nature to his new:

Ephesians 2:2 - Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the (evil) spirit(s) that now worketh in the children of disobedience.

 

2. The hold of every foul spirit

A hold, more or less, is a watchtower or guard post of a prison that houses inferior, lewd, and demonic spirits (cf. Isaiah 34:11-15).

 

3. The cage of every hateful and unclean bird

Cage is the same word in Greek as hold [φυλακή (phulakē), G5438]. So, along with the evil spirits, hateful, vicious, vile, and ceremonially unclean birds are caged

 

Birds

(An abbreviated exposition)

God’s initial intention for birds, covered with feathers and wings, was to be fruitful and multiply (cf. Genesis 1:20). He created them on the fifth day, blessed them, and in His eyes, they were considered (a) good (thing).

 

However, before the Flood, Noah was instructed to take seven pairs of clean animals and birds and one pair of unclean animals and birds upon the Ark (cf. Genesis 7:2-3). God’s purpose was to keep alive all species of beasts and birds, clean and unclean upon the face of the earth for their preservation.

 

So, the Levitical Law concerning clean and unclean animals did not originate with Moses but was determined long before the Flood. From extant literature, it is researched that animals and birds, as well as man, were unnaturally and ungodly corrupted, the reason for the deluge (cf. Genesis 6:1-7, 11-13).

 

Clean and Unclean Birds

There are numerous literal and metaphorical references to birds in the Bible. To comprehend their value, God has designated them into two categories:

A.  Clean – A bird considered clean is meant to be pure,  Levitically sound in a physical sense, uncontaminated, morally innocent, or ceremonially holy. Birds that eat grain or seed naturally conform to this family, as such:

1. Doves

John 1:32 - And John [the Baptist] bare record, saying, I saw the [Holy] Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him (Jesus Christ).

 

2. Sparrows

Luke 12:6 – Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings [Latin, assarius (one-tenth of a denarius), Roman coins of little value], and not one of them is forgotten before God?

 

3. Pigeons and turtledoves (similar but often used interchangeably) were necessitated in the Old Testament sacrificial system.  For example:

Leviticus 12:6 – And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest.

 

Unable to bring a lamb as atonement for giving birth, Mary offered the Levitical substitute:

Luke 2:24 - …a sacrifice according to that which is said in the Law of the Lord (Leviticus 12:8), A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

 

From Their Creator

Considerably, Scripture encourages and rewards a compassionate spirit amongst humanity toward the tiniest good birds. Thus recorded:

Deuteronomy 22:6-7 -  If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam (mother) sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young: But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou (you) mayest prolong thy days (have a long and prosperous life).

 

On the other hand, there are detestable birds of the air:

B.  Unclean – Forbidden as food, is a bird of prey that is foul or in a ceremonially morally sense contaminated or defiled. Some large unclean birds are considered hostile carnivorous preying scavengers, analogous to being evil or hateful. Some include:

1. Vultures – Most are carrion and eat the flesh of dead animals or humans:

Isaiah 34:15 - There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate.

 

2. Eagles - Although a symbol of power, the eagle is a carrion bird:

Matthew 24:27-28 - For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

 

3. Ravens – A shrewd and cunning bird known by their cries, and also a sickly or cadaverous smell that arises:

Job 38:41- Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

 

Predictively, Jeremiah equates Judah, Jerusalem, and ultimately Babylon becoming this void habitat for humanity:

Jeremiah 9:11 - And I will make Jerusalem heaps (of rubble or ruins), and a den of dragons (jackals); and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.

 

Analogies

In the parable of the Sower and the Soils, Jesus compares four different ways people react to the Word of God or the Gospel to birds of the air in a negative fashion.

Mark 4:4 - And it came to pass, as he (the farmer) sowed (seeds), some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.

 

Mark 4:15 - And these (people) are they by the way side, where the Word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the Word that was sown in their hearts.

 

So, seeds sown on the path were eaten by birds, thus likening birds to Satan (the evil one), false teachers, and false religions. Consequently, Satan covertly uses detriments or stumbling blocks to prevent God’s Word from penetrating the hearts and minds of unbelievers.

 

 

(Verse 3)

 

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.

 

Cause and Effect

The aftermath of destruction allows three entities to become fully exposed:

1. The nations drinking

The Principle: Drinking leads to degradation (cf. Proverbs 20:1). After abandoning God, the ungodly world alliances join together and convert Babylon’s religious system into commercialism. Nations become intoxicated with her influence resulting in insolence and wantonness along with global pride (cf. Revelation 14:8).

 

2. The kings fornicating

Now, through idolatries, the kings of the earth commit spiritual adultery with Babylon’s political system and additionally lure others to do likewise (cf. Revelation 17:2; Revelation Study 17.1). Doom and utter destruction loom on the horizon.

 

3. The merchants profiting

Nations with richness and wealth have abandoned God, connoting the merchants’ are exploiting, not carnal, but spiritual merchandise of the apostate church by accumulating illegal indulgences for delicacies (i.e., luxuriousness, wealth).  God speaks against such extremes of materialism:

1 Timothy 6:10 - For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

 

In the following study, John receives a message from another heavenly angel to deliver a warning for God’s people to flee from Babylon.

 

 

 QUESTIONS:

1.   What is Babylon’s fate?

2.   Why is Babylon detested by God?

3.   What is Antichrist’s role?

4.   What is the angel’s main message?

5.   What has Babylon become?

6.   Differentiate between clan and unclean birds.

7.   What is the outcome of Babylon’s fall?

 

 

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