Revelation 18

This chapter deals with the commercial and economic side of the AC empire Chapter 17 dealt with the religious and the governmental. 18:1 “another” is “allos” which means another of the same kind. This is an angel like the one before. Three things about this angel when he leaves heaven: Great authority - God had given him great power to act and speak The earth was illumined with his glory - in the darkness of the AC kingdom comes a great light and the true revelation that the kingdom is over Cried out with a mighty voice – Everyone will hear and understand this revelation. In 14:8 was the prophecy of the ultimate end. This is it. This is the fulfillment of the 7th bowl in 16:17-19 18:2 “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!” “Fallen” is in the aorist tense and indicates a sudden event viewed as complete, though in the context it is still future. The fact that it says “Fallen! Fallen! May indicate a reference to two different identities: Fallen is the mystery kosmos system called Babylon that has run through time Fallen is the literal city Babylon, the capital and center of the AC empire. The demons out of the abyss (fifth trumpet, 9:1-11) will dwell there The released angels from the Euphrates (6th trumpet, 9:13-16) “Haunt” is “phylake” and means watchtower. The unclean birds refer to the vultures waiting to eat and living in the fallen ruins. (Is. 34:11) 18:3 The nations have been influenced by the AC kingdom. The immorality, materialism, demonism and more have spread to every nations because of Babylon 18:4 Another voice uses the word “allos” Even in the last hours: The believers are called to get out of Babylon’s lifestyle The non believers are called to repentance “will not receive” this is a statement in classical Greek where the anxiety is directed toward warding off something still dependent on the will (Linguistic Key) Jeremiah 50:8 Jeremiah 51:6-9 Isaiah 48:20-22 Romans 12:2 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 James 1:27 Example is Lot in Sodom. Notice God tried to get the believers out of Sodom and call the lost to repentance before Judgment. Sometimes the only way to avoid the temptation of society is to flee. Joseph 1 Cor. 10:14 1 Tim 6:11 2 Tim. 2:22 18:5 “piled” is “kollao” and means “to glue together, or, to join” The idea is “joined to one another till they reach heaven , till the ever-growing mass rose sky high.” 18:6 Angel now speaks to God The angels request is based on the “law of retaliation” found in Ex 21:23-24. It is the principle of “an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.” See: Psalm 137:8 Jeremiah 50:14-15 Jeremiah 50:29 Jeremiah 51:56 Believers never seek vengeance: Proverbs 20:22 Romans 12:14, 17, 19-21 1 Thess. 5:15 1 Peter 3:9 double the double according to the works of her” Since Babylon’s sins where double the normal sins, her punishment will be double also.18:7 Three things Babylon did: Gave herself glory Gave herself luxury Boasted that she would never suffer Many ancient cultures believed they could never fall: Isaiah 47:7,8 Ezekiel 27:3 Ezekiel 28:2 Zephaniah 2:15 18:8 “In one day” means her judgment will not be progressive. She will not have time to repent because it will all fall apart on the same day. Three plagues that will come are: Death Mourning Famine Then fire will consume her 18:9 How much do the kings of the earth understand?? Not very much at all. Instead of mourning for having participated in her sin, they mourn her fall. The kings mourn in 18:9-10 This includes the 10 kings who gave their kingdoms to the AC Babylon’s fall is a sign of things to come to their kingdoms] Other’s who did not side with the AC will be marching past her smoldering ruins on their way to the battle of Armageddon. Babylon is apparently a real city and not only a figure for the entire world system since the kings are part of that world system and they are watching. Babylon had endured the 7 seals, the 7 trumpets and the 7 bowls up to this time. The world of course believed that the city was indestructible. The merchants mourn in 18:11 They mourn because “no one buys their cargoes any more.” This is not repentance nor is it true grief for the city. This is selfishness. The sea captains and sailors 18:17 They are “all who earn their living form the sea”. Their wage earning power is gone.18:20 Heaven is told to rejoice. Saints refers to all believers Apostles and Prophets are the offices within the church . 18:21 Millstones where 4-5 feet in diameter and 12 inches thick Babylon will disappear as fast as that stone sank in the water. Reminiscent of Jeremiah and his message he sent with Seraiah in 51:61-64 18:22-23 There will be no normal activities in the city 18:23-24 The judgment of Babylon justified: Merchants where the world’s great men Led nations astray with your magic(“pharmakeia” referring to the use of drugs and magic. So Babylon’s power was military, religious, economic but also included a magical demonic power. Killed the prophets (offices) and the saints (believers) Killed the people of the earth – “kill” is “sphazo” means to slaughter or to kill. This word has been used for killing of believers as martyrs in 5:6,9, 12; 6:4, 9; 13:8. It may refer to the fact that Babylon killed not only the prophets and the