The fall of political Babylon
January 23, 2021
Commentary
The fall of political Babylon is announced in the beginning verses of chapter 18. This comes immediately after the destruction of the harlot (Religious Babylon) in chapter 17 which causes many to think that these are one and the same event. However, there are several things that point to them being two different events, though described in similar terms. It seems that the fall of religious Babylon is followed later by the fall of commercial and political Babylon.
The woman of chapter 17 is made desolate, naked, and burned with fire by the beast with the ten horns, whereas the fall of Babylon in chapter 18 is accomplished directly by God at the end of the Tribulation (16:19-21). This chapter continues with the subject of God’s judgement on Babylon. It is proper to think of Babylon in chapter 17 as a vast religious system and now in chapter 18 as a huge interlocking commercial system. This chapter spells out the doom of so-called civilization in its social and commercial aspects. Further destruction of Babylon is prophesied by “another angel coming down from heaven” (v. 1). This angel’s power and glory was such that the earth was illuminated by his splendor. Several commentaries suggest that this is Christ represented as Angel-Priest and Avenger.
“Another voice” (angel) from heaven is heard instructing the people of God to leave the city to be delivered from the coming catastrophe (v. 4). Death, mourning, famine, and fire will come on the city in one day (v. 8).
Application
It would be very easy for me to become more wrapped up in what the world has to offer than in what the Bible has to say about the future. I must keep in mind that it is only the things done for Christ that will last.
Revelation 18:1– 8 (NET)
1 After these things I saw another angel, who possessed great authority, coming down out of heaven, and the earth was lit up by his radiance. 2 He shouted with a powerful voice: “Fallen, fallen, is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detested beast.
3 For all the nations have fallen from the wine of her immoral passion, and the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have gotten rich from the power of her sensual behavior.”
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, so you will not take part in her sins and so you will not receive her plagues, 5 because her sins have piled up all the way to heaven and God has remembered her crimes. 6 Repay her the same way she repaid others; pay her back double corresponding to her deeds. In the cup she mixed, mix double the amount for her. 7 As much as she exalted herself and lived in sensual luxury, to this extent give her torment and grief because she said to herself, ‘I rule as queen and am no widow; I will never experience grief!’ 8 For this reason, she will experience her plagues in a single day: disease, mourning, and famine, and she will be burned down with fire, because the Lord God who judges her is powerful!”
Illustration: Ancient Babylon great during Nebuchadnezzar
Ancient Babylon reached its greatest glory during King Nebuchadnezzar (604-562 BC). The city was divided into two equal parts by the River Euphrates. It had 25 avenues, 150 feet wide, which ran across the city from north to south. The same number crossed them at right angles from east to west, making a total of 676 great squares, each nearly 3/4 of a mile on each side. The entire city of Babylon, presently called Hillah, was an immense square totaling 15 miles having a population of over 30,000. (Source Unknown).