Babylon will be destroyed suddenly
January 21, 2022
Commentary
In these verses we find the reaction in heaven to the destruction of Babylon. Babylon had slain the saints; now God slays Babylon. As a confirmation to the citizens of heaven that the destruction is final, an angel takes a millstone and casts it into the sea to symbolize the sure and complete destruction of Babylon (v. 21). Never again will domestic activity be heard. Grinding was done by the women at home with two great circular stones, one on top of the other. The corn was put into a hole in the upper stone; it was ground between the two stones and emerged through the lower stone. The creaking sound of stone on stone will never again be heard. Neither will there be the sound of the craftsman doing his trade or of the sound of wedding rejoicing, for even love will die. Never again will there be light on the streets or in the houses. The reason is twofold: Babylon deceived the nations and Babylon killed the saints (vv. 23-24).
The description of Babylon’s destruction in Revelation 18 declares it will be destroyed suddenly (“in one day her plagues will come” [v. 8]; “for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste” [v. 17]). The destruction will be complete and final, “it shall be found no more at all” (Jer. 51:63-64); “So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer” (Rev. 18:21). Babylon will be destroyed with fire from heaven as God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah (Rev. 18:18; 16:17-21). Universal peace will follow the destruction.
Application
I should never live for accumulating money or things as it will be worthless in eternity. “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” (I Tim. 6:10). Just like the example in the destruction of Babylon, it will destroy me.
Revelation 18:20– 24 (NET)
20 (Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has pronounced judgment against her on your behalf!)
21 Then one powerful angel picked up a stone like a huge millstone, threw it into the sea, and said, “With this kind of sudden violent force Babylon the great city will be thrown down and it will never be found again!
22 And the sound of the harpists, musicians, flute players, and trumpeters will never be heard in you again. No craftsman who practices any trade will ever be found in you again; the noise of a mill will never be heard in you again.
23 Even the light from a lamp will never shine in you again! The voices of the bridegroom and his bride will never be heard in you again. For your merchants were the tycoons of the world, because all the nations were deceived by your magic spells!
24 The blood of the saints and prophets was found in her, along with the blood of all those who had been killed on the earth.”
Illustration: Charles II of England Thinks He is Superior to His Brother
Charles II of England, though hardly a brilliant ruler and certainly not a moral one, was popular with his subjects. The same could not be said about his brother and successor, James II, who was finally chased from the throne. Once, while Charles was still king, he expressed a wish to make an excursion through London unattended. His brother, then Duke of York, exclaimed that it would not be safe for the monarch to wander around without protection. “Depend upon it, brother,” retorted Charles, “no one would kill me to make you king!” (Encyclopedia of Illustrations #9469).