Fall of Political and Commercial Babylon
Fall of Political and Commercial Babylon (Ch. 18)
The Uniting of Babylon the Great
Babylon is an unholy union of the religious, commercial and political systems of the world. The system will be judged in two stages (17:16 and 18:21): Religious (Ch. 17) and Commercial/Political (Ch. 18).
In the judgment upon the religious part of the system (Ch. 17), she is put down and taken over by the Antichrist. She will for a season "rule" over the kings of the earth (17:3,18) — after her judgment, we see who is really controlling who. These kings will turn on her being inspired by God [as a sovereign act of judgment]. Those in whom she trusted so much and with whom had become mutually enriched, will rejoice to finally be rid of her.
Revelation 17:3 — So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Revelation 17:13, 16, 17 — 13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
This will unite religion and commerce, making the State (Antichrist) supreme. Babylon the Great, in final revelation, is a city ruled over by the Antichrist as both the religious and political head. She becomes abundantly rich in carnal wealth for her aid to the devil but she will ultimately suffer greatly for her supporting role in the Antichrist's efforts.
Placing Babylon
Babylon is a place as well as a system. Presently, there is no city "Babylon". If the ancient city of "Babylon" (50 miles south of modern Iraq) is to be included in this judgment, Babylon as a city must first be rebuilt.
Babylon is mentioned 287 times in the Scriptures, more than any other city except Jerusalem.
The more important detail concerning Babylon is not where on a map can we place her, but what is she guilty of that would incur such severe action from God. Babylon in Chapters 17 and 18, is at the very least symbolic of both a religious system (ch. 17) and a commercial system (ch. 18) that made themselves enemies of God.
The concept of Babylon is greater than Revelation 17-18 and the Antichrist’s reign. Babylon was present before and in John’s day (typified by Rome), in our day, and throughout history, as the world system. But under the Antichrist, Babylon (in both its religious and commercial aspects) will have influence over the earth as never before
- Cain Genesis 4:16,17 Cain went out from the presence of the LORD ... Cain built a city. Cain being uninterested in being ruled by God and attempting to ensure his legacy of self rule by building cities
- Tower of Babel - Resisting the Sovereignty of God
- Compare Revelation 18:21-24 & Jeremiah 51:63,64
Normalization of Babylon
Babylon will be a "one world" system that by nature of its pervasiveness will effect everything. Despite her extremes, excesses, perversion and corruption, she will become "normalized' in a reversed sense. Instead of bringing her to a standard of "normal", normal will be redefined to be in harmony with her standards. Any rebellion against the system and her corruption, will be viewed as "crimes against humanity".
For example:
- Refusing the Mark of the Beast to buy, trade and sale will be characterized as criminal to the level of worthy of capital punishment.
- Refusing to worship the Beast or his image, will be characterized idolatry.
- To speak the TRUTH of God's Word, will be condemned as spreading lies and false information.
- State sponsored corruption will be accepted "as they way things are" and any rebellion (verbal, action, inaction) against Babylon will be characterized as acts of terrorism.
Though for a season Babylon will be the standard of the world, she will be judged for her corruption.
The Announcement of her Judgment (vs. 1-8)
The Announcing Angel, vs. 1-3
A glorious messenger appears from out of heaven.
He Comes with Great Authority
John 5:25—Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
The Earth is Lighted with His Glory
This is never said describing created beings, but is often said of God! (Psalm 72:18,19; Isaiah 6:1-3; Ezekiel 43:2; Revelation 1:13-16; 21:23)
He Cries Mightily with a Strong Voice
The Calling Out of God's People, vs. 4-8
Revelation 18:4—And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Before the mighty word goes into effect, a voice from heaven (probably, the Father) says come out of her, my people. His people are warned to avoid getting caught up in the marketing of the evil system. (An effective advertisement is one that convinces you that you need something.)
- Come Out of her
- Call on Jesus
- Repent of Sin
- Be Born of the Spirit (Not a soul-ish or intellectual thing, but a spiritual experience.)
Satans really merchandise is the souls of men. He takes advantage of and seeks to rob a man of his soul. What do we want? Faith or Feeling. Bible or Psychology. (1 Corinthians 13:45) The devil employs all manner of means in this market: business, religion, drugs, sex, gossip, lustful and rebellious music,
The Reaction to Her Judgment (vs. 9-20)
The fall of Babylon is one of the most marvelous events of all time (i.e., the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah). Consider how this would effect the whole world and even how it would effect you. Her fall is a great disappointment to many as just at her height of success she is destroyed. All the schemes of human progress are left disappointed and many will lament. , but there are mixed reactions to her judgment for two worlds are involved. There some who will rejoice while others are crying.
Revelation 18:9,20—And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
Lamentation
Lamenting of Royalty, vs. 9-10
Lamenting of Merchants, vs. 11-16
Lamenting of Shipmasters, vs. 17-19
But while these lament, a grand jubilee fills the sky!
Rejoicing
The Heavenly Beings Rejoice
The Apostles Rejoice
The Prophets Rejoice
After her Fall (vs. 21-24)
Jer 51:63 And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates: 64 And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.
Re 18:21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. 22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; 23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
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