Introduction

• Revelation chapter 18 is connected to Revelation chapter 17
• Revelation 17 describes who Babylon is:
• She is the scarlet woman who sits on seven hills and has persecuted God’s people (Rev. 17:6,9)
• She has 7 kings and her 8^th king is the beast (Satan) (Rev. 17:10,11)
• She is the city which has dominion over the world (Rev. 17:18)
• She will be destroyed by the beast and his 10 kings (Rev. 17:16,17)
• Revelation chapter 17 describes “the judgment of the great harlot” (Babylon) (Rev. 17:1)
• The Greek word for “judgment” here refers to the sentence or verdict
• The verdict is destruction, which will be implemented by Satan (the scarlet beast) (Rev. 17:16,17)
• Revelation chapter 18 will now also describe Babylon’s “judgment” (Rev.18:10)
• The Greek word here means “the execution” or act of judgment
• Revelation chapter 18 will describe the execution of the verdict shown in Revelation 17

 

Revelation 18:1 

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

 

Revelation 18:1

“And after these things”

• John is now going to describe events which will occur after the reign of the 6^th king which was the time frame of his vision in Rev. 17

“another angel”

• who will repeat the message of the 2^nd angel of Rev. 14
• This suggests that the 2^nd angel’s message will follow the 6^th king

“from heaven”

• This is a special warning from God

“power”

• This message will have special “power”
• Greek “exousa” means “authority”
• This message is part of God’s final warning to the world

the earth was lightened with his glory”

• This message will illuminate the world at a time when the world is darkened by Satan (Rev. 8:12)
• This message will begin during Satan’s reign as the 8^th king
• This message will accompany the loud cry of the 3^rd angel’s message (G. C. p.604)

 “glory”

• This refers to God’s glory which is revealed in His plan of salvation
• The message of the true Christ will illuminate the world which is following the false Christ

 

Revelation 18:2  

“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.”

Revelation 18:2

“cried mightily with a strong voice,”

• This message will occur once the false Christ has taken control of apostate Christianity

“Babylon the great is fallen”

• Babylon represents apostate Christianity and specifically Papal Rome (Rev. 17:5,18)
• At the time of this message Babylon will have come under the control of Satan as the 8^th king

 “Babylon the great is fallen”

• Babylon’s original fall was because she made all nations drink of her wine or falsehoods (Rev. 14:8)
• Babylon now has fallen further and has allowed Satan to rule her as the 8^th king
• Satan is the father of all demons

 “is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit,”

• Once the 8^th king reigns as the false Christ Babylon truly is the dwelling place of demons and every foul spirit
• This parallels Revelation chapter 11 when the beast ascends (Rev. 11:7,8) and his city becomes Sodom and Egypt
• Sodom represents immorality
• Egypt represents false worship

• Once the false Christ (Satan) has taken over as the world’s spiritual leader Babylon will truly be the home of every demon

“a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.”

• This is a metaphor for the filthiness of Babylon

 

Revelation 18:3  

“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.”

 

Revelation 18:3

“all nations have drunk of the wine”

• This phrase refers to Rev. 14:8 and to Rev. 17:2
• Rev. 14:8 is the 2^nd angel’s message
• Rev. 17:2 is part of the description of the Papacy as Babylon
• “all nations” refers to those nations of the world who accept Babylon’s “wine” (her falsehoods)
• This occurs when the world accepts Babylon’s false day of worship (Sunday)
• This occurs when the Sunday Law becomes universal

 “the wine of the wrath of her fornication”

• This wine “of her fornication” refers to the illicit relationship between Babylon and the world’s leaders (“kings of the earth”)
• This relationship is based on Babylon’s “wine” or falsehoods
• This relationship will bring about the enforcement of the false Sabbath (Sunday) on the world’s people

 “the merchants of the earth are waxed rich”

• The Greek “emperoi” translated “merchants” means “traveler” or “ones on a journey”
• These “merchants” represent those who sell Babylon’s lies to the world and also all those who profit off of Babylon

 “through the abundance of her delicacies.”

• The Greek word “ dunamis” translated “abundance” means “power”
• This can refer to the power of her influence
• The Greek word “sthenos” translated “delicacies” means “wantonness” or “idle luxury”
• This can refer to the power of Babylon’s sins or influence on her followers

 

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.”

 

Revelation 18:4

“I heard another voice from heaven,”

• This is another angelic voice from heaven with God’s final call or warning

“saying, Come out of her, my people”

• God is calling His people out of Babylon
• This voice repeats the call of the 2^nd angel’s message (Rev. 14:8) but adds the warning that Babylon is now inhabited by demons (Satan)

• This message suggests that God will still have people inside Babylon just prior to the judgment of Babylon, which includes the 7 last plagues (Rev. 18:4,8)

“that ye be not partakers of her sins,”

• This is the first reason given to leave Babylon (see Jeremiah 51:6)
• “her sins” refers to Rev. 17:2-6 and Rev. 18:2,3,5,7,23,24
• Her sins listed in chapter 17: illicit relationship with the world’s leaders, misleading the world’s people, blasphemy, abominations, mother of other false churches (harlots), and killing the saints
• Her five sins listed in chapter 18 are: pride and arrogance, materialism and luxury, adultery, deception, and persecution

 “that ye receive not of her plagues.”

• This is the 2^nd reason given to leave Babylon
• Those in Babylon will receive the 7 last plagues, therefore, it is imperative to leave
• These plagues will fall on those who have the mark of the beast or worship its image (Rev. 16:2)
• These are the wicked who have Satan’s seal or mark

• God’s people will not receive the plagues because the plagues are God’s wrath against His enemies (Rev. 15:1,7; 16:1)

• God’s people have His seal when the plagues are poured out on the earth and sea (Rev. 7:1-4)

 

Revelation 18:5  

“For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.”

 

Revelation 18:5

“For her sins”

• These are the sins described in Rev. 17:2-6 and Rev. 18:2,3,5,7,23,24

“have reached unto heaven,”

• Babylon’s sins are so great that they are like a mountain
• This is possibly an allusion to the tower of Babel (Gen. 11:4)

“God hath remembered her iniquities.”

• God is about to reward Babylon for her sins

 

Revelation 18:6  

“Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.”

 

Revelation 18:6

“Reward her”

• This literally means  to “give her to the limit” or “to repay in full”

“even as she rewarded you,”

• This means “according to her deeds”
• Her punishment will fit her crimes

“double unto her double”

• This means give her a double measure (see Jeremiah 16:18; 17:18 and Isaiah 40:2)

“according to her works:”

• Babylon will be judged by her works
• Her punishment will match her treatment of others (see Rev. 20:12,13)

“In the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.”

• This repeats her punishment as double
• This verse connects to Rev. 17:4 (her cup of abominations) and Rev. 14:10 (God’s cup of wrath)
• In the same cup she mixed evil God will now mix her judgment (“fill” means “mix”)

 

Revelation 18:7  

“How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.”

 

Revelation 18:7

“How much”

• Her punishment will be in proportion to her former boasting

“hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously,”

• Literally “so many things have glorified her and made her wanton”
• Her pride led to arrogance

 “so much torment and sorrow give her:”

• This refers to the torment she will get as a result of the plagues (Rev. 18:4) and her final destruction (Rev. 17:16)

“she saith in her heart, I sit a queen,”

• Babylon believes her own lies (self deception)
• Babylon will accept the false Christ as true
• Babylon thinks she is a queen but she is a whore (Rev. 17:1,5)

 “am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.”

• Widows had no legal status
• Widows would have no claim on the people of the earth
• Babylon claims to be Christ’s bride
• Babylon boasts that she will have no sorrow but that is a lie

 

Revelation 18:8  

“Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.”

 

Revelation 18:8

“Therefore”

• Babylon will reap her reward because of her sins

“her plagues”

• These plagues are described in Rev. 16:1-21
• These plagues will fall on Babylon as well as all those who have the mark of the beast and worship its image (Rev. 16:2)

 “one day”

• These plagues will fall in one day
• This can be either one literal day or one prophetic year
• One literal day is inconsistent with all of the events described in Revelation 16
• One literal day is also an extremely short time period in which to repay the wicked for their mistreatment of God’s people
• This can be either one literal day or one prophetic year
• Also the plagues correlate with Satan’s reign as world king which would mean he would only reign for one day which would not allow him time to demonstrate his ability to rule

 “death, and mourning, and famine”

• “death” will result from following Babylon
• “mourning” will also result from following Babylon and suggests a longer time period than one day (everyone dead and no one to mourn)
• “famine” will result from these plagues which also suggests that they do not occur in one literal day

 “she shall be utterly burned with fire”

• This means that Babylon will be utterly burned up
• This verse is describing the same thing that John described in Rev. 17:16 where the great harlot (Babylon) is burned “up with fire”
• It must be noted that the destruction of Babylon (the city, Rev. 17:18) is done by the 10 kings and the 8^th king (Rev. 17:16-18)

• Babylon (the city) will be destroyed prior to the 2^nd Coming and the world will mourn its loss (see Rev. 18:9,10,11,15,18,19)
• Spiritual Babylon will be completely destroyed at the 2^nd Coming (Rev. 16:19)

”for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.”

• God is responsible for this judgment
• The plagues are God’s wrath against the wicked (Rev. 15:1)
• God will use the beast (Satan) and his 10 kings to carry out His plan against Babylon (Rev. 17:17)

 

Revelation 18:9 

“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,”

 

Revelation 18:9

“And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication”           

• These are the same kings described in Rev. 17:2 who supported the scarlet woman (Babylon)
• These are the earth’s political leaders who have misled their people into drinking Babylon’s wine (Rev. 14:8; 17:2)
• “fornication” here represents an illicit alliance between so called Christians and the world

 “lived deliciously with her,”

• This phrase means made “wanton”
• This refers to how the world enjoyed Babylon

“shall bewail her,”

• This means “mourn her”
• The world will see the destruction of Babylon and mourn her loss

“lament for her,”

• Greek “kopto” meaning “to beat ones breast”

 “when they shall see the smoke of her burning,”

• This confirms that the world will witness the destruction of Babylon (see also Rev. 18:15,17,18)
• This destruction will be caused by the 8^th king and his 10 kings (Rev. 17:16,17)
• This destruction will occur prior to the 2^nd Coming because the world will have time to mourn the loss of Babylon

 

Revelation 18:10 

“Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.”

 

Revelation 18:10

“Standing afar off for the fear of her torment”

• The world’s leaders will not come to Babylon’s aide
• The world’s leaders will stand “afar off” for fear of getting the same treatment

“Alas, alas”

• They are mourning the loss of Babylon

“that great city Babylon, that mighty city!”

• The destruction described here relates to the city of Babylon and not to all of her followers
• This great city is the same city described in Rev. 17:5,18
• This is not the “great city” of Rev. 11:8 which is the city “where their Lord was crucified” which is Jerusalem

 “for in one hour “

• This one hour is the same “one hour” during which the 10 kings reign (Rev. 17:12)
• The 10 kings will destroy Babylon (Rev. 17:16)
• This  phrase “one hour” is repeated twice more for emphasis (Rev. 18:17,19)
• “one hour” can refer to approximately 2 weeks of prophetic time or to a short unspecified time
• A short unspecified time period is probably better here

 “is thy judgment come.”

• The Greek word “krisis” used here means “the execution of the judgment”
• The Greek word used in Revelation chapter 17 is “krima” which means “the sentence of judgment”
• Revelation chapter 17 describes the sentence on Babylon (Rev. 17:1)
• Revelation chapter 18 describes the execution of that sentence (Rev. 18:10)

Revelation 18:11 

“And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:”

 

Revelation 18:11

“And the merchants of the earth”

• These merchants represent those who did business with Babylon:
• Those merchants who profited commercially because of Babylon
• Those merchants who sold her “wine” or falsehoods to the world (this would include the world’s spiritual leaders who accepted and sold this wine)

 “shall weep and mourn over her”

• These merchants are seen weeping over Babylon, which also suggests that the destruction of Babylon described here is not the 2^nd Coming since there will be no time for weeping then

 “for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:”

• Once Babylon is destroyed and powerless the world will no longer buy her merchandise
• This refers to her literal goods which are no longer available
• This refers to her wine (falsehoods) which will no longer be of interest to the world since she is powerless and therefore, her merchants can not sell them

 

Revelation 18:12 

“The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,”

 

Revelation 18:12

“The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet,”

• This list of precious things demonstrates two things:
• That Babylon was very wealthy and had extensive commercial interests
• The comprehensiveness of Babylon’s corrupt doctrines (example, compare gold and fine linen Rev. 3:18)

 “and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,”

• “thyine wood” : literally “scented wood” used for incense (for false worship)
• “vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,”” again used in false worship

 

Revelation 18:13 

“And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.”

 

Revelation 18:13

“And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense,”

• “odours” better translated “incense”
• “ointments”  compare to Rev. 3:18

“and wine, and oil,”

• Wine represents Babylon’s falsehoods
• “oil” represents Babylon’s false spirits (in place of the Holy Spirit)

 “and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.”

• All of these represent both literal merchandise and spiritual merchandise
• Babylon sold men and also sold men’s souls

 

Revelation 18:14 

“And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.”

 

Revelation 18:14

“And the fruits that thy soul lusted after”

• “the fruits” Greek “apora” means “fruits” or “the season of ripe fruits”
• If translated “the season of ripe fruits” then this means that Babylon’s successful days are over
• If translated “fruits” then this refers to Babylon’s loss of her fruits
• Some of these fruits were listed in the previous verses: the material wealth and misleading of men
• Other fruits include her influence and power over the world, her pride and her slaying of the saints

 “are departed from thee,”

• Babylon has lost all her possessions

“all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee,”

• Literally, “the fat things and the splendid things”
• Babylon has lost all her luxurys

 “and thou shalt find them no more at all.”

• This means that this will be a permanent destruction of Babylon
• This idea is repeated seven times in this chapter (Rev. 18:14,21, 22,22,22,23,23) suggesting that this sentence is unchangeable!

 

Revelation 18:15 

“The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,”

 

Revelation 18:15

“The merchants of these things,”

• These merchants are involved with “these things” suggests that these merchants were actively involved with selling Babylon’s goods
• This suggests that these merchants represent the spiritual leaders of the world who bought and sold Babylon’s lies

 “which were made rich by her,”

• Babylon rewarded her “merchants” with wealth and power and influence

“shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment,”

• These merchants (spiritual leaders of the world) will not help Babylon
• These merchants will be afraid they might  reap her reward

 “weeping and wailing,”

• These merchants are described as weeping and wailing
• They are weeping over the destruction of Babylon
• They are weeping over their own loss of power and wealth which they had as her merchants

 

Revelation 18:16 

“And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!”

 

Revelation 18:16

“And saying, Alas, alas,”

• “Alas, alas” suggests utter remorse over their loss

“that great city,”

• This “great city” is Babylon (compare to Rev. 17:18)
• This is not the same as the great city of Rev. 11:8 which is Jerusalem

 “that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!”

• This is the same woman described in Rev. 17:4 (the scarlet woman)
• This woman was rich but is now desolate (see Rev. 17:16)
• This woman was clothed in luxury but is now naked

 

Revelation 18:17 

“For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,”

 

Revelation 18:17

“For in one hour so great riches is come to nought.”

• This “one hour” refers to a short time period, possibly as short as two weeks (prophetic time)
• This “one hour” is emphasized three times (Rev. 18:10,17,19) demonstrating its importance

For in one hour so great riches is come to nought.”

• This is the same “one hour” that the 10 kings will reign (Rev. 17:12)
• During the reign of the 10 kings they will destroy Babylon (Rev. 17:16,17)

 “And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea,”

• “shipmaster” or “helmsman” (not the owner)
• This represents those who carry the wine (etc.) to others
• “all the company” refers to all sailing for a place
• This would include all who are headed the same direction
• “sailors” and those who “trade by sea” represent those who help carry the wine (etc.) to others
• “sea” represents people of the world who receive these falsehoods (Rev. 17:15)

 “stood afar off,”

• These laborers for Babylon are now seen as standing “afar off,”
• They now are afraid and do not want to be associated with this collapsing empire
• They are clearly aware of Babylon’s destruction and are keeping their distance which suggests this occurs prior to the 2^nd Coming

 

Revelation 18:18 

“And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!”

 

Revelation 18:18

“And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning,”

• These merchants cry because they will no longer be able to sell her products (wine, etc.)
• The world would no longer believe her lies
• These merchants cry because they have bought her wine themselves
• These merchants may also cry out of fear for themselves

 “the smoke of her burning,”

• This confirms that the world will witness the destruction of Babylon (see also Rev. 18:9,15,17)
• This destruction will be caused by the 8^th king and his 10 kings (Rev. 17:16,17)
• This destruction will occur prior to the 2^nd Coming because the world will have time to mourn the loss of Babylon

 “What city is like unto this great city!”

• This confirms again that the subject of the judgment in both Revelation chapter 17 and chapter 18 is the city (Rev. 17:18; 18:10,16,18,19,21)
• This city is Papal Rome (Rev. 17:5,6,9,18)
• Papal Rome will be destroyed prior to the 2^nd Coming

 

Revelation 18:19 

“And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.”

 

Revelation 18:19

“And they cast dust on their heads,”

• This was a sign of shame or grief

“and cried, weeping and wailing,”

• They were extremely upset over the loss of Babylon

“saying, Alas, alas,”

• Suggests utter remorse

 “that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness!”

• That great city is Papal Rome
• “made rich” those who sold Babylon’s wine (etc.) profited highly
• “her costliness” or her “expensiveness”: those who did business with Babylon profited

 “in one hour”

• This is the same “one hour” described in Rev. 18:10,17 and in Rev. 17:12
• This is the time when Babylon (the city) will receive her reward
• This is the time of the reign of the 10 kings who will destroy Babylon (Rev. 17:12,16,17)

“is she made desolate.”

• This destruction will be carried out by the 10 kings and the scarlet beast (8^th king) (Rev. 17:16)

 

Revelation 18:20 

“Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.”

 

Revelation 18:20

“Rejoice over her, thou heaven,”

• Heaven will be first to rejoice over Babylon’s destruction

“and ye holy apostles and prophets;”

• “holy apostles” better translated “saints and apostles”: the saints were killed by Babylon (Rev. 17:6; 18:24)
• “prophets”: these were killed by Babylon (Rev. 18:24)

 “for God hath avenged you on her.”

• “avenged” means “executed your sentence”
• This is part of God’s vengeance on the wicked (Rom. 12:19)
• This is a partial answer to the souls crying out for vengeance in the 5^th seal (Rev. 6:10)
• This is repayment for killing God’s people (Rev. 18:24)

 

Revelation 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.”

 

Revelation 18:21

“And a mighty angel”

• Literally “one strong angel”

“a great millstone,”

• This is a large stone turned by an animal for grinding things

“and cast it into the sea,”

• This symbolizes the destruction of Babylon (see Jer. 51:63,64; Isa. 13:19)
• This suggests a rapid overthrow of Babylon
• This suggests a complete inundation or burial (see Jer. 50:9; 51:27,41,42)

 “Thus with violence”

• Babylon will disappear with violence
• Babylon will disappear completely (see Jer. 51:42,64; compare Eze. 27:25-36 where Tyre represents Babylon)
• Babylon will be destroyed by the 10 kings and the scarlet beast (Rev. 17:16)

 “that great city Babylon be thrown down,”

• This prophecy is about the city of Babylon which is Rome (see Rev. 17:5,9,18)
• The city of Rome will be destroyed at the end of time

“shall be found no more at all.”

• Rome will be destroyed and never again exist (compare Isa. 13:19,20)

 

Revelation 18:22  

“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;”

 

Revelation 18:22

“the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters,”

• “voice” or “sound of”
• “harpers”: Greek “kitharodei” means musician singers (minstrels) who sang and played an instrument resembling a lyre
• “pipers”: flute players

 

 “shall be heard no more at all in thee;”

• There will be no more singing in Babylon
• There will be no more music in Babylon (see Eze. 26:13)

“and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;”

• No more skilled workers will exist in Babylon
• No more daily commerce will occur

 

Revelation 18:23  

“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.”

 

Revelation 18:23

“And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee;”

• “candle” literally means a “lamp”
• There will be no light in Babylon
• Babylon will now be in utter darkness which is fitting for a city which led the world into falsehood

 “the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee:”

• All social life and family life has ended (see Jer. 25:10 where this same thing happened to Jerusalem)

“for thy merchants were the great men of the earth;”

• Babylon’s merchants are gone (compare Isa. 23:8, Eze. 26:17; 27:8)

 “for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.”

• “sorceries” refers here to the deceptions that Babylon has carried out on the world (see Rev. 17:2)

“all nations”

• This is the same “all nations” that drank her wine (Rev. 14:8)

 

 

Revelation 18:24 

“And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.”

 

Revelation 18:24

“And in her was found the blood of prophets”

• “blood” here refers to those killed by Babylon
• “prophets” refers to God’s prophets killed by Babylon throughout history but especially those prophets killed in the last days by the reigning leadership in Rome

 “and of saints,”

• Rome will also be guilty of killing God’s people in the last days and will be punished for it

“and of all that were slain upon the earth.”

• Babylon or Rome will be guilty of killing others as well as God’s people even in the last days
• In a broad sense Babylon could be applied to all apostate religion and then would it be responsible for every ones death
• Old Testament Parallels
• Babylon is described in the Old Testament in the following books:
• Isaiah chapters 13, 14, 47
• Jeremiah chapters 25, 50, 51
• Ezekiel chapters 26, 27, 28

 

Summary

• Revelation chapter 18 is a continuation of the judgment of Babylon introduced in Revelation chapter 17:
• Rev. 17 describes the judgment (Greek “krima”: sentence or verdict) on Babylon
• Rev. 18 describes the judgment (Greek “krisis”: execution of that sentence) on Babylon
• Babylon is described as “fallen” however her fall is different than it was in Revelation 14:8:
• In Revelation 14 Babylon is fallen because she made all nations drink her wine or falsehoods which refers to the world accepting her false Sabbath
• In Revelation 18 Babylon is fallen because she has become the dwelling place of demons as well as making the world drink her wine
• Babylon literally will become the dwelling place of demons once Satan becomes the 8^th king and takes over rulership of Rome
• Thus Revelation 18 is describing Rome after the 8^th king has taken over from the 7^th
• Satan will actually reign in Jerusalem but will control Rome as its 8^th king (see Rev. 11:8)
• Babylon represents the Papacy as well as the city of Rome and Revelation 18 is describing Rome’s destruction
• God’s people are called to come out of Babylon which means to abandon the false beliefs of the Papacy
• God’s 7 last plagues will fall on all those who accept the wine of Babylon
• The plagues will fall over one year and near the end of the plagues Babylon (the city) will be destroyed (Rev. 17:16)
• This is shown by the world’s kings, merchants, and seafaring men all mourning her loss which occurs prior to the 2^nd Coming or they would not be able to mourn and stand afar off
• Babylon (the people) will be destroyed at the 2^nd Coming (which is the 7^th plague) (Rev. 16:19)
• Babylon (the city) is destroyed by the 10 kings and the scarlet beast (8^th king) (Rev. 17:16)
• Babylon will be destroyed in “one hour” which is when the 10 kings reign (Rev. 17:12)
• These kings will be doing God’s will (Rev. 17:17) by destroying Rome
• Babylon’s destruction will be permanent and forever and will avenge God’s people whom she has slain, especially, those whom she will slay during the last days