Revelation 18

Chapter 18 THE LORD OF THE EARTH A. THE OF THE FALL OF BABYLON. 18:1-8 B. THE ANGUISH IN THE WORLD BECAUSE OF THE FALL OF BABYLON. 18:9-19 C. THE OF JOY IN HEAVEN BECAUSE OF THE FALL OF BABYLON. 18:20-24

1. Loud proclamation of the angel. v.1-8
2. Lament of the kings. v.9-14
3. Lament of the merchants. v.15-17
4. Lament of the shipmen. v.17-19
5. Lesson of judgment. v.20-24

I. Babylon lays about 100 kilometres south of Baghdad in Iraq.

II. Babylon is first mentioned in Gen.2:14 and mentioned over 300 times in the Bible.

III. Nimrod was the first ruler of Babylon (Babel) Gen.10:8-10 and Babylon’ s first rise of rebellion against the Lord is mentioned in Gen.11:1-9. IV. Isaiah Ch.13-14; Jer. Ch. 50-51 and Rev. Ch. 17-18 are connective chapters and should be read to receive a more detailed view of future Babylon.

V. The ancient city of Babylon fell to Cyrus the Persian in 539 B.C., but did not fulfil Old Testament prophecies about Babylon’ s completely destruction Isaiah 13:19-20; Jer.50:39-40, it is about to be rebuilt Zech. 5:5-11 and become the greatest city in the world and then it will receive its judgment and never be inhabited again.

VI The city of Babylon of chapter 18 is a future commercial and economic centre of the world. It will be a literal commercial city in Iraq as revealed in Zech.5:5-11 VII. “ Wall street” is a geographical location in New York City but also a strong economic and commercial system, the future and next “ Wall street” is Babylon; it has been an economic and commercial system of the past and will be it at the end.

VIII. The harlot Babylon tries to reach God in her own way Gen.11:4, the economic and commercial Babylon tries to make herself a name. Gen.11:4 IX. The harlot of chapter 17 enslaves man spiritually in religion and demonic bondages. The commercial system of chapter 18 enslaves man materially, by the loaning, “ Modern” lifestyles that are expensive, selfishness and unrighteousness. X. Chapter18 contains:

A. 3 Laments. v. 10, 16, 19

B. Each lament contains:

1. Double alas.

2. Remembrance.

3. Statement.

C. Kings, merchants, and shipman cry these laments.

D. All 3 classes of man proclaim that she fell in one hour. v.10, 17, 19

E. 3 Pronouncements. v.1-3, 4-8, 21-24

Revelation 18:1-8

1. The Announcement of the fall of Babylon. 18:1-8 V.1 a) Descend of a great angel -

I. After the revelation of the harlot another angel reveals John the city of Babylon.

II. Extraordinary angels in Revelation.

A. Strong angel. 5:2

B. Mighty angel. 10:1-6, 18:21-23

C. Angel with great authority. 18:1-3

III. This angel has high authority in the kingdom of God. Col.1:16 IV. The angel is not Jesus:

The angel here is of the same kind as the angel in 17:1, no one should liken Jesus to an angel in nature. Heb. Ch.1; 2:5-9 V. The earth is illuminated with his glory because of the message of light he brings. V.2 b) Destruction of Babylon announced - The Result of the fall

The city of Hope of fallen man has fallen and become a Habitation of Fallen angels and Foul birds. Isaiah 13:21; 21:9; 34:11-17; Jer.50:39; 51:8, 37 V.3 c) Drunk the wrath of God - The Reason for the fall.

I. The nations and kings participated in her spiritual idolatry. Jer.51:7; Nahum 3:4 II. The merchants have enjoyed her luxury.

V.4 d) Depart from Babylon -

I. The tribulation saints are exhorted to depart physically from the city. Isaiah 48:20; 52:11; Jer.50:8,9; 51:6,8; Zech.2:6,7; 2 Cor.6:17,18 II. 2 reasons are given why to depart from Babylon:

1. Sharing her Pleasures will lead to sin. Isaiah 52:11
2. Sharing her Plagues will lead to death. Jer.50:8; 51:6, 9, 45 V.5 e) Divinity remembers Babylon -

I. Babylon’ s sin has Reached God.

II. Babylon’ s iniquities is Remembered by God.

Babylon is one of the oldest cities in history and has a long history of sins, which is in God’ s book of record.

III. In another way Babylon’ s time of judgment has come.

IV. The Babylonians once tried to reach God with tower of Babel, now Babylon has reached God because of her sins. Gen.11:1-9 V.6 f) Double judgment -

Babylon receives a double portion for her sins and for sharing her sins with others. Ex.22:9; Isaiah 40:2; Jer.16:18; 17:18; 50: 15, 29; Psalms 137:8; Matt.7:2; Gal.6:7-8

V.7 g) Delight repaid with torment -

I. Judged because of her Pleasure - Self-sufficiency

II. Judged because of her Pride - Superiority. Isaiah 47:7-15; Jer.50:31; Zeph.2:15

V.8 h) Doom of Babylon -

I. Her Plagues Described: Death, mourning and famine.

II. Her Pershing Declared: Burned with fire.

III. The stronghold of the world is destroyed by the strength of the Lord God.

Revelation 18:9-19

2. The Anguish in the world because of the fall of Babylon. 18:9-19 V.9 a) Smoke of Babylon -

The smoke of Babylon will cause the kings to weep and lament.

V.10 b) Standing kings -

I. Distant fear of the kings.

II. Declaration of the kings.

A. It was a great and mighty city for them for it gave them power.

B. It is destroyed in one hour. Jer.51:8 III. The Great city of man is destroyed because the city was a Grotesque city in God’ s sight.

V.11 c) Sorrow of the merchants -

I. The merchants sorrow is based upon own interest: No one buys their merchandise anymore. Isaiah Ch.23; Ezek.27:27 II. This verse reveals that Babylon will become the greatest commercial place during the great tribulation.

III. All commercial activity will be stopped in the judgment of the 6th seal. 16:18-21, which the judgment of the city of Babylon is a part of.

V.12-13 d) Selected merchandise of Babylon -

I. In these verses 28 things are revealed to be a part of the commerce.

These things are not complete but give us an idea of the commerce in Babylon.

II. Jewellery industry: Gold, silver, pearls and stones.

III. Clothing industry: Linen, purple, silk and scarlet.

IV. Furnish industry: Wood, ivory, bonze, iron and marble.

V. Spice industry: Cinnamon.

VI. Perfume industry: Incense, fragrant oil and frankincense.

VII. Food industry: Wine, oil, flour and wheat.

VIII. Animal industry: Cattle, sheep and horses.

IX. Transport industry: Chariots.

X. Slave industry: Bodies and souls.

V.14 e) Souls pleasure is gone -

I. Man looses their wealth in the destruction of Babylon.

II. They had pleasure in sin for a season but after it came destruction.

V.15-17 f) Sorrow of the merchants -

I. Distant fear of the merchants.

II. Declaration of the merchants.

A. It was a great and mighty city for them because of her wealth. B. It is destroyed in one hour.

V.17-18 g) Sailors distance and proclamations -

I. The captains, sailors, passengers and all the workers on ships are distantly crying out as they see her burning.

II. They cried: What is like this great city, that question is answered by God in chapter 21: The new Jerusalem is greater.

V.19 h) Sorrow of the Sailors -

I. Distant fear of the merchants. v.17

II. Declaration of the merchants. v.18-19

A. It was a great and mighty city for them because of her wealth.

B. It is destroyed in one hour.

Revelation 18:20-24

3. The Anticipation of joy in heaven because of the fall of Babylon. 18:20-24 V.20 i) Servants of God rejoices -

I. The judgment of God on Babylon was God’ s avenge.

II. 3 groups are told to rejoice: Heaven (All who don’ t belong to the 2 and 3 group), apostles and prophets. Isaiah 44:23; Jer.51:48 III. This is the only place in Revelation where rejoicing is exhorted.

V.21 j) Stone thrown into the sea -

I. A mighty angel is showing the judgment on Babylon by a symbolic act: A stone thrown into the sea and will not be found anymore. Jer.51:63-64 II. It is impossible for a great stone in the sea to rise up to the surface of the water, even as impossible will it be for Babylon to rise up again. V.22 k) Sounds of Babylon has ceased -

Babylon’ s Music and Manufacture has ceased. Isaiah 24:8 The Marriage ceases too. v.23

V.23 l) Sorcery of Babylon deceived the nations -

I. Babylon’ s light, joy and sorcery have ceased.

II. Babylon’ s merchants were the great men of the world. Isaiah 23:8 V.24 m) Saint’ s blood found in Babylon -

I. Babylon was not only a commercial city but also a slaughterhouse; it killed the servants of God. Jer.51:49 II. The angel reveals why she is judged:

A. Because of her Sorcery. v.23

B. Because of her Slaughter. v.24

III. Perhaps because of the exhortation to rejoice in heaven v.20 do we have heaven rejoices in 19:1-5.