26/07/2023 Wednesday
The Revelation
Study of John’s Revelation
Chapter 18
Chapter 18 – Economic Babylon
 Facts to Remember
 The second half of the Tribulation is known as the Great Tribulation.
 Chapter 17 described the doom of Religious Babylon (At mid Trib)
 Chapter 18 describes the doom of Economic Babylon (At end Trib)
 In this chapter, the Beast is not once named, nor do we find the ten kings mentioned. The chapter is given over entirely to the
destruction of Babylon. Human agents disappear; the ruin of that awful system of corruption is the predominating theme of the
entire chapter. Oliver B. Greene
Chapter 18 – Economic Babylon
 These two Babylons are not the same.
 They share similar names, power, leaders, hatred for saints, doom
 But, one is a harlot the other a city, one is religious the other economic, the first is destroyed by Antichrist, the second by God.
 It is amazing that in the midst of terrible judgments, the Antichrist builds an empire. Satan is powerful!
 Babylon the Great may be a city and a system.
Chapter 18 – Economic Babylon
 Babylon’s Fall Announced (Re 18:1-3)
 After these things (Re 17), John saw another angel.
 The earth was lightened by this very powerful angel’s glory.
 He cried mightily, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen…”
 This may be a fulfilment of Isaiah 13:9-13.
 This may be the 7th Bowl judgment (Revelation 16:17-21).
 Babylon the Great is guilty before God (v.3)
 She has infected all nations with her Antichrist worship and greed.
 She has also corrupted the kings of the earth.
 Fornication will likely be literal and symbolic.
 She has enriched the merchants of the world by her influence.
Chapter 18 – Economic Babylon
 Another Angel Calls for Separation (Re 18:4-5)
 God calls his people to come out of her.
 Her sins were Antichrist worship, greed, materialism, luxury, and sensuality.
 God gives us two reasons for separation.
 Separation is for sanctification.
 Separation is for protection.
 Man’s sins never escape God’s watchful eyes.
Chapter 18 – Economic Babylon
 The Voice Asks God to Reward Babylon Justly (Re 18:6-8)
 Reward her as she rewarded God (v.6).
 Double her punishment.
 Torment her according to her pride and luxury (v.7).
 Her judgment will be sudden (in one day) (v.8).
 She will be burned with fire.
 This will be the worst economic crash the world has ever known.
 “For strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.”
Chapter 18 – Economic Babylon
 Kings and Merchants Grieve over her (Re 18:9-19)
 Kings bewail her and lament (v.9-10)
 Merchants weep and mourn (v.11-14)
 These descriptions described the wealth and prosperity of John’s day.
 These items may be illustrative of riches in general.
Wealth and prosperity today are in different forms, but we get the picture.
 Merchants stand afar off in fear and cry (v.15-19)
Chapter 18 – Economic Babylon
 All Heaven will Rejoice (Re 18:20)
 Heaven will rejoice.
 This likely includes the persecuted and martyred saints in heaven (cf., v.24 and Re 19:1).
 The last phrase of the verse implies this.
 The holy apostles will rejoice.
 The prophets will rejoice.
 God has avenged them on her.
 God will pay her back for all she had done to His saints.
Chapter 18 – Economic Babylon
 The Great Millstone Illustration (Re 18:21-24)
 The millstone violently splashed into the sea and sank forever.
 The parties of Babylon will be gone forever.
 Darkness will cover Babylon forever.
 Marriages in Babylon will end forever.
 This Babylonian System is responsible for the blood of prophets and saints and all that were murdered.
Personal Application
 We must be careful not to allow materialism become our god. Life is about glorifying God not self!
 God is calling Christians to separation.
 God is taking note of all that we do, good and bad.
 All that men value and prize will one day sink forever.
 Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
 Where is your treasure?
 What are you living for?
 Who does your life glorify?