Revelation 18:1-24
Q.1. What justification was given for Babylon’s ruin? What characterizes the political and economic system of the world? Where do God’s people belong? – (Rev.18:1-8)
God empowers another glorious angel with great delegated authority, to pronounce judgment on Babylon the Great (Rev.18:1-2 c.f. 17:5). We have learned that ‘religious’ Babylon the great has been destroyed by the beast that came out of the abyss (Gen.17:8-13). Now the ‘Political’ and ‘Economic’ Babylon is destroyed – 2 … “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality.” (Rev.18:2-3). It is time that all who have profiteered from this system be judged – 6 Pay her back even as she has paid and give back to her double according to her deeds; in the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her. 7 To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously, to the same degree give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, `I sit as a queen and I am not a widow and will never see mourning (Rev.18:6-7). This is no place for the saints of God. They are warned – 4 …”Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues; 5 for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities (Rev.18:4-5).
Q.2. How quickly will the world system come crashing down? What will the world’s reaction be? How will God’s people respond to the destruction? – (Rev.18:9-20)
The stock markets will come crashing down – … in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong … For in one hour your judgment has come (Rev.18:8 & 10 c.f. Rev.18:17 & 19). World leaders, traders, entrepreneurs, and economist of earth and their blind followers will – … weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargoes any more … crying – What city is like the great city? (Rev.18:11 & 18). By contrast, God’s people are invited – Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her (Rev.18:20).
Q.3. What does the strong angel do with Babylon? Will the old world-system ever be resurrected? How has the world treated God’s servants? – (Rev.18:20-24)
Babylon is violently destroyed – Then a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer (Rev.18:21). The old-world system, with its pomp, prestige, ill-gotten gains, and empty praise will not rise again (Rev.18:21-23). The system had denounced everything that is good and right – And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth (Rev.18:24).