Read
The Fall of Babylon
1I saw another angel come from heaven. This one had great power, and the earth was bright because of his glory. 2 The angel shouted,
“Fallen! Powerful Babylon
has fallen
and is now the home
of demons.
It is the den
of every filthy spirit
and of all unclean birds,
and every dirty
and hated animal.
3 Babylon's evil and immoral wine
has made all nations drunk.
Every king on earth
has slept with her,
and every merchant on earth
is rich because of
her evil desires.”
4 Then I heard another voice
from heaven shout,
“My people, you must escape
from Babylon.
Don't take part in her sins
and share her punishment.
5 Her sins are piled
as high as heaven.
God has remembered the evil
she has done.
6 Treat her as she
has treated others.
Make her pay double
for what she has done.
Make her drink twice as much
of what she mixed
for others.
7 That woman honored herself
with a life of luxury.
Reward her now
with suffering and pain.
“Deep in her heart
Babylon said,
‘I am the queen!
Never will I be a widow
or know what it means
to be sad.’
8And so, in a single day
she will suffer the pain
of sorrow, hunger, and death.
Fire will destroy
her dead body,
because her judge
is the powerful Lord God.”
9 Every king on earth who slept with her and shared in her luxury will mourn. They will weep, when they see the smoke from that fire. 10Her sufferings will frighten them, and they will stand at a distance and say,
“Pity that great
and powerful city!
Pity Babylon!
In a single hour
her judgment has come.”
11 Every merchant on earth will mourn, because there is no one to buy their goods. 12 There won't be anyone to buy their gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, sweet-smelling wood, fancy carvings of ivory and wood, as well as things made of bronze, iron, or marble. 13No one will buy their cinnamon, spices, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, chariots, slaves, and other humans.
14Babylon, the things
your heart desired
have all escaped
from you.
Every luxury
and all your glory
will be lost forever.
You will never
get them back.
15 The merchants had become rich because of her. But when they saw her sufferings, they were terrified. They stood at a distance, crying and mourning. 16Then they shouted,
“Pity the great city
of Babylon!
She dressed in fine linen
and wore purple
and scarlet cloth.
She had jewelry
made of gold
and precious stones
and pearls.
17 Yet in a single hour
her riches disappeared.”
Every ship captain and passenger and sailor stood at a distance, together with everyone who does business by traveling on the sea. 18 When they saw the smoke from her fire, they shouted, “This was the greatest city ever!”
19 They cried loudly, and in their sorrow they threw dust on their heads, as they said,
“Pity the great city
of Babylon!
Everyone who sailed the seas
became rich
from her treasures.
But in a single hour
the city was destroyed.
20 The heavens should be happy
with God's people
and apostles and prophets.
God has punished her
for them.”
21 A powerful angel then picked up a huge stone and threw it into the sea. The angel said,
“This is how the great city
of Babylon
will be thrown down,
never to rise again.
22 The music of harps and singers
and of flutes and trumpets
will no longer be heard.
No workers will ever
set up shop in that city,
and the sound
of grinding grain
will be silenced forever.
23Lamps will no longer shine
anywhere in Babylon,
and couples will never again
say wedding vows there.
Her merchants ruled
the earth,
and by her witchcraft
she fooled all nations.
24 On the streets of Babylon
is found the blood
of God's people
and of his prophets,
and everyone else.”
Reflect
God’s judgment on apostate religious and political systems (Babylon) is first announced in Rev. 14:8, is reiterated in 16:19, and wrapped up with a detailed explanation in chapter 18. The judgment and destruction of false religion and political systems is the final collapse of civilization itself.
Several reasons are given for the overthrow of Babylon. 1. Demonic teaching and ideas have infiltrated every facet of religious Babylon (v 2). 2. A lust for earthly power coupled with unfaithful political flirtations with the power brokers of the world (v 3). 3. Seeking after excessive wealth and luxuries (v 3). 4. The law of retribution. What goes around comes around (v 6) so arrogance and self-indulgent pride must be punished (vv 7-8).
False religious and political systems will be destroyed in one hour and the threefold repetition of this fact emphasizes the surgical precision and swiftness of the destruction (vv 10, 17, 19).The description suggests a fiery end, possibly as a result of an earthquake and volcanic eruption. When God’s judgment comes, it is frighteningly fast.
Sinners will be terrified by the suddenness and finality of Babylon’s destruction. At first they’ll mourn because their livelihood is destroyed (vv 11-19). Then their crying will be silenced by a strong angel (see Rev. 5:2, 10:1) throwing a large millstone into the sea (v 21). When the apostate religious and political systems are destroyed they’ll never (notice the six-fold repetitive use of “never” in the NIV) be found again (v 21), hear music again (v 22a), see trade and commerce again (v 22b), hear a millstone again (v 22c), have lamps shining (v 23), or have marriages conducted (v 23).
Saints and sinners are dramatically contrasted in chapters 18-19. Sinners are reduced to silence and the saints burst out shouting (19:1). Christians (those who come to Christ during the Tribulation) are told to separate themselves from Babylon, and to take no part in her sins (18:4). Then the Christians in heaven are told to rejoice over Babylon (18:20), so they sing an anthem of praise (19:1-8).
Respond
Lord, forgive me when I live as though the collapse of civilization will never happen. Help me steward my time, talents and treasures well. And let me not presume on your grace without keeping in mind the judgment to come. Amen.

Lawson Murray
Lawson is the President of Scripture Union Canada and the Managing Editor of theStory™. Lawson takes every opportunity to enthusiastically invite people of all ages to connect with Jesus and His Story. He says, “We have been given the greatest story ever - God's Story! Should we not, with all our might and energy immerse ourselves in it? I believe we should. For without the Story we really have nothing to offer the millions who hunger and thirst for something more. But, with God’s Story we have what everyone needs!” Publications: Bible Engagement Blog; Children’s Ministry Basics Blog, Bible Engagement Basics; Bible Beginners