Revelation 18

June 18, 2023

Babylon's Fall - Political/Commercial #

Revelation 18:1-8

Introduction

Notice, that the Fall of Babylon is referenced back in Revelation 14:6-8. Let's go back and look at it. Clearly that is the timeline of events, and Revelation 17-18 are parenthetical statements, clarifying the details of the fall of Babylon. In Chapter 17, we noted the fall of the religious system of Babylon. It seems more of a system, than a physical, actual place. Notice in Revelation 18, the wording certainly lends itself more to a physical place, and location that would represent the center of political or commercial activity.

As I read Revelation 18, I cannot help but to think of Sodom and Gomorrah, a wicked city, which was severely judged by God for their wickedness. The similarities:

1. S&G was a wicked place full of perverse demonic activity. (Gen 19:7,13) As Babylon is described Rev 18:2

2. The saved were called out of S&G before judgment (Gen 19:12-13) as is described in Rev 18:4

3. The most apparent, S&G was very swiftly destroyed with fire & brimstone by God himself (Gen 19:4) similar to what is described in Rev 18:8-10.

4. S&G was eradicated from the earth, as will be Babylon (Rev 18:21)

  • I'm not advocating that Bab. is S&G, but rather, S&G is a foreshadowing, typology of Bab.'s fall. Perhaps, a pattern of extreme wickedness, swiftly being judged by God.

I. The Report of Judgment (1-8) #

A. The Messengers (1, 4) #

1. The Angel (1) #

  • Notice in Rev 18:1, "And after these things" -- clearly this is a new vision, and another angel. These are not to be overlooked, but are clearly a separation from the events, of the prior chapter.
  • The angel was sent as a public service announcement. No specific crowd is defined.

2. The Voice (4) #

  • The voice, specifically speaks to the saved people. Again, these are people who are saved during the tribulation period.
  • God maintains witnesses during the tribulation period, but it is not the church. (Emphasis of church in Rev 2-3, absence after Rev 4, "first voice" "trumpet" & "Come up hither"), pre-tribulation.
  • God's voice is heard, but He is not seen.

B. The Message (2, 3, 7) #

1. Sinfulness of Bab(2) - Full of wickedness, #

  • foul spirit -

1John 4:1 ¶ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

  • Some people say all the right things, check all the right boxes, but something doesn't sit right... the spirit isn't right! - This place was full of wickedness.

2. Sway of Bab(3) - It was pushed out to others! #

3. Separation of God's people(4) - Get out! #

4. Self Exaltation of Bab(7) #

5. Swift Destruction of Bab(8) #

II. The Reaction to Judgment (9-13) #

A. Mourning (9-10) #

1. The kings who benefited will mourn (9) #

  • These are the kings, who knew of it's wickedness, and benefited from it!
  • Many people are fearful to live in wickedness themselves, but they certainly sit outside the door and benefit from it's wicked corrupt practices. (10)
  • They mourn their own financial benefit, not the loss of B.

2. The merchants (11-13) #

  • Look at their list of goods (12-13)

  • These are wicked merchants! "slaves, and souls of men"

    • Slavery, and human trafficking will still be a problem! - It is associated with wickedness!

  • "Stand afar off" - They know it is wicked, vial place.

3. Mourning their loss (14) #

  • They don't want to be close to it, just close enough to take advantage of it, and line their pockets.

B. Masking (16) #

1. Their description doesn't match reality (16) - #

  • "stand afar off", "fear of her torment" (15)

C. Merriness (20) #

  • Generally, if the wicked are merry, the righteous are mourning, if the wicked are mourning, the righteous are merry.
  • We find that heaven is rejoicing!

1. Prophets of OT - Killed for Proclaiming God's Truth #

2. Apostles NT represent the church (in heaven) - Also killed for Proclaiming God's truth #

III. The Results of Judgment (7-9, 14, 21-23) #

  • The Results of the Judgment are sprinkled through the chapter.

A. Marked Destruction (8, 10) #

1. Sudden #

  • People live in absolute rebellion to God, and think they are getting away with it.
  • God givers time... but mark it down, NOTHING get's past God!
  • God's judgement does come!

2. Severe - God's judgement is just, and when you live in open, absolute rebellion, mocking God, you can expect that judgement will fall on you! #

B. Complete Destruction (21-23) "no more at all" #

1. No return! #

  • vs 21 - "no more at all"
  • vs 22 - "no more at all", "any more", "no more at all"
  • vs 23 - "no more at all", "no more at all"
  • Do you get the idea that God is trying to tell us something?

C. Justice served (24) #

  • This place, was a center for killing, and destroying prophets, and saints.
  • It was a center known for the destruction of those who are saved, and outspoken for the Cause of God!
Tags: Preaching Outlines Revelation Judgement Babylon