Several verses in Revelation chapter 18 focus on the political and economic collapse of Babylon. When Babylon starts falling, the merchants “weep and mourn” because Babylon is no longer buying her “rich” or luxurious items that they sold to her. Our country is going through inflation right now and most people are hurting in one form or another. The Russia and Ukraine war has impacted most of the world already. During the tribulation, circumstances will be far worse. Already we see how the decisions that people make, totally impact our economy. She is falling apart! Woe to you great city!
Spiritual Then Economic/Political Fall
Revelation chapter 17 concentrates on the spiritual aspects of Babylon and her adultery. Now, we read about the wrong that Babylon does from an economic and political perspective and how Babylon falls. It is my understanding that this part of Babylon takes place more towards the end of the Tribulation where, the spiritual destruction occurs earlier.
Another Angel Speaks About Fallen Babylon
John sees another very bright angel with a lot of authority come to earth. The earth lit up because of how bright and beautiful this angel is. This angel shouts with a loud voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great.
About Babylon The Great:
She Is:
- A dwelling place for demons
- A haunt for every impure spirit, unclean bird and unclean, detestable animal
- Unclean
- Adulteress- the nations drank the angry wine of those she had adultery with and the kings of the earth committed adultery with her.
- Merchants are rich because of her
Get Out Of Her Way
An additional voice comes from heaven telling people to get away from her (Babylon). Have nothing to do with her. This way you won’t be part of the sin that she does and you won’t reap the consequences either of what she does. The list of her sins is huge and God remembers all that she has done.
Pride Then Consequences
Pay her back for what she has done! Even give her double for her trouble!
Tease and torment her, giving her the same amount of grief as the luxuries that she has.
She is full of pride and brags about herself! So she says she is not a widow and won’t cry! One day, for all that she has done, she will face consequences such as famine, mourning and then death. She doesn’t believe that she will face consequences that are difficult, but she really will. When God brings His judgment on her, she will be consumed by fire!
Godless Lives
I read and hear a lot of pride lately when I read people’s comments on social media or on the news. Many agnostics and atheists don’t believe that anything will happen to them because they don’t believe in God or even that there is such a thing as God. To them, that is “our religion”. They believe that we can believe what we want but it doesn’t mean that it is true. There is no “fear” of God in their life.
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
Romans 3:15-18
16 ruin and misery mark their ways,
17 and the way of peace they do not know.”[f]
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”[g]
No respect!
No concern for them or their family!
They only live for now and don’t think about their future. But, according to God’s Word, the Bible, the problem with their perspective is that it doesn’t align with God. He created the world and gives us all that we have and knows and controls fully what will happen in the end times. He says that living a godless, unholy life is not good! They have NO idea! They don’t fear God, they have no idea what they are setting themselves up against. Again, they live according to their Post-Modern views “Truth for thee is not for me!” and “don’t tell me how to live my life…I will decide on that!” and “My body, my choice (disregarding the other body living inside the womb)”
Kings, Merchants And Sea Captains Grieve
Kings And Authority
Three groups of people are going to grieve at this point. The kings (rulers, Presidents, and any form of authority). When the kings (those subscribed to her views and her life) see these consequences, they will then grieve and weep when they see the final punishment, her burning for eternity. They will say,
“Woe, woe to you great city, mighty city of Babylon. In one hour your doom has come!
Merchants
Next, we see Merchants who will suffer! The merchants are people in the economy who buy and sell! They are so upset that they are no longer making money from those who are gone. In the end, they are really going to suffer. The merchants (stores) she bought from are going to weep and grieve too! Their business will be shuttered and they will be poor as well. Many items, plus people, who are sold as slaves, will not be available. It sounds like even Human Trafficking will no longer be a “business”. The merchants cry out too,
“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet,
and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’
Revelation 18:16-17
One Hour! It is going fast!
Sea Captains And Transportation
Next, we have the sea captains. Basically, transportation of goods and products! These are the people who earn money from getting products to move in their country and around the world. They will see the economy and will weep and mourn also as this will affect them as well! Then, they will stand far away and exclaim, “was there ever a city like this great city?” They will throw dust on their heads and cry out…
‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
where all who had ships on the sea
became rich through her wealth!
In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’
Revelation 18:19
To The People Of God
She (Babylon) will be destroyed quickly. Then the loud voice from heaven says,
“Rejoice over her, you heavens!
Rejoice, you people of God!
Rejoice, apostles and prophets!
For God has judged her
with the judgment she imposed on you.”
Revelation 18:20
Be glad and rejoice people of God, apostles and prophets because God has judged her with the same judgment that she gave you.” People that judge us as believers will receive the same judgment some day, after they are ruined. They choose to be condemning now of all that people who know and follow Christ. What many don’t realize is that their condemnation and consequences are coming.
The Final Destruction
The next event, the final straw is when a very strong angel picks up a boulder, the size of a large millstone. The angel throws the boulder into the sea and states that this kind of violence will take the city of Babylon down and she will no longer exist. No music, workers or sounds heard again. Also no lights will be seen shining, no voices of a bride and bridegroom will ever be heard again. Those who sold were their most important people, but by their magic, all the nations were led astray.”
How We See Money Used For Evil Today
A lot of business and politics are crooked and becoming worse by the day, it seems. It isn’t hard to see those consumed by materialism, by money and idols today. This money and materialism is more important to them than it should be, so they are led astray. Spiritually and economically, we see symbolism of Babylon, and that they are responsible for the blood of all of the prophets, God’s holy people and those who were killed on the earth.
Abortion Industry
I think right now of all of the aborted babies. The abortion industry and Planned Parenthood are responsible for the part that they play by murdering babies. God will judge this industry and the evil performed by them. Money is so important to people today, that it controls how people live and behave and people are doing horrific things for the love of money.
The Love Of Money
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
I Timothy 6:10
Money itself is not good or bad, it is amoral. But, it’s the love of money that is the root of all evil. This is how the craving and obsession over having more money controls people and their life and then the lives of people around them.
Corruption From The Love Of Money
Today, I see so much corruption and wrong decisions made because of the love of money and the hunger for power that money brings. It is truly a shame and someday will cause far greater pain and destruction than it does today. People deal with consequences now but it will only get far worse in the end. Please take time to consider your views and the way that you live and how you related to money. We have to pay for what we have and what we use, but it does not have to consume us.
Yes, you gave your best and not what someone else said. That is what I prayed for. I wanted to hear your thoughts. And you came through very well. I love the boat picture. I have always thought the wealth being wiped out in 1 hour had to be the Stock Market, but I never prayed about it. I will now. You made me think it does not have to be the Stock Market. You always minister to me in some way!
The picture of the ships/boats represents the transportation industry that struggles to get their products to another location, just like last fall when people were having trouble getting items that they ordered. They were out in the harbors or in the oceans, unable to deliver. That picture is really a picture of last fall and winter. Companies are still having trouble getting items ordered and delivered. We ordered a furniture set in March that we are supposed to get in 2 days but I have heard of people waiting much longer. In this chapter, we hear of the sea captains upset. From what I can see in this chapter, the country leaders, merchants and those involved in transportation in any form will deal with problems worse than what we have right now during the Tribulation.
i did not know that. I don’t watch TV or the news. Thank you for that explanation. We have been blessed with so much. So many will fall apart when they have to do without. He must be our only source. He will provide for His own.
Yes, unfortunately this happened last year. We sure have been blessed with a lot! People do get upset now about what they don’t have. Some situations are scary and concerning but it will get worse unfortunately. That is why we need to know our Savior and share Him with others.
Yes, it definitely will. Amen !
Good comments. You have summarized chapter 18 well. It is good to see that another person is reading through the Book of Revelation. Keep up the good work of blogging your insights.
Thank you!!! Some of these chapters can be tough at times to understand and then explain. I try my best to wait until I can understand and explain to others
Well presented.
Thank you