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Revelation 18

World English Bible

WEB

1After these things, I saw another angel coming down out of the sky, having great authority. The earth was illuminated with his glory. 2He cried with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and she has become a habitation of demons, a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hated bird! 3For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her sexual immorality, the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from the abundance of her luxury.” 4I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, that you have no participation in her sins, and that you don’t receive of her plagues, 5for her sins have reached to the sky, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6Return to her just as she returned, and repay her double as she did, and according to her works. In the cup which she mixed, mix to her double. 7However much she glorified herself and grew wanton, so much give her of torment and mourning. For she says in her heart, ‘I sit a queen, and am no widow, and will in no way see mourning.’ 8Therefore in one day her plagues will come: death, mourning, and famine; and she will be utterly burned with fire, for the Lord God who has judged her is strong. 9The kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived wantonly with her will weep and wail over her, when they look at the smoke of her burning, 10standing far away for the fear of her torment, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For your judgment has come in one hour.’ 11The merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise any more: 12merchandise of gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple, silk, scarlet, all expensive wood, every vessel of ivory, every vessel made of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble; 13and cinnamon, incense, perfume, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, chariots, and people’s bodies and souls. 14The fruits which your soul lusted after have been lost to you. All things that were dainty and sumptuous have perished from you, and you will find them no more at all. 15The merchants of these things, who were made rich by her, will stand far away for the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, 16saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, she who was dressed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17For in an hour such great riches are made desolate.’ Every ship master, and everyone who sails anywhere, and mariners, and as many as gain their living by sea, stood far away, 18and cried out as they looked at the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like the great city?’ 19They cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had their ships in the sea were made rich by reason of her great wealth!’ For she is made desolate in one hour. 20“Rejoice over her, O heaven, you saints, apostles, and prophets, for God has judged your judgment on her.” 21A mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down, and will be found no more at all. 22The voice of harpists, minstrels, flute players, and trumpeters will be heard no more at all in you. No craftsman of whatever craft will be found any more at all in you. The sound of a mill will be heard no more at all in you. 23The light of a lamp will shine no more at all in you. The voice of the bridegroom and of the bride will be heard no more at all in you, for your merchants were the princes of the earth; for with your sorcery all the nations were deceived. 24In her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on the earth.”

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Revelation Chapter 18 presents a vivid depiction of the fall of Babylon, symbolizing the ultimate judgment against the corrupt systems of the world that oppose God. The chapter begins with a mighty angel proclaiming the downfall of Babylon, declaring that it has become a dwelling place for demons and a haunt for unclean spirits. This imagery emphasizes the complete moral and spiritual decay of this great city, which has led nations astray through its seductive practices and materialism. The call to come out of Babylon is a warning to God’s people to separate themselves from its sinful ways, echoing the theme of holiness and the need for believers to remain distinct from worldly influences (#Babylon, #Judgment).

The chapter further details the lament of the kings, merchants, and sailors who mourn the loss of Babylon’s wealth and power. Their cries reflect the deep sorrow over the destruction of a system that provided them with riches and luxury, illustrating the emptiness of pursuing material gain at the expense of righteousness. The finality of Babylon's judgment is underscored by the declaration that it will never rise again, serving as a stark reminder of God’s sovereignty and justice. The chapter concludes with a call to rejoice over Babylon’s fall, as it signifies the triumph of God’s kingdom over evil and the vindication of His people. This chapter encourages believers to remain steadfast in faith, knowing that God will ultimately judge and eradicate all that opposes His will (#Revelation, #EndTimes).

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Referenced by

  1. Isaiah 13:11v8Isaiah 13:11 speaks of punishing the world for its evil, a theme that is mirrored in Revelation 18:8 with the judgment of Babylon.
  2. Isaiah 21:9v2Isaiah 21:9 declares the fall of Babylon, which is echoed in Revelation 18:2 as a prophetic announcement of Babylon's ultimate destruction, symbolizing the fall of worldly powers opposed to God.
  3. Isaiah 23:8v11Isaiah 23:8 questions who has planned the downfall of Tyre, the city of merchants. Revelation 18:11-15 describes the fall of Babylon, another symbol of commercial power, highlighting the lament of merchants over the loss of trade.
  4. Isaiah 47:1v2Isaiah 47:1 describes the fall of Babylon, which is echoed in Revelation 18:2 where Babylon is depicted as fallen and desolate, symbolizing the ultimate judgment against worldly powers.
  5. Isaiah 47:7v7Isaiah 47:7 highlights Babylon's arrogance and false sense of security, which is mirrored in Revelation 18:7 where Babylon boasts of her power and luxury, leading to her downfall.
  6. Jeremiah 50:8v4Jeremiah 50:8 calls for God's people to flee from Babylon, similar to Revelation 18:4 where a voice from heaven urges believers to come out of Babylon to avoid sharing in her sins.
  7. Jeremiah 51:6v4Jeremiah 51:6 calls for the people to flee from Babylon to avoid destruction, which parallels Revelation 18:4 where God's people are called to come out of Babylon to avoid sharing in her sins and plagues.
  8. Jeremiah 51:63-64v21Jeremiah 51:63-64 describes the symbolic act of sinking a scroll in the Euphrates to signify Babylon's fall, which is mirrored in Revelation 18:21 where a mighty angel throws a stone into the sea to symbolize Babylon's sudden destruction.
  9. Ezekiel 26:14v21Ezekiel 26:14 predicts that Tyre will never be rebuilt, similar to the prophecy in Revelation 18:21 about the fall of Babylon, symbolizing the finality of God's judgment.
  10. Ezekiel 27:12v11Ezekiel 27:12 lists the various goods traded by Tyre, which parallels the lament over Babylon in Revelation 18:11-13, where merchants mourn the loss of trade. Both passages emphasize the transient nature of material wealth.
  11. Revelation 17:16v8Revelation 17:16 describes the beast and the ten horns turning against the prostitute, which is fulfilled in Revelation 18:8 with the destruction of Babylon.

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