Revelation, Chapter 18
Great Babylon's ancient dominion and Israel's promised dominion of land are both written about in Old Testament writings and in their prophecy. What is written there shows the foundation structure for present day events which occur in the Middle East. Knowing the form of the basic structure is critical for the wise servant's understanding of "the last days" when "perilous times" come upon the world on account of its overwhelming sin.
"The love of money is the root of all evil; which some stretching after are seduced from the faith and pierce themselves with many sorrows," says 1 Timothy 6:10. But when the love of money and its comforts are avidly pursued on the national and the international levels, both seduction from "the faith" of God, and destruction of power, of possessions and of flesh are absolutely assured at the judgment to come.Chapter Eighteen is heaven's estimate concerning the welfare of the world's trade and its profit as pursued in the Middle East lands in the LORD's day. "For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" -- a good question to ask "the man of sin."
The explanation of the end time relations of the Babylonish whore with
the nations and with Israel now complete, John writes of how the things
of the latter day dominion of Babylon, and of Babylon's mystery shall be
destroyed at the Lord's coming.
1 And with these things I saw an angel descending out of the heaven having a great authority; and the earth was enlightened from his glory.
"And with these things..." With the plagues being poured out, Secret Babylon's composition is seen to swiftly disintegrate before John's eyes - as if smashed by a giant stone. He now sees an angel descend from the sky at this time....
"Having a great authority;" exousia, 1849. The end of all things is shortly come about, for "not to angels did He subject the habitable world which is to come," says the writer to the Hebrews, 2:5-8. Every vestige of Babylon's dominion must be totally destroyed before inheritance of the promised land is well established in the righteousness of Abraham's faith with the elect of God .
"Earth;" 1093. First it relates to Israel, to the "land" of the Middle East, and then throughout all the "earth."
"Enlightened;" photizo, 5461. Was illuminated; was given light. Knowledge definitely shall be increased.
"Glory;" doxa, 1391. The announcement that he brings, produces
the illuminating glory. It appears that this angel arrives to announce
the end of the work that was begun with the other mighty angel of 10:1-7.
The time of the end was not delayed after the seven voices
spoke like thunder, for the appointed time ended immediately,
according to covenant and promise of God: "There shall be" (and was) "no
more time," 10:6. I.e., "there should be time" (chronos; no more chronology)
"no longer." A new beginning is underway, of new heavens and of a new earth.
2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice saying, Fallen, fallen is Great Babylon, and made a habitation of demons and a hold of every unclean spirit and a hold of every unclean and hated bird.
"Cried;" krazo, 2896. This "cry" is always a public announcement; shouting out the good news.
"Mightily;" iskus, 2480. With full force.
"Fallen;" epeson, 4098. See Isaiah 21:9. The 'satan' of Israel has fallen like lightning from the sky!
"Great Babylon." The king of Babylon was responsible for the first destruction of Jerusalem's temple, 585 B.C. The pure worship of the LORD was corrupted by Balaam's influence, though, many centuries earlier.. Unlike Babylon's first destruction, (see Genesis 11:1-9), the LORD Himself will, through Abaddon's and Michael's work, bring physical ruin and destruction to the influences of Babel and Erech (Iraq) at this end time.
"Habitation;" katoikeeteerion, 2732. Great Babylon was made the epitome of a dwelling place of evil. See (by contrast) Ephesians 2:22, the only other New Testament use of the word.
"Demons;" daimonion, 1140. Idol worshippers. The Greek word is almost consistently translated as "devils," and indicates the things (idols) falsely assigned with a spirit. These "demons" were the "gods" and "spirits" of the pagan pantheon as use of the word in Acts 17:18, "foreign gods" - shows. Great Babylon, full of these idols, falls.
The dragon is about to be imprisoned in chains; his evil spirit mightily restrained. Death destroys the might which the "devil" has, whose might is implemented through the mind of the flesh. A double minded man is unstable in all his thoughts.
With God, Who is One God incorruptible and immortal, there is only One true and right Spirit; the pure and Holy Spirit.
"Hold;" phulakee, 5438. Only in The Revelation is "prison" translated as a hold or a cage. All the "spirits" of Babylon, all the "demons" that inhabit the "mystery" of Babylon show the mind as a prison where the dwelling of evil thoughts reside.
"Unclean spirit." Jesus likened the mind to a divided house wherein many unclean spirits may dwell. See Luke 11:14-28.
"Hated bird." The "great" Babylon is compared to a dwelling place
of double minded personalities with unclean habits, and to imprisoned loathsome
birds in a filthy cage, rightfully condemned for destruction. Under the
Law of Moses the hated birds were the ones that were forbidden to be consumed
as food for the body. Here the comparison is to unlawful thoughts that
fly about where they roost, like unclean birds which defile the place of
their habitation; their "cage" is the mind of the flesh.
3 For, from the wine of the fury of her fornication all the nations have drunk, and the kings of the earth did commit fornication with her; and the merchants of the earth were enriched from the power of her luxury.
"Wine;" oinos, 3631. The drink of fermented grapes, when drunken to excess, intoxicates the whole body and enslaves the mind of habitual drinkers. See Jeremiah 51.
"Fury;" thumos, 2362. Vengeful anger that develops from greed, envy, resentment; from purpose being frustrated.
"Fornication;" pornia, 4202. Whoredom, per Young's Concordance, as not usually meaning the lone act of fornication. However, fornication was a prominent feature of all pagan religion. It was associated with all the unclean practices of the nations contrary to the word of God per Israel's Law.
"Nations." In the last days Babylon's - Iraq's - greatest influence over the nations and over Israel, begins in earnest when the seven headed beast emerges from the Sea.
"Kings." The kings of the land may have some reference in the seven sons of Canaan, who had been "giants" in the ancient Land. Following the exodus from Egypt, the seven nations were supposed to have been destroyed by Israel by commandment of God, but Israel neglected so great a salvation and chose to go whoring after the gods of these lands. Ammon, Moab, and Edom, kinsmen of Israel, were exempt from the earlier command to destroy the nations. Their judgment comes nevertheless in the latter days for their gleeful joining in with the other nations in the destruction of Israel.
"Merchants;" emporos, 1713. The journeymen; the skilled traders of the emporiums; the trading centers of their lands. The nations of Canaan were renowned traders in the East. From ancient times Canaan traded with the northern countries "across the rivers," Aram Naharim; i.e., with the nations of the north and west.
"Enriched;" plouteo, 4147. How the "mysteries" of Babylon will be tied into the industries of the world is very well illustrated (in one aspect) in the book of Acts 19:23-35, i.e., regarding the making of silver shrines of the goddess Artemis. The business "brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;" and Demetrius claimed "you know that by this gain is our wealth." He further said, "now this is dangerous to us, lest the business becomes disreputable..." Furthermore he indicated that should the shrines of Artemis be brought to no account, her "majesty" would be destroyed and no longer hold any piety in anyone's religious estimation. The craft "guild" was thus a union of the workers in the religious trade.
In this way the worker became rich under the protection of the guild whose "gods" he manufactured. The "crafters" receive the profit instead of the "purchaser" being enriched from heaven. The "beast" countries (upon which the harlot sits) will attempt to merchandise their goods exclusively through the channels of the 666 system's name, number and mark. The system is an exclusive privatization of industry and commerce for the benefit of the select member countries.
"Power;" dunamis, 1411. Ability. "Abundance" is the attempt of the translators to show the power for gain, or profit, that is inherent in association with the harlot. She becomes their dynamic patroness.
"Luxury;" streenos, 4764. Delicious and material things that can be had with the (immoral and unclean) gross profits.
Refer back to comments on 17:4, concerning the things the secret Babylon
herself "wears" and what things she "provides." Law, it seems, will function
under her patronage.
4 And I heard another voice from the heaven saying, Come out of her, My People, so that you may not have fellowship in her sins, and so that you may not receive from her plagues.
"Another voice." The voice is required to be the voice of the Father or the voice of the Lord Jesus, speaking from above.
"Come out of her, My People." See Isaiah 43; Jeremiah 51:5-10, 45-50. The mystical Babylon's domain holds sway over the seven nations chiefly so addressed. The prophet Hosea calls the brethren of Judah and Israel, Ammi, and Ruhamah. Read the whole prophecy with a latter day viewpoint.
This verse is probably the most explicit indicator to the identity of the people whom the "ten horns" choose to have the rule with for the last "one hour." The "people" of the LORD are begged by the Holy Spirit to come out of their "fellowship" with the whore. How else shall they receive the dominion promised to them - (which the many by following a "captivity" into apostasy at the very end, allow to slip from their hold)?
"Fellowship;" sunkoinoneo, 4790. To (have things) in common with; to be defiled with, to partake - here in a negative sense. The LORD's people were to be a "peculiar treasure," a nation not like the surrounding nations. So.., "My people" do have a fellowship with the 'company' of the whore in the last days.
"Sins;" hamartia, 266. Missing the mark. In error, to see and
hear. Disobedience toward God in the drunken Babylonian whore's seven domains.
The people are warned, so that the coming plagues upon these countries
shall not fall upon any of His people who, like Lot's wife, may yet be
reluctant to give up "the good life."
5 For, her sins have followed her as far as the heaven and God remembered her unrighteousnesses.
"Followed;" akoloutheo, 190. It is a matter of some puzzlement that the sins of anyone may follow them into heaven. Most sinners would expect that their sins might follow or lead them into hell, surely not into heaven, according to the common belief. So, the translators have adjusted the usual translation of the Greek word to "reached" in order to show the heap of sins that "great" Babylon has committed. Perhaps it is better to read, "Her sins reach up to the sky!" ...Read Ezra 9:6.
Except, the fact that God remembers both the good and the evil that men do is an established Old Testament principle. He has watchers; "keepers" of record for rewards. Indeed, the Mede and Persian kings kept chronicles of those who had pleased the king. See Malachi 3:16, and Esther 2:23; 6:1; 9:32.
Daniel has spoken of the books that are opened when the judgment is set. From these books, God remembers what He has appointed for judgment.
"Remembered;" mneemonuo, 3421. The first intimation of this appeared at 16:19. The event of Chapter Eighteen is required to come about swiftly at the moment when the "so mighty" and "so great" an earthquake occurs." ...'It is done;' the destruction, i.e., the remembrance of her sins is done in company with the sounds, thunders and lightnings which appear with that last, greatest earthquake.
"Unrighteousness;" adikeema, 92. Three times found as, 1) matter
of wrong; 2) evil doing; and, 3) iniquities. This matter covers all the
centuries of time in which "great" Babylon, with its " mysterious" religion,
has been the troubler of Israel. The violence of Babylon's judgment is
revealed in the next verses.
6 Render to her as even she rendered to you and double you to her double according to her works. In the cup which she mixed, mix to her double.
"Render;" apodidomi, 591. The intensive form of didomi 1325; to give. Lit., from giving, give back.
"According to her works." All the damages, in their varied forms, which great Babylon perpetrated against the people of the LORD and against His holy ones, which exceeded and were not approved by God's word. This includes (but does not limit the area of) those things in which the judgment due was overreached by the ones designated to punish.
"Double;" diplous, 1362. Two-fold, a repeat.
"In the cup;" poteerion, 4221. The holy prophets of God, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Habakkuk, David as well, all speak of "the cup..."
"Mix;" kerao, 2767. To pour out a full measure. There is nothing
of a mixing in that which is to be twice poured out. The
verse defines that the given, drink is doubly poured on Babylon according
as she once made all the nations to drink.
The just repayment for a fraud is a principle embodied in the Law of
Moses, as a practical matter.
The first warning to great Babylon's followers (to desist from their acts) was issued at 14:9-12. The acts in question are those continued against His people during the "great tribulation" which occurs during the last "controversy of Zion." The acts persisted in bring immediate vengeful judgment from the LORD.
See the Old Testament references for background about the judgment of
Babylon. Jeremiah particularly speaks of Babylon's day of judgment.
7 So much as she glorified herself and lived luxuriously so much give to her torment and mourning. Because in her heart she says, I sit a queen and I am not a widow and in no way may I see mourning.
"Glorified;" doxazo, 1392. Self praise in pride of accomplishment. The thing she has done is a matter of boasting.
"Lived luxuriously;" streeniao, 4763. The first hint of this was in verse three. The (last three) heads of the beast share the luxury with her, 18:9, from their "beastly" trading with all the kings of the earth.
"Torment;" basanismos, 929. Judicial affliction; as in 9:5; 14:11; 18:10,15.
"Mourning;" penthos, 3997. Penitence. The lamentation and wailing for the loss of possessions.
"In her heart;" kardia, 2588. In the inner thinking of her mind; in her fleshly impudence and will.
"I sit;" katheemai, 2521. The supposition rests upon the impregnability of Babylon's position over the dominion of the seven nations (along with the last confederate ten horns), and with the nations of the world. She enriches her own "world," peaceful, safe and more secure than ever before!
"Queen;" basilissa, 935. As a queen; i.e., among the noble of the world. At last Babylon secures the ten horn, with diadems; and has authority to do every desire.
"Widow;" keera, 5503. Husband-less no more; she now has a protector; a king...
"See mourning." Babylon's Mystery does not expect to see any grief or reprimand for her work. The prophecy of Daniel may provide the basis for this expectation, for Daniel 11:42-43 indicates that "the king" will then have power over Egypt and her wealth, with the Libyans and the Ethiopians "at his step."
The latter day "Assyrian" king seems to pattern his military conquests along the same lines as Sennacherib and Nebuchadnezzar once did, trampling throughout the Land and again bringing Egypt into submission - with permission of the "beast" nations and their company's mark of the 666 number. However, the Assyrian holds a "brittle" power.
His wicked influence may be shown in the (fleshy) redness of the dragon which tramples the lands of the Middle East after the pattern exhibited by the last three beasts. His "red" colors the sixth beast which exists at the time of the prophecy's fulfillment. The "red" may also allude to Russia. His influence works within the seventh beast which quickly sets up the other little- horn "body" to persecute the holy ones under the rule of the eighth beast "head."
At the end the "image" of the latter day Nebuchadnezzar's dream is fully erect, standing upon its feet and in connection with the old Jerusalem of the fragile "ten horns" for one hour.
But the last end of Israel is not destined to be like any prior Babylonian domination of the land or of the people of God; see Daniel 11:29. The ruler of the land at the end is "a vile person," 11:21, the last "head" of Nebuchadnezzar's dream of world dominion. It is this "head" who maintains control of the land throughout the power struggles between the "king of the north" and the "king of the south" who try to displace him. It is he who has gained the leadership out of the misfortunes of two prior "heads," 11:20; 11:19, one who has "consumed" the "glorious land" and one who is given "the daughter of women," 11:17, i.e., the "old" Jerusalem, as a spoil of war.
The prophecy of Daniel makes it plain that "after certain years," 11:13, there is (to be) war between the "king of the north" and the "king of the south," 11:13,14. "But it shall not be as the former" (time of conflict between them, 11:6-9), nor will it be "as the latter" (time of conflict between them, 11:10-12), 11:29.
Because, the "king of the north" and the "king of the south," - "in the end of the years, they shall join themselves together..," 11:6, against the LORD. See this alliance in Ezekiel 38 & 39; Daniel 11:40-45. Their "joining together" at the end works to bring about the end of all the armies of the world in the valley of Har Megiddo. The desperate appeal from the mouths of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet to the "kings of the earth and of the whole habitable," 16:13-14, is futile.
The mouth of the dragon, beast and false prophet send out the three unclean spirits, jumping about like frogs to the rulers of their world for help in the impending war. Israel shall be totally wiped out, they hope. The harlot, who at the last sits astride the wild beast of The Revelation, is drunken by her power over the blood of the prophets and of the holy ones; because those rulers of Israel who forsake the Holy Covenant will permit the last of the two beasts to make and to place the image which will "stand in a holy place" where it ought not to be.
Times pass; time brings changes, but human nature does neither! Nor
does God change in His purpose. The nations surrounding Jerusalem are angry.
At the time appointed the "vile" king shall return, coming toward the south.
But it shall not be as the former, or as the latter, time of (his) pushing
southward into the promised land. The ships of Kittim (Numbers 24:24) "come
against him."
8 On account of this, in one day her plagues shall come - death and mourning and famine - and with fire shall she be burned, for strong is the LORD, the God who judges her.
"On account of this;" dia, 1223. For the reasons stated above in verse seven. Both great Babylon and the secret Babylon, with their followers, are recipients of the judgments outlined in the book of The Revelation.
"In one day." The "day" of the LORD has many references in the prophecies of the Old Testament. All those prophecies that speak of the work of the Messiah and Savior of Israel are effective in the day of the LORD. This "one day" is peculiar because of the fire that comes to burn all the ungodly during the last days of the present world systems, (according to Peter's prophecy in 2 Peter 3).
This "one day" comes in the day and at the hour which none of the ungodly will be aware of (i.e., none seriously regard the words of the Lord as a warning) beforehand.
"Plagues;" pleegee, 4127. The variety of the "wounds" or "stripes" of Babylon's punishments is next counted. They follow as the distinctive plagues contained in the seven bowls are poured out as described in Chapter Sixteen.
"Death;" thanatos, 2288. The best definition of death that has ever been written is found in Hebrews 2:14. Flesh and blood is Death incarnate in the might of the "devil." Put another way, the double mind; the "devil," produces the might of flesh and blood for death. Where flesh and blood do not exist there is neither place for a "devil" to act, nor any death, since these things require a mortal body to work in, Romans 7:24; Colossians 1:22. Christ, according to his Father's commandment, suffered the death of his flesh and the outpouring of his blood, in order to loosen the might of the body's "double mind" to do evil. By obedience to his Father's command, his sacrifice of the "body prepared" "from above" showed the Father's regard for the evils of "the flesh." The followers of Babylon and Babylon's mysteries do not appreciate the true understanding of the "mind of Christ".
"Mourning;" penthos, 3997. All forms of mourning will be spread throughout the lands of the harlot and the beast of "seven heads/hills" where the Father and the Son are presently blasphemed.
"Famine;" limos, 3042. Be aware that famine is the primary sign to indicate that "the day of the LORD" has begun. See the Lord's warning in Matthew 24:7 and Mark 13:8. Compare with Revelation 6:8, where the famine first begins at the opening of the fourth seal of the Lamb's book of judgments.
The shortage of grain began to be experienced some years ago, when the United States quietly began selling its surplus grain supplies to the (then) Soviet Union. That former empire still suffers from the lack of foodstuff being brought to market. Other nations of the world likewise suffer from the failure of their rice and their grain crops, and from droughts or flood. World famine steadily grows worse as the years pass. Acute world hunger will be experienced by all the nations and peoples of the world at the end. Those intimately connected with the beast; its mark, name, and number will be "safe" from hunger. The ungodly will destroy many by the self-serving trade of the 666 system, but the godly will be saved out of its grasp when Christ returns.
"Fire;" pur, 4442. The source of the fire has been adequately described in Chapters Eight and Nine; illustrated in action at 11:5, 14:10; and in effect, shown at 16:8. Consequently, the nations of great Babylon and all the people who hold the "secret" of Babylon will be judged and destroyed with the fire. The fire is a last days phenomenon which Peter says is "being kept for the day of judgment and destruction" of the ungodly. Many 'Christian' people do not believe that there is such a day of judgment coming upon the world!
"Burned;" katakaio, 2618. See the word list. The fire burns exclusively on the "chaff" and on the "tares." This word is used by Peter, 2 Peter 3:10; and in 8:7. The trees and green grass are burned in the first trumpet's volley of fire mingled blood. At 17:16, it is stated that the harlot - the harlot's city where she sits a queen - where the man of sin sits in the temple, Jerusalem - will be totally burned with the fire (power) of the beast.
18: Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. 19: As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. 20: Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it? 21: I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. 22: Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. 23: Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. 24: But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream."Strong;" iskus, 2480. With full force of His "strange act" and "strange work," Isaiah 28:18-21. The overflowing scourge - like scorpions and like locusts, then like cavalries of horses flying overhead - will trample all the beasts which ravaged Israel. All the judgment is the strange work of the LORD.
- Amos 5:18-24.
"The LORD, the God who judges her." According to prophecy, the
LORD shall judge His people, and is judge of all the earth. See Old Testament
references to "judge." The authority for this judgment has been delivered
into the hand of Jesus Christ, our "counselor," as he himself declares
in the book of John's gospel of the kingdom, and as the Holy Spirit testifies
in the fifth chapter of The Revelation. (See Isaiah 9:6). In his
Father's Name, Jesus is both a 'Lord' and a 'God' - amongst the elohim
now - and at his return to earth, Jesus will become the Lord and the God
who rules over all the world during the millennium.
9 And the kings of the earth shall weep over her and shall bewail over her, who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her, when they see the smoke of her burning.
The right perspective is required in order to know what the text is actually saying. A major part of the problem is due to the translation of the original Greek text. Words vary and are not consistently translated. Other times word definitions are misleading, due to the KJAV translators' bias.
The second part is resolved by removing the mystery from interpretation in any part of The Revelation text. I.e., bringing back the sense into the reality of daylight.
Many "pastors" use The Revelation to attack the Catholic system of religion. Such attacks appeal to the provocative ego, but attacks do not provide a positive foundation for teaching Godly piety. One cannot draw love from those whom they attack; nor do those attacked respond well to teaching. God does not hate the people whom He has created. He is not willing that any individual should be destroyed, but that all should obtain eternal life.If the "I am holier than thou" attitude has any soundness, we should not have any need of Jesus Christ to save us from our sins, but it has none whatsoever. Sin is not confined to any particular system of religion, right or wrong. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23.
Where the Scripture says "Babylon," it means Babylon; where it says "Mystery, Babylon, the Great," it means the "mystery" of Babylon. Babylon's first "mystery" was initiated by Semiramis, Nimrod's widow, on account of "the son" who mysteriously appeared so long after his father's death.
"Kings of the earth." The verse identifies these "kings" - the beastly "seven heads" associated with the "ten horns" - as the traffickers with the "Secret" Great Babylon.
"Weep;" klaio, 2799. The shedding of tears.
"Bewail;" kopto, 2875. Are cut down (to size). The idea is, to be made humble, or, to humiliate. (The translators, in their inconsistency, reverse and confuse these two words.)
"Who... with her." Thus, the seven are intimate associates of the harlot.
"When;" hotan, 3752. At the time this happens to them.
"They see;" blepto, 991. Actually have the sight with their eyes.
"Smoke;" kapnos, 2586. The smoke is referred to again in 18:18; 19:3.
"Burning;" purosis, 4451. It means a literal burning. The word
appears but three times in the New Testament: 18:9,18, and in 1 Peter 4:12
as a metaphor, perhaps. One interpretation relates the "fiery trial" to
the burning of Rome in A.D. 64, and to Nero's burning of Christians!
... But why then would the angel speak to John - in A.D. 95 - of an
event 30 years before John's prophecy of the Revelation?
As Peter had a much better understanding of "the fire" reserved for
the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly, he instructs about
the unique "fiery trial" they may be expected to undergo in the LORD's
"day" - when in progress.
10 From afar off, standing on account of the fear of her torment, saying, Woe, woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city, for in one hour your judgment is come.
"From afar off;" apo makrothen, 3113. This phrase clearly shows the distancing of the "kings of the earth" for fear of God, in their association with the harlot's "666" company. "From afar off" is reemphasized in 18:15 and 18:17.
"Standing;" histeemi, 2476. In a position or a place.
"On account of;" dia, 1223. For the reason of her.., the religion of Babylon, the Great, and its influence upon their mercantile ventures.
"The fear;" phobos, 5401. "The fear of her torment" is recurrent. The fear is quite real for personal danger.
"Torment;" basanismos, 929. The fear of the torment that falls upon the harlot city is the fear of the destruction falling from the skies. Read Revelation 6:15-17 again! This fear causes all the kings of the earth, 16:14, to withdraw to the great distance.
Another inference about the dragon's withdrawal from the presence of the city may be inferred from the prophecy of Daniel; Chapter 11, and from The Revelation itself, in Chapter 12 of this prophecy. The dragon cannot prevail. The instance of the withdrawal is mentioned in the Gospel records by Jesus as the time for flight and departure from the city, because warring armies will surround her in preparation for her desolation. "The fear of the torment" is directly related to the first and second (both past), and to the imminent third volley of hail which is about to fall when the last and greatest earthquake ever on earth happens. This event was visually projected for John's viewing in 16:15-21, and is here analyzed for the understanding of the Lord's servants. The "fall of Babylon" is not an isolated incident of prophecy, but concurs along with the pouring out of the LORD's wrath upon the nations.
"Woe;" ouai, 3759. In this verse, and in 18:16 and 19 are the only times that the "woe" is made to be a mournful "Alas!" See how the Lord uses the word often in the Gospels to point out the causes for the woes to come.
"Great city, Babylon, the strong city." The cry of woe that goes up for "that great city" from sympathizers does not concern a feeling for the well being of other cities. Many cities of the nations fall during the last quake. The cry shows their little regard for any other city!
"One hour;" hora, 5610. The duration of the judgment is limited: one hour. (Seldom does a major earthquake lasted for even a minute. This limit has been pointed out before, but we all have a tendency to overlook the little things. The Lord commends the servant who pays attention to the fine details of his "business," Matthew 25:21-23; Luke 16:10-11.)
"Come;" erchomai, 2064.
11 And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her for no one buys their lading anymore.
"Merchants;" emporos, 1713. The merchants of the land deal in "lading." The trading centers are emporiums or marts.
"Weep;" klaio, 2799. They shed tears. "Bewail" per verse nine; "weep" in 18:15,19. Crying with self pity.
"Mourn;" kopto, 2875. They are reduced to low spirit.
"No one;" oudeis, 3762. Nothing; none; no one.
"Buys;" agorazo, 59. Purchases, or redeems. Their goods do not move. The weeping and mourning is for the loss of their industry, not for any compassion toward human suffering!
"Lading;" gomos, 1117. Paul uses the word in its correct Greek form, burden. The word burden is a nautical term, describing a ship's tonnage. Thus, all the varied goods carried by the ship is lading. A bill of lading is the list of the goods. The bill is related to the ordinary shipper's "packing slip."
The industry (of the seven nations who "received" the ten horns) is involved in merchant marine commodities. This industry is enabled by the mark, name, and number of the 666 system. It is a Middle Eastern cartel.
"Anymore;" ouketi, 3765. Henceforth. Thereafter. After Babylon's
exposure and destruction, the traffic in goods is restrained by the fear
of God. All the merchant impulses and desires for physical comforts were
fed from the trade of the commodities of the beast's and harlot's 666 system.
The whole of Chapter Eighteen is a litany of the greediness illustrated
by the international commercial world. "The love of money" fertilizes "the
root of all evil" against Israel.
12 Lading, of gold and silver, and precious stone and pearl, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood and every article of ivory, and every article of most precious wood and of brass and of iron and of marble.
"Lading;" gomos, 1117. The ships cargoes; burdens. The identity of the articles of the lading reveal interesting things about their trading: The sources of the goods; the rarity of the goods, and the nature of the traffic in these goods during the short time of the beast's rule.
Precious metals and gem stones are mined only in certain spots of the world. Exotic cloth and dye-stuff likewise come from specific areas. Many rare woods are now on a restricted list for farming. The trade in ivory, both of Asia and Africa, has been banned for some time because the elephant population is nearing extinction. And, rare metal and ores essential for war industry have been restricted by trade bans.
In what manner the 666 market system may reconfigure the present world
trade markets will be interesting to watch.
13 And cinnamon and incense, and ointment and frankincense and wine and oil and finest flour and wheat and cattle and sheep and of horses and of chariots and bodies and souls of men.
While many choice items for cosmetics and gourmet food are available through the system, it also appears that the market will also deal in legal slavery, "bodies and souls of men." Not many of the countries of the "undeveloped" world are adverse to subjecting their minority races to forced labor or outright slavery. Babylon always led away captives for slavery.
"Souls;" psyche, 5590. The lives of the bodies. There is every
indication that Jewish "bodies and souls" will be enslaved during the "great
tribulation" in the land. Even today young girls are sold as "brides" in
Islamic countries but end up in a position far short of marriage.
14 And the fruits of the desire of your soul are departed from you and all the fat things and the bright things are departed from you and in no way should you find them anymore.
"Fruits;" opora, 3703. These are the last fruit of the season, literally. The beast's traffic with the merchant centers of the Land/earth is finished, too.
"Desire;" epithumia, 1939. Strong desire; lust.
"Soul;" psyche, 5590. Life; the self; the heart's desire, greed!
"Departed;" aperkomai, 565. To go away from.
"Fat things;" lipara, 3045. Fatty, rich dainties.
"Bright things;" lampros, 2986. Gorgeous lighted cloth, having a sheen or glow.
"Find;" hurisko, 2147. Also in 18:21,22,24; and in 20:11,15.
Discover.
15 The merchants of these things who were enriched from her shall stand from afar off because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning.
"Merchants;" emporos, 1713. Repeated from 18:11.
"Enriched;" plouteo, 4147. Repeated from 18:3.
"From afar off;" apo makrothen, 3113. Repeated from 18:10.
"Fear of her torment;" basanismos, 929. Repeated from 18:10.
"Weeping and mourning." See verse ten, then verse eight. For
merchants, indeed, it is the great and dreadful day of the LORD, per Malachi's
prophecy, burning like an oven.
16 Saying, Woe, woe, the great city, which was clothed with fine linen and purple and scarlet and decked with gold and precious stone, and pearls!
"Great city." A "great city" is the capital city, where the government sits... Per verse ten, now this city is the Babylonian harlot's city.
"Clothed with..." Perhaps a metaphor for the "lading" or the
things with which she was surrounded. The favors gained by consenting to
the beast's blandishments.
17 For in one hour so great wealth was made desolate. And every steersman and all in the company over the ships and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood far off.
The verse context demands that the "great city" is a city accessible by sea, and whose location is also visible from a far distance.
"One hour." See above.
"Desolate;" ereemoo, 2049. Repeated in 18:19. Wealth has deserted the great city.
"Sea." The "third part" - of their shipping vessels - was destroyed,
Rev. 8:9. Now merchant marine employment connected with "the great city"
of Babylon dramatically ceases. Whether the literal capital city of Babylon
is developed as a merchant marine center is questionable. Crude oil, although,
is transported by tanker ships from production locale to foreign ports,
as well as by pipelines.
18 And cried, seeing the smoke of her burning, saying, What is like the great city?
Not only is the city so visibly located, but the city is also burning,
with smoke rising from the site. When Jerusalem was first established as
the holy city of the Hebrews, the overland trade routes of ancient Tyre
and Babylon were very adversely affected. As in the O.T., the comparison
between the sinners in Zion and the inhabitants of Babylon sometimes blur
and are intermingled in the LORD's condemnation of their evil works.
19 And they cast dust upon their heads and cried, weeping and mourning, saying, Woe, woe, the great city, with which all were enriched from her costliness who had ships in the sea, for in one hour she was made desolate.
"They cast dust upon their heads..." This is an Eastern custom associated with deep grief. Those who do so come as close as possible to "the departed" to lament their condition of loss.
"Great city." A capital city; great in fame; a city utilized by ship owners.
"Costliness;" timiotees, 5094. Preciousness. All the exquisite goods of her trading.
"All who had ships in the sea." Merchant marine shippers in the Mediterranean or Persian Gulf, etc.
"Desolate;" ereemoo, 2049. Desolate, deserted, empty.
20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you, holy apostles and prophets; for God did judge your judgment of her.
"Rejoice;" uphraino, 2165. The same command was heard at 12:12.
"Heaven." The angels who are our fellow servants in the work of the gospel are instructed to make merry, with the apostles and prophets, for all their work is near to be rewarded, and God has about finished His part in the judgment.
"God did judge your judgment of her." As per the request from
"the souls of them that were slain on account of the Word of God,"
6:10, and It is done. The judgments of God against Babylon the Great
are found throughout the writings of the O.T. prophets.
21 And one strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it toward the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall Babylon the great city be cast down and not at all still found.
Literal Babylon shall be violently thrown down, like a great stone cast into the sea, and not at all later to be found. The site of literal Babylon, once marshlands, is to be reclaimed by the sea, per Old Testament prophecy of Jeremiah 51, and Ezekiel 26-27. But v. 18 depicts "the great city" as being consumed by fire...
When the "Mystery, Babylon the great" falls, the cities of "the nations"
also fall. When the "great city" falls, her influence over Israel will
evaporate like the morning mist!
22 And sound of harpers and musicians and flutists and trumpeters not at all may be heard in you still and not at all every artificer of every art may be found in you still, and not at all may be heard a sound of a millstone.
When "Secret Babylon" disappears, all music and work of the artisans
associated with her disappear too. Her millstones will no longer produce
any grist!
23 And not at all may light of any lamp shine in you still, and a sound of bridegroom and bride not at all may be heard in you still, for your merchants were the great ones of the land, for by your sorcery all the nations were misled.
Her place is darkness; no marriages are made there.
"Merchants;" emporos, 1713. Repeated from 18:11,15. Originally the Canaanite variety. These merchants are quite probably connected to the cartel of the "666" number of the beast; to its mark and name.
"Great ones;" megistanes, 3175. From 6:15. The "great ones of the earth" correspond with the status of Nimrod, Genesis 10:8-12. The "giants of industry," these are the men who push forward, creating new cities and new territories and new markets for their goods, men who make a name for themselves as the mighty ones of the earth! The industrial pioneers who, loving wealth, leave faithfulness aside, traffic in all the unclean and filthy habits associated with their trade, even with harlots, and have no place for any God other than themselves.
"Sorcery;" pharmakia, 5331. Literally drug dealing, or a pharmacy;
by extension dealing in all the material things that dull and relax the
senses to feeling or pain. The drug itself is a "pharmakon." The use of
both types of these "sorceries" was alluded to in 9:21. Several northern
states of the Middle East countries are places for the illicit growing
fields of the opium poppy. The drug is carried both to the East and to
the West for distribution throughout the world.
24 And in her was found blood of prophets and holy ones and all the slain over the earth.
This statement of fact is affirmed in/from Jeremiah 51:49. And harks back to 6:10, to explain who are the "souls under the altar." The antisemitism practiced by the lovers of Babylon, ancient and modern, has always poured out the precious blood of the chosen people of God.
Sin is a self deceptive power, destroying the body and soul at last by death. Unless one has placed the care of his own "body and soul" under the spirit and power of Jesus Christ, he will be forever unredeemably destroyed by death. Therefore the servant of the LORD must constantly be on the watch. He is told, Be on guard. He is urged, Pray fervently; pray constantly.
Be prepared for the coming of the Lord -- for the day and the hour of the LORD's coming will not be publicly announced to the world in the advance of the times of the end. Notice of "the end" has been provided to the servants of the LORD through the prophecy of the Lord's apocalypse; none of the evil doers will believe it and consequently will not be forewarned.
Darkness will cover the earth, and a gross darkness (will cover) the people. In that dark night before the dawn of the new days, no man will be able to work out his salvation, for then, "there is no more time."
Chapter Nineteen shows, in its continuing panorama, how The Word of
God, with all his pure and holy ones, goes forth to destroy the adversary
and the enemies of Israel; and tells of the holy city, Jerusalem.
Like the first man, Adam, who was operated upon during a deep sleep, the members of "the bride" are produced by faith through the body and the blood of the Lord, but the second birth by the Holy Spirit from heaven spiritually shapes and molds each member in order to make a "help" suitable for the Lord in the age to come. This mystery was explained to Nicodemus by Jesus in the saying, "Ye must be born from above."
In the blood and the water which proceeded out of his side, pierced by the enemy's sword of Death, the natural elements for the cleansing of the heavenly bride gushed forth, ready to make clean and to made white "many sons" for "the adoption" into the glory of the LORD; according to His word, "Truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD," Numbers 14:20-21. When the marriage of the Lamb comes to pass and the Lord's union with his "bride" takes place, the Holy Spirit of the LORD will descend upon and thereafter dwell within all the members of the Son's "body." This is the so-called "rapture" event of Evangelicalism; a moment. It embraces in space of time "the twinkling of an eye," 1 Corinthians 15:52.
The "bride" is like a city, being made many members and many parts of the Lord's body. She is the woman who surrounds a man, Psalm 46:5; Jeremiah 31:22; he, the king whose throne and glory on earth are both provided from heaven. Both partake in the glory of God, the Father who resides in the heavens above Zion. She becomes a structure like a city. And she, the Lord's building, also peoples the earthly city of God, Ezekiel 40:2. She is composed in the companion body of the ruling "kings and priests" of the coming age, who co-rule with Jesus Christ, going forth from the "new Jerusalem" as the word of the Lord, and with the law which shall come forth from Zion.
This city, which Abraham looked for, a continuing city - which has "no temple in it" because it is the reality of the most holy nature of the LORD promised according to Numbers 14:20-21 - is brought forth from throughout all the earth, and becomes as pictured in Revelation 20. "Be ye holy, for I am Holy," 1 Peter 1:16; Deuteronomy 26:16-19; Numbers 14:21.
The Old Testament references the spiritual qualities of the city of the LORD. In the book of Psalms, refer to Psalm 31:5,21, (see the quote in Luke 23:46); Psalm 46; Psalm 48; Psalm 55:9; Psalm 59:6,14; Psalm 60 (108); Psalm 72; the wonderful Psalm 87 and Psalm 101; Psalm 107:4,7,36, (but all verses which describe the redemption of men); Psalm 122 and Psalm 127.
And finally, for the complete and enduring passionate quality of the Lord's love for his bride and of her tireless love in longing and searching for his comfort and presence, read the Song of Solomon. There is no greater love story written than that of the LORD's love for the world of mankind and the eternal abode which He has created on earth for the dwelling place of His son and his ruling city-bride.
Note
Peter's other references to Paul's comment:1 Peter 2:13 Timothy 2:2-4 1 Peter 2:18 Ephesians 6:5 1 Peter 1:2 Ephesians 1:4-7 1 Peter 1:3 Ephesians 1:3 1 Peter 1:4 Romans 12:2 2 Peter 2:6-10 Romans 9:32,33 2 Peter 2:13 Romans 13:1-4 2 Peter 2:16 Galatians 5:13 2 Peter 2:18 Ephesians 6:5 2 Peter 3:1 Ephesians 5:22 2 Peter 3:9 Romans 12:17 2 Peter 4:9 Philippians 2:14; ... Romans 12:13; ... Hebrews 13:2 2 Peter 4:10 Romans 12:6-8 2 Peter 5:1 Romans 8:18 2 Peter 5:5 Ephesians 5:21; ... Philippians 2:3,5-8 2 Peter 5:8 1 Thessalonians 5:6 2 Peter 5:14 1 Corinthians 16:20