Great Babylon
This introduction to Babylon from Revelation chapters 17 and 18, was taken from my Study Bible. I was so impressed by it that I felt the need to share it with you. Notes from Revelation 17/Babylon and Revelation 18/Babylon were also taken from the Study Bible.
Babylon occupies a position of prominence in the book of Revelation. She is conspicuous in many of the principle prophecies of the Bible. She occupies an eminent place in history and in the Scriptures she is pictured as an enemy of God, making slaves of God's people.
Babylon and her doom has already been mentioned by the prophet in Revelation 14:8 where her fall was anticipated and announced because she has caused earth's inhabitants to partake of her false doctrines. Babylon is represented also as coming "in remembrance before God" during the seventh plague. Revelation 16:19. Obviously Babylon is the main object of God's wrath. Actually God's people are invited to leave Babylon for two reasons:
(1) So that they will not be guilty of the sins of Babylon and
(2) that they will not be the recipients of the wrath of God poured out on Babylon.
Revelation 8:4 the call to "Come out of her my people".
Great Babylon in a broad sense pictures the system of apostate religion throughout all human history. The beast on which the woman rides represents Satan's particular kind of government. The seven heads symbolizes the devils seven universal attempts to control world affairs. ( In my study and research of this chapter, I found that if you look closely at the seven heads, the Bible also says it represents seven hills or mountains, where do these mountains exist? In Rome, and the Vatican sits on those seven hills or mountains.) The devil favors a unity of church and state. In his attempt to hinder God's work, he has always used some form of religion to control civil power. However, it will be seen that there is only one exception to this rule, that is, during the time referred to in Revelation 17:8 when the beast "is not".
The term Babylon had its origin shortly after the great deluge which destroyed the earth and its inhabitants. God made a covenant with man and promised never again to destroy the earth by water. Genesis 9"11-17. But those who did not believe God set up their own plan of salvation in rebellion against God. The tenth and eleventh chapters of Genesis reveal what followed.
Turning to these chapters of national origins, we learn that the beginning of the kingdom of Nimrod, the grandson of Ham, was Ba-Bel, or Babylon, in the land of Shinar, whither the then inhabitants of the earth, who were as yet of one language and one speech, journeyed together from the East. This implication is, that they came thither under the leadership of Nimrod, whose name means a rebellious panther, and that under him began that first great work of rebellion against God which brought the confusion of tongues, and inaugurated the original of all the subsequent harlotries and abominations of mankind. Against the command and known intent of the Almighty, it was there undertaken to "build a city and a tower who's top might reach unto heaven", and to make themselves a name that they might not be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth. It appears also, that from the hunting and slaying of wild beasts, and with the armed forces grouped around him in that business, Nimrod betook himself to the subjugation and enslavement of men, compelling them into his service and daring schemes. Thus he "began to be a mighty one in the earth", the organizer of an arbitrary imperialism over against the patriarchal order and the divine institutes. The Arab records tell us that he was the first king, and thus the beginner of all kingcraft and tyranny which have since so much oppressed the world. It is said of him that he professed to have seen a golden crown in the sky, that he had one made like it, and that he put if on his own head, and thus claimed to rule in the name as the earthly impersonation of the powers of the sky, either as Orion or the Sun.
The Bible says that it was further arranged for the people to make for themselves "a name"--a Sem, token, sign, banner, ensign, or mark of confederation, fellowship, and organized unity, as an undivided people, lest they should become dispersed over the earth into separate societies. (Compare Jeremiah 13:11; 33:9; Ezekiel 39:13; Zephaniah 3:20). Against God they had determined to hold together, and they wished to have a badge, standard, something by which they could be known, and in which they could all glory and rejoice as the centre and crown of their unity. That Sem, or Sema was to be a mark of consolidation greatness, a loftiness and pride to them; that is, in the language of the time, a Sema-Rama.
Thus we have the name of the mythic Semiramis, the Dove-Goddess, which was the ensign of all the Assyrian princes, and which figures so largely as Ashtaroth, Astatre, the heavenly Aphrodite, and Venus. Semiramis is said to have been the wife of Nimrod; so that the Sem, or token, of the Nimrodic confederation was probably the image of his wife, with a dove upon her head, with wings spread like the horns of the new moon. This in the language of the time, would be called Sema-Rama, because the great Sem, name, or token, of the combination against being scattered abroad. the symbol of such a name or confederation would naturally and almost necessarily take the place of a god, and become the holy mother, the great heavenly protectress, the giver of greatness and prosperity to those rallying under it.
So again, Nimrod called his first and capital city Bab-el, which, in the language of the time, means, The Gate of God: of course not the God of Noah and Shem, for the whole proceeding was in known and intended antagonism to the true God and His will and commands. Hebraistically, and by way of accommodation to the judgment of Jehovah there inflicted, Babel is made significant of confusion (Genesis 11:9), but in the original application of the name it means The Gate of God. Thus in the very name of the place, we have the intimation and proof that these Nimrodic proceedings were not only the organization of a new and oppressive style of government, but with it, as an essential part of it, the inauguration of a new and idolatrous religion, the parent apostasy of the post-diluvian world.
The Bible says that Nimrod was a mighty hunter before the Lord. The Targum of Jonathan interprets this to mean that he was a mighty rebel before the Lord, the mightiest rebel before the Lord that ever was in the earth. The Jerusalem targum reads it that he was mighty in sin before the Lord, a hunter of the sons of men, exhorting them to leave the judgments of Shem and adhere to the judgments of Nimrod. Hence it was the proverb concerning every notorious adventurer in wickedness and oppression, as the mighty Nimrod in rebellion and sin before God. Jarchi accordingly understands the record to be, that Nimrod was a most brazen offender, who did not fear or hesitate to withstand God to his very face. And every intimation concerning him shows that he was the heaven-defying founder of a new system of rule and worship, instituting a government by brute force and earthly wisdom and policy, and a religion which quite abolished the true God, and set men to the adoration of the sun, moon, and stars, impersonated in himself, wife, relatives, and chief consociate, and represented in the idol standards of his kingdom.
"It is a mistake to suppose that idolatry was the gradual growth of well-disposed but unenlightened human thinking. Its rise was sudden. It was conceived in intentional rebellion. It was the invention of a proud and tyrannous ambition at war with Jehovah's commands. It was brought into being to counteract the will and worship of the true and known God. It was the creature and handmaid of power for the deification of the "lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" in the place of the creator", 1John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. The Apocalypse, J.A,. Seiss, pages 388,389.
This chapter contains explanations of a number of symbols which will prove helpful,. Babylon is especially singled out for judgment. Therefore it will be necessary to observe her character, her actions and her end. The chapter divides naturally into two parts dealing with the woman and the beast. Here is presented Satan's great masterpiece of deception which from its beginning has been in opposition to God and His people. This false, confusing system of worship has deliberately rebelled against God, and has been an integral part of the great controversy between God and Satan.
We can expect a fuller development of the principles of Babylon in the immediate future just prior to the return of Christ. In the last great crisis the powers of evil will form an unholy alliance with the political leaders of earth giving themselves up to the short-lived joys of Babylon's cup of wine. Therefore the message God sent through Jeremiah to His people who were in ancient Babylon before her destruction is pertinent now. "Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD's hand, that made all the earth drunken, the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad. Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD's vengeance; he will render unto her a recompense. " Jeremiah 51:7
Revelation chapter 18 is a treatise on the fall of Babylon. In Revelation chapter 17 is pictured the downfall of the religious aspect of Babylon. However, spiritual Babylon becomes involved with the nations of earth and she rises to such power that the principles of freedom will be abolished and the death decree established for those who dare to stand for God in opposition to the requirements of Babylon. Read Revelation 13:11-17.
In light of this chapter it is evident that God's judgment upon Babylon will be complete. Her false doctrines and principles having permeated the entire world means that her fall will not only be religious- she will lose her political and commercial power too.
Leon Morris, talking about the judgment of Babylon, says that John "is catching up all that the prophets have said as they announce the doom of Tyre or Babylon or Nineveh. But he is thinking not of the fall of one city or empire but of the collapse of civilization. Final judgment means the overthrow of all that opposes itself to God." The Revelation of St. John, by Canon Leon Morris, page 214.
The good news of this chapter is that God remembers His true and faithful saints in the midst of Babylon. Here is recorded the last call of God to His people. It's an impressive call. Here is the indication that there is a way of escape. But in this call of God, as in all others, no attempt is made to force the will of man. The way has been opened by Jesus Christ. Leaving Babylon by accepting the call of God is a matter of choice. "how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" Hebrews 2:3
The Doom of Babylon Predicted Revelation Chapter 17
Verse. 1: And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials (bowls) and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore (harlot) that sitteth upon many waters: (ref. Rev. 16:19).
Verse 2: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. (ref. Rev. 2:22; 18:3, 9 Jer. 51:7)
Verse 3: So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. (ref. Rev. 12:6, 14; Rev. 21:10; Rev. 12:3; Rev 13:1).
Revelation verses 1-3 explains: Chapters 17 and 18 picture the judgment of God on a system, empire, or city called Babylon the Great (17:5); it is a more detailed description of the seventh vial (16:17). The great whore (verse 1) is named "BABYLON THE GREAT" in verse 5. Chapters 17 and 18 show her judgment. The waters represent the various peoples and nations of the earth (verse 15). She sitteth upon them in the sense that she has worldwide influence. Her harlotry and fornication refer either to physical immorality or (more likely) spiritual adultery ( idolatry and religious apostasy--ref. Isaiah 1:21; 23:16,17; Jeremiah 2:20-37, 13:27; Ezekiel 16:15-43; Hosea 2:5; Nahum 3:4) the kings and inhabitants of the earth have opened their arms to her influence. The beast is the first Beast of chapter 13 in Revelation--the Antichrist and his empire. Her sitting upon the Beast represents the intimate association between the Antichrist and the harlot (an association of support, influence and control). Please take note here: Woman in symbol is the Church, the harlot being a woman is the apostate church, going against the laws of God which are His Commandments. She sits upon the Beast who is the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican. It has the ability to influence, support and control world leaders and nations. It is that powerful, and that power comes from the Antichrist, Satan himself.
Verse 4: And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked (adorned) with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornications: (ref. Rev. 18:12, 16; Daniel 11:38; Jeremiah 51:7; Rev. 14:8).
Verse 5: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, and THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Verse 6: And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered (marveled) with great admiration (amazement).
Revelation verses 4-6 explains: The elegant clothing and jewelry of the woman show her wealth and attractiveness, but her activities are filthy and abominable to God. Her mystery name is BABYLON THE GREAT. Ancient Babylon is a type or prefigurement of this future Babylon. The harlot will do what literal Babylon did in the past:
(1) oppress God's people, and (2) propagate a false religious system. Much of the world's idolatry can be traced back to historical Babylon (ref. Genesis 11:1-9), including the mother-child cult of Semiramis-Tammuz (ref. Jeremiah 44:16-19; Ezekiel 8:9, 14), which entered other cultures as Ashtaroth-Ball, Aphrodite-Eros, Venus-Cupid, and even Madonna-Child. As the fountainhead of idolatry, Babylon the harlot is the MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. The harlot has killed many of God's saints and Christian martyrs throughout the ages, and will do so again during the Tribulation period. Admiration (Greek thauma) here means "amazement" (ref. chap. 13:3, 17:7). Please note here: The colors of the clothing, who else do you know wears such colors in the clergy? The answer is: The Vatican in Rome, the Cardinals, Bishops, Priests and the Pope all where those colors. The precious stones and pearls, gold, and many riches can be found in the vaults beneath the Vatican City were the Pope resides. It is both a Church and State (Nation in itself). It has its own royal guard, its own currency, stamps, laws etc. The church is not to be trusted once it has turned to apostasy. It has strayed from the Word of God and His laws, enticed by the wealth and glamour as it were of the lies of Satan. As he once lied to Eve in the Garden of Eden, he did so again and again to the churches of the world, starting with the early church and spread like wild fire throughout the churches history. She feasts on the blood of the saints and martyrs. There are millions that suffered horrible tortures and deaths at the hands of the Roman Catholic Church. Just because they would not bow to the Vatican way of thinking, they would not bow to Satan, and they lost their lives for it.
Verse 7: And the angel said unto me, wherefore didst thou marvel: I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
Verse 8: The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition (destruction): and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder (marvel), whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (ref. Rev. 11:7, Rev. 17:11, Rev. 3:10, Rev. 13:3, Matthew 25:34, Rev. 13:8).
Revelation verses 7 and 8 explain: a more detailed explanation of the entities depicted symbolically as a woman and a beast. The Beast as an empire goes through four stages, from the viewpoint of the beginning of the Tribulation period: (1) it was, that is, it existed in the form of the ancient Roman Empire. (2) It is not, that is, when it was it was destroyed by Napoleon Bonaparte in the year 1798 and that same year General Bertier carried out the orders to take into captivity the Pope. From the years 538AD when the Papacy came into power, till the year 1798, it rained down horrible cruelties upon the people for 1260 years. (3) Yet is: From 1798 unto the signing of the Lateren Treaty in 1929 the Roman Church/State was non-existent. From 1929 to the present Roman Church has been a Church and State. It shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, that is, Satan will raise up the Antichrist as his false messiah and give him worldwide rule (ref. Rev. 11:7; 13:3,4) And (4) the Antichrist will be cast into perdition, (destruction) the lake of fire(ref. 19:20). Unbelievers with wonder in amazement at this revival of the power and glory of the Roman Empire (ref, Rev. 13:3).
The Beast that was: The Roman church began in 538ad and continued until 1798.
And is not: from 1798 until the signing of the Lateren Treaty in 1929 the Roman Church/State was non-existent. Mussolini and Cardinal Gasspari signed a Roman pact thus power returned to the Roman Church.
Yet is: From 1929 to present The Roman Church has been a Church/State with full powers and authority to support, control and influence the nations and its leaders.
Verse 9: And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. (ref. Rev. 13:18; 13:1)
Revelation verse 9 explains: The seven heads of the Beast represent seven mountains on which the woman sitteth. The city of Rome was known throughout the ancient world as a city built on seven hills or mountains. John notes that the wise mind will make the proper identification. The woman apparently represents idolatrous, anti-God civilization, centered at Rome but with worldwide influence (ref. verse 15) The identification of the seven heads as Rome shows that the Beast will have his major base of operations at Rome also (ref. Daniel 9:26--the "people of the prince that shall come" are the Romans in A.D. 70).
Verse 10: And there are seven kings: five are fallen, (have fallen), and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space (time). (ref. Rev. 13:5)
Revelation verse 10 explains: The seven kings may represent: (1) seven rulers in the Roman Empire (from Augustus to Domitian and Antichrist.); or (2) the seven horns left on the fourth beast of Daniel 7 after three horns are pulled up by the roots (ref Daniel 7:8,20); or most likely, (3) the seven kingdoms or empires that through history have ruled over Israel and much of the known world: Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and the revived Roman Empire. Five have fallen (are past); one is the Roman Empire existing at the time of John; and the seventh (revived Rome) is not yet come. This revived Roman Empire is represented in Daniel by the 10 toes in the image of Daniel 2:41-44 and by the 10 horns on the fourth beast of Daniel 7:7, 20, 24 and in Revelation by the 10 horns on the first Beast (13:1; 17:3, 12, 13).It will exist as a major power only a short while, since it will then give its authority to the Beast (verses 11-13).
Verse 11: And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition (destruction). (ref. Rev. 13:3, 12, 14; 17:8)
Revelation verse 11 explains: The beast, the final world kingdom ruled by the Antichrist, is the eighth king or kingdom. He is of the seven in that he is the culmination of all the previous, pagan, idolatrous empires. But he will go into perdition, the lake of fire. (Ref. verse 8; 19:20)
Verse 12: And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet, but receive power (authority) as kings one hour with the beast.(ref. Daniel 7:20)
Verse 13: These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength (authority) unto the beast.
Verse 14: These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen and faithful. (Ref Rev. 16:14; 19, 20; Deut. 10:17; 1 Timothy 6:15; Rev. 19:16; Jer. 50:44)
Revelation verses 12-14 explains: The ten horns on the Beast represent ten kings of the future revived Roman Empire (ref. Daniel 2:41-44; 7:24). Their worldwide power will come in association with the beast. One hour indicates a relatively short time (ref Rev. 18:10, 17, 19). These rulers of a 10-nation federation will unitedly give their political authority and military power to the beast to conquer the earth and make war against Christ (ref Rev. 16:14; 19:19). The purpose of Satan through the Beast and fellow kings is to establish an invincible kingdom that Christ cannot overcome when He returns. But Christ is King of kings, and will overcome the Beast and his kingdom when He returns (ref. Rev 19:11-21). Those who follow Christ are called and chosen by Him and faithful to Him (ref. Rev 19:7, 8, 14).
Verse 15: And he saith unto me, the waters which thou sawest, where the whore (harlot) sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (Ref. Isaiah 8:7; Jeremiah. 47:2; Rev 17:1; Rev 13:7)
Verse 16: And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (ref. Jeremiah. 50:41; Rev. 18:17, 19; Ezekiel 16:37, 39; Rev. 18:8)
Verse 17: For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree (be of one mind), and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. (ref. 2 Thessalonians. 2:11; Rev 10:7)
Verse 18: And the woman which thou sawest is the great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. (ref. Rev. 11:8; 16:19; Rev. 12:4)
Revelation verses 15-18 explains: The whore has been described as sitting (1) on many waters (verse 1), (2) on the Beast (verse 3), and (3) on seven mountains (verse 9). Here the waters are identified as peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues, indicating the worldwide influence and authority of the harlot. In verse 18, she is identified as that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth, referring to a worldwide, idolatrous, pagan system centered at Rome. Toward the end, however, the 10 kings (verse 12), will destroy the harlot system (ref 18:6-24). They will do this as God's will, and will turn there total devotion and worship to the beast himself (ref 13:12; 17:13; Daniel 11:36-39). The 10 kings will be God's instrument to destroy the harlot Babylon (ref 16:19; 18:5, 6; 19:2). The destruction of the woman or harlot is pictured as the destruction of a great city in chapter 18.
The Fall of Babylon Revelation 18
1 ¶ And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
This angel which comes from the throne room in heaven is given an important task. He is represented as "having great power" or authority. The message he gives will be an intensified form of the three angels' messages (Revelation 14:6-12) which were first proclaimed during the great religious awakening at the beginning of the nineteenth century. His glorious splendor causes great enlightenment in the entire world. (This is in harmony with Ezekiel 43:2) The energetic action of this angel and the importance and urgency of his message is represented by the "strong voice" with which he makes his known. With the announcement of Babylon's fall there is the awareness of her corrupt and unclean condition. Babylon has dispensed her false doctrines to the peoples of earth. She has been successful in effecting an infiltration of her false wares among the rulers, politicians and the financiers of the world. Much of their worldly success can be attributed to their illicit relationship with Babylon.
4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
This "voice from heaven" could well be the voice of Christ. Why is this invitation extended to God's people? It is God's method of bringing deliverance and salvation to His people. It is a clear call to separation from Babylon lest they share in her sinfulness and her judgment. Revelation 18 points to the time when, as the result of rejecting the threefold warning of Revelation 14:6-12, the church will have fully reached the condition foretold by the second angel, and the people of God still in Babylon will be called upon to separate from her communion. This message is the last that will ever be given to the world; and it will accomplish its work. When those that believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:12), shall be left to receive strong delusion and to believe a lie, then the light of truth will shine upon all whose hearts are open to receive it, and all the children of the Lord that remain in Babylon will heed the call: "Come out of her, my people"(Revelation 18:4)
The call to separation is in keeping with the call of God in every age. Abraham, dwelling in Ur of the Chaldees (Genesis 11:31), heard God's call (Genesis 12:1) and immediately he obeyed (Genesis 12:4). When god wanted to save Lot and his family, He said "Up, get you out of this place." (Genesis 19:14). Lot's life depended upon separating from Sodom. On Israel's way to the Promised Land one of the great challenges Moses had to meet was the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16). These men had secured the sympathy of vast numbers of the people. The call to separate from these wicked men in their rebellion was mandatory, otherwise they would have been held guilty too, and together with the leaders of this world would have lost their lives.
Seven times the scriptures record the Divine call for saints to separate from Babylon. 1) Go ye forth of Babylon (Isaiah 48:20) this call of separation was extended to God's people Israel. (2) Go ye out of the midst of her (Isaiah 52:11) (3) Remove out of the midst of Babylon (Jeremiah 50:8, 9). (4) Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul (Jeremiah 51:6, 7) (5) Come forth and flee... Deliver thyself, O Zion that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon (Zechariah 2:6, 7) (6) Come out from among them, and be ye separate (2 Corinthians 6:17, 18) (7) Come out of her my people (Revelation 18:7)
God's people are not to be a part of this great world system of Babylon, there must be a clear line of demarcation between them and Babylon. Babylon's doom is certain. Her judgment is in God's hands. The rendering of vengeance is His prerogative. Romans 12:19. The principles of divine justice will be strictly adhered to in the judgment of Babylon. God will be fair and just. Whatever Babylon has meted out to the others she will receive the same in the day of recompense. Babylon's particular sin is the exaltation of self. She glories in her own power. She refuses to concede defeat. She says, "I sit a queen and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow." Revelation 18:7. But her self-deception will not deter God's judgment. Her complete destruction is sure "for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her." verse 8.
9 ¶ And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgment come.
11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
What a picture of complete desolation as a result of judgment! And it is accomplished in "one hour" which represents a short period of time. The politicians and the financiers lament over Babylon's desolation. Too late they realize how grossly they have been deceived by false promises of safety and security. Babylon and her sympathizers put their trust in money and materials things. These verses seem to indicate that when Babylon falls there will be a great world-wide economic panic. It is the same picture set forth in James 5:1-5. Participation in Babylon's sins will bring Babylon's doom. Allow the Holy Spirit to imprint this one eternal truth upon your mind that "whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased: and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Luke 4:11
(I would also like to add here one thing that the author of these commentaries did not add, and that is in Revelation 12 and 16, notice the colors purple and scarlet, and the mention of precious stones, pearls and gold. There is only one group of people that wears those colors, and those are the Cardinals, Bishops and Pope in the Vatican. The underground vaults in the Vatican are filled with many rich artifacts of precious stones, gold and pearls. To me this implies that Rome is Babylon. But not only Rome, but all the apostate, prostitute daughters of the harlot are Babylon. So it is the system from what I can see that is Babylon, the system that spreads like a cancer from one church to the next with the errors and pollution which began with Rome and the Vatican.)
20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
Babylon's fall calls for a great celebration. why? Because here is the final triumph of the kingdom of God over the kingdom of Satan. This rejoicing involves a sincere devotion to the holiness of god. By all means, rejoice in the triumph of God's righteousness. God's justice and His righteousness are vindicated.
The angel is represented as casting a great stone into the sea. this is a symbolic act depicting Babylon's overthrow. Her fall will be eternal. God will make a complete end. Babylon is destined to be abandoned. Six times God uses the phrase" no more at all" in verses 21-23 to show Babylon's complete desolation.
Finally it is clearly stated that Babylon is guilty of using sorcery in her work of deception. The devil has worked through this same great error for nearly six thousand years. This was his method in the Garden of Eden where he worked to deceive through the serpent. The sorceries of modern Babylon are those deceptions practiced by her for the purpose of securing the allegiance of earth's inhabitants. Revelation 13:13,14; 16:13,14. Quite an accusation is leveled at Babylon in verse 24. She is responsible for all of the martyrdom of God's people in all ages. Among the most successful agencies of the great deceiver are the delusive teachings and lying wonders of spiritualism. Disguised as an angel of light, he spread his nets where least suspected. If men would but study the Book of God, His Word with earnest prayer that they might understand it, they would not be left in darkness to receive false doctrines. But as they reject the truth they fall a prey to deception.
Note also that three reasons are given for the destruction of Babylon:
(1) its arrogance,
(2) its deception of the nations, and
(3) its persecution and martyrdom of God's people.
Rome's arrogance is to debunk God's Word in His Holy Bible, its arrogance is to debunk the six day creation and turn to evolution theories, and its arrogance is to believe that they will not be destroyed by God.
Rome's deception is to spread its error throughout the world, its deception is to corrupt the shepherds that are suppose to protect the flock of God, and to teach them the truths of God's word. Satan's deception is to have the shepherds destroy the flock of God and to keep them from the truth of the Word.
Rome's persecution of the millions of Christians and Jews through out history in the Name of God, when in fact they persecuted them in the Name of Satan. Again, our Pastors, and Ministers and Priests are supposed to protect and guide us, and they have been corrupted and deceived by Satan to bring down the people of God. But God protects His own.
(Words in blue, my opinions.)
I am also adding here quotes from the book The Great Controversy by Ellen G. White where she also speaks of Babylon and the apostate churches.
In Revelation 14 the first angel is followed by a second proclaiming: “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Revelation 14:8 The term “Babylon” as we know is derived from “Babel,” and signifies confusion. It is employed as Scripture to designate the various forms of false or apostate religion. In Revelation 17 Babylon is represented as a woman ---a figure which is used in the Bible as the symbol of a church, a virtuous woman representing a pure church, a vile woman or (a harlot) an apostate church.
The woman (Babylon) of Revelation 17 is described as “arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness:. . . And upon her forehead was written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots.” Says the prophet: “I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.” Babylon is further declared to be that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” Revelation 17:4-6,18. The power that for so many centuries maintained despotic sway over the monarchs of Christendom is Rome. The purple and scarlet color, the gold and precious stones and pearls, vividly picture the magnificence and more that kingly pomp affected by the haughty see of Rome. And no other power could be so truly declared “drunken with the blood of the saints” as that church which has so charged with the sin of unlawful connection with “the alliance with the heathen, that the Jewish church became a harlot; and Rome, corrupting herself in like manner by seeking the support of worldly powers, receives a like condemnation.
Babylon is said to be “the mother of harlots.” By her daughters must be symbolized chruches that cling to her doctrines and traditions, and follow her example of sacrificing the truth and the approval of God, in order to form an unlawful alliance with the world. The message of Revelation 14, announcing the fall of Babylon must apply to religious bodies that were once pure and have become corrupt. Since the message follows the warning of the judgment, it must be given in the last days; therefore it cannot refer to the Roman Church alone, for that church has been in a fallen condition for many centuries. Furthermore, in the 18th chapter of the Revelation the people of God are called upon to come out of Babylon. According to this scripture, many of God's people must still be in Babylon. And in what religious bodies are the greater part of the followers of Christ now to be found? Without doubt, in the various churches professing the Protestant faith. At the time of their rise these churches took a noble stand for God and the truth, and His blessing was with them. Even the unbelieving world was constrained to acknowledge the beneficent results that followed an acceptance of the principles of the gospel. In the words of the prophet to Israel: "Thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through My comeliness, which I had put upon thee, siath the Lord God." But they fell by the same desire which was the curse and ruin of Israel--the desire of imitating the practices and courting the friendship of the ungodly. "Thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown." Exekiel 16:14,15.
Many of the Protestant churches are following Rome” example of iniquitous (Morally objectionable) connection with “the kings of the earth”-- the state churches, by their relation to secular governments; and other denominations, by seeking the favor of the world. And the term “Babylon”--confusion--may be appropriately applied to these bodies, all professing to derive their doctrines from the Bible, yet divided into almost innumerable sects, with widely conflicting creeds and theories.
Besides a sinful union with the world, the churches that separated from Rome present other of her characteristics. Great Controversy pgs. 381-383.
A Roman Catholic work argues that “if the Church of Rome were every guilty of idolatry in relation to the saints, her daughter, the Church of England, stands guilty of the same, which has ten churches dedicated to Mary for one dedicated to Christ.” Richard Challoner, The Catholic Christian Instructed, Preface, pgs. 21,22.
And Dr. Hopkins, in “A Treatise on the Millennium,” declares: “There is no reason to consider the antichristian spirit and practices to be confined to that which is now called the Church of Rome. The Protestant churches have much of antichrist in them, and are far from being wholly reformed from. . . Corruptions and wickedness.” Samuel Hopkins, Works, vol. 2, pg. 328.
Concerning the separation of the Presbyterian Church from Rome, Dr Guthrie writes: “Three hundred years ago, our church, with an open Bible on her banner, and this motto, ‘Search the Scriptures,’ on her scroll, marched out from the gates of Rome.” Then he asks the significant question: “Did they come clean out of Babylon?” Thomas Guthrie, The Gospel in Ezekiel, pg 237.
What was the origin of the great apostasy? How did the church first depart from the simplicity of the gospel? By conforming ot the practices of paganism, to facilitate the acceptance of Christianity by the heathen. The apostle Paul delcared, even in his day, "The mystery of iniquity doth already work." 2 Thessalonians 2:7. During the lives of the apostles the church remained comparatively pure. But "toward the latter end of the second century most of the churches assumed a new form; the first simplicity disappeared , and insensibly, as the old disciples retired to their graves, their children, along with new converts,. . . came forward and new- modeled the cause." Robert Robinson, Ecclesiastical Researches, ch. 6, par. 17, pg. 51.
To secure converts, the exalted standard of the Christian faith was lowered, and as the result "a pagan flood, flowing into the church, carried with it its customs, practices, and idols." Gavazzi, Lectures, page 278. As the Christian religion secured the favor and support of secular rulers, it was nominally accepted by the multitudes; but while in appearance Christians, many "remained in substance pagans, especially worshiping in secret their idols." Lectures, page 278.
Has not the same process been repeated in nearly every church calling itself Protestant? As the founders, those who possessed the true spirit of reform, pass away, their descendants come forward and “new-model the cause.” While blindly clinging to the creed of their fathers and refusing to accept any truth in advance of what they saw, the children of the reformers depart widely from their example of humility, self-denial, and renunciation of the world. Thus “the first simplicity disappears.” A worldly flood, flowing into the church, carries “with it its customs, practices, and idols.” Great Controversy pgs 384-385
The spirit of worldly conformity is invading the churches throughout Christendom. Robert Atkins, in a sermon preached in London, draws a dark picture of the spiritual declension (decline) that prevails in England: “The truly righteous are diminished from the earth, and no man layeth it to heart. The professors of religion of the present day, in every church, are lovers of creature comfort, and aspirers after respectability. They are called to suffer for Christ, but they shrink from even reproach. . . . Apostasy, apostasy, apostasy, is en-graven on the very front of every church; and did they know it, and did they fell it, there might be hope; but alas! They cry, ‘We are rich, and increased in goods, and stand in need of nothing.’ “ --Second Advent Library, tract No.39.
The great sin charged against Babylon is that she “made all the nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” This cup of intoxication which she presents to the world represents the false doctrines that she has accepted as the result of her unlawful connection with the great ones of the earth. Friendship with the world corrupts her faith, and in her turn she exerts a corrupting influence upon the world by teaching doctrines which are opposed to the plainest statements of Holy Writ.
Rome withheld the Bible from the people and required all men to accept her teachings in its place. It was the work of the Reformation to restore to men the word of God; but is it not too true that in the churches of our time men are taught to rest their faith upon their creed and the teachings of their church rather than on the Scriptures? Said Charles Beecher, speaking of the Protestant churches: “They shrink from any rude word against creeds with the same sensitiveness with which those holy fathers would have shrunk from a rude word against the rising veneration of saints and martyrs which they were fostering. . . The Protestant evangelical denominations have so tied up one another’s hands, and their own, that , between them all, a man cannot become a preacher at all, anywhere, without accepting some book besides the Bible. . . . There is nothing imaginary in the statement that the creed power is now beginning to prohibit the Bible as really as Rome did, though in a subtler way.” --Sermon on the Bible a Sufficient Creed,” delivered at Fort Wayne, Indiana, Feb. 22,1846.
When faithful teachers expound the word of God, there arise men of learning, ministers professing to understand the Scriptures, who denounce sound doctrine as heresy, and thus turn away inquirers after truth. Were it not that the world is hopelessly intoxicated with the wine of Babylon, multitudes would be convicted and converted by the plain, cutting truths of the word of God. But religious faith appears so confused and discordant that the people know not what to believe as truth. The sin of the world’s impenitence lies at the door of the church.
The second angel’s message of Revelation 14 was first preached in the summer of 1844, and it then had a more direct application to the churches of the United States, where the warning of the judgment had been most widely proclaimed and most generally rejected, and where the declension in the churches had been most rapid. But the message of the second angel did not reach its complete fulfillment in 1844. The churches then experienced a moral fall, in consequence of their refusal of the light of the advent message; but the fall was not complete. As they have continued to reject the special truths for this time they have fallen lower and lower. Not yet, however, can it be said that “Babylon is fallen, . . . . because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” She has not yet made all nations do this. The Spirit of world conforming and indifference to the testing truths for our time exists and has been gaining ground in churches of the Protestant faith in all the countries of Christendom; and these churches are included in the solemn and terrible denunciation of the second angel. But the work of apostasy has not yet reached its culmination.
The Bible declares that before the coming of the Lord, Satan will work “with all power and signs and lying wonders, and all deceivableness of unrighteousness;” and they that “received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved,” will be left to receive “strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11. Not until the condition shall be reached, and the union of the church with the world shall be fully accomplished throughout Christendom, will the fall of Babylon be complete. The change is a progressive one, and the perfect fulfillment of Revelation 14:8 is yet future.
Notwithstanding the spiritual darkness and alienation from God that exist in the churches which constitute Babylon, the great body of Christ’s true followers are still to be found in their communion. There are many of these who have never seen the special truths for this time. Not a few are dissatisfied with their present condition and are longing for clearer light. They look in vain for the image of Christ in the churches with which they are connected. As these bodies depart further and further from the truth, and ally themselves more closely with the world, the difference between the two classes will widen, and it will finally result in separation. The time will come when those who love God supremely can no longer remain in connection with such as are ‘lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” 2 Timothy 3:4.
Revelation 18 points to the time when, as the result of rejecting the threefold warning of Revelation 14:6-12, the church will have fully reached the condition foretold by the second angel, and the people of God still in Babylon will be called upon to separate from her communion. This message is the last that will ever be given to the world; and it will accomplish its work. When those that “believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:12), shall be left to receive strong delusion and to believe a lie, then the light of truth will shine upon all whose hearts are open to receive it, and all the children of the Lord that remain in Babylon will heed the call: “Come out of her, My people” (Revelation 18:4).