Revelation Chapter 18 (GOD'S WORD)

Chapter 18 is a continuation of the judgments against Babylon/harlot in chapter 17. Whereas chapter 17 ends with the harlot (pseudoreligious system) being hated, killed, and burned by the existing world leadership (10 horns), chapter 18 describes the end of the Babylonian political and economic system(s). Implied in all this discussion is that the economic and political system(s) at the time of this chapter will have perpetrated evil principles (covetousness, greed, idolatry to name a few).
 

The chapter has these main topics:

  1. Announcement ( verses 1-3 )
  2. Separation ( verses 4-8 )
  3. Three laments of the world ( verses 9-19 )
  4. Rejoicing (verse 20 )
  5. Cause of Babylon's doom and the end of Babylon ( verses 21-24 ).
















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 1 (GOD'S WORD)

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1 After these things I saw another angel come from heaven. He had tremendous power, and his glory lit up the earth.
This phrase is used to denote a distinct vision. While it may be related to the previous vision, this vision will have its own characteristics. That is, in chapter 17, we saw the collapse of the pseudoreligious empire (of Babylon). In this chapter, we will see the conclusion of the destruction of Babylon, but in particular, we will see the political and economic empire(s) collapse. Note how the vision changes the other times in Revelation that "After these things" is used (Revelation 4:1 , 7:9 , 15:5 , and 19:1 ). This is another ANGEL like the seven angels who carried the seven plagues (Revelation 15:5 -6 and Revelation 17:1 ). This ANGEL, too, was a 'presence angel' coming from the temple in heaven.

Some scholars suggest this may be Christ himself and use John 8:12-20 to support their argument. Given the precision of Revelation throughout, it is not likely that Christ would be denoted as an ANGEL here. There is no argument that Christ has TREMENDOUS POWER and could easily fill the earth with His GLORY. But here this part of the vision is given to an ANGEL.

Scripture says little about the POWER given to angels. Probably because of the "bad experience" with Lucifer, scripture downplays this side of angeldom. We know that some powerful angels are given control over physical phenomena (see discussion in Revelation 16:5). This angel compliments these other strong angels as the "angel of GLORY(light)".

Those who believe this may be Christ find support in John 5:25-27-29 and Acts 10:34-42-43 .

This ANGEL must have come from the presence of God and His unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:11-16). While this is not a common phenomena, Moses glowed with God's GLORY after having spent time in God's presence (Exodus 34:29-35). One could argue that we don't see this GLORY today because we spend so little time in God's presence (or maybe we are selfish and don't want to).

Finally, after a world of darkness (the fifth bowl - Revelation 16:10 ), the brilliance of this GLORY must be shocking. Most importantly from a spiritual viewpoint, this is a DIRECT CONFRONTATION of one ANGEL of GLORY(Light) against the 'disguised angel of light' (2 Corinthians 11:7-14-15) who is behind this Babylonian empire(s).













































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 2 (GOD'S WORD)

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2 He cried out in a powerful voice, “Fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen! She has become a home for demons. She is a prison for every evil spirit, every unclean bird, and every unclean and hated beast.
 This is not prideful bluster but a mighty voice of a 'presence' angel speaking with TREMENDOUS POWER (previous verse). This angel proclaims the collapse of the socioeconomic order even as the 7 puppet leaders have just subdued any "organized" religion (Revelation 17:16). Only worship of the antiChrist/devil is permitted at this time.

E. W. Bullinger in "Commentary on Revelation" explains that the "FALLEN" may take longer than seven years. That is, the complete destruction of the socioeconomic order may precede or succeed the 7 years Tribulation period.  Even in the Old Testament the time span for the demise of Babylon is indeterminate ( and Jeremiah 51:1-8-10).

These 4 points confirm this "FALLEN" is primarily a collapse within the evil spirit world. Ever since the seven bowl plagues came out of the temple in heaven (Revelation 15:6), the emphasis in Revelation is on the dissolution of evil on this earth. Implied in this is that the socioeconomic system is riddled with demon possessed persons.

Contrast this with the believer's dwelling (Ephesians 2:19-22).

The politicians and businessmen cannot free themselves either from the mark of the beast, which they need to do business (Revelation 13:17) or these UNCLEAN SPIRITS. According to Revelation 19:17 and 18 , the very being of these political, military, and business leaders will be consumed by these BIRDS (the evil one). Jesus, himself, referred to these BIRDS as the 'evil one' (Matthew 13:1-9,18-23). Isaiah 13:17-21-22 names these birds as owls and ostriches (silent flyers and cantankerous nonflyers). These socioeconomic leaders are in prison with these BIRDS. Its an imprisonment of evil with a touch of deceit (Jeremiah 5:20-27-29).
















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 3 (GOD'S WORD)

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3 All the nations fell because of the wine of her sexual sins. The kings of the earth had sex with her. Her luxurious wealth has made the merchants of the earth rich.”

This verse is the clearest indication that chapter 18 is dealing with the political and economic environments of the last days. Chapter 17 deals with the pseudoreligious system and its destruction.

This is "ALL the NATIONS" from the beginning of Babylon (Babel - Genesis 11:1-6-9) until the last days. The United States of America and all nations of our present world are included in this "ALL the NATIONS". It is interesting to note that Babylon has gone full circle. That is, the reason the tower of Babel was built was to signify the unity of the "nation". Instead, with God's intervention, the unity was thrown into chaos and many nations and languages were birthed. In the last days, the beast will seek and, in his mind, achieve unity under his leadership. One gets the sense that God will permit this coalition to form to make the destruction of Babylon complete once for all time (verse 21). As an aside, the Jewish nation by covenant (Genesis 17:1-7-8) will last forever. That is not to say they are not part of the "ALL" for they, too, have participated (many times as you read the Old Testament prophets) in the PASSION.  The Jewish nation, apparently, will not be destroyed when Babylon is.

One cannot help but think Zechariah 5:5-11 is talking about the last days with "wickedness" being resident in Babylon when the house is completed. That implies that the city of Babylon will be reconstructed physically and become the capital of the world. To that end, Saddam Hussein has spent over a billion dollars* on rebuilding el Hillah which is considered to be built on or near the site of ancient Babylon  The majority of this city's construction materials come from the ancient ruins.

It is interesting how we classify these SEXUAL SINS as being equal to being a "good politician". That is, all kings/leaders of the world have learned their lessons well otherwise they would not be in office (Psalm 2).

SEXUAL SINS in a spiritual sense is the deliberate infidelity to and forsaking of the true God for false gods. This is, in fact, the definition of idolatry. See how Elijah describes this about Jehoram (2 Chronicles 21:11-15).

If we think that business and politics are not together, then this verse doesn't have meaning. Just watch how the equity and commodity market moves are "blamed" on political policy. The RICHest MERCHANTS are those who understand her LUXURIOUS WEALTH (SENSUALITY) the best (James 5:1-5). Of course, becoming RICH is as the MERCHANTS perceive it. Luke 12:13-15-21 presents a different perspective.
*Tim LaHaye, "Revelation Unveiled", p. 283












































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 4 (GOD'S WORD)

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    4 I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of Babylon, my people, so that you do not participate in her sins and suffer from any of her plagues.

This verse and the next verse have to be the saddest verses in the Revelation. While the voice from HEAVEN was addressing the tribulation saints directly, the same call rings out to all "my people" throughout all time.

This couplet of verses speaks so strongly on its own that no exposition will be given.

Come out from her, my people, so that you may not share in her sins, neither participate in her plagues (Isaiah 48:20 ; Jeremiah 50:8). For her iniquities (her crimes and transgressions) are piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her wickedness and [her] crimes [and calls them up for settlement]. (Jeremiah 51:9) The Amplified Bible

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out of her, my people, that you may not participate in her sins and that you may not receive of her plagues; for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. New American Standard Bible

















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 5 (GOD'S WORD)

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5 Her sins are piled as high as heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
 Again, no exposition will be given. Read and reread this couplet. Let them sink deep into your spirit, and then change your actions as the Lord leads you.  
My people, you must escape from Babylon.
Don't take part in her sins and share her punishment.
Her sins are piled as high as heaven.
God has remembered the evil she has done.  Contemporary English version.

Get out, my people, as fast as you can,
so you don't get mixed up in her sins,
so you don't get caught in her doom.
Her sins stink to high heaven;
God has remembered every evil she's done. The Message version.














































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 6 (GOD'S WORD)

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6 Do to her what she has done. Give her twice as much as she gave. Serve her a drink in her own cup twice as large as the drink she served others.
 This is consistent with the judgment awarded in crimes where "breach of trust" has been committed (Exodus 22:1-4-7-9). Obviously, the Babylonian evil system is very corrupt at this time and trust is nonexistent. Interestingly, the crimes are so disguised as pleasure that when they are committed they don't appear to be "payment". If one listens to advertising, you hear phrases such as "you earned it", "wouldn't you look good in .....", or "everyone else is doing it (so it must be OK, implied)". But it really is an evil payment.

From a spiritual viewpoint, this is the repayment the martyrs sought (Revelation 6:9-10). The martyrs asked when this would happen; here in chapter 18, the time has come.

As for God's chosen people, this payback is prophetically described in Jeremiah 51.

So deep is the evil in the world during these times that to extract the "proper vengeance" (Romans 12:17-21) from Babylon, the judgment is doubled. As a sidelight to the Romans passage, the "evil" is to be overcome with GOOD. This is not GOOD done by the few believers who remain and have not been martyred, but rather this is the GOOD that is God (Luke 18:18-19-30). It is the GOOD of which humans gained knowledge by eating/internalizing the fruit of its tree (Genesis 3). We don't know what happens to the tree of the knowledge of GOOD and EVIL after the Genesis incident. However, one could imply that the tree of the knowledge of GOOD and EVIL is finally removed or destroyed at this time. That is, the double portion of judgment (the GOOD) overcomes the EVIL she has mixed in the same CUP.
















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 7 (GOD'S WORD)

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7She gave herself glory and luxury. Now give her just as much torture and misery. She says to herself, ‘I’m a queen on a throne, not a widow. I’ll never be miserable.’
There is pride to make oneself pretty. If one is told how pretty they are enough times, the head swells and the (pretty) person becomes GLORIFIED. Contrast this with Hebrews 5:1-5-10 .... Christ was NOT GLORIFIED in this manner.

To live in LUXURY has strong sexual overtones. After all, this Babylon did play the PROSTITUTE with the kings of the earth (verse 3).

This is TORTURE to a maximum of pain. Symbolically, it is the kind of flame that is forever burning in Hades (Luke 16:19-24-31). With the maximum spiritual pain comes the MISERY. This is in direct contrast to the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:4).

Check out  Isaiah 47:1-11. This prophesy may have been directly given for this endtime.

The phrase 'I'll never be MISERABLE.' denotes this is a huge spiritual denial. This isn't reality she is looking at but rather a boastful pride which counts on the king(s) of the earth to keep her status as QUEEN. One could interpret this as 'the government will take care of us (spiritually too)'. Obviously, her role as QUEEN lasts only as long as the king(s) want her to last (verses 9 and 10). In the Mideast, inheritance and status comes through the male side of the family. This Babylonian woman brags that she never will lose her husband(s) and hence see MISERY.

In the Old Testament, when Jerusalem forgot God, Jeremiah compares Jerusalem as a WIDOW (Lamentations 1:1-11). In similar manner, we, believers, are the bride of Christ (Revelation 21:9); however, ours is eternal life and not this QUEEN's false bravado as the next verse shows.
















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 8 (GOD'S WORD)

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8For this reason her plagues of death, misery, and starvation will come in a single day. She will be burned up in a fire, because the Lord God, who judges her, is powerful.

The reason is the Babylonian pride that visibly shows itself in glorifying oneself (previous verse). Self becomes the idol or god and this is the quickest way to "irritate" God (Exodus 20:1-5-6).

In the case of Belshazzar, as Daniel saw this in Daniel 5:17-30-31, the judgment happened very quickly later that night. So, too, this judgment happens "in a single day". Babylon will be destroyed as fast as Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed according to Isaiah 13:17-22.


Judgment Loss of Weakens Reference
DEATH righteousness spirit 2 Samuel 24:10-17
MISERY joy/comfort will Nehemiah 8:1-10-12
STARVATION sustenance body John 6:22-40

Combine these weaknesses and death results both physically and spiritually.

Anything which turns us away from God will be tested (1 Corinthians 3:10-13-15).
Anything related to the pride/glorification will be consumed (Hebrews 12:18-29).
Anything seen by Jesus Christ will be judged (Revelation 1:14).

Many times Babylon is referred to as GREAT (verses 2, 10, 19, 21) and thus implying POWERFUL. But the LORD GOD IS POWERFUL eternally (implying greater than Babylon). The LORD GOD will complete what was started in the seventh trumpet (Revelation 11:15-18).
















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 9 (GOD'S WORD)

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    9 “The kings of the earth who had sex with her and lived in luxury with her will cry and mourn over her when they see the smoke rise from her raging fire.
 Here the expression, 'the KINGS of the EARTH', denotes leadership of religious organizations (see verse 3). It is broader than the seven kings noted in Revelation 17:9-10. In a way this is how riches/wealth are denoted (James 5:1-6).

The religious leadership by this time has become so entwined with economic needs to keep their churches, synagogues, and mosques going that they have ignored how God can supply every need. For protestant denominations, in particular, the leadership has become very good at "marketing" religious programs that are tailored to every age group. Sadly, the inner spiritual needs of the attendees often go unmet.

Let's stay with the symbolic view for a moment. It seems implausible that religious leaders would have difficulty with SEX, but when one considers how often religious leaders had difficulties in the past (for example, 2 Samuel 11) and in recent times the reported relationships of various religious leaders (both Protestant and Catholic), this verse is confirmed. Having done these acts, unless they repented, they are included in the list in Revelation 21:8. From a symbolic viewpoint, one must ask whether the church has built LUXURIOUS edifaces to heighten its appeal. This way of trying to help God perform His work isn't what John 3:16-21 is all about. Furthermore, things of God are not visual (one of the senses) (Hebrews 11:1-3) or they tasted something different (Hebrews 6:1-5-8). This is the Revelation way of saying what Jesus said in Matthew 13:36-43, Matthew 24:45-51, Matthew 25:14-30, and Luke 13:22-30. One can only wonder how much of this "darkness" has invaded the church? This is a FOREVER BURNING (Revelation 19:3); hence, this must be SPIRITUAL and not PHYSICAL in nature. This is consistent with the view that the bowl judgments are almost exclusively spiritual in form.
















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 10 (GOD'S WORD)

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10Frightened by her torture, they will stand far away and say,

        ‘How horrible, how horrible it is for that important city,
            the powerful city Babylon!
        In one moment judgment has come to it!’
 The leadership of the earth suddenly experience the gnawing ache of failure and loss of control for they realize they had put their trust in material wealth and social programs. With the impending collapse of the global economic system, their FEARS are well founded because the antiChrist's government just does not have the resources (or isn't willing to share the resources -- Iraq is an example) to maintain their comfortable style of living.

Symbolically, the religious leaders have learned how to use capitalistic materialism to "grow" the church. Instead of depending upon God's vast resources, these religious leaders have devised one program/promotion after the other to grow the church. Amazingly, this was one area that really irked Jesus (John 2:13-25 and Mark 11:15-19). Many churches and denominations will collapse when the global economy collapses. And even worse, these religious leaders DID NOT TRAIN their followers how to survive in God's economic system (Matthew 19:16-21-30).

The leadership of the earth realize that the great global economic system, too, is a very fragile system. To the masses with the mark of the beast, the economic world is STRONG and will provide all their needs. They have believed the beast and the authority that he has (Revelation 13:7). Here, the leadership becomes FEARFULLY aware this global economic system could collapse; hence the HOW HORRIBLE, HOW HORRIBLE. Later, the merchants (verse 16) and the distribution channel operators (verse 19) realize it too.
How swift this JUDGMENT will be executed; in ONE MOMENT, the collapse of all that maintains the global economies occurs. In spite of the many interconnections of the Internet, the infrastructure has been so degraded due to the seal (chapter 6), trumpet (chapter 8), and bowl (chapter 16) judgments, the technicians have not been able to keep up with the repairs. Ultimately, in ONE HOUR, all these computer systems needed for electronic funds transfers, account processing, and credit processing are silenced. Satellites above silently circle the globe. Symbolically, the religious leaders have failed to teach how Christians should live (Philippians 4:10-19-20).

















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 11 (GOD'S WORD)

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    11“The merchants of the earth cry and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargo anymore.
 The MERCHANTS here represent the economic leadership of the world's economies, just as the KINGS (verse 9) are the leaders of the religious organizations in the nation(s. There may only be one nation by this time with the beast running everything). These MERCHANTS in the past have dealt with tariffs, regulations, disasters and such, so to have them crying and mourning here indications that the global economy has COLLAPSED. Ironically, this global economy may have been the result of a previous collapse of the individual economies of the existing nations. The EARTH BEAST apparently is allowed to set up this global economy at that time (Revelation 13:17).

Symbolically, religious organizations have become so entwined with the global economy just to survive, they think, that they, too, see their income disappear. Their "weeping and mourning" may be even louder when they realize how faithless they were in God's providence (Matthew 6:24-33-34).
This is another way of saying that the global economy has collapsed.

Spiritually, the CARGOES are people's lives who are turned to RIGHTEOUSNESS. By this time, religious organizations have become so program driven that all they know are fund-raisers to support the LUXURIOUS THINGS listed in the next two verses. They have forgotten or maybe never learned how to operate in God's economy - Matthew 25:31-46.

Having said this, the greatest challenge of the gathering of believers today is to extricate themselves ENTIRELY from Babylon (verse 4) and the global economy. They must become like the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:45-46). (It is no coincidence that the above references are from Matthew; he was the former tax-collector-turned-disciple - Matthew 9:9-13. Matthew was one of the "economists" among the disciples.)

Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 12 and 13 (GOD'S WORD)

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12No one buys their cargo of gold, silver, gems, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, bright red cloth, all kinds of citron wood, articles made of ivory and very costly wood, bronze, iron, marble, 13cinnamon, spices, incense, perfume, frankincense, wine, olive oil, flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, wagons, slaves (that is, humans).

 The CARGOES can be broken down into 8 market groups1. While they clearly have the physical groupings, they also have a spiritual/symbolic meaning. The discussion will try to show these meanings.


Physical Market Group
 Symbolic Group
 Discussion
gold, silver, gems, pearls, The Investment Market
 Complete Faith
 Gold (1 Peter 1:3-7-9)
Silver (Psalm 66:8-10-12)
Gems (Isaiah 28:9-16-22)
Pearl (Matthew 13:45-46)
fine linen, purple cloth, silk, bright red cloth,
 The Commodities Market
 Royal Righteousness
 Fine linen (Revelation 19:11-14-16)
Purple cloth (Mark 15:16-17-20)
Silk (Ezekiel 16:8-10-13-14)
Bright Red Cloth (Leviticus 14:1-4-6-9)
all kinds of citron wood, articles made of ivory and very costly wood, bronze, iron, marble, The [Construction] Materials Market
 Worship/temple
 These materials are listed for temple construction as well as for the utensils used during temple service. The earthly temple was temporary; our "heavenly temple" is eternal. (1 Chronicles 29:1-2-9; 1 Corinthians 3:5-16-17)
13. cinnamon, spices, incense,  perfume, frankincense,
The Luxury Market
 Holiness/Anointing Oil
 Just as these items are luxurious in the physical world, the anointing oil and incense was/is "very holy" in God's world (Exodus 30:22-23-34-36)
wine, olive oil, flour, wheat, The Food Market
 Eternal Life/Truth
 The widow at Zarephath experienced first hand how these food items never run out. Furthermore, "life" was restored to her son by Elijah in whose mouth was the word of the Lord. Truth and life go together.
 (1 Kings 17:8-14-24; John 14:1-6-11)
cattle, sheep, The Livestock Market
 Fellowship/Sacrifices
 Fellowship (Ezekiel 34:11-16)
Sacrifices (Revelation 5:6)
horses, wagons, The Transportation Market
 Holy judgments or the Wrath of God
 See Revelation 6:2; These are "4 wheeled wagons" -- not clear what the symbolic meaning may be. Perhaps it means multitudes of judgments (much like the 7th seal contains the trumpet judgments and 7th trumpet contains the bowl judgments)
slaves (that is, humans). The Manpower Market
 Persons bound by sin (slaves) and Souls
 How many church-attending souls still are bound to sin because they have not heard the "words of God". It is painful to realize that, then as now, people's souls are treated like a market.  Statistics are kept on how many people attend and on how much money (tithes and offerings) is collected. (John 8:31-34-47)
1
  J. Allen "What the Bible Teaches - Revelation", pages 448-449
 
One notices that the Energy Market(s), the Information/Knowledge Market(s)s, and Homeland Protection Market(s), to name a few, are missing.  This implies that Babylon's fall will be a total collapse of the global economy with its many "high technology" innovations. Similarly, religious organization(s), still active at that time, will collapse because they have become so intertwined with and dependent upon these hi-tech gadgets. If you or your church are heavy into these technologies, be aware that they should NOT be a "necessity". All of these things will disappear in one hour (verse 19). If you are among the "saints and apostles and prophets", then you are to rejoice when this happens (verse 20) because the global economy has passed away forever (verse 21). Now the eternal economy truly can come into being (Revelation 19:1-9). Please prayerfully consider, in light of this, what you and your church's mission is!
















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 14 (GOD'S WORD)

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    14 ‘The fruit you craved is gone.
            All your luxuries and your splendor have disappeared.
                No one will ever find them again.’
The FRUIT is the "good life"  that  the surviving people at this time think the global economy will bring to them. But note, this is not of the "will of God" (1 John 2:12-15-17). CRAVED really is to be PASSIONATE or LUSTING after the world's FRUIT. It really is what drives how marketing targets consumers, and how merchants amass fortunes (or at least some present corporate management).

Symbolically, there is a kind of SPIRITUAL FRUIT all mankind longs for. Native Americans sought after the Great Spirit, orientals seek to please Buddha, moslems try to make pilgrimages to Mecca, and modern man seeks to find spiritual meaning in self fulfillment and self gratification (Isaiah 2:6-8-11). It is not clear how this spiritual FRUIT longing/seeking will be removed, but it will be removed. Probably in anticipation of the millennial period (Revelation 20:4) when there will be no need to long for spiritual FRUIT as long as Christ is the world president.
Oh, the lifestyles of the rich and famous are gone too. In particular, SPLENDOR denotes very visible flaunting of desire and/or achievement to acquire ALL YOUR LUXURIES. Interestingly, much of what the world does is for SHOW (compare this to what is detestable in the SIGHT of GOD (Luke 16:14-18)).

Symbolically, the spiritual side of man, while it shouldn't, often does much in the way of SHOW too. Consider that almost any city or town you come to, the places of worship are usually very recognizable. Compare this to how "unseen" the economy of God works (Matthew 25:31-46).
This refers back to verse 11. Sales in ALL THINGS have ceased. Rather than build inventories, manufacturers have ceased producing product. Hence ALL THINGS can NO LONGER be found.

Apparently by this time, the scriptural "seek, and you shall find" principle (Matthew 7:7-12) has been set aside. Given that this chapter (verse 21) is the forever end of Babylon (ALL THINGS), this principle, too, no longer is needed. It explains, in part also, why the whole of the spiritual side (verse 20) are to REJOICE over this termination. Babylon (and global economy with its inherent greed, lust, and all that accompanies those desires) has been martyring prophets and saints for all preceding time (verse 24). One gets the sense, though, that this chapter isn't really the end of the story; for after the millennial reign of Christ, the devil is loosed for a time (Revelation 20:8). That he is able to deceive so many among the nations indicates that the "CRAVING" has made a revival among the populace.
















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 15 (GOD'S WORD)

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    15“Frightened by her torture, the merchants who had become rich by selling these things will stand far away. They will cry and mourn,
 In a sense, the MERCHANTS are fortunate to be able to stand at a distance to watch the global economy collapse. However, the fate of Babylon is the same as Sodom and Gomorrah's fate; it has no chance to survive (Isaiah 13:17-19-22 and Jeremiah 50:29-46). Yet the uncertainty of having to live without brings much FEAR with it. From this verse, it is not clear whether these MERCHANTS are watching the downfall/TORTURE of Babylon (global economy), and thus share the same fate in an economic sense as Lot's wife (Genesis 19:24-26-29).
 
Symbolically, religious organization leaders were so busy with THESE THINGS (plans, structures, marketing, and programs), that they forgot to prepare the souls entrusted to them for their future life. Sadly, these leaders probably participated in the TORTURES of the 5th trumpet judgment (Revelation 9:5) while under the control of one or several of Abaddon's (Revelation 9:11) locusts (Revelation 9:3). Here, turnabout is fair play, one could say.
How superficial earthly RICHES are (Ecclesiastes 2:1-10-11)! The MERCHANTS were using Babylon (global economy) to pile up their RICHES on a very temporary earth (next verse, verse 21, and Revelation 21:1). They don't realize what true RICHES are and where they are stored (Matthew 19:16-21-30). It is left to the reader to determine what these RICHES are and where they are placed.

Symbolically, these MERCHANTS (leaders of religious organizations) had their priorities turned around (Mark 8:31-36-38 and verse 13). They are or will be strong on organizational skills and weak on evangelism skills.
The crying and mourning is not for the disappearance of the global economy, it's not knowing how to live without (James 5:1-6).

Symbolically, true believer's are content no matter whether they have abundance or lack (Philippians 4:10-12-20). Their organizations are focused on REVEALING JESUS CHRIST, and will do this in spite of poverty conditions, destroyed sanctuaries, or persecution. When the global economy fails,  religious organizations that made their existence dependent upon Babylon (global economy) will be found CRYING and MOURNING. One must ask the question, "How intertwined has my church/denomination become with the harlot Babylon (verses 4 and 5)?"
















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 16 (GOD'S WORD)

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16saying,

        ‘How horrible, how horrible for that important city
            which was wearing fine linen, purple clothes,
                bright red clothes, gold jewelry, gems, and pearls.
 The IMPORTANT CITY, Babylon (implied), is not being mourned because of its disappearance. But rather it is being mourned because the merchants realize that the global economy that had been so good to them financially was gone. The merchants (all of us are participants in some way or another) see their standard of living reduced to survival, and their lifestyles will become very barbaric. Since all of us are participants, the IMPORTANT CITY really is inclusive of all cities of the world like Matthew 6:19-21 explains.
This description parallels that given for the prostitute who is riding the scarlet beast in Revelation 17:3-4-6. However, it is only a subset of the full list of merchandise that made the merchants wealthy (Revelation 18:11-13).

While the actual physical merchandise will be affected, there is a deeper personal spiritual matter presented here. The word "WEARING" implies not being naked - Revelation 3:18, is the catalyst word.  There are many types of clothing in the scriptures including the fine linen listed here to sackcloth (e.g. 2 Samuel 3:31-39). Let's focus on three types of clothing found in the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

First, WHITE ROBES are associated with the redeemed (and the redeemer, implied). See Revelation 1:13, Revelation 3:4, Revelation 3:18, Revelation 4:4, Revelation 6:11, and Revelation 7:13 to list a few verses. Christ's robe, while not specifically shown as white, is shown as dipped in the blood of Calvary (Revelation 19:13).

Second category is "fine linen, bright and clean". These are the garments worn by the bride to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:8) and are equated to the "righteous acts of the saints". These also are the garments worn by the 7 presence angels (Revelation 15:6). They had to be pure (righteous) to be able to pour out the seven bowls of God's anger upon the earth.

Lastly, just plain "fine linen" denotes apparent righteousness. It embodies the common use of the term "Christian" as it is used today. In truth, "fine linen" is probably more like the clean cup in Matthew 23:25-28 and practitioners of lawlessness in Matthew 7:21-23. The merchants, thus, represent these hypocritical "Christians".

On a personal level, each of us must examine what kind of CLOTHES we are wearing. They must be "bright and clean" at a minimum. Worst of all, don't be caught NAKED ----  accept Jesus Christ right now as your Lord and Savior to get your white robe made of fine linen.

















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 17 (GOD'S WORD)

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    17     In one moment all this wealth has been destroyed!’

Every ship’s captain, everyone who traveled by ship, sailors, and everyone who made their living from the sea stood far away.

 This verse is split into two parts: the first part belongs to the merchants discussion, and the second part begins the seafaring discussion.
If this WEALTH is the expression for the global economy, then this worldwide economy collapses in ONE MOMENT. This is about the time it would take for a total global failure of the Internet, for example. Or for a rapid devaluation of currencies to ripple throughout the financial markets. What is amazing to me is that the Revelation was written nearly 2000 years ago, and was written way before our "modern high technology" world.

Symbolically, if WEALTH are the souls of men (see verse 13), then one could say evangelism will cease. The cause is unclear. Perhaps because of the intertwining of information sources, the radio/TV/newsprint resources are shutdown due to loss of Internet or satellite feeds. Christ warns us about putting too much emphasis on material things (even to augment ministry) if that emphasis detracts from the searching for souls (Mark 8:31-38).
During the three laments (verses 9-19), we have had kings, merchants, and now the SHIP'S CAPTAIN and humans aboard the ships. Since the collapse of the global economy is what the fall of Babylon is all about, then a good argument could be made that kings = economic policies; merchants = manufacturing sector; and seafarers = service economy. Without goods from manufacturing, the distribution and support industries are idled. Likewise, the cash flow back from the service sector dwindles to a trickle and keeps manufacturing stifled. Both sink together.

Previously, in Revelation 17:15, we have seen that the prostitute sits on many waters (SEA?), and that the many waters are really every living being with a soul. So from a spiritual sense (kings = religious leaders/orgs; merchants = evangelism; and seafarers = disciplerers), those people who derive income from believer discipleship will be just standing there. That is to say, the "departments of Christian education" that are a part of most religious organizations cease to function. In scripture, however, discipleship and training is a generational matter (Deuteronomy 4:1-9-14, Deuteronomy 6:1-7-9, Proverbs 22:4-6, and Ephesians 6:4). Discipleship and training is done in a very low tech way, by word of mouth! Of course, implied in those references, the parents and grandparents know what they are teaching about.

Sadly, the oldsters amongst us (including this author) have by and large failed to take on this responsibility and have left this process to someone else or some audio/visual CD to do. This is a partial explanation why the younger generation seems to have a poor understanding of moral bounds. They either haven't taken the time to learn morals and ethics or don't want to learn (chalk one up to the devil's deception...."you're a good person" syndrome).
















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 18 (GOD'S WORD)

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18When they saw the smoke rise from her raging fire, they repeatedly cried out, ‘Was there ever a city as important as this?’
 The service sector side of the global economy also feels the pain of the collapse. The service sector feeds off of the goods produced in the manufacturing sector. Since the manufacturing sector has the same pain (weeping and mourning as verse 15 puts it), it follows that the service sector, too, CRIES OUT at the global economy's destruction.

The use of the phrase "SMOKE of her BURNING" implies that not only is the global wealth gone but also that the very principles of free trade have been scuttled (burned). Since this is the current model for global trade, apparently this model fails. Most likely it fails due to disparities in currency valuations.

The Revelation tells about two different kinds of SMOKE. The first is good SMOKE coming from the incense in the angel's hand and is mixed with the prayers of the saints (Revelation 8:4). The second is the SMOKE from the bottomless pit when it is opened in the fifth trumpet judgment (Revelation 9:2). The SMOKE in this verse is like the latter SMOKE. How much greed, corruption, envy, and hatred has gone into building the global economies? Symbolically, what is the motivation behind what religious organizations do?  Are they, as supposedly the true service organization, being built in similar manner? What kind of SMOKE is coming from your church and denomination?
While many commentaries insist that the IMPORTANT CITY is Rome, it probably is more correct to consider the IMPORTANT CITY to be generic of many metropolitan cities. Many cities could go back through their history and easily substitute their city's name for the IMPORTANT CITY. For example, this would make sense for Tyre (Ezekiel 27:25-36), Chicago (after the great fire of 1871), any city after a devastating earthquake or other natural disaster, New York City after 9/11/2001, and so on.

As a side note, the reader probably has already caught how much this verse sounds like Revelation 13:3-4.  While the "whole world's" CRY at that time was a prideful praise of the sea beast as he is coming into power, this CRY sounds like deep anguish.
















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 19 (GOD'S WORD)

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19Then they threw dust on their heads and shouted while crying and mourning,

        ‘How horrible, how horrible for that important city.
            Everyone who had a ship at sea
                grew rich because of that city’s high prices.
            In one moment it has been destroyed!’
 This is not an expression of repentance (Job 42:1-6) but rather an expression of deep anguish (Lamentations 2:1-10-13 and Job 2:11-12-13).

Dust is the material we are created from (Genesis 2:4-7-9) and ultimately we return to DUST (Ecclesiastics 3:16-20-22). Thus throwing DUST ON THEIR HEADS is a way to acknowledge that death/burial, both physical and spiritual, is near (verse 21).

Many scholars believe this event (verses 17b-19) is what the Ezekiel 27:25-36 prophesy about Tyre is all about.
The service sector has the same lament as the manufacturing sector (verse 16). Note it only takes ONE MOMENT for both to collapse.

This is the last verse of the rather lengthy discussion of the global economy collapse (verses 9-19). On the surface and in the viewpoints of many commentaries, we are only witnessing the collapse from a global economy viewpoint. However, one must realize that the Revelation of Jesus Christ was written to seven churches (Revelation 1:4) and that just prior to this discussion, "my people" in verses 4 and 5 are to distance themselves from the materialistic influences of the prostitute called Babylon. Looking at organized religion and Christianity, we wonder how much the playing with the prostitute is taking place within these organizations? From this author's understanding, nearly all faiths have been taken in by the prostitute.

That this passage (verses 9-19) is directed at religions and Christianity is confirmed in the next verse.

















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 20 (GOD'S WORD)

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    20     “Gloat over it, heaven, God’s people, apostles, and prophets.
            God has condemned it for you.”
 At first glance, this verse appears to be out of context with the rest of the chapter. How can we have a command to REJOICE when all we have heard has been weeping and mourning (verses 9, 11, and 19). On the other hand, because this verse is here, it confirms that chapter 18, in particular, is directly talking about the inroads that Babylon (materialistic greed and such) has made into religious organizations. In fact, unless your church has entirely divorced itself from government charitable contribution monitoring or slick multimedia presentations or ..... you get the picture, then to some degree your organization has/is playing footsie with the prostitute. Compare how your church or religious organization is doing with how Jesus instructed his disciples in Matthew 10:5-15. Check out in verse 15 how awful the 'day of judgment' (this verse) will be for cities that shy away from Godly practices.

Let's check out who is to GLOAT (REJOICE):
  1.  HEAVEN - this includes angels, four living creatures (Revelation 19:4), the 24 elders (Revelation 19:4), and myriad of redeemed and/or martyred (Revelation 6:10).
  2.  GOD'S PEOPLE  - these are the 'product' of the work of the apostles and prophets.
  3.  APOSTLES and PROPHETS - these are the foundation and equippers of GOD'S PEOPLE (Ephesians 2:17-22 and Ephesians 4:10-13).
This verse is very similar to the last verse of Moses' song in Deuteronomy 32:34-43. It can be assumed then that this is both an Old Testament and New Testament rejoicing. In fact, one could say that this is pronouncement is the completion of the curse placed upon Satan at the very beginning of civilization (Genesis 3:8-14-19).
 
The 'you' are the overcomers in chapters 2 and 3, "my people'" in verses 4 and 5, and the persistent in Luke 18:1-8. Jesus said at the end of the parable that his father, GOD, will quickly (in God's time-space) bring condemnation (the pronouncement of this verse). Then we get this curious question, "When the Son of Man comes, will he find FAITH on the earth?" Again, FAITH is associated with believers and churches, thus confirming one more time that the end times when Jesus comes will be a time where many will be placing their FAITH in materialism and pleasure (the manufacturing and services sectors as we have studied in this chapter's exposition).
















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 21 (GOD'S WORD)

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    21Then a powerful angel picked up a stone that was like a large millstone. He threw it into the sea and said,

        “The important city Babylon will be thrown down with the same force.
            It will never be found again.
 When one compares these verses with Jeremiah 51:59-64, it appears that Jeremiah's prophesy is fulfilled here in the last days. In Jeremiah, the STONE is tied to the scroll containing the prophesy against Babylon. Then, interestingly, both the STONE and scroll are thrown into the Euphrates River which contained the 4 evil angels (Revelation 9:14).  However, the Euphrates River has been dried up during the sixth bowl judgment (Revelation 16:12), so here the STONE is thrown into the SEA.

The STONE which looks like a millstone to John, requires a POWERFUL ANGEL to lift it. This can be interpreted as the event is bigger that any single human being could devise, or as the event is a crushing event much as the millstone grinds the grain, or, symbolically, as a judgment against anyone who cause a 'little one' to lose faith (Mark 9:38-42-50).

STONE(S) in scripture are associated with life and the principles of life (Exodus 34:1-9, Luke 19:29-40, and 1 Corinthians 3:10-12-15). They represent our moral character and are tested by fire. If you are an unbeliever, you will give an accounting for your morals and deeds before the GREAT WHITE THRONE (Revelation 20:11-14).
  This is the VIOLENT END of Babylon (the global economy). The people inhabiting Babylon were so involved in materialism that they ignored God's laws (Exodus 34:1-9). As ruthless and violent that the Babylonian inhabitants were toward God's people, prophets, saints, and martyrs (verse 24), they will experience a similar VIOLENT END. Not only are the individuals terminated but the whole system (CITY) is terminated in a crushing blow.

In a broader symbolic sense, just as evil acts in Noah's day met their end in the great FLOOD (SEA) (Genesis 6:9-13-22), the evils of the end time materialistic world meet their end in the SEA. As discussed earlier, it is water/SEA that holds spirits, both good and evil. Thus it is fitting that this GREAT CITY/EVIL ends up in the SEA. Ultimately, the SEA, too, is completely destroyed (Revelation 21:1). The new heaven and new earth will NOT have any place to harbor EVIL. Praise the Lord!
















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 22 (GOD'S WORD)

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    22     The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters
                will never be heard in it again.
            Skilled craftsman
                will never be found in it again.
            The sound of a millstone
                will never be heard in it again.
 In Ecclesiastics 8:14-15, the wise one, Solomon, claims there isn't much more to life than to eat, drink, and be merry. 'To be merry' usually includes music as this portion of the verse suggests. So when the music stops, one could say that the desire to live has ceased. This is what Isaiah 24:1-8-13 is talking about.

Note that the harp seems to be one of God's favorite instruments. Those who refused to take the mark of the beast are standing in the sea of glass holding the harps of God (Revelation 15:2). In spite of what Solomon said, Paul in Romans 14:13-17-23 says that the 'kingdom of God' is not eating or drinking but rather RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, and JOY in the Holy Spirit. Perhaps these instruments and musicians are symbolic of these spiritual life attributes.
  With the global economy totally destroyed and with no obvious market for your crafts, why work to produce goods AGAIN? Or this is another way of saying the desire to live is gone.
The world is so stunned by the collapse of the global economy that the inhabitants are just silent. Again, why prepare food for the future, milling, when the desire to live is gone?

Sadly, there will be many so-called Christians who, too, are standing silently at this time. They and their churches and synagogues had become so attached to the economy (or government representing Babylon, the prostitute) to take care of them that they had forgotten WHO is the BREAD of LIFE (John 6:41-51-59). From all outward appearances, these so-called Christians were active in their churches and even displayed the ability to perform awesome miracles. Yet they insisted on playing with the prostitute, and ultimately because they had not come out from Babylon (verse 4), Jesus had to say He didn't know who they are (Matthew 7:21-29).
















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 23 (GOD'S WORD)

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23     Light from lamps
            will never shine in it again.
       Voices of brides and grooms
            will never be heard in it again.
       Its merchants were the important people of the world,
            all the nations were deceived by its witchcraft.
When the will to live is gone, why need a lamp? Babylon under judgment is a very, very dark place. During Babylon's GREATNESS, it was all lit up; it was a glamorous and brilliant spectacle. Understandably so, when one knows who's behind it (2 Corinthians 11:7-14-15).

What is most bothersome, however, about this verse is that the Revelation is written to churches (Revelation 1:11) and to those who claim to be Christians. Apparently, they are/were deceived into believing that the lamp will shine forever. But it doesn't shine AGAIN; the judgment has been rendered (verse 21).
When a bride and bridegroom become one, they are considered the start of a family. The family, scripturally, is the fundamental unit for scriptural teaching (Deuteronomy 11:18-23) and spiritual leadership (Ephesians 5:21-23-33). However, there is another spiritual family where the bridegroom is Jesus Christ and the bride is the CHURCH (Revelation 19:7). For the voice of the bridegroom and bride to not be heard in you (Babylon) AGAIN, implies that the CHURCH has become estranged from Jesus Christ, her bridegroom. That says that churches, both present day and future, that allow inroads of humanism and materialism to subvert their functioning will be silenced in God's way. Conversely, those who adhere to the post tribulation (or near post tribulation rapture), could use this verse to say that the CHURCH has been raptured out of the world at this time.

Note that the action words, 'sound', 'skilled', 'light', and 'voice' of the last two verses imply a vibrant life physically. Likewise, symbolically, it indicates a vibrant spiritual life. But with this judgment (verse 21), this vibrant life won't exist AGAIN.

There are three reasons, two in this verse and one in the next verse, for this judgment:

1. Babylon's pride:  Its MERCHANTS were the IMPORTANT PEOPLE of the WORLD,

Note the verb is in the past tense, WERE. The WORLD has followed the amazing successes of these IMPORTANT PEOPLE in their business exploits. And there is a pride that goes with that success. Often the MERCHANTS are so busy with accumulating money/wealth that there is no time left for God or Jesus Christ.

From a symbolic view, even so-called Christians can be turned from Jesus Christ by "IMPORTANT PEOPLE of the WORLD". It is surprising to me at times how vigorously so-called Christians will defend and support their favorite radio or television preacher. Yet, one gets the sense that their scriptural knowledge or awareness is shallow at best (1 Peter 3:13-16) and seldom passed on to their children. In some cases, they know more about their favorite preacher and his church and publications than they do the Bible.

Now having IMPORTANT PEOPLE isn't new. The Bible records that the GREATNESS of Babylon started with Nimrod (Genesis 10:8-12) and runs through to Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:28-33) via Nebuchadnezzar's father, Nabopolassar. Nabopolassar is considered to be the first king of the Chaldean or New Babylonian empire. Ultimately, the line of GREATNESS ends with the prideful BEAST (at least he hopes so - Revelation 14:6-11).

2. Babylon's power: ALL the NATIONS were DECEIVED by its WITCHCRAFT.

Again, the verb is in the past tense, WERE. The deception happened in the past (our present?) and WITCHCRAFT was used. The word, WITCHCRAFT, is pharmakeia in the Greek and suggests a domination of ALL the NATIONS by pharmaceuticals.  If present day advertising by drug companies on television is any indication, the deception is upon us right now. Many countries have passed laws to protect their citizens through health insurance or socialized medicine. One has to wonder how much of the exercising of FAITH (Luke 18:1-8) disappears because mankind believes the deception that the NATIONS can keep people healthy through health plans and "healing by prescription". We must never forget that the authority for healing comes from Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:1-15).

By the way, WITCHCRAFT and those who practice WITCHCRAFT are so despised by God and Jesus Christ that they are specifically listed as doomed for the lake that burns with fire and brimstone (or the second death), Revelation 21:5-8.
















































Revelation Chapter 18, Verse 24 (GOD'S WORD)

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    24“The blood of prophets, God’s people, and everyone who had been murdered on earth was found in it.”

       (Continued from the previous verse) 3: Babylon's Persecutions:
The BLOOD, especially His Son's BLOOD, is special to God. Instructions to the Levites indicate how it should be treated. The BLOOD is where life meets atonement; it is identified with the life of the flesh (Leviticus 17:10-16).

But Babylon's purpose for shedding THE BLOOD wasn't for forgiveness or cleansing (Hebrews 9:15-22) but rather for greed and lust for power to the point of idolatry (Revelation 13:4). In his own power grab, the devil has/had to kill mankind to keep them from becoming believer's in Christ. In other words, humans should never be able to accept the atonement that Christ's BLOOD brings.
The scriptural PROPHETS are Jewish and thus they are the first of Babylon's martyrs (Jeremiah 51:49-51). Then the BLOODLETTING expanded to the non-Jewish PROPHETS, of which there have been many over the centuries.

The PROPHET, by definition, is a spokesman of God. He spoke in God's name and by His authority (Exodus 7:1-2). The PROPHET is a "forth-teller" of God's will and since God is timeless, a PROPHET'S word are not time constrained, i.e. limited to only the past or to only the future.
A GOD-PERSON is one who is separated from the world and consecrated to Christ. It is the proper name for a believer in Christ. Like PROPHETS, GOD'S PEOPLE are attuned to God's will (Romans 8:26-27-30)
This statement is so broad that one can say that EVERYONE, believer in Christ or not, who dies an unnatural death is included. This makes sense in light of the argument that the devil will try to kill anyone before they are able to make a decision the accept Christ as Lord and Savior.

"EVERYONE" includes the tiny fetus whose BLOOD has just started to flow to promote the growth of life. We, adults, do not know or understand the spiritual nature of a fetus or even what pleasure and fellowship God has with that spiritual entity. That is a mystery kept hidden from us. But God knows what he breathed into mankind (Genesis 2:4-7-9) and doesn't want him or her to perish (2 Peter 3:8-9-13).

"EVERYONE" includes the spiritual man in adults too. Only God knows how many people are pretending to be Christians through church attendance or even performing miracles (Matthew 7:21-23). They have never done the will of God (see how PROPHETs and GOD'S PEOPLE are doing God's will above). In a sense, they have experienced a spiritual death (MURDERED) ON EARTH.