The Doom of Babylon is Announced,
Revelation Chapter 18
Verses 1-3 (NASB)
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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 ).
I saw another ANGEL coming down from HEAVEN,
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 GREAT (GREATEST, actually) AUTHORITY and
could
easily fill the earth with His GLORY. But here this part of the vision
is
given to an ANGEL.
1) having GREAT AUTHORITY, and
Scripture says little about the AUTHORITY 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 .
2) and the earth was illumined with his GLORY.
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).
And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying,
This is not prideful bluster but a mighty voice of a 'presence' angel
speaking with GREAT AUTHORITY (previous verse).
"FALLEN, FALLEN IS BABYLON THE GREAT!
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
(Jeremiah
51:1-8-10).
She has become
(1) a dwelling place of DEMONS and
These 3 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).
(2) a prison of every UNCLEAN SPIRIT, and
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.
(3) a prison of every UNCLEAN and HATEFUL BIRD.
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).
"For ALL the NATIONS have drunk of the wine of the
PASSION of
her
IMMORALITY, and
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 had 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.
the KINGS of the earth have committed ACTS OF IMMORALITY
with
her,
and
It is interesting how we classify these ACTS OF IMMORALITY 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).
ACTS OF IMMORALITY 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).
the MERCHANTS of the earth have become RICH by the WEALTH
of
her
SENSUALITY."
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 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.
This portion of Revelation Chapter 18 is the clearest indication that
we are dealing
with the
political and economic environments of the last days. Chapter 17 deals
with
the pseudoreligious system and its destruction.
*Tim LaHaye, "Revelation Unveiled", p. 283
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Lockman Foundation, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975,
1977, 1995 Used by permission."
References to the Revelation of Jesus
Christ are in bold italics. All other references are in bold
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