Revelation 18:1-19:5

Revelation 17 detailed the demise of Babylon which will be where the Antichrist sets up his headquarters during the last days. He deceives the world leaders as well as the people into a unified kingdom and ultimately takes control over everything; of course, the Antichrist’s ultimate goal will be to bring all people under one religious system in worship of him. He will bring world peace and offer false hope, but at the the mid-point of the seven year tribulation period the Antichrist will reveal his true colors and engage in attacks against God’s people. When the Antichrist breaks the peace alliance he has made with Israel, according to Daniel 9:27 “he will bring an end to sacrifice and offering.” Whatever he does will be an abomination to the Jews and their religion and will strip them of their system of worship.

Revelation 17 also reveals that the Antichrist and his evil system has thrown the entire world into chaos bringing judgment from God (see Revelation 16:1-16); however, we previously learned that God allowed this to happen in order to accomplish His judgment upon the world (Revelation 17:17). The Antichrist has finally succeeded in deceiving many and causing them to reject Jesus Christ as their Savior. So, while Revelation 17 describes the leading up to the destruction and judgment of Babylon, Revelation 18 pictures it’s final destruction prior to the millennial reign of Christ on the earth. Babylon is destroyed and Jerusalem will become the place where Jesus sets up His earthly kingdom.

John writes that an angel comes down from heaven and cries with a loud voice, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons…for all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication…” (18:1-3). Then God speaks from heaven and calls out those who are His to abandon Babylon unless they want to be a part of the judgment (18:4-8). After God speaks, John writes about the sadness of those who loved Babylon and mourned it’s destruction (18:9-20). The kings of the earth, who made Babylon powerful will mourn her being burned by fire (18:9-10). The merchants of the earth will also express their sadness for Babylon because they are no longer able to buy and sell (18:11-19). Finally, the angel (18:1) calls the apostles and prophets to rejoice because of Babylon’s destruction (18:20) and another angel announces the final judgment upon Babylon (18:21-24).

Those in heaven react to this capital city of the Antichrist being destroyed by declaring, “true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot [Babylon] who corrupted the earth with her fornication…” (19:2). Again, this destruction of Babylon will usher in the millennial reign of Christ where He will set up His righteous rule for 1,000 years.

Dear God, it is comforting to know that one day You will bring proper judgment upon all those who hate You and Your work. May the future destruction of Babylon serve as a reminder that You hate sin and will bring consequences on all those who follow after evil. Keep Your people from sin that they may be a testimony of Your grace.