Revelation 18:1-3

After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory.  And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!  She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.  For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”

In the previous chapter we saw the religious nature of the great city of Babylon.  In this chapter we see the political and economic aspects of the city.  When religious idolatry, political corruption, and economic greed combine; we have a recipe for disaster.  God judges this corruption in a way that will have a dramatic impact on the world.

THE ANNOUNCMENT OF BABYLON’S FALL: The announcement is made by a glorious angel who lights up the earth with his presence.  The angelic world is amazing to ponder as we consider the authority they wield and the beauty they reflect.  It will be an amazing thing to experience these things when we come into the presence of our Lord.  The content of the announcement is that Babylon the great has fallen.  This city has great historical significance dating back to the tower of Babel from which it gets its name.  It represents human independence and the defiance of God.  This is more than a geographical location; it is a philosophy of life.  Prosperity is an idolatry that defines this way of living.  Abundance, pride, and extravagance have been the hallmarks of human authorities.  This will all come crashing down as the King of kings and Lord of lords prepares to return.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF BABYLON’S FALL: Babylon represents the height of human opulence with great prosperity and lavish lifestyles.  Now, the city is described as a place where only demons and unclean spirits live.  It is a place to which evil spirits would be banished.  All the people living there have either been killed or have fled to other places.  All that is left in the city are rotting cadavers, vultures, wild scavenger animals, and the satanic hoard of evil spirit beings that invade abandoned places.  It is a haunted city that has gone from being full of glitz and glamor to being the scene of a horror movie.  Pride comes before a fall, and Babylon represents the epitome of human pride so the fall of this city will be great.      

THE INFULENCE OF BABYLON’S FALL: The impact of the fall of Babylon will be felt throughout the entire world.  There are three groups represented in this description: nations, kings, and merchants.  Every aspect of society and commerce will suffer because of the collapse of this political and economic power.  Every nation on the planet will have a connection to the city and therefore, will be impacted.  The sexual immorality and references to prostitution are likely both literal and symbolic of the idolization of prosperity and luxury.  Babylon was great until it wasn’t and then the fall will be catastrophic and impact the entire globe.

APPLICATION: Stand in awe of the glory and power of God.  Don’t be distracted from worshiping the Lord by the impressive accomplishments of men.  Money and power are demonic idols that will inevitably come crashing down and the ruin will be great.  Be faithful to follow the Lord when we see prosperity surrounding the unfaithful.

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