Revelation Chapter 18

PART II (Verses 4 – 20)

An Introduction to Part Two —

Part II deals with how the “fall” of Babylon (Verse 2) will progress to its culmination in its destruction. Part II is entirely narrated by the “voice from heaven” (Verse 4) who is the Seventh angel who did, indeed, in the great detail of Volume 4 (“Studies in the Scriptures” series, “The Battle of Armageddon”), predict all of these trends leading to Babylon’s final, total collapse.

Verses 4-8 tell the saints to desert her and to participate in cooperating with God in paying her back.

Verses 9-19 explain, group by group, the effects of Babylon’s deterioration. It is important to note the groups in advance as well as to note their LAMENTS and the REASONS for their concerns.

The Groups:

Verses 9-10 = KINGS OF THE EARTH (Political leaders)

Note THEIR lament: The “city,” the GREAT city. City is a symbol of government. THEY are worried about GOVERNING ABILITY.

The first plague (WWI) made all have fear of the inability to find stable forms of government. Notice the REASON for their concern: “JUDGMENT HAS COME.” Those in power fear exposure (judgment).

If Babylon is being exposed, will it also happen to the kings?

Verses 11-17 = MERCHANTS OF THE EARTH (Capitalists)

Note THEIR lament: (Verse 11) No one BUYS THEIR GOODS.

THEY are worried about profits. The world wars and communist revolutions ruined a century of commercial potentialities. Note the REASON for their concern (Verse 17): “GREAT WEALTH HAS BEEN LAID WASTE.” They want a stable economic world. It is gone! Great wealth is their only concern.

Verses 17-19 = SHIPMASTERS (Major businessmen), PASSENGERS (Minor investors; stockowners), SAILORS (small businessmen), AND THOSE MAKING A LIVING BY THE SEA (laborers).

Note THEIR lament: (Verse 19) “all . . . at sea BECAME RICH.” THEY are worried about their jobs and about sustaining their incomes — things which a secure capitalism guaranteed. The old system of securely entering your father’s trade and expecting a reliable, life-long living from it IS GONE.

Work now does not guarantee a comfortable life.

Note the REASON for their concerns: (Verse 19) “SHE has been LAID WASTE.” This is only slightly different from the capitalists who see WEALTH laid waste. Those profiting from the system see the SYSTEM laid waste.

In other words, they don’t see secure jobs in their futures.

Verse 20 is the Seventh angel (the voice from heaven) saying that Zion should be glad. (Psalm 46:4, 5)

We will begin with Verse 4 in our next post.