Revelation Eighteen Series

In this chapter, we see the destruction of Babylon. An angel from heaven having great authority and whose glory illuminates the earth cries mightily in a loud voice, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen and has become a habitation of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird. For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury." Another voice says, "Come out of her my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven and God has remembered her iniquities." Interesting how the people of the earth after the flood tried to build a temple to the heavens and God mixed up their language. Even more interesting it was Nimrod's generation that did this. The place was named Babel, the birthplace of Babylon.

Revelation 18:9-19 records the earth mourning Babylon's destruction. In one hour, Babylon is destroyed. The kings, the merchants of the earth are wailing and weeping at this wicked, great city. This shows the reality of what was in their hearts. They worshipped the material things like many people today do. We should never put our all into material things like money, silver, gold, fine linen, etc. All of this is temporary. Jesus had said in Matthew 6:19-21 not to lay up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up treasures in heaven for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Meanwhile, there is much rejoicing in Heaven over Babylon's destruction. "Rejoice over her O heavens and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!" Then a mighty angel took a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea saying, "Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down and shall not be found anymore." Never again will the sound of musicians be heard. Never again will crafts be found. Never again will the sound of millstone be heard. Never again will the light of a lamp shine again. Never again will the voice of the bridegroom and bride be heard.

The merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints and of all who were slain on the earth.

Under this corrupt system, many true saints and prophets were martyred. This system most likely believed they were doing everybody a favor by killing God's people. But this corrupt system gets paid back double. This should also be a good reminder not to trust riches and the government.