Revelation - Chapter 18

Revelation 18.1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. Revelation 18.2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Revelation 18.3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. Revelation 18.4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Revelation 18.5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Revelation 18.6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. Revelation 18.7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Revelation 18.8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. Revelation 18.9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Revelation 18.10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. Revelation 18.11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: Revelation 18.12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, Revelation 18.13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. Revelation 18.14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. Revelation 18.15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, Revelation 18.16 And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! Revelation 18.17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, Revelation 18.18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! Revelation 18.19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. Revelation 18.20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. Revelation 18.21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. Revelation 18.22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; Revelation 18.23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. Revelation 18.24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

Revelation : Chapter 18

The Fall of Babylon according to Revelation

Chapter 18 of Revelation powerfully announces the fall of Babylon, the great city, a symbol of corruption and opposition to God. A lamentation rises for this fallen city, illustrating the divine judgment that falls upon it. This dramatic text testifies to the mourning of the country's kings and merchants, who mourn the destruction of their economic system, a reflection of their materialism and fleeting power.

Central Themes

The themes of divine judgment, materialism, and the transience of worldly power are central to this passage. Revelation 18 thus marks the end of an era, a time when God's justice is powerfully manifested. We invite you to analyze with us five biblical passages that resonate with the powerful message of this prophetic chapter.

Correlated Bible Passages

Isaiah 13:19-20

"Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the Babylonians' pride, will be destroyed by God, as he did with Sodom and Gomorrah. It will never again be inhabited or peopled, from generation to generation. » This prophecy about the fall of Babylon parallels the description in Revelation 18.

Jeremiah 50:15

"War cries out against her everywhere! She surrenders, her towers fall, her walls are demolished. Since it is the vengeance of the Lord, take revenge on her; do to her as she did to others. » Another prophecy about the fall of Babylon that relates to Revelation 18.

Ezekiel 27:29-30

"All the oarsmen will leave their ships; the sailors and all the crew will be left on the shore. They will raise their voices and cry out bitterly because of you; they will throw dust on their heads and wallow in the ashes. » This lament over Tyre is similar to the one over Babylon in Revelation 18.

Isaiah 47:8-9

“Now therefore, listen to this, you who love pleasure and live in security, and say to yourselves: ‘I am not one of you! I will never be a widow or lose my children.’ These two things will happen to her in a moment, in a single day: the loss of her children and widowhood. » This prophecy against Babylon echoes the words of judgment in Revelation 18.

Deuteronomy 32:35

"Vengeance and punishment are mine; at the proper time their feet will slip; the day of your calamity is near, and your doom is hastening." This verse about divine judgment relates to the fall of Babylon in Revelation 18.

Conclusion

Through these passages, we realize that the message of Revelation 18 is timeless and resonates strongly in our time. The fall of Babylon reminds us of the importance of remaining vigilant against the temptations of the world and of remaining faithful to God's Word.