God’s judgement on Babylon lamented: (18:9-19):
There are 3-groups of mourners lament at the fall of Babylon.
- The first group consists of leaders, the kings of the earth. They also include the 10-kings who rule Antichrist’s kingdom under his authority (17:2) as well as the rest of the world’s leaders under them. They will greet the news of Babylon destruction with shock and dismay. Babylon was the crown jewel of Antichrist’s empire. Babylon’s swift destruction will shock and amaze them, and they will cry out to her in dismay.
- The second group consists of the merchants of the earth. The business leaders will cry over Babylon because no one buys their cargoes anymore. All the economic activity will come to standstill. A list of 28-categories (18:12-13) which were commonly traded during those days and which was the source of financial gain comes to total standstill. All the cities luxurious and splendid have passed away and men will no longer find them. All the world merchants would stand at a distance with fear and awe, weeping and mourning says: “woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste.”
- The third group consists of every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor and all the people who live by the sea. Babylon was not only a political and economic important city, but it was also a distribution centre. With its destruction, no more goods or cargo travels by the sea. In a typical expression of grief, the sailors would put dust on their heads (Jos. 7:6; 1 Sam. 4:12; 2 Sam. 1:2). Like the rulers and the merchants, the sailors also express amazement at the swiftness of Babylon’s downfall, exclaiming “In one hour she has been laid waste!”
The celebration of God’s judgement: (18:20-24):
The Apostle John sees in his vision another strong angel who “took up a stone like a great millstone (about 4-5 ft dia.) a very heavy one and threw it into the sea.” He said in the same way “Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer.” In one moment, as that stone disappeared into the sea, Babylon will disappear. The destruction of Babylon would take place like any other normal activity and will never raise again as prophesied in O. T (Isa.13:19-22; 14:22-23; Jer. 50:13, 39).
Babylon fallen.
Again there are 3-reasons given for Babylon’s judgement:
- The merchants of Babylon used their wealth to ascend to positions of power, prominence and influence.
- The people of Babylon were involved in sorcery and occult practices which are abomination in God’s sight. Babylon’s aggression on the world due to its military and economic power coupled with its occult practice.
- Babylon has murdered, slaughtered God’s people. She has murdered the prophets and saints. Psalms 137 is a fitting song for the destruction of Babylon.
At this, there was a loud voice of great multitude in heaven saying “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; because His judgements are rue and righteous; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and He has avenged the blood of His bond-servants on her”(19:1-2).
We must not think that this voice of celebration calls us to be glad because sinners are judged. The divine judgment must break our hearts, knowing that lost sinners are condemned to eternal punishment. The joy in this section centres on God’s righteous judgment the fact that justice has been done. Here we must rejoice at the righteous judgments of God.
At this point in our study, the political and economic system of “the beast” has at last been destroyed. All that remains is for Jesus Christ to come from heaven and personally meet and defeat “the beast” and his armies. This He will do, and then establish His righteous kingdom on earth.
But the important question is: “Are we citizens of ‘Babylon’ or citizens of heaven?” We must rejoice because our name is written in heaven? If not, then trust Jesus Christ and “get out of Babylon” and into the family of God.