Revelation Chapter 18
In our previous blog we discussed the
religious “Babylon” in chapter 17. This chapter also deals with “Babylon”. The
Babylon of chapter 18 is not the same as the Babylon of chapter 17. In fact
this chapter begins with the phrase “after these things.” Anytime a verse
begins by saying “after these things” you should stop and ask yourself, “after
what things?” In this case it is after the destruction of the religious Babylon
in chapter 17.
Then if mystical Babylon was destroyed in the previous
chapter she cannot be the same as the Babylon in this chapter. Therefore the
city here described must be a literal city called Babylon, and as there is no
city today by that name it must be referring to some future city of Babylon. I
have stated on numerous occasions that it is clear Babylon will be rebuilt and
play an important role in the latter days.
History of Babylon
The ancient city of Babylon from the days of Nimrod grew
in size and importance century after century until it reached its peak of great
glory in the days of Nebuchadnezzar in B. C. 604-562.
Babylon was an exact square of 15 miles on a side or 60
miles around, and was surrounded by a brick wall 87 feet thick, and 350 feet
high. On the wall were 250 towers and the top of the wall was wide enough for 6
chariots to drive abreast. The city was divided into two equal parts by the
river Euphrates that flowed diagonally through it. At each end of the river was
a palace. Near one of the palaces stood the Tower of Bel, or Babel. It is said
that Babylon was probably one of the most magnificent cities the world has ever
known, and its fall reveals what a city may become when it forsakes God and He
sends His judgment upon it.
It is no coincidence that the book of the Bible that
speaks the most about Babylon is the book of Daniel. Since Revelation is an
extension of Daniel this city plays an important role once again.
Babylon Rebuilt?
Many do not believe that this city will be one day
rebuilt. Both the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah speak of the destruction of Babylon.
Some claim that the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah are completely fulfilled,
therefore leaving nothing to be fulfilled in a future Babylon. Therefore they
conclude that this chapter is symbolical and must not refer to a literal city.
To see if that is true we must consider what the prophets
said about Babylon. The following is said of this city:
“It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to
generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds
make their fold there.” Isaiah 13:20
“Her cities are a desolation, a dry land,
and a wilderness, a land wherein no man
dwelleth, neither doth any son of man pass thereby.” Jeremiah 51:43
“And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate forever,
saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 51:26
While Babylon does not stand today, that land is not
desolate. Further still one must remember the specific statement made by Isaiah
concerning the time in which this destruction was to happen.
“Behold, the day of the Lord cometh,
cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall
destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the
constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in
his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.” Isaiah 13:9, 10
Nothing like this happened when Cyrus took Babylon. In
fact Cyrus made Babylon his capital, he did not destroy it. Xerxes plundered
Babylon, but did not destroy it. Alexander the Great wanted to make it his capital,
not destroy it. Babylon, while suffering much through history, was not
destroyed. Peter even visited Babylon according to 1 Peter.
We are also told in chapter 18 that the city will be
destroyed by fire, which is in perfect harmony with the prophecy of Isaiah.
“And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the
beauty of the Chaldees excellency, shall
be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.” Isaiah 13:19
“As
God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbor cities thereof, saith the
Lord; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell
therein.” Jeremiah 50:40
The destruction of Sodom was not prolonged through many
centuries; their glory was destroyed in a few hours. Just as Babylon was not
destroyed this way is further proof that this must be referring to some future
destruction of Babylon. This fits perfectly both the description given to us in
chapter 18, and also the description of the destruction mentioned once the 7th
vial was poured out in chapter 16.
It would appear that since the city of Sodom was first set
on fire and then destroyed by an earthquake, Babylon will be set on fire, and
as Babylon is under laid with asphalt, that an earthquake will break up the
crust of the earth and send the city into a lake of fire. The city will sink
below the surface of the earth as into the sea.
The city will be swallowed up, making it impossible to
take her stones for building, and the land will become a wilderness where no
man shall ever dwell.
Babylon’s Roll in End Times
There is a remarkable prophecy recorded by Zechariah that
has a meaning in these verses.
Zechariah 5:5-11
The "Ephah" which the prophet saw, is the
largest of Hebrew dry measures, and is often a symbol of commerce and its
resemblance or going forth through all the earth is a symbol of a universal
commercialism.
In this prophecy Zechariah saw a woman called wickedness.
This woman attempted to rise but the angel thrust her back and replaced the lid
made of a "talent of lead." After this we see two women with the
wings of a stork lift up the Ephah and carry it into the "Land of
Shinar."
The land of Shinar was the place where the tower of Babel
was built on the ancient site of Babylon.
If the Ephah stands for commerce, and the occupant of the
Ephah is called wickedness, it reveals the fact that the commercialism of the
time of the vision will be characterized by all manner of dishonest methods.
The fact that the woman is thrust back and a lead lid placed on her, tells us
that the dishonest schemes are to be hid and kept out of sight.
In the Old Testament the stork is an unclean bird, which
is characteristic of this day. This prophecy is further proof that the city of
Babylon will be rebuilt and become the commercial center of the world. It will
be from Babylon that the Antichrist will rule and reign.
It will not take long to rebuild this city with the wealth
of the world and the command of Capitalist. Once the lid is lifted off the “Ephah”
the wickedness will reveal itself and no man will be able to buy or sell, but
he who has the mark of the beast.
You may be asking yourself the question, how can you say
that you are expecting Jesus to come at any moment if the city of Babylon must be
rebuilt before He can come? There is not a word in the scriptures that say that
Babylon must be rebuilt before Jesus can come. The church may be taken out of
this world several years before the city is built.
This future city will be the greatest commercial city of
the world. It will be a market for gold and silver, precious stones and pearls,
or silk, scarlet and costly wools. It will be a place of high fashion for the
people will be clothed in the most costly raiment and decked with costly
jewels. Their homes will be of the finest wood, brass, iron, marble and the
richest of draperies and rugs.
Babylon Finally Destroyed
The destruction of the city will be sudden and without
warning. A storm will sweep over the city, lightning and thundering will come.
The city will be set on fire and a great earthquake will shake it from its
center. The tall office buildings will begin to collapse and the whole city
will sink as a milestone.
As the city sinks into a lake of burning asphalt, the
smoke will come like a furnace. The burning city, and the river Euphrates will
generate steam. The steam will reflect off the burning city. When night comes
the illuminated clouds will reflect the light of the burning city. People will
be able to see the lights from the burning city for miles.
The kings of the earth, the merchants, the shipmasters and
sailors and all who profited by the city will stand afar off and cry. While the
earth cries the heavens will rejoice for God will have rewarded her according
to her works and Babylon will be no more.
Babylon Today
Today Babylon is in the process of
being rebuilt. A simply Google search will reveal that the Iraqi people are in
the process of rebuilding the ancient ruins of Babylon. Today a museum has been
built in Babylon with future plans to make the city a thriving tourist
attraction. The people believe that rebuilding Babylon will boost the economy.
Little do they know that the economy will soon be boosted, and Babylon will
play a huge roll. In fact Babylon will play such a huge roll that it will
become the economic capital of the world.
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