Revelation 18:1-10 Lesson 492

Revelation 18:1-10
Lesson 492

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

John's vision continues.

Babylon falls (18:1-4).

Look for the instructions to believers in verses 18:4-8.

Kings will mourn (18:9-10)

Artist unknown.

Study Tip:

The Book of Revelation is complex, so it helps to study more than one translation. When you encounter a difficult passage, scroll between the "King James Version" and the "New Living Translation" below. Also, check the "Margin Notes" in blue and click on the links.

The Revelation of Saint John the Divine

The King James Bible

Revelation 18:1-10
Sins, piled high as heaven

1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

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.

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.

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.

5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

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.

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.

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.

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,

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.

Margin notes:

"Having great power." (18:1) - "With great authority."

"With a strong voice." (18:2) - "With a loud voice."

"Babylon." (18:2) - In the Old Testament, Babylon was the first nation to rebel against God (Genesis 11:1-9). In time, Babylon became a powerful country that conquered and enslaved Israel. Since then, the name Babylon has been given metaphorically to any nation that persecuted Judaism or Christianity (i.e. Rome). Preterists believe Babylon refers exclusively to the Roman empire (1 Peter 5:13). Futurists see it as an evil government that will be ruling the world when Christ returns. Still others (Historicists) see Babylon as symbolic of all the malevolent governments that have existed in the last two thousand years. They believe there is a "Babylon" in every age. There is a minority opinion that claims Babylon is an apostate or the Catholic church. A handful of people are convinced Babylon represents greedy merchants. Additional note: The fall of "Babylon" was prophesied in Isaiah 21:9, eight hundred years before it fell. This is the second announcement in Revelation that Babylon has fallen (Revelation 14:8).

"Is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit." (18:2) - "Has become the home of devils and the den of every evil spirit."

"The merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies." (18:3) - "The merchants of the world have grown rich providing her with abundant luxuries."

"Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins." (18:4) - "Flee from her (Babylon) my people, don't share in her sins." You can also find God's warning to flee Babylon's sins in Isaiah 48:20,
Jeremiah 50:8; 51:6, and 51:45.

"Reward her even as she rewarded you." (18:6) - "Do unto her as she has done unto you." As instructed by God in Jeremiah 50:29.

"Lived deliciously." (18:7) - "Lived elegantly."

"I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow." (18:7) - "I sit here a queen, not a poor widow. I have no sorrow." This appears to be a paraphrase referring to ancient Babylon from Isaiah 47:7-8.

"For strong is the Lord God who judgeth her." (18:8) - See Jeremiah 50:34.

New Living Translation

Revelation 18:1-10
The Fall of Babylon

1 After all this I saw another angel come down from heaven with great authority, and the earth grew bright with his splendor.

2 He gave a mighty shout:

  "Babylon is fallen-that great city is fallen!
      She has become a home for demons.
   She is a hideout for every foul spirit,
      a hideout for every foul vulture
      and every foul and dreadful animal.

3 For all the nations have fallen
      because of the wine of her passionate immorality.
   The kings of the world
      have committed adultery with her.
   Because of her desires for extravagant luxury,
      the merchants of the world have grown rich."

4 Then I heard another voice calling from heaven,

  "Come away from her, my people.
      Do not take part in her sins,
      or you will be punished with her.

5 For her sins are piled as high as heaven,
      and God remembers her evil deeds.

6 Do to her as she has done to others.
      Double her penalty for all her evil deeds.
   She brewed a cup of terror for others,
      so brew twice as much for her.

7 She glorified herself and lived in luxury,
      so match it now with torment and sorrow.
   She boasted in her heart,
      'I am queen on my throne.
   I am no helpless widow,
      and I have no reason to mourn.'

8 Therefore, these plagues will overtake her in a single day-
      death and mourning and famine.
   She will be completely consumed by fire,
      for the Lord God who judges her is mighty."

9 And the kings of the world who committed adultery with her and enjoyed her great luxury will mourn for her as they see the smoke rising from her charred remains.

10 They will stand at a distance, terrified by her great torment. They will cry out,

  "How terrible, how terrible for you,
      O Babylon, you great city!
   In a single moment
      God's judgment came on you."

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's question:

1. Why will the "Kings of the earth" mourn the fall of evil Babylon (18:9)?

Pray for the strength to resist sin. Ask forgiveness when you fall into temptation and give thanks when you don't.

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. "Those who are in control of various parts of the economic system will mourn at Babylon's fall. The political leaders will mourn because they were the overseers of Babylon's wealth and were in a position to enrich themselves greatly. The merchants will mourn because Babylon, the greatest customer for their goods will be gone. The sea captains will no longer have anywhere to bring their goods because the merchants will have nowhere to sell them. The fall of the evil world system will affect all who enjoyed and depended on it. No one will remain unaffected by Babylon's fall."

(The "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; page 2574)

Application thought for the day:

What have you learned from this passage? How can you apply it to your life?

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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