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.

The fall of Babylon

Study Tip:

Revelation is a complex book so it helps to study more than one translation. Whenever you encounter a difficult passage scroll back and forth between the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation" below. Also, check the "Margin Notes" 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

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

2And 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.

3For 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.

4And 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.

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

6Reward 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.

7How 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.

8Therefore 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.

9And 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,

10Standing 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) - Many Christians (Preterists) believe Babylon refers to the Roman empire (1 Peter 5:13) while others (Futurists) see it as an evil government ruling the world just before Christ returns. Still others 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 are even minority opinions that hold Babylon to be the Catholic church while 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 earlier. 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 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." This warning to flee from Babylon's sins can also be found 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 from Isaiah 47:7-8, referring to ancient Babylon.

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."

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

Application thought for the day:

What have you learned from this passage and 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 Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; 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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