Bible Study On Revelations 18 - The Judgment Of Babylon

A study of the eighteenth chapter of the book of Revelations shows that the day is coming when Babylon will be punished for her misdeeds that brings calamity upon the world on account of the great apostasy into which its inhabitants will be led. 

As we seek to connect the dots in the book of Revelations concerning the succession of world events we need to get a better understanding of the role of Babylon in the fulfillment of end-time prophecies. The first hint of Babylon's involvement in last-day events is found in Revelation 14:8. In this particular verse it is said that Babylon has made all nations drunk with the wine of her fornication. 

In order for us to determine the meaning of the phrase 'wine of her fornication' we need to determine who this Babylon is. In my Bible study on Revelation 17 I see where Babylon is again mentioned under the symbol of a woman. 

The clear biblical interpretation of this 'woman' symbol is said to be "that great city that reigneth over the kings of the earth" (Rev. 17:18), and sits on seven mountains (Rev. 17;9). Furthermore, in the scriptures woman in symbolic form usually refers to a religious entity (a church, see Jer. 6:3; Eph. 5:21-27). 

The woman, Mystery Babylon the great, is obviously an impure religion since she is categorized as a whore. And this is what explains the fornication part. Since the woman is a symbol, her fornication cannot be seen as literal; it must also be accounted as symbolic. She commits fornication by departing from her Lord and went a whoring after other gods just as Israel did in days of old (Exod. 34:16; Ezek. 6:9). 

As we examine each description as well as the biblical solution to the symbol, we can only be led to one conclusion - this great city that sits on seven mountains is none other than the city of Rome and her religion. 

Like Jerusalem, Mystery Babylon was once a faithful city but she has now become a harlot (Isa. 1:21). As a harlot she will lead the world into the same kind of prostitution of which she is accused, and hence, the world will suffer the same punishment that will be meted out against her for such an offense. 

But she will not be punished just for her apostasy because she is not just a participant or a mere victim in this whole end-time saga. Even a peripheral Bible study on Revelations 14, 16, 17, and 18 will show clearly that this woman will be very much at the helm dictating world affairs. According to Revelation 17, she will reign over kings and will make the inhabitants of the earth drunk with the wine of her fornication. 

The eighteenth chapter of the book of Revelation outlines the details of her sins for which she will be rewarded and manner of her retribution. When we consider the extent of divine judgment upon this city of fornication it can only lead us to contemplate the magnitude of her offenses. Certainly, God does not impose punishment more than what the crime deserves. 

It is interesting to note the manner in which she will be punished. If we should only confine our Bible study about Mystery Babylon to Revelation 14 alone we may be lead to conclude that God will personally cause fire and brimstone to fall upon that seven-hill city for its iniquity. But based on what we read in Revelation 17, the destruction of Babylon will be the work of the ten kings. 

At some point these ten co-rulers with the beast (Rev. 17:12) will have reason to turn against her. A Bible study on Revelation 17 will bear out the fact, "these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire." Rev. 17:16. Indeed, God's judgment will be executed upon Babylon at the hands of her own allies (Rev. 17:17).