AM Bible Study Group; November 11, 2009

Revelation 18:21-24

Theme: This passage describes the finality with which the great ‘harlot’ city Babylon will be thrown down in judgment.

This closing section of Revelation 18 finishes off the theme taken up in chapters 17-18—that of the judgment from God of the ‘harlot’ system of religion, philosophy, political power and commerce of the Antichrist—embodied in a city called Babylon.

Rebellion against God is often associated in Scripture with a “city”. Cain—that first human rebel against God—after being thrown out of the presence of the Lord, went out and founded the city Enoch (Genesis 4:17). The grandson of Noah’s son Ham—Nimrod—founded many cities; and we’re told that “the beginning of his kingdom was Babel . . .” (Genesis 10:10). The tower of Babel was built on a spirit of rebellion against God’s command to spread out through the earth and multiply (Genesis 11:1-9). This history-long war against the rule of God will be summarized in a single city in the future; and that future city is already slated for judgment.

The things that are said in this passage about Babylon yet to come sound very much like the things that were promised of Babylon of the past. That ancient kingdom met its end in one day; and it is but a mere echo of the promised destruction of the Babylon of our text (Isaiah 13:19-22). Here, we see . . .

I. THE THROWING-DOWN OF IT (v. 21).

A. A mighty angel (evidently another angel from what we’ve seen elsewhere in this section; which clearly speaks of the authority of heaven in bringing about Babylon’s downfall) took up a large stone “like a millstone”. A millstone was symbolic of something heavy (Matthew 9:42). It was four to five feet in diameter and often a foot thick.

B. To throw such a thing into the sea would cause it to sink quickly to the bottom—never to be recovered. And thus, it’s a fit symbol of the destruction of Babylon. The angel casts it into the sea with the words, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore.”

II. THE THINGS THAT ARE FOUND ‘NO MORE’ IN IT (vv. 22-23a).

A. The things that end with the destruction of Babylon are described:

1. There is an end of music and entertainment—set forth in the “sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters”.

2. There is an end of merchandise and the crafts-wares they sell.

3. There’s an end to the food industries—set forth through the silencing of the millstone.

4. There’s an end of the constant, twenty-four hour activity of the marketplace—as set forth in the loss of the lamps.

5. There’s even an end to the celebrations of the ungodly—set forth in the loss of the voice of the bride and bridegroom.

B. All the activities of the system that says, “We can be happy and fulfilled without God,” will come to an end. Note that we’re told that none of these things are heard anymore, or seen anymore, or found any longer.

III. THE REASONS FOR ITS JUDGMENT BEING SO FINAL (vv. 23b-24).

A. First, we’re told that this is because Babylon’s merchants were “the great men of the earth”. They were made great by Babylon, and they held their greatness over others.

B. Second, we’re told that this is because it deceived all the nations by its “sorcery”. This word may describe the practice of magical arts and the occult; but it also may describe the use of drugs (since the word itself is the one from which we get the English word ‘pharmacy’).

C. Finally, we’re told that this is because in the city was found the blood of martyrdom—of the prophets, of the saints, and of all the slain of the earth.

* * * * * * * * * *

What a dreadful place! No wonder God’s judgment will, at last, fall upon it! And this all helps us to remember the warning of John in 1 John 2:17; that “the world is passing away, and the lust of it”. May we who are God’s people ‘come out’ of her (Revelation 18:4)!