The Babylon of this chapter undoubtedly includes an
actual city that will be rebuilt on the Euphrates and a
politico-commercial system that becomes the means and basis
of a new worldwide religious system by which the beast will
be worshipped (Revelation 13).
In chapter 17, the beast and his allies destroy “Babylon the
great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the
earth. In this chapter, God overthrows commercial Babylon.
The Announcement of Judgment – Revelation 18:1-3
Another angel makes the announcement. Please note four
things about this angel. First, he is “another” angel.
“Another” means another of the same kind as those angels
that preceded him. This is not the Lord nor is there any
reason to see this as the Lord since angels do have great
power and often display great glory. Second, that “he comes
down from heaven” point to the fact this judgment comes from
God. Third, he has “great authority,” which means the power
to act. As an angel and messenger of God, he possesses
supernatural authority and power to execute judgment on
behalf of God. Fourth, “the earth was illumined with his
glory.”
In verse 2 the fall of Babylon is repeated. He says “Fallen,
fallen is Babylon the great.” This is done primarily for
emphasis, but as mentioned before, it may also represent the
fall of Babylon religiously (chapter 17) and then
commercially (chapter 18).
In the second part of verse 2, we are told that Babylon is
demonic to the core. This is stressed in three statements:
(1) “The dwelling place of demons,” (2) “A prison of every
unclean spirit,” (3) “and a prison of every unclean and
hateful bird.” This third description is probably an
allusion to Matthew 13:31-32 where birds may refer to
demonic leaders operating in the apostate church.
In verse 3, a specific charge is made against Babylon
concerning her spiritual prostitution and intoxicating
activity. However, note that verse 3 is connected with verse
2 by the word “for” which shows the connection between the
demonic activity, the cause, and the results.
First, we are told all the nations are involved. This is
worldwide. Every nation has turned away from God for the
almighty dollar and the luxuries it can buy. “Have drunk”
stresses the results of Babylon’s evil influence,
specifically, her spiritual, moral, political and national
condition. The world is already drunk and getting more so
every day on materialism and the commercial mania of the
times.
“Of the wine of the wrath of her fornication” is a reference
to the world ideologies of Babylon, which will prostitute
the divine institutions God has established for man’s
protection like: volition, freedom, marriage and the family,
and nationalism. Some of these intoxicant agents are
humanism, the unisex idea promoted so strongly even today,
the global community, commercialism, multinational
corporations, demon worship, gross immorality, and idolatry.
The last half of the verse speaks of both the kings of the
earth and the merchants. Behind this sell out by the kings
are the super rich merchants, the billionaires, and great
corporations working for world control. Money is king. It
controls kings, people, and nations.
