Revelation 18

The Revelation of Jesus Christ Part 2: Session 5 – Revelation 18

Cheat Sheet

The fall of Babylon the Great is a celebration in the eyes of God’s people. The prophet Isaiah first mentions this in Isaiah 21:9, and other Old Testament prophets, such as Nahum, celebrated the destruction of their enemies. In each case, it is not so much about specific nations being destroyed, but more about God finally having victory over the forces of evil that oppressed and harmed his church. John is not literally celebrating the end of the Babylonian empire, as it had not existed for centuries by the time he wrote Revelation. In his day, “Babylon” was code for Rome. But it can also be read as code for any world system that oppresses Christians and becomes rich and powerful through sinful means.

A Mighty Angel appears in Revelation 18:21, and it is the third such occasion in Revelation where “mighty” angels appear to do God’s bidding. This is another reminder that God is powerful, and that he has powerful servants ready to obey his commands.

A boulder the size of a large millstone is thrown into the sea, in an apparent imitation of God’s command to the prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 51, where the prophet is told to throw a stone into the Euphrates to represent the fall of Babylon. Now the stone is a large milling stone, possibly up to 100kg in weight, and the river Euphrates is the sea. But the message is still the same: God will cause the evil empire to sink and drown.

Study

Read Revelation 18

Revelation 18 prophesies the end of the Roman Empire, and it does this with a tone of celebration that borders on mockery.

What do you think of this?

When is it appropriate for Christians to celebrate the end of their enemies’ power?

Is it ever appropriate for Christians to mock and laugh at the despair and defeat of others?

Take a closer look at Revelation 18:11-13.

What do you notice about items listed in verses 12 and 13?

How do these items compare with the things we are able to buy in New Zealand?

Revelation 18:14-20 celebrates both societal and economic collapse.

Can “a healthy economy” become something of an idol for Christians?

Why might God predict, and even celebrate, the fall of such a thriving economy?

Why does God want Babylon to fall? (For some clues, look at verses 3, 20, and 24.)

What does this mean for our engagement with New Zealand society?

Optional Extra Resources:

The lament in Revelation 18 eventually becomes the song of praise that we read about in Revelation 19:1-8. Here is one contemporary church’s attempt to express that praise in modern form:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyzBOu_liPw

Also, here’s another rap:

https://open.spotify.com/track/7t4GnUYQCDFmNffaJ6jM1k?si=a716345c02b942b7