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Revelation Chapter Eighteen

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Fall of Babylon the Great

I. The main body of a court verdict of judging the fall of Babylon the great (v.1-3)

II. Calling the people of God to come out of her (v.4-5)

III. The accusation and denouement of judging the fall of Babylon the great (v.6-8)

IV. The horribleness of the judgment Babylon the great suffered (v.9-19)

  A. the kings of the earth weep and lament for her (v.9-10)

  B. the merchants of the earth weep and lament for her (v.11-17a)

  C. those who trade on the sea weep and lament for her (v.17b-19)

V. Men of God rejoice over her judgment (v.20)

VI. The conditions of the fall of Babylon the great (v.21-24)

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Rev. 18:1 “After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven having great authority and the earth was illuminated with his glory.

   YLT: “And after these things I saw another messenger coming down out of the heaven having great authority and the earth was lightened from his glory ”

   Meaning of Words: “come down”: descend fall down; “illuminate”: light up enlighten.

   Spiritual Meaning: “After these things” refers to after the angle had pointed out and explained the vision of the great harlot to John the apostle.

I saw another angel coming down from heaven having great authority” this angle refers to Christ.

“And the earth was illuminated with his glory.” Christ is the brightness of God’s glory (See Heb. 1:3) and therefore His glory is the glory of God which shines upon the whole land.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The heavens and the earth are created to manifest the glory of God however the earth falls short of the glory of God because of men’s sins (See Rom. 3:23). And therefore God can only set His glory above heavens (See Ps. 8:1). However the land shall be illuminated with His glory one day.

2) When the Lord comes again He will come down to the cloud first (See 10:1; 14:14) and it is His secret coming. Then His glory shall shine upon the land and it is His public coming.

 

Rev. 18:2 “And he cried mightily with a loud voice saying "Babylon the great is fallen is fallen and has become a dwelling place of demons a prison for every foul spirit and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!

   YLT: “and he did cry in might -- a great voice saying `Fall fall did Babylon the great and she became a habitation of demons and a hold of every unclean spirit and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird ”

   Meaning of Words: “fall”: fail fall down; “foul”: unclean; “prison”: jail cage.

   Spiritual Meaning: “And he cried mightily with a loud voice saying "Babylon the great is fallen is fallen” “Babylon the great” is the great city that reigns over the kings of the earth (See 17:18). It has meanings from two aspects (See 17:7): 1) in the religious aspect it refers to the great harlot (See 17:1 5) i.e. the Roman Catholic Church; 2) in the political and economical aspect it refers to the beast and its ten horns (See 17:12-13) i.e. the European Union and the place where its administrative headquarters is.

    “Is fallen is fallen” indicates that it shall collapse. It happened after its internal conflict----they had destroyed the Roman Catholic Church (See 17:16).

“And has become a dwelling place of demons a prison for every foul spirit” It indicates that it is no longer the place where men reside and only demons and foul spirits bully around in it.

“And a cage for every unclean and hated bird!” it indicates that its residents have become the flesh of the great supper of all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven (See 19:17-18).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) According to the literal Babylon the great its fall had been predicted in the Old Testament (See Is. 13:19-22; 21:9-10). According to the symbolic Babylon the great it still needs to experience the complete fall once more.

2) Actually the worldly Babylon the great has been full of the activities of demons and foul spirits before it becomes a prison for demons and foul spirits. Men in the west were keen on the movement that all religions are one New Age Movement Yoga Halloween extreme Charismatic etc. earlier. And these all pave the way for the fulfillment of the prediction here.

 

Rev. 18:3 “For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury."

   YLT: “because of the wine of the wrath of her whoredom have all the nations drunk and the kings of the earth with her did commit whoredom and merchants of the earth from the power of her revel were made rich.”

   Meaning of Words: “fornication”: whoredom harlotry; “merchant”: businessman tradesman; “luxury”: delicacy extravagance straining.

   Spiritual Meaning: “For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her” This sentence refers to the accusation of Babylon the great in the religious aspect (See 14:8; 17:2): 1) men of all nations are deceived by the heretical teachings of the Roman Catholic Church; 2) caesaropapism.

“And the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.’” This sentence refers to the accusation of Babylon the great in the physical aspect----men pursue the physical enjoyment invariably that business prospers and countless billionaires are brought up.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The cunning craftiness of the devil is nothing more than two kinds: a) utilizing heretical teachings to attract those who set their mind on pursing God; b) utilizing the worldly enjoyment to attract those who fulfill their flesh.

2) Today in the church both heresies and the world seem to be welcomed and the devil has successfully blended these two kinds of craftiness together and utilizes the prosperity teaching and various worldly activities to corrode the hearts of the saints right now.

 

Rev. 18:4 “And I heard another voice from heaven saying "Come out of her my people lest you share in her sins and lest you receive of her plagues.

   YLT: “And I heard another voice out of the heaven saying `Come forth out of her My people that ye may not partake with her sins and that ye may not receive of her plagues ”

   Meaning of Words: “people”: common people men; “come out”: depart set out; “share”: partake; “plague”: disaster stripe.

   Spiritual Meaning: “And I heard another voice from heaven saying” it is the voice from God (See 2Cor. 6:17-18).

“‘Coming out of her my people” “my people” indicates that probably there are God’s true people who have mingled themselves with men in the Roman Catholic Church heretical Christianity and the world. “Coming out of her” refers to Babylon the great in the religious and physical aspect.

“Lest you share in her sins” the plural word “sins” refers to misdoings. Believers’ sins before they have believed in the Lord have been cleansed by the precious blood (See Eph. 1:7) however we have to deal with sins unceasingly in order to be forgiven after we have believed in the Lord (See 1John. 1:7-9).

“And lest you receive of her plagues” refers to suffering the loss of the plagues. Though believers’ souls must be saved if we are not carful we shall also suffer loss yet so as by fire (See 1Cor. 3:15).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Today believers have to live in the world however our hearts must overcome the world and come out from among the world (See 1Cor. 7:31; 2Cor. 6:17).

2) If possible Christians had better not live in the cities guilty of the most heinous crimes (such as the gambling town the city where the influence of queers is great). If we have found that something is wrong with the nature of the church or group where we join we’d better come out of it.

 

Rev. 18:5 “For her sins have reached to heaven and God has remembered her iniquities.

   YLT: “because her sins did follow -- unto the heaven and God did remember her unrighteousness.”

   Meaning of Words: “reach to”: up to; “iniquities”: unjust deeds unrighteousness.

   Literal Meaning: “For her sins have reached to heaven” has two meanings: 1) the sins are numerous and have been piled up unto heaven (See Gen. 11:4); 2) the sins are grievous and the cry comes unto God (See Gen. 18:20).

“And God has remembered her iniquities.” It does not mean that God has already ignored or forgotten her iniquities but that God is about to execute the judgment towards her iniquities at this time according to what God has predestinated.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God clearly knows men’s sins and He is tolerant all the time. However when the sins of men are piled up unto heaven just as men had built the tower called Babel whose top may reach unto heaven God has to interfere with them.

2) The Lord has His time (See John. 7:6). We always misunderstand that He lets many things be and has not dealt with them but actually the time has not come yet.

 

Rev. 18:6 “Render to her just as she rendered to you and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed mix double for her.

   YLT: “Render to her as also she did render to you and double to her doubles according to her works; in the cup that she did mingle mingle to her double.”

   Meaning of Words: “render”: pay return; “double”: two doubles (the first word is two words connected together in the original) double (the second word is one word in the original).

   Literal Meaning: “Render to her just as she rendered to you” it is the minimum judgment according to the law----eye for eye tooth for tooth (See Exod. 21:24).

“And repay her double according to her works;” however the judgment that God measures to Babylon the great is “double to her doubles” (the original meaning) i.e. the four folds.

“In the cup which she has mixed mix double for her.” “The cup which she has mixed” indicates that she regards the pain of others as her pleasure. “Double” refers to two-fold in the original. “Mix double for her” refers to returning the two-fold pain to her.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God’s punishment in future will not be less than what men deserve. He won’t ease it or leave it out.

2) Believers should not ignore the pain of others. We should never build our happiness upon the pain of others.

 

Rev. 18:7 “In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart "I sit as queen and am no widow and will not see sorrow.'

   YLT: “`As much as she did glorify herself and did revel so much torment and sorrow give to her because in her heart she saith I sit a queen and a widow I am not and sorrow I shall not see;”

   Meaning of Words: “in the measure”: as much as how great; “live luxuriously”: live deliciously be luxurious.

   Literal Meaning: “In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously” “glorified herself” is the expression of pride----esteeming themselves better than others (See Phil. 2:3 the opposite meaning) and considering themselves worthy of others’ admiration and exaltation. “Lived luxuriously” (See Rom. 13:14) and considering themselves worthy of such enjoyments.

“In the same measure give her torment and sorrow;” it means that men’s excessive happiness and enjoyments today will bring themselves pain and sorrow tomorrow in return.

“For she says in her heart I sit as queen” “sit as queen” refers to having power and influence managing others instead of being managed and enjoying everything.

“And am no widow and will not see sorrow.’” “Widow” refers to losing the reliance and enjoyments of life and being helpless when facing difficult positions.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) We should let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit but in lowliness of mind (See Phil. 2:3) because believers’ greatest responsibility in our life is to glorify God instead of glorifying ourselves.

2) The most beautiful adornment of men is the inner character instead of the gaudiness of appearance. The greatest enjoyment of men is the satisfaction of the inner hearts instead of the endless pursuit.

3) Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Prov. 16:18).

4) Christians live in the world as widows instead of queens. Our hearts only look forward to being raptured to meet the Lord instead of enjoying the splendor of the world greedily.

 

Rev. 18:8 “Therefore her plagues will come in one day--death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire for strong is the Lord God who judges her.

   YLT: “because of this in one day shall come her plagues death and sorrow and famine; and in fire she shall be utterly burned because strong [is] the Lord God who is judging her;”

   Meaning of Words: “utterly burn”: consume wholly; “strong”: powerful mightier.

   Literal Meaning: “Therefore her plagues will come in one day” “in one day” refers to the sudden coming without any sign beforehand and men are caught unawares. “Will come” refers to the overwhelming coming and it is hard for men to bear.

“Death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire” “death” is directed against “glorifying herself”. “Mourning” is directed against “I am no widow and will not see sorrow”. “Famine” is directed against “living luxuriously”. “Being utterly burned with fire” is directed against “as queen” (See v.7).

“For strong is the Lord God who judges her.” It means that nothing can hold back the judgment of God and the execution of the punishments.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) We should take heed to ourselves lest our hearts be weighed down with carousing drunkenness and cares of this life and that Day come on us unexpectedly (See Luke 21:34).

2) The dead can no longer be proud and those who have nothing can no longer live luxuriously.

 

Rev. 18:9The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her when they see the smoke of her burning

   YLT: “and weep over her and smite themselves for her shall the kings of the earth who with her did commit whoredom and did revel when they may see the smoke of her burning ”

   Meaning of Words: “weep”: bewail wail aloud; “lament”: beat the breast cut down; “burning”: flaming smelting.

   Literal Meaning: The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her” “the kings of the earth” represent all men who have power influence and positions in the world. “Who committed fornication with her” refers to cooperating with her. “Lived luxuriously with her” refers to having the same deeds with her.

“Will weep and lament for her when they see the smoke of her burning” “will weep and lament for her” refers to being helpless with her plagues. 

 

Rev. 18:10 “standing at a distance for fear of her torment saying "Alas alas that great city Babylon that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.'

  YLT: “from afar having stood because of the fear of her torment saying Wo wo the great city! Babylon the strong city! because in one hour did come thy judgment.”

   Meaning of Words: “at a distance”: afar off from afar; “mighty”: strong mighty.

   Literal Meaning: “standing at a distance for fear of her torment saying” “fear of her torment” refers to being afraid of being involved in torment.

“‘Alas alas that great city Babylon that mighty city!” This sentence describes the two features of great city Babylon: 1) great; 2) strong.

For in one hour your judgment has come.'” It describes that the sudden destruction comes upon them (See 1Thess. 5:3).

 

Rev. 18:11 “"And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her for no one buys their merchandise anymore:

   YLT: “`And the merchants of the earth shall weep and sorrow over her because their lading no one doth buy any more;”

   Meaning of Words: “mourn”: grieve bewail; “merchandise”: cargo transporting goods and materials.

   Literal Meaning: “"And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her” “the merchants of the earth” represent all men who are engaged in business and marketing.

“For no one buys their merchandise anymore:” it means that they lose the main customers.

 

Rev. 18:12 “merchandise of gold and silver precious stones and pearls fine linen and purple silk and scarlet every kind of citron wood every kind of object of ivory every kind of object of most precious wood bronze iron and marble;

   YLT: “lading of gold and silver and precious stone and pearl and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet and all thyne wood and every vessel of ivory and every vessel of most precious wood and brass and iron and marble ”

   Meaning of Words: “most precious”: valuable the high ranking.

   Literal Meaning: “merchandise of gold and silver precious stones and pearls” the first kind----adornments.

“Fine linen and purple silk and scarlet” the second kind----the high-level dress materials.

“Every kind of citron wood every kind of object of ivory” the third kind----the carving artworks.

“Every kind of object of most precious wood bronze iron and marble” the fourth kind----the building materials and the high-level furnishing.

 

Rev. 18:13 “and cinnamon and incense fragrant oil and frankincense wine and oil fine flour and wheat cattle and sheep horses and chariots and bodies and souls of men.

   YLT: “and cinnamon and odours and ointment and frankincense and wine and oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle and sheep and of horses and of chariots and of bodies and souls of men.”

   Meaning of Words: “incense”: Indian perfume; “frankincense”: myrrh.

   Literal Meaning: “and cinnamon and incense fragrant oil and frankincense” the fifth kind----cosmetics.

“Wine and oil fine flour and wheat cattle and sheep” the sixth kind----food.

“Horses and chariots” the seventh kind----vehicles.

“And bodies and souls of men” the eighth kind----men. “Bodies” refers to selling out oneself as a slave. “Souls of men” refers to selling out souls----not taking care of life for existence.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Today many people sell out their bodies and souls and even devote themselves to some improper occupations. Though they have no command over themselves on the excuse of existence God will judge them in future.

2) Among the twenty-nine merchandises gold and silver are listed at the front and bodies and souls of men are listed in the end. Today lives of men are not always respected in the eyes of many rich men.

3) The true God’s church and saints do not hesitate to pay high price to save souls of men. However the heresies and its followers do not hesitate to corrupt souls of men so as to gain certain benefits.

 

Rev. 18:14 “The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you and you shall find them no more at all.

   YLT: “`And the fruits of the desire of thy soul did go away from thee and all things -- the dainty and the bright -- did go away from thee and no more at all mayest thou find them.”

   Meaning of Words: “long for”: lust desire; “rich”: dainty; “splendid”: bright things.

   Literal Meaning: “The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you” it is the voice from heaven. “The fruit that your soul longed for” refers to various kinds of precious fruits and the results that men labor to pursue. “Has gone from you” refers to becoming nothingness.

“And all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you” “things which are rich” refers to various kinds of first-class ingredients and the enjoyments that men long for. “Splendid” refers to various kinds of panoplies and the collection which men show off.

“And you shall find them no more at all.” It means that all have become the past and they have gone with the wind.

 

Rev. 18:15 “The merchants of these things who became rich by her will stand at a distance for fear of her torment weeping and wailing

   YLT: “The merchants of these things who were made rich by her far off shall stand because of the fear of her torment weeping and sorrowing ”

   Meaning of Words: “became rich”: be wealthy abundant; “fear”: be afraid of.

   Literal Meaning: “The merchants of these things who became rich by her ” “her” refers to Babylon the great.

“Will stand at a distance for fear of her torment weeping and wailing ” “fear of her torment” refers to being afraid of being involved in torment.

 

Rev. 18:16 “and saying Alas alas that great city that was clothed in fine linen purple and scarlet and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls!

   YLT: “and saying Wo wo the great city that was arrayed with fine linen and purple and scarlet and gilded in gold and precious stone and pearls -- because in one hour so much riches were made waste!”

   Meaning of Words: “was clothed in”: put on throw all around; “adorned with”: gilded.

   Literal Meaning: “and saying "Alas alas that great city” “Alas alas” refers to feeling extremely sad and grieved. “That great city” refers to Babylon the great.

“That was clothed in fine linen purple and scarlet ” refers to wearing expensive and beautiful clothes.

“And adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls!” it refers to wearing precious decorations.

 

Rev. 18:17 “For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.' Every shipmaster all who travel by ship sailors and as many as trade on the sea stood at a distance

   YLT: “`And every shipmaster and all the company upon the ships and sailors and as many as work the sea far off stood ”

   Meaning of Words: “riches”: wealth abundance; “come to nothing”: lay waste make desolation.

   Literal Meaning: “For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.'” It means that such great riches become noting in a moment.

Every shipmaster all who travel by ship sailors ” “shipmaster” refers to the ship-owner. “All who travel by ship” refers to ship-passengers. “Sailors” refers to shipmen.

“And as many as trade on the sea stood at a distance” “as many as trade on the sea” refers to all the lines of business related to shipping. The above-mentioned four kinds of men generally represent all men who make a living by the nature.

 

Rev. 18:18 “and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning saying "What is like this great city?'

   YLT: “and were crying seeing the smoke of her burning saying What [city is] like to the great city?”

   Meaning of Words: “cry out”: weep call aloud.

   Literal Meaning: “and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning saying” “smoke” represents destruction and everything which can be seen but cannot be held.

“‘What is like this great city?'” it means that this great city cannot be matched in the world.

 

Rev. 18:19They threw dust on their heads and cried out weeping and wailing and saying Alas alas that great city in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.'

   YLT: “and they did cast dust upon their heads and were crying out weeping and sorrowing saying Wo wo the great city! in which were made rich all having ships in the sea out of her costliness -- for in one hour was she made waste.”

   Meaning of Words: “throw”: cast throw away; “made desolate”: come to nought.

   Literal Meaning: They threw dust on their heads and cried out weeping and wailing and saying ” “They threw dust on their heads” it is a movement that men in the Middle East showed their extreme sadness in the ancient times (See Job. 2:12).

“‘Alas alas that great city” please see the note in v.16.

“In which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth!” “Her wealth” refers to the precious merchandizes listed in v.12 and v.13.

For in one hour she is made desolate'” “Made desolate” refers to ruins.

 

Rev. 18:20Rejoice over her O heaven and you holy apostles and prophets for God has avenged you on her!’”

   YLT: “`Be glad over her O heaven and ye holy apostles and prophets because God did judge your judgment of her!'”

   Meaning of Words: “rejoice”: be glad be merry; “avenge”: set a lawsuit judge the judgment.

   Literal Meaning: “O heaven and you holy apostles and prophets ” “heaven” refer to those who live in heaven. It refers to believers and the people of God. “Your holy apostles” refers to servants sent by God. “Prophets” refers to men who speak for God.

“‘Rejoice over her ” it refers to being glad because she was punished by God.

“For God has avenged you on her!’” It is the answer to the prayer of all the saints and the prayer in the fifth seal was included (See 6:9-10).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) There are three kinds of men on the earth----the kings of the earth the merchants of the earth and those who trade on the sea (See v.9 11 17) mourning for her however there are three kinds of men in heaven----the saints the apostles and the prophets rejoicing over her. Men have the completely contrary reaction to the same thing. We believers should notice that our reactions to things express our spiritual conditions (See Matt. 5:38-42).

2) The whole Babylon the great (both the religious Babylon and the physical Babylon) is hostile to the heavenly saints. In other words the system of the world is hostile to men of God. Today we are the enemies of God if we are friends of the world (See James. 4:4).

 

Rev. 18:21 “Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea saying "Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down and shall not be found anymore.

   YLT: “And one strong messenger did take up a stone as a great millstone and did cast [it] to the sea saying `Thus with violence shall Babylon be cast the great city and may not be found any more at all;”

   Meaning of Words: “mighty”: strong powerful; “take up”: lift up put away; “with violence”: on an impulse an attack.

   Literal Meaning: “Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea saying ” it shows that God does not allow the great city Babylon to appear on the earth any longer in His established will (See Jer. 51:63-64).

“‘Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down and shall not be found anymore.” “With violence” describes without the least hesitation. “Shall not be found anymore” this sentence is used five times from v.21 to v.23 showing God’s unswerving will.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) A great millstone was used to mill grain for men’s existence and today it is used by the angel to describe the abandonment. It means that those who have been abandoned do not have the value of existence and God will never take pity on them.

2) The Lord Jesus said that “whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depth of the sea (See Matt. 18:6). He whoever makes believers who are weak in the spirit sin will be useless in the church and he is only worthy to welter in the world (the sea).

 

Rev. 18:22 “The sound of harpists musicians flutists and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore.

   YLT: “and voice of harpers and musicians and pipers and trumpeters may not be heard at all in thee any more; and any artizan of any art may not be found at all in thee any more; and noise of a millstone may not be heard at all in thee any more;”

   Meaning of Words: “musicians”: instrumentalist player; “craftsman”: artisan artist; “craft”: occupation trade.

   Literal Meaning: “The sound of harpists musicians flutists and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore.” “The sound of harpists musicians flutists and trumpeters” refers to music.

No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore” “craftsman” refers to artists.

“And the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore.” “The sound of a millstone” refers to the normal sound of making a living.

 

Rev. 18:23 “The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.

   YLT: “and light of a lamp may not shine at all in thee any more; and voice of bridegroom and of bride may not be heard at all in thee any more; because thy merchants were the great ones of the earth because in thy sorcery were all the nations led astray ”

   Meaning of Words: “sorcery”: intoxicant medicine; “deceive”: cheat lead astray.

   Literal Meaning: “The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore ” “the light of a lamp” refers to the normal phenomenon of living activities.

“And the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore.” “The voice of bridegroom and bride” refers to the merry voice of maintaining life.

For your merchants were the great men of the earth ” it indicates that social positions of merchants are very high.

“For by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.” “You sorcery” indicates that the cunning craftiness by which antichrist deceives men has two aspects: 1) the heretical teachings; 2) the enticement of the world.

 

Rev. 18:24 “And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints and of all who were slain on the earth.’”

   YLT: “and in her blood of prophets and of saints was found and of all those who have been slain on the earth.'”

   Literal Meaning: “the blood of prophets and saints and of all who were slain on the earth.” “Prophets and saints” refers to martyrs among men of God. “Of all who were slain on the earth” refers to the world that died through injustice.

And in her was found’” refers to finding out its evidence of sin.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

The Downfall of Babylon the Great

I. The declaration of the downfall of Babylon the great (v.1)

II. The reasons why Babylon the great must be fallen (v.2-6):

  A. its spiritual corruption (v.2)

  B. it can corrupt nations kings and merchants of the earth (v.3)

  C. it can corrupt the world and make them commit sins (v.4-5)

  D. it has persecuted the people of God (v.6)

  E. it glorifies itself and lives luxuriously (v.7)

III. The speed of the downfall of Babylon the great (v.8)

IV. The shocks brought in by the downfall of Babylon the great (v.9-20):

  A. those who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her lost companions (v.9-10)

  B. those who became rich by her lost customers (v.11-16)

  C. those who made living by her lost backstage boss (v.17-19)

  D. those who had been persecuted by her rejoiced (v.20)

V. The real situation of the downfall of Babylon the great (v.21-23):

  A. it must be very violent (v.21)

  B. it must be complete and thorough (v.22-23)

VI. Retelling the reasons for the downfall of Babylon the great (v.23b-24):

  A. the great men----pride

  B. sorcery----the spiritual corruption 

  C. deceit

  D. persecution and murder

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren