Revelation 18:1-8
Verse 1 introduces a powerful Angel whose glory is bright enough to enlighten the earth. Enlightenment can also mean to reveal something. In this case, most likely both these applications are plausible. The Angel has great power, which apparently John is overwhelmed with what he is witnessing.
In verse 2 this Angel cries mightily and with a strong voice. Using two strong words such as mightily and strong is meant to give us an image of great magnitude of this scene.
The proclamation goes forth “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen!” Evidently the place that this Babylon holds is of great significance in the earth. In fact the average Joe is usually in the dark concerning what is really happening in the world and the positioning of wealth and power that would boggle the mind if given a firsthand look at it!
This Babylon is the habitation of devils and foul spirits. It is also the cage of every unclean and hateful bird which is symbolic of murderous spirits that roost there. This is apparently one foul place to live, yet it has such great power in the earth!
In verse 3 we have a reiteration of the whore. At the end of chapter 17 it was revealed that she is the great city. Bringing it over to this chapter we are talking about the same thing.
Notice the wine of her fornication as well as the rulers of the earth committing this fornication while seeking after the wine. In our world today the wine discussed here is oil that is driving this fornication.
The wine of her “wrath” is being used here in the King James Version, however the Greek rendering relates to her passion! The merchants of the earth have been made rich due to her “delicacies” or another word for this is “indulgences.” She is wealthy and lusts for everything the merchants can produce.
In verse 4 a voice from heaven proclaims that God’s people need to vacate this place due to the plagues that are about to be unleashed against her. God’s people could be a reference to the Jews who are primarily the focus during the Tribulation period; however there will also be Christians during this period, so it encompasses both.
As with Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his family were taken out of these cities before the destruction they encountered by the wrath of God, God does not want His people to experience His wrath.
In verse 5 the sins and iniquities caused by this City have reached into Heaven and the wages of sin is death without the redemptive work of the Cross of Jesus Christ.
Verse 6 speaks of the reward or payday that this Babylon is to receive. Always keep in mind that a full account of our actions is kept in the archives of Heaven. Everyone who has been born and/or born Again will receive their reward in the end result. The reward that this Babylon is to receive is payment and even double for all the pain it has caused in the earth.
Notice the cup she has filled is a reference to sowing and reaping; Galatians 6:7-8 clarify this. Seedtime and Harvest is a law found in Genesis chapter eight.
Verse 7 talks of her pride and arrogance reiterating as much as she has lived sumptuously and thumbed her nose at God, she will reap the same measure of punishment. Jesus stated in Matthew 7:2 ‘that whatever measure you use to give out it will come back to you in the same measure.’
Great is this city’s sin, so great is the measure of punishment to be given back to her!
Verse 8 is a description of the judgment to come upon her. There will be death, mourning that accompanies death, famine and burning with fire.
This destruction points to a nuclear holocaust, which we will discuss further as we examine who this great city is and the threats against her. Notice, this all takes place in one day, which could be a reference to a quick and complete destruction or a very short duration of time.
Information found in the book of Isaiah and the Eastern view of these passages reveal this great city or the whore to be:
Saudi Arabia!
