Daily Thought

The repetition of ‘is fallen’ in verse 2, and the phrase ‘after these things’ concerning ‘Mystery Babylon’ of chapter 17, indicate that the fall of commercial and political Babylon predicted here will occur later in the tribulation than that of religious Babylon, which will perish at its mid-point at the Beast’s hands. Chapter 16 verse 19 states that the city will be destroyed by God in the seventh bowl judgement, the final earthquake of the tribulation. This chapter confirms that it will be destroyed in a literal hour. Zechariah chapter 5 predicts that the centre of commercial wickedness will return to ‘the land of Shinar’, Babylon. Therefore, while religious Babylon will be a worldwide system based in Rome, commercial Babylon will probably be centred in a rebuilt city of Babylon in Mesopotamia.

Babylon’s sin is spiritual fornication, the misuse of divine truth for selfish ends. In verse 4, a voice from heaven calls all God’s people to separate from her, lest they share her judgement. We, too, should separate from all moral and spiritual evil. By the end of the tribulation Babylon’s sins will demand summary punishment, for which she is quite unprepared. All the kings of the earth, the merchants, and sailors will stand aghast at her sudden calamity, and helplessly lament the loss of their livelihoods. Their lost merchandise will include many luxury products, and, sadly in last place, the bodies and souls of men. Yes, slavery will be rife, and life cheap, during the tribulation.

By contrast, the inhabitants of heaven will rejoice that God has at last punished Babylon for ill-treating so many of God’s servants. In fulfilment of Jeremiah chapter 51 verses 60 to 64, a mighty angel will cast Babylon like a millstone into the sea, so that all normal life in her will forever cease. The Old Testament fall of Babylon in 539 BC did not fulfil these verses. Thus the Lord will prepare the way for the introduction of His true bride, the Lamb’s wife, the church of Christ, from heaven. But what great judgements will be necessary before we are united with our Saviour in glory! How serious this world’s sins are!Reader, be warned; leave the world’s side at once, and trust in Christ, who is our Deliverer from the coming wrath!