1-3
Chapter 18 is a continuation of God’s final judgment upon the idolatrous world system of Babylon.
It begins with another angel illuminating the now darkened (due to the fifth bowl judgment) sky.
The angel speaks of Babylon as if it has already fallen and foretells how it will be utterly destroyed with nothing able to inhabit it but demons and birds of prey.
He talks of how all the political and corporate leaders of the earth have been seduced by this worldwide system of great wealth and seeming prosperity.
4-8
John then hears another voice, presumably God, calling his people (those who have accepted Christ during this period) to separate themselves from this world system that they may not share in its destruction.
For the stubborn, unrepentant Babylon will not receive the same grace, the same mercy as those who have humbled themselves before God.
No, in fact the angel will call for the opposite of mercy for this sinful world system. “Repay her double,” he asks of God, “In the measure that she has glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow!”
“She will be utterly burned with fire,” he says, “for strong is the Lord God who judges her.”
This judgment will be quick and complete.
9-19
All the leading politicians of the world who gained their great power from this one-world political system will weep as they watch this great “city” burn.
The chief financial officers of the world will also mourn over the downfall of the system that gave them such great wealth, for there will be no one left to buy their expensive wares – gold and silver, silk and scarlet, ivory, bronze and marble.
Even the ship captains will weep and wail as the world system which gave them such a lucrative business goes up in smoke.
All the riches, all the power, all the pleasantries of this world – gone!
20-24
The angel then exhorts the martyred saints of the tribulation to rejoice, because God’s righteousness has prevailed!
Then another might angel takes up a millstone and throws it in the sea, symbolizing the violence with which the city will be overthrown.
He goes on to detail how nothing will be the same as it was before, after the seal, trumpet and bowl judgments have been rendered.
All the unspeakable acts that have been committed by the Antichrist’s world system against God’s people will be revealed and avenged.
Final Thoughts
In this chapter, we see the final destiny of any and all those who not only deny, but make war with Christ. It is embodied in the utter destruction of the Antichrist and his blasphemous “kingdom.”
Things today can look mighty grim for us as Christians, for righteousness itself. Evil is everywhere and growing by the day, but make no mistake, God will avenge the atrocities committed against His name.
In the end, Christ will reign supreme!!