7 And the angel said unto me, Why didst thou wonder [marvel]? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not, and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition; and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. 10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. 11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. 12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, who have received no kingdom as yet, but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them; for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings, and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. 15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot [whore] sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the harlot [whore], and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. 18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
1, 2 One of the angels who had the seven vials came and talked with John saying, "Come, I will show unto you the judgment of the great harlot (pornes from porne - whore; one who sells herself for sexual purposes) that sits upon many waters; with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication (eporneusan from porneuo - practiced immorality) and the inhabitants (katoidountes from katoikeo - dwellers; those who reside) of the earth have been made drunk (emethusthesan from methuo - intoxicated) with the wine of her fornication."
Technically the word pornes is from the words perao, pernemi = to sell. Of the many times fornication is used in the Bible especially in the Old Testament it has to do with spiritual fornication (harlotry) (Ezekiel 16, 23; all of Hosea). The evil inhabitants of the earth, as well as their kings have committed spiritual adultery with the evil woman; they all will be judged by a righteous God Who tolerates no rivalry. "The great whore or harlot rules and dominates the nations religiously, as the Beast does politically...The Beast first destroys the woman, then flushed with victory and intoxicated with power madly and impiously leads on his armies against the Lamb and His militant host" (Scott, pp. 341, 342). Tucker (p. 346) sees in these verses a fulfillment of some of the psalms. He cites Psalm 83:1 - 3 which reads, "Keep not thou silence, O God; hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult, and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones." He further states that in Psalm 110 the enemies are subjected to Christ and made His footstool. Psalm 110:1, 2, 6, 7 read, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion; rule thou in the midst of thine enemies...He shall judge among the nations [heathen]; he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. He shall drink of the brook in the way; therefore shall he lift up the head. " "John and David saw the same confederation, the same 'head' over the countries in the confederation, and the judgment of the Lord upon the 'head' and the confederates" (op. cit., p. 347).
Idolatry began at the tower of Babel when the people sought to raise a tower toward heaven, an attempt by their own works to obtain heaven and salvation. God's Word calls the use of images, the building of high places and sensualities in worship contrary to the Bible - harlotry or whoredom. Idolatry and rites of fornication in a religious setting are nothing more than spiritual harlotry or adultery. God's wrath will descend upon such hypocrisy.
3 John writes of being carried away in the spirit (not bodily) into a wilderness and there he saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet- (kokkinon from kikkinos - crimson-) colored beast which was full of names of blasphemy; the beast had seven heads and ten horns. The evil woman, Babylon (verse 5) is associated with the Beast of Revelation 13:1 - 10 in terms of politics, commerce, godless philosophy and worship. Here John gets a little preview of the godless alliance which the Beast will make with this evil institution (woman) the middle of the week when he reappears. The "names of blasphemy" intimate many and varied forms of rebellion and self-will against God.
4, 5 The woman is gaudily arrayed in purple and scarlet and decked out (kechrusomene from chrusoo - bedecked; adorned; covered) with gold, precious stones and pearls. She also had a golden cup in her hand which was full of abominations (bdelugmaton from bdelugma - disgust; hatred; detestable) and filthiness (akatharta from akathartos - foul; unclean) of her fornication. Abominations refer to idolatry (II Kings 23:13; Isaiah 44:19; Ezekiel 16:36) and fornication to gross corruption (Revelation 2:21; 9:21). Upon her forehead was the name MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Why is the harlot spoken of as "mystery?" Just as our Lord is the "mystery of godliness" so Satan has his "mystery of iniquity" (II Thessalonians 2:7). The reason for the woman's voluptuous appearance may indicate evidence of personal insecurity and bad taste. She represents or exemplifies the epitome of depravity in economic, political, philosophical, moral, theological, cultural, psychological and aesthetic senses; she represents error and is confusion personified. Daniel, the prophet, writes of "the abomination that makes desolate" in Daniel 9:27. Our Lord in Matthew 24:15, 16 speaks, "When ye, therefore, shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place...then let them who are in Judaea flee into the mountains;..." Jesus speaks of him as a person. Yeager thinks that the rider on the white horse of Revelation 6:1, 2 will become 'the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel' (p. 316).
6 John saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When John saw her, he was stricken with wonder (thauma - marvel; awe; amazement). "The wonder probably rose from the strange alliance of the woman with the wild beast. It was not wonderful to see the vision of a wild beast or monster dealing out death and slaughter; but to see a woman allied with the monster and drunken with the blood of the holy, provoked astonishment" (Smith, p. 236). This evil woman will have none of civil rights; she will kill all who disagree or oppose her. Whenever she has her way, she will destroy all that is Christian and Christ-like. The early Christians paid for their faith by giving their lives. Any where freedom of thought and expression is not allowed, the religious bigots try to destroy the worshipers and servants of Christ.
7, 8 The angel inquired of John as to why he wondered (ethaumasas from maumazo - marveled) and gave John a further explanation. He was further told by the angel the mystery of the beast which had seven heads and ten horns. The beast was (en - existed and then was not (estin ouk - did not exist), in other words, he was killed; placed in the bottomless pit and then he was to ascend (anabainein from anabaino - arise) from the bottomless pit and go into perdition (apoleian from apoleia - destruction; damnation). All those inhabitants of the earth whose names are not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will wonder as they behold the beast who was and was killed and yet is present (parestai from para + eimi - to be here; that is, lived again). The unsaved of the earth during the tribulation will be amazed at the death and then the sudden appearance of the beast. "Verse 10 contains the details that explain the material in verse 8. The time point is that of the sixth beast (of eight) and thus is the time of the second seal (Revelation 6:3, 4). The beast in question who supports Babylon will have already appeared as the White Horse Rider (Revelation 6:1, 2). He was (en) but (adversive kai) he is not now present (at this point in time of the text), having been killed (Revelation 13:3, 14). But (adversative kai) he will soon arise from the abyss (Revelation 9:11) and appear as the Beast of Revelation 13:1 - 10. But (adversative kai) after 42 months (Revelation 13:5) he will go to destruction (Revelation 19:20)" (Yeager, p. 322). With the death and resurrection of the Beast, Satan will have counterfeited the death and resurrection of our Lord. The saved would not be awe stricken, but the unsaved will believe the "strong delusion" as referred to in II Thessalonians 2:9 - 12. Paul wrote, "Even (the wicked one) coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe the [a] lie, that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." Of course the saved of the earth at that time will not believe the lies of Satan because they have been sealed by the Holy Spirit. 9 - 11 And here is the mind of wisdom; that is, the angel is about to explain the mystery surrounding the woman and the beast. The angel wanted John and his readers to know for sure what was meant by the seven heads and ten horns. Whenever the Bible speaks in symbols and the symbols are identified, the reader is duty bound to accept the symbolism. (Too many commentators want to make everything in Revelation to be symbolic, but the conscientious readers must exercise care in the identification of symbols; that is, of seeing symbols in everything and on every page). John and his readers are about to hear direct from the angel the symbolic implication in verses 7, 8. The seven heads of the beast on which the woman sits are symbolic of seven mountains and the ten horns of the beast represent ten kings. There are (or will be) seven kings, five have already been in power and/or have fallen, and now at the present time (as the angel speaks) one exists or reigns; however, the other king has not yet come; and when he comes he must continue a short space. All of this has to do with the history of Israel.
It is advisable to go back to Daniel and his four beasts of Daniel 7; the double imagery of Daniel 2, 7, and 8 demands that Daniel supply information that is applicable to end times. The first beast was like a lion and represented Babylon dominated by Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:38; 7:4), the second beast was like a bear and represented Medo - Persia under Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian (Daniel 2:39a; 7:5), the third beast was like a leopard and represented Greece under Alexander the Great (Daniel 2:39a; 7:6), the fourth beast was a nondescript beast but one who represented Rome under its imperial Caesars (Daniel 2:40; 7:7). After these four world powers Israel was not dominated by a world power even until now. Israel has been dispersed to the countries of the world and to the islands of the sea. In our generation, however, we have seen Israel flocking back to Palestine by the airplane loads and ship loads to claim her territory promised to her by Jehovah God's covenant which He made to Abraham and confirmed with Isaac, Jacob and their descendants. Since Israel has not been dominated by a world power since Rome, when will she suffer such domination and persecution? There have been over the years and there are today a multitude of answers by various commentators. The logical answer to that question, however, is that during the tribulation there will be at least three further powers (rulers, forces) who will endeavor to subject Israel to its domination. Who are the other kings or rulers?
So far as Israel is concerned God's time clock stopped after Rome fell, and in His dealing with Israel His time clock will not start again until the tribulation begins. So there is a gap of at least some 1500 years (from 476 A. D. to the present - 2000) so far as Israel is concerned. Luke writes of Israel's dispersion and persecution. Luke 21:24 reads, "And (the Jews) shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." Not until 1948 did the Jews have a homeland, and even now (2000) she is shedding her life's blood for every inch of territory she can get. Since Rome lost her power as a dominating nation, Jerusalem has been and will continue to be overrun by the Gentiles until Jesus comes to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. It is true time has continued so far as the Gentiles are concerned. During this time the gospel has been preached mainly to the Gentiles, and Paul writes in Romans 11: 25 that the eyes of the Jews have been blinded until the fullness of the Gentiles come in. The history so far as the Israelites are concerned will begin again when the tribulation begins. The fifth ruler will be the Rider of the White Horse (Revelation 6:1, 2) who supposedly will usher in peace under the guise and pretense (establishing a covenant with Israel), but after three years and one-half years he will show his true colors and subject Israel to the worst kind of persecution as "the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet (Daniel 9:27a);" the sixth ruler will be the Rider of the Red Horse (Revelation 6:3, 4); the seventh ruler will be the Riders of the Black Horse (Revelation 6:5, 6). So this takes care of the seven kings. Note however, five have fallen (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and the Rider of White Horse Rider), and one is the rider of the Red Horse. There will be one more (the Rider of the Pale Horse). In verse 11 John writes that the beast that was (the Rider of the White Horse that is not); he has already been killed in point of time (Revelation 17:10). John writes, however, there will be an eighth ruler. Who will this be? The eighth ruler will be one of the seven (verse 11); that is, the Rider of the White Horse who will be resurrected from the grave and arise from the abyss, the bottomless pit. Satan has the power to raise the Antichrist from the grave and perdition in his attempt to duplicate what Jehovah God has done in resurrecting the true Christ from the grave. The perdition and destruction of the reign of this last ruler will take place at the commencement of the millennial reign of our Lord vividly described in Chapter 19:17 - 21.
Beale quotes several authors (Hengstenberg, Seiss, Ladd, Walvoord and Dusterdieck) of the past who saw the first five kings, who 'have fallen,' as identified with Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece; Rome is the one who 'is' followed by a yet unknown kingdom to come (p. 874). Rome came into existence about 753 B. C., still existed in John's day and until 476 A. D. Satan will revive the (Roman) empire, and then stamp his own character upon it. 12, 13 The ten horns which John saw are symbolic of the kings (joined in a confederacy) who have received no kingdom as yet, but receive power (exousian from exousia - authority) as kings one hour (mian horan - a specific time) with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These kings here are puppet kings under the dominion of the Beast. These ten kings are not identified and nor identifiable as yet. They will be made known when the time arrives. Some have speculated that they are ten kings arising from the old Roman Empire in Europe or the European Common Market (European Union). Their activity is further explained in verses 14 - 17. They will be under the control of the Beast to such an extent that they will permit him to govern them completely - one mind (mian gnomen - one purpose); economically, socially, politically and militarily these ten kings will be under the Beast. Ultimately Satan, the Beast, the False Prophet and all ten of these puppet kings will be destroyed by the Lamb of God.
14, 15 These (Satan, the Beast, the False Prophet and these ten puppet kings) will make war (polemesousin from polemeo - wage war; fight) with the Lamb of God; however, the Lamb will overcome (nikesei from nikao - conquer; prevail over) them for He is the Lord of lords and King of kings, and they (the tribulation saints) that are with him are called, and chosen (eklektoi from eleckos - elected; selected) and faithful (Romans 8:29, 30). Psalm 2:1, 2, 4, 6 will be fulfilled which read, "Why do the heathen (nations) rage, and the peoples imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed...He who sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision...Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion." The angel said to John the waters which you saw where the harlot sits are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. Here waters are symbolic of the multitudinous dupes who are deceived by Satan's "mystery of iniquity" (II Thessalonians 2:7). The waters are symbolic of the confused, tumultuous, ever-changing national and political life of which all history is the amazing picture, and out of which oppressive and persecuting monarchies, as well as disorderly democracies, have arisen (Smith, p. 241). These ten puppet kings will lead their peoples, nations and dialects to bow down and worship Satan.
16 - 18 The ten puppet kings will manifest their hatred (misesousin from miseo - show despite; contempt) toward the harlot and shall make her desolate (eremomenen from eremoo - lay her waste) and naked, and shall eat (phagontai from esthio - devour; feast upon) her fleshs (plural) - that is, the abundance of her wealth and all she gloried in is devoured by her late admirers; now her bitterest enemies - (James 5:3) and burn her with fire. This will be accomplished because God has put in their hearts to fulfill his will (execute His plan), and to agree, and to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. All the time the Beast is attacking and destroying religious Babylon, they are permitted to do this by the direct will of Jehovah God. "God put it into the hearts of these godless little politicians (1) to carry out His battle plan, (2) to agree among themselves to do so, and (3) to yield their political influence to the Beast until Babylon is destroyed. Thus God moves godless men about on the chess board of history and makes the wrath of men to praise Him (Romans 9:17; Psalm 76:10). God was the indirect Agent for the destruction of Babylon, but He used men as direct agents" (Yeager, p. 335). The harlot whom John saw is that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth. Here the reader is shown that the evil woman is symbolic of that great city (megale polis -megalopolis). The reference to tthe kings eating up the flesh of the harlot may mean "they shall appropriate all of her riches" (Criswell, Vol. IV, p. 289). Chapter 18 will show the fall of political Babylon.
EXCURSUS - E
In his carefully documented book entitled The Two Babylons, the author Alexander Hislop traces the relationship existing between ancient Babylon and the doctrines and practices of the harlot system called, Mystery Babylon. Henry Ironside (p. 287 - 295) also traces its development from Nimrod, the grandson of Ham, the unworthy son of Noah. He draws a parallel between the false religion of Babylon and the imagery of the queen of heaven. Linked to this false doctrine are such teaching of baptismal regeneration, purgatory, salvation by countless sacraments, extreme unction, idol processions, the rosary, sprinklings of holy water (although many of these are common in Roman Catholicism, they are carry-overs from earlier pagan rites), the offering of round cakes to the queen of heaven as mentioned in Jeremiah, dedication of virgins to the gods, sanctified prostitution, weeping for Tammuz (Greek Adonis) (Ezekiel 8:14) and other false doctrines.
Some are quick to make Mystery Babylon, the Mother of Harlots the Roman Catholic Church; however, the mystery of iniquity was already at work long before the birth of the Roman Catholic Church (in the third or fourth century A. D.). Soon after the prophecy of Jehovah God to Eve when He stated that her seed would bruise the head of the serpent and his (Satan's) seed would bruise the heel of the woman's seed (Genesis 3:15), Satan has gone about the business of counterfeiting everything that God has done. Satan was behind the building of the tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1 - 9) in which the people simply built the tower for the purpose of reaching heaven by their own merits or their own good works. There are in the histories of many countries a mother and the miraculous birth of a child and the death of that child (the deification of the child) who was to be recognized as somewhat of a savior - Assyria, Egypt, Greece, and other countries. Even in countries of the Orient have a woman's promised seed as a savior. In Babylon the wife of Nimrod sought to deify her husband and the son (Zero-asta) born to their relationship. Doubtless the religion of Zoroaster evolved from this mother/son relationship as his father Nimrod sought to establish the sciences of magic and astronomy to his son.
Many of the festivals celebrated in Christian nations may have a pagan background. Among those are Christmas day, lady day, Easter, the Nativity of St. John and the Feast of the Assumption. The most familiar to English-speaking peoples are Christmas day and Easter. The celebration of these days go back to the Romish and Babylonian systems. Although Christians celebrate Christmas with the birth of the Savior, it is a well-known assumption that Jesus was not born anywhere near December 25. Incidently the date of December 25 as the birth date of the Savior was not accepted as a general practice until the third century A. D. Easter, in pagan cultures, is nothing more than the honoring of Astarte, one of the titles of Beltis, the queen of heaven. The name is found on Assyrian monuments as Ishtar. The "hot cross buns" of Good Friday and the dyed eggs of Pasch or Easter Sunday figure in the Chaldean rites just as they do now in English-speaking countries. The "buns" known by that identical name were used in the worship of the queen of heaven, the goddess Easter which Jeremiah condemns. The prophet (Jeremiah 7:18) wrote, "The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke (Jehovah) to anger." Other passages can be found in Jeremiah 44:17, 18, 20, 25 condemning the making of cakes to the queen of heaven.
9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived luxuriously [deliciously] with her, shall bewail (mourn) her, and lament (beat their breasts) for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgment come. 11 And the merchants (importers/exporters) of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise (cargo) any more: 12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all kinds [manner] of vessels of ivory, and all kinds of vessels of most precious wood, and of bronze [brass], and iron, and marble, 13 And cinnamon, and incense [odors], and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and cattle [beasts], and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves (bodies), and souls of men. 14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after (longed for) are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty (skin lotions) and sumptuous [goodly] (shining gorgeous clothing) are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and bedecked [decked] with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nothing [nought]. And every shipmaster (pilot; steersman), and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city? 19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! For in one hour is she made desolate (laid waste).
20 Rejoice (Make merry) over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you (settled your account) on her. 21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence (suddenness) shall that great city, Babylon, be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. 22 And the voice of harpers, and minstrels [musicians], and of flute players [pipers], and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman (builder), of whatever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; 23 And the light of a lamp [candle] shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee; for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries (black magic; witchcraft) were all nations deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
1, 2 John uses the usual connecting words "after these things" (meta tauta), he then was revealed other things. He saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power (exousian from exousia - authority), and the earth was lightened (ephotisthe from ephotizo - illuminated) with his glory. So resplendent was the angel's appearance that the earth was "lightened with his glory;" probably indicating his greatness and the greatness of his mission. The end of the tribulation week nears. The material following this chapter consists of the Second Coming of our Lord. The angel's message was concerning Babylon, the great city; it is fallen, is fallen (he repeats what was said in 14:8 where the prophecy is given). In this passage the actual falling of Babylon takes place. John visualized the event; is fallen, is fallen is repeated probably for intensity. Babylon is fallen (epesen from pipto - failed physically and morally). It has also become the habitation (katoiketerion from kata + oiketerion - dwelling place) of devils (demons), and the hold (phulake - prison; ward; detention) of every foul (akathartou from akathartos - filthy) spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful (memisemenou from misoo - despised) bird (orneou from orneon - fowl of revulsion; scavenger). "As the unclean bird avoids the human habitations, and is found, rather, in localities where corruption and all hideous things abound, so the unclean spirits may be supposed to haunt the same; as if driven to and imprisoned by that element which is most in keeping with their own uncleanness" (Smith, p. 246). The angel used the most repulsive words to describe what is about to happen to Babylon. She is going to undergo judgment for what is so repulsive and repugnant to a holy and righteous God. Herein the reader can visualize how God views unforgiven sin and those who enjoy themselves in their hateful activities. Isaiah must have prophesied of this time (13:20, 21), "...Wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures, and ostriches [owls] shall dwell there, and he-goats [satyrs] shall dance there. And the wild beasts of the coastlands [islands] shall cry in their desolate houses, and jackals [dragons] in their pleasant palaces; and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged."
3, 4 Babylon deserves destruction because all nations have drunk the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich (eploutesan from ploueo - made wealthy) through the abundance of her delicacies (strenous - excesses; over indulgences). Babylon because of her world-wide influence has majored in sin, error and debauchery, so the nations and the kings who have engaged in these sins with her will suffer the same destruction and condemnation. Yeager thinks that "Babylon's economic domination of the world, coupled with the present
(1984) world dependence upon petroleum for power would seem to suggest that Babylon is not Rome, but some Arab city, perhaps not yet built, nearer to the center of the Middle East oil fields" (p. 340). Since the rise of Saddam Hussein, could his great empire of Iraq foster such a city as a rebuilt Babylon in the area of the Tigris-Euphrates river valley? He seems to be rebuilding the old city of Babylon which was so prominent under Nebuchadnezzar. John heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people (laos mou), that ye be not partaker of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Are some of the people living in Babylon God's people; are they saved and still living in the ungodly city? Evidently so! There are similar incidents in other Scriptures, such as Genesis 19:15, 16 where Lot was admonished to take his family and leave Sodom before God rained down fire and brimstone upon it. Isaiah (48:20) writes concerning Israel, "Go forth from Babylon, flee from the Chaldeans; with a voice of singing declare, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say: The Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob." The Apostle Paul may have had such an admonition in mind in II Corinthians 6:17 when he wrote, "Wherefore, come out from among (the unbelievers and unrighteous ones), and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." The apostle also wrote in Ephesians 5:11, "...Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but, rather, reprove them."
5, 6 The sins of Babylon had reached (ekollethesan from kollaomai - as a united force; as a cemented unit came; clave together) unto heaven, and God remembered (emnemoneusen from mnemoneuo - was mindful of) her iniquities (adikemata from adikema - unrighteous acts; transgression of law). Reward (apodote from apodiodomi - give back; pay back) Babylon even as she rewarded you, and double (diplosate from diploo - multiply by two) unto her double according to her works: in the cup, which she has filled fill (ekerasen kerasate from kerannmi - mix the drink and pour it out) to her double. Goodspeed translates this verse with the phrase - "Pay her back in her own coin." There may be a parallel in Psalm with verse 6a, the Psalmist (137:8) wrote (LXX), "Blessed (is he who) will give back the recompense to [Babylon], which you have given back to [Israel]. The Revelator used the word "double" three times for emphasis. Can not a righteous and just God reward two- or three-fold according to His omniscient knowledge of the severity of the sins? The greater knowledge of the sinner the greater his punishment will be. Jehovah God rewards and punishes according to the knowledge of the sinner.
7, 8 Since Babylon has glorified herself and lived in luxury (estreniasen from sterniao - in wantonness; in pleasure; in intemperance) so much torment (basanismon from basanismos - torture) and sorrow (penthos - mourning) give to her; for she said in her heart, "I sit (kathemai - dwell) a queen, and am no widow (chera - bereft over the loss of a husband), and shall see no sorrow. Isaiah had already prophesied concerning Babylon, (47:8), "Therefore, hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest securely, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children." To the degree that Babylon feels her self-sufficiency, her supreme confidence and her lack of depravity she will receive the more punishment. Jehovah God hates self-sufficiency, self-confidence and lack of humility. Because of her groundless optimism she shall receive plagues (plagai from plege - smitings; wounds; beatings) all in one day or suddenly; a gradual destruction will not be her lot. She will experience death, mourning, famine (limos - hunger; dearth) and burning with fire because Jehovah God is strong (ischuros - mighty) to judge her. Jehovah is God Almighty (EL SHADDAI).
9, 10 The dirge or lamentation over Babylon is taken up by all classes, for all are affected by God's judgment. The mighty men such as the kings of the earth who have committed fornication and lived luxuriously with Babylon shall bewail (klausousin from klaio - weep for) her and lament (kopsontai from kopto - strike their breasts in grief; mourn) for her when they shall see the smoke of her burning (puroseos from purosis - destruction by fire). They will stand afar off (makrothen - at a distance) for the fear of her torment. They will cry out, alas (ouai -woe), alas (ouai - woe), that great city Babylon that mighty city! For in one hour is her judgment (krinis - condemnation) come. It could be that this is the great city that Nebuchadnezzar bragged about building in Daniel 4:30, Nebuchadnezzar said, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?" One is reminded of the vivid scene depicted in Ezekiel 26:15, 16 concerning Tyre, "Thus saith the Lord God to Tyre: Shall not the coastlands [isles] shake at the sound of thy fall, when the wounded cry, when the slaughter is made in the midst of thee? Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and put off their embroidered [broidered] garments; they shall clothe themselves with trembling; they shall sit upon the ground, and shall tremble at every moment, and be appalled [astonished] at thee."
11 - 13 John writes that the merchants (emoproi - importers/exporters) of the earth shall weep and mourn over Babylon, for no man buys her merchandise (gomon from gomos - cargo) any more. Yeager states, "Merchant mariners are sad because their capital is invested in an inventory that no one will buy, since the Beast and his puppet kings have destroyed Babylon and evidently ordered a boycott on all her goods. Though the merchants, who will have the mark of the Beast had been able to buy in Babylon, now they cannot sell, not because they do not have his mark but because they cannot find a buyer. Thus they are bankrupt. Not that it should make any difference to them. They are all going to hell very soon" (p. 349). Then all of Babylon's wares are mentioned - gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple, silk, scarlet, all thyine wood (thuinon from thuinos - from a tree used for incense), vessels of ivory, vessels of precious wood, of bronze (brass), iron, marble, cinnamon, odors (amomon - ointment), frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, chariots, slaves (somaton from soma - bodies) and last of all the souls of men. Babylon has trafficked in the bodies and souls of mankind. "Thyine wood was an expensive dark wood imported from North Africa and used for costly furniture and inlay work. Its unusual ornamental veining resembled at times the eyes of the peacock's tail or the stripes or spots of wild animals" (Mounce, p. 330). Smith writes of the elegance and splendor of the trafficking in various goods thus, "The objects of Oriental traffic were splendid and trifling; silk, a pound of which was esteemed not inferior in value to a pound of gold; precious stones, among which the pearl claimed the first rank after the diamond; and a variety of aromatics, that were consumed in religious worship and the pomp of funerals (p. 251).
14 - 16 Besides this wide variety of products the fruits (opora - ripened fruits from trees; harvest) that their souls lusted (epithumias from epithumia - desired; longed for) after are departed from them; all things which were dainty (lipara from liparos - skin lotions) and sumptuous (lampra from lampros - shining gorgeous clothing) are departed from Babylon, and she shall find them no more at all. Her merchants who were made rich by Babylon shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing. All that they lusted after, all they expected to harvest would never be enjoyed; all would go up in smoke. One is reminded of the parable of our Lord (Matthew 7:24 - 27) concerning the two men who built their houses. The wise builder built his house upon a stable (rock) foundation, while the other, the foolish man, built his house on sinking sand. The Babylonians built their future on sinking sand. The merchants were disappointed with the results of the judgment on Babylon.
17 - 19 The rapidity and the severity of the judgment was astounding to those looking on. All their great riches came to nothing. The ship masters (kubernetes - the pilots; the steersmen), everyone who had an interest in the ships, and the sailors (pleon from pleo - those who sail from any port) saw their livelihood go up in smoke. They exclaimed, "What city is like unto this great city?" Showing their grief and dismay they cast dust on their heads, wept, and wailed, saying Alas, alas, that great city in which everyone was made rich (eploutesan from plouteo - had abundance) all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness (timiotetos - abundance)! For in one hour is she made desolate (eremothe from eremoo - laid waste).
20, 21 The angel calls all of heaven, the holy apostles and prophets to rejoice (euphrainou from euphraino - make merry) over the fact that Babylon has fallen. Jehovah God has avenged (ekrinen from krino - passed judgment; settled the account) of Babylon and her unrighteous acts. God has always and will always avenge his chosen people. Deuteronomy 32:43 reads, "Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people; for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people." As an object lesson a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea with a voice saying, "Thus with violence (hormemati from hormema - with rushing impulse; suddenness) shall that great city, Babylon, be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all (ou me eurethe eti)." The angel uses a double negative thus intensifying God's action upon Babylon. No one by searching can ever find the remains of Babylon again. Words could hardly be stronger. The words "no more" and "any more" in verses 21 - 23 toll out, like a funeral death knell, the perpetual desolation of the city. Jeremiah 51:60 - 64 will definitely be fulfilled in the end time.
22 - 24 The Revelator emphasizes the silence of the harlot city. To show the inactivity of the area where Babylon was once located, the absence of several activities are noted - musical instruments will cease (harpers, minstrels [musicians], flute players [pipers] and trumpeters. Craftsmen's (technites - builders) tools will be silent. Women will no longer grind grain to feed hungry families. There will be no homes that need lighting. There will be no more joyful celebrations for those marrying and giving in marriage. The merchants will no longer peddle their wares; their sorceries (pharmakeia - mixers of drugs to practice black magic; witchcraft) will cease to deceive (eplanethesan from planao - seduce; lead astray) the nations. "Babylon, the entertainer; Babylon the manufacturer and Babylon the food producer is destroyed" (Yeager, p. 365). Why is God so intent to destroy Babylon? Because Babylon shed the blood of prophets and saints and all that were slain (esphagmenon from sphagzo - slaughtered) upon the earth. Summers states that the three major things in Babylon's life that are affected: (1) amusement life, (2) business life, and (3) home life (pp. 194, 195). All of the inactivity that shall take place in Babylon reminds one of the "ghost-town" of Chernobyl, Ukraine in the former Soviet Union (Russia).
"My hand now scoops up Babylon,
Her walls and all that a city fair,
Her jewels, arms, and heart of stone
I toss into the careless air.
She ruled, bent nations to her ire,
Nor hosts of slain could slake her lust,
Until a Vengeful Hand of fire
Gripped hard, reduced her to this dust.
I turn, struck numb with fear and shame:
Is it mere fancy that a Hand
Throttles with fingertips of flame
The towers of my own proud land?"
John Ackerson
| Introduction & Bibliography | Rev. 1-2 | Rev. 3-4 |
| Rev. 5-6 | Rev. 7-8 | Rev. 9-10 |
| Rev. 11-12 | Rev. 13-14 | Rev. 15-16 |
| Rev. 17-18 | Rev. 19-20 | Rev. 21-22 |
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