Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her! Revelation 18:20

Revelation 17:1–18:24 – The Book of Revelation: Worship. Obey. Endure.
Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost/Reformation Day (Observed) – October 30, 2022 (am)

We’re entering into the final turn before the home stretch in our study in Rev.This morning we’re engaging with the initiation of the final judgment of God on this world order before heading into the Millennial Kingdom and the final judgment of His image-bearing creatures, then the new heavens and new earth. And once again, I believe we’ll see some things here that help us a great deal to understand this world we live in and to interpret what we’re seeing happen in it.

C.17 opens with a vision of the great prostitute (1), Babylon the great (5), sitting on a scarlet beast (3). And the rest of the chapter interprets these symbols (much of which recalls c.13). C.18 then is a lament or dirge grieving the prostitute’s death. It was one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls (1) who introduces this vision. Later, the Bride is also introduced by this angel (19:9 [Ladd 250]), which seems to underscore the contrast between these two women—the prostitute and the Bride. Some have said that Rev. could be titled, A Tale of Two Cities: The Prostitute and the Bride. And don’t forget that God’s people were already presented as a woman in c.12. Let’s walk through this passage in two parts.

Vision: The Religious & Political Ruin of Babylon – 17:1-18

The Vision – 1-6

Throughout Scripture, the prostitute is used as an image of foolishness, folly, cunning, unfaithfulness, danger, and more (cf. Pro.1-9ff.). It has also been used to describe other cities or peoples: Jerusalem (Eze.16), Nineveh (Nah.3:4), Tyre (Isa.23:16-17). Here the prostitute turns out to be Rome, citadel of pagan opposition to the cause of Christ and, in principle, every opponent of similar ilk, precisely because of her connection with the beast she rides (Carson 1995).

Her [sitting] on many waters (1) initially creates an image of broadness, a worldwide religious system that’s pictured as a prostitute. It’s later augmented to mean peoples and multitudes and nations and languages (15) whom she leads astray. The mention of the kings of the earth (2) shows the religion/politics link. The overall sense is that anyone religiously or politically aligned with Babylon against the cause of Christ is intrinsically evil. Conversely, Babylon demands allegiance that’s due only to God. So, here Babylon functions as a type of the ultimate malevolence, of Antichrist, of Satan himself. Her blasphemies are an overt affirmation of self-deification (4-5) (Carson 1995). Babylon [is] referred to about 300 times in the Bible[. It] is occasionally viewed as a satanic religious program opposing the true worship of God, but primarily it is viewed as a political power with a great city bearing the name Babylon as its capital. [Revelation brings] together these two major lines of truth about Babylon and [points to] God’s final judgment on [her] (Walvoord 970).

That Babylon, the prostitute, is sitting on a scarlet beast (3), means, in effect that Satan (13:4; cf. 12:9) is underneath all this evil. That the prostitute is drunk with the blood of the saints (6) means that Babylon is responsible for the death of God’s people—she kills Christians because they’re true to Him, not her. When John saw her, he marveled greatly (6); perhaps it shocked him how bad she really is before God—this is, after all, God’s view of Babylon.

The Interpretation – 7-18

We commented on this section when we covered c.13: the mystery (7) revealed. We noted that saying the beast… was, and is not, and is about to rise (8) is a sort of parody of the Lamb, who was and who is and who is to come (cf. 1:4, 8; 4:8)—satanically inspired power that is once defeated then returns to war against God. And that is precisely what causes 8 … the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world [to] marvel [at] the beast, because it was [defeated] and [was] not, [but now] is [returning]. This scene astounds them! It proves to them that the beast is worthy of their worship. That’s what makes them vulnerable to its deception.

In John’s specific context, the major opposition to the church is certainly connected with the Roman Empire (Carson 1995). This is the primary basis for seeing the Roman Empire in these images—this plus Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Dan.2) where the final kingdom includes ten toes of iron and clay, representing kings (Dan.2:40-45), as here. But we also see that 9 … the seven heads of the beast (7) are seven mountains on which the woman is seated, and we pointed out before that Rome is known as the city of seven hills. But, 10 they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come…. We know from Daniel’s vision of the four beasts (Dan.7) that calling them kings could actually mean kingdoms (Ladd 227-228). And it seems quite possible that this is what John means here. The great [prostitute] sits upon a succession of empires. She found her embodiment in historical Babylon, in… first century… Rome, and at the end of the age in eschatological Babylon. This may well be what John intended in speaking about the “mystery of [this] woman” (vs. 7) (Ladd 228).

The beast itself is part of this succession (11). And there will be ten kings (again recalling Dan.7, ten horns [kings], and three displaced by an additional one [Dan.7:7-8]) that are of one mind (13) with it—fully supportive of it, having one aim together. 14 They will make war on the Lamb, [but] the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful. This isn’t an even fight! As with Pharaoh in ancient Egypt, God sovereignly locks in the beast and these kings to the aims within their hearts. We see that spelled out here in vv.16-17 with stunning observations—16 … the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire! The beast will turn against the prostitute! Evil totalitarianism will ultimately destroy itself, cave in on itself, even when it’s wielded by Satan himself with his minions, 17 for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. Our God is sovereign over all things, seen and unseen! He’s not threatened in any way by any of them!

Lament: The Commercial Ruin of Babylon – 18:1-24

Judgment Pronounced – 1-3

1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. 2 And he called out with a mighty voice, quoting Isa.21:9, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, … bird, … and detestable beast, [echoing] the language from the prophecies of the ruin of Babylon, Edom, and Nineveh (Isa.13:19-22; 34:11-15; Jer.50:39; 51:37; Zep.2:15) (Ladd 236). 3 For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, they’ve gratified themselves in the defiling allurements she offers, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, they’ve engaged with her to establish or secure their own prominence, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living, they’ve cashed in on the profitable enticements she offers to all comers, duping them like the seductress in Pro.1-9.”

But now this angel (1) is announcing Babylon’s judgment!

Separation Command – 4-8

4 Then [John] heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues. This language is from Isa.52:11 but it sounds like what we read in 2Co.6:17 (which also draws on Isa.52). 17 Therefore, go out from their midst, and be separate from them says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty. That’s what [God’s] people are hearing here. Don’t get caught up in Babylon’s sins because she will surely be judged!

Then this angel (or perhaps another [Morris 207-208]) turns the address to God Himself (or His ministers of judgment [Morris 208] [cf. 20]) in vv.6-7 (Ladd 238) with an imperative of entreaty (Beale 1999 900), seeking Babylon’s judgment—asking the Lord to 6 … repay her double for her deeds; to mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed. Pay her back in her own coin (neb [in Beale 1999 900]). And a double portion is familiar OT imagery. [It] means punishment in full measure (Isa.40:2; Jer.16:18) (Morris 208) (cf. Jer.17:18).

Lament Expressed – 9-19

Then comes the lament of the fall of Babylon. It’s not sorrowful so much as it’s an affirmation that she’s getting what she deserves. The kings and merchants are lamenting, but this telling is from heaven’s perspective. The reader is being warned where opposing God leads in the end!

But also, look what they’re lamenting, grieving the loss of: 13 cinnamon, spice, [and all such things], cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls—the bodies and souls of men (niv). Babylon doesn’t value human life…. Her judgment will be swift (in a single day [8], in a single hour [10, 17, 19]). And rightly so. Her sin is utterly despicable.

Rejoicing Commanded – 20-24

As the commerce of Babylon falls, the arts fall with it (22). So does all else of joy and true merit. The five-fold no more (21-23) drives that home! But even so, heaven and earth will rejoice (20) at the demise of godless religion, rule, and riches—at the fall of Babylon in every form she’s assumed throughout world history—for she’s been incessantly cruel to God’s people all along (24; cf. 17:6).

But this is no accidental occurrence. It’s been promised throughout Scripture. Consider God’s Word to the prophet Habakkuk regarding future judgment of Babylon: Hab.2:2 … Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. 3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay (niv). Don’t you love that? It will not delay!

Conclusion

So, what does this mean for us today? I find three words of encouragement here.

1. The mark of the Lamb opens our eyes to the ways of the beast. We see that in 17:8 … the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast…. And those whose names have been written in that book will not marvel! That’s the implication. That’s the inheritance of those [who] are called and chosen and faithful (17:14).

2. The Lamb will conquer the beast and those who are with it. Those with the Lamb are known as called and chosen and faithful (17:14). These stand in contrast to the beast with its followers and aides—the prostitute, the ten kings, even the dragon and the false prophet (cf. 16:13). Those who follow the Lamb are in no danger from this mostly crew! They may take our lives in this world, but that just advances us to the next where all such rebellion against the one true God will be no more!

3. What we learn here helps us worship, obey, and endure in our day. It clues us in to the course that evil can take, and helps us not to be so unsettled by it when it does. It helps us see that sin really does make people stupid, just like we read in Pro.12 (1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.) or Psa.92 (6 The stupid man cannot know… 7 that though the wicked sprout like grass…, they are doomed to destruction forever.). We know that pursuing our own will in a world where God exists and holds us accountable leads us to Rom.1:25 … [exchange] the truth about God for a lie and [worship]and [serve] the creature rather than the Creator…. But it can still surprise us when we actually see this happen.

It’s can be hard for us to believe that people today really think human gender is anchored to psychology more than biology, but that is the belief of this age, even among many medical professionals.

It can also be hard for us to believe that people today really think love and marriage should be redefined so that self-expression and -gratification take precedence over human propagation and social enculturation.

But today’s passage tells that this is precisely the sort of reversal of values we can expect to see as Babylon ripens for judgment. These are precisely the sorts of lies for which people will gladly exchange the truth of God. Even if their gratification leads to their destruction, they will continue to pursue it to the point that society as a whole will buy into their self-destructive lie and call it moral enlightenment or awakening (woke). Evil turns in on itself without even noticing. So, long before we face God’s eternal judgment, our fallen human appetite for gratification will lead into self-destruction.

But God’s called and chosen and faithful (17:14) ones are delivered from all of this by His sovereign and gracious salvation. And the judgment that the church triumphant (the saints under the altar [6:9-10]) has been longing for is finally delivered. The voice from heaven (18:4) proclaims: 18:20 Rejoice over [Babylon], O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her! Hear that? God says this judgment is for [us]! This is the God we worship and serve!

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Resources

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                  , ed. 1977. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. The Book of Revelation, by Robert H. Mounce. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

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                  , eds. 1981. Expositor’s Bible Commentary, vol. 13, Hebrews-Revelation. Revelation, by Alan F. Johnson, 571-789. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

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                  , & Roy B. Zuck, eds. 1983. The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Revelation, by John F. Walvoord, 925-991. Wheaton: Victor.

NEXT WEEK’S SERMON: Hallelujah! Revelation 19:1–21