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REVELATION 17-18 (Partial Preterist/Idealist)

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph, etc.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO REVELATION 17:1-18:24

1. These two chapters describe in detail the destruction of "Babylon" whose fall was mentioned earlier in Rev. 14:8 and 16:19, as well as 18:2,21. Each of these occurs in a separate literary unit (12-14), (15-16), and (17-19). This could be another example of parallelism or recapitulation.
   
   
2. The Old Testament background of these two chapters is found in the funeral dirges written to applaud the fall of ancient godless cities:
   1. Babylon (cf. Isa. 13,14,21 and Jer. 50-51)
   2. Tyre (cf. Isaiah 23 and Ezekiel 26-28)
   3. Nineveh (cf. Nahum)
   4. wicked Jerusalem (cf. Isa. 1:1-26; Ezek. 16:51-52)
   
   
3. This concept of a fallen world system that is antagonistic to God is presented in Psalm 2, Daniel 2; 7; 9:24-27; Matthew 24: Mark 13; Luke 21; and 1 John 2:15-20.
   
   
4. Revelation uses OT funeral dirges to describe the fall of
   1. Jerusalem
   2. Rome
   3. However, this same independent, arrogant, materialistic, anti-God world system is present in every age (cf. 1 John 2:18).
       This book has first-century relevance, every-century relevance, and last-century relevance. It is best not to push the details. They had meaning (first hearers, fall of Jerusalem, and also possibly Rome); they will have meaning again (the last generation). But for the great majority of the generations of believers, they are mysteries. It is much better to assert the central truths of the seven literary units. These are eternally relevant! If the details become surprisingly literal for the last generations of persecuted believers (as did some of the OT typology about Christ) they will not need a commentator to tell them!
   
   
5. I have recently (2024) changed my orientation about the eschatological passages of the NT, from a Futurist to a partial Preterist. The series of kings John saw in this vision and wondered about "greatly" is explained by the angel.
    I think Kenneth Gentry's Before Jerusalem Fell gives a good historical order and rationale to the sequence (see pp. 151-154).
   1. Julius Caesar (49-44 B.C.)
   2. Augustus (31 B.C. ‒ A.D. 14)
   3. Tiberius (A.D. 14-37)
   4. Caligula (A.D. 37-41)
   5. Claudius (A.D. 41-54)
   6. Nero (A.D. 54-68)
   7. Galba (A.D. 68-69)
   8. Otho (A.D. 69)
   9. Vitellius (A.D. 69)
   10. Vespasian (A.D. 69-79)
   
   
6. Many commentators have suggested the legend that Nero would come back from the dead and invade Rome from the East, leading the Parthian hordes. For a good discussion and dating of this legend see Kenneth Gentry, Before Jerusalem Fell, pp. 300-317.

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

÷REVELATION 17:1-7

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: REVELATION 17:1-7
  ¹Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, "Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, ² with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of immorality, and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her immorality." ³ And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns. ⁴The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality, ⁵and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery, "BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." ⁶And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered greatly. ⁷And the angel said to me, "Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.

17:1 "one of the seven angels" Another angel is described in the same way in Rev. 21:9. There may be a chronological relationship between Rev. 17 and 18 and the pouring out of the bowls in Rev. 16

1. may predate the pouring out of the bowls
2. it may be a further description of the result of the bowls

▣ "Come here" John is directed by angelic beings in several places to "come" to observe the revelations (cf. Rev. 4:1; 6:1,3,5,7; 11:12; 17:1; 21:9). John sees so he can record the vision accurately.

▣ "will show you the judgment of the great harlot" This paragraph focuses on "the great harlot" and not the beast. This spiritual seductress is described as:

1. "the great harlot" ‒ Rev. 17:5,15,16; 19:2 (note Isa. 1:21 refers to Jerusalem)
2. "Babylon the great" ‒ Rev. 14:8; 16:19; 18:2
3. "the great city" ‒ Rev. 11:8; 16:19; 17:18; 18:2,10,16,18,19,21
4. "Babyon the Great, the mother of harlots and of abominations on the earth," ‒ Rev. 17:5
5. "Babylon the strong city" ‒ Rev. 18:19

In chapter 17 the seductive power of luxury and greed is matched with the commercial power of chapter 18. In the OT three cities are called whores.

1. Tyre (Phoenicia) in Isa. 23:15-16
2. Nineveh (Assyria) in Nahum 3:4
3. Jerusalem (fruitless Judah) in Isa. 1:21; Ezek. 16:31,35; 23

The identification of this city depends on how one views the time frames of the book.

1. Preterists ‒ Jerusalem in A.D. 70
2. Preterists ‒ Rome/Roman Empire in A.D. 476
3. Futurists ‒ end time capital of the Satanic trinity
4. Idealists ‒ anti-God world empires, like Dan. 2, through the ages

At this point in my understanding of this book, #1, 2, and 4 are real possibilities.

▣ "who sits on many waters" The OT allusion is Jer. 51:11-14, which refers to the ancient city of Babylon, which was located on the Euphrates (as Nineveh was located on the Tigris River) and had an extensive system of manmade irrigation and transportation canals which provided extensive maritime trade.

This "prostitution" has two primary aspects:

1. commercial alliances (cf. Tyre, Isa. 23:13-18; and Nineveh, Nahum 3:4)
2. political alliances which involved the contractual worship of the gods of the nations in the ratification ceremonies (cf. Jerusalem also called a harlot in Isa. 1:21 and Jeremiah 3)
3. the worship of the Roman Emperor as divine (Nero and Domitian)

▣"those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her immorality" This is an allusion to Jer. 51:7. It is also introduced in Rev. 14:8. The phrase "those who dwell on the earth" is a recurrent theme in Revelation denoting unregenerate, apostate Israel (cf. Rev. 3:10; 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8,14; 17:8).

"Drink" is OT imagery for judgment (cf. Ps. 75:6-8).

Special Topic: Wine and Strong Drink

17:3 "And he carried me away in the Spirit" This phrase is used to introduce John's visions (cf. Rev. 1:10; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10). Many commentators base their understanding of the structure of Revelation on these visions. Remember, apocalyptic literature is a highly structured genre. The structure becomes a key in interpretation.

The phrase "in the Spirit" is literally "in spirit," which is a way to refer to a human being. The decision to capitalize "spirit" is translation committee's choice. The Greek uncial texts on which our modern translations are based, are all capital letters with no space between the words. Here, there is no DEFINITE ARTICLE. Therefore, this phrase refers to a trance or vision.

Special Topic: Spirit (pneuma) in the NT

▣ "into a wilderness" This may be

1. imagery of a place of safety (cf. Rev. 12:6,14, where it is an allusion to the wilderness wandering period of Israel)
2. a place where evil and the demonic live (i.e., Lev. 16:8; 17:7)
3. an allusion to the ancient city of Babylon found in Isa. 21:1-10, where it is imagery of judgment

John's imagery is very fluid. In Rev. 17:1 the woman sits on many waters (the Euphrates River) and in Rev. 17:3 she sits on a scarlet beast in the wilderness.

▣"and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast" The term "scarlet" (i.e., the color of the beast on which the harlot sat) could refer to

1. murder, cf. Rev. 17:6-7
2. luxury, cf. Rev. 18:12-16
3. Satan as a red dragon, cf. Rev. 12:3

The beast is described in detail in Rev. 13:1-10. It refers to anti-God, anti-Christ leaders (cf. Daniel 7:9-14; 9:24-27; 11:36-45; 2 Thessalonians 2; 1 John 2:18).

▣ "full of blasphemous names" This is similar to Rev. 13:1,5-6. These titles are related historically to

1. the miter of the High Priest
2. the Roman Emperor's self-deification. They claimed titles for themselves such as "divine," "savior," "lord."

The beast's ultimate goal is not world political power, but religious worship (cf. Dan. 7:8,20; 8:11,25; 9:36,37) as a representative or incarnation of Satan (possibly represented in Isa. 14:13-14 and Ezek. 28:16-17).

▣ "having seven heads and ten horns" This description is similar to that of the red dragon (cf. Rev. 12:3) and the sea beast (cf. Rev. 13:1). The similarity is intended to show the unity of these different anti-God persons.

In numerical symbolism

1. the seven heads relate to "perfect" knowledge or the ultimate end-time world leader, while
2. the ten horns relate to complete power or worldly authority (cf. Rev. 17:7,9,12,16)

This scarlet beast is the same as the sea beast of Rev. 13. Obviously it refers to the Roman Empire.

Special Topic: A Great Red Dragon

Special Topic: Symbolic Numbers in Scripture, #5

17:4 "The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet" It is obvious to me that this paragraph highlights two cities, two enemies of God's people.

1. the great harlot of verses 1-7 is Jerusalem
2. the beast on which she rode is Rome, vv. 3,7,8-13

Both of these enemies wage war against the Lamb, but both are defeated.

1. Jerusalem in A.D. 70
2. Rome in A.D. 476

These colors can refer to royalty (purple) and immorality (scarlet) or simply imagery for luxury, wealth, and opulence (cf. Rev. 18:12,16).

Special Topic: ANE Sacred Colors

▣ "adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls" This is a symbol of earthly and spiritual power and position (used by Ezekiel as Garden of Eden imagery for the pride of the King of Tyre cf. Ezek. 28:13).

▣ "a gold cup" This is an allusion to the city of Babylon (cf. Jer. 51:7).

17:5 "on her forehead a name was written" Seneca's Controversies 1:2 and Juvenal's Satires 6:122-123, record that Roman whores wore a band with either their own name or the name of their owner on their foreheads. This may be a historical allusion to John's day or in the context of Revelation; it may be a reference to the marking of the forehead of unbelievers (cf. Rev. 13:16-17; 14:9,11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4) which mimics God's sealing of believers (cf. Rev. 7:2; 9:4).

There is some disagreement as to whether the term "mystery" should be a part of the title or a way of referring to the symbolic nature of the title (cf. Rev. 17:7). NJB seens to reflect the Greek best.

Babylon has its origin in the first civilization, started by Nimrod (Babel), which rebelled against God and was dispersed in Genesis 11. From this usage and from the fact that Babylon took the people of God (Judah) into exile, it became a synonym for an evil, imperial world power. In John's day, this power was Rome (cf. 1 Pet. 5:13).

Preterists are split on their labeling of this "woman."

1. some see all of Revelation referring to the fall of Jerusalem (A.D. 70); for corroborating evidence see
   1. Steve Gregg, Revelation: Four Views, Revised and Updated, pp. 462-468, where he lists J. Stewart Russell, The Parousia, reasons
   2. Gregg, Four Views On the Book of Revelation, pp. 73-79
2. Some see the second half of Revelation aas referring to the Fall of the Roman Empire (A.D. 476)

For a list of the different ways this entity is identified, see v. 1.

17:6 This verse speaks of the persecution and martyrdom of believers (cf. Rev. 11:7; 13:7; Dan. 7:21), which could refer to Jerusalem or Rome.

▣ "I wondered greatly" The KJV translates this as "with great admiration" but the NKJV has "I marveled with great amazement." It is literally "I wondered. . .with great wonder." John was not admiring her, but he was utterly astonished at her actions. She was allowed to persecute and kill God's people (cf. Rev. 13:5,7,15; 11:7).

1. Jerusalem, Jewish persecution
2. Roman, Emperor persecution

17:7 There are obviously two entities being referred to.

1. the woman ‒ apostate Israel (see note at Rev. 17:5)
2. the beast ‒ Roman Empire (cf. Rev. 13)

÷REVELATION 17:8-14

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: REVELATION 17:8-14
 ⁸"The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come. ⁹Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits, ¹⁰and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while. ¹¹The beast which was and is not, is himself also an eighth and is one of the seven, and he goes to destruction. ¹²The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. ¹³These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. ¹⁴These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful."

17:8 "the beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up" This chronological description has caused great consternation among commentators.

1. Some of them see it in a historical sense which applies particularly to the legend of Nero's return (see Contextual Insights, F.).
2. Others as a progression of world empires relating to Daniel 2, culminating in an anti-God world system (Rome).
3. Others see it as related to the end-time activity of the beast described in Rev. 13:3,12,14, which relates to its mimicking or parodying the ministry of Christ.
4. It may relate to 1 John's concept of a spirit of antichrist in every age, which culminates in the Antichrist (cf. 1 John 2:18,22; 4:3; 2 John 7).
5. It is also another parody on YHWH's name (cf. Rev. 1:4,8).

This may be one of many parodies between God (cf. Rev. 1:4,8; 4:8) and Jesus (cf. Rev. 1:18; 2:8) with evil.

▣ "the abyss" This is the Greek term for "depth" with the ALPHA PRIVATIVE. It is first mentioned in Rev. 9:1 and 11:7. It is the figurative abode of evil and the demonic. See note at Rev. 9:1.

Special Topic: Abaddon. . .Apollyon

▣ "the book of life" See notes at Rev. 5:1 and 13:8.

Special Topic: The Two Books of God

▣ "from the foundation of the world" See note at Rev. 3:5 and 13:8.

Special Topic: The Foundations of the Earth

This phrase is similar to Rev. 13:18, which deals with the number of the name of the beast. This little Scripture teaser has caused everyone to put forth his/her own theory! However, the very fact that there is such a multiplicity of interpretations shows that there are not too many wise among us! (cf. 1 Cor. 1:26-31). To me, it is just another way for John to assert the mysterious, symbolic, cryptic nature of his writing (cf. Frank Stagg, New Testament Theology, p. 317).

▣ "the seven heads of the seven mountains on which the woman sits" This is an allusion to Rome. Rome, like Jerusalem, was built on seven hills. This phrase appears in many ancient writings to describe the city of Rome. Therefore, it is incumbent on interpreters to at least see this in light of the Roman Empire, although obviously the whole allusion of chapters 17 and 18.

17:10-11 There have been many interpretations of these verses.

1. I currently hold to the series outlined in Contextual Insights, E., following Kenneth Gentry, Before Jerusalem Fell
2. F. F. Bruce, one of my favorite exegeters, holds to Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero as "the five who have fallen." Vespasian is "the one who is current" and Titus is "the one who will come for a little while" (cf. F. F. Bruce, Answers to Questions, p. 141). This interpretation is rather arbitrary; the three relatively minor Emperors (Galba, Otho, and Vitellius) who vied for the throne in A.D. 68-69 have been omitted. However, even with its problems, this seems to be the focus of Rev. 17:10 and 11, with an emphasis on the myth of Nero's resuscitation and return with the Parthian hordes to attack Rome (this may explain Rev. 17:16, cf. The Sibyllian Oracles, 5:361-368).
3. Others see this prophecy as being fulfilled in the persecutions of Domitian. There are some major hindrances to this interpretation:
   1. it would require Revelation to have been written during the reign of Vespasian, which is at variance with the ancient church tradition that John wrote during the reign of Domitian
   2. the symbolic use of numbers throughout the book
       Why make this historically literal? Again, this may have been something that John did intentionally to show the symbolic nature of his visions, which were not meant to be totally locked into any historical period.
4. Another possible interpretation is that this refers to the series of OT empires who were enemies of God's people: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece ("five have fallen"), Rome ("one is"), end-time anti-God empire ("the other has not yet come"). This interpretation fits into the overall pattern of a series of anti-God world empires from Dan. 2:1-8 (cf. George Ladd, Revelation, pp. 227-231).
5. Still another ancient interpretation is the symbolic nature of all of the numbers and details of Revelation, which would simply turn this chapter into another example of the ultimate conflict between God and the evil one (cf. Alan Johnson's Revelation, pp. 152-153, 157-161).

This is a good example of my inner conflicts as an interpreter. There are so many different interpretations by godly scholars whom I trust. The first theory is by my favorite writer, F. F. Bruce. The next two are by my favorite commentators on Revelation, George Ladd and Alan Johnson. They all disagree! The crucial issue is whether the text is an allusion to first century Rome (F. F. Bruce), the OT (George Ladd), or apocalyptic imagery (Alan Johnson). At this point in my personal study I think Gentry's view is best (i.e., Contextual Insights, E.).

17:12 "the ten horns which you saw are ten kings" This is an allusion to Dan. 7:7,23-24. Daniel 7 is a prediction of four empires beginning with Neo-Babylon (i.e., Nebuchadnezzar), Medo-Persia, Greece, and finally Rome, in which the Messiah (the stone of Dan. 2; the Son of Man of Dan. 7:13-14) will come.

The ten horns are mentioned in Dan. 7:7,24, with special emphasis on the rise of a "Little horn."

1. some see this as being related historically to ten vassal kings of Rome who were part of the invasion of Palestine in the Jewish War
2. others see it as the demonic hordes of Rev. 9 or 18:3
3. the kings of the East mentioned in Rev. 16:12
4. to many, the symbolic nature of the numbers in the book of the Revelation simply makes Rev. 17:12 refer to future world leaders, but without a specificity

Many elaborate, literal interpretations of the book of the Revelation are based on the specific details of Rev. 17:10-12. These prophecies are very specific, which tends to imply a literal fulfillment at the end-time. However, the nature of the literary genre points toward a symbolic interpretation of these numbers and details (at least for those of us who are not the last generation of persecuted believers).

▣ "for one hour" This same time frame is mentioned in Rev. 18:10,17,19.

Special Topic: Hour

17:13 This verse shows the unity of evil, while Rev. 17:15-16 shows the disunity of evil. Evil will ultimately be turned against itself as in Rev. 16:12.

17:14 "these will wage war against the Lamb" The Lamb is identified with His people (cf. Matt. 25:35-40; Acts 9:4).

▣ "but the Lamb will overcome. . .and those who are with Him" Notice the close identification between the victory of Christ and the victory of His people (i.e., "those who are with Him").

▣ "He is Lord of lords, and King of kings" This same title is mentioned in Rev. 19:16 as a characterization of the returning Messiah (cf. 1 Tim. 6:15). Its origins are found in

1. a description of YHWH from Deut. 10:17; Ps. 136:2-3
2. a Babylonian title used for Nebuchadnezzar in Dan. 2:37,47
3. The number value of this phrase equals 777 in Aramaic, although this is not mentioned in the text.

▣ "the called and chosen and faithful" Notice the allusion to God's sovereignty found in the terms "chosen" and "called" (cf. Rom. 8:28-30), but also notice they are called to perseverance linked to "faithfulness." We are His by call and faith (both initial and continuing).

Special Topic: He Chose Us

Special Topic: Perseverance

÷REVELATION 17:15-18

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: REVELATION 17:15-18
 ¹⁵And he said to me, "The waters which you saw where the harlot sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues. ¹⁶And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire. ¹⁷For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled. ¹⁸The woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth."

17:15 This could refer to

1. Jerusalem (synagogues and influence in most cities)
2. Rome, which fits v. 18

17:16 This is an allusion to Ezek. 16:39-40; 23:25-27; 28:18. It seems to refer to internal strife among the forces of evil. This infighting was a strategy of God (cf. Rev. 17:17).

17:17 "hearts" See Special Topic: Heart

17:18 This great city mentioned in Rev. 11:8 and 16:19 is either Jerusalem or Rome (preterists). The context of the literary unit suggests an anti-God power structure symbolized as a city. Which city is not the issue; the point is the existence of a human system totally apart from God, humans attempting to meet all of their own needs.

▣ "the kings of the earth" This phrase is usesd in Acts 4:26-27, where the phrase is a quote from Ps. 2:2 and refers to Jerusalem.

Special Topic: The Two "Cities" in Isaiah

REVELATION 18

÷REVELATION 18:1-3

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: REVELATION 18:1-3
  ¹After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illumined with his glory. ²And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird. ³"For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality."

18:1 "I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority" This is another powerful angel.

1. the term "authority" (exousia) is not used for any other angel in the book
2. in John 5:27, it is used of God's authority given to Jesus
3. in Rev. 22:16, Jesus says He sent an agnel to speak for Him as a representative

▣ "and the earth was illumined with his glory" This may be an allusion to Ezek. 43:2.

Special Topic: Authority (exousia

18:2 "'Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!'" This phrase is an allusion Isa. 21:9 and/or Jer. 51:8.

For a list of the different ways this entity is referred to, see the full note at Rev. 17:1. It is strangely possible these phrases and characterizations refer to different groups of people (i.e., Jerusalem or Rome). It is even possible, in different contexts, it may refer to both.

This is one example of the difficulty in interpreting the book of the Revelation. A piece of information is brought in at one point in the vision, partially developed at another point, and fully developed in yet another vision (e.g., cf. Rev. 11:8; 14:8; and 16:19-20 or this may be another example of recapitulation between the seven literary units).

▣ "She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird" This is an allusion to the OT imagery of the ruins of ancient cities:

1. Babylon (cf. Isa. 13:21-22; 14:23; Jer. 50:39; 51:37)
2. Edom (cf. Isa. 34:10-15)
3. Nineveh (cf. Zeph. 2:14)

In the OT animals are often said to roam about in ruined cities. This became a symbol of both destruction and the presence of evil spirits (cf. NEB). Many of these birds represented demons.

John's writing is very fluid. This verse describes the city as desolate and indwelt with the demonic, while Rev. 19:3 describes it as burnt and smoldering.

18:3 "all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality" This phrase is an allusion to the OT prophecy of the destruction of Babylon (cf. Jer. 51:7). Jeremiah specifically uses drunkenness (i.e., "a golden cup") as a symbol of lust for wealth.

▣ "passion" This is literally "anger" (thumos). See full note at Rev. 7:14.

▣ "the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality" This is an allusion to the major problem of fallen mankind focusing on the self-centeredness and materialism. There are three groups of humans who mourn the fall of the great whore:

1. businessmen (cf. Rev. 18:3,11-16)
2. kings of the earth (cf. Rev. 18:3,9-10)
3. merchant sailors (cf. Rev. 18:3,17-19)

These three represent worldwide human economic systems.

Special Topic: Wealth

Special Topic: Human Government

÷REVELATION 18:4-8

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: REVELATION 18:4-8
 ⁴I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues; ⁵for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. ⁶Pay her back even as she has paid, and give back to her double according to her deeds; in the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her. ⁷To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously, to the same degree give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, 'I sit as a queen and I am not a widow, and will never see mourning.' ⁸For this reason in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong."

18:4 "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues" This is an OT allusion to Isa. 48:20; 52:11; Jer. 50:8,28; 51:6,9,45 or Zech. 2:6-7. It is an AORIST ACTIVE IMPERATIVE which speaks of the urgency of God's people not being caught up in the destruction of Israel's ancient enemies.

This verse seems to favor Jerusaslem as "babylon" because it echoes Jesus' warning in Matt. 24:15-28, and especially Luke 21:20-23.

However, verses 3,11-20, seem to favor Rome. It is this kind of ambiguity, so common in poetic, prophetic, and apocalyptic literature, that makes the identification of times, places, people, and cities so difficult. Godly, prayerful, educated believers often disagree! One's established interpretive system drives the explanation of ambiguous details. The problem comes when later interpreters' chain of isolated, ambiguous texts become as inspired as the Bible texts themselves.

18:5 "for her sins are piled up as high as heaven" This may be an allusion to Gen. 18:20-21, Ezra 9:6, or Jer. 51:9. God's patience was used as an excuse to sin more instead of repenting (cf. Rev. 2:21; Rom. 2:4).

If Gen. 18: is the primary allusion then Sodom is the reference. Jerusalem is called Sodom in Rev. 11:8.

The VERB "piled up" may be one of two textual options. The other being "cling to." Both designate multiple, ongoing sins.

▣ "God has remembered" Often in the Bible, when God remembers the acts of the wicked it results in judgment (cf. Rev. 16:19; Ps. 79:8; Isa. 64:9; Jer. 14:10; 17:1-4; 44:21-23; Hosea 7:2; 8:13; 9:9; Amos 8:7).

18:6 "Pay her back even as she has paid" This is an allusion to the truth that we reap what we sow (cf. Gal. 6:7; for full list see www.freebiblecommentary.org). This truth is presented in many different forms in the Bible (cf. Ps. 137:8; Jer. 50:15,29; Matt. 7:2; Rev. 13:10).

▣ "give back to her double according to her deeds" This is an allusion to Jer. 16:18 and 17:18, but the truth is expressed in many contexts (cf. Exod. 22:4-9; Isa. 40:2). This imagery fits a Jewish mindset which implies Jerusalem is the object of God's full (i.e., double) judgment. This idiom speaks of complete and full judgment, as does the next phrase. This verse would have been very encouraging to persecuted Christians.

▣ "the cup which she has mixed, mix twice for her" "Cup" is OT imagery for the judgment of God (cf. Ps. 11:6; 60:3; 75:6-8; Isa. 51:17,22; Jer. 25:15-16,27-28).

Special Topic: Cup

18:7 "for she says in her heart 'I sit as a queen and I am not a widow, and will never see mourning'" This specifically relates to Zeph. 2:15 and Isa. 47:7-8. It alludes to the self-sufficiency and pride, which may have been the source of Satan's fall (possibly alluded to in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28), mankind's fall (cf. Genesis 3). The problem is arrogant independence!

Special Topic: Heart

18:8 "for this reason in one day her plagues will come" This is a specific allusion to Isa. 47:9, where it refers to Neo-Babylon. The concept of grief overtaking her in a single day is repeated in Rev. 18:17-19, where the Johannine term "hour" is used. This was a major encouragement to persecuted Christians.

▣ "she will be burned up with fire" This may be an allusion to Lev. 21:9.

Special Topic: Fire

▣ "for the Lord God who judges her is strong" This is an allusion to Jer. 50:34.

Special Topic: Judgment in the NT

÷REVELATION 18:9-10

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: REVELATION 18:9-10
 ⁹"And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of immorality and lived sensuously with her, will weep and lament over her when they see the smoke of her burning, ¹⁰standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.'"

18:9-10 "the kings of the earth" This begins a funeral dirge imagery from the fall of OT empires. These kings must be different from the kings mentioned in Rev. 17:12,16, who participated in the destruction and fall of the great whore. These kings were apparently merchant nations who benefitted from commercial trade Rome. This is an allusion to the powerful commercial city of Tyre and its prideful king in Ezekiel 26-28. The remainder of chapter 18 deals with the intoxicating commercial power associated with all fallen world systems.

Again, please look at the notes on the possible meanings of the term "earth" at Rev. 1:7.

18:10 "For in one hour your judgment has come" Notice the repeated emphasis on the quick and total destruction (cf. Rev. 17:12; 18:8,10,17,19). This imagery fits the fall of Jerusalem better than Rome.

Also notice as merchants and sailors grieve that "saints, apostles, and prophets" rejoice in v. 20, which fits Jerusalem better than Rome.

This same line of thought continues in v. 24. Jerusalem fits the place where prophets and saints were killed (i.e., Matt. 23:37-39; Luke 13:33; Acts 7:51-52) better than Rome.

Special Topic: Hour

÷REVELATION 18:11-20

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: REVELATION 18:11-20
 ¹¹"And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargoes any more— ¹²cargoes of gold and silver and precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet, and every kind of citron wood and every article of ivory and every article made from very costly wood and bronze and iron and marble, ¹³and cinnamon and spice and incense and perfume and frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle and sheep, and cargoes of horses and chariots and slaves and human lives. ¹⁴The fruit you long for has gone from you, and all things that were luxurious and splendid have passed away from you and men will no longer find them. ¹⁵The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, ¹⁶saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls; ¹⁷for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!' And every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor, and as many as make their living by the sea, stood at a distance, ¹⁸and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What city is like the great city?' ¹⁹And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea became rich by her wealth, for in one hour she has been laid waste!' ²⁰Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her."

18:11-19 "the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her" This is similar to Ezekiel 27:

1. Rev. 18:11 – Ezek. 27:31,36
2. Rev. 18:12-13 – Ezek. 27:12,13,22
3. Rev. 18:15 – Ezek 27:31,36
4. Rev. 18:17 – Ezek. 27:26-30
5. Rev. 18:18 – Ezek. 27:32
6. Rev. 18:19 – Ezek. 27:30-34

It describes international trade:

1. silver from Spain
2. fine linen from Egypt
3. silk from China
4. citron wood from North Africa
5. ivory from Africa
6. iron from Spain or the Black Sea
7. cinnamon from India
8. the universal practice of slave trading

18:11 "of the earth" Again, the interpretive issue is how to understand gē (erets, Hebrew). See notes at Rev. 1:7 for this crucial issue.

18:12 "citron wood" This was a type of wood from North Africa. It was highly desired in Rome (Pliny) because of its aroma and speckled color. It was another item of luxury and wealth.

This refers to private, four-wheeled, luxury chariots, not two-wheeled war chariots.

18:14 "luxurious and splendid" This is a word play on the Greek terms lipara (luxury) and lampra (splendid).

18:17 This is an allusion to Ezekiel 26-28 (city of Tyre), where those employed in the transportation of these luxuries mourned over the gall of Neo-Babylon because their own livelihoods had been affected.

18:19 "threw dust on their heads" This is an allusion to Ezek. 27:30.

Special Topic: Grieving Rites

18:20 "Rejoice over her" This is an allusion to Jer. 51:48, although some see it as referring to Deut 32:43 (in the Septuagint). As the economic partners' grief over the fall of Babylon, so believers rejoice!

▣ "God has pronounced judgment for you against her" Throughout the book, God's judgments are connected with the prayers of His children (cf. Rev. 6:10).

÷REVELATION 18:21-24

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: REVELATION 18:21-24
 ²¹Then a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer. ²²And the sound of harpists and musicians and flute-players and trumpeters will not be heard in you any longer; and no craftsman of any craft will be found in you any longer; and the sound of a mill will not be heard in you any longer; ²³and the light of a lamp will not shine in you any longer; and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you any longer; for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery. ²⁴And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth."

18:21 "Then a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea" This is an allusion to Jer. 51:63-64. It is a strong passage showing that Neo-Babylon will never, never rise again. As a matter of fact, in Rev. 18:21-33, there are six DOUBLE NEGATIVES, "certainly not," "not under any circumstances," and "never, no, never."

▣"and will not be found any longer" This shows total, permanent destruction (cf. Ezek. 26:21).

18:22-23 These were the sounds of everyday life in the Ancient Near East. God's judgment brings an end to this godless society (cf. Isa. 24:8; Jer. 7:34; 25:10; Ezek. 26:13).

18:23 "all the nations were deceived by your sorcery" This is an allusion to Nahum 3:4. Notice that in Rev. 18:23-24 there are listed three reasons for the fall of the great city.

1. pride and wealth ( cf. Isa. 23:8)
2. idolatry and sorcery (cf. Lev. 19:26,33; Deut. 18:9-12)
3. persecution of the people of God (cf. Rev. 16:6, 17:6).

Special Topic: Magic

Special Topic: Divination

18:24 This is an allusion to Jer. 51:49.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. Are Revelation 17 and 18 a literary unit? If so, why?
2. Why is it so difficult to interpret when Babylon fell?
3. Who does Babylon, the great whore, refer to in John's day? In our day? In the end-time?
4. What is the immorality and wine referred to in Rev. 14:8; 17:2; 18:3 in connection with this world system?
5. Please explain your interpretation of Rev. 17:10-11.
6. From what OT book are most of John's allusions taken?

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