a study by Rev. Paul A. Bartz

18:1-2 -- An angel, an agent of God's judgment, descends from heaven to bring God's just judgment upon Babylon. Up to now only the effects of these agents of God's actions in the world have been visible to us mortals -- the agents themselves have not. There is no reason to suspect that the case will be any different here. But the effects will be clear to all, as this chapter dramatically indicates.

Babylon, as we said, is the anti-church, together with its secular power. In the early church Babylon became a Christian code word for Rome, which so exemplified worldly opposition to true faith. Such a usage would seem to appear in 1 Peter 5:13. Even the earliest Christian commentators, going back to the second century (or within 100 years of when John wrote this), note that the 1 Peter 5:13 reference is a reference to Rome. So the reference to Rome as Babylon is a very old Christian way of speaking about Rome. Yet, as we have seen, the power of the anti-church reaches far beyond the geographical confines of even the old Roman Empire.

Source of the destruction -- it seems clear that the ultimate source of Rome's destruction is her own internal rot. This is to say that internal rot is the means that God uses to render judgment upon Rome, having held it off for so long. A number of references here in chapter 18 pinpoint especially self-destructive attitudes and activities: 18:7 -- self glorification, pride; 18:11-13 -- gross materialism, which includes trust in one's own means. These are always destructive, and thus we too are warned of the same attitudes.

18:3 -- The influence of Rome was great at the time of this writing. Highlighted in this chapter is not merely that the anti-church is the false church, but it receives the honor and the wealth of the world. She is judged for pandering for the attention of the world's leaders at the cost of her God-given mission, because she still claims to be Christ's church (18:14).

18:4 is a call for the few faithful left in the false church to separate themselves from her. No matter how corrupt and unScriptural a church becomes, there are always those who value the human institution of the church over their faithfulness to God. They hang on to their faith, but unrealistically hope that the human institution can be saved. As the text makes clear such an association will ultimately lead to the pollution of true faith to the extent that it disappears.

This call to "Come out" follows principles established elsewhere in Scripture. Christians are always called to separate themselves from unfaithfulness -- even when it is the church that is unfaithful. This was the basis upon which the LCMS was originally founded. See 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, Romans 16:17-18 and Ephesians 5:11 for further depth.)

18:5 -- "Her sins have reached up to heaven" is language which reminds us of the tower of Babel -- the original source of the name Babylon. Compare God's command in Genesis 9:1 with the intent of the tower builders as stated in Genesis 11:4. In their pride they felt they could willfully rebel against God's express command, and in the process make themselves the envy of the world. "God has remembered her iniquities" is common Scriptural language indicating that judgment is about to take place. This is further confirmed in verse 6 through 8 which also begin the list of reasons for judgment.

18:9-11 -- Portrays the horror of world leaders at the destruction of the anti-church, leading us to the conclusion that its destruction takes place before the final judgment. From the reaction of world leaders and the rich and powerful to the destruction of the anti-church we can see that it enjoys great respect from the world.

18:12-18 -- Some commentators try to make each of these items listed in these verses representative of various spiritual values. This is "toying with ill-timed allegories," as Luther often put it. Besides giving no indication that this is the way to understand these verses, the text itself rules such an approach out by mentioning that Babylon also trafficked in the souls of men (verse 13). This also reminds us that we are here talking about an apostate church, for no other institution, certainly no secular government, can be responsible for the souls of men.

"For in one hour" verse 17 -- Possibly a literal hour, but this is also a common phrase indicating that judgment is swift. Whether the final destruction of the anti-church takes place in 60 minutes or in 180 or 600 minutes, this language indicates that events will move so rapidly that when it is over it will certainly seem like only an hour. This is also an additional warning to those who have been advised to "Come out of her" . . . there will not be time to tarry!

18:19-20 -- Verse 19 begins with typical Scriptural language which reflects mourning over death. It suggests that rather than seeing the anti-church's destruction as a warning of God's judgment, the world sees it as some sort of unfortunate natural event -- one caused by humans or by a natural disaster. Only those who are aware of what God is doing, and His judgment on the anti-church, will understand that its destruction was a personal act of God Himself.

"Rejoice over her" -- There is no room here for humanistic mourning! While the world laments the loss of life and riches, the believers (in heaven and on earth) are to rejoice that finally God has judged -- and it is righteous judgment. Why rejoicing is in order is explained in verses 23b and 24.

18:21 -- The judgment on the anti-church, "Babylon," parallels the judgment on the actual Babylon, as is fitting. Jeremiah was commanded to commit the same act as described here to mark God's judgment of the original Babylon as recorded in Jeremiah 51:59-64. This adds weight to the conclusion that this text is speaking of the judgment of a real earthly city in human history.

18:22-23a -- The desolation spoken of in Jeremiah is also paralleled here in reference to the anti-church. This is the language which describes a place which will never be inhabited again. It was true of ancient Babylon and is true of the modern great Babylon.

18:23b-24 -- Here we have the explanation of why the antichurch has been so severely dealt with:

1. Its evil traffic was world-wide and reached into high places.

2. Its sorceries were a source of deception for the whole world.

3. As Abel's blood cried from the ground because he was murdered for his faith, so the blood of the saints which she killed cried out for God's perfect justice.

In summary: Chapter 18 describes the destruction of the anti-church by what mankind sees as either a natural disaster or a manmade disaster, before the end of the world. The actual cause of the destruction is, of course, God's judgment on the evil carried out and promoted against believers by the anti-church worldwide. This brings us nearly to the end of Reel Seven which concludes in the beginning of chapter 19 in heaven, as previous "reels" have done. This further suggests that the temporal destruction of the anti-church will take place very close to the end of the world and the judgment of all mankind.

1. Demonic power is clearly manifested in the anti-church as depicted in chapter 18. Which verses make this clear and what is the extent of the demonic power within the anti-church?

2. Romans 16:17-18 offers warnings to believers about those who promotes teachings which are contrary to the Bible. Which words in these two verses indicate that those promoting the anti-Biblical teachings are doing so under the mantle of serving Christ?

   What advice are believers given about those who do this?

   1. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 also applies to association with those who teach contrary to the Bible (anti-Bible). How would this advice be applied in practical terms by a person who found himself in a church that persistently teaches falsely?

   2. Besides obedience to God, what is the value of following this advice?