Babylon Rules Nations, but Falls in Fire

Revelation 18:1-8 

1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” 4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. 7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ 8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.

A great angel of authority now appears to John, and he lit up the world with his glory from the Father.  This one shouted the defeat of the Babylon which had been a place where demons and unclean spirits were imprisoned.  All the nations will have indulged in He sexual and spiritual immortality, drunk with its pleasure and power, gaining great riches in their frolicking against God and His righteousness.  The angel calls out for God’s people to flee that place or they will suffer for her sin and taste the plagues of judgement to fall on her.  The sins of Babylon have raised a stench to heaven when there should be sweet incense, and God will then hold her and all in her power accountable.  God’s people should have nothing to do with immortality of body or soul, and must avoid this harlot of both on the seven hills.  The fall of pride and rebellion against God will find her sin repaid to her and torment with sorrow will be given in exchange.  In a single day judgement on the pride of self sufficiency and self glorifying will rain down with sadness, starvation, and consuming fire.  God’s power to judge and destroy the rebellious sinner is without limit, except what He sets.  Therefore we urge all to repent and trust in Christ’s work on our behalf before this happens.  This is good news!