We come to the announcement
of the fall of Babylon. The message is in two segments. In verses 1-3, an angel
announces the fall of Rome, represented by Babylon. Verses 4-8 speak of another
voice from heaven urging the people of God to leave that city, because it is
about to receive twice the suffering that she had inflicted on others. Awaiting
her are death, mourning and famine.
The angel who comes from
God’s presence is invested with the authority of heaven. This angel also reflects
the glory and radiance of God. Using poetic language, he announces the fall of
Rome. Again John’s source is possibly Isaiah 21:9, that describes Cyrus’ capture
of ancient Babylon, and the news reached the children of Israel. The verse states:
“Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the images of her gods are shattered on the
ground.” So here also the angel shouts out that Babylon, the symbol of Rome and
the force that is in opposition to the Kingdom of God, has fallen. As Babylon had
fallen in the past, she will again fall and become a place inhabited by demons,
evil spirits and unclean birds. The reasons for her fall can be seen in verse 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.” Adultery is a well-known Old
Testament figure for God’s people falling away from Him. Here it speaks of the
worship of the beast. Merchants here have profited from their alliance with
Rome and become rich, through the power of her luxury.
Then another voice was heard addressing the people of God and then
those who are to execute His wrath. This is the voice of the angel speaking on
behalf of God. The people of God are called to depart from that city so that
they will not be part of her sin and so suffer the plagues of judgement. God is
about to pay her back double for her atrocities. They had been accumulating and
piling up and the score had to be settled. She will be made to drink the cup of
His wrath. In verse 6, the voice calls for the judgement to begin. Babylon will
be repaid double for her deeds. Rome is to receive misery in direct proportion
to the self-glorification and luxurious lifestyle she had taken. The reason why
she will be dealt with is seen in her pride and displayed arrogance. Rome’s boast that she is
no widow is implying that she is victorious. She has not experienced the devastating
impact of war and loss of life. On her streets, there is no mourning found, for
her soldiers are victorious and did not die on the battle fields. The plague
will come suddenly on her because of her arrogance and self-confidence. God,
who is much stronger than her, will bring about her ruin. The burning of the
city is a sign of total collapse, and that will be the fate of pagan Rome.
Without a doubt God has and
will never abdicate his rule, He has and will always be in control. He has
said, “Vengeance is mine and I will repay it.” And He certainly will. It’s all
too easy to want to remain and be part of the standards that we have become acclimatized
to. Let’s be reminded again not to love the world neither the things of the
world.
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