Revelation 18

There are significant similarities between this chapter and the prophecy against Tyre in Ezekiel 27-28. Babylon is a placeholder, either for Rome or a city like Rome, because the description of the goods in 18:12-13 are similar to Rome’s imports. This entire chapter is a lament, or a funeral dirge. The lament is a statement of God’s coming judgment, and the ones who are upset are the kings and merchants whose power and profits are going away! The ungodly powers of darkness that rule the world are finally going to be paid back double for their sins (18:6). They have killed the martyrs (18:24), hoarded wealth and traded in human lives (18:12-13). It’s entirely appropriate for us to rejoice about the judgment, because the judgment is partially on behalf of the saints (18:20)!

We have another important reminder here about what is important in life. The earthly and the worldly are passing away. We need to invest in the spiritual and eternal! That’s why we’re told here: “Come out of her, my people, so you will not take part in her sins.”

Matthew 6:19-20 “Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.”