Wk11 rev 17.1-19.21

The Judgment of Babylon The Judgment of Babylon the Prostitute and the the Prostitute and the

BeastBeast

(17:1-19:21)(17:1-19:21)

These chapters are an interpretive These chapters are an interpretive review of the sixth and seventh bowl review of the sixth and seventh bowl plagues that mentioned the plagues that mentioned the judgment of Babylon judgment of Babylon

Rev 17:1-3Rev 17:1-3 The angel in this vision reveals to John that The angel in this vision reveals to John that

he is about to witness, in visionary format, he is about to witness, in visionary format, the judgment of the world’s idolatrous the judgment of the world’s idolatrous Economic-religious system. Economic-religious system.

The angel announces the vision and The angel announces the vision and interprets it in 17:7-18interprets it in 17:7-18

These chapters could be an expansion of These chapters could be an expansion of the 6the 6thth and 7 and 7thth bowls. bowls.

Babylon is symbolically called the “whore” Babylon is symbolically called the “whore” because she entices people to turn away because she entices people to turn away from Christ and embrace her rotting from Christ and embrace her rotting enchantments enchantments

V. 2: The same phrases for immorality and V. 2: The same phrases for immorality and intoxication as in Rev 18:3, 9-19, are intoxication as in Rev 18:3, 9-19, are equated with terms for economic equated with terms for economic prosperity. prosperity.

This verse is dealing with the imperial cult This verse is dealing with the imperial cult and its relationship to economic idolatry.and its relationship to economic idolatry.

V. 3: The desert could allude to a place of V. 3: The desert could allude to a place of spiritual protection that John is symbolically spiritual protection that John is symbolically taken to so that he will be able to see the taken to so that he will be able to see the Whore in her true colors (12:6).Whore in her true colors (12:6).

The woman is not the beast but she rides The woman is not the beast but she rides the beast. She has close ties to the beast.the beast. She has close ties to the beast.

17:4-617:4-6

V. 4: Babylon is attractive because she V. 4: Babylon is attractive because she promises the pleasures of sensuality and promises the pleasures of sensuality and prosperity. prosperity.

The words used in 18:16 and 17:4 to describe The words used in 18:16 and 17:4 to describe the woman’s attire appear in 18:12 in a list of the woman’s attire appear in 18:12 in a list of products of trade (cf. 18:12-14). Therefore, products of trade (cf. 18:12-14). Therefore, the woman is portrayed as draped with these the woman is portrayed as draped with these products to identify her with a prosperous products to identify her with a prosperous trading system. trading system.

The whore is the exact opposite of the Lamb’s The whore is the exact opposite of the Lamb’s bride (21:2, 9-23) and she holds in her hand bride (21:2, 9-23) and she holds in her hand the cup of abominations and unclean things. the cup of abominations and unclean things.

V. 5: In Revelation, the writing of V. 5: In Revelation, the writing of names on the forehead determines names on the forehead determines the true character of the person and the true character of the person and their ultimate relationship to God their ultimate relationship to God (7:3; 14:1; 22:4) or to Satan (13:16; (7:3; 14:1; 22:4) or to Satan (13:16; 14:9; 20:4). 14:9; 20:4).

Mystery relates to the unexpected Mystery relates to the unexpected way in which God’s kingdom arrives way in which God’s kingdom arrives and the kingdom of evil is defeated. and the kingdom of evil is defeated.

V. 6: The allusion to blood implies V. 6: The allusion to blood implies that this woman, Babylon, has been that this woman, Babylon, has been dominated by the acts of persecution dominated by the acts of persecution against the saints. against the saints.

Rev 17:7-18Rev 17:7-18

Verses 7-18 make up the Verses 7-18 make up the interpretation of the vision that John interpretation of the vision that John has just seen. When John sees the has just seen. When John sees the “magnificence” of the whore-like “magnificence” of the whore-like economic-religious system of the economic-religious system of the world he is tempted to be afraid and world he is tempted to be afraid and perplexed at the sight. perplexed at the sight.

V. 8: The beast is described in similar V. 8: The beast is described in similar words that were used to describe Jesus words that were used to describe Jesus in the first chapter of Revelation.in the first chapter of Revelation.

It appears that the beast is trying to be It appears that the beast is trying to be like God; however, one must note that like God; however, one must note that his existence has an end (unlike that of his existence has an end (unlike that of Christ). Christ).

Beale writes, “the defeat from which Beale writes, “the defeat from which the beast appears to recover is Christ’s the beast appears to recover is Christ’s defeat of Satan and his earthly forces defeat of Satan and his earthly forces at the cross and resurrection” at the cross and resurrection” (Beale, (Beale, Revelation,Revelation, 866 866

V. 9:Rome was well known as being V. 9:Rome was well known as being built on seven hills in the ancient built on seven hills in the ancient world. “At the time when John wrote, world. “At the time when John wrote, Rome was the principal embodiment Rome was the principal embodiment of Babylon, the worldly city.” of Babylon, the worldly city.”

Who are the 7 kings?Who are the 7 kings? 44 B.C. 44 B.C. Julius CaesarJulius Caesar 31 B.C.-14 A.D.31 B.C.-14 A.D. AugustusAugustus 14-37 A.D.14-37 A.D. TiberiusTiberius 37-41 A.D.37-41 A.D. Gaius (Caligula)Gaius (Caligula) 41-54 A.D.41-54 A.D. ClaudiusClaudius 54-68 A.D54-68 A.D NeroNero 68-69 A.D.68-69 A.D. GalbaGalba 69 A.D.69 A.D. OthoOtho 69 A.D.69 A.D. VitelliusVitellius 69-79 A.D.69-79 A.D. VespasianVespasian 79-81 A.D.79-81 A.D. TitusTitus 81-96 A.D.81-96 A.D. DomitianDomitian

The difficulty is determining where we begin The difficulty is determining where we begin counting.counting.

V. 11:The fact that this beast is labeled as V. 11:The fact that this beast is labeled as the eighth is yet another parody between the eighth is yet another parody between the beast and Christ. Christ died on the the beast and Christ. Christ died on the sixth day was buried and finally raised to life sixth day was buried and finally raised to life on the eighth day. on the eighth day.

V. 12: Who are the ten horns? V. 12: Who are the ten horns? The horns are the opposite of the elect The horns are the opposite of the elect

saints through whom Christ works. They are saints through whom Christ works. They are earthly agents through whom Satan and the earthly agents through whom Satan and the spiritual forces of the beast work, throughout spiritual forces of the beast work, throughout the age and finally at the end of the age.the age and finally at the end of the age.

V. 13: The one and only purpose of the kings V. 13: The one and only purpose of the kings is to give their power to the beast. They do is to give their power to the beast. They do this so that war can take place in v. 14. this so that war can take place in v. 14.

V. 14: The battle terminology that is V. 14: The battle terminology that is described in Revelation 17:14 is from described in Revelation 17:14 is from Dan. 7:21. In Daniel and in the Dan. 7:21. In Daniel and in the Apocalypse, horns represent kings of Apocalypse, horns represent kings of the earth who fight against Jesus and the earth who fight against Jesus and his people. his people.

V. 15: The many waters are V. 15: The many waters are interpreted in verse 15. Isaiah uses interpreted in verse 15. Isaiah uses the metaphor of many waters as the metaphor of many waters as “many nations” (Isa. 17:12-13). “many nations” (Isa. 17:12-13).

V. 16: God uses evil to destroy itself. V. 16: God uses evil to destroy itself.

V. 17: “This must be construed not as mere V. 17: “This must be construed not as mere divine ‘permission’ but as divine causation” divine ‘permission’ but as divine causation” (Beale, Revelation,(Beale, Revelation, 887). 887).

““God has put it into their heads to carry out God has put it into their heads to carry out his purpose, the purpose mentioned in the his purpose, the purpose mentioned in the opening sentence of the book, that every opening sentence of the book, that every power which sets itself up against God shall power which sets itself up against God shall in the end break itself on the Cross of his in the end break itself on the Cross of his Son and the martyr witness of his saints”Son and the martyr witness of his saints” (Caird, The Revelation of St. John, (Caird, The Revelation of St. John, 221). 221).

V. 18: The woman is interpreted as “the V. 18: The woman is interpreted as “the great city”. She is made up of all the great city”. She is made up of all the religious and evil economic systems of the religious and evil economic systems of the world throughout history. (Already and not world throughout history. (Already and not yet).yet).

The Fall of Babylon The Fall of Babylon

(18:1-24) (18:1-24)

The angel promised John that he The angel promised John that he would see the destruction of Babylon would see the destruction of Babylon in 17:1; that destruction was only in 17:1; that destruction was only narrated briefly in 17:6. narrated briefly in 17:6.

Chapter 18 expands upon verse 6 of Chapter 18 expands upon verse 6 of chapter 17 and the angel’s promise chapter 17 and the angel’s promise is fulfilled in detail throughout is fulfilled in detail throughout chapter 18. chapter 18.

18:1-318:1-3 V. 1: The angel is Christ because of the V. 1: The angel is Christ because of the

designation of glory attributed to him.designation of glory attributed to him. V. 2: The prophecy and fulfillment of V. 2: The prophecy and fulfillment of

Babylon’s past fall is viewed as a historical Babylon’s past fall is viewed as a historical pattern pointing forward to the fall of a pattern pointing forward to the fall of a much larger Babylon (Isa 21:9).much larger Babylon (Isa 21:9).

V. 3:This drinking of wine and committing V. 3:This drinking of wine and committing fornication with Babylon should be first fornication with Babylon should be first understood as a metaphor for accepting understood as a metaphor for accepting the idolatrous practices of Babylon. the idolatrous practices of Babylon. Secondarily, it could also point to literal Secondarily, it could also point to literal sexual sin since this is typically involved in sexual sin since this is typically involved in the worship and allegiance to pagan the worship and allegiance to pagan deities. deities.

Part 2.Part 2.

God’s people are encouraged to God’s people are encouraged to separate from Babylon (18:4-8)separate from Babylon (18:4-8)

V.4:Because Babylon is going to be V.4:Because Babylon is going to be judged most severely, an angel judged most severely, an angel encourages God’s people to come encourages God’s people to come out of the great idolatrous city. out of the great idolatrous city. Furthermore this verse contains a Furthermore this verse contains a strong warning to those who are strong warning to those who are inside the church to abstain from the inside the church to abstain from the practices of the beast. practices of the beast.

““When the Old Testament prophet said, ‘Come When the Old Testament prophet said, ‘Come out of her, my people’ (Jer. li. 45), he was out of her, my people’ (Jer. li. 45), he was addressing exiled Jews and telling them to make addressing exiled Jews and telling them to make their escape from Babylon before it should fall to their escape from Babylon before it should fall to the invader…The only inhabitants now left in the the invader…The only inhabitants now left in the great city are those who, through all the great city are those who, through all the premonitory plagues, have obdurately refused to premonitory plagues, have obdurately refused to repent (ix. 20; xvi. 9, 11). Yet even at this late repent (ix. 20; xvi. 9, 11). Yet even at this late hour it is still possible for men to prove hour it is still possible for men to prove themselves God’s people and to escape their themselves God’s people and to escape their share in Babylon’s plagues by dissociating share in Babylon’s plagues by dissociating themselves from her sins. To the bitter end the themselves from her sins. To the bitter end the miracle of grace remains open, and God never miracle of grace remains open, and God never ceases to say, ‘My people’, to those who before ceases to say, ‘My people’, to those who before were not his people (Hos. ii. 23; Rom. ix. 25f.; 1 were not his people (Hos. ii. 23; Rom. ix. 25f.; 1 Pet. ii 10)” Pet. ii 10)” (Caird, The Revelation of St. John, (Caird, The Revelation of St. John, 223-24). 223-24).

Christians are not being called to withdraw Christians are not being called to withdraw form economic life. Nevertheless, they form economic life. Nevertheless, they may be ostracized from the sphere of may be ostracized from the sphere of economic dealings because of their refusal economic dealings because of their refusal to compromise. to compromise. They are to remain in They are to remain in the world to witness (11:3-7) and to the world to witness (11:3-7) and to suffer for their testimony (6:9; 11:7-suffer for their testimony (6:9; 11:7-10; 12:11, 17; 16:6; 17:6; 18:24), but 10; 12:11, 17; 16:6; 17:6; 18:24), but they are not to be of the world (e.g., they are not to be of the world (e.g., 14:12-13; 16:15). Absolute physical 14:12-13; 16:15). Absolute physical removal would contradict the essence removal would contradict the essence of the Christian calling to witness to of the Christian calling to witness to the worldthe world” ” (Beale, Revelation,(Beale, Revelation, 898). 898).

V. 5: Jeremiah 51 is again the underlying V. 5: Jeremiah 51 is again the underlying precedent for this verse. “We would have precedent for this verse. “We would have healed Babylon, but she cannot be healed; healed Babylon, but she cannot be healed; let us leave her and each go to his own let us leave her and each go to his own land, for her judgment reaches to the skies, land, for her judgment reaches to the skies, it rises as high as the clouds” (Jer. 51:9). it rises as high as the clouds” (Jer. 51:9).

V. 6: As we have already seen in Revelation V. 6: As we have already seen in Revelation 16:5, 6 the punishment fits the crime.16:5, 6 the punishment fits the crime.

V. 7: The church must beware of trusting in V. 7: The church must beware of trusting in economic security lest its members be economic security lest its members be judged along with the world. This is judged along with the world. This is especially the case in Laodicea, whose especially the case in Laodicea, whose church said, ‘I am rich and have become church said, ‘I am rich and have become wealthy, and I have need of nothing’ (3:17)wealthy, and I have need of nothing’ (3:17)

Those who align with Babylon will Those who align with Babylon will weep for its downfall (18:9-19)weep for its downfall (18:9-19)

In verses 9-19 John repeats himself in an In verses 9-19 John repeats himself in an inclusio fashion. Verses 15-19 repeat inclusio fashion. Verses 15-19 repeat expressions and themes that we will first expressions and themes that we will first see in verses 9-11. Both of these sections see in verses 9-11. Both of these sections describe the weeping and mourning that describe the weeping and mourning that takes place in the hearts of those who have takes place in the hearts of those who have prospered from the economic system of the prospered from the economic system of the great city. The middle section vv. 12-14 great city. The middle section vv. 12-14 then highlights the reason for mourning. In then highlights the reason for mourning. In this entire narrative the saints feel no this entire narrative the saints feel no sympathy for Babylon; rather, they rejoice sympathy for Babylon; rather, they rejoice because of God’s judgment.because of God’s judgment.

V. 9: allegiance to both Caesar and V. 9: allegiance to both Caesar and the patron gods of the trade guilds the patron gods of the trade guilds was essential for people to maintain was essential for people to maintain good standing in their trades good standing in their trades

V. 10: One hour of persecution of V. 10: One hour of persecution of God’s people is mirrored by one hour God’s people is mirrored by one hour of judgment.of judgment.

V. 11: Babylon’s loss is the kings V. 11: Babylon’s loss is the kings losses as well.losses as well.

V. 12-13: human lives are probably V. 12-13: human lives are probably mentioned for gladiatorial sport.mentioned for gladiatorial sport.

V. 16: The great city is clothed with V. 16: The great city is clothed with nearly the exact same clothes as the nearly the exact same clothes as the whore. whore.

The harlot city is contrasted with The harlot city is contrasted with Christ’s bride.Christ’s bride.

V. 18-19: See Ezekiel 27:28-33 V. 18-19: See Ezekiel 27:28-33

The Saints should rejoice because The Saints should rejoice because of Babylon’s judgment and God’s of Babylon’s judgment and God’s

justification of his Glory and justification of his Glory and Character (18:20-24)Character (18:20-24)

V. 20: It is those who are in heaven who V. 20: It is those who are in heaven who are to rejoice (6:9-11). This verse is a are to rejoice (6:9-11). This verse is a clear echo of 12:12 where the saints clear echo of 12:12 where the saints are commanded to rejoice over the are commanded to rejoice over the inaugurated victory over Satan; now inaugurated victory over Satan; now they rejoice over the consummated they rejoice over the consummated victory over Satan’s system. victory over Satan’s system.

V. 21: The judgment of Babylon is now cast V. 21: The judgment of Babylon is now cast in parabolic imagery of an angel throwing in parabolic imagery of an angel throwing a millstone into the sea (Jer 51:63).a millstone into the sea (Jer 51:63).

V. 22-23: Babylon took away the means of V. 22-23: Babylon took away the means of living for Christians, and now Babylon’s living for Christians, and now Babylon’s means of living is taken away.means of living is taken away.

The merchants were giving glory to The merchants were giving glory to themselves and not to God (Isa 23:8).themselves and not to God (Isa 23:8).

V. 24: “Possession of wealth is not the V. 24: “Possession of wealth is not the reason for God’s judgment of Babylon. reason for God’s judgment of Babylon. The cause lies, rather, in ‘the arrogant use The cause lies, rather, in ‘the arrogant use of it’ and trust in the security that it brings, of it’ and trust in the security that it brings, which is tantamount to idolatry”which is tantamount to idolatry” (Beale, (Beale, Revelation,Revelation, 924). 924).

The Saints glorify God because The Saints glorify God because Babylon is judged (19:1-6)Babylon is judged (19:1-6)

There is a thematic connection There is a thematic connection between Revelation 11:15-19 and between Revelation 11:15-19 and chapter 19. In both chapters we see chapter 19. In both chapters we see the saints rewarded and their enemies the saints rewarded and their enemies destroyed. Chapter 19:1-6 actually destroyed. Chapter 19:1-6 actually concludes the last section (18:20-24) concludes the last section (18:20-24) of chapter 18 with the emphasis on of chapter 18 with the emphasis on Babylon’s fall and judgment. Babylon’s fall and judgment.

V. 2: The grounding reason for the V. 2: The grounding reason for the saints praise is (1) God’s judgment is saints praise is (1) God’s judgment is just, (2) God avenged the blood of just, (2) God avenged the blood of the saints.the saints.

V. 3: Smoke goes up forever and V. 3: Smoke goes up forever and everever

V. 4: We are taken back to the throne V. 4: We are taken back to the throne roomroom

V. 6: God has begun to reign.V. 6: God has begun to reign.

The servants of God are rewarded The servants of God are rewarded at the wedding supper of the Lamb at the wedding supper of the Lamb

19:7-1019:7-10 V. 7-8: The messianic banquet of the V. 7-8: The messianic banquet of the

OT is a wedding feast.OT is a wedding feast. The bride made herself ready by that The bride made herself ready by that

which she had been given by God.which she had been given by God. V. 9: The saints are viewed V. 9: The saints are viewed

individually. individually.

God Judges Babylon’s former allies God Judges Babylon’s former allies and vindicates his people (19:11-and vindicates his people (19:11-

21)21) The second half of Revelation 19 describes The second half of Revelation 19 describes

Christ’s defeat and ultimate judgment of Christ’s defeat and ultimate judgment of ungodly forces at the end of history. The ungodly forces at the end of history. The landscape of this section breaks down into landscape of this section breaks down into three major sections. First, Christ and his three major sections. First, Christ and his army is described (vv 11-16), next the army is described (vv 11-16), next the imminent destruction of the enemy is imminent destruction of the enemy is announced (vv 17-18), and finally the announced (vv 17-18), and finally the picture is completed by the defeat of the picture is completed by the defeat of the beast and the false prophet along with beast and the false prophet along with their followers (vv 19-21).their followers (vv 19-21).

V. 11: The rider is called “faithful and true.” V. 11: The rider is called “faithful and true.” This is very close to the designation of the This is very close to the designation of the Son of Man who addresses the church of Son of Man who addresses the church of Laodicea as the “faithful and true witness” Laodicea as the “faithful and true witness” (3:14). (3:14).

V. 12: The “eyes like a flame of fire” point to V. 12: The “eyes like a flame of fire” point to the penetrating nature of the Son of Man’s the penetrating nature of the Son of Man’s divine judgment (1:13, 14; 2:18).divine judgment (1:13, 14; 2:18).

The name that no one knows:The name that no one knows: Tetragamaton= YHWH (which the Jews did not Tetragamaton= YHWH (which the Jews did not

pronounce)pronounce) An unknowable mysteryAn unknowable mystery The intimate name of God that is known in a The intimate name of God that is known in a

redemptive-historical context. redemptive-historical context.

V. 13: The fact that Jesus is wearing a robe V. 13: The fact that Jesus is wearing a robe dipped in blood is an allusion to Isaiah dipped in blood is an allusion to Isaiah 63:1-3 and God’s judgment of the nations. 63:1-3 and God’s judgment of the nations.

V. 14: The armies of heaven imitate their V. 14: The armies of heaven imitate their leader. leader.

V. 15: The sharp double-edged sword (Isa. V. 15: The sharp double-edged sword (Isa. 49:2 and 11:4, Psa. 2:9, Isa. 63:3-6)49:2 and 11:4, Psa. 2:9, Isa. 63:3-6)

V. 16: The thigh was the typical location of V. 16: The thigh was the typical location of the warrior’s sword (e.g., Exod. 32:27; the warrior’s sword (e.g., Exod. 32:27; Judg. 3:16, 21; Ps. 45:3) and the symbolic Judg. 3:16, 21; Ps. 45:3) and the symbolic place under which the hand was placed to place under which the hand was placed to swear oaths (e.g., Gen. 24:2, 9; 47:29). swear oaths (e.g., Gen. 24:2, 9; 47:29).

V. 17-18: The “Great supper of God” is a V. 17-18: The “Great supper of God” is a gruesome caricature of the invitation to gruesome caricature of the invitation to come to the wedding “supper of the come to the wedding “supper of the Lamb.” 19:17 is the other side of the coin Lamb.” 19:17 is the other side of the coin of 19:9!of 19:9!

These verses are parallel to Ez. 39 and the These verses are parallel to Ez. 39 and the defeat of Gog and Magog.defeat of Gog and Magog.

V. 19: The war (16:14; 19:19; 20:8).V. 19: The war (16:14; 19:19; 20:8). V. 20-21: The final judgment of happens in V. 20-21: The final judgment of happens in

two phases: first the beast and the false two phases: first the beast and the false prophet are captured and destroyed (v 20) prophet are captured and destroyed (v 20) and then those who follow them are and then those who follow them are executed (v 21). executed (v 21).