Lesson 52

Revelation - Study of Things to Come

Destruction of Babylon the Great Chapter 17-18

#2. Different destroyers;

- The Babylon of ch-17 is said to be destroyed by kings while the Babylon of ch-18 is destroyed by fire.

- If these distinctions are valid, than any attempt to view the chapters as a unit is doomed to failure.

- These 2 chapters are more similar than many expositors believe. Some comparisons show I believe that they don't have different destroyers.

Comparison of Destroyers

Chapter 17 Chapter 18

Object of "Babylon the great... "the great city, Babylon"

destruction the great city" (17:5,18) (18:10)

Instrument of "the ten horns which you (not given)

destruction saw, and the beast" (17:16)

Means of "will burn her up with "she will be burned up

destruction fire" (17:16) with fire" (18:8)

Source of "God has put it in their "The Lord God who judges

destruction hearts to execute His her is strong" (18:8)

purpose" (17:17)

When these 2 chapters are viewed synthetically the alleged distinction between destroyers melts away.

In its place stands a unified whole with each chapter presenting a different aspect of one great destruction.

#3 Different Responses

- The focus here is the response to the destruction ascribed to men.

This difference is reflected by the kings of each chapter.

- 1st the response of ch-17 is in 17:16. hate;

- In ch-18 the response is observed in 18:9 great mourning.

Question?? Are these two passages talking about the same group of kings?

- In 17:12-14 the kings in view are the "ten horns" the kings who will make up the rulers, the leaders of the nations that come together to make up the RRE.

- In 18:9-10 it is the "kings of the earth" these are the leaders of the other nations around the world, and must be distinguished from the 10 kings who joined with the Beast.

- It is important to recognize that Scripture does not give the specific reason why the kings hate her and destroy her .

- This view, I believe, is consistent with the particulars of the text but still seeks to harmonize the two chapters.

#4. Different Character

The character noted in chapter 17 is said to be religious in nature.

The characteristic that best describes Babylon of chapter 18 is commercial.

- Babylon in the vision is pictured as a woman riding a beast. A vision which presents vivid word pictures.

- The failure by many it seems is that they never look at the interpretive section in vs:7-18 where the concrete reality is found.

Does she represent a religious system, a spiritual prostitute?

Rev 17:18 suggests that the answer is no!

Conclusions related to these 4 distinctions.

1. Not one of the four distinctions contains compelling evidence for making a division between the chapters.

2. The different settings are merely temporal aspects connected with John's viewing of the visions.

3. The differences between the destroyers vanish when the 2 chapters are compared synthetically.

4. The different responses by the kings are explained by the existence of 2 distinct groups of kings.

5. The alleged different character between the chapters vanishes when we examine God's interpretation of the woman is given; both are cities!

The Specific Parallels: Between the Babylon of 17 and the Babylon of 18.

The Designation 17 18

The name is "Babylon the "Babylon the great"

the same. great" (17:5) (18:2)

The identity is "The woman...is the "Woe, woe, the great

the same. great city" (17:18) city, Babylon" (18:10)

The Description 17 18

The clothing is "And the woman was clothed "...she who was clothed in

the same. in purple and scarlet.... fine linen and purple and

(17:4) and scarlet..." (18:16

Both hold a cup. "Having in her hand a gold "In the cup which she has

cup full of abominations" mixed, mix twice as much

(17:4) for her" (18:6)

The Deeds 17 18

The relationship "With whom the kings of "And the kings of the earth

to the kings is the earth committed acts have committed acts of

the same. of immorality" (17:2) immorality with her" (18:3)

The relationship "Those who dwell on the "For all the nations have

to the nations earth were made drunk drunk of the wine of the

is the same. with the wine of her passion of her immorality"

immorality" (17:2) (18:3)

The relationship "And I saw the woman "And in her was found the

to the believers drunk with the blood of blood of prophets, and of

is the same. the saints, and with saints and of all who have

the blood of the been slain on the earth"

witnesses of Jesus" (18:24)

(17:6)

The Destruction 17 18

The means of "These will hate the harlot "She will be burned up

destruction is ...and will burn her up with fire" (18:8)

the same. with fire" (17:16)

The source of "For God has put it in their "And God has remembered

destruction is hearts to execute His her iniquities...for the

the same. purpose" (17:17) Lord God who judges her

is strong" (18:5,8)

Conclusion:

1. Both Babylons are destroyed by fire.

2. In both cases the primary source is the destruction is God; it is His judgment that is being carried out.

3. The parallels between the chapters are striking.

a. Each chapter refers to a city with the same name, Babylon.

b. Each deals with a city that performs the same deeds.

c. Each refers to a city that is destroyed in the same manner.

4. These descriptions go beyond mere similarity, point toward unity.

Two distinct cities could hardly be described in such a similar manner.