18:20
In contrast to the woe experienced by those who relied on Babylon, the heavens, the people of God, the apostles and prophets are commanded to rejoice. Why? Because God’s judgement has come upon the city, upon the evil world system. Babylon had imposed her own judgement upon God’s people, now she was receiving righteous judgement from God. We do need to understand that the world is hostile to God, and that there is deep corruption at its heart.
18:21-24
In the NIV this final section of the chapter is entitled “The Finality of Babylon’s Doom”, and this sums up the primary point of the last chapter or so. The world system with all its corruption will be completely and finally destroyed. John sees a “mighty angel” throwing a large boulder into the sea to signify the downfall of Babylon. The city will be gone. The musicians and entertainers will be gone. Trade and industry will be gone. Social life will be gone. Her violent persecution of the prophets and God’s holy people will be gone. Bloodshed will be gone.
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