Revelation 18 - Introduction

Introduction

The most common view among Christians is that this harlot is either Rome, the city; Rome, the government or empire; or Rome, the seat of the papacy. Many see this chapter as the fall of the civil Roman Empire in 476.

I do not believe that this chapter seeks to write history. Where is the encouragement to suffering, hurting and persecuted Christians in 96? How does it help them to know that almost 300 years later the government will fall? If our premise is valid, that the book must offer support and encouragement to the first century church, then writing history 300 years (or 2000 years) later is of little help.

Woodruff offers several reasons why he rejects this chapter as dealing with the fall of Rome.

1. It fails to apply the meaning of the great harlot and Babylon as they are used in the Bible.

2. It takes away any meaning it might have for Christians who live during other periods of world history.

3. It forces the interpretation of chapter 17 to also deal specifically with Rome.

4. The things that undergo destruction in chapter 18 are destroyed forever. But, the city and nation of Rome did once again exist and exists today. (1, 316-317)

The picture painted in graphic detail in this chapter is the ultimate doom of the immoral. Babylon, the great harlot, the one who led people into fornication, is destined for destruction.

Immorality has a strong hold on our politics and economy. Think about the drug dealer. There are the growers, the ones who fly planeloads into the county, the cars that distribute these drugs, the kingpin that distributes these drugs to dealers and the young person who steals to get the money to buy the drugs. If drugs suddenly stopped, think of how the ripples would affect many lives. The same is true with other forms of immoral behavior.

The message of this chapter is: There will come a day of reckoning. God will punish all the wicked. Not just the person doing an immoral deed. God will punish the drug grower, distributor, seller and user. Do not think, because one has gotten away with a sin, and even seems to prosper in their wickedness, that the sin is unpunished. To Christians - remain faithful to God. It may cost you your life, but God will mete out the punishment.