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THE FALL OF BABYLON

[Scheduled Reading: Revelation 13-18]

The eventual “crushing” the enemy will happen in stages. 

Before the final judgment of the dead (those names not in the book of life), Satan is thrown into the eternal lake of fire (Chapter 20).

And before Satan’s demise, the False Prophet (anti-Christ) and the Beast will be cast into this fiery lake (Chapter 19).

And before that, we have the “Fall of Babylon” (Chapter 18).

So what and where exactly is this place Babylon?

Throughout scriptures, Babylon is a symbol for godlessness. 

Whenever God calls out evil and gives it a figurative reference, He typically mentions “Babylon.”  

Ancient Babylon was situated in the Mesopotamian region. 

It is believed the Garden or Eden was located near ancient Babylon. Satan’s entrance on to the scenes of scriptures might have occurred near what later became ancient Babylon. 

God’s hatred and wrath against Babylon is well documented. Ancient Babylon was a highly cultural and political mecca with flourishing arts, commerce and ideas… and rampant worship of a host of gods.

Centuries after the flood, Babylon suffered God’s judgment for its “Tower of Babel” experiment. God dispersed its inhabitants across the earth to slow down their progressive ways (i.e. a tower toward the heavens).

It’s no wonder that centuries later God would lead Abram’s family away from Ur (near Babylon) to a new land of Canaan. 

God was intentional in moving the future of the Seed Family away from Babylon.

And for an ironic twist - to demonstrate God’s extreme wrath and judgment on Israel for their sins - where did He send them into exile? 

Answer: To Babylon!

In Revelation, an angel from heaven describes “Babylon the Great” as a “dwelling place for demons” (18:2). 

Babylon appears to be the dwelling place of remaining expressions of evil and wickedness in these near-end times. 

As in the past, it makes sense that this Babylon will exist as a worldwide commercial epicenter. Chapter 18 suggests Babylon’s downfall will be accomplished, in part, by the collapse of it’s economic empire. 

From God’s perspective, judgment is not just limited to people or creatures. God’s curse is inflicted on “places” as well (cities, regions, etc.). 

The final defeat of Satan (remember Genesis 3:15, the crushing blow to the serpent’s head) is preceded by a death blow to Satan’s preferred place of business… Babylon!