Revelation 18

John’s vision now takes on the tone of a funeral dirge for fallen Babylon. In advance of the coming judgment John calls for good people to come out of Rome lest they get caught up in the judgment and suffer additional hardships. John’s call to flee Rome was probably not something many of the good people had the means to heed. His call is not so much one of practical advice than it is a way of affirming the coming judgment of God. John believes so strongly in the fall of Babylon he uses the past tense. This is not because the event has already taken place; rather it is a way of expressing the certainty that Babylon will be judged by God.

The fire in chapter 18 represents God’s judgment on Rome and those who have aligned themselves with the forces of evil that have persecuted the people of God. Those who have participated with the commerce of Rome stand far off and observe with grief the loss of their biggest customer. Some have mistakenly inferred here that God opposes commerce or capitalism. That is not so. What God opposes is the excesses that result in oppression. The key insight to this is the inclusion of the slave trade in the list of commerce. That is one of the sins that pushed Rome over the brink.

John also reaffirms that God’s judgment is always mindful of those who have been martyred by the forces of evil. This is not like inviting the family of murder victims to witness the execution of the murderer. This is mindful of John 15:13, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” God delays judgment because his will is that all people have an opportunity to be reconciled with him through faith in Jesus. Sometimes this causes hardships and suffering for those showing greater love. Sometimes this greater love will bear fruit as those so loved come to faith in God. Sometimes there is no fruit, at least none that we can see. In any event, always God knows when his people have acted in love. John’s inclusion of the martyrs in this chapter is a way of affirming that their sacrifice was known by God and was not wasted. Even if the showing of greater love did not result in repentance, their greater love gave opportunities for repentance.

What does today’s reading

reveal to you about God?

What does it reveal to you about yourself?

Think about what God wants you to do

or remember about this passage.

Does God want you to change

anything in your life?

16-Oct-11     Rev. 19