Chuck Smith: The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ – Chapter 18

Pastor Chuck Smith unpacks Revelation 18—the fall of “Babylon,” symbolizing corrupt religion and global commercialism. He explains why material wealth can’t satisfy the soul, warns against being ruled by lust and emotion over godly wisdom, and calls believers to “come out” of the Babylonian system, choose righteousness, and look forward to God’s kingdom.

Highlights

• Meaning of Babylon’s collapse (false religion + materialism)

• Limits of possessions vs. true fulfillment in Christ

• A call to separation, repentance, and hope in God’s reign

#Revelation18 #Babylon #EndTimes #ChuckSmith #BibleTeaching

The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ – Chapter 18

Let’s turn to the 18th chapter of the Book of Revelation.

Last week, in chapter 17, we looked at God’s judgment upon the false religious system the Lord called Mystery Babylon, the Mother of Harlots. We recognized it wasn’t the literal city of Babylon destroyed there, but that “Babylon” was used as a symbol for the false religious system because Babylon was the birthplace of false religions—Nimrod, Tammuz, and Semiramis. The system spread throughout the world and was identified with Rome, the city on seven hills.

Now we come to God’s judgment upon a second evil: the commercial system.

The Commercialism of the World

False religion has destroyed many lives, and so has commercialism—the enslaving of the souls of men. Babylon was the birthplace of commercialism as well—the first banks and early commerce were centered there. Thus, again, it is identified as “Babylon,” not as the literal city, but as the commercial center that once was.

The “Babylon” of chapter 18, I believe, will be the city where commercialism is centered during the time of the Antichrist. Just where that will be, we do not yet know. It’s interesting how the flow of money shifts—from one area to another as time passes. At one time the United States, then Japan, now China; and because of oil, the Middle East. Money flows and commercial centers shift.

It’s also amazing how commercial interests can program our minds to feel we must have a certain product. Look how they play upon the minds of children—remember the Cabbage Patch doll craze, then Tickle Me Elmo? Parents scoured stores because “Christmas won’t be Christmas if I don’t get it.” Contrived shortages drove demand. Kids watch cartoons and know exactly which cereal and toys they “need” because advertising has already programmed them.

A Thirst Only God Can Satisfy

Deep within every person is a thirst for God. Jesus spoke of that in John 7:37: “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink.” He wasn’t talking about physical or even emotional thirst, but the thirst in the human spirit for God. He said, “Come to Me and drink… out of your innermost being will flow torrents of living water.” The thirst will be satisfied—and more.

Paul wrote in Romans that God has subjected creation to emptiness—there’s a God-shaped vacuum within us by design. The problem: you can’t satisfy a spiritual thirst with physical things or emotional experiences. That’s the great fallacy of our age: trying to satisfy the spirit with material goods or momentary thrills.

Madison Avenue recognizes this. Advertisers play upon the spiritual thirst and make you think it can be satisfied if you possess their product. They use that inner thirst to promote the idea that this is what you need to find contentment.

Remember Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman (John 4). He said, “If you drink of this water, you will thirst again.” That’s true of every material possession. Everything we thought would bring lasting satisfaction—after “drinking,” we thirsted again. It may satisfy for a moment, but the deep need for God returns.

Physical and Emotional Experiences

Emotional experiences can’t satisfy either. Many think fulfillment lies in a new relationship, a new thrill ride, or the next big event. For 90 seconds on a roller coaster you may feel exhilarated—but then the ride stops. Where do we go now?

Entertainment venues, sports rivalries, and spectacle-driven “events” stir emotions, but when the final whistle blows, the emptiness returns. The world offers promises it cannot fulfill. And while it’s promising, it has its hand in your back pocket. People go hopelessly into debt for the hope of fulfillment—cars, giant screens—whatever is promised to bring satisfaction. Lenders happily extend credit, and many become slaves to debt. Scripture says, “The borrower is servant to the lender.” God hates predatory systems that exploit people—and none of it satisfies the spirit.

God created that thirst so we would come to Him. These substitutes only prolong the journey. God hates a crass commercialism that substitutes for the genuine relationship with Him.

“Babylon the Great Is Fallen”

Revelation 18:1–2
After these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Scripture gives us glimpses of angels—awesome created beings, ranked in orders, some very powerful. Lucifer himself was once the anointed cherub, perfect in wisdom and beauty until iniquity was found in him (Ezekiel 28). Here we see a powerful angel whose glory lights the earth, declaring Babylon’s fall.

In Scripture, unclean “birds” in parable form often symbolize the work of Satan (cf. the birds devouring seed by the wayside in Matthew 13). Here, Babylon becomes a habitation of demons—every foul and hateful thing.

Back in Revelation 14:8 an angel proclaimed, “Babylon is fallen.” Chapter 18 amplifies that earlier announcement. Revelation often lays out scenes, then circles back with more detail.

Revelation 18:3
All nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

Where this end-times “Babylon” is remains to be seen. Whatever becomes the global commercial center under the Antichrist will be the city judged here.

“Come Out of Her, My People”

Revelation 18:4–5
Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Throughout Scripture, God calls His people out of the Babylonian system:

• “Go ye forth of Babylon; flee from the Chaldeans.” (Isaiah 48:20)

• “Depart… touch no unclean thing.” (Isaiah 52:11)

• “Flee out of the midst of Babylon.” (Jeremiah 51:6–9)

• “Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.” (Zechariah 2:6–7)

• “Come out from among them, and be ye separate.” (2 Corinthians 6:17–18)

God’s people are called to separation from the world’s system: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world…” (1 John 2:15).

God’s Judgment on the Wicked System

Revelation 18:6–8
Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double… how much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her… therefore shall her plagues come in one day… and she shall be utterly burned with fire.

There are power brokers—men and institutions controlling finance, politics, and policy—often behind the scenes. They enslave via debt and commerce, promoting unrighteousness. God calls for judgment upon the system and its architects. From heaven’s perspective, she receives what she deserves.

Lament from Earth: Kings, Merchants, and Mariners

From earth’s side, there is weeping:

Revelation 18:9–10
The kings of the earth… shall bewail her… standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon… for in one hour is thy judgment come.

“Standing afar off” appears twice, suggesting a nuclear-type devastation with fear of approaching due to residual danger. In “one hour” her judgment comes—swift and total.

Revelation 18:11–13
The merchants of the earth shall weep… for no man buyeth their merchandise any more; the merchandise of gold, silver, precious stones, pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, scarlet; all thyine wood, vessels of ivory, most precious wood, brass, iron, marble; and cinnamon, odors, ointments, frankincense; wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, beasts, sheep; horses and chariots; and slaves—and souls of men.

Note the chilling climax: “slaves and souls of men.” Trafficking in human beings—exploiting bodies and souls for profit—has been part of this corrupt system. From child exploitation to pornography and prostitution, men have been merchandised. This entire system is coming down.

Revelation 18:14–17
The fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed… in one hour so great riches is come to nought.

Advertising creates lust; people become controlled by lust rather than reason. God gave us minds to reason—“Come now, and let us reason together,” He says (Isaiah 1:18). Yet many are ruled by emotion and desire, not by truth.

The shipmasters and sailors likewise lament:

Revelation 18:17–19
All that had ships in the sea… stood afar off… Alas, alas, that great city… for in one hour is she made desolate.

Heaven Rejoices

Revelation 18:20–24
Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her… Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all… for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

While earth wails over lost wealth, heaven rejoices in God’s just judgment on a system that deceived nations and shed the blood of God’s people.

“The Kingdoms of This World…”

It’s striking how often commercial and advertising powers promote evil, funding ungodly causes and opposing righteousness. Good news: it’s almost over. Next week, in chapter 19, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ.” What a radical change when God’s Kingdom comes! I can hardly wait. If the Lord tarries, we’ll be here next Sunday night; if not—better still!

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for the hope of the coming Kingdom—the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. As Your judgments are fulfilled, bring the time of glorious reign. We pray that Your Kingdom will come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Help us to walk in truth, to use the minds You’ve given us, and not to be driven by lust or emotion. Keep us from the path that leads to death. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayers for the Body of Christ

Let’s stand.

The pastors are down here at the front to minister to you in prayer—whatever the need: spiritual, physical, financial. God answers prayer. James says, “You have not because you ask not.” They’re here to pray with you and bear your burdens (Galatians 6:2). As soon as we’re dismissed, come and be ministered to by these men God has called.

Now may the Lord be with you, keep you in His love, and fill you with His joy. May you know the fulfillment that comes through Jesus Christ, as He brings you into that relationship with God which fills the void of the soul.

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God… for the living God.” (Psalm 42)

The fulfillment will come when you come into that relationship with Him. You can do that tonight; they’re here to pray for you.

Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.