Chapter Summary

Last form of apostate Christendom and the warning to God's people. The human and the angelic views of Babylon.

Discussion Questions for Revelation, Chapter 18

1. Babylon was destroyed centuries before John's Revelation was written. Who do you think he had in mind for this chapter? Who might have been some "Babylons" throughout history? Who might be the modern-day Babylon? Why?
2. Read Leviticus 20:6-7. What does it mean that "all the nations have drunk the wine of her sexual immorality" (verse 3, CSB)? How might the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from this?
3. In verse four, a voice calls God's people out of Babylon "so that you will not share in her sins or receive any of her plagues" (CSB). How does this relate to our present situation? Do you still deal with sin? Why does the Lord allow you to still deal with sin even after salvation?
4. What sins is God judging in chapter 18? Are you guilty of any of these? What can you do to turn away from these sins?
5. "For her sins are piled up to heaven," (verse 5, CSB). What story is this referencing? What connections can you make? Why is understanding this reference so important to understanding the judgment of Babylon as a whole?
6. Verse 7 shows that even in her judgment, Babylon will be just as prideful and stubborn as she always was. Will you have this same pride when you stand before the Lord? What in your life might cause pride to well up?
7. Why will the kings, merchants, and sailors mourn the death of Babylon? Would you have a similar reaction if your country faced this kind of judgment? Why or why not? What will be the fate of these kings, merchants and sailors?
8. The merchants in particular had a sinister viewpoint. While they sold people to become wealthy, they did not take this time to repent from that. What were they concerned about? What are you concerned about? What do you need to repent from?
9. What does it mean that all of her merchants were "the nobility of the earth" (verse 23, CSB)? Why is this seemingly a wicked thing? How has every nation been deceived by her sorcery?
10. Read verse 24. What is the significance of her having the blood of prophets and saints within her? Why does John single these people out?

Key Words/Phrase

Babylon's fall, vv. 2, 21.

Characters

God, John, angels.

Strong Verse(s)