The Spiritual Fall of Babylon Explained

Study of Revelation 18:1-3

By Nab B. 

April 23, 2023

Updated March 2026

Verse By Verse Series©

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Revelation 18:1

“After these things, I saw another angel (messenger or star) coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory.” NKJV

“Another angel came from heaven, having great authority." 

Unlike the fallen star in Revelation 9:1, the angel in Revelation 18:1 comes from heaven with great authority. Of  Jesus Christ, Peter said, "Who is gone into heaven...angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." (1 Pet 3:22) Angelic beings with great authority are involved in ways we don't understand in transmitting Christ's messages and judgments to his churches throughout the centuries. 

“The earth was illuminated (enlightened) with his glory.” 

"Earth" here often refers to "earth dwellers" in Revelation and not to a landmass. Although the angel's next message is alarming, it brings spiritual light to those who will heed it.

Revelation 18:2

“And he cried with a loud voice, saying, 'Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul (unclean) spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird.” NKJV

“He cried with a loud voice.” 

A loud voice represents a clear and powerful message from Jesus Christ to his churches.  Jesus’ voice is portrayed in Revelation 1:15 as loud as “The sound of many waters.” 

“Babylon the Great is fallen, is fallen.” 

Like ancient Israel, the newly formed church started well, only to "fall away" shortly after. As a result, God permits it to go into spiritual captivity to Babylon the Great. To release His people, God will cause Babylon the Great, this system of deception that enslaves the churches, to completely fall. 

Note the parallel between God's judgment against ancient Babylon and figurative Babylon the Great:

“Babylon is fallen, is fallen! And all the carved images of her gods He has broken to the ground.” (Isa 21:9)

“And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride, will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It will never be inhabited, nor will it be settled from generation to generation.” (Isa 13:19-20)

“She has become a dwelling place of demons.”

Babylon the Great is home to demonic and deceiving spirits, actively producing false christs, prophets, and teachers to deceive the people of God, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith [falling away], giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” (1 Tim 4:1-3)

“A prison for every foul (unclean) spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird.”

Babylon is a spiritual prison for every unclean spirit. Rather than the "one Spirit of God" that unites the true church, those in Babylon have many unclean spirits, spreading false doctrines, practices, rituals, and traditions that are neither from God nor taught by Christ.

Babylon is also like a cage full of men who are like birds of prey waiting to feed mercilessly on their unsuspecting victims, as these warning makes it evident:

“There will be false teachers among you…secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them...they will exploit you with deceptive words."  (2 Pet 2:1, 3, 12)

“For certain people have crept in unnoticed...ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny...Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:4)

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matt 7:15)

“Watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles...and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” (Rom 16:17-18)

Revelation 18:3

“For all the 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 have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” NKJV

“For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath (passion) of her fornication of the wrath (passion) of her fornication.”

 The word “nations” does not necessarily mean everyone in the world. Nations or (Greek, ethnos) is often used for the Gentile churches whom Jesus commanded to go to and "Make disciples." (Matt 28:19) They are those whom Jesus said, “I have other sheep (Gentiles) that are not of this fold (Israel). I must bring them in as well.” (John 10:16)

What is meant by the wine? We know Jesus is the true wine for true believers: “This cup that is poured out for you is the New Covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22:20). Babylon's lovers get drunk on her inferior wine. It keeps them intoxicated and confused spiritually. They have become so addicted to inferior wine that they are unable to savour the new wine of Jesus Christ.

The word ‘wrath’, according to Thayer’s Word Study, means passionate. Note how the NLT reads: “The wine of her passionate immorality" NLT. The ESV also reads, “The wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.” This does not speak of wrath and anger; rather, of a passionate, immoral relationship sought after by her lovers.

“The kings of the earth have committed fornication with her.” 

Who are these “Kings of the earth”? Note that they are "of the earth," like "The Merchants of the earth." It's not difficult to see that both groups are connected to "The beast from the earth." They are all earthly, carnal, soulish, and unspiritual in every way as their earthly beast, which is called the false prophet, who erected the system!

"The kings of the earth" are not political rulers or popes! Nor are they an amalgamation of Church and state. Remember, Revelation is "signified." It uses common titles, numbers, beasts, and places as symbols of something greater. 

In the false church, “The kings of the earth” are Babylon's bed companions. Knowingly or not, they lead the way, deceitfully replacing Christ to the deceived, preaching false doctrines, spreading a strange gospel, a false Christ, and a different spirit. Here's how they operate in many churches:

“For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray…For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” (Matt 24:5,11,24)

“Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you.” (Matt 20:25-26)

“And the Merchants of the Earth.” 

These "Merchants" do not represent the economic or commercial system of the world. "The Merchants of the earth” symbolize the buyers and sellers, the movers and shakers of Babylon's wares of falsehood to the people of God, to keep their hearts and minds charmed with Babylon and its luxuries rather than with God and Christ.

The description “The merchants of the earth” comes from ancient Tyre, the sea merchant. Like Babylon, Tyre’s sin was pride and arrogance, “Because your heart is lifted up...You have gained riches…And your heart is lifted up because of your riches.” (Eze 28:2-5)

These "Merchants of the earth" turn the worship of  God into merchandise: “And He said to them, 'It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” (Matt 21:12-13)

They trade in the souls of men, causing many to lose their faith and salvation, “Woe to you...For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte...you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.” (Matt 23:15)

They are money lovers who merchandise the word of  God for gain, “For we are not like the many, peddling the word of God, but as of sincerity, but as of God, we speak before God in Christ.” (2 Cor 2:17)

“Have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” 

The “merchants” have become excessively rich because Babylon offers great luxuries which appeal to those easily deceived.

As "The kings of the earth" and the harlot, "Babylon the Great," produce unclean fruits, the "Merchants of the earth" trade and spread her luxuries of all sorts of falsehood.

Babylon the Great abundantly supplies her "kings and merchants" with all that is needed to keep many of God's people "drunk with her wine of fornication," under spiritual bondage. 

Though Babylon the Great, her kings, and merchants, feel secure and rich, God pronounces her "fallen, fallen." Her judgment begins!

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