The destruction of Babylon described in this chapter will prove to be the most destroyed and devastated city in all of human history. That is saying a lot in lei of the many destroyed cities in recent history. Such as Hiroshima, Japan when on August 6, 1945, an American B-29 bomber dropped an atomic bomb. Denoting the first time a nuclear weapon had been utilized in war. The city was largely intact until the atomic bomb immediately killed 80,000 people and destroyed 60,000 buildings.
In July of 1943, Allied forces dropped over 9,000 tons of explosives on Hamburg, Germany’s most important industrial city. During the first week of bombing, a heatwave and winds contributed to firestorms that sucked all available oxygen from the air and destroyed over half of the city. Around 44,600 civilians perished. In 1999–2000 battle of Grozny was the siege and assault of the Chechen capital by Russian forces. This siege and assault of the Chechen capital resulted in the widespread devastation of Grozny. The United Nations designated Grozny as the most destroyed city on Earth due to the extensive damage it suffered. It is estimated that between 5,000 and 8,000 civilians were killed during the siege. I am sure there was mourning and lament over the list but…

II The Cry of Anguish over fallen Babylon (9-19)

1. The great influence upon the world can be seen by the reaction of the world to this city’s destruction. This section describes the anguish resulting from the judgment upon Babylon. Three groups are specified as mourning. They cried watching Babylon literally “go up in smoke.” Kings (world leaders vv. 9), b) Merchants vv. 11, c) Shipmasters (ship merchants vv. 17),

2. The phrase Alas, alas is used three times (verses 10, 16 & 19). The English word alas only partly conveys the meaning of the Greek word. It is the same Greek word translated woe in Revelation 9:12 & 11:14. In chapter 18 it is translated alas because the context denotes a sense of grief as well as horror. Babylon had boasted she would sit a queen . . . and shall see no sorrow (18:7), but her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire (18:8).

2. Last mentioned on this list are “bodies and souls of men.” Some interpret this in a literal sense that the buying and selling of human life will once again appear in this diabolic world system.

Verse 19 “Threw dust on their heads.” This is an ancient expression of grief; of covering themselves with the filth and dirtiness of the word. For in one hour she is made desolate.”

Application:
* These have prospered for a long time under the rule of the beast and now their gain will stop within what will appear just a short time. ***Men of the world will grieve and lament over what they hold dear and important, money, gold, rich gains etc. How much more should we the children of God weep over what is truly important…the souls of men. Jesus said, For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Psa 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves [with him].

The judgment of God upon Babylon will cause universal horror and grief. While on earth kings, merchants, and mariners mourn, likewise, three groups in heaven rejoice…

III. Rejoice in Celebration that Babylon Has Fallen. (20-24)

1. As we close this chapter in Revelation the political and economic system of the beast has been destroyed, and all that is left is for Jesus to come from heaven and to personally meet and defeat the beast and his armies.

The Greek says in 18:20, Rejoice over her ye saints, and apostles, and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. In other words, Babylon had slain the saints, but now God slays Babylon, which is the answer to the martyrs’ prayer in Revelation 6:9-11.
The great millstone cast into the sea in 18:21 symbolizes the utter destruction of Babylon.
Verses 22-23 amplify the end of the affluent existence that characterized the lifestyle of this era.

2. The musicians of Babylon are now silent, and the craftsmen who produced the luxurious goods are now gone forever. No more music, no more industry, no preparing of food, no more power for light, and no more weddings because God will destroy the deceivers and the deceived.
As someone has said we do not need to see this voice of celebration calls us to be glad because sinners are judged. The fact of divine judgment ought to always break our hearts, knowing that lost sinners are condemned to eternal punishment.

Babylon the Great in all it’s splendor is still future, but the evil system is under construction in our day. It will deceive millions many will be believers.

Conclusion:

Do not believe all the secular voices that tell us the world will go on forever as it is now. Don’t believe the other voices, which tell us there is no God, so we can live as we please, or that if God exists, he will never judge us. Don’t believe the voices, which whisper to us constantly and try to turn us away from our faith. History is the commentary on the folly of all who would seek to live with an absence of God. Chapter 18 is evidence of that. You cannot hide your sin from God. No cover up will keep Him from the true you. He knows if you’re a Christians today. He knows if you are unsaved, he knows if you are pretending to be a Christian. Don’t wait…