"Fallen, Fallen Is Babylon the Great" (Revelation 17:1–18:24)

Satan had just brought his antichrist and false prophet into the world to deceive and destroy (13:1–18) when John sees the Lamb standing unfazed on the heavenly Mount Zion (14:1–7). Harps are being played, songs are being sung, and gospels are being preached when, seemingly out of nowhere, an angel flies overhead declaring, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great” (14:8). What immediately follows is reverent celebration in heaven and more devastation on earth (15:1–16:18) before a similar refrain is heard: “Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of his fierce wrath” (16:19). 

With so much chaos being poured out on earth and on so many people, why does this ancient city receive a divine call-out? What’s so special about Babylon, how is she uniquely punishable, and what does her eventual fall have to teach the church today?