v.4-7 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mixed for her double. In the measure that she glorified herself and lived sensually, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as a queen, and am no widow and will not see sorrow’.”
Babylon will thrive with international bankers and corporate executives, mercantile barons and shipping magnates. Even in the midst of the terrible plagues, all the money-worshiping, power-seeking money kings are there increasing their riches, nonetheless. Jews will likely be part of that mix—a probable reason why Jesus (seemingly the One who speaks from heaven) warns them (“my people”) to leave Babylon.
“For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” It has been said, “Babylon has a long history of accumulated sins, and God has the record.” The evil Babylon has long rendered to God He will repay her “double” the evil in vengeance. In the same measure she has glorified herself and lived sensually God will measure unto her torment and sorrow.
“For she says in her heart, ‘I sit as a queen, and am no widow and will not see sorrow.’” This was first said of Babylon after the ancient Empire conquered and mistreated Israel (check–Isa.47:5-8). It intends to show the prideful indignation of those in Babylon (now the seat of Antichrist) carrying the notion that they consider themselves above the children of Israel by their defeat of the Nation and above even the One true God.
v.8-10 “Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her. And the kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come’.”
Babylon’s destruction by “fire” will come unexpectedly, suddenly, and with utter destruction. The intensity of which is described by the prophets.
“Behold, they shall burn as stubble, the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame; it shall not be a coal to be warmed by, nor a fire to sit before!” (Isa.47:14)
“The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire. The people will labor in vain, and the nations, because of the fire; and they shall be weary” (Jer.51:58)
As a result people around the globe will dread the fire and stand at a distance “for fear of her torment”. Moreover, corporate leaders, investors, and financiers who “committed fornication and lived luxuriously” with Babylon will stand back and wail—or more literally—they will sob convulsively and beat their breasts in anguish because of her destruction.
The source of such a devastating fire is unknown. But it is certainly not ordinary because the entire city is incinerated. My own opinion is that it is supernatural, and that it is in fact what causes the Antichrist to know that Christ is about to return and why he gathers his armies at Armageddon to “make war against Him” (Rev.19:19-20).