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In the previous chapter, we saw the city of Rome overthrown and destroyed. In chapter 18, the song of victory over the terrible persecutor of Christians is sung. A brilliant angel comes down from heaven and announces the destruction of the city. The language used to describe the city of Babylon is very similar to the language used to describe the prostitute in chapter 17:

God’s people are commanded to leave the city so that they will not share in the great judgment that descends there. As they see the destruction of the city, the kings of the earth and the merchants who gained great wealth there mourn the loss of their power, wealth and status as the city is brought low.

It is inescapable that Babylon here serves as another name for Rome; this was made explicit in chapter 17. However, it is fascinating to consider God’s judgment on the actual city of Babylon on the Euphrates that was accomplished hundreds of years before. Reading Jeremiah 50-51, as God announced His destruction of Babylon, we cannot help but be struck by the similarity of language: the city was to be abandoned, it was to be the home of unclean animals, it made the world drunk, this is the vengeance of God for destroying His people, these things came about by natural disaster and invading armies. Consider especially Jeremiah 51:63-64 in light of Revelation 18:21. The Lord chooses to use unmistakably Old Testament language to point up the certainty of the disaster on Rome. All that He had spoken came to pass upon Babylon. His judgment on Rome could be no less determined.

Revelation 19 begins with a song of rejoicing at the fall of the persecutor. There is no joy at the death and destruction suffered in the city, but there is great joy at the vindication of God. The word "hallelujah" is Hebrew and literally means, "praise God!" Back in chapter 6:9-11, the beheaded saints asked God "how long" He would put up with this situation and take no vengeance. They were told to take a robe and wait. Now they see their vindication. It has arrived (19:2).

A great multitude praises God and the beings around the throne bow before Him to declare that this is, indeed, justice. The wedding supper of the Lamb is at hand and the bride (the church) is dressed in fine linen—which is symbolic of the righteous acts of the saints. It is important to remember that what we do is important in the cosmic conflict between right and wrong! Although we may seem unimportant, our actions may have eternal consequences in the great struggle. We do not know what the outcome in heaven may be of our "minor" actions here. We must approach every day and every activity as if we were combat soldiers on the front lines.

An angel meets with John and commands him to take dictation—"Write." At the sight of the angel, John falls down to worship him, but is prevented from doing so. The angel points out that he, too, is a servant of God—not worthy of worship. It is fascinating to note that the common reaction to the appearance of an angel in the Bible is for the person to fall on his face in fear and seek to worship the glorious being. Angels are not sweet, chubby, harmless flying babies. They are awe-inspiring messengers of God, sometimes warriors, sometimes performing other tasks, but always terrifying to human beings. No matter how awesome they may be, we are never to worship them, but only to worship God.

After this, a rider on a white horse makes His appearance. This takes us back to Revelation 16:16. There, we left the enemies gathered to make war. We watched the seventh bowl poured out to end the Roman Empire, but chapters 17, 18, 19 deal with more detail. We watched a summary of the end of the conflict and the great joy heard at the overthrow of the persecutor, but now it’s time to take up the story of victory.

The rider is described in familiar, if splendid, terms:

Clearly, the identification of this rider is Jesus Christ. As He rides out at the head of the armies of heaven, an angel calls all the birds of the air to a great slaughter. Birds have always been scavengers and greatly noted for their willingness to eat the dead.

For the last time, the beast and the kings gather to make war against the rider and His army. This is the gathering that was alluded to in 16:16. The conflict is swift and decisive. The beast is captured along with the false prophet. Thus, both the Roman Empire and the system of Emperor worship are completely overpowered by Christ. They are thrown alive into the lake of fiery burning sulfur. The persecutor is swiftly destroyed and cast into eternal punishment. His followers are killed with the sword from the rider’s mouth and the birds gain their feast.

Here, the beast (the Roman Empire) and the false prophet (the system of Emperor worship) are dealt with. They no longer have power to persecute the Christians. It might have seemed that the Roman Empire was stronger than the church, but now only one of them continues to exist. However, the dragon is not dealt with just now. The persecution by the city of Rome may be over, but the enemy will not be completely vanquished until the end and the return of Christ. It is to that great day that we next turn.