We have the fall of Babylon distinguished, I think, from the destruction of Babylon. Her fall includes moral degradation, and being the dwelling-place of unclean spirits. This is judgment on her; and she falls because of her making the nations drink of the wine of the poison of her fornication xiv. 8. This we find in the ecclesiastical course, so to speak, of closing facts. Her final judgment we find in the close of the filling up the wrath of God cxvi. 19. The connection of the former seems to be with xvili. 2; of the latter, with xviii. 21.
Thus Babylon was judged—removed out of the way—with her corruptions, which corrupted the earth: and the blood of the servants of the Lord God was avenged. This is celebrated as the work of the Lord God by a multitude in heaven, and the mystic representations of the redeemed; but the worship was of God as sitting on the throne, whose power and judgment had been thus exercised. The way was now made free; and a voice comes forth out of the throne for the voice of praise from all God’s servants. His sons could always praise Him in spirit; but here, the prevalence of evil being removed and ‘delay no longer,’ they, in their character of servants, and all that feared God, can
