Revelation 18:5

For her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.

Study Bible

For her sins are piled up to heaven
This phrase evokes the imagery of sins accumulating to such an extent that they reach the heavens, reminiscent of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:4, where humanity's pride and rebellion sought to reach the heavens. The idea of sins reaching heaven signifies the enormity and severity of Babylon's transgressions. In the biblical context, Babylon often symbolizes a system of worldly power and corruption, opposing God's kingdom. The phrase suggests that the sins of this symbolic Babylon are so vast and egregious that they demand divine attention and judgment. This imagery also connects to the Old Testament, where the sins of nations like Sodom and Gomorrah were so great that they cried out to God for judgment (Genesis 18:20-21).

and God has remembered her iniquities
The concept of God "remembering" iniquities implies that He is now acting upon them, not that He had forgotten them. In biblical terms, when God remembers, it often leads to action, whether in mercy or judgment. This is seen in Genesis 8:1, where God "remembered" Noah and acted to end the flood. Here, God's remembrance of Babylon's iniquities indicates that the time for judgment has come. Theologically, this reflects God's justice and holiness, as He cannot overlook sin indefinitely. The phrase underscores the certainty of divine retribution for persistent rebellion and wickedness, aligning with the prophetic warnings throughout Scripture that God will ultimately judge the unrepentant (Isaiah 13:19, Jeremiah 51:24).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Babylon the Great
Symbolic of a powerful, corrupt system or city that opposes God and leads people into sin. In Revelation, it represents the epitome of human pride and rebellion against God.

2. God
The sovereign and just judge who remembers and addresses the sins of Babylon. His remembrance signifies His intention to bring about justice.

3. Heaven
The dwelling place of God, symbolizing divine authority and the ultimate standard of righteousness. The sins reaching heaven indicate the severity and magnitude of Babylon's transgressions.

4. Sins and Iniquities
The moral and spiritual failures of Babylon, which have accumulated to a point that demands divine intervention and judgment.

5. Judgment
The event where God will execute justice upon Babylon for her accumulated sins, as foretold in the prophetic vision of Revelation.

Teaching Points

The Accumulation of Sin
Sin has a cumulative effect, and unrepented sin can lead to severe consequences. Believers are called to regularly confess and turn away from sin to avoid spiritual hardening.

God's Perfect Memory
Unlike humans, God does not forget sin unless it is covered by the blood of Christ. This should encourage believers to seek forgiveness and live in righteousness.

Divine Justice is Certain
God's remembrance of iniquities assures us that He will bring justice in His perfect timing. This should comfort believers who face injustice and encourage them to trust in God's ultimate plan.

The Call to Separate from Worldly Systems
Just as Babylon represents a corrupt system, Christians are called to live distinctively, avoiding the moral and spiritual corruption of the world.

Hope in God's Sovereignty
Despite the apparent triumph of evil, God's sovereignty ensures that He will ultimately prevail. Believers can find hope and strength in this truth.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the description of Babylon in Revelation 18:5 challenge us to examine the influences of worldly systems in our own lives?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our sins do not "pile up" before God, and how does regular confession play a role in this?

3. How does the certainty of God's judgment on Babylon encourage us to trust in His justice in our current world?

4. What parallels can we draw between the account of the Tower of Babel and the sins of Babylon, and how do these accounts warn us against pride and self-reliance?

5. How can we live distinctively as Christians in a world that often mirrors the corruption of Babylon, and what practical steps can we take to separate ourselves from such influences?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 11
The Tower of Babel, where humanity's pride led them to build a tower reaching to the heavens, parallels Babylon's sins reaching heaven, symbolizing human arrogance and rebellion.

Jeremiah 51
The prophecy against Babylon in the Old Testament, where God declares judgment on the city for its sins, providing a historical backdrop to the symbolic Babylon in Revelation.

Romans 2:5-6
Paul speaks of storing up wrath for the day of God's judgment, similar to how Babylon's sins are piled up, indicating the certainty of divine justice.