When Salvation is no Longer on Offer.
“To the extent that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, to the same extent give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as a queen and I am not a widow, and will never see mourning.’ For this reason in one day her plagues will come, plague and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong.” – Revelation 18:7-8 NASB
Babylon is portrayed as a queen; she is dressed in fine garments and decked with jewels (Rev 17:4-5). Her wealth is also the commercial engine that prospers the merchants of the entire world (18:9-19). Her wealth and standing, however, were gained at the expense of others (17:6; 18:2-3; 5). So, this text contains a call for reversal. In contrast to her luxurious life, she is condemned to the kind of torment and pain she inflicted on others. Her luxury is even listed as one of the grounds for condemnation (18:3).
Is a luxurious life a sin against God then? If so, how luxurious? Is the mere possession of riches cause for condemnation? And if that is so, are not most of us condemned in today’s world? After all, what ancient person would not have been awed at the wealth of a “poor” person today, many of whom own self-propelled vehicles, live in apartments with heating, and own electronic devices that bring news and entertainment from afar! All of these would have been unimaginable luxuries in the Roman world. Is wealth a sin? And, if so, how much wealth?
The answer lies in the first part of Rev 18:7. It is not just that Babylon has lived luxuriously, it is that she has “glorified herself” in her possessions. She was self-absorbed by her wealth. It is not the possessions themselves that condemn her; it is her selfishness in the use of them that is the crucial thing. Her goal in gathering possessions was not the benefit of others or even humanity, it was to glorify herself and make her own life comfortable and secure. Babylon isn’t about what you have; it is about how you live.
Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:30 utter the cry “Is this not the great Babylon that I have created,” and judgment fell upon him. Babylon represents salvation by works and self-absorption. Modern Babylon “sits as a queen…and knows no sorrow.” She, at that moment is on top of her game. She has peddled her lies from “the father of lies,” (John 8:44) and seduced the whole world.
Her full attention is on her own pleasure, and she will defend that position at all costs. She has ignored the teaching of Jesus (Luke 6:38): “Give, and it shall be given unto you.” This suggests that if you want to be wealthy you must give your riches away. If you seek to hoard them, you will lose them.
In v5 we are told her sins reached to heaven. This is on the heels of Revelation 13:15-16 and the image to the beast enforcement of worship contrary to scripture. Through the influence of the women riding the beast, civil governments will pass laws forcing people to give their allegiance to the beast. The 2 years of covid seemed to me to be a dress rehearsal for what is coming as worship is legislated “for the common good.” Noncompliance will ultimately be followed by the death decree just like Daniel 3 – a story that helps us interpret this prophecy for the end times.
V8 announces the end of this earth’s probation. Intercession is closed in the court room of heaven and salvation is no longer offered to an unrepentant world.
The final, urgent appeal Jesus makes to those who are in Babylon, as we noted in v4, He will say, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities” (Revelation 18:4, 5).
Please notice that Jesus refers to many people in Babylon as “my people.” There are millions of sincere Christians in Babylon who have not yet heard this warning message. These people love the Lord supremely, and Jesus says they are His children.
Jesus recognizes His children who are in Babylon (John 10:16,27). Further, He promises to call them out of Babylon before it is destroyed. And, most glorious of all, Jesus promises that His people who are yet in Babylon will hear and recognize His voice and come out to safety. Compare this to the story of Lot who was rescued from Sodom before it was destroyed because of its widespread iniquity.
“And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so will it also be in the days of the Son of Man: people were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, and they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, and they were building; but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. … Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever strives to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will keep it.” – (Luke 17:26-33) NASB
Hi Ross, what are your thoughts on why the scarlet woman says she is a queen, not a widow, and will never see mourning?
Is it maybe she has never been betrothed to Jesus and rules in her own right as opposed to the bride of Rev 19:7 who goes to the marriage feast and is betrothed?
I see also the scarlet woman has daughters but never married, does not mourn her sins and flagrant rebellion against God, is drunk on false doctrines utterly entrenched in wickedness.
Any thoughts on that?
Thanks and Regards
Hi Alan,
That’s a thoughtful and biblically rich observation. As we have noted the scarlet woman in Revelation 17 represents a false religious system—a corrupt church that has departed from fidelity to Christ. This woman sits upon many waters (Revelation 17:1), which symbolize peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues (v.15), indicating her global influence.
When she says, “I sit as a queen and am no widow, and will never see mourning” (Revelation 18:7), it reveals a spirit of arrogance and self-sufficiency. A woman is a church, as you know. She claims royal status, yet without a true Husband—Christ. This is a striking contrast to the pure woman (Revelation 12) and the bride of Christ in Revelation 19:7, who is preparing herself for the marriage of the Lamb. The scarlet woman refuses to acknowledge her separation from Christ—she’s not a widow, she says, because she never belonged to Him in covenant faithfulness. Her confidence lies in political alliances, wealth, and earthly power, not in submission to God.
You’re exactly right to note that she has “daughters” (Revelation 17:5), which many interpreters understand as other churches or religious systems that have adopted her corruptions—particularly in the form of false doctrines, such as Sunday sacredness, an eternally burning hell, and the immortality of the soul. She is unrepentant, proud, and spiritually intoxicated, drunk on the blood of the saints and martyrs—those who remained faithful to God.
This woman’s refusal to mourn her sins reflects her hardened rebellion. Instead of repentance, she chooses presumption. Her statement is one of defiance, much like Babylon of old, which also said, “I shall be a lady forever” (Isaiah 47:7–8). But judgment is coming—Revelation 18 shows her sudden downfall.
So yes, she is not the bride of Christ because she was never betrothed to Him in truth. She chose to rule independently of Him, much like Lucifer aspired to exalt himself above God (Isaiah 14). In contrast, the bride in Revelation 19:7 is humble, pure, and prepared—clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
In short, the scarlet woman represents a religious-political power that boasts of authority but is spiritually fallen, and her refusal to mourn shows her delusion and rebellion. Her end, however, is certain—she will be judged for her fornication, deception, and persecution of God’s people.
Blessings,
Ross
Thank you Ross, your answer clarifies that issue really well. Blessings.