Reflections on Revelation 18:1-8
The prostitute's love of luxury and wealth makes her the dwelling place for all kinds of evil demons, unclean spirits, and detestable beasts which are pictured to create aversion for one whose appearance is of luxury and wealth. Kings and merchants, blinded by her glitter, do business with her and profit as middle men between the prostitute/city and the nations she exploits. In this way, they commit immorality with her.
John then hears a voice from heaven warning the saints to come out of Babylon lest they take part in her sins of greed and immorality. The saints must flee the city just as Lot fled Sodom lest they be destroyed with Babylon the Great when God repays her for her sins.
Just as the ancient cities of Tyre and Babylon were paid back for plundering other nations, so Babylon the Great, the archetype of all such cities, will be paid back double for her sins. The payback will be a surprise for her. She thinks, "I am a queen, not a widow, and I will never experience grief" (compare with Babylon in Isaiah 47:7-8). However, the Lord God judges her, and in a single day the nations she plundered will bring upon her torment, famine, and the conflagration which consumes her (Isaiah 47:9).
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