Fall of Babylon First Seal...

All scripture indicates a very sudden start to the period known as the ‘day of the Lord’.

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  1 Thess 5:2

The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Matt 24:50

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.  Luke 17:26

These are a sample of the sixteen times this issue is raised. (See: I Come as a thief)

Right up to the official ‘start’ of this time when ‘the Son of man comes’ life is as normal as the world ever is. Everyone is going about his or her normal activity.
The first ‘event’ of the end time still does not record a particular physical effect.
The scriptures that cover the first seal indicate the world being ‘put on notice’: that action is about to be taken.

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.  Rev 14:6

The first event of the end time is the ‘Gospel going to all the world’. See: Gospel to All the World

At this point we see neither the beast on the scene or Babylon in difficulty. (The world is trading normally, everyday business as usual).

Revelation 14 is a timeline in itself and Babylon and the beast are yet to be mentioned.

Conclusion: At this point everything is normal.

 

Fall of Babylon Second Seal...

And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.  Rev 6:3

Between the first and second seal something very dramatic happens. The world goes from ‘normal’ to having ‘peace taken from it’. ‘That they should kill one another… (with) a great sword’ indicates world war has for some reason suddenly broken out. The specific reason is not given.
However the second event after the warning that came with the ‘Gospel’ being preached by the angel is the fall of Babylon.

And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.  Rev 14:8

In Revelation 18 the identity of Babylon is not explicitly given. It is however the worlds most powerful and richest nation. The entire world is in some way or form involved in the economics umbrella that this nation provides. With its sudden and total collapse the rest of the world is now in financial chaos. All those that ‘trade’ are suddenly out of business. This indicates that all financial systems, banks and stock markets collapse. That in turn dictates the flow of all commodities including the delivery of food and all other essentials. Without any of the day-to-day necessities available through normal channels, the only option to get what you need is by force or opportunity. World war erupts as a result.

Summary:  Revelation 14 indicates that at this point Babylon; the world’s richest and most powerful nation has collapsed. The following angel of Rev 14 now warns the world not to take the mark of the beast. A warning is of non-effect after the fact, so the beast and his mark are yet to come on the scene.

Conclusion: Irrespective of when Babylon falls, the second seal states the world is now at war. No ship can risk being on the open seas. When world war is in progress two things happen regarding shipping. 1) All ships are requisitioned for the war effort. 2) One of the first priorities of nations at war is to stop the supply roots of their enemies. All shipping would be a high priority target. When world war is in progress no domestic market remains viable.
The conditions for Babylon up to the last moment, the last ‘hour’ of its existence are one of bright, cheerful, prosperous conditions, not only for itself but all nations.

At this point trade, joy or prosperity is out of the question. We shall observe the overall conditions as we progress through the last seven years.

Fall of Babylon Third Seal...

And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.  
Rev 6:5

The third seal is a continuation of the second. World war disrupts the supply of food, which in this day and age needs to be on a constant delivery system from all parts of the world. The fact that food is so scarce that a daily loaf of bread costs a complete days wages denotes severe famine is in progress. (A ‘penny’ is recorded as a days wage: Matt 20:2)

Conclusion: Without food being available except at grossly prohibitive prices life has become a struggle to even exist. No freight or shipping services can be in progress when even the most basic food is unavailable. The next seal will show just how grim the situation is.

Fall of Babylon Fourth Seal...

Rev 6:7  And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. 8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

Matt 24:7   For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

The attrition from world war, starvation and disease now reaches unheard of figures. A quarter of the world’s population has perished; that adds up to almost two thousand million people.

Conclusion: Obviously a scenario of this magnitude precludes any thought whatsoever of conducting normal (or any) business.

Fall of Babylon Fifth Seal..

Rev 6:9  And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Matt 24:9  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

The account in Revelation now switches to a more personal subject, the Church.
Babylon would be unable to operate in the overall circumstances. It has iether already suffered its destruction and is completely out of the picture, or, alternatively the only other option is to wait for the world to settle down when conditions for 'trade' could resume. However, there is a maximum of only four years left until Christ returns and the great tribulation has not started yet.

The beast however has almost risen to his full power. His empire is completely paranoid and seeks to persecute any true Christian it can find.

Conclusion. The account in Revelation 18 and elsewhere shows the world is prospering under the wing of Babylon. No one complains about the treatment they receive. Morals and Truth may be lacking but immediately before its fall true Christians; ‘My people” are urged to come out of Babylon indicating they were still there. Should there have been persecution of this magnitude and they still had the freedom to travel, they obviously would not have remained. Babylon is not the realm of the beast and the ten kings.
As mentioned, the great tribulation has not started yet. Are things about to get worse still?

Fall of Babylon Sixth Seal...

Rev 6:12   And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.  14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

Matt 24:29   Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 

Rev 14:15   And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

I Cor 15:51  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

See also: Rev 20:6, Rev 12:14, Heb 12:22, John 14:2.

A myriad of events come to pass at this time. The abomination of desolation is commited. The heavens dissolve. Devastating earthquakes occur.
The world is terrified at the site of Christ. The resurrection takes place. The ‘King of the South’ ‘pushes’ at the king of the North. The result is an invasion of the Middle East and another change of ownership for Jerusalem. This adds up to a further escalation for a world already at war. The Far East and Asia join forces to gather a two hundred million strong army to combat the beast.

Conclusion: This is not conducive to world trade. Babylon and all the world’s corporate bankers and traders are not exporting bottles of nutmeg to the supermarket chains.

Seventh seal: First trumpet

Matt 24:15   When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Rev 8:7   The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

Rev 13:3   And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.  4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.      

Rev 11:3   And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.  4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

The great tribulation is about to begin and will last the three and a half yearsthat are left until Christ and the Saints return.
The two witnesses are in action causing further disruption and hardship on all those that refuse to repent. (Remember the whole point of the end time is to cause people to repent and turn to God. The fact that they still refuse is the only reason for all the hardship).
Devastating conditions rain down on the world.

Conclusion: Any thoughts of a Babylon continuing trade in these circumstances is out of the question.

The beast, alternatively, is recorded at this time as being at the height of his power.

Seventh Seal: Second Trumpet and Vial...

Rev 8:8   And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

Rev 16:3   And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. (This ‘vial’ is included here since it is the same subject as the trumpet i.e. it involves the sea, the vials and trumpets both end at the same time so must be synonymous).

Conclusion:  Conditions in the oceans and seas make it absolutely impossible for a ‘Babylon’ to trade. The ships are destroyed and no seaman would dare go to sea.

Seventh Seal: Third Trumpet and Vial...

Rev 8:10   And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

Rev 16:4  And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.  (This ‘vial’ is included here since it is the same subject as the trumpet i.e. it involves the fresh water, the vials and trumpets both end at the same time so must be synonymous).

Conclusion:  Without fresh water no semblance of normal life can continue. ‘Life’ is so far from normal at this stage, once again anything resembling the description of day-to-day affairs in Babylon is just a distant memory.

Seventh Seal: Fourth Trumpet and Vial...

Rev 8:12   And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

Rev 16:8   And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.   (This ‘vial’ is included here since it is the same subject as the trumpet i.e. it involves the sun and ‘atmosphere’, the vials and trumpets both end at the same time so must be synonymous).

Conclusion:  Life is fast approaching the point where it may be better to die than try to keep going. No one is thinking of going shopping. (This statement is made to show how ludicrous it would be to think in terms of any trade and ‘normal’ functions being in progress at this point in the end time. Yet the beast is still in command of his empire waging war and preparing for the invasion gathering amongst the 200 million strong army from across the Euphrates, the ‘North and the East’).

Seventh Seal: Fifth Trumpet and Vial. The First Woe

Rev 9:1   And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. 5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. 6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

Rev 16:10   And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, 11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.   (This ‘vial’ is included here since it is the same subject as the trumpet i.e. it involves intense pain suffered by followers of the beast, the vials and trumpets both end at the same time so must be synonymous).

The First Woe

Rev 9:I   And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit… 10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. 11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.  12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.

Conclusion: Anything would be better than this (except repenting to God). That one fact takes some of the heartache out of this equation. All that is needed to obtain relief is turn to God.
The followers of the beast are still free to change their minds.
It seems impossible to understand that people are so desperate to die, to escape the intense suffering, but still they refuse the help on offer.

Seventh Seal: Sixth Trumpet and Vial. The Second Woe

Rev  9:14   Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.  16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. 18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone.

Rev 16:12    And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. (This ‘vial’ is included here since it is the same subject as the trumpet i.e. it involves the army from the East coming across the Euphrates, the vials and trumpets both end at the same time so must be synonymous).

Rev 11:7   And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them,(the two witnesses) and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

Rev 11:12   And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, (the two witnesses) Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

The Second Woe

Rev 9:13   And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.  16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.  Rev 11:14  The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

Conclusion: This is where the figures speak for themselves. Rather than turn to God the bulk of the world’s population prefer to sacrifice the lives of a ‘third part of men’.
The two witnesses have completed their task. Despite the witness they gave, the armies are gathering towards Armageddon for the final confrontation with Christ.

Seventh seal: Seventh Trumpet and Vial. The Third Woe

Rev 11:15   And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever… 18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Rev 16:17   And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

Zech 14:9   And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

Rev 14:18   And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

Dan 8:25  … he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

Isa 2:2   And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established  in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

The Third Woe:

Rev 11:14   The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. 15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Summary: 

The beast is defeated by Christ and thrown with the false prophet into the lake of fire. His complete army is also destroyed by Christ and the Saints.
By comparison Babylon falls (after an initial undisclosed’ act’) by the hand of ‘armies from the North’, by ‘archers that bend the bow’, by ‘many nations’.

Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. 42 They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon. 43 The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail.  Jer 50:41

Conclusion:

No scripture points to Babylon either being destroyed by Christ at Armageddon, or that Babylon is in existence during the whole length of the end time. All scripture indicates the destruction of Babylon takes place at the very beginning of the ‘day of the Lord’ and that the beast is not yet even in existence at that time.
It is a complete impossibility for the nation that is Babylon to be trading during any part of the seven years of the end time once it has got underway.
After Babylon has been destroyed, the nations of the world, in a peaceful state at that time stand back aghast and shocked at what just happened to the richest nation in the world. The traders are left wondering where they are going to sell all their ‘wheat, fine flour, ointments, wine, sheep, herbs spices and all manner of merchandise’.
That does not happen at Armageddon.