Who is the woman Babylon in Revelation 18?
The woman Babylon in Revelation 18 is the world system. The kings of the earth commit fornication and live deliciously with her, then bewail and lament her when they see the smoke of her burning. Merchants mourn because no one buys their merchandise anymore, and her judgment comes in one hour.
Les explains that in Revelation 18 the kings of the earth who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her—that is the world system—will bewail and lament her. They will stand afar off for fear of her torment, saying, "Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgment come." The merchants of the earth also weep and mourn over her because no man buys their merchandise anymore. Les connects this to the busy, intense activity of people before the flood, who had no time to think about the coming wrath of God, and says the present situation is not one bit different.