Analysis Of The Chapter This chapter Revelation 18 may be regarded as a still further “explanatory episode” (compare analysis to chapter 17), designed to show the effect of pouring out the seventh vial Revelation 16:17 on the formidable anti-Christian power so often referred to. The description in... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AFTER THESE THINGS - After the vision referred to in the previous chapter. I SAW ANOTHER ANGEL COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN - Different from the one that had last appeared, and therefore coming to make a new communication to him. It is not unusual in this book that different communications should be e... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE CRIED MIGHTILY - Literally, “he cried with a strong great voice.” See Revelation 10:3. BABYLON THE GREAT IS FALLEN, IS FALLEN - See the notes on Revelation 14:8. The proclamation here is substantially the same as in that place, and no doubt the same thing is referred to. AND IS BECOME THE HA... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR ALL NATIONS HAVE DRUNK OF THE WINE OF THE WRATH OF HER FORNICATION - See the notes on Revelation 14:8. This is given as a reason why this utter ruin had come upon her. She had beguiled and corrupted the nations of the earth, leading them into estrangement from God, and into pollution and sin. Se... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I HEARD ANOTHER VOICE FROM HEAVEN - He does not say whether this was the voice of an angel, but the idea seems rather to be that it is the voice of God. COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE - The reasons for this, as immediately stated, are two: (a)That they might not participate in her sins; and, (b)T... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HER SINS HAVE REACHED UNTO HEAVEN - So in Jeremiah 51:9, speaking of Babylon, it is said, “For her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.” The meaning is not that the sins of this mystical Babylon were like a mass or pile so high as to reach to heaven, but that it had... [ Continue Reading ]
REWARD HER EVEN AS SHE REWARDED YOU - It is not said to whom this command is addressed, but it would seem to be to those who had been persecuted and wronged. Applied to mystical Babylon - papal Rome - it would seem to be a call on the nations that had been so long under her sway, and among whom, fro... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW MUCH SHE HATH GLORIFIED HERSELF - Been proud, boastful, arrogant. This was true of ancient Babylon, that she was proud and haughty; and it has been no less true of mystical Babylon - papal Rome. AND LIVED DELICIOUSLY - By as much as she has lived in luxury and dissoluteness, so let her suffer no... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE - In consequence of her pride, arrogance, and luxury, and of the calamities that she has brought upon others. SHALL HER PLAGUES COME IN ONE DAY - They shall come in a time when she is living in ease and security; and they shall come at the same time - so that all these terrible judgments... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE KINGS OF THE EARTH - This verse commences the description of the lamentation over the fall of the mystical Babylon (see the Analysis of the chapter). WHO HAVE COMMITTED FORNICATION - That is, who have been seduced by her from the true God, and have been led into practical idolatry. See the n... [ Continue Reading ]
STANDING AFAR OFF FOR THE FEAR OF HER TORMENT - Not daring to approach, to attempt to rescue and save her. They who had so long contributed to the support of the papal power, and who had, in turn, been upheld by that, would not now even attempt to rescue her, but would stand by and see her destroyed... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE MERCHANTS OF THE EARTH - Who have been accustomed to traffic with her, and who have been enriched by the traffic. The image is that of a rich and splendid city. Of course, such a city depends much on its merchandise; and when it declines and falls, many who had been accustomed to deal with i... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MERCHANDISE OF GOLD, AND SILVER - Of course, these constitute an important article of commerce in a great city. AND PRECIOUS STONES - Diamonds, emeralds, rubies, etc. These have always been important articles of traffic in the world, and, of course, most of the traffic in them would find its wa... [ Continue Reading ]
AND CINNAMON - Cinnamon is the aromatic bark of the Laurus Cinnamomam, which grows in Arabia, India, and especially in the island of Ceylon. It was formerly, as it is now, a valuable article in the Oriental trade. AND ODOURS - Aromatics employed in religious worship, and for making perfumes. Mr. Gi... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE FRUITS THAT THY SOUL LUSTED AFTER - Literally, “the fruits of the desire of thy soul.” The word rendered “fruits” - ὀπώρα opōra - properly means, “late summer; dog-days,” the time when Sirius, or the Dog-star, is predominant. In the East this is the season when the fruits ripen, and hence... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MERCHANTS OF THESE THINGS - Who trafficked in these things, and who supplied the city with them, Revelation 18:11. WHICH WERE MADE RICH BY HER - By traffic with her. SHALL STAND AFAR OFF - Revelation 18:10. FOR FEAR OF HER TORMENT - Struck with terror by her torment, so that they did not dare... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SAYING, ALAS, ALAS ... - notes on Revelation 18:10. THAT WAS CLOTHED IN FINE LINEN - In the previous description Revelation 18:12, these are mentioned as articles of traffic; here the city, under the image of a female, is represented as clothed in the most rich and frivolous of these articles.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IN ONE HOUR - In a very brief period - so short, that it seemed to them to be but one hour. In the prediction Revelation 18:8, it is said that it would be “in one day” (see the notes on that place); here it is said that, to the on-lookers, it seemed to be but an hour. There is no inconsistency,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND CRIED ... - That is, as they had a deep interest in it, they would, on their own account, as well as hers, lift up the voice of lamentation.WHAT CITY IS LIKE UNTO THIS GREAT CITY? - In her destruction. What calamity has ever come upon a city like this?... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY CAST DUST ON THEIR HEADS - A common sign of lamentation and mourning among the Orientals. See the notes on Job 2:12. BY REASON OF HER COSTLINESS - The word rendered “costliness” - τιμιότητος timiotētos - means, properly, “preciousness, costliness”; their magnificence, costly merchandise.... [ Continue Reading ]
REJOICE OVER HER - Over her ruin. There is a strong contrast between this language and what precedes. Kings, merchants, and seamen, who had been countenanced and sustained by her in the indulgence of corrupt passions, or who had been enriched by traffic with her, would have occasion to mourn. But no... [ Continue Reading ]
AND A MIGHTY ANGEL - See the notes on Revelation 18:1. This seems, however, to have been a different angel from the one mentioned in Revelation 18:1, though, like that, he is described as having great power. TOOK UP A STONE LIKE A GREAT MILLSTONE - On the structure of mills among the ancients see t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE VOICE OF HARPERS - Those who play on the harp. This was usually accompanied with singing. The idea, in this verse and the following, is substantially the same as in the previous parts of the chapter, that the mystical Babylon - papal Rome - would be brought to utter desolation. This thought... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LIGHT OF A CANDLE SHALL SHINE NO MORE AT ALL IN THEE - Another image of desolation, as if every light were put out, and there were total darkness. AND THE VOICE OF THE BRIDEGROOM AND OF THE BRIDE SHALL BE HEARD NO MORE AT ALL IN THEE - The merry and cheerful voice of the marriage procession... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IN HER - When she came to be destroyed, and her real character was seen. WAS FOUND THE BLOOD OF PROPHETS - Of the public teachers of the true religion. On the word “prophets” see the notes on Revelation 18:20. AND OF SAINTS - Of the holy. See the notes on Revelation 18:20. AND OF ALL THAT WERE... [ Continue Reading ]