Revelation 18:1-8

I saw another angel, &c.— After the account of the state and condition of spiritual Babylon, here follows a description of her fall and destruction, in the same sublime and figurative style as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel have foretold the fall of Babylon and Tyre, the types and emblems of this spiritual Babylon. A mighty and glorious angel descends from heaven, and proclaims (as in chap. Revelation 14:8.) the fall of Babylon,and,togetherwithherpunishment,thecrimeswhichdeservedit; her idolatry and wickedness. It is farther added, that after her fall she shall be made a scene of desolation, and become the habitation of hateful birds and beasts of prey; as the prophet also predicted concerning ancient Babylon, Isaiah 13:21. Wild beasts of the desert shall lie there,—and satyrs shall dance there: where the word which we render satyrs, the Septuagint translate demons, or devils. But if this fall of Babylon was effected by Totilas king of the Ostrogoths, as Grotius affirms; or by Alaric king of the Visigoths, as the bishop of Meaux contends; how can Rome be said ever since to have been the habitation of devils, &c. unless they will allow the popes and cardinals to merit these appellations? The word rendered delicacies, Revelation 18:3. (στρηνους,) seems to signify such luxury of diet as cherishes wantonness, and disposes to acts of unchastity; and may well represent the manner in which the Roman clergy have pampered themselves, and the effects it has produced; as well as the idolatries which have been established and maintained to support that luxury. Another voice is also heard from heaven, (Revelation 18:4.) exhorting all Christians to forsake the communion of so corrupt a church, lest they should be partakers of her sins, and of her plagues; and at the same time denouncing that her punishment should be great and extraordinary, in proportion to her crimes. But was there any such necessity for forsaking the church of Rome in the days of Alaric, or Totilas, before she had yet degenerated again into idolatry? Or what were then her notorious crimes, deserving of such exemplary punishment, unless Rome Christian was to suffer for the sins of Rome Pagan? She saith in her heart, (Revelation 18:7.) like ancient Babylon, Isaiah 47:7. I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow; but notwithstanding, she shall be utterly burned with fire, &c. Revelation 18:8. These expressions can imply no less than a total destruction by fire; but Rome has never yet been totally destroyed by fire: the most that Alaric and Totilas did, was burning some parts of the city; but if only some parts of the city were burnt, it was not an event important enough to be ascribed to the Lord God particularly, and to be considered as a strong exertion of his judgment.