Revelation18

English Standard Version

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TranslationKJV WEB ASV ESV NIV NASB NKJV NLT

¹ I , , the was .

² he a , , is the ! She has a for , a for , a for , a for .

³ have the of the of , the of the have committed , the of the have grown the of .

⁴ I , out , , you in , you ;

⁵ are , has .

⁶ she has others, her ; a for the she .

⁷ she lived in , so a like of , she , I as a , I , .

⁸ reason will a , , she will be ; is the has .

⁹ the of the , committed sexual lived in , will they the of .

¹⁰ They will , of , and , ! ! You , you , ! a has .

¹¹ the of the , no ,

¹² of , , , , , , , , all of , all of of , all of of , , and ,

¹³ , , , , , , , , , , , , that , .

¹⁴ The for which has , your your are , to be !

¹⁵ The of wares, , will , of , ,

¹⁶ , , for the that was in , in , , with , with !

¹⁷ in a all has been . men, whose is on the ,

¹⁸ cried as they the of , city was the ?

¹⁹ they as they , , , , for the who grew ! in a she has been .

²⁰ , O , you , has for !

²¹ a a it the , , the be with , will be ;

²² the of , of , will be , a of will be , the of the will be ,

²³ the of a will , the of will be , the of the , were .

²⁴ was the of of , of who have been .

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Revelation 18

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Revelation 18. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.

Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Another angel from heaven proclaims the fall of mystical Babylon. (1–3). A voice from heaven admonishes the people of God, lest they partake of her plagues. (4–8). The lamentations over her. (9–19). The church called upon to rejoice in her utter ruin. (20–24).

vv1-8

The downfal and destruction of the mystical Babylon are determined in the counsels of God. Another angel comes from heaven. This seems to be Christ himself, coming to destroy his enemies, and to shed abroad the light of his gospel through all nations. The wickedness of this Babylon was very great; she had forsaken the true God, and set up idols, and had drawn all sorts of men into spiritual adultery, and by her wealth and luxury kept them in her interest. The spiritual merchandise, by which multitudes have wickedly lived in wealth, by the sins and follies of mankind, seems principally intended. Fair warning is given to all that expect mercy from God, that they should not only come out of this Babylon, but assist in her destruction. God may have a people even in Babylon. But God's people shall be called out of Babylon, and called effectually, while those that partake with wicked men in their sins, must receive of their plagues. (Rev 18:9-19)

vv9-19

The mourners had shared Babylon's sensual pleasures, and gained by her wealth and trade. The kings of the earth, whom she flattered into idolatry, allowing them to be tyrannical over their subjects, while obedient to her; and the merchants, those who trafficked for her indulgences, pardons, and honours; these mourn. Babylon's friends partook her sinful pleasures and profits, but are not willing to share her plagues. The spirit of antichrist is a worldly spirit, and that sorrow is a mere worldly sorrow; they do not lament for the anger of God, but for the loss of outward comforts. The magnificence and riches of the ungodly will avail them nothing, but will render the vengeance harder to be borne. The spiritual merchandise is here alluded to, when not only slaves, but the souls of men, are mentioned as articles of commerce, to the destroying the souls of millions. Nor has this been peculiar to the Roman antichrist, and only her guilt. But let prosperous traders learn, with all their gains, to get the unsearchable riches of Christ; otherwise; even in this life, they may have to mourn that riches make to themselves wings and fly away, and that all the fruits their souls lusted after, are departed from them. Death, at any rate, will soon end their commerce, and all the riches of the ungodly will be exchanged, not only for the coffin and the worm, but for the fire that cannot be quenched.

vv20-24

That which is matter of rejoicing to the servants of God on earth, is matter of rejoicing to the angels in heaven. The apostles, who are honoured and daily worshipped at Rome in an idolatrous manner, will rejoice in her fall. The fall of Babylon was an act of God's justice. And because it was a final ruin, this enemy should never molest them any more; of this they were assured by a sign. Let us take warning from the things which brought others to destruction, and let us set our affections on things above, when we consider the changeable nature of earthly things.

Key Words

AfterG3326Greek

μετά (metá): properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between G575 (ἀπό) or G1537 (ἐκ) and G1519 (εἰς) or G4314 (πρός); less intimate than G1722 (ἐν) and less close than G4862 (σύν))

thisG5023Greek

ταῦτα (taûta): these things

sawG1492Greek

εἴδω (eídō): used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι) and G3708 (ὁράω); properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know

anotherG243Greek

ἄλλος (állos): "else," i.e. different (in many applications)

angelG32Greek

ἄγγελος (ángelos): compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor

coming downG2597Greek

καταβαίνω (katabaínō): to descend (literally or figuratively)

fromG1537Greek

ἐκ (ek): literal or figurative; direct or remote)

heavenG3772Greek

οὐρανός (ouranós): the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity)

havingG2192Greek

ἔχω (échō): to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)

greatG3173Greek

μέγας (mégas): big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)

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