The chapter before us is occupied with the fall of Babylon, and it naturally divides itself into three parts. The first contains the announcement of the city's fall (Revelation 18:1-3); the second is a powerful description of amazement and lamentation over her fate, proceeding from all who had been... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 18:1. ANOTHER ANGEL APPEARS HAVING GREAT AUTHORITY; AND THE EARTH WAS LIGHTENED WITH HIS GLORY. These last words are in all probability taken from Ezekiel 43:2, ‘and the earth shined with his glory.' They illustrate the greatness of his mission, and the manner in which the whole ‘earth' s... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 18:2. He cried with A MIGHTY VOICE. This is the only passage in the book in which a voice is spoken of as ‘mighty,' the usual appellation being ‘great.' In chap. Revelation 19:6 we read of ‘mighty thunders' and it is impossible to doubt, therefore, that this voice is described in a simila... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 18:3. The cause of the city's fall is again stated in the words of this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 18:4. A new stage in the drama opens. ANOTHER VOICE OUT OF HEAVEN is heard, SAYING, COME FORTH OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE, THAT YE MAY HAVE NO COMMUNION WITH HER SINS, AND THAT YE RECEIVE NOT OF HER PLAGUES. The voice is that of an angel although, as coming out of heaven, we are to hear in it... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 18:5. So multiplied were her sins that they were heaped together as a mass reaching EVEN UNTO HEAVEN. The figure is taken from Jeremiah 51:9 (comp. Genesis 18:20).... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 18:6. RENDER UNTO HER EVEN AS SHE RENDERED, AND DOUBLE UNTO HER DOUBLE ACCORDING TO HER WORKS: IN THE CUP WHICH SHE FILLED FILL TO HER DOUBLE. The same voice is continued, but is now addressed to the ministers of judgment, the kings and the beast who have turned round upon the harlot (cha... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 18:7. In this verse the _lex talionis_ is still administered both in extent and in severity. The humiliation of Babylon shall be the counterpart of her glorying. FOR SHE SAITH IN HER HEART, I SIT A QUEEN, AND AM NOT A WIDOW, AND SHALL IN NO WISE SEE MOURNING. The spirit of her glorying is... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 18:8. With suddenness and fearfulness her plagues shall come upon her. In ONE DAY her glory shall be turned to shame. In the midst of her feasting an unseen hand shall write upon the wall of her banqueting-room that she is weighed in the balances and is found wanting, and ‘that night' she... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 18:9-10. In these verses we have the lamentation of the KINGS OF THE EARTH over the disaster which they have been instrumental in accomplishing. The deeds of the wicked, even when effecting the purposes of God, bring no joy to themselves. It is the righteous only who rejoice (Revelation 1... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 18:20. The judgment of God upon the guilty city is supposed to have taken place. While it is a source of lamentation to the wicked, it is a joy to the righteous, and they are now summoned to experience that joy. FOR GOD HATH JUDGED YOUR JUDGMENT UPON HER. The meaning is that that judgme... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 18:21. AND A MIGHTY ANGEL TOOK UP A STONE AS A GREAT MILLSTONE AND CAST IT INTO THE SEA. A symbolic representation of the destruction of Babylon is to be given; and for this new vision a third angel appears, the first having appeared at chap. Revelation 17:1, the second at chap. Revelatio... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 18:22-24. The destruction spoken of is enlarged on in strains of touching eloquence, but it is unnecessary to dwell on the particulars. They include everything belonging either to the business or to the joy of life. It may only be observed that following the word for in Revelation 18:23 w... [ Continue Reading ]