Revelation 18:1-3

The Fall of Babylon

1 After this I saw 1another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and 2the earth was made bright with his glory.
2 And he called out with a mighty voice, 3"Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become 4a dwelling place for demons, a haunt 5for every unclean spirit, a haunt 6for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.
3 For all nations have drunk[a] 7the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and 8the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and 9the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living."

Revelation 18:1-3 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION 18

This chapter gives an account of the fall of Babylon, and of the lamentation of many, and of the joy of others, by reason of it; which account is published by several angels: the first that declares her fall is described by his original, descending from heaven; by the great power he had; by his resplendent glory, and by his mighty cry in publishing her destruction; which is illustrated by the desolate condition she will be in upon her fall; the reasons of which are given, became the nations and kings of the earth had committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth were enriched by her luxury, Re 18:1-3. Another voice is heard from heaven, calling upon the people of God, first to come out of her, lest partaking of her sins they should share in her plagues, seeing her iniquities had reached to heaven, and were remembered before God; and next to take full vengeance on her, because she had glorified herself, lived deliciously, and in great security, Re 18:4-7. And then follows a continuation of the account of her destruction, what her plagues would be, death, mourning, famine, and fire; and which would be sudden, in one hour, and certain, from the power and justice of God, Re 18:8. Next follow the lamentations of the kings, merchants, and masters of ships, because of her greatness, riches, and merchandise, which are all come to nothing, Re 18:9-19. And then the church; the saints, apostles, and prophets, are called upon to rejoice at the vengeance taken on her, Re 18:20 upon which a mighty angel appears, who by an action signifies the manner of her destruction, and the irrecoverableness of her state and condition, Re 18:21 and declares her utter ruin, by affirming that nothing that was either delightful or profitable, or necessary or comfortable, should any more be found in her; giving the reasons of it, because of her luxury, idolatry, and bloodshed, Re 18:22-24.

Cross References 9

  • 1. Revelation 17:1, 7
  • 2. Ezekiel 43:2
  • 3. See Revelation 14:8
  • 4. Isaiah 13:21; Isaiah 34:14; Jeremiah 50:39; Jeremiah 51:37; [Zephaniah 2:14, 15]
  • 5. Revelation 16:13
  • 6. Isaiah 14:23; Isaiah 34:11
  • 7. Revelation 14:8
  • 8. ver. 9; Revelation 17:2
  • 9. ver. 11, 15; Ezekiel 27:33

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Some manuscripts fallen by
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.