Revelation 18

1 et post haec vidi alium angelum descendentem de caelo habentem potestatem magnam et terra inluminata est a gloria eius

2 et exclamavit in forti voce dicens cecidit cecidit Babylon magna et facta est habitatio daemoniorum et custodia omnis spiritus inmundi et custodia omnis volucris inmundae

3 quia de ira fornicationis eius biberunt omnes gentes et reges terrae cum illa fornicati sunt et mercatores terrae de virtute deliciarum eius divites facti sunt

4 et audivi aliam vocem de caelo dicentem exite de illa populus meus ut ne participes sitis delictorum eius et de plagis eius non accipiatis

5 quoniam pervenerunt peccata eius usque ad caelum et recordatus est Deus iniquitatum eius

6 reddite illi sicut ipsa reddidit et duplicate duplicia secundum opera eius in poculo quo miscuit miscite illi duplum

7 quantum glorificavit se et in deliciis fuit tantum date illi tormentum et luctum quia in corde suo dicit sedeo regina et vidua non sum et luctum non videbo

8 ideo in una die venient plagae eius mors et luctus et fames et igni conburetur quia fortis est Deus qui iudicavit illam

9 et flebunt et plangent se super illam reges terrae qui cum illa fornicati sunt et in deliciis vixerunt cum viderint fumum incendii eius

10 longe stantes propter timorem tormentorum eius dicentes vae vae civitas illa magna Babylon civitas illa fortis quoniam una hora venit iudicium tuum

11 et negotiatores terrae flebunt et lugebunt super illam quoniam merces eorum nemo emet amplius

12 mercem auri et argenti et lapidis pretiosi et margaritis et byssi et purpurae et serici et cocci et omne lignum thyinum et omnia vasa eboris et omnia vasa de lapide pretioso et aeramento et ferro et marmore

13 et cinnamomum et amomum et odoramentorum et unguenti et turis et vini et olei et similae et tritici et iumentorum et ovium et equorum et raedarum et mancipiorum et animarum hominum

14 et poma tua desiderii animae discessit a te et omnia pinguia et clara perierunt a te et amplius illa iam non invenient

15 mercatores horum qui divites facti sunt ab ea longe stabunt propter timorem tormentorum eius flentes ac lugentes

16 et dicentes vae vae civitas illa magna quae amicta erat byssino et purpura et cocco et deaurata est auro et lapide pretioso et margaritis

17 quoniam una hora destitutae sunt tantae divitiae et omnis gubernator et omnis qui in locum navigat et nautae et qui maria operantur longe steterunt

18 et clamaverunt videntes locum incendii eius dicentes quae similis civitati huic magnae

19 et miserunt pulverem super capita sua et clamaverunt flentes et lugentes dicentes vae vae civitas magna in qua divites facti sunt omnes qui habent naves in mari de pretiis eius quoniam una hora desolata est

20 exulta super eam caelum et sancti et apostoli et prophetae quoniam iudicavit Deus iudicium vestrum de illa

21 et sustulit unus angelus fortis lapidem quasi molarem magnum et misit in mare dicens hoc impetu mittetur Babylon magna illa civitas et ultra iam non invenietur

22 et vox citharoedorum et musicorum et tibia canentium et tuba non audietur in te amplius et omnis artifex omnis artis non invenietur in te amplius et vox molae non audietur in te amplius

23 et lux lucernae non lucebit tibi amplius et vox sponsi et sponsae non audietur adhuc in te quia mercatores tui erant principes terrae quia in veneficiis tuis erraverunt omnes gentes

24 et in ea sanguis prophetarum et sanctorum inventus est et omnium qui interfecti sunt in terra

Revelation 18 Commentary

Chapter 18

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)

Verses 1-8 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.

Verses 9-19 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.

Verses 20-24 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.

Chapter Summary

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.