Revelation 18 Study Notes

Planao means to wander about (Heb 11:38). This connotation of wandering can be seen in the related noun planetes (wanderer). By figurative extension, planao could also mean to go astray (Mt 18:12-13; Heb 3:10; 5:2; Jms 5:19) or to be mistaken, deceived, or misled (Mt 22:29 = Mk 12:24; Jn 7:12,47; 1Co 6:9; Gl 6:7; 2Tm 3:13; Jms 1:16; 1Jn 1:8; 2:26; 3:7). Planao may also mean to deceive someone (Mt 24:4-5 = Mk 13:5-6; Jn 7:12) and this is how the word tends to function in Revelation, where John warns about the deceivers “Jezebel”(2:20), the false prophet (13:14; 19:20), Babylon (18:23), and Satan—the archdeceiver (12:9; 20:3,8,10).

18:20 In stark contrast to the self-centered mourning of the sinful accomplices (v. 3) of Babylon the Great (vv. 9-19), the martyrs in heaven (saints, apostles, and prophets) are urged to rejoice because God has judged Babylon, largely because of their shed blood. Among the martyrs by this time were the apostles James (Ac 12:2) as well as Paul and Peter according to credible extrabiblical tradition.

18:21 On mighty angel, see note at 10:1. A large millstone could weigh several tons.

18:22-23 Throughout Scripture, beautiful aspects of life (e.g., the voice of a groom and bride) and culture (e.g., the sound of . . . musicians, craftsmen of every trade) have either been used in praise of God (Ps 150:3-5) or in arrogant rebellion against him (Gn 4:21-22). After the judgment of Babylon the Great, such perversion of God’s intention for beauty will never happen again. The lack of repentance of the “earth dwellers” during the trumpet judgments (9:21) was caused by the deceptive sorcery of Babylon the Great.

18:24 What is seen in Revelation is the end-time manifestation of Babylon the Great since she is held guilty of the blood of not just prophets and saints, but all martyrs slaughtered on the earth throughout history.