Offenbarung 18:1

1 Und darnach sah ich einen andern Engel herniederfahren vom Himmel, der hatte eine große Macht, und die Erde ward erleuchtet von seiner Klarheit.

Offenbarung 18:1 Meaning and Commentary

Revelation 18:1

And after these things
The vision of the woman on the scarlet coloured beast, and the interpretation of both by the angel:

I saw another angel;
not the Lord Jesus Christ, though the several things said of this angel agree with him; nor one of the ministering spirits, though the characters of him will also suit with one of them, but rather a minister of the Gospel, or a set of Gospel ministers, who will arise a little before the downfall of Babylon, in the spiritual reign of Christ; though not the same with the angel of fire, ( Revelation 14:18 ) as some have thought, because of his illustrious appearance, and the loudness of his voice; but the same with the angel, or third thundering voice in ( Revelation 14:6 ) for not only the times of both agree, but the selfsame words are expressed by one as by the other; and this angel is distinct from him that showed John the preceding vision, and gave him the interpretation of it, and from all the seven angels that had the vials, and is described as follows: and first by the place from whence he came, John saw him

come down from heaven;
denoting the suddenness of his appearance and cry; he came down at once, and cried out immediately; the subject of his cry, the destruction of Babylon, being what will be at an unawares; and also the commission and authority of the ministers signified by him, who will have their warrant from heaven to say what they will deliver; so that this likewise expresses the truth of their message, since both that and they come from heaven:

having great power;
to do great work, to declare the fall of Babylon the great: or "having great authority"; being sent from the King of kings, in his name, as his ambassador, to proclaim what shortly will come to pass; an event of the greatest importance to the glory of God, the interest of Christ, and the comfort of his people:

and the earth was lightened with his glory;
see ( Ezekiel 43:2 ) by which is meant the glorious Gospel of Christ, the light of which will at this then be very great: these ministers will run to and fro the earth, and knowledge will be increased, and the earth will be filled with it: the Arabic version reads, "with the splendour of his countenance"; and the Ethiopic version, "with the splendour of his countenance, and his glory"; see ( Isaiah 60:1-3 ) .

Offenbarung 18:1 In-Context

1 Und darnach sah ich einen andern Engel herniederfahren vom Himmel, der hatte eine große Macht, und die Erde ward erleuchtet von seiner Klarheit.

2 Und er schrie aus Macht mit großer Stimme und sprach: Sie ist gefallen, sie ist gefallen, Babylon, die große, und eine Behausung der Teufel geworden und ein Behältnis aller unreinen Geister und ein Behältnis aller unreinen und verhaßten Vögel.

3 Denn von dem Wein des Zorns ihrer Hurerei haben alle Heiden getrunken, und die Könige auf Erden haben mit ihr Hurerei getrieben, und die Kaufleute auf Erden sind reich geworden von ihrer großen Wollust.

4 Und ich hörte eine andere Stimme vom Himmel, die sprach: Gehet aus von ihr, mein Volk, daß ihr nicht teilhaftig werdet ihrer Sünden, auf daß ihr nicht empfanget etwas von ihren Plagen!

5 Denn ihre Sünden reichen bis in den Himmel, und Gott denkt an ihren Frevel.