Revelation 18:9-19

Threefold Woe Over Babylon’s Fall

9 “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her.
10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!’
11 “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore—
12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble;
13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.
14 “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’
15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn
16 and cry out: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’ “Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off.
18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’
19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’

Revelation 18:9-19 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 28

  • 1. ver 3; Revelation 14:8; Revelation 17:2,4
  • 2. ver 3,7
  • 3. ver 18; Revelation 14:11; Revelation 19:3
  • 4. Jeremiah 51:8; Ezekiel 26:17,18
  • 5. ver 15,17
  • 6. ver 16,19
  • 7. ver 17; Revelation 17:12
  • 8. Ezekiel 27:27
  • 9. ver 15,19; Ezekiel 27:31
  • 10. S ver 3
  • 11. Ezekiel 27:12-22; Revelation 17:4
  • 12. Ezekiel 27:13; 1 Timothy 1:10
  • 13. S ver 3
  • 14. ver 10,17
  • 15. ver 11,19; Ezekiel 27:31
  • 16. ver 10,19
  • 17. Revelation 17:4
  • 18. ver 10; Revelation 17:12
  • 19. Revelation 17:16
  • 20. Ezekiel 27:28-30
  • 21. ver 10,15
  • 22. ver 9; Revelation 19:3
  • 23. S Revelation 17:18
  • 24. Ezekiel 27:32; Revelation 13:4
  • 25. Joshua 7:6; Lamentations 2:10; Ezekiel 27:30
  • 26. ver 11,15; Ezekiel 27:31
  • 27. ver 10,16; Revelation 17:18
  • 28. Revelation 17:16
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