Study notes
The main drama in this section shows the powers that stand against God and cause the persecution and suffering of God’s people. Rome’s power attracted and impressed many people (Revelation 17:6). John clearly describes Rome's sins and shares God's judgment (Revelation 17:3–18) before he describes Rome’s fall (18:1–24) and heaven’s response to that fall (19:1–10).
This angel got his brightness from heaven. The word glory usually describes a divine presence.
The angel's powerful taunt song is the first poetic response. Ancient taunt songs mocked a defeated enemy (see Isaiah 13:19–22; 34:10–17). These taunts describe the fall of Babylon (or Rome; see study note on Revelation 14:8) as a traumatic event for dependent kingdoms and especially for those who had benefited from her wealth. The Goths and Visigoths attacked Rome in the AD 400s, ending the prosperous empire.
This chapter includes seven poetic responses to the fall of Babylon or Rome (refer to the study note on Revelation 17:5).
An angel announced that Babylon had fallen. This meant that Babylon’s power was destroyed for ever.
God called his people out of Babylon. He didn’t want them to suffer when that place was destroyed. They were set free from a place where sin and evil were celebrated.
John recorded the songs of people who were sad about Babylon being destroyed. This included the groups who had benefited from Babylon. Kings, traders, merchants, sea captains and sailors had all become rich because of Babylon. Yet Babylon’s wealth and power were based on evil practices.
These included taking over other nations, stealing from them and selling human beings as slaves. It included using more goods than they needed. It included killing people and serving false gods.
God’s people were very glad that God destroyed Babylon’s power. An angel threw a millstone into the sea. This action was a sign. It showed that in God’s kingdom there would never be groups or governments like Babylon.
Fallen, fallen is Babylon: See Isaiah 21:9. Once a beautifully dressed woman (see Revelation 17:4), Babylon (Rome) became a deserted place for demons and unclean birds like vultures (compare Isaiah 13:20–22; Jeremiah 4:23–31; 50:39).
Rome took wealth from conquered nations, living in extreme luxury, before facing God's justice.
you will not share in her sins: Being connected to the evil city might result in sharing its punishment and even engaging in its sins (see Genesis 13:8–13; 19:1–29; compare Jeremiah 51:6, 45).
This second poetic response (see study note on Revelation 18:1–24) warns from heaven to escape the doomed city.
God has remembered: His response may seem slow (Psalm 103:8; 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2), but God is not weak. He does not forget good or evil (Revelation 16:19; Genesis 19:29; 1 Samuel 1:19).
pay her back double: Some sins were so severe that they required double repayment (see Exodus 22:4, 7, 9; compare Isaiah 40:2; Jeremiah 16:18; 17:18).
I sit as queen: Compare Ezekiel 28:1–2.
The plagues (Revelation 18:2–3) remind us that destruction was not just a human action. The Lord God judges her. He is mighty and able to do what he promises.
The kings of the world mourn the loss of the luxury they gained from their alliance with the wicked city.
These three laments show the sadness of those who gained the most from the sinful city's wealthy lifestyle (compare Ezekiel 27).
The kings, feeling scared and abandoned (see Revelation 18:15, 17), stand far away, trying in vain to escape punishment.
The merchants of the world sing the second lament (Revelation 18:14; see study note on Revelation 18:9–19). They made money from the Roman economy (Revelation 18:12–13), but their trade stopped when the great city was quickly destroyed.
This cargo list shows how much wealth Rome took from its empire (compare Ezekiel 27:12–24). It mentions some of the most expensive products of the ancient world, criticizing excessive materialism and pride.
bodies: Rome had a large slave market, with historians estimating slaves made up nearly 20% of the population.
The merchants would mourn the fall of Rome (see study note on Revelation 18:1–3) because it would permanently end their usual luxuries. Material goods can disappear in an instant.
every shipmaster: Seafarers sing the third lament (see study note on Revelation 18:9–19). They mourn the breakdown of communication and transportation. During Julius Caesar's reign, the Mediterranean was cleared of pirates, and trade flourished under Roman law enforcement. The quick loss of Roman authority would disrupt the trade system.
The laments (Revelation 18:9–19) prompt a call for heaven to rejoice. The people of God should not grieve because the judgment was for them. They had suffered persecution from the evil forces symbolized by the great city.
a stone the size of a great millstone: People used heavy millstones, shaped for grinding olives or grain, throughout the ancient world. Jesus also mentioned using such stones for judgment (see Matthew 18:6). The dramatically thrown boulder symbolized that Rome's power was permanently destroyed.
The songs about Babylon's fall (Revelation 18:1–24) end with a description of the city's destruction.
Compare Jeremiah 25:10–11.
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources