Revelation 18:4

Compare all

2 And he cried¹ mightily with a loud voice, saying, ^a“Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and ^bhas become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and ^ca cage for every unclean and hated bird!

3 For all the nations ^ahave drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, ^band the merchants of the earth have become rich through the¹ abundance of her luxury.”

4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ^a“Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.

5 ^aFor her sins have reached to heaven, and ^bGod has remembered her iniquities.

6 ^aRender to her just as she rendered¹ to you, and repay her double according to her works; ^bin the cup which she has mixed, ^cmix double for her.

7 ^aIn the measure that she glorified herself and lived¹ luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as ^bqueen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’

8 Therefore her plagues will come ^ain one day—death and mourning and famine. And ^bshe will be utterly burned with fire, ^cfor strong is the Lord God who¹ judges her.

Commentaries:

Matthew Henry

<< Revelation 18:3

Revelation 18:5 >>

Revelation 18:1-24

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.

Other Matthew Henry entries containing Revelation 18:4:

1 Samuel 15:1-35
2 Chronicles 22:1-12
Isaiah 13:1-22

<< Revelation 18:3

Revelation 18:5 >>

DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.

Join 137,263+ readers

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning

Consistent Bible study is hard to start.

The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.

Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning