TRV
Rejoice, people of God,
emissaries and prophets!
For in judging her, God has vindicated you.
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Commentary on Revelation 18 verses 9–24
Here we have,
I. A doleful lamentation made by Babylon's friends for her fall; and here observe,
1.Who are the mourners, namely, those who had been bewitched by her fornication, those who had been sharers in her sensual pleasures, and those who had been gainers by her wealth and trade - the kings and the merchants of the earth: the kings of the earth, whom she had flattered into idolatry by allowing them to be arbitrary and tyrannical over their subjects, while they were obsequious to her; and the merchants, that is, those who trafficked with her for indulgences, pardons, dispensations, and preferments; these will mourn, because by this craft they got their wealth.
2.What was the manner of their mourning. (1.) They stood afar off, they durst not come nigh her. Even Babylon's friends will stand at a distance from her fall. Though they had been partakers with her in her sins, and in her sinful pleasures and profits, they were not willing to bear a share in her plagues. (2.) They made a grievous outcry: Alas! alas! that great city, Babylon, that mighty city! (3.) They wept, and cast dust upon their heads, Rev 18:19. The pleasures of sin are but for a season, and they will end in dismal sorrow. All those who rejoice in the success of the church's enemies will share with them in their downfall; and those who have most indulged themselves in pride and pleasure are the least able to bear calamities; their sorrows will be as excessive as their pleasure and jollity were before.
3.What was the cause of their mourning; not their sin, but their punishment. They did not lament their fall into idolatry, and luxury, and persecution, but their fall into ruin - the loss of their traffic and of their wealth and power. The spirit of antichrist is a worldly spirit, and their sorrow is a mere worldly sorrow; they did not lament for the anger of God, that had now fallen upon them, but for the loss of their outward comfort. We have a large schedule and inventory of the wealth and merchandise of this city, all which was suddenly lost (Rev 18:12, Rev 18:13), and lost irrecoverably (Rev 18:14): All things which were dainty and goodly have departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. The church of God may fall for a time, but she shall rise again; but the fall of Babylon will be an utter overthrow, like that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Godly sorrow is some support under affliction, but mere worldly sorrow adds to the calamity.
II. An account of the joy and triumph there was both in heaven and earth at the irrecoverable fall of Babylon: while her own people were bewailing her, the servants of God were called to rejoice over her, Rev 18:20. Here observe, 1. How universal this joy would be: heaven and earth, angels and saints, would join in it; that which is matter of rejoicing to the servants of God in this world is matter of rejoicing to the angels in heaven. 2. How just and reasonable; and that, (1.) Because the fall of Babylon was an act of God's vindictive justice. God was then avenging his people's cause. They had committed their cause to him to whom vengeance belongs, and now the year of recompence had come for the controversies of Zion; and, though they did not take pleasure in the miseries of any, yet they had reason to rejoice in the discoveries of the glorious justice of God. (2.) Because it was an irrecoverable ruin. This enemy should never molest them any more, and of this they were assured by a remarkable token (Rev 18:21): An angel from heaven took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, "Thus shall Babylon be thrown down with violence, and be found no more at all; the place shall be no longer habitable by man, no work shall be done there, no comfort enjoyed, no light seen there, but utter darkness and desolation, as the reward of her great wickedness, first in deceiving the nations with her sorceries, and secondly in destroying and murdering those whom she could not deceive," Rev 18:24. Such abominable sins deserved so great a ruin.
Is Babylon the only city in all the world that persecutes or has persecuted the saints of God, so that when she is destroyed all of them are avenged? Babylon is throughout the whole world in evil people, and throughout the world persecutes those who are good.
This refers to those who have converted, for they rejoice and are made glad because “God has given judgment for you against her.”
That is, rejoice, because all of the blood of the martyrs which she poured out unto her damnation has been vindicated, and they see the avenging of the saints whom she persecuted. For, indeed, to show that the blood of the saints is to be requited, and to demonstrate the image of her ruin, there follows [the report of the mighty angel for] … the coming time of perdition is likened to a stone which is thrown with force.
By “heaven” he means either the angels or the saints who make their dwelling in heaven. The apostles and the prophets are urged to rejoice with these, and so to avenge those who were maltreated by [the city]. Their rejoicing would also avenge those who often were dishonored through transgressions of the divine laws while they vainly entreated the inhabitants of that city, or those who were forcibly scattered throughout the earth and were slaughtered for the sake of God and because they were servants of his words. In this way, the prophets were killed by the Jews, and the apostles by the Gentiles, to whom they especially preached the word. They rejoice for the coming of these chastisements, not because they rejoice in hardships but because they ardently desire a cessation to sin. And perhaps those who have been slaves to sin might obtain a milder punishment in the age to come because they were tormented to some extent here.
For God has judged your judgment on her. This is what the souls of the saints were seeking with a great cry: How long, O Lord, holy and true, will you not judge and avenge our blood (Rev. 6)?
Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets. Thus also the Lord in the Gospel, predicting the ruin of the world, added: When you see these things happening, look up and lift up your heads (Luke 21), that is, cheer your hearts.
The merchants and the kings of the earth and all who were enriched by the city standing and prospering will weep over it; but let the heavens rejoice, that is, the angels in heaven and the souls of the righteous, some because vengeance has been executed by God, others as sharing in the joy of those avenged. Again, through the discussion in the narrative he lifts up the passion of spiritual Babylon; since these things are clear, it is not necessary to have them dwell among those who confess.
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SUMMARY
Revelation 18:20 issues a triumphant command for heaven, holy apostles, and prophets to rejoice over the catastrophic fall of Babylon the Great, declaring that God has finally executed righteous judgment and avenged His persecuted people. This verse marks a pivotal shift from the world's lament over Babylon's destruction to the divine and heavenly celebration of God's unwavering justice and vindication of His saints.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Revelation 18:20 employs several powerful literary devices. Personification is evident in the command for "heaven" to rejoice, giving agency to the celestial realm as a participant in God's triumph. The phrase "holy apostles and prophets" serves as a Synecdoche, where a part (specific categories of God's servants) stands for the whole (all of God's persecuted people throughout history). The entire verse functions as an Antithesis to the preceding verses (Revelation 18:9-19), which depict the lamentations of earthly powers over Babylon's fall. This sharp contrast highlights the divergent perspectives on divine judgment: sorrow for the world, but joy for heaven. Finally, the declaration "for God hath avenged you on her" is a powerful statement of Divine Retribution, emphasizing God's active role as the ultimate arbiter of justice, ensuring that no evil goes unpunished and no suffering of His people goes unvindicated.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 18:20 is a profound theological statement affirming God's active and unwavering commitment to justice. It assures believers that despite the apparent triumph of evil in the world, God is sovereign and will ultimately bring all oppressive systems to account. This divine judgment is not arbitrary but is a righteous response to the persecution and martyrdom of His saints, demonstrating His perfect holiness and faithfulness to His covenant promises. The heavenly rejoicing underscores that God's justice is not merely punitive but redemptive, leading to the vindication of His people and the establishment of His righteous kingdom. It serves as a powerful reminder that all earthly powers and systems that oppose God will eventually face His righteous judgment.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 18:20 offers profound comfort and a call to reorient our perspectives in a world often marked by injustice. It reminds us that God is not a passive observer of human suffering and wickedness; He is the righteous Judge who will ultimately bring all things into account. For those who feel oppressed, marginalized, or witness pervasive injustice, this verse is a potent assurance that God sees, God remembers, and God will act. It encourages us to align our hearts with heaven's perspective, finding joy not in worldly successes or fleeting systems, but in the certainty of God's ultimate triumph over evil. Our hope is not in the reform of corrupt earthly powers, but in the coming of God's kingdom and the full manifestation of His justice. This should inspire us to persevere in faith, knowing that our labor and suffering for Christ are never in vain, and that divine vindication awaits.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "Babylon" represent in Revelation, and why is its fall a cause for rejoicing?
Answer: In the book of Revelation, "Babylon" is a symbolic representation of all worldly systems that oppose God, persecute His people, and promote idolatry, economic exploitation, and moral corruption. While historically linked to ancient Babylon and often understood as a veiled reference to the Roman Empire in the first century, its ultimate meaning extends to any powerful, ungodly global system or culture. Its fall is a cause for rejoicing because it signifies the ultimate triumph of God's righteous judgment over evil, the end of oppression, and the vindication of His suffering saints. It marks a decisive step towards the establishment of God's eternal kingdom, as detailed in Revelation 19.
Who are the "holy apostles and prophets" mentioned, and why are they singled out?
Answer: The "holy apostles and prophets" represent all of God's faithful witnesses throughout history, particularly those who have suffered persecution, martyrdom, or injustice for their unwavering testimony to God. "Apostles" typically refers to the foundational figures of the New Testament church, while "prophets" encompasses Old Testament prophets and New Testament prophetic figures. They are singled out because they are the ones who have borne the brunt of Babylon's persecution, shedding their blood for the sake of the Gospel. Their specific mention highlights that God's judgment is a direct act of vindication for their suffering, fulfilling the cries for justice heard from the martyrs under the altar in Revelation 6:9-10.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 18:20, with its declaration of divine vengeance and heavenly rejoicing, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The judgment against Babylon, which avenges the blood of the saints, foreshadows Christ's role as the righteous Judge who will ultimately conquer all evil and establish perfect justice. Just as heaven rejoices over Babylon's fall, so too does all creation celebrate the triumph of the Lamb of God. Christ's first coming inaugurated the kingdom of God, and His death on the cross was the ultimate act of divine justice and redemption, dealing with the root of all sin and evil. His second coming, depicted in Revelation 19:11-16, will bring the full and final execution of judgment against all ungodly systems and powers, including the spiritual forces behind "Babylon." Thus, the avenging hand of God in Revelation 18:20 is ultimately the hand of Christ, who is both the suffering Lamb and the conquering Lion of Judah, ensuring that righteousness will prevail and His people will be eternally vindicated.