Revelation 18:20

KJV

Rejoice over her, [thou] heaven, and [ye] holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

KJV (with Strong's)

Rejoice {G2165} over {G1909} her {G846}, thou heaven {G3772}, and {G2532} ye holy {G40} apostles {G652} and {G2532} prophets {G4396}; for {G3754} God {G2316} hath avenged {G2917}{G2919} you {G5216} on {G1537} her {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Rejoice over her, heaven!
Rejoice, people of God,
emissaries and prophets!
For in judging her, God has vindicated you.

Berean Standard Bible

Rejoice over her, O heaven, O saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced for you His judgment against her.

American Standard Version

Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye saints, and ye apostles, and ye prophets; for God hath judged your judgment on her.

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the vivid and detailed descriptions of Babylon's utter destruction and the lamentations of earthly kings, merchants, and mariners who mourn their economic and political losses (Revelation 18:9-19). The contrast is stark: while the world weeps over the demise of its corrupt system, heaven is commanded to celebrate. This juxtaposition highlights the divergent perspectives on Babylon's fall—worldly sorrow versus divine joy. The preceding chapters, particularly [Revelation 17](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17 - The Harlot and the Beast"), introduce Babylon as a harlot riding the beast, symbolizing a powerful, idolatrous, and persecuting system. Chapter 18 then elaborates on her complete and irreversible judgment, culminating in this heavenly call to rejoice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of Babylon in Revelation draws heavily from Old Testament prophecies against historical Babylon, a city renowned for its idolatry, wealth, and oppression of God's people (e.g., [Jeremiah 50-51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50-51 - Prophecy Against Babylon")). In the Roman Empire, the term "Babylon" became a veiled reference to Rome itself, a dominant power that persecuted early Christians. The cultural context of the first century CE involved immense pressure on believers to conform to imperial cults and societal norms that often conflicted with their faith. The promise of God's vengeance against such a powerful, oppressive system would have offered profound comfort and hope to a persecuted church, assuring them that their suffering was seen and would be justly addressed by God.
* **Key Themes:** Revelation 18:20 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Revelation. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, asserting God's absolute sovereignty and His commitment to righting all wrongs. The destruction of Babylon is not random but a precise act of God's righteous judgment against a system that has historically oppressed and shed the blood of His servants, echoing themes found in [Revelation 19:2](/revelation/19-2 "Revelation 19:2 - God's True and Righteous Judgments"). Another key theme is **Heavenly Vindication and Celebration**, where the celestial realm and the redeemed rejoice in God's righteous acts, emphasizing the moral rectitude of His judgments. Finally, the specific mention of "holy apostles and prophets" underscores the theme of **God's Remembrance of His Suffering Saints**, assuring believers that God remembers and will ultimately avenge the persecution and martyrdom of His faithful witnesses, a sentiment also expressed in the cry of the martyrs in [Revelation 6:10](/revelation/6-10 "Revelation 6:10 - The Cry of the Martyrs for Justice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rejoice (Greek, _euphraínō'_):** From G2165, meaning "to put (middle voice or passively, be) in a good frame of mind, i.e. rejoice." This word signifies a deep, internal gladness and merriment. The command to rejoice is not a call for vengeful glee, but for a profound, divinely sanctioned celebration of justice being served, reflecting the joy that comes from the restoration of moral order.
* **Heaven (Greek, _ouranós'_):** From G3772, meaning "the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity)." In this context, "heaven" refers to the celestial realm, encompassing the angelic hosts and the redeemed saints who reside with God. Their rejoicing signifies universal approval of God's judgment and the triumph of His righteous kingdom over earthly corruption.
* **Avenged (Greek, _kríma'_ and _krínō'_):** From G2917 (_kríma_), meaning "a decision (the function or the effect, for or against ("crime")):--avenge, condemned, condemnation, damnation, + go to law, judgment," and G2919 (_krínō_), meaning "properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish:--avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think." The combination of these terms emphasizes that God's act is a righteous, judicial decision, a divine verdict that brings about just retribution. It is not personal revenge but a formal, legal act of vindication, setting things right according to divine law and justice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Rejoice over her, thou heaven":** This is a direct command to the celestial realm, including angels and the redeemed, to celebrate the downfall of Babylon. The "her" refers to Babylon the Great, whose destruction has just been detailed. This rejoicing is a cosmic affirmation of God's righteous judgment.
* **"and ye holy apostles and prophets":** The command extends specifically to the "holy apostles and prophets," representing all of God's faithful witnesses throughout history, particularly those who suffered persecution and martyrdom for their testimony. Their inclusion emphasizes that God's judgment on Babylon is a direct response to the wrongs committed against His covenant people.
* **"for God hath avenged you on her":** This clause provides the reason for the command to rejoice. God Himself has executed justice, "avenging" His people against Babylon. The term "avenged" here implies a judicial act of retribution, where God, as the ultimate Judge, has brought about recompense for the suffering inflicted upon His faithful servants. This vindication is the ultimate cause for heavenly celebration.

#### 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.

* [Deuteronomy 32:43](/deuteronomy/32-43 "God's Vengeance for His Servants")
* [Psalm 94:1-2](/psalms/94-1-2 "God, the Avenger of the Oppressed")
* [Luke 18:7-8](/luke/18-7-8 "The Parable of the Persistent Widow and God's Justice")

### 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
* **How does the command for heaven to rejoice in Revelation 18:20 challenge my own emotional responses to worldly events and injustices?**
* **In what ways can I align my perspective and priorities more closely with God's eternal justice rather than temporary worldly concerns?**
* **How does the assurance of God avenging His people strengthen my faith and perseverance in the face of present difficulties or persecutions?**

### 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](/revelation/19 "Revelation 19 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb and Christ's Victory").

**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](/revelation/6-9-10 "Revelation 6:9-10 - The Souls Under the Altar").

### 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](/revelation/5-6 "Revelation 5:6 - The Lamb Who Was Slain"). 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](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ's Triumphant Return"), 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](/revelation/18-20 "Revelation 18:20 - Heaven Rejoices Over Babylon's Fall") 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.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 6:10

And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

Revelation 12:12

¶ Therefore rejoice, [ye] heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Revelation 19:1

¶ And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

Revelation 19:3

And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

Luke 18:7

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

Luke 18:8

I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Isaiah 26:21

For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.