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Revelation 18:8

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Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong [is] the Lord God who judgeth her.

Therefore {G5124}{G1223} shall {G2240} her {G846} plagues {G4127} come {G2240} in {G1722} one {G3391} day {G2250}, death {G2288}, and {G2532} mourning {G3997}, and {G2532} famine {G3042}; and {G2532} she shall be utterly burned {G2618} with {G1722} fire {G4442}: for {G3754} strong {G2478} is the Lord {G2962} God {G2316} who {G3588} judgeth {G2919} her {G846}.

“Therefore, her plagues will come in a single day —
death, sorrow and famine;
and she will be burned with fire,
because Adonai, God, her Judge, is mighty”

Therefore her plagues will come in one day— death and grief and famine— and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”

Therefore in one day shall her plagues come, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judged her.

Commentary

Revelation 18:8 delivers a stark prophetic warning concerning the swift and decisive judgment upon "Babylon the Great," a symbolic entity representing systems of worldly power, corruption, and spiritual rebellion against God.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophetic lament over the fall of Babylon, detailed in Revelation chapters 17 and 18. Following her description as a great harlot and the source of the world's abominations, chapter 18 focuses on the economic and social impact of her destruction, particularly on those who profited from her wickedness. Verse 8 emphasizes the suddenness and totality of God's retribution, contrasting sharply with her previous boast of invincibility (compare with Revelation 18:7).

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Justice: The verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His commitment to bringing justice against all forms of evil, oppression, and spiritual idolatry. The specified "plagues" (death, mourning, famine) are traditional biblical expressions of divine wrath.
  • Suddenness and Totality of Destruction: The phrase "in one day" highlights the unexpected and complete nature of Babylon's downfall. What seemed impregnable will be destroyed in a remarkably short time, leaving no room for escape or recovery. This swiftness is a recurring theme in prophetic warnings, such as the sudden destruction described in 1 Thessalonians 5:3.
  • God's Unquestionable Power: The concluding phrase, "for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her," serves as the ultimate justification and explanation for this devastating judgment. It affirms God's irresistible might and righteous authority over all earthly powers.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "strong" here is ischyros (ἰσχυρός), signifying not just physical strength but also mighty power and ability. It emphasizes God's absolute capacity to execute His decrees. The verb "judgeth" (κρίνων - krinon) is a present participle, pointing to God as the active and ongoing judge, whose righteous assessment culminates in this decisive action.

Practical Application

Revelation 18:8 serves as a potent warning and a source of hope:

  • Warning Against Worldliness: It cautions believers against entanglement with systems that prioritize material gain, luxury, and self-sufficiency over divine righteousness. The fate of Babylon reminds us that such fleeting comforts come with eternal consequences.
  • Assurance for the Oppressed: For those suffering under oppressive or corrupt systems, this verse offers immense comfort, affirming that God sees injustice and will ultimately intervene to bring about His perfect justice. This echoes the promise of God wiping away every tear in the new creation.
  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: It reinforces trust in God's ultimate control and power. Even when evil seems to flourish, God remains the supreme Judge, and His judgments are certain and true, as seen in Revelation 19:2.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 50:31 (6 votes)

    Behold, I [am] against thee, [O thou] most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for thy day is come, the time [that] I will visit thee.

  • Jeremiah 50:34 (6 votes)

    Their Redeemer [is] strong; the LORD of hosts [is] his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.

  • Revelation 18:9 (5 votes)

    ¶ And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

  • Revelation 18:10 (5 votes)

    Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

  • Revelation 17:16 (5 votes)

    And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

  • Revelation 18:19 (4 votes)

    And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:22 (4 votes)

    Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?