Revelation 19:3

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

And {G2532} again {G1208} they said {G2046}, Alleluia {G239}. And {G2532} her {G846} smoke {G2586} rose up {G305} for {G1519} ever {G165} and ever {G165}.

And a second time they said,

“Halleluyah!
Her smoke goes up forever and ever!”

And a second time they called out: “Hallelujah! Her smoke rises forever and ever.”

And a second time they say, Hallelujah. And her smoke goeth up for ever and ever.

Commentary

Context

Revelation 19:3 follows immediately after the initial outburst of praise in heaven for the fall of "Babylon the Great," described in the preceding chapter. This verse is part of a series of "Alleluia" declarations from a great multitude, the elders, and the four living creatures, celebrating God's righteous judgment against the spiritual and political system that opposed Him and persecuted His saints. The judgment on Babylon is portrayed as complete and eternal, leading to this fervent heavenly worship.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Retribution: The verse underscores God's perfect and unwavering justice, particularly in bringing judgment upon those who oppose Him and oppress His people. The destruction of Babylon is not arbitrary but a righteous act of divine retribution.
  • Heavenly Acclamation and Worship: The repeated cry of "Alleluia" signifies profound and unceasing praise to God for His mighty acts. It highlights that judgment, when executed by God's hand, is a cause for rejoicing in heaven because it vindicates His character and brings about ultimate righteousness.
  • Permanence of Judgment: The phrase "her smoke rose up for ever and ever" vividly depicts the eternal and irreversible nature of Babylon's destruction. This imagery assures believers that God's victory over evil is absolute and final, with no possibility of resurgence.

Linguistic Insights

The word "Alleluia" (also spelled "Hallelujah") is a transliteration of a Hebrew phrase, halleluyah, meaning "Praise ye the LORD" or "Praise Yah." Its appearance multiple times in Revelation 19 marks the only instances of this specific word in the Greek New Testament, emphasizing its solemn and climactic use in the context of heavenly worship. The repetition of "Alleluia" in verses 1, 3, 4, and 6 amplifies the joyful and unanimous praise for God's righteous acts.

The imagery of "smoke rose up for ever and ever" is a powerful biblical metaphor for eternal judgment and desolation. This is not a literal smoke, but a symbolic representation of the enduring and irreversible consequences of divine wrath, similar to the lasting desolation described in Isaiah 34:10 concerning Edom, or the eternal fire mentioned in Jude 1:7 regarding Sodom and Gomorrah. It signifies that the evil represented by Babylon is utterly and permanently vanquished.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound encouragement and a solemn warning. For believers, it provides assurance that despite the apparent triumph of evil in the world, God's justice will ultimately prevail. There will be a definitive end to all forms of spiritual and worldly oppression, and God will be glorified in His judgments. This truth should inspire patience, perseverance, and unwavering trust in God's sovereignty. For those who align themselves with systems of injustice and rebellion against God, the verse serves as a stark reminder of the eternal and irreversible consequences of such choices. Ultimately, Revelation 19:3 calls all to recognize God's absolute authority and to join in the heavenly chorus of praise for His righteous character and victorious reign.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 34:10

    It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.

  • Revelation 18:18

    And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What [city is] like unto this great city!

  • Revelation 18:9

    ¶ 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 14:11

    And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

  • 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:

  • Genesis 19:28

    And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.

  • Jude 1:7

    Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.