Revelation 18:1

Translations

Modern

After this I saw another angel descending from heaven with great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his glory.

Traditional

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

Literal

After these things I saw another angel coming down out of heaven, having great authority; and the earth was illuminated from his glory.

Latin

Et post hæc vidi alium angelum descendentem de cælo, habentem potestatem magnam: et terra illuminata est a gloria ejus.

Original

Greek

English

After this I saw another angel descending from heaven with great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his glory.

Notes

Revelation 18:1

This angel got his brightness from heaven. The word glory usually describes a divine presence.

Revelation 18:1–3

The angel's powerful taunt song is the first poetic response. Ancient taunt songs mocked a defeated enemy (see Isaiah 13:19–22; 34:10–17). These taunts describe the fall of Babylon (or Rome; see study note on Revelation 14:8) as a traumatic event for dependent kingdoms and especially for those who had benefited from her wealth. The Goths and Visigoths attacked Rome in the AD 400s, ending the prosperous empire.

Revelation 18:1–24

This chapter includes seven poetic responses to the fall of Babylon or Rome (refer to the study note on Revelation 17:5).

Revelation 17:1–19:10

The main drama in this section shows the powers that stand against God and cause the persecution and suffering of God’s people. Rome’s power attracted and impressed many people (Revelation 17:6). John clearly describes Rome's sins and shares God's judgment (Revelation 17:3–18) before he describes Rome’s fall (18:1–24) and heaven’s response to that fall (19:1–10).

Theme notes and profiles

Messages Against the Nations Visions

Related verses

Ezekiel 43:2
…and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of many waters, and the earth shone with His glory.
Luke 17:24
For just as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so will be the Son of Man in His day.
Revelation 17:1
Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.
2 Thessalonians 2:8
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival.
Revelation 21:23
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Isaiah 60:1–3
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
Revelation 10:1
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun, and his legs were like pillars of fire.
Revelation 17:7
“Why are you so amazed?” said the angel. “I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and ten horns.

Revelation 18:1

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