Revelation 18

-8 1 3 2 -9 1 0 0 0 0 13 96 -9 2 0 0 2 0 1 RVStyle2 7 StyleNameNormal textFontNameArialUnicode Size Standard StyleNameDefaultFontNameTahomaUnicode Size Standard StyleNameJumpFontNameTahomaStylefsUnderlineColorclBlue HoverColorclMaroonHoverEffects rvheUnderlineUnicode Jump Size Standard StyleNameHeading - Module name SizeDoubleFontNameTahomaColorclMaroonUnicode SizeStandard StyleName"Heading small - Module descriptionFontNameTahomaColorclMaroonUnicode Size Standard StyleNameHeading - LinkFontNameTahomaColorclNavy HoverColorclPurpleUnicode Jump Size Standard StyleNameDefaultFontNameTahomaStylefsUnderlineColorclBlueUnicode Jump Size Standard StyleNameDefaultFontNameTahomaColorclBlue HoverColorclMaroonNextStyleNoUnicode Jump Size -9 2 0 0 2 0 2 RVStyle2 jBiDiModervbdLeftToRightTabs StyleNameCentered Alignment rvaCenterTabsStandardTabs-9 2 0 0 2 0 4 RVStyle2 -9 0 0 0 0 0 7 1 99 2 8 0 0 18. Songs of Doom and Destruction) (18:1 24)) ) Outline (continued)) 2. Songs of Doom and Destruction (18:1 24) ) a. The First Lament (18:1 3) ) b. The Command to Flee (18:4 8) ) c. The Fall of Babylon (18:9 20) ) (1) The Dirge of Royalty (18:9 10) ) (2) The Lament of Merchants (18:11 17a) ) (3) The Lament of Sea Captains (18:17b 19) ) (4) Contrast (18:20) ) d.

A Symbol and a Song of Doom (18:21 24) ) ) 2. Songs of Doom and Destruction) 18:1 24) 18 1 After these things I saw another angel coming down out of heaven having great authority. And the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 And he cried with a mighty voice, saving,) Fallen, fallen, is Babylon the Great,) And she has become the dwelling place of demons,) and the prison of every unclean spirit,) and the prison of every unclean bird,) and the prison of every unclean and hated beast,) 3 because all the nations have drunk of the wrathful) wine of her fornication,) and the kings of the earth have committed adultery) with her,) and the merchants of the earth have become rich from) the power of her sensuality. ) 4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying,) My people, come out of her,) so that you may not participate in her sins,) and that you may not receive her plagues,) 5 because her sins have piled up to heaven) and God has remembered her crimes.) 6 Repay her as she has repaid) and give her back double according to her works,) mix for her double in the cup in which she has mixed.) 7 As much as she glorified and luxuriated herself,) so give her torment and grief.) For in her heart she says,) I sit as a queen, and I am not a widow,) and I will never see grief. ) 8 Therefore, in one day her plagues will come,) death and grief and famine,) and she will be burned with fire,) because the mighty Lord God is judging her.) 9 And the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and lived in luxury will weep and lament over her, when they see the smoke of her fiery ordeal. 10 Because of fear of her torment they stand far off and say,) Woe, woe, the great city,) Babylon the mighty city,) because in one hour your judgment has come! ) 11 And the merchants of the earth weep and lament over her, because no one buys their cargo anymore. 12 They are cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls, and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet cloth, and all citrus-scented wood and every vessel made of ivory and every vessel of very precious wood and bronze and iron and marble, 13 and cinnamon and spice and incense and myrrh and frankincense, and wine and olive oil and fine wheat flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, and horses and carriages, and bodies and souls of people.) 14 And the ripe fruit that you longed for has gone from you, and all the exquisite and elegant things have passed away from you, never to be found again.) 15 These merchants who had become rich from her will stand far off because of the fear of her torment, weeping and lamenting, 16 saying,) Woe, woe, the great city,) she that is clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet,) and gilded with gold, precious stones and pearls,) 17 for in one hour such riches have been laid waste. ) And every sea captain and every voyager, and sailors and as many as acquire their living from the seas will stand far off, 18 and they cried out as they looked at the smoke of her burning, and said, Who is like this great city? 19 And they cast dust on their heads and cried out and wailed, saying,) Woe, woe, the great city.) In it all those who have ships on the sea) have become rich because of her wealth.) In one hour she has been laid waste.) 20 Rejoice over her, O heaven,) and the saints and the apostles and the prophets,) because God has given judgment for you against her. ) 21 And a mighty angel picked up a stone like a large millstone and cast it into the sea, saying,) Likewise Babylon the great city) will be violently cast down) and never be found again.) 22 And the sound of the harps and musicians) and flutists and trumpeters) will never be heard in you again.) And every craftsman of every trade) will never be found in you again,) and the sound of the mill) will never be heard in you again.) 23 And the light of the lamp) will never shine on you again,) and the sound of the bridegroom and the bride) will never be heard in yon again,) because your merchants were the great ones of the) earth,) because with your sorcery you deceived all the) nations.) 24 And in her the blood of the prophets and the) saints is found) and of all who were slain on the earth. ) ) While the preceding chapter (chap. 17) described Babylon as the great prostitute, this chapter depicts her in terms of her economic downfall. Babylon is not confined to the city on the banks of the Euphrates or to Rome as the capital of the Roman empire. Babylon is the capital of the entire world, the center of the universal kingdom of darkness. It is a symbol of the whole world hostile toward God and his Christ.

And this world which has taken on God as its enemy now faces the penalty of total economic collapse.) This chapter laments the fall of Babylon and is a continuation of 14:8, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great. First, we notice the many hymns of judgments and lamentations over Babylon. By one count there are eight hymns (vv. 2b 3, 4b 8, 10b, 14, 16 17a, 19b, 20, 21b 24), all with appropriate introductions.��1�� Next, we detect three angels who speak successively: the first one, having great authority, spoke in a loud voice (vv. 1 3); the second is introduced as another voice from heaven (vv. 4 20); and the third is a mighty angel who casts a millstone into the sea (vv. 21 24). Last, note the contrast of condemnation and approbation. After hymns of judgment and lament are sung in chapter 18, songs of praise are raised by a heavenly multitude (19:1 3), the twenty-four elders (19:4), a voice from the throne (19:5), and a great multitude (19:6 8).) The center section of chapter 18 is the longest and can be divided into two segments: Babylon before her fall (vv. 4 8) and after her fall (vv. 9 20). The chapter itself has four parts: the first lament (vv. 1 3), the command to flee (vv. 4 8), the second lament (vv. 9 20), and a symbol with interpretation (vv. 21 24).��2��) a.

The First Lament) 18:1 3) 1. After these things I saw another angel coming down out of heaven having great authority. And the earth was illuminated with his glory.) The phrase after these things occurs at least nine times in Revelation.��3�� These occurrences point not to chronological time but rather to a change from one vision to another. Here John looks first at Babylon as the great prostitute in chapter 17 and then in this chapter at the fall of Babylon.) Some interpreters identify the angel who comes down out of heaven as Jesus.��4�� But this is hardly possible because of the preceding adjective another that points to a succession of previous angels (17:1, 3, 7, 15). It is more likely, therefore, that this angel is one of the seven mentioned earlier in 17:1, although he differs from the first angel mentioned there. Perhaps he may be identified with the mighty angel coming down out of heaven in 10:1.

This angel has been endowed with great authority, which signifies that God has given him the task of announcing the verdict of Babylon s demise.) And the earth was illuminated with his glory. John alludes to similar wording taken from Ezekiel, and the earth shone with his glory (43:2, NRSV), with the distinction that there it is the glory of Israel s God. But here the angel comes from the presence of God to brighten the earth so that everyone is able to see the extraordinary appearance.) 2. And he cried with a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen, is Babylon the Great. And she has become the dwelling place of demons, and the prison of every unclean spirit, and the prison of every unclean bird, and the prison of every unclean and hated beast. ) a. And he cried with a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen, is Babylon the Great.

The Apocalypse is replete with angels who cry out in a loud voice so that everyone on earth is able to hear (7:2; 10:3; 14:7, 9, 15; 19:17). The word mighty reflects the great authority that has been given to this angel. No one can ignore the voice of an angel who announces an event which is stupefying in its magnitude. ��5�� Although his announcement is similar to that of the angel who cried Fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the wrathful wine of her fornication (14:8), there are differences. In this verse he first describes the dwelling place of Babylon by referring to it three times as a prison, and then he elaborates in successive verses.) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.21.9|AUTODETECT|” John has taken the reference to Babylon from ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.21.9|AUTODETECT|” Isaiah 21:9) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.50.2|AUTODETECT|” , Babylon has fallen, has fallen! 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.50.2|AUTODETECT|” Jer. 50:2) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.8|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.8|AUTODETECT|” 51:8) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ).��6�� The duplication of the verb to fall for emphasis is a typical feature in Semitic writing. Note that the past tense of the verb is given as if the actual destruction of Babylon had already taken place. The past tense states not merely the expectation but the certainty of this event.) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.13.21|AUTODETECT|” b. And she has become the dwelling place of demons. In desert places the goat demons dance and call to each other 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.13.21|AUTODETECT|” Isa. 13:21) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.34.14|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.34.14|AUTODETECT|” 34:14) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=42.8.29|AUTODETECT|” NRSV). Evil spirits live in deserted places 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=42.8.29|AUTODETECT|” Luke 8:29) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.50.39|AUTODETECT|” ) and in a ruined city like Babylon.��7�� This ruined place is the home of demons, whose ruler is Satan. It will become a place void of any inhabitant 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.50.39|AUTODETECT|” Jer. 50:39) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.37|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.37|AUTODETECT|” 51:37) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). This is a picture of a world without God that is now in the power of evil spirits who can freely vex its people.��8��) 1 2 2 8 0 0 Babylon is the prison of every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every unclean and hated beast. In this context, the term prison suggests a dwelling place to which these creatures are consigned not so much a prison, for that is the Abyss, but a place where they dwell. This desolate place is the home of unclean spirits and animals a picture of a world completely devoid of God and his Word. How different is the city of God, where the Holy Spirit dwells in the hearts and lives of the saints! There the light of the gospel shines brightly and the people live in joy and happiness.) 3. Because all the nations have drunk of the wrathful wine of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich from the power of her sensuality. ) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.25.15|AUTODETECT|” This verse is a further explanation of Babylon s ruin by mentioning three classes of people. John mentions first the broad category of nations. He repeats almost verbatim part of 14:8, which made all the nations drink the wrathful wine of her fornication. He moves from the causative made all the nations drink to the perfect active, all the nations have drunk. ��9�� Babylon has been successful in leading astray the masses of people 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.25.15|AUTODETECT|” Jer. 25:15) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.7|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.7|AUTODETECT|” 51:7) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). These masses followed her in symbolically drinking the wine of her fornication that has provoked God to implacable wrath (14:10; 16:19). The wine they drink, spiritually speaking, is deliberately sinning against God and acting as if he did not exist. This sin can never be forgiven, meets divine wrath, and leads to spiritual death.) 1 1 2 8 0 0 The second category of people John mentions is the kings of the earth. They commit spiritual adultery with Babylon (17:2), that is, they give leadership by pursuing religious, political, and economic goals. They worship idols, rule harshly, and enrich themselves at the expense of others who are less fortunate than they. Since money is their idol, they force all their subordinates to pay homage to this god. It is no wonder that the Christians in the province of Asia lived in abject poverty: they refused to submit to the dictates of local gods and guilds (see chapters 2 and 3).) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.23.8|AUTODETECT|” The third group are the merchants of the world. In ancient times, the merchants of Tyre were renowned throughout the world 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.23.8|AUTODETECT|” Isa. 23:8) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.12-26.27.23|AUTODETECT|” ). Similarly, traders from numerous places sailed along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea to do business in the ports of Spain, Greece, Asia Minor, Syria, Israel, and in places of Arabia 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.12-26.27.23|AUTODETECT|” Ezek. 27:12 23) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). In its heyday, Rome was the storehouse of all the products and produce in the ancient world. Today multinational corporations dominate world trade and often fail to protect the environment or their own workers. As a consequence, the rich increase their assets and display their opulence while the indigent cope with poverty.) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=51.3.5-51.3.6|AUTODETECT|” Trading goods and wares is desirable, for it meets human needs and with diligence improves the quality of life. But when greed, which Paul calls idolatry, raises its ugly head, the wrath of God comes down on those who serve this idol 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=51.3.5-51.3.6|AUTODETECT|” Col. 3:5 6) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.3.14-23.3.15|AUTODETECT|” ). When the rich oppress the poor, they are the violators of the down-trodden and so have become the violent 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.3.14-23.3.15|AUTODETECT|” Isa. 3:14 15) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=30.2.7|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=30.2.7|AUTODETECT|” Amos 2:7) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). But God is a jealous God who unalterably opposes such sin and inevitably reproves the unrepentant sinner.) 1 2 2 8 0 0 ) Greek Words, Phrases, and Constructions in 18:3) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.25.15-24.25.17|AUTODETECT|” ������� the perfect active indicative is from the verb ������ (to drink). One variant reading is �������� from the verb ������� (to fall). The two verbs in the perfect differ in only one letter. The variant is rejected in recent editions of the Greek New Testament and by nearly all commentators. On the basis of the Old Testament source 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.25.15-24.25.17|AUTODETECT|” Jer. 25:15 17) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 [32:15 17 LXX]; 51:7, 39 [28:7, 39 LXX]) and the context, the verb to drink is demanded.��10��) 1 7 2 8 0 0 ) ) b. The Command to Flee) 18:4 8) 4. And I heard another voice from heaven saying, My people, come out of her, so that you may not participate in her sins, and that you may not receive her plagues. ) John does not specifically write that the speaker is another angel. Although a case can be made that God or Christ is the speaker because of the address My people, ��11�� the context of the announcement suggests that an angel spoke these words. The next verse, God has remembered her crimes, seems to indicate that an angel is God s messenger (v. 5).) The divine message addressed to God s people is clear and to the point: Come out of her, so that you may not participate in her sins. This is familiar language that echoes the warnings uttered by both Isaiah and Jeremiah:) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.48.20|AUTODETECT|” " Leave Babylon, flee from the Babylonians! 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.48.20|AUTODETECT|” Isa. 48:20) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 )) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.52.11|AUTODETECT|” " Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing! 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.52.11|AUTODETECT|” Isa. 52:11) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 )) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.45|AUTODETECT|” " Come out of her, my people! Run for your lives! 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.45|AUTODETECT|” Jer. 51:45) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=47.6.17|AUTODETECT|” ; see ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=47.6.17|AUTODETECT|” 2 Cor. 6:17) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 )) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=43.17.14-43.17.18|AUTODETECT|” The voice is not saying that God s people must live in isolation from the rest of mankind. If this were the case, they would not be able to influence the world with the gospel of salvation. Jesus prayed that his people be in the world but not of the world 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=43.17.14-43.17.18|AUTODETECT|” John 17:14 18) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ).) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=47.6.17|AUTODETECT|” At the time of the exile when Cyrus permitted the Jews to leave Babylon, God told his people not to take along anything that was unclean or that was pertinent to idol worship. He wanted the Jews leaving Babylon to be pure and holy. Similarly, Paul exhorted the Corinthian Christians who had come out of paganism to separate themselves from idol worship and dedicate their lives to Jesus Christ 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=47.6.17|AUTODETECT|” 2 Cor. 6:17) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). For the recipients of the Apocalypse, the exhortation meant not to leave the Roman world or Rome itself. Instead they were to break with the empire s idolatrous culture and life-style and to avoid compromise, as is evident from the seven letters John addressed to the churches in the province of Asia (chaps. 2 and 3).��12�� For Christians today the message is to separate themselves spiritually and morally from the secular world and not participate in its sins. While in this world, they must live in complete harmony with God s Word and the testimony of Christ as citizens of the kingdom of heaven. But if they fail to do so and adopt the ways of the world, they will also receive its plagues. These plagues are those in which God manifests his anger in the day of his wrath (16:19).��13��) 1 1 2 8 0 0 5. Because her sins have piled up to heaven and God has remembered her crimes. ) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=1.11.3-1.11.4|AUTODETECT|” The ungodly keep on sinning defiantly against God. They are like the people who built the tower of Babel to reach heaven and challenge God 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=1.11.3-1.11.4|AUTODETECT|” Gen. 11:3 4) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.9|AUTODETECT|” ). Now their sins have been piled up one by one until they reach heaven. John writes that their sins press against heaven, that is, there is no room left for additional sins between heaven and earth. Sinners are challenging God to do something about these sins that have come in close contact with heaven 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.9|AUTODETECT|” Jer. 51:9) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). These sins are in the face of God, so to speak, and they have become a stench in his nostrils.��14��) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=58.8.12|AUTODETECT|” God is a gracious God, and because of the sacrificial death of his Son he not only forgives the repentant sinner but also remembers his or her sins no more 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=58.8.12|AUTODETECT|” Heb. 8:12) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=58.10.17|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=58.10.17|AUTODETECT|” 10:17) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=1.18.20|AUTODETECT|” ). But sins committed by unrepentant sinners he recalls one by one. They have brought him to the end of his patience and compel him to Acts 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=1.18.20|AUTODETECT|” Gen. 18:20) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ).) 1 1 2 8 0 0 6. Repay her as she has repaid and give her back double according to her works, mix for her double in the cup in which she has mixed. ) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.16.18|AUTODETECT|” a. Repay her as she has repaid and give her back double according to her works. We ask a twofold question: who is speaking and who is addressed? The first part of the question is easy, for the angel has been the speaker thus far. To answer the second part, it appears that God is the addressee, because he alone is able to dispense justice and punish evildoers. This response fits the wording of the Old Testament context on which John relies. Announcing the day of disaster that comes upon the people of Judah, God says, I will repay them double for their wickedness and their sin 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.16.18|AUTODETECT|” Jer. 16:18) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.40.2|AUTODETECT|” ; see ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.40.2|AUTODETECT|” Isa. 40:2) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.6.10|AUTODETECT|” ). Hence, the words seem to be addressed to God in the form of an entreaty, much the same as the souls under the altar ask God to judge the inhabitants of the earth and to avenge their blood 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.6.10|AUTODETECT|” Rev. 6:10) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ).) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=5.32.35|AUTODETECT|” But we still have to ask why in Greek the verbs repay and give back are written as plural imperatives. The broader context reveals that the plural is also used in verse 4, Come out of her! and in verse 7, Give such torment and grief to her! The plural in verse 4 is addressed to God s people, but interpreting the entreaty of verses 6 and 7 as addressed to God s people flies in the face of the divine admonition not to seek revenge: It is mine to avenge; I will repay 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=5.32.35|AUTODETECT|” Deut. 32:35) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=45.12.19|AUTODETECT|” ; see also ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=45.12.19|AUTODETECT|” Rom. 12:19) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=58.10.30|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=58.10.30|AUTODETECT|” Heb. 10:30) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). Additional suggestions are that the plural imperatives address the angels who are sent out by God to execute his judgments or that they urge the people to turn against the prostitute Babylon and ruin her (17:16 17). Both of these suggestions, however, have to account for the sudden shift from one group of addressees to another without any indication of the change.) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=1.15.16|AUTODETECT|” Whatever solution is adopted, weaknesses remain. Yet consistency compels us to say that God instructs his people. At times God uses his people to execute punishment on evildoers. There are examples from both the Old and New Testaments. God revealed to Abraham that his descendants would in due time come back to the Promised Land, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=1.15.16|AUTODETECT|” Gen. 15:16) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=44.5.1-44.5.11|AUTODETECT|” ). This sin reached its climax when the Israelites conquered the land of Canaan and then with God s help annihilated its inhabitants. Peter rebuked both Ananias and Sapphira, whereupon they collapsed and died 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=44.5.1-44.5.11|AUTODETECT|” Acts 5:1 11) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=44.13.6-44.13.12|AUTODETECT|” ). Paul reprimanded the Jewish sorcerer Bar-Jesus, alias Elymas, and struck him with blindness 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=44.13.6-44.13.12|AUTODETECT|” Acts 13:6 12) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). And in Revelation the two witnesses strike their enemies with fire (11:3 6).��15��) 1 3 2 8 0 0 John writes that Babylon will receive double according to her works, but the words give her back double go back to a Hebrew idiom that signifies to produce a duplicate. An idiom ought not to be translated literally; therefore the translation in English should be Give her the very equivalent according to her works, ��16�� that is, pay her back in kind.) b. Mix for her double in the cup in which she has mixed. That is, the exact measure should be given to her as she gave to others. What she dispensed to others will be dispensed to her. The cup is filled with the wine of God s fury, which has been stated already (14:10; 16:19).

God will never forget her sins; in his wrath he will apportion to her the punishment she deserves.) 7. As much as she glorified and luxuriated herself, so give her torment and grief. For in her heart she says, I sit as a queen, and I am not a widow, and I will never see grief. ) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.41|AUTODETECT|” Because of her glory and opulence, Babylon was called the pride of the whole earth 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.41|AUTODETECT|” Jer. 51:41) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.13.19|AUTODETECT|” NRSV) and the glory of the Babylonians pride 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.13.19|AUTODETECT|” Isa. 13:19) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). For instance, the famous hanging gardens were known as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The city was the apex of luxury. The temple of Bel-Nebo contained a statue of the idol seated on a golden throne next to a golden altar, and on this altar, once a year, a thousand pounds of incense were burned. Yet this city, because it was filled with depravity and debauchery, was eventually brought low and destroyed. It experienced firsthand the torment and grief it had caused the nations, for the law of retribution was applied to it in full measure.) 1 1 2 8 0 0 The noun torment signifies the agony one senses after being stung by a scorpion (9:5) or being blistered by burning sulfur (14:10). The second experience culminates in eternal punishment that deprives people of rest both day and night (14:11).) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.47.7|AUTODETECT|” John takes his information from prophetic passages in the Old Testament, quoting almost verbatim from a passage on the fall of Babylon, You said, I will continue forever the eternal queen! & I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or suffer the loss of children 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.47.7|AUTODETECT|” Isa. 47:7) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.47.8|AUTODETECT|” , ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.47.8|AUTODETECT|” 8) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.28.2|AUTODETECT|” ; compare ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.28.2|AUTODETECT|” Ezek. 28:2) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=36.2.15|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=36.2.15|AUTODETECT|” Zeph. 2:15) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=53.2.4|AUTODETECT|” ). As Babylon speaks these words, the core of her being is filled with pride. Her words are exaggerated boasts in her self-sufficiency. She wants to occupy the throne of God and determine her own course of life. But she can never be like God and rule as queen of heaven, even though she aims to take God s place 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=53.2.4|AUTODETECT|” 2 Thess. 2:4) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ).) 1 3 2 8 0 0 The soliloquy may intentionally be an allusion to the theme of the eternal permanence of Rome. ��17�� However, John resorts to using a picture of a woman who represents not only Babylon or Rome but any world city. This city signifies a world estranged from God and thus includes everyone who is inimical to God, his Word, and his church.) 8. Therefore, in one day her plagues will come, death and grief and famine, and she will be burned with fire, because the mighty Lord God is judging her. ) The consequence of Babylon s pride is her downfall, here described in terms of death, grief, and famine for her citizens and burning fires for her buildings and structures. God will send this calamity upon her in one hour, which is not to be measured chronologically but rather interpreted metaphorically. One hour describes brevity, so that the plagues that strike her are devastatingly swift (vv. 10, 17, 19; see 17:12).) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.47.9|AUTODETECT|” John uses the Old Testament as his source. There he reads that God said to Babylon: Both [the loss of children and widowhood) will overtake you in a moment, on a single day 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.47.9|AUTODETECT|” Isa. 47:9) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.50.31|AUTODETECT|” ; see ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.50.31|AUTODETECT|” Jer. 50:31) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.47.14|AUTODETECT|” ). Her buildings and earthly possessions will be burned by fire, and the people will not even save themselves from the power of the flame 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.47.14|AUTODETECT|” Isa. 47:14) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). Suddenly, the depopulated city lies in ruins, and Babylon is left as a lonely, forsaken figure.) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=58.10.31|AUTODETECT|” All this has taken place because of God s judgment against her. John describes the Lord God as mighty, which in this case is unique. A few times in the Apocalypse (5:2; 10:1; 18:21) angels have been called mighty, and so have political and military leaders (6:15; 19:18). John P. M. Sweet notes that this mighty city of Babylon (vv. 10, 18) is no match for the might of God. ��18�� When the hour of judgment has come, there is no escape from the wrath of God. As the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews observes, It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=58.10.31|AUTODETECT|” Heb. 10:31) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ).) 1 12 2 8 0 0 c. The Fall of Babylon) 18:9 20) This lengthy section contrasts the wailing of those who are doomed and the rejoicing of those who are redeemed. It can be divided into four parts:) " the kings of the earth lament the doom of Babylon (vv. 9 10);) " the merchants weep and mourn over the loss of sales and wealth (vv. 11 17a);) " the sea captains and sailors bemoan the ruin of the great city (vv. 17b 19);) " the saints and apostles in heaven respond by rejoicing over God s judgment (v. 20).) John displays a cyclical approach in this chapter. In verse 3, he mentioned the kings of the earth who had committed adultery with the great prostitute and the merchants who became rich from her luxuries. And in verses 9 and 11 he mentions these kings and merchants again. Also, the second angel who addressed the saints (vv. 4 8) apparently continues his message in the next section (vv. 9 20).) (1) The Dirge of Royalty) 18:9 10) 9.

And the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and lived in luxury will weep and lament over her, when they see the smoke of her fiery ordeal. ) The fall of Babylon is inevitable, and John expresses this by writing the verbs to weep and to lament in the future tense. But describing the actual ruin of the city, John writes the Greek past tense of the verb to come, your judgment has come (v. 10).) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.26.16-26.26.17|AUTODETECT|” The lament of the kings is an echo of the actions and lament the princes of Tyre perform and utter over their coastal city 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.26.16-26.26.17|AUTODETECT|” Ezek. 26:16 17) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). These princes laid down their robes and ornaments and sat down on the ground trembling with fear at the sight of Tyre. John portrays the kings of the earth he mentioned earlier (v. 3). He is not alluding to the ten kings noted in the preceding chapter (17:16) but to those who, with the Babylon of earlier days and Rome in his time, pursued material riches and lived luxuriously.��19�� These kings weep and lament over her because they realize the tremendous financial losses that have occurred. The shedding of tears is accompanied in typical Eastern style by beating one s chest as a sign of mourning and an expression of grief.��20��) 1 8 2 8 0 0 The kings observe the smoke as Babylon goes up in flames. The emphasis is not so much on Babylon being consumed by flames but on the fire itself, the suffering, and the painful consequences. In other words, this ordeal is an all-encompassing process in which the sufferer endures pain caused by burning flames. This perverted city, whether Babylon, Rome, Jerusalem, or any place inimical to Christ, suffers immensely when God takes from her everything she idolized. Also, these kings understand that they are directly affected by the suffering of this city.) 10. Because of fear of her torment they stand far off and say, Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon the mighty city, because in one hour your judgment has come! ) The rulers of this world must stand far away from the heat of the burning city for fear that they too will be tormented.

But when monetary systems collapse and riches vanish, poverty knocks even at the doors of those who give leadership. This is the picture: world economies in ruins, riots and robberies a plague, disease and death rampant, and leaders filled with fear. The end is at hand. The kings too face an angry God, whose judgment will come swiftly upon them.) A twofold woe is uttered by these kings, and by the merchants and sailors in successive verses (vv. 16, 19; see the triple use in 8:13). The repetition of the word indicates emphasis. The mournful sound of the word woe denotes both grief and denunciation.

And even though these rulers utter it, they know that the hour of judgment is coming for them, too.) The kings, the merchants, and the seafarers all describe Babylon as the great city (vv. 10, 16, 19), but here the text is amplified by Babylon the mighty city. The two descriptive adjectives great and mighty pertain to her recent glory that now has faded and disappeared. And this change happened so swiftly, in one hour, that the merchants and sailors as well as the kings mention it (vv. 17, 19). Babylon s greatness and might suddenly end (compare v. 8).��21��) (2) The Lament of Merchants) 18:11 17a) 11. And the merchants of the earth weep and lament over her, because no one buys their cargo anymore. ) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.1-26.27.36|AUTODETECT|” John has taken the information of merchants and their cargo from Ezekiel s lament over Tyre 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.1-26.27.36|AUTODETECT|” Ezek. 27:1 36) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.13.17|AUTODETECT|” ).��22�� The prophet expresses the same grief and lament over Tyre as the kings of the earth do over Babylon. The traders see that business has come to a complete halt. They notice a total disinterest in the merchandise that comes by ship from various places around the globe from the western shores of the Mediterranean Sea as far as Spain, from the eastern shores of that sea as far as Egypt, and from Asia and Africa. Their economic loss is indescribable, and this is their just reward. All along they have been depriving the followers of the Lamb of the right to buy and sell 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.13.17|AUTODETECT|” Rev. 13:17) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). Now they themselves are denied that right, and they realize that without buyers their business is doomed. Customers are no longer buying because of the economic collapse that has made buying and selling impossible.) 1 1 2 8 0 0 12. They are cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls, and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet cloth, and all citrus-scented wood and every vessel made of ivory and every vessel of very precious wood and bronze and iron and marble, 13. and cinnamon and spice and incense and myrrh and frankincense, and wine and olive oil and fine wheat flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, and horses and carriages, and bodies and souls of people. ) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=44.27.41|AUTODETECT|” Commerce in ancient times was far-flung, international, and varied. To illustrate, ships coming to Italy with cargo to be sold in Rome came from all the ports along the Mediterranean coastline. Although some ships suffered shipwreck 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=44.27.41|AUTODETECT|” Acts 27:41) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ), the volume of traffic on the sea was phenomenal. Therefore, owning a fleet of ships proved to be a profitable enterprise as long as the weather remained favorable.) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.12-26.27.22|AUTODETECT|” The list of products presented in verses 12 and 13 is considerable: some twenty-eight articles of merchandise are mentioned, ranging from luxury items to household staples, from dry goods to livestock. Even slaves (bodies and souls of human beings) are included. Many of the items listed here also occur in a similar account of some forty different products recorded in ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.12-26.27.22|AUTODETECT|” Ezekiel 27:12 22) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 . But John differs from the prophet in two respects: he omits the origin of these items and he fails to follow the sequence of his list. Further, the prophet s roster dates from the sixth century b.c., but John would be familiar with commercial lists circulating in his own time and reflecting the riches of Rome and other cities. At the beginning of the register are luxury items characterizing the wealth of nations and individuals. The great prostitute, for example, was clothed in purple and scarlet cloth and was gilded with gold and precious stones and pearls (17:4).) 1 2 2 8 0 0 a. Gold, silver, precious stones and pearls. Gold was imported from Spain during the first century; when those mines were depleted, it came from western Romania.��23�� This metal adorned the homes of wealthy families in Rome and was used to make regal and religious objects.) Silver also originated in Spain and was used to embellish couches, cups, and plates. Precious stones generally came from India and were cut and polished in Alexandria. They were placed in rings and expensive drinking vessels.��24�� Pearls were gathered from the bottom of the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Indian Ocean.) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=44.16.14|AUTODETECT|” b. Fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet cloth. This category includes expensive articles of clothing. Instead of clothing made of wool, rich people would wear linen that came from Alexandria, Scythopolis (Beth-Shean), and Laodicea. Purple was produced from a shellfish or from the root of a Eurasian plant called madder. It was expensive to produce and therefore considered extremely valuable. Lydia was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=44.16.14|AUTODETECT|” Acts 16:14) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). Silk produced in China, although costly, was available in abundance. Josephus remarks that the victorious armed forces parading in front of Vespasian and Titus were dressed in garments made of silk.��25�� Scarlet cloth was likewise an expensive item. Scarlet produced from the berry of the kermes oak was used to dye the cloth.) 1 2 2 8 0 0 c. All citrus-scented wood and every vessel made of ivory, every vessel of very precious wood and bronze and iron and marble. Citrus-scented wood was so costly that it was only found in the form of tables in the homes of the most affluent citizens. Cicero bought such a table and reportedly paid 500,000 sesterces, an amount that was sufficient to purchase a large estate. The citron tree grew in North Africa and was much prized for its veining, which in the best specimens simulated the eyes of a peacock s tail, or the stripes of the tiger and spots of the panther. ��26��) Ivory derived from the tusks of elephants was used lavishly on countless articles ranging from household items to furniture. Precious wood included ebony, cedar, and cypress, because these varieties resisted decay and repelled insects.

The wood was used to make furniture and panels for doors and walls. In ancient times, bronze as an alloy made of copper and tin was produced in many countries. It was highly prized, and according to one ancient writer it was regarded as even more valuable than silver or gold.��27�� Iron deposits in Greece, Spain, and (modern) Hungary supplied the Roman world with this metal to fashion tools and weapons. Marble came from Phrygia, Greece, and parts of Africa. It decorated the homes of wealthy citizens.) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=40.2.11|AUTODETECT|” d. Cinnamon and spice and incense and myrrh and frankincense. Here are four classes of spices that aided the rich in dispelling unpleasant odors. These spices were obtained from many countries; for instance, cinnamon was shipped in from east Africa, Arabia, and as far away as India. It was procured from the inner bark of young cinnamon tree branches. Spice as an aromatic substance also came from India. Incense was an element used for burning in cultic worship. Myrrh and frankincense were acquired from Somalia and south Arabia. All these spices were costly and considered worthy of being presented as gifts to royalty 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=40.2.11|AUTODETECT|” Matt. 2:11) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ).) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=44.27.6|AUTODETECT|” e. Wine and olive oil and fine wheat flour and wheat. These items were daily staples common in most households. Grapes were grown throughout the Middle East from Israel to Spain. In a.d. 92 a surplus of wine caused Emperor Domitian to issue an edict that no new vineyards be planted in Italy and that half of the vineyards in the Roman provinces be destroyed. Because of considerable opposition, this decree never took effect.��28�� Similarly, olive trees grew in abundance and supplied the people with oil for cooking and lamps. Fine wheat flour and wheat came from Egypt, which served as the breadbasket for Rome 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=44.27.6|AUTODETECT|” Acts 27:6) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=44.27.38|AUTODETECT|” , ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=44.27.38|AUTODETECT|” 38) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ).��29��) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=42.10.34|AUTODETECT|” f. Cattle and sheep, and horses and carriages, and bodies and souls of people. This is the last category, made up of livestock, vehicles, and slaves. The word used here for cattle is a general word referring to various domesticated animals, especially donkeys used for riding and carrying burdens 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=42.10.34|AUTODETECT|” Luke 10:34) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=44.23.24|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=44.23.24|AUTODETECT|” Acts 23:24) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). Wealthy Romans possessed four-wheeled carriages.) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.13|AUTODETECT|” Last in the list of commodities is the item bodies and souls of people (slaves). It follows carriages to indicate the low value that was placed on slaves. The reference to humans as bodies comes from the Greek language in which slaves were regarded merely as bodies; while the use of souls comes from the Hebrew and stands for the lives [souls] of men 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.13|AUTODETECT|” Ezek. 27:13) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=13.5.21|AUTODETECT|” NASB; see also the NASB marginal reading of ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=13.5.21|AUTODETECT|” 1 Chron. 5:21) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). The combination of bodies and souls results in one category, namely, human beings, who in this case are slaves.��30��) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=57.1.15-57.1.16|AUTODETECT|” Some slaves were people captured in war or kidnapped at sea by pirates; some had sold themselves into slavery for economic reasons; and others were born into slavery or abandoned by their parents. When in a.d. 70 the Jews lost the war against Rome, seventy thousand of them became slaves.��31�� Because in the first century slavery very was an established legal institution, the early church could only begin to emancipate slaves within the Christian community itself 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=57.1.15-57.1.16|AUTODETECT|” Philem. 15 16) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ).) 1 13 2 8 0 0 14. And the ripe fruit that you longed for has gone from you, and all the exquisite and elegant things have passed away from you, never to be found again. ) The speakers are not identified in this verse, but we assume that they are the merchants (vv. 11, 15) who are addressing Babylon the Great. However, there is a change from the third person plural their (v. 11) to the second person singular you (v. 14), but this abrupt break can be ascribed to John s authorial freedom.��32��) The sentence is descriptive of the harvest in the autumn when tree-ripened fruit is ready to be picked. The Greek literally reads, the ripe fruit, the desire of your soul. And yet this desired fruit has departed from the one who was ready to harvest it. The second part of the sentence states a parallel:) A ripe fruit ) B has gone from you ) A� exquisite and elegant things ) B� have passed away from you ) ) ) And these riches can never, no never, be found again by anyone who longs for them.) 15.

These merchants who had become rich from her will stand far off because of the fear of her torment, weeping and lamenting, 16. saying, Woe, woe, the great city, she that is clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and gilded with gold, precious stones and pearls, 17a. for in one hour such riches have been laid waste. ) The words stand far off occur three times in this chapter (vv. 10, 15, 17). These merchants are filled with fear, because they are fully aware that their doom is near and they will suffer the same torment. Presently they weep and lament, but nothing can alter their situation (see vv. 10, 11). They have lost their wealth that was their idol.) Once again the merchants wail their twofold woe over the great city (v. 10) and describe her with the same terms John uses to portray the great prostitute (17:4). Except for the addition fine linen, the following two sentences are nearly identical:) 7 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.17.4|AUTODETECT|” Revelation 17:4) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.18.16|AUTODETECT|” ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.18.16|AUTODETECT|” Revelation 18:16) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 1 17 2 8 0 0 clothed in purple and scarlet cloth clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, ) and was gilded with gold and and gilded with gold, ) precious stones and pearls precious stones and pearls ) ) ) This is another indication that the woman and the great city are the same (17:18), which means that the economic riches adorning the great city vanish. By contrast, the glory that adorns the bride of Christ and the city of God abides forever. Worldly riches disappear in one hour; that is, the plagues strike the woman and the great city abruptly and with devastating consequence (see vv. 10, 19; see 17:12).) ) Greek Words, Phrases, and Constructions in 18:12 14) Verse 12) ����� ���������� very precious wood. This superlative adjective signifies most rare or very rare. Some copyists regarded the noun ����� to be incongruent in the list of bronze, iron, and marble; therefore, they replaced it with ����� (stone).��33��) Verse 14) �p �����p ��v �p ������ in Greek the alliteration is striking, which in English can be conveyed as exquisite and elegant or glitter and glamour (REB).) ) ) (3) The Lament of Sea Captains) 18:17b 19) 17b. And every sea captain and every voyager, and sailors and as many as acquire their living from the seas will stand far off, 18. and they cried out as they looked at the smoke of her burning, and said, Who is like this great city? ) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.27-26.27.29|AUTODETECT|” John continues to enumerate four classes of people in language that he borrows from ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.27-26.27.29|AUTODETECT|” Ezekiel 27:27 29) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=44.27.11|AUTODETECT|” . First, a sea captain can be the shipowner or the helmsman 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=44.27.11|AUTODETECT|” Acts 27:11) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=19.107.23|AUTODETECT|” ). Next, a literal translation of the Greek is and every one who sails to a place ; it means every voyager. This phrase itself has given rise to additional translations. But if we take the term voyager to relate to a seafaring merchant or passenger, the text is clear. Third, the sailors are those who make up the crew of a ship, and last, there are the people who gain their living from the sea by fishing, diving for pearls, ferrying passengers, or building ships 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=19.107.23|AUTODETECT|” Ps. 107:23) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ).��34��) 1 1 2 8 0 0 All these people look aghast at the collapse of Babylon s economic power and physical existence. They stand far off (vv. 10, 15). Notice that the verb stand is in the future tense, which is also true for the verbs to weep and to lament in verse 9. The tense refers to the predictability of what is going to happen: everyone generating trade via the sea or gaining products from it will stand and watch the end of Babylon.) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.22.8|AUTODETECT|” The seafarers continue to cry out as they are looking at the billowing smoke rising from the burning city, Who is like this great city? This cry is an echo of the question asked by travelers who observed the destruction of Jerusalem, Why has the Lord done such a thing to this great city? ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.22.8|AUTODETECT|” Jer. 22:8) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.32|AUTODETECT|” ; compare ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.32|AUTODETECT|” Ezek. 27:32) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). The question the seafarers pose is, Who would ever have thought that this could happen to Babylon? ) 1 2 2 8 0 0 19. And they cast dust on their heads and cried out and wailed saying, Woe, woe, the great city. In it all those who have ships on the sea have become rich because of her wealth. In one hour she has been laid waste. ) John has taken the cry uttered by the seafarers from the prophecy of Ezekiel. Here are the words,) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.30|AUTODETECT|” They will raise their voice and cry bitterly over you; they will sprinkle dust on their heads and roll in ashes.& As they wail and mourn over you, they will take up a lament concerning you: Who was ever silenced like Tyre, surrounded by the sea? & With your great wealth and your wares you enriched the kings of the earth. 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.30|AUTODETECT|” Ezek. 27:30) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.32|AUTODETECT|” , ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.32|AUTODETECT|” 32) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.33|AUTODETECT|” , ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.*?id=26.27.33|AUTODETECT|” 33) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 b)) 1 13 2 8 0 0 The Book of Revelation is saturated with allusions to the Old Testament, and those from Ezekiel appear even more frequently than the references from Daniel and Jeremiah.��35�� We cannot picture John exiled to the island of Patmos with a complete library of Old Testament scrolls in his possession. But he had a broad and thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, which he could quote from memory and allude to at will.) We read that the merchants whose ships ply the sea have become rich because of Babylon s wealth. They have shared in her wanton luxuries, but now as the city has been laid waste in a moment of time their source of income has vanished. It is little wonder that they are distraught, weep, lament, and cry woe, woe. ) John applies to Babylon what Ezekiel directed against Tyre, but Babylon was not a seaport; neither was Rome, which had to rely on the port of Ostia. Alan F. Johnson aptly remarks, But in any case, it is not John s intent to describe any one city but the great harlot city, the archetype of the earth s evil cities. ��36��) ) Greek Words, Phrases, and Constructions in 18:17b) A �v ����� ����� every one who sails to a place.

The noun place can signify port and thus refer to any harbor along the Mediterranean coast. The conjecture ������ for ����� is unnecessary, because resorting to a conjecture is valid only when the translator faces an impossible task, which is not true in this case.) �t� �������� ��������� the unusual construction of the passive with a direct object can be translated as those who work on the sea for their livelihood. ��37��) ) ) (4) Contrast) 18:20) 20. Rejoice over her, O heaven, and the saints and the apostles and the prophets, because God has given judgment for you against her. ) This verse is not part of the seafarers lament. Looking at the collapse of Babylon and their own lack of income, they certainly would not urge the saints in heaven to rejoice over this calamity.��38�� In verse 20 we hear the voice of the second angel, who began speaking to John in verse 4. This angel exhorted the people of God (vv. 4 5); then addressed God and his people (vv. 6 8); afterward he prophesied that kings, merchants, and seafarers would lament the doom of Babylon (vv. 9 19); and last he called on the saints, apostles, and prophets to rejoice.) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.48|AUTODETECT|” The call to those dwelling in heaven to rejoice was also issued earlier by a heavenly voice: Therefore, rejoice, O heavens, and they that dwell in them! 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.48|AUTODETECT|” Jer. 51:48) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=49.2.20|AUTODETECT|” ). Once again the redeemed are told to be glad in the victory over God s enemies. But who are these heavenly dwellers? They are the saints, the apostles, and the prophets. The saints are the holy ones, whom John mentions thirteen times in the Apocalypse.��39�� They are in heaven and now rejoice over God s righteous judgment pronounced on the wicked. The word apostles is a technical term that refers to the Twelve (21:14); for the sake of Christ the apostles had suffered persecution. The prophets are all those who revealed and proclaimed God s Word 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=49.2.20|AUTODETECT|” Eph. 2:20) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=49.3.5|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=49.3.5|AUTODETECT|” 3:5) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=49.4.11|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=49.4.11|AUTODETECT|” 4:11) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ).) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=2.21.24|AUTODETECT|” The last clause in this verse literally reads, because God has judged judgment of you from her. Note these grammatical points: First, we have the literary figure of using a verb and a cognate noun from the root judge, a common Hebraism. Next, the pronoun you (plural) can be either subjective (belonging to you) or objective (for you). And third, the phrase from her can also be translated as against her. If we incorporate these points and understand the term judgment to mean a verdict handed down by a judge (see 17:1), then a smooth reading is as follows: because God has pronounced on her the judgment she wished to impose on you. ��40�� In effect, this is the law of retaliation 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=2.21.24|AUTODETECT|” Exod. 21:24) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=3.24.20|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=3.24.20|AUTODETECT|” Lev. 24:20) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=40.5.38|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=40.5.38|AUTODETECT|” Matt. 5:38) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.49|AUTODETECT|” ). The wicked passed verdicts of punishment on God s people, but now God has passed the same verdict on them 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.49|AUTODETECT|” Jer. 51:49) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ).) 1 10 2 8 0 0 Verse 20 has been properly placed at the end of the angel s instructions, prophecies, and exhortations. It forms a triumphant conclusion to the dreary scene of Babylon s fall, which could not be concluded without a joyful response of the martyrs. God heard the plea uttered by the saints under the altar to avenge their blood and now passed judgment on their adversaries (6:9).) ) Greek Words, Phrases, and Constructions in 18:20) ��v �1 �������� some manuscripts delete the first two words, so that the sentence reads the holy apostles (KJV). But because the words ��v �1 appear three times in this verse, a scribe may accidentally have omitted them. Deletion is easier to explain than addition.) ) ) d. A Symbol and a Song of Doom) 18:21 24) Once more John portrays the fall of Babylon but now with the aid of a symbol, the large millstone.

He concludes the description of her demise in a song that verbalizes her doom. Its doleful refrain occurs six times: never to be found (to be heard, to shine) again. The physical existence of Babylon will come to a permanent end.) 21. And a mighty angel picked up a stone like a large millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, Likewise Babylon the great city will be violently cast down and never be found again. ) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.63-24.51.64|AUTODETECT|” Throughout the last part of this chapter, John has relied on the prophecy of Jeremiah. Now once more he takes verses from this prophecy for his imagery of a symbolic stone. God says to the prophet, When you finish reading this scroll, tie a stone to it and throw it into the Euphrates. Then say, So will Babylon sink to rise no more because of the disaster I will bring upon her. And her people will fall 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.63-24.51.64|AUTODETECT|” Jer. 51:63 64) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ).) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=41.9.42|AUTODETECT|” The resemblance of the total picture is obvious, except that John embellishes the scene. Instead of a prophet, a mighty angel casts not a stone but a large millstone into the sea, not into a river. John symbolically portrayed the angel as mighty with respect to the tremendous task he received. Incidentally, two other angels are called mighty: the one who with a loud voice called for the opening of the scroll (5:2), and next the one who possessed the enormous power needed to execute God s purposes (10:1). This mighty angel portrays how Babylon is cast away suddenly, violently, and eternally. The large stone was like a millstone that animals pulled for grinding grain; it was extremely heavy 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=41.9.42|AUTODETECT|” Mark 9:42) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=16.9.11|AUTODETECT|” ). Yet the angel instantly lifted it up and violently whirled it through the air to the sea, where it disappeared permanently below the surface 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=16.9.11|AUTODETECT|” Neh. 9:11) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ).) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.26.21|AUTODETECT|” This is a picture of what happens to Babylon the great city. Suddenly it will experience being picked up and cast into the sea to be seen no more. Its demise is unbelievable because of the rapidity with which it happened. Babylon typifies a world filled with evil set against Christ and all that is holy. It is submerged in the depth of the sea, and no one is ever able to find it again 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.26.21|AUTODETECT|” Ezek. 26:21) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ).) 1 1 2 8 0 0 22. And the sound of the harps and musicians and flutists and trumpeters will never be heard in you again. And every craftsman of every trade will never be found in you again, and the sound of the mill will never be heard in you again. 23a. And the light of the lamp will never shine on you again, and the sound of the bridegroom and the bride will never be heard in you again. ) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.25.10|AUTODETECT|” Here is a picture of everyday life taken from the artistic, economic, and social realms. In ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.25.10|AUTODETECT|” Jeremiah 25:10) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 God says, I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, the sound of millstones and the light of lamp. This is similar, except that the angel addresses Babylon with the singular pronoun you.) 1 3 2 8 0 0 What is life without the gift of music? Day by day we are surrounded by music played by a variety of musicians. John singles out those who play the harp, flute, and trumpet, for these were the players of musical instruments in ancient times. The word musicians undoubtedly means lyric-poets, that is, songwriters.��41�� In the city of Babylon the sound of music will forever be silenced.) Industry in John s world consisted of people working with wood, leather, metal, bricks, stone, and glass. Others were spinning wool, weaving cloth, dyeing clothes, and sewing garments. Still others were scribes and translators.

All these trades and professions will suddenly come to an end. The familiar sound of the millstone grinding grain will cease, which means that the baking of bread will stop and the daily staple of life become unavailable.) The oil supply dries up, lamps no longer burn, and life is cast into darkness. Without the benefit of light, all the riches, all the jewelry, and all the fine garments are useless. The rich live in darkness because the light of a candle or lamp will forever be removed from the citizens of Babylon.) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.33.11|AUTODETECT|” Last, the joyful voices of a bride and bridegroom about to be married will forever be silent. No more weddings, festivities, and family gatherings will take place. The prophet Jeremiah repeatedly speaks of a cessation of weddings in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem (7:34; 16:9; 25:10). But then in ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.33.11|AUTODETECT|” Jeremiah 33:11) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 he predicts a renewal of the sounds of joy and gladness at the time of weddings. By contrast, Babylon will forever be void of nuptial cheer, delight, and fulfillment.) 1 1 2 8 0 0 23b. Because your merchants were the great ones of the earth, because with your sorcery you deceived all the nations. ) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.23.8|AUTODETECT|” Now a twofold reason is given for the utter desolation of Babylon: the first reason is explained by the next. First, the merchants have become the rulers of the earth as the most powerful men (compare 6:15), and in their capacity they no longer needed God. They worshiped money as their idol, purposely ignoring and provocatively rejecting God s laws. John had in mind the prophecies of both Isaiah and Ezekiel, who asked the merchants of Tyre, Who planned this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are renowned in the earth? 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.23.8|AUTODETECT|” Isa. 23:8) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.28.5|AUTODETECT|” ), and, By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth.& Will you then say, I am a god? 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.28.5|AUTODETECT|” Ezek. 28:5) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.28.9|AUTODETECT|” , ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.28.9|AUTODETECT|” 9) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). These remarks also fit Babylon, which worshiped wealth instead of the God who gave wealth.) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=5.18.10-5.18.12|AUTODETECT|” Second, Babylon deceived the nations with sorcery. The expression sorcery relates to the practice of magic (9:21). While it allows a person to control the gods, it is at the same time a gift and revelation of the gods to men. ��42�� This sin is an utter abomination to God 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=5.18.10-5.18.12|AUTODETECT|” Deut. 18:10 12) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=2.22.18|AUTODETECT|” ). All those Israelites who practiced sorcery or witchcraft were to be put to death, according to the Law of Moses 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=2.22.18|AUTODETECT|” Exod. 22:18) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=3.20.6|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=3.20.6|AUTODETECT|” Lev. 20:6) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=3.20.27|AUTODETECT|” , ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=3.20.27|AUTODETECT|” 27) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=48.5.20|AUTODETECT|” ). Paul calls idolatry and witchcraft works of the flesh and not of the Spirit 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=48.5.20|AUTODETECT|” Gal. 5:20) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). And John states that those who practice magic arts will be consigned to the lake of fire and burning sulfur (21:8; 22:15).) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=34.3.4|AUTODETECT|” Sorcery and witchcraft are closely linked to prostitution and fornication 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=34.3.4|AUTODETECT|” Nah. 3:4) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.47.9-23.47.10|AUTODETECT|” ), and the sin of substituting oneself for God is joined to sorcery 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=23.47.9-23.47.10|AUTODETECT|” Isa. 47:9 10) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ).��43�� John paints a picture in which idolatry and immorality go together with violence and vice. With them Babylon fills all the nations of the world.) 1 1 2 8 0 0 24. And in her the blood of the prophets and the saints is found and of all who were slain on the earth. ) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.49|AUTODETECT|” Babylon, the world city, is no longer addressed with the singular pronoun you but is now referred to in the third person singular. Here then is the conclusion of the angel s message of doom with its repetitive note never to be found again (vv. 21 22). The verb to find in that message is directly related to the same verb in this verse. Because of the violence against God s people, the blood of his prophets was found in her and likewise the blood of all the saints who died for the sake of the Word of God and the testimony of the Lord (6:9 10; 16:6; 17:6; 19:2). At the time of the exile, Babylon killed innumerable Jewish people, whose blood God would avenge on her 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=24.51.49|AUTODETECT|” Jer. 51:49) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.24.7|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.24.7|AUTODETECT|” Ezek. 24:7) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 ). And John knew that when the Romans conquered Jerusalem in a.d. 70, in excess of one million Jews were killed.��44�� The countless Christians who have been killed throughout the centuries are also included, of whom Antipas of Pergamum is a single representative (2:13).) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=40.16.25|AUTODETECT|” Are only martyrs featured in this verse, and are Christians who have not been killed for the cause of Christ excluded? If this were true, then John, who presumably died a natural death in a.d. 98, is not included. We know that Stephen and the apostles James, Peter, and Paul were stoned, crucified, or beheaded, but other leaders have been spared a violent death. Every believer who faithfully follows Christ will experience suffering for his sake; and, says Jesus, Whoever loses his life for me will find it 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=40.16.25|AUTODETECT|” Matt. 16:25) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 b).) 1 10 2 8 0 0 ) Greek Words, Phrases, and Constructions in 18:21 24) Verse 21) �7� the number has lost its significance in this context and is equivalent to the indefinite article, hence an angel (see 8:13; 9:13).) Verse 24) �7�� �������� the Majority Text and the TR have the plural �5����. Not only textual witnesses but also the internal evidence of John s usage of the word blood in the singular throughout Revelation supports this reading.) ) ) ) ) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.18.0|AUTODETECT|” 1 Consult W. H. Shea, Chiasm in Theme and by Form in ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.18.0|AUTODETECT|” Revelation 18) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.18.0|AUTODETECT|” , AUSS 20 (1982): 249 56; see also the outline of Kenneth A. Strand, Two Aspects of Babylon s Judgment Portrayed in ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.18.0|AUTODETECT|” Revelation 18) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 , AUSS 20 (1982): 53 60.) 1 1 2 8 0 0 2 David E. Aune, Revelation 17 22, WBC 52C (Nashville: Nelson, 1998), p. 976. Aune combines the two hymns of lament and thus has three parts.) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.1.19|AUTODETECT|” 3 ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.1.19|AUTODETECT|” Rev. 1:19) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.4.1|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.4.1|AUTODETECT|” 4:1) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 (twice); 7:9; 9:12; 15:5; 18:1; 19:1; 20:3.) 1 11 2 8 0 0 4 For example, M. Robert Mulholland Jr., Revelation: Holy Living in an Unholy World (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Frances Asbury Press, 1990), p. 284; Gregory K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, NIGTC (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998), p. 892.) NRSV New Revised Standard Version) 5 Martin Kiddle, The Revelation of St. John (reprint, London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1943), p. 361.) 6 The meaning of the word Babylon in chapter 17 should not be differentiated from that in chapter 18. See C. H.

Dyer, The Identity of Babylon in Revelation 17 18, BibSac 144 (1987): 305 16, 433 49.) 7 Bauer, p. 169; Otto B�cher, EDNT, 1:274.) 8 See S. Greijdanus, De Openbaring des Heeren aan Johannes, KNT (Amsterdam: Van Bottenburg, 1925), p. 359.) 9 Aune (Revelation 17 22, pp. 963, 987) translates the text as have collapsed instead of have drunk. For a discussion of the Greek text, see the section titled Greek Words, Phrases, and Constructions in 8:3. ) LXX Septuagint) 10 Bruce M. Metzger, A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, 2d ed. (Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1994), p. 683. See the argument of Aune (Revelation 17 22, pp. 965 66).) 11 Isbon T. Beckwith, The Apocalypse of John (1919; reprint, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979), p. 714.) 12 Gerhard A.

Krodel, Revelation, ACNT (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1989), pp. 302 3.) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.18.0|AUTODETECT|” 13 Compare Adela Yarbro Collins, ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.18.0|AUTODETECT|” Revelation 18) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 , in L Apocalypse johannnique et l Apocalyptique dans le Nouveau Testament, ed. Jan Lambrecht, BETL 53 (Leuven: Leuven University Press, 1980), pp. 189 92.) 1 7 2 8 0 0 14 Homer Hailey, Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979), p. 361.) 15 Aune (Revelation 17 22, p. 994) writes that the practice of nonretaliation was in all probability not uniformly espoused in early Christianity. This is questionable, however, for both Old and New Testaments clearly teach it, except where God intervenes and metes out punishment.) 16 Beale, Revelation, p. 901 (his emphasis). William Hendriksen (More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation [reprint, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1982], p. 174) says that Babylon will receive the exact amount of punishment which she has earned. See Greijdanus, Openbaring, p. 363; Philip Edgcumbe Hughes, The Book of the Revelation: A Commentary (Leicester: Inter-Varsity; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990), p. 191.) 17 Aune, Revelation 17 22, p. 996. See Beckwith, Apocalypse, pp. 714 15; Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, rev. ed., NICNT (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998), p. 329; L. van Hartingsveld, Revelation (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985), p. 75.) 18 John P.

M. Sweet, Revelation, WPC (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1979), p. 269.) 19 For an overview of the riches and wantonness of Rome during the first century of our era, see William Barclay, The Revelation of John, 2d ed. (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1960), 2:200 204.) 20 Gustav St�hlin, TDNT, 3:851 n. 128.) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=27.4.19|AUTODETECT|” 21 For the term one hour, Beale refers in his commentary to ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=27.4.19|AUTODETECT|” Dan. 4:19) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 (Old Greek and Theod.), where this expression occurs in relation to the judgment on Nebuchadnezzar (p. 908).) 1 19 2 8 0 0 22 Consult Steve Moyise, The Old Testament in the Book of Revelation, JSNTSup 115 (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1995), p. 73; Ferrell Jenkins, The Old Testament in the Book of Revelation (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1972), pp. 54 60.) 23 Strabo 3.2.10; Tacitus Annals 3.53; 6.19.) 24 Richard Bauckham, The Climax of Prophecy (Edinburgh: Clark, 1993), p. 353; Aune, Revelation 17 22, p. 998; Reuben G. Bullard, Precious Stones, ISBE, 4:623 30.) 25 Josephus War 7.5.4 �126.) 26 Martial 14.85; Dio Cassius 61.10.3; Pliny Natural History 13.96. See Henry Barclay Swete, Commentary on Revelation (1911; reprint, Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1977), p. 233; Aune, Revelation 17 22, p. 1000.) 27 Pliny Natural History 34.1.) 28 Suetonius Domitian 7.) 29 Adela Yarbro Collins (Crisis and Catharsis: The Power of the Apocalypse [Philadelphia: Westminster, 1984], pp. 95 97) mentions that in the last years of Vespasian s reign a bread riot broke out in Rome because the price of grain had increased. Consult Bauckham, Climax of Prophecy, pp. 362 63.) NASB New American Standard Bible) 30 Robert H. Gundry, SMma in Biblical Theology, SNTSMS 29 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976), pp. 26 28.) 31 Josephus War 6.9.3 �420. Bauckham, Climax of Prophecy, pp. 365 66.

Mounce estimates that there were sixty million slaves in the Roman empire (Revelation, p. 334). See also Scott S. Bartchy, Slavery, ISBE, 4:543 46.) 32 There is no need to place v. 14 after v. 21. Contra R. H. Charles, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St.

John, ICC (Edinburgh: Clark, 1920), 2:105, 351, 433.) 33 Bruce M. Metzger, A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, 2d ed. (Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1994), p. 684.) REB Revised English Bible) 34 Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8 22: An Exegetical Commentary (Chicago: Moody, 1995), p. 339.) 35 Moyise, Old Testament, p. 16.) 36 Alan F. Johnson, Revelation, in The Expositor s Bible Commentary, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1981), 12:568.) 37 Robert Hanna, A Grammatical Aid to the Greek New Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1983), p. 454.) 38 Consult Bauckham, Climax of Prophecy, p. 341; G.

R. Beasley-Murray, The Book of Revelation, NCB (London: Oliphants, 1974), p. 268. Some scholars think that John is the speaker, but to have a change in speakers is unnecessary. See J�rgen Roloff, The Revelation of John, trans. J. E.

Alsup (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1993), p. 207; Charles (Revelation, 2:111) restores v. 20 to its rightful place near the end of v. 23 and ascribes it to John. And Aune (Revelation 17 22, p. 1007) calls this verse, together with v. 24, a subsequent addition to the text. ) 1 1 2 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.5.8|AUTODETECT|” 39 ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.5.8|AUTODETECT|” Rev. 5:8) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.8.3|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.8.3|AUTODETECT|” 8:3) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.8.4|AUTODETECT|” , ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.8.4|AUTODETECT|” 4) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.11.18|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.11.18|AUTODETECT|” 11:18) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.13.7|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.13.7|AUTODETECT|” 13:7) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.13.10|AUTODETECT|” , ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.13.10|AUTODETECT|” 10) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.14.12|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.14.12|AUTODETECT|” 14:12) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.16.6|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.16.6|AUTODETECT|” 16:6) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.17.6|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.17.6|AUTODETECT|” 17:6) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.18.20|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.18.20|AUTODETECT|” 18:20) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.18.24|AUTODETECT|” , ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.18.24|AUTODETECT|” 24) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.19.8|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.19.8|AUTODETECT|” 19:8) 1 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.20.9|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 7 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=66.20.9|AUTODETECT|” 20:9) 1 1 -1 9 0 0 .) 1 7 2 8 0 0 40 Bauer, p. 451; REB, NCV, NIV, NJB.) KJV King James Version (Authorized Version)) 41 Aune (Revelation 17 22, p. 1008) translates the word mousikMn as singers. NJB and REB have minstrels, NLT songs, and NCV other instruments. ) 42 Colin Brown, Magic, NIDNTT, 2:556.) 43 Beale, Revelation, p. 922.) 44 Josephus War 6.9.3 �420.) TR The Textus Receptus: The Greek New Testament according to the Majority Text)