Come out of her, my people - These words appear to be taken from Isaiah 48:20 ; Jeremiah 1:8 ; Jeremiah 51:6 , Jeremiah 51:45 . The poet Mantuanus expresses this thought well: - Vivere qui sancte cupitis, discelite; Romae Omnia quum liceant, non licet esse bonum read more
Her sins have reached unto heaven - They are become so great and enormous that the long-suffering of God must give place to his justice. read more
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven; after [omitting "and"]… coming down, etc. The usual form of introduction to a new vision (cf. Revelation 4:1 ; Revelation 7:1 , etc.). The "mystery" of the beast and the harlot having been declared, the angel now describes the doom in store for them. The angel is from heaven , as carrying the news of the judgment which is sent from heaven (cf. Revelation 10:1 ; Revelation 19:6 , Revelation 19:15 , ... read more
The fall of corrupt society. "And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven," etc. Regarding, as I do, this book as a record of visions which its author had in Patmos, at a period when the most stupendous events were occurring around him, the only practical use that can be made of them is to illustrate and impress those moral principles that are trite to man as man, the world over and the ages through. It appears absurd and useless, and an utter waste of labour, to... read more
The overthrow of wickedness. This, in symbolic form, is the real subject of this chapter. Wickedness shall be utterly and forever destroyed. I. A GLORIOUS ANGEL PROCLAIMS THIS . (Cf. Revelation 18:1 as to this angel.) Then such overthrow must be: 1 . Righteous. 2 . Blessed. 3 . Divine. Had it been possible for men to affect this, it would have been done long since. II. GOD 'S PEOPLE RECEIVE COMMAND . 1 . To separate themselves from sin. From... read more
And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying; and he cried with a strong voice, saying. This "strong voice" is characteristic of the heavenly utterances (cf. Revelation 7:2 ; Revelation 14:7 , etc.). Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen. The event, though future, is described as past, being predetermined in the counsels of God. The words here are a reproduction of Isaiah 21:9 . And is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every... read more
For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. "The wine" is omitted in A, C, but it is inserted in א , B, and retained in the Revised Version. "The wrath" is omitted (cf. the expression in Revelation 14:8 and Revelation 17:2 ). And the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her. (On the figure employed, as well as the identical language, see Revelation 17:2 .) And the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her... read more
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying. Probably the voice of another angel in succession to the one mentioned in Revelation 18:1 . Another angel takes up the theme, because the message is now directly addressed to Christians. Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. The angel says, "my people," because he is representing God. These words, resembling Isaiah 48:20 ; Isaiah 52:1-15 :l; Jeremiah 1:8 ; and... read more
The fall of Babylon. "Come out of her, my people." This is not the sole similar warning which Scripture contains. Cf. the warning to Lot to come out of Sodom; the warning to Israel to come away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, etc.; the warning to God's people ( Jeremiah 51:45 ) to come away from Babylon, the old literal Babylon: "My people, go ye out of her, and deliver ye every man his soul." And now we have the same warning concerning the Babylon told of in this chapter. Inquire,... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 18:3
The wine of the wrath - The punishment due to her transgressions, because they have partaken with her in her sins. See the note on Revelation 14:8 . read more