Rev 18:1-19 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Rev 18:1-24: 18:1-24 This chapter contains seven poetic responses to the fall of Babylon (or Rome; see study note on 17:5). Summary for Rev 18:1-3: 18:1-3 The angel’s powerful taunt song is the first poetic response. Ancient taunt songs derided a defeated enemy (see Isa 13:19-22 ; 34:10-17 ). In these taunts, the fall of Babylon (or Rome; see study note on Rev 14:8) is portrayed as a traumatic event for subservient kingdoms and especially for those who had profited from her luxury. The sacking of Rome by the Goths and Visigoths ( AD 400s) brought the prosperous empire to an end. 18:1 This angel derived his splendor from heaven . The word splendor is normally used for the divine presence.

Summary for Rev 18:1-24: 18:1-24 ^a This chapter contains seven poetic responses to the fall of Babylon (or Rome; see study note on 17:5).
Summary for Rev 18:1-3: 18:1-3 ^b The angel’s powerful taunt song is the first poetic response. Ancient taunt songs derided a defeated enemy (see Isa 13:19-22 ^c; 34:10-17 ^d). In these taunts, the fall of Babylon (or Rome; see study note on Rev 14:8) is portrayed as a traumatic event for subservient kingdoms and especially for those who had profited from her luxury. The sacking of Rome by the Goths and Visigoths (AD 400s) brought the prosperous empire to an end. 18:1 ^e This angel derived his splendor from heaven. The word splendor is normally used for the divine presence.
18:2 ^f Babylon is fallen: See Isa 21:9 ^g. Once a beautifully dressed woman (see Rev 17:4 ^h), Babylon (Rome) became a desolate den for demons and unclean birds such as vultures (cp. Isa 13:20-22 ⁱ; Jer 4:23-31 ^j; 50:39 ^k).
18:3 ^l extravagant luxury: Rome plundered conquered nations of their wealth before God’s justice fell on her.
Summary for Rev 18:4-8: 18:4-8 ^m This second poetic response (see study note on 18:1-24) is a warning from heaven to flee the doomed city. 18:4 ⁿ Do not take part in her sins: Association with the evil city could lead to being identified with it in punishment and even involved with it in its sins (see Gen 13:8-13 ^o; 19:1-29 ^p; cp. Jer 51:6 ^q, 45 ^r).
18:5 ^s God remembers: His response may seem slow (Ps 103:8 ^t; 145:8 ^u; Joel 2:13 ^v; Jon 4:2 ^w), but God is not weak, and he does not forget either good or evil (Rev 16:19 ^x; Gen 19:29 ^y; 1 Sam 1:19 ^z).
18:6 ^aa Double her penalty: The severity of some sins required a double recompense (see Exod 22:4 ^ab, 7 ^ac, 9 ^ad; cp. Isa 40:2 ^ae; Jer 16:18 ^af; 17:18 ^ag).
18:7 ^ah I am queen: Cp. Ezek 28:1-2 ^ai.
18:8 ^aj The plagues (18:2-3 ^ak) are a reminder that destruction was not merely a human action; it is the Lord God who judges her. He is mighty, able to accomplish what he promises.
Summary for Rev 18:9-19: 18:9-19 ^al These three laments highlight the grief of those who profited most from the wicked city’s rich lifestyle (cp. Ezek 27 ^am).
Summary for Rev 18:9-10: 18:9-10 ^an The kings of the world lament as they mourn the loss of the luxury they had obtained from alliance with the wicked city.
18:10 ^ao With a terrified sense of separation and abandonment (see 18:15 ^ap, 17 ^aq), the kings stand at a distance in a futile attempt to avoid punishment.
Summary for Rev 18:11-17: 18:11-17 ^ar The merchants of the world sing the second lament (18:14 ^as; see study note on 18:9-19). They profited from the Roman economy (18:12-13 ^at), but their trade ceased as the great city was swiftly destroyed.
Summary for Rev 18:12-13: 18:12-13 ^au This cargo list suggests the extent of the wealth Rome pillaged from the rest of its empire (cp. Ezek 27:12-24 ^av). Some of the most expensive products in the ancient world are mentioned in this indictment of ostentatious materialism and pride.
18:13 ^aw bodies: Rome developed a huge slave market, which some historians have estimated at nearly 20% of the population.
Summary for Rev 18:14-17: 18:14-17 ^ax The merchants would lament the fall of Rome (see study note on 18:1-3) because it would forever end their accustomed luxuries. Material goods can be swept aside in a single moment.
Summary for Rev 18:17-19: 18:17-19 ^ay all the captains: Seafarers sing the third lament (see study note on 18:9-19). Their mourning focuses on the breakdown of communication and transportation. During the reign of Julius Caesar, the Mediterranean was cleared of pirates and trade blossomed under the region’s Roman law enforcement. The swift loss of Roman authority would upset the system of trade.