Rev 18:21-24 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 21. And a mighty angel . Barnes on "Re 18:1" This seems, however, to have been a different angel from the one mentioned in , though, like that, he is described as having great power. Took up a stone like a great millstone . On the structure of mills among the ancients, . And cast it into the sea . As an emblem of the utter ruin of the city; an indication that the city would be as completely destroyed as that stone was covered by the waters. Saying, Thus with violence . With force--as the stone was thrown into the sea. The idea is, that it would not be by a gentle and natural decline, but by the application of foreign power. This accords with all the representations in this book, that violence will be employed to overthrow the Papal power. See . The origin of this image is probably : "And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and east it into the midst of Euphrates; and thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring on her." (a) "Thus with violence"

Revelation of John 18:21-24

Verse 21. And a mighty angel. Barnes on "Re 18:1" This seems, however, to have been a different angel from the one mentioned in Rev 18:1, though, like that, he is described as having great power.

Took up a stone like a great millstone. On the structure of mills among the ancients, Mt 24:41.

And cast it into the sea. As an emblem of the utter ruin of the city; an indication that the city would be as completely destroyed as that stone was covered by the waters.

Saying, Thus with violence. With force--as the stone was thrown into the sea. The idea is, that it would not be by a gentle and natural decline, but by the application of foreign power. This accords with all the representations in this book, that violence will be employed to overthrow the Papal power. See Rev 17:16-17. The origin of this image is probably Jer 51:63-64: "And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and east it into the midst of Euphrates; and thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring on her."

(a) "Thus with violence" Jer 51:64 Verse 22. And the voice of harpers. Those who play on the harp. This was usually accompanied with singing. The idea in this verse and the following is substantially the same as in the previous parts of the chapter, that the mystical Babylon--Papal Rome--would be brought to utter desolation. This thought is here exhibited under another form--that all which constituted festivity, joy, and amusement, and all that indicated thrift and prosperity, would disappear. Of course, in a great and gay city there would be all kinds of music; and when it is said that this would be heard there no more, it is a most striking image of utter desolation.

And musicians. Musicians in general; but perhaps here singers, as distinguished from those who played on instruments.

And of pipers. Those who played on pipes or flutes. 1Cor 14:7; Mt 11:17.

And trumpeters. Trumpets were common instruments of music, employed on festival occasions, in war, and in worship. Only the principal instruments of music are mentioned here, as representatives of the rest. The general idea is, that the sound of music, as an indication of festivity and joy, would cease.

Shall be heard no more at all in thee. It would become utterly and permanently desolate.

And no craftsman, of whatsoever craft. That is, artificers of all kinds would cease to ply their trades there. The word here used--τεχνιτης --would include all artizans or mechanics; all who were engaged in any kind of trade or craft. The meaning here is, that all these would disappear; an image, of course, of utter decay.

And the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more. Taylor (Frag. to Cal. Dic. vol. iv. p. 346) supposes that this may refer, not so much to the rattle of the mill, as to the voice of singing which usually accompanied grinding. The sound of a mill is cheerful, and indicates prosperity; its ceasing is an image of decline.

(b) "millstone" Jer 25:10 Verse 23. And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee. Another image of desolation, as if every light were put out, and where were total darkness;

And the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee. The merry and cheerful voice of the marriage procession in the streets, (Mt 25:1-7, seq.,) or the cheerful, glad voice of the newly-married couple in their own dwelling, (Jn 3:29.)

For thy merchants were the great men of the earth. Those who dealt with thee were the rich, and among them were even nobles and princes; and now that they trade with thee no more, there is occasion for lamentation and sorrow. The contrast is great between the time when distinguished foreigners crowded thy marts, and now, when none of any kind come to traffic with thee. The origin of this representation is probably the description of Tyre in Eze 27:1.

For by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. This is stated as a reason for the ruin that had come upon her. It is a common representation of Papal Rome that she has deceived or deluded the nations Of the earth, (Rev 13:14) and no representation ever made accords more with facts as they have occurred. The word sorceries here refers to the various arts--the tricks, impostures, and false pretences, by which this has been done. Rev 9:21.

(c) "bridegroom" Jer 7:34, 16:9, 33:11 (d) "merchants" Isa 23:8 (e) "sorceries" 2Kgs 9:22, Nah 3:4 Verse 24. And in her. When she came to be destroyed, and her real character was seen.

Was found the blood of prophets. Of the public teachers of the true religion. On the word prophets, Rev 18:20.

And of saints. Of the holy. Rev 18:20.

And of all that were slain upon the earth. So numerous have been the slain; so constant and bloody have been the persecutions there, that it may be said that all the blood ever shed has been poured out there. Compare Barnes on "Mt 23:35". No one can doubt the propriety of this representation with respect to Pagan and Papal Rome.

In regard to the general meaning and application of this chapter, the following remarks may be made:--

(1.) It refers to Papal Rome, and is designed to describe the final overthrow of that formidable Antichristian power. The whole course of the interpretation of the previous chapters demands such an application, and the chapter itself naturally suggests it.

(2.) If it be asked why so much of this imagery is derived from the condition of a maritime power, or pertains to commerce, since both Babylon and Rome were at some distance from the Sea, and neither could with propriety be regarded as sea-port towns, it may be replied,

(a) that the main idea in the mind of John was that of a rich and magnificent city;

(b) that all the things enumerated were doubtless found, in fact, in both Babylon and Rome;

(c) that though not properly sea-port towns, they were situated on rivers that opened into seas, and were therefore not unfavourably situated for commerce; and

(d) that in fact they traded with all parts of the earth. The leading idea is that of a great and luxurious city, and this is filled up and decorated with images of what is commonly found in large commercial towns. We are not, therefore, to look for a literal application of this, and it is not necessary to attempt to find all these things, in fact, in the city referred to. Much of the description may be for the mere sake of keeping, or ornament.

(3.) If this refers to Rome, as is supposed, then, in accordance with the previous representations; it shows that the destruction of the Papal power is to be complete and final. The image which John had in his eye as illustrating that was undoubtedly ancient Babylon as prophetically described in Isa 13:1, 14:1, and the destruction of the power here referred to is to be as complete as was the destruction described there. It would not be absolutely necessary in the fulfilment of this to suppose that Rome itself is to become a heap of ruins like Babylon, whatever may be true on that point, but that the Papal power as such is to be so utterly destroyed that the ruins of desolate Babylon would properly represent it.

(4.) If this interpretation is correct, then the Reformation was in entire accordance with what God would have his people do, and was demanded by solemn duty to him. Thus, in Rev 18:4, his people are expressly commanded to "come out of her, that they might not be partakers of her sins, nor of her plagues." If it had been the design of the Reformers to perform a work that should be in all respects a fulfilling of the command of God, they could have done nothing that would have more literally met the Divine requirement. Indeed, the church has never performed a duty more manifestly in accordance with the Divine will, and more indispensable for its own purity, prosperity, and safety, than the act of separating entirely and for ever from Papal Rome.

(5) The Reformation was a great movement in human affairs. It was the index of great progress already reached, and the pledge of still greater. The affairs of the world were at that period placed on a new footing, and from the period of the Reformation, and just in proportion as the principles of the Reformation are acted on, the destiny of mankind is onward.

(6.) The fall of Papal Rome, as described in this chapter, will remove one of the last obstructions to the final triumph of the gospel. In Barnes on "Re 16:10",seq. we saw that one great hindrance to the spread of the true religion would be taken away by the decline and fall of the Turkish power. A still more formidable hindrance will be taken away by the decline and fall of the Papal power; for that power holds more millions of the race under its subjection, and with a more consummate art, and a more powerful spell. The Papal influence has been felt, and still is felt, in a considerable part of the world. It has churches and schools and colleges in almost all lands. It exercises a vast influence over governments. It has powerful societies organized for the purpose of propagating its opinions; and it so panders to some of the most powerful passions of our nature, and so converts to its own purposes all the resources of superstition, as still to retain a mighty, though a waning hold on the human mind. When this power shall finally cease, any one can see that perhaps the most mighty obstruction which has ever been on the earth for a thousand years to the spread of the gospel will have been removed, and the way will be prepared for the introduction of the long hoped-for millennium.

(f) "slain" Jer 51:49