Babylon's fall announced
Revelation 18:1–8FocusCome out of her
Connection to the wholeThe announcement of the city's fall is joined to a call for God's people to separate from her sins and share none of her plagues.
interpretation Revelation 18:16
KJVAnd saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
Read it in context
The earthly lament
Start reading at Revelation 18:9 (Revelation 18:9 to Revelation 18:19).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Kings, merchants, and mariners mourn the loss of the city's riches, showing the interests tied to her prosperity.
- 18:9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
- 18:10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
- 18:11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
- 18:12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
- 18:13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
- 18:14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
- 18:15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
- 18:16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
- 18:17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
- 18:18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
- 18:19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
Who
- Who wrote the book? John is the named writer. Early Christian tradition identifies him as John the apostle, although that further identification has been debated. Biblical references: Revelation 1:1; Revelation 1:9; Revelation 22:8. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Revelation 15:1–18:24): John sees angels with plagues and the judgment against Babylon; kings, merchants, seafarers, and saints are addressed or depicted within the vision. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Seven churches in the Roman province of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The message also calls on everyone with an ear to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Biblical references: Revelation 1:4; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 2:7. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The earthly lament. Read Revelation 18:9 through Revelation 18:19 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Kings, merchants, and mariners mourn the loss of the city's riches, showing the interests tied to her prosperity. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? John describes receiving the revelation and being in the Spirit on the Lord's day. The book does not state a modern calendar date, and the order of visions should not automatically be equated with a settled event timetable. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? John names Patmos and addresses seven churches in Asia. The visions portray earthly and heavenly scenes that must be distinguished from his stated location. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The earthly lament (Revelation 18:9 to Revelation 18:19). Start reading at Revelation 18:9. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ, the slain Lamb, His testimony, judgment, and reign are central. Read symbols with their supplied explanations and retain the exhortations to hear, keep, repent, and overcome. See Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 22:7. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Remain faithful in worship and conduct under pressure. Do not turn symbolic visions into confident identifications of modern people, nations, or dates without evidence and explicit labeling as interpretation. interpretation
Cited: Revelation 18:9, Revelation 18:19, Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 22:7
Who wrote it, and how we know
John the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names John four times as the one who saw and wrote these things.
Revelation 1:1Revelation 1:4Revelation 1:9Revelation 22:8
Early traditionEarly testimony, notably Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, names John the apostle.
What is debatedSome ancient and modern voices distinguish this John from the apostle because the Greek style differs from the Gospel.
Related passages
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Revelation 18
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Revelation 1:1 Revelation 1:4 Revelation 1:9
FocusWealth and trade brought down
Connection to the wholeKings, merchants, and mariners mourn the loss of the city's riches, showing the interests tied to her prosperity.
interpretation The final sign and reason
Revelation 18:20–24FocusViolence answered by judgment
Connection to the wholeThe symbolic casting down and closing accusations explain the finality of Babylon's fall and her responsibility for bloodshed.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Revelation
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Revelation 1:1 Revelation 1:4 Revelation 1:9
The revelation introduced
Revelation 1:1–20FocusThe risen Christ and His churches
Connection to the wholeThe opening locates the prophecy among its first hearers and presents the vision of Christ who commands John to write.
interpretation The messages to seven churches
Revelation 2:1–3:22FocusHearing, repentance, and overcoming
Connection to the wholeThe individual messages apply Christ's knowledge and authority to the churches' actual conditions, joining promises with rebukes and commands.
interpretation The throne and the Lamb
Revelation 4:1–5:14FocusHeavenly worship and the sealed book
Connection to the wholeThe throne scene and the Lamb's reception of the book establish the heavenly setting for the judgments that follow.
interpretation The seals
Revelation 6:1–8:5FocusJudgment, witness, and the sealed servants
Connection to the wholeThe opening of the seals includes scenes of suffering, judgment, and preservation, leading to the seventh seal and the preparation for trumpets.
interpretation The trumpets and accompanying visions
Revelation 8:6–11:19FocusWarning, witness, and proclaimed reign
Connection to the wholeTrumpet judgments are interwoven with John's renewed commission and the witnesses, culminating in the seventh trumpet's proclamation.
interpretation The conflict and contrasting allegiances
Revelation 12:1–14:20FocusThe dragon, beasts, and the Lamb's people
Connection to the wholeThe visions portray opposition and demanded worship alongside the Lamb's followers, proclamations, and harvest scenes.
interpretation The last plagues poured out
Revelation 15:1–16:21FocusGod's righteous judgments
Connection to the wholeThe heavenly preparation and seven vials develop the judgment sequence while retaining warnings and examples of refused repentance.
interpretation FocusThe fallen city and the victorious rider
Connection to the wholeThe explanation and fall of Babylon lead to heavenly praise, the marriage announcement, and the defeat of the beast and its allies.
interpretation Final rebellion and judgment
Revelation 20:1–15FocusThe thousand years and the throne
Connection to the wholeThe vision includes Satan's restraint and release, the final defeat of rebellion, and judgment before the great white throne.
interpretation The new creation and final appeal
Revelation 21:1–22:21FocusGod with His people
Connection to the wholeThe holy city and the removal of the curse bring the visions to their close, followed by commands, invitations, warnings, and the promise of Jesus' coming.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.