And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
2. mightily with a strong voice ] We should read, with a mighty voice.
Babylon is fallen ] Rev 14:8; Isa 21:9.
the habitation of devils ] Better, an habitation. Similar vengeance is denounced on the literal Babylon, Isa 13:21-22, and on Edom, id. Isa 34:13-15. It is not quite certain which of the words used in those passages are names of demons or goblins, and which of terrestrial birds and beasts: but there is little doubt that Isaiah, like St John, means to describe both as occupying the desolated city.
the hold ] Probably a prison, not a fortress. It is the same word that is translated “cage” in the next clause, and “prison” in 1 St Peter Eph 3:19.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And he cried mightily – Literally, he cried with a strong great voice. See Rev 10:3.
Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen – See the notes on Rev 14:8. The proclamation here is substantially the same as in that place, and no doubt the same thing is referred to.
And is become the habitation of devils – Of demons – in allusion to the common opinion that the demons inhabited abandoned cities, old ruins, and deserts. See the notes on Mat 12:43-45. The language here is taken from the description of Babylon in Isa 13:20-22; and for a full illustration of the meaning, see the notes on that passage.
And the hold of every foul spirit – phulake. A watch-post, station, haunt of such spirits – That is, they, as it were, kept guard there; were stationed there; haunted the place.
And a cage of every unclean and hateful bird – That is, they would resort there, and abide there as in a cage. The word translated cage is the same which is rendered hold – phulake. In Isa 13:21, it is said, and owls shall dwell there; and in Isa 14:23, it is said that it would be a possession for the bittern. The idea is that of utter desolation; and the meaning here is, that spiritual Babylon – papal Rome Rev 14:8 – will be reduced to a state of utter desolation resembling that of the real Babylon. It is not necessary to suppose this of the city of Rome itself – for that is not the object of the representation. It is the papacy, represented under the image of the city, and having its seat there. That is to be destroyed as utterly as was Babylon of old; that will become as odious, and loathsome, and detestable as the literal Babylon, the abode of monsters is.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 2. Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen] This is a quotation from Isa 21:9: And he said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground. This is applied by some to Rome pagan; by others to Rome papal; and by others to Jerusalem.
Is become-the hold of every foul spirit] See the parallel passages in the margin. The figures here point out the most complete destruction. A city utterly sacked and ruined, never to be rebuilt.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen: whoever was meant by the angel whom John saw, Rev 18:1, his business was to give warning to the whole world, (therefore he crieth with a strong voice, ) that Rome, the great city, the mother of spiritual harlots, should fall. This angel was a prophet, and the messenger of him who calls the things that are not as if they were; and therefore he speaks in a Divine, prophetic style: the prophets (ordinarily) speaking of things to come as past, or present, to denote the certain futurity of them, and doubling their words to assure us of it; for this, is fallen, is; expounded by shall be thrown down, Rev 18:21. We read of this angel, Rev 14:8; but it is ordinary with prophets to repeat the same things, and it is done as to the Chaldean Babylon, the type to this antitype, both Isaiah and Jeremiah declared in more than one sermon its certain approaching ruin. These words are taken from Isa 21:9, where the word fallen is doubled, as here. They are found also, Jer 51:8. God here explaineth what he had said before, Rev 14:8.
And is become the habitation of devils, &c.: the words are such as might signify a sinful fall, or apostacy; and what is here, is true of it in that sense; idols in Scripture being ordinarily called devils: but they seem rather to be understood of a penal fall, for such is that spoken of Isa 21:9, after which it should become a habitation of devils, and a cage of unclean birds. See the like spoken of literal Babylon, Isa 13:19-21; wild beasts and hateful birds usually frequenting desolate places.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. mightily . . . strongnotsupported by manuscripts. But A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, andCoptic read, “with (literally, ‘in’) a mighty voice.”
is fallen, is fallensoA, Vulgate, Syriac, and ANDREAS.But B and Coptic omit the second “is fallen”(Isa 21:9; Jer 51:8).This phrase is here prophetical of her fall, still future, as Re18:4 proves.
devilsGreek,“demons.”
the holda keep orprison.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he cried mightily with a strong voice,…. Which shows not only the vehemence and affection of the ministers of the word, who will publish what follows, but the greatness and importance of it; and this loud voice may be, as for the sake of the whole church in general, that all may bear, so for the sake of those of the Lord’s people in particular, that will be in Babylon at this time; and it may have regard to that deep sleep and spirit of slumber that Babylon itself will be in, which, notwithstanding this loud cry, will remain insensible of its ruin till it comes upon her, as was the case of old Babylon, Jer 51:39,
saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen: the whole world is not designed by Babylon, for it is distinguished from all nations in the following verse; nor Babylon in Chaldea, which was fallen long before John saw this vision, but Rome Papal; [See comments on Re 14:8] so the woman is called in Re 17:5 who sits on seven mountains, and is that great city, the city of Rome, that reigns over the kings of the earth, Re 18:9 this is said to be fallen, because, in a very little time after this declaration, it will fall; for as yet it was not destroyed, since after this the Lord’s people are called upon to come out of her, and are bid to reward her double; and it is declared, that her plagues, should come in one day, and she should be burnt with fire; and an angel after this throws a millstone into the sea, saying, that so should Babylon be thrown down,
Re 18:4 and it is repeated to denote the certainty and utter destruction of her: and which is more fully expressed by what follows,
and is become the habitation of devils; as old Babylon was of satyrs, Isa 13:21 demons, which appeared in a hairy form, like goats, and the word is rendered devils in Le 17:7 and the inhabitants of Rome now are no other; the pope and his cardinals, the priests, Jesuits, monks, and friars, are the spirits of devils, and their doctrines the doctrines of devils; see Re 16:14
and the hold of every foul spirit: devils are frequently called unclean spirits, and these appear in desert and desolate places,
Mt 12:43 where they are either of choice, or rather are obliged to it; and so the word translated “hold” signifies a prison, or place of confinement; and such as are comparable to unclean spirits now haunt and abound in Rome, and its territories; see Re 16:13
and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird; such, as vultures, kites, owls, c. which generally reside in desolate and uninhabited places the Alexandrian copy, the Syriac and Ethiopic versions, add, “and the hold”, or “seat of every unclean and hateful beast”; and so the desolation of old Babylon is described by wild beasts and doleful creatures dwelling in it, Isa 13:21. Some consider all this as a reason of the destruction of Babylon or Rome, because it now is the residence of persons comparable to devils, foul spirits, hateful birds, and beasts of prey; but this account rather describes its state and case in which it will be after its ruin, being never more to be inhabited by men, in allusion to old Babylon, Isa 13:19.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great (, ). The very words of 14:8: “Did fall, did fall Babylon the great.” Prophetic aorists of repeated like a solemn dirge of the damned.
Is become (). Prophetic aorist middle.
A habitation of devils (). Late word (from , to dwell), in N.T. only here and Eph 2:22. Devils should be demons, of course. So Isaiah prophesied of Babylon (Isa 12:21f.) and also Jeremiah (Jer 50:39) and Zephaniah of Nineveh (Zep 2:14). Both Babylon and Nineveh are ruins.
A hold of every unclean spirit ( ). is garrison or watch-tower as in Hab 2:1, rather than a prison (20:7).
A hold of every unclean and hateful bird ( ). is old word for bird, in N.T. only Rev 18:2; Rev 19:17; Rev 19:21. “The evil spirits, watching over fallen Rome like night-birds or harpies that wait for their prey, build their eyries in the broken towers which rise from the ashes of the city” (Swete). Long ago true of Babylon and Nineveh, some day to be true of Rome.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Mightily with a strong voice [ ] . Lit., in strength with a great voice. Omit megalh great, and read ijscura fwnh with a mighty voice. So Rev.
Babylon – is fallen. The Rev. improves on the A. V. by placing fallen in the emphatic position of the Greek : “Fallen, fallen is Babylon.” Compare Isa 21:9.
Is become [] . Lit., became.
Devils [] . Properly, demons, which Rev., strangely commits to the margin. See on Mr 1:34. See Isa 13:20 – 22; Isa 34:13 – 15. Also on Luk 11:24.
Hold [] . See on 1Pe 3:19, and Act 5:21. Rev., in margin, prison.
Cage [] . The word rendered above hold. Rev., hold. Some, however, explain it, not as a cage where they are kept, but as a place of safety to which they resort.
Bird [] . Only in Revelation, here, Rev 19:17, 21. Compare Jer 1:39.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And he cried mightily with a strong voice,” (kai ekrazen en ischura phone) “And he cried aloud in a strong voice; This is a cry of victory, a cry of triumph, a cry of final emancipation from earth’s and sin’s slavery and inhumanities; why should it not be mighty and strong? 1Co 15:24-28; Rev 11:15; Rev 19:16.
2) “Saying Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen,” (legon epesen epeses Babulon he megale) “Repeatedly saying Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, (is fallen);” in her beauty, power, civilization, progress, philosophies, pride, moral pollutions, idolatrous fornication and rebellion she is fallen Ecclesiastically, commercially, and politically.
3) “And is become the habitation of devils,” (kai egeneto katoiketerion daimonion) “And it became (has become) a dwelling place of demons; demons dominating the minds and souls of her idolatrous inhabitants who had her pledge of allegiance in her hand and forehead; all her people had an allegiance with Satan, against God; Rev 13:4-5; Rev 13:8; Rev 13:12; Rev 13:15-17; Isa 13:20-22; Isa 34:11-15; Jer 50:39; Jer 51:37.
4) “And the hold of every foul spirit,” (kai phulake pantos pneumatos akathartou) “And a prison-place (a half-way house) of every (kind) of unclean (foul) spirit,” mind, disposition, and attitude, the very dwelling place of demon controlled, demon obsessed false prophets, 1Ti 4:1-2; 1Jn 4:1-4; 1Jn 4:6; Rev 16:13-14.
5) “And a cage of every unclean and hateful bird,” (kai phulake pantos orneou akathartou kai memisemenou) “Even a prison-cage of every (kind of) unclean (foul) and hated (hateful) bird; the whore(harlot) and her Protestant offspring seem to shelter and unionize with every form of ceremonialism, ritualism, idolatry, and philosophy fitted to be directed and controlled by demon spirit prophets which are described as unclean cages of hateful birds – – “birds of feather flock together,” Isa 14:23; Isa 38:11.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(2) And he cried . . .We must omit mightily, and render, And he cried in a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and is become an habitation of demons, and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hated bird. Those who walk in darkness, and whose eyes the god of this world hath blinded through their lusts, look only on the material side, upon prosperous times, large revenues, rapidly developing resources. The great city of the world looks fair and glorious in their eyes, and even the godly are dazzled by her beauty; but when the light of heaven shines, her fall is seen to be inevitable, for she is seen to be hateful; her palaces are seen to be prisons, her highest wisdom little more than low cunning, her most exalted intelligence base-born, her sweetest songs discordant cries; the evil spirit, welcomed back, has come in seven-fold power; for the dry places afford no rest to those who still love sin and the pleasures of sin. The description in this verse is drawn largely from Isa. 13:21-22; it is a picture of desolation and degradation, but it has its moral counterpart.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. He cried with a strong voice As announcing a stupendous event! The words that were prophecy in Rev 14:8, are now become history.
Devils Demons. See note on Rev 16:14. The idea occurs more than once in Scripture and we do not know that it was an illusion that there are invisible as well as visible beings to whom solitudes and desolations are a congenial abode. If devils haunt human society, why may they not haunt the deserts? Perhaps the devils which seduced the living populations of Babylon still haunted the scenes after the populations were no more.
Hateful bird Averse from the society of man, and at home amid damp and desolation.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And he cried with a mighty voice saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great, and is become a habitation of devils, and a haunt of every unclean spirit and a haunt of every unclean and hateful bird”.’
The angel declares that Babylon the Great is fallen. Becoming a haunt of birds is a favourite indication of dreadful judgment (Isa 34:11; Isa 34:14; Zep 2:14). ‘Babylon is fallen, is fallen’ comes from Isa 21:9 where emphasis is laid on the destruction of its idols and images (compare Jer 51:8). The future desolation of Babylon is described in Isa 13:19-22. So Babylon was not only a symbol of overweening pride and idolatry, but also of destruction and emptiness. In this chapter it is as a symbol of world cities and what they signify (commercialism and worldly control), that she is described. In John’s day Rome was the commercial centre of the world. All things poured into Rome. But she received rather than gave. Today commercialism is more widespread, but it is still basically the enemy of God and His ways.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
(2) And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. (3) For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
The loud cry is intended to show, how extensive, as well as glorious, its blissful proclamation is. Perhaps, many of the Lord’s hidden ones are supposed to be in Babylon at the time. They shall hear it and rejoice. And multitudes beyond Babylon, yea, in those islands of ours and other nations, who have been long oppressed under the secret, if not open tyranny of the whore’s influence, shall hear it also. And I beg the Reader to observe, with me, how every feature describes this mystical Babylon, this Rome. It is now discovered at her fall, how like ancient Babylon in natural things, occupied only by reptiles and venomous creatures, so that no traveller can venture near it; mystical Babylon hath been in moral and spiritual things the habitation of devils from her damnable doctrines, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird, from her sinful, loose, and dissolute practices. See a striking account of ancient Babylon, in proof of the former instance, Isa 13:19 to the end. See also for a striking account of mystical Babylon, in proof of the latter, 2Th 2:3-12 .
Let the Reader observe the strong expressions of joy in the Angel’s repeating his Words; Babylon the Great is fallen, is fallen. Such mercies cannot be too often repeated. For although, through the protecting grace of the Lord, not a single one of the Lord’s redeemed family, can the beast, and the whore, or the false prophet, or the devil, draw away, so as finally to perish, (see Rev 13:8 ) yet, what persecutions and punishments, yea, temporal death, hath the inquisition of this heresy occasioned, for the many centuries in which the horrible delusion hath prevailed. Oh! who but must rejoice, in the glorious proclamation, and repeat with holy joy, and praises to the God of our salvation: Babylon the Great is fallen, is fallen.
When it is said, that all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, it must be understood, as meaning those nations only, where her cursed influence and authority hath reached. Heathens and Mahometans are not included. Their delusion is from hell also, but under a different shape and character. In countries where Christianity was professed, as it was when the empire under Constantine became Christian; that is, became nominally so, in a mere outward form; there the devil, by a master-piece peculiarly his own, professed to be a Christian also; the more artfully to deceive. And this gave him an opportunity to introduce a variety of sects, which by denying the glorious truths of the Gospel in Christ’s Godhead, and redemption by his blood, might as effectually lull his subjects on to ruin, as among heathens a total ignorance of Christ would accomplish the same. Let the Reader mark these things as he observes what is here said, and as he looks into the world, and if the Lord be his teacher, he will discover, that the devil hath his various ways and operations to deceive. But let the Reader still further observe, that his deceptions can go no further, than the Lord hath limited him. The Lord knoweth them that are his. And of such the Lord saith, none shall pluck them out of his hands. His Israel, his Church, his chosen are scattered. But, He will search and seek them out, from every place where they are scattered, in the cloudy and dark day. When Babylon falls, his redeemed shall be gathered out of her. When the false prophet is destroyed, Jesus will take care of his outcasts, which are now in the midst of that Moab, Isa 16:4 . That sweet verse is a volume in point of fulness, and a whole Charter in point of security, to all the Lord’s people. He shall send his angels, and shall gather together his elect, from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth, to the uttermost part of heaven, Mar 13:27 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
Ver. 2. And he cried mightily ] So to awaken Babylon, that slept no less securely than that old Babylon, whose king Shesach was feasting and carousing in the bowls of the sanctuary, when the city was taken the same night. The people also did so little fear it, that it was three days after the city was taken by Cyrus ere some of them heard what was befallen them. (Herodot. Arist. Pol.)
Is fallen, is fallen ] Certo, cito, penitus, or, with a double fall. They have fallen culpably, and shall fall penally. This was also long since foretold by Sibylla in the eighth book of her oracles:
” , “.
” Tota eris in cineres quasi nunquam Roma fuisses. “
Rome (during the Roman felicity) was never taken but by the Gauls; but since it became pontifical, it hath been made a prey to all barbarous nations, and never besieged by any that took it not. There yet stands, near at hand, a second Babylon (saith Petrarch), cito itidem casura, si essetis viri. This would soon be down, if you would but stand up as men.
The habitation of devils ] Which, by a sweet providence of God, for the good of mankind, are banished (as likewise fierce and wild beasts are) to deserts and unpopulated places. See Mat 12:43 . (It is an allusion to Isa 13:20 ; Isa 14:23 ; Jer 50:39 ) Yet not so, but that, by Divine permission, they haunt and pester the greatest throngs of people, yea, the holiest assemblies. Some take the words in another sense, thus, it is become a habitation of devils, that is, of idols; and this hath wrought her ruin. In the year 610, Boniface IV instituted the feast of All Saints, after that he had begged of the emperor the Pantheon of Rome, which he consecrated to the honour of All Saints, and set up the Virgin Mary in the place of Cybele, the mother of the gods. (Alsted. Chron.)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
mightily. The texts read “with (Greek. en) a mighty (compare App-172.) voice (Greek. phone)”.
Babylon . . . fallen. See Rev 14:8. Isa 21:9. Jer 51:8.
the = a.
habitation. Greek. katoiketerion. Only here and Eph 2:22, which see.
devils = demons. See App-101.
hold = prison, or cage, as below. See Rev 2:10; Rev 20:7.
foul = unclean, as below.
spirit. App-101.
cage. See “hold” above.
unclean. See “foul” above.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Rev 18:2. ) A noun of cognate signification is often added to a verb, for the sake of emphasis, in the Dative case, by the LXX. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . See also Act 2:30; Eph 3:16; Php 1:18; 1Jn 3:18. So here , and Rev 18:21, . itself is used absolutely, 2Ch 28:6, .- , is fallen, is fallen) Some MSS. and translators, ch. Rev 14:8, and here, put , is fallen, once only[195]: and the one of these passages may appear to have been moulded so as to be in conformity with the other. Sometimes Epizeuxis (Append.) increases the emphasis; but Babylon is fallen, is fallen, is said in Isa 21:9, long before its fall; nay, even before its flourishing condition: Babylon is suddenly fallen, Jer 51:8, not long before its very overthrow. Therefore, if one reading is not to be followed in both passages of the Apocalypse, I would read it twice in the first passage, and once only in the second; almost in the same manner in which there are at first set forth three woes, afterwards two, and lastly one: so that, is fallen, is fallen, expresses an overthrow gradually coming on; is fallen, expresses an overthrow sudden, total, and final. For once for all [at once] is often the same as entirely: Num 20:8; 1Sa 26:8. But the copyists not unfrequently wrote once only words which ought to have been written twice: and is found in many copies at ch. Rev 16:8, and ch. Rev 18:2. It is plain, that the actual overthrow is not now to be here understood, but that it is a prophecy respecting the overthrow which is certainly and quickly about to follow; for in Rev 18:4, and not until then, the people of God are commanded to go forth. But the people of God are not those whose pastor is the Roman Pontiff, as some one has wished to wrest the Apocalypse. It is said, My people, not the people of the Roman Pontiff; as Act 18:10, the Lord is said to have much people in the city of Corinth, without any particular reference to Paul or any other pastor there.[196]
[195] B and Memph. omit the second . But A Vulg. and Rec. Text retain it: so Lachm. and Tisch.-E.
[196] the habitation) This had not yet been added, ch. Rev 14:8.-V. g.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Babylon
Babylon, “confusion,” is repeatedly used by the prophets in a symbolic sense (See Scofield “Isa 13:2”), note 2. Two “Babylons” are to be distinguished in the Revelation: ecclesiastical babylon, which is apostate Christendom, headed up under the Papacy; and political babylon, which is the Beast’s confederated empire, the last form of Gentile world-dominion. Ecclesiastical Babylon is “the great whore” Rev 17:1 and is destroyed by political Babylon Rev 17:15-18 that the beast may be the alone object of worship.; 2Th 2:3; 2Th 2:4; Rev 13:15. The power of political Babylon is destroyed by the return of the Lord in glory. (See “Armageddon,”); Rev 16:14; Rev 19:17. The notion of a literal Babylon to be rebuilt on the site of ancient Babylon is in conflict with Isa 13:19-22. But the language of Rev 18:10; Rev 18:16; Rev 18:18 seems beyond question to identify “Babylon,” the “city” of luxury and traffic, with “Babylon” the ecclesiastical centre, viz. Rome. The very kings who hate ecclesiastical Babylon deplore the destruction of commercial Babylon.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
cried: Rev 1:15, Rev 5:2, Rev 10:3, Rev 14:15, Jer 25:30, Joe 3:16
Babylon: Rev 18:10, Rev 18:21, Rev 14:8, Rev 16:19, Rev 17:5, Rev 17:18, Isa 13:19, Isa 21:9, Jer 51:8, Jer 51:60-64
become: Lev 11:13-19, Isa 13:20-22, Isa 14:23, Isa 21:8, Isa 34:11-15, Jer 50:39, Jer 50:40, Jer 51:37, Mar 5:3-5, Luk 8:27, Luk 8:28
Reciprocal: Lev 11:16 – General Num 24:24 – and he also Deu 32:43 – avenge Psa 87:4 – Babylon Psa 102:6 – a pelican Isa 13:11 – I will punish Isa 13:21 – But Isa 24:10 – of confusion Isa 25:2 – palace Isa 26:5 – the lofty Isa 26:14 – dead Isa 32:14 – for Isa 34:13 – an habitation Isa 35:7 – in the Jer 5:27 – cage Jer 9:11 – a den Jer 27:7 – until Jer 49:33 – a dwelling Jer 50:2 – Babylon Jer 51:29 – every Jer 51:64 – Thus shall Dan 4:14 – aloud Nah 3:4 – the mistress Nah 3:19 – upon Zep 2:14 – flocks Zec 13:2 – unclean Joh 12:29 – An angel 1Ti 4:1 – seducing Tit 3:3 – hateful 1Pe 5:13 – at Rev 11:8 – the great Rev 12:9 – the Devil Rev 16:10 – upon
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Rev 18:2. The preceding chapter pictures conditions just prior to the revolution of the Reformation. The present chapter will extend the vision on through that period, showing the effects it will have among the nations of the world, and will predict the permanent end of the union of church and state. We should keep clearly in mind the truth that we are studying a book of symbols, and therefore we will not try to make a literal application of the symbols. However, even political and religious advantages may sometimes bring material gains to men of selfish character, hence we should not be surprised to see indications of that in some instances. The angel cried with a strong voice, which signified that his announcement was of interest to many. Babylon here means the institution formed by the union of church and state. That body had been in control since the time of Constantine, but now it is destined to be dissolved by the work of the Reformation. Babylon is fallen, is fallen; the repetition is for emphasis. The fall refers to the disolving of church and state through the influence of the Bible that had been given to the people by Luther and his fellow workers. Is become the habitation, etc. This is symbolic and the language is formed from what literally happened to the ancient city of Babylon after it was destroyed by its conqueror. The description of that destruction from which our verse gets its symbols may be seen in Isa 13:19-22 and Jer 50:35-40.
Comments by Foy E. Wallace
Verse 2.
The dirge of fallen Babylon in verse two, was an extension of the same vision in Rev 14:8, and was substantially the same lamentation over the fall of the ancient Babylon recorded in Isa 21:9 : “Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.” The Babylon of this chapter was symbolic of Jerusalem, and the voice of verse two was crying a threnody–a dirge of lamentation–on the day of doom for the once faithful but apostate city.
The latter part of the verse describes Jerusalem as the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. The severance of all commercial affiliations by the siege of Jerusalem and the devastation of Judea, had reduced the city to a haunt, symbolized by the demoniac habitation of evil spirts, devils and vultures. The visions of the overthrow of Tyre and Babylon in the Old Testament were combined in these same symbols.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Rev 18:2. He cried with a mighty voice. This is the only passage in the book in which a voice is spoken of as mighty, the usual appellation being great. In chap. Rev 19:6 we read of mighty thunders and it is impossible to doubt, therefore, that this voice is described in a similar way, not because all men are to hear it, but because it is to strike all with awe and terror (comp. Rev 18:8).
Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen. These words have already met us at chap. Rev 14:8 (comp. Isa 21:9), but the description is now enlarged, Old Testament passages such as Isa 13:21, Jer 51:37, supplying the particulars.
Everything about the city is chanced into a wild and hateful desert. The unclean beasts and birds themselves that are driven into her ruins regard them as a prison.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
That angel announced the certainity of the wicked city’s doom. She would become a place inhabited by unclean spirits and foul, hateful birds. This would be because she led others into spiritual fornication by teaching them to love the things of this world.
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
Rev 18:2-3. And he cried mightily with a strong voice Proclaimed aloud with triumphant joy, in the words of Isa 21:9, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen As if he had said, What was prophesied formerly concerning the celebrated seat of the Chaldean empire, shall presently be verified in this mystical Babylon. Her fall was announced before, chap. Rev 14:8, but is now declared at large; and is become a habitation of devils, &c. Here it is foretold, that after her fall she should be made a scene of desolation, as the ancient Babylon was, according to the predictions of the prophet respecting ancient Babylon, Isa 13:19, Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah; it shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation. Neither shall the Arabian pitch his tent there, neither shall the shepherds make their fold there; but wild beasts of the desert shall lie there, and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures, and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there; where the word , which we translate satyrs, the LXX. render , demons, or devils, who were supposed sometimes to take the shape of goats, or satyrs: and to haunt forlorn and desolate places; and it is from the translation of the LXX. that the apostle hath borrowed his images and expressions. According to this prediction, how horrid were the inhabitants of desolate Babylon to be as long as the world shall stand! Of invisible beings, devils and unclean spirits; of visible beings, every unclean beast, every filthy and hateful bird. Suppose then Babylon to mean here heathen Rome, and the fall predicted in this chapter to have been effected by Totilas, king of the Ostrogoths, as Grotius would persuade us, or by Alaric, king of the Visigoths, as the bishop of Meaux contends, how can Rome be said ever since to have been the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird, unless they will allow the popes and cardinals to merit these appellations? For all nations have drunk of the wine of her fornication, &c. She hath not only been guilty of idolatry herself, and with great wrath persecuted the true Christian faith, worship, and practice, but hath also corrupted the princes and nations of the earth, as if she had given them a cup of poisonous composition, to disorder their reason and inflame them into rage and fury, having prevailed upon them to commit the same sins of which she was guilty, and to propagate her corruptions by ambitious views, incitements to luxury, and prospects of gain. And the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies The Romish clergy, says Daubuz, by trading in spiritual matters, have gotten vast wealth; these are the merchants of the earth, who by their Popish tricks and trinkets have gotten a good part of the wealth of the world into their hands. In short, Rome is a great mart; the Romish clergy are the merchants and factors; the secular, inferior clergy, the monks and friars, are the pedlers and hawkers which retail the merchandise. As for the luxury of Rome, procured by this trade, it needs no proof.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Verse 2
The habitation of devils; of demons, which are often spoken of as dwelling in desert and desolate places. This an the subsequent clauses express desolation and abandonment, not mere moral corruption.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
18:2 {3} And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
(3) The prediction of her ruin, containing both the fall of Babylon, in this verse, and the cause of it uttered by way of allegory concerning her spiritual and carnal wickedness, that is, her most great impiety and injustice, in Rev 18:3 . Her fall is first declared by the angel, and then the greatness of it is shown here, by the events when he says it shall be the seat and habitation of devils, of wild beasts, and of cursed souls, as in Isa 13:21 and often elsewhere.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The repetition of the word "Fallen" (cf. Rev 14:8; Isa 21:9; Jer 51:8) probably indicates that God guaranteed this judgment and that it will happen quickly (Gen 41:32; cf. 2Pe 3:8). This is another proleptic announcement in which the angel described a future action as already having happened. The prophetic aorist tense of the Greek verb makes this clear.
"It is the prophetic way of declaring that the great purpose of God in triumphing over evil is a fait accompli." [Note: Mounce, p. 323.]
The description of Babylon in this verse is what it will be after God judges it (cf. Isa 13:21; Isa 34:11; Isa 34:14; Isa 47:7-9; Jeremiah 50-51; Ezekiel 26-28; Nahum 3; Zep 2:15). Ancient Babylon fell to Cyrus the Persian in 539 B.C., but that fall did not fulfill Old Testament prophecies about Babylon completely (cf. Isa 47:11; Jer 51:8). [Note: Kiddle, pp. 359-60; Wilcock, p. 168; Bullinger, p. 553.] John had described God only through hymns of worship to this point, and he now similarly described the fall of Babylon through the laments of onlookers. [Note: Caird, p. 227; Sweet, p. 267; Mounce, p. 323.]
"The prophecy thus indicates that before the advent of the warrior-king in Rev 19:11-16, Babylon will rise to its greatest heights, not only of idolatry (chap. 17), but also of luxury (chap. 18). . . . Babylon of the future, therefore, will be the center for both false religion and world economic prosperity." [Note: Thomas, Revelation 8-22, p. 317.]
Apparently it is the city that will be the prison of demons, a place where they are safe but kept against their wills (cf. Isa 13:21-22; Isa 34:11-17; Jer 51:37). A prison (or haunt) for unclean birds is a figure of desolation (cf. Isa 34:11; Isa 34:13; Jer 50:39). Babylon will become utterly desolate.