What does Revelation 18:1 mean?
ESV: After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory.
NIV: After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.
NASB: After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated from his glory.
CSB: After this I saw another angel with great authority coming down from heaven, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.
NLT: After all this I saw another angel come down from heaven with great authority, and the earth grew bright with his splendor.
KJV: And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
NKJV: After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory.
Verse Commentary:
After an angel had explained the meaning of the ten horns and the waters to the apostle John (Revelation 17:12–18), another angel descended from heaven. John notes that this angel has great authority and a glory that brightens the earth. Given these accolades, some Bible teachers identify this angel as Christ. They point out that the word translated "angel" has always literally meant "messenger," and certainly Christ is God's perfect messenger. He also has great authority and glory.
When He commissioned His disciples, Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18). John and Peter, who saw Jesus transfigured on a mountain, wrote about His glory (John 1:14; 2 Peter 1:16–17). Nevertheless, the Bible occasionally presents angels as having authority and glory (see Matthew 1:20–21; Luke 2:8–9).
Since Revelation doesn't give much detail on this particular being, it's best not to be dogmatic. Whatever the exact identity is, what we're meant to do is focus on the message being delivered.
Verse Context:
Revelation 18:1–8 contains a glorious angel's pronouncement of doom on Babylon. This Babylon here appears to be a literal physical city, whereas the Babylon described in chapter 17 is a corrupt religious system. The Babylon of chapter 17 was associated with a political system but was not the political power. The Babylon of chapter 18 is the center of a demonic political, commercial, and economic system. The fall of Babylon parallels what happened to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1–29). Religious Babylon falls in the middle of the tribulation to the delight of kings. Commercial Babylon falls at the end of the tribulation, and kings lament her fall.
Chapter Summary:
A glorious angel announces the fall of Babylon, here used to name a dwelling place for demons and the source of corrupt commercialism. Another angel summons believers to get out of Babylon and avoid being caught up in the judgment for her sins. God is ready to punish Babylon for extensive wickedness. He promises to burn the city with fire. The kings of the earth mourn Babylon's demise, and they keep a safe distance from her as she burns. Merchants, too, weep because no one can purchase cargo from her and profit from selling her goods. Like the kings, the merchants try to put distance between themselves and Babylon for fear of sharing her destructive fate. Their mourning is intense. They throw dust on their heads, weep, mourn, and lament how quickly she fell from prominence and prosperity to a wasteful state. A mighty angel announces Babylon's doom and desolation. The city that once included renowned merchants, deceived the nations, and martyred believers, is now shattered into silence and desolation.
Chapter Context:
Revelation 18:1–8 contains a glorious angel's pronouncement of doom on Babylon. This Babylon here appears to be a literal physical city, whereas the Babylon described in chapter 17 is a corrupt religious system. The Babylon of chapter 17 was associated with a political system but was not the political power. The Babylon of chapter 18 is the center of a demonic political, commercial, and economic system. The fall of Babylon parallels what happened to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1–29). Religious Babylon falls in the middle of the tribulation to the delight of kings. Commercial Babylon falls at the end of the tribulation, and kings lament her fall.
Book Summary:
The word ''revelation'' means ''an unveiling or disclosure.'' This writing unveils future events such as the rapture, three series of judgments that will fall on the earth during the tribulation, the emergence of the Antichrist, the persecution of Israel and her amazing revival, as well as Jesus' second coming with His saints to the earth, the judgment of Satan and his followers, and finally, the eternal state. This content, combined with the original Greek term apokalypsis, is why we now refer to an end-of-the-world scenario as ''an apocalypse.''
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