181 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven , having great authority , and the earth was illumined with his glory . 2 And he cried out with a mighty voice , saying , " Fallen , fallen is Babylon the great ! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit , and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird . 3 "For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality , and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality ." 4 I heard another voice from heaven , saying , " Come out of her, my people , so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues ; 5 for her sins have piled up as high as heaven , and God has remembered her iniquities . 6 " Pay her back even as she has paid , and give back to her double e according to her deeds ; in the cup which she has mixed , mix twice as much for her. 7 " To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously , to the same degree give her torment and mourning ; for she says in her heart , ' I SIT as A QUEEN AND I AM NOT A WIDOW , and will never see mourning .' 8 "For this reason in one day her plagues will come , pestilence and mourning and famine , and she will be burned up with fire ; for the Lord God who judges her is strong .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Revelation 18:1-8
Commentary on Revelation 18:1-8
(Read Revelation 18:1-8)
The downfal and destruction of the mystical Babylon are determined in the counsels of God. Another angel comes from heaven. This seems to be Christ himself, coming to destroy his enemies, and to shed abroad the light of his gospel through all nations. The wickedness of this Babylon was very great; she had forsaken the true God, and set up idols, and had drawn all sorts of men into spiritual adultery, and by her wealth and luxury kept them in her interest. The spiritual merchandise, by which multitudes have wickedly lived in wealth, by the sins and follies of mankind, seems principally intended. Fair warning is given to all that expect mercy from God, that they should not only come out of this Babylon, but assist in her destruction. God may have a people even in Babylon. But God's people shall be called out of Babylon, and called effectually, while those that partake with wicked men in their sins, must receive of their plagues.