1Potom jsem viděl jiného anděla, jak sestupuje z nebe, s velkou autoritou;1 a země byla osvětlena jeho slávou.2 (1Zj 12:10 2Mt 17:2 Zj 1:16) 2A zvolal silným hlasem1 a řekl: Padl! Velký Babylón padl2 a stal se obydlím démonů a místem, kde se ukrývá každý nečistý výpar3, a místem, kde se ukrývá každý nečistý a nenáviděný pták!4 (1Jr 50:2 2Iz 21:9 Jr 51:8 Zj 14:8 3Ž 39:5 4Iz 13:21 Jr 50:39 Jr 51:37) 3Vždyť kvůli vínu hněvu jeho smilstva padly všechny národy za oběť1 a králové země s ním smilnili2 a cestující kupci3 země zbohatli díky moci jeho nestoudného přepychu.4 (1Jr 51:7 2Iz 47:5 Zj 17:2 3Iz 23:8 4Př 19:10 Iz 47:1) 4A slyšel jsem jiný hlas z nebe, který řekl: Vyjděte z něho, můj lide,1 jestliže se s ním nechcete podílet na jeho hříších2 a jestliže nechcete obdržet část z jeho ran. (1Iz 48:20 Iz 52:11 Jr 50:8 Jr 51:45 Za 2:7 2Jr 51:6 2K 6:17) 5Jeho hříchy se totiž nahromadily až do nebe1 a Bůh si připomněl jeho skutky bezpráví.2 (1Jr 51:9 1Tm 5:24 2Jr 51:49 Jr 51:56 Zj 16:19) 6Oplaťte mu tak, jak oplácel on,1 a učiňte mu dvakrát tolik, ano, dvojnásobek toho, co učinil;2 do poháru3, do něhož on dával směs, mu dejte směsi dvojnásobně4.5 (12Te 1:6 2Ž 137:8 Jr 50:15 Jr 51:24 3Ž 75:8 Jr 51:7 Zj 16:19 4Jr 17:18 Jr 50:21 5Zj 14:10) 7Do jaké míry se sám oslavoval a žil v nestoudném přepychu, do té míry mu dejte trýzeň a truchlení.1 Vždyť si ve svém srdci stále říká: Sedím jako královna2 a nejsem vdova3 a nikdy neuvidím truchlení.4 (1Jr 50:29 2Zj 17:15 3Iz 47:8 4Ž 10:6) 8Proto v jednom dnu přijdou jeho rány1, smrt a truchlení a hladomor, a bude úplně spálen ohněm,2 protože Jehova Bůh, který jej soudil, je silný.3 (1Jr 50:13 2Lv 21:9 Jr 51:58 Žd 12:29 3Jr 50:34) 9A králové1 země, kteří s ním smilnili a žili v nestoudném přepychu, budou plakat a bít se nad ním v zármutku,2 až se budou dívat na dým jeho požáru,3 (1Iz 23:17 2Jr 50:46 Ez 27:35 3Zj 18:18) 10zatímco budou stát opodál ze strachu před jeho trýzní a říkat:1 Běda, běda, velké město,2 Babylóne, silné město, protože v jedné hodině přišel tvůj soud!3 (1Ez 26:17 2Da 4:30 3Jr 51:8) 11Také cestující kupci1 země nad ním pláčí a truchlí,2 protože již nikdo nekupuje jejich plný sklad, (1Ez 27:36 2Ez 27:30) 12plný sklad1 zlata a stříbra a drahokamů a perel a jemného plátna a purpuru a hedvábí a šarlatu; a všeho z voňavého dřeva a předměty všeho druhu ze slonoviny a předměty všeho druhu z nejdrahocennějšího dřeva a z mědi a železa a mramoru;2 (1Ez 21:12 2Ez 21:22) 13také skořici a indické koření a kadidlo a vonný olej a vonnou pryskyřici a víno a olivový olej a jemnou mouku a pšenici a skot a ovce a koně a kočáry a otroky a lidské duše.1 (1Ez 27:13) 14Ano, znamenité ovoce, po němž toužila1 tvá duše, se od tebe vzdálilo, a všechny ty lahůdkové věci a nádherné věci pro tebe zanikly a lidé je již nikdy nenajdou.2 (11Tm 6:10 2Kaz 5:10) 15Cestující kupci1 s těmito věcmi, kteří z něho zbohatli, budou stát opodál ze strachu před jeho trýzní a budou plakat a truchlit2 (1Ez 27:36 2Ez 27:30) 16a řeknou: Běda, běda - velké město,1 oblečené do jemného plátna a purpuru a šarlatu a bohatě ozdobené zlatými ozdobami a drahokamy a perlami,2 (1Ez 27:31 2Zj 17:4) 17protože v jedné hodině bylo zpustošeno tak velké bohatství!1 A každý kapitán lodi a každý, kdo se někam plaví,2 a námořníci a všichni, kteří si vydělávají živobytí na moři, stáli opodál,3 (1Př 11:4 2Iz 23:14 3Ez 27:27) 18a při pohledu na dým jeho požáru křičeli a říkali: Které město je podobné tomu velkému městu?1 (1Ez 27:32) 19A sypali si prach na hlavu1 a křičeli, plakali a truchlili2 a říkali: Běda, běda - velké město, v němž všichni, kteří měli lodě na moři,3 zbohatli z jeho nákladnosti,4 protože bylo zpustošeno v jedné hodině!5 (11S 4:12 2Ez 27:30 3Ez 27:9 4Ez 27:33 5Iz 41:11 Jr 51:55) 20Raduj se nad ním, nebe,1 a také vy, svatí2 a apoštolové3 a proroci, protože Bůh na něm za vás vykonal soudcovský trest!4 (1Jr 51:48 Zj 12:12 2Zj 14:12 31K 4:9 4Dt 32:43 Ř 12:19 Zj 6:10 Zj 19:2) 21A silný anděl zdvihl kámen podobný velkému mlýnskému kameni1 a vrhl jej do moře2 a řekl: Tak bude Babylón, velké město, svržen rychlým vrhem a již nikdy nebude nalezen.3 (1Mt 18:6 2Jr 51:63 3Jr 51:64 Ez 26:21) 22A již nikdy v tobě nebude slyšet zvuk pěvců, kteří se doprovázejí na harfu, a hudebníků a flétnistů a trubačů1 a již nikdy v tobě nebude nalezen žádný řemeslník jakéhokoli oboru a již nikdy v tobě nebude slyšet zvuk mlýnského kamene, (1Iz 24:8 Ez 26:13) 23již nikdy v tobě nebude svítit světlo lampy a nikdy již v tobě nebude slyšet hlas ženicha a nevěsty;1 protože tvoji cestující kupci2 byli muži vysokého postavení3 na zemi, neboť tvými spiritistickými4 zvyklostmi byly zavedeny na scestí všechny národy. (1Jr 25:10 2Iz 23:8 3Mk 6:21 4Iz 47:9 Ga 5:20 Zj 9:21) 24Ano, byla v něm nalezena krev1 proroků2 a svatých3 a všech, kteří byli pobiti na zemi.4 (1Zj 6:10 2Mt 23:37 3Zj 16:6 4Gn 9:6 Jr 51:49)
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 The downfall and destruction of Babylon form an event so fully determined in the counsels of God, and of such consequence to his interests and glory, that the visions and predictions concerning it are repeated. 1. Here is another angel sent from heaven, attended with great power and lustre,
Revel 18:1. He had not only light in himself, to discern the truth of his own prediction, but to inform and enlighten the world about that great event; and not only light to discern it, but power to accomplish it. 2. This angel publishes the fall of Babylon, as a thing already come to pass; and this he does with a mighty strong voice, that all might hear the cry, and might see how well this angel was pleased to be the messenger of such tidings. Here seems to be an allusion to the prediction of the fall of pagan Babylon (
Isa 21:9), where the word is repeated as it is here:
has fallen, has fallen. Some have thought a double fall is hereby intended, first her apostasy, and then her ruin; and they think the words immediately following favour their opinion;
She has become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird, Revel 18:2. But this is also borrowed from
Isa 21:9, and seems to describe not so much her sin of entertaining idols (which are truly called
devils ) as her punishment, it being a common notion that unclean spirits, as well as ominous and hateful birds, used to haunt a city or house that lay in its ruins. 3. The reason of this ruin is declared (
Revel 18:3); for, though God is not obliged to give any account of his matters, yet he is pleased to do so, especially in those dispensations of providence that are most awful and tremendous. The wickedness of Babylon had been very great; for she had not only forsaken the true God herself, and set up idols, but had with great art and industry drawn all sorts of men into the spiritual adultery, and by her wealth and luxury had retained them in her interest. 4. Fair warning is given to all that expect mercy from God, that they should not only
come out of her, but be assisting in her destruction,
Revel 18:4,
Revel 18:5. Here observe, (1.) God may have a people even in Babylon, some who belong to the election of grace. (2.) God's people shall be called out of Babylon, and called effectually. (3.) Those that are resolved to partake with wicked men in their sins must receive of their plagues. (4.) When the sins of a people reach up to heaven, the wrath of God will reach down to the earth. (5.) Though private revenge is forbidden, yet God will have his people act under him, when called to it, in pulling down his and their inveterate and implacable enemies,
Revel 18:6. (6.) God will proportion the punishment of sinners to the measure of their wickedness, pride, and security,
Revel 18:7. (7.) When destruction comes on a people suddenly, the surprise is a great aggravation of their misery,
Revel 18:8.
9 Here we have,
I. A doleful lamentation made by Babylon's friends for her fall; and here observe,
1. Who are the mourners, namely, those who had been bewitched by her fornication, those who had been sharers in her sensual pleasures, and those who had been gainers by her wealth and trade - the kings and the merchants of the earth:
the kings of the earth, whom she had flattered into idolatry by allowing them to be arbitrary and tyrannical over their subjects, while they were obsequious to her; and
the merchants, that is, those who trafficked with her for indulgences, pardons, dispensations, and preferments; these will mourn, because by
this craft they got their wealth. 2. What was the manner of their mourning. (1.) They stood afar off, they durst not come nigh her. Even Babylon's friends will stand at a distance from her fall. Though they had been partakers with her in her sins, and in her sinful pleasures and profits, they were not willing to bear a share in her plagues. (2.) They made a grievous outcry:
Alas! alas! that great city, Babylon, that mighty city! (3.) They wept, and
cast dust upon their heads, Revel 18:19. The pleasures of sin are but for a season, and they will end in dismal sorrow. All those who rejoice in the success of the church's enemies will share with them in their downfall; and those who have most indulged themselves in pride and pleasure are the least able to bear calamities; their sorrows will be as excessive as their pleasure and jollity were before.
3. What was the cause of their mourning; not their sin, but their punishment. They did not lament their fall into idolatry, and luxury, and persecution, but their fall into ruin - the loss of their traffic and of their wealth and power. The spirit of antichrist is a worldly spirit, and their sorrow is a mere worldly sorrow; they did not lament for the anger of God, that had now fallen upon them, but for the loss of their outward comfort. We have a large schedule and inventory of the wealth and merchandise of this city, all which was suddenly lost (
Revel 18:12,
Revel 18:13), and lost irrecoverably (
Revel 18:14):
All things which were dainty and goodly have departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. The church of God may fall for a time, but she shall rise again; but the fall of Babylon will be an utter overthrow, like that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Godly sorrow is some support under affliction, but mere worldly sorrow adds to the calamity.
II. An account of the joy and triumph there was both in heaven and earth at the irrecoverable fall of Babylon: while her own people were bewailing her, the servants of God were called to
rejoice over her, Revel 18:20. Here observe, 1. How universal this joy would be: heaven and earth, angels and saints, would join in it; that which is matter of rejoicing to the servants of God in this world is matter of rejoicing to the angels in heaven. 2. How just and reasonable; and that, (1.) Because the fall of Babylon was an act of God's vindictive justice. God was then avenging his people's cause. They had committed their cause to him
to whom vengeance belongs, and now the year of recompence had come for the controversies of Zion; and, though they did not take pleasure in the miseries of any, yet they had reason to rejoice in the discoveries of the glorious justice of God. (2.) Because it was an irrecoverable ruin. This enemy should never molest them any more, and of this they were assured by a remarkable token (
Revel 18:21): An
angel from heaven
took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus shall Babylon be thrown down with violence, and be found no more at all; the place shall be no longer habitable by man, no work shall be done there, no comfort enjoyed, no light seen there, but utter darkness and desolation, as the reward of her great wickedness, first in
deceiving the nations with her sorceries, and secondly in destroying and murdering those whom she could not deceive,
Revel 18:24. Such abominable sins deserved so great a ruin.