Bible Commentaries
Revelation 18

Verses 16-24

16 "Gilded" seems to be a figure for all mere outward show, for it is with gold, and precious stones and pearls.

21 In the East the millstone is used to grind the meal for the daily bread.

22 The ancient harp was in the form of a lyre. It was used to accompany solo singing. "Entertainers" denoted those devoted to the arts of the muses, history, poetry, tragedy, astronomy, dancing and song. A flageolet is a flute blown from the end, as anciently.

23 Enchantment comes from the word drug , but is used in this sense in the LXX as the equivalent of k’sg’ph, usually rendered sorceries or witchcraft ( Exo_7:11-17 ; Deu_18:10 ; 2Ki_9:22 ; Isa_47:9 ; Jer_27:9 ; Dan_2:2 ; Mic_5:12 ; Nah_3:4 .

23 The rapid rise of the power and influence of wealth has made it possible for riches to rule. Not only locally does the man of means control the government, but the policies of nations are determined by their financial obligations. In this way will the merchants of Babylon become the great men of the earth. Holding its weal in their hands, being the creditors of many nations, they will be able to dictate to them in any matters which affect their interests. By means of their capital they will conquer all nations. Kings will cringe before them, for they alone will be able to buy their bonds. Nations will slave for them, for they must pay the interest. The world will be theirs in spite of Jehovah's frown. He purposes to bless His people by making them a blessing to the nations. They obtain the desire of their souls by becoming a curse. They are the head of the new despotism-the autocracy of capital. Money rules the world far more really than emperors or kings or the public. The great confederacy which seems certain to arise out of the present world crisis, will have all political power, but will preside over a bankrupt world. Above them will be this woman-faithless, apostate Israel-and she will have dominion over the kings of the earth. No wonder they conspire to slay her rather than pay her the enormous tribute which her bonds demand!

24 Just as the Jews of our Lord's generation were held guilty of crimes committed long before

( Mat_23:35 ), so Babylon is charged with all previous bloodshed.

1 Hallelujah, Greek alleluia , is the Hebrew Hallelu Jah, "praise ye Jah". This exclamation is used only in the "Hallelujah Psalms" ( Psa_104:35 ; Psa_105:45 ; Psa_106:1 ; Psa_106:48 ; Psa_111:1 ; Psa_112:1 ; Psa_113:1 ; Psa_113:9 ; Psa_115:18 ; Psa_116:19 ; Psa_117:2 ; Psa_135:1 ; Psa_135:3 ; Psa_135:21 ; Psa_146:1 ; Psa_146:10 ; Psa_147:1 ; Psa_147:20 ; Psa_148:1 ; Psa_148:14 ; Psa_149:1 ; Psa_149:9 ; Psa_150:1 ; Psa_150:6 ) and always in response to the execution of judment . It occurs only in this passage ( Rev_19:1 ; Rev_19:3-6 ) in celebrating the destruction of Babylon. It should never be used in rejoicing or worship in the present dispensation of God's grace.

7 We are first introduced to the bride of the Lamb by John the baptist ( Joh_3:28-30 ). She was composed of those in Israel who acknowledged Him to be Jehovah's Lamb for their sins. Just as the water blushed into wine at Cana of Galilee ( Joh_2:1-11 ), so He will transform the law into brimming cheer when this marriage comes. It was the custom for the festivities to last for seven days or a fortnight. The wedding of the Lambkin will last for a whole millennium. Israel is often presented under the figure of the wife of Jehovah. At Sinai He became her Husband ( Jer_31:32 ). He puts His comeliness upon her ( Eze_16:8-14 ). But she forsook Him to go after other lovers ( Hos_2:6-13 ). So He gave Israel a bill of divorce ( Deu_24:1-4 ). They were sent into captivity. According to the law they can never be His again. Nevertheless He invites her to return ( Jer_3:1 ). He promises to wait for her and to keep her for Himself until the latter days. "You shall not have a husband, moreover I also am for you" ( Hos_3:3 ). He will call them back. " 'Return, sons of returnings,' avers Jehovah, 'for I own you,' " says ( Jer_3:14 ). When our Lord came He called them a wicked and adulterous generation, for they had forsaken Jehovah. But those who received Him became a part, not of the wife of Jehovah or the Lamb, but the bride of the Lambkin . Not a sad reunion in old age, but with youth renewed. The eastern bride was arrayed in the most gorgeous manner possible. Hence the prophet's question: "Shall a virgin forget her ornaments? A bride her ribbons?" ( Jer_2:32 )

8 The white apparel is symbolic of the rewards of their just acts.