Revelation 18 is part of the interlude that began in the previous chapter. It fills in terminal details of prophetic events going all the way back to the first Trumpet. Its greatest focus is on the delusive, subordinate course the world takes towards Babylon – the papacy. A bizarre, almost schizophrenic, reaction is depicted towards it:

1. The world laments that Babylon has fallen, seemingly because of what it had hoped to gain from the relationship (this chapter).

2. The world hates the “whore” (Babylon) and shall make her desolate (17:16).

The destruction of Babylon (17:16; cf. 16:19) – specifically the harlot – is now enlarged into a full vision. This really completes the angelic promise that John would see the terminal judgment of this evil church. What now follows is an overarching theme of the final end of Babylon/ Rome.[1]

The storyline enters the stage by John witnessing another flying angel.

“And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory” (Revelation 18:1).

“And after these things I saw” (vs 1)

These are words John frequently uses to announce a transition between two visions or prophecies.

“another angel come down from heaven,” (vs 1)

The last messenger angels were what is deemed the “three angels” in Revelation 14. They were flying “in the midst of heaven” [14:6, 14:8 (implied), 14:9 (implied)]. This angel appears to be a fourth in that sequence.

There is, however, another angel with unique parallel language that appears to be another precursor to this angel. Both come down from heaven – both cry with a loud voice: “And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth” (Revelation 10:1-2).

Could this be a cue on sequencing? It appears that way. That is part of the timing imagery in these prophecies (see box – next page).

This first “angel” is identified as Christ (10:1). There, the description of His Being unquestionably represents a divine person who has parallels to Revelation 1:13-18 and Daniel 10:5-6. In the former vision He was like the “Son of man” (vs 13) and self-declared as the everlasting (vss 17-18).

In the “second” (or fourth) angel’s message John is describing symbolic imagery of man’s last call as His witnesses. Jesus announces the onset of the three and a half year appointed time in Revelation 10. The saints will announce its anticipated end.

There is a terminal flow of redemptive information in this chapter. It begins with an urgent cry to prepare – the opportunity to respond is still open. It ends when God’s judicial act has brought evil to its end. Probation will have closed.

• Babylon is fallen (vs 2) – last warning to man

• Sins have reach to heaven (vs 5)

• Plagues have started (vs 8)

• Babylon will be utterly burned with fire (vs 8-9)

• With violence the great city Babylon is thrown down (vs 21)

The record of its fall was in 16:19. We now have unfolded the final sequence of prophetic events in that drama. The story of how terrible this city/beast was is graphically shown in Revelation 13. The angel’s warning as to what God’s expectations are and how much at variance Babylon is (Revelation 14) to the divine plan are portrayed. Then God’s ominous wrath as to its final end comes (ch. 14). Now, here, it must be close to that final end of that three and a half year period. This “angel” “coming down” means that it has a message directly from heaven. The last thunder warning voices are about to sound.

“having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.” (vs 1)

This power (exousian) or authority means that it will complete its mission. Nothing will stop it. This parallels the announcement regarding the two witnesses where nothing would stop them until “they shall finish their testimony” (11:7a).

The word “earth” foretells that the whole world – all its inhabitants – will hear this final appeal.

The intriguing expression lies in the phrase “lightened with his glory.” No celestial angelic being has glory (doxes). This “angel” is symbolic of God’s people going out to give the world its last call, filled with divine glory – the Holy Spirit! Since the parallels to 10:1 are strong, these saints reflect the glory described there when Jesus’ face is as the sun.

There’s more – far more. Though the details cannot be fully elucidated here, this prophecy was first given by Ezekiel. Though there was a minor application then to the Babylonian issues for the Jewish people, a great eschatological story is portrayed in those ancient prophecies!

“Most agree that Ezek. 43:2 is echoed here, ‘The land was radiant with his glory.’ In Ezek. 43 the measurements of the temple have been completed (42:15-20), and now a solemn procession occurs as Yahweh enters the restored temple through the east gate (43:1). Here the glory of God once more returns to the temple (43:2-9) and illumines the whole earth (43:2). In that narration, Israel is reminded of the past and warned of future judgments if she persists in her sin (43:3, 7-9). The twin motifs of Yahweh’s glorious presence and the warnings of judgment are also present here, and it is likely that John intended these parallels to Ezek. 43. Some (Beale 1999:893, following Sweet 1979: 266) also believe that this anticipates Rev. 21:10-11, the New Jerusalem that is also based in part on Ezek. 40-48. ‘The desolation of Babylon thus prepares the way for God to dwell in the new creation.’”[2]

The final cry, which will soon unfold here by John, is there recorded: “Now let them put away their whoredom” (Ezekiel 43:9). That “replacement city for Babylon,” the New Jerusalem, is called in Ezekiel by a most fascinating name:

• “And the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there” (Ezekiel 48:35).

• “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it” (Revelation 21:22).

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