What does Revelation 16:19 mean?

And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. Revelation 16:19

Explanation

Revelation 16:19 speaks about a moment of considerable upheaval and divine judgement described in the book of Revelation, which is the last book of the New Testament. The verse suggests a catastrophic event leading to the division of a great city, commonly interpreted as Babylon, into three parts. The fall of the cities of nations accompanies this division, indicating widespread destruction. “Great Babylon” refers to a symbolic entity of immense evil and corruption, often interpreted as a representation of the decadent and oppressive worldly powers opposed to God. The “cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath” implies that Babylon will receive God’s retributive justice—a punishment that is often depicted in prophetic literature as a cup of wine causing intoxication and subsequent wrath.

Historical Context

Revelation was likely written in the late 1st century A.D. by John, although his precise identity is debated. The text is apocalyptic in nature, characterized by visions, symbolism, and the use of allegory to convey its message about the end times. This particular imagery of Babylon as a great, corrupt city would resonate with early Christian readers as harkening back to the historical Babylonian empire, known for its conquest of Jerusalem and the subsequent Jewish exile. At the time of writing, however, the Roman Empire was the dominant power and widely associated with Babylonian arrogance and oppression in the Christian imagination.

Theological Insights

From a theological viewpoint, Revelation 16:19 encapsulates the theme of God’s ultimate justice. In premillennial eschatology, this verse is often tied to the literal end times and the Second Coming of Christ. In contrast, in an amillennial or symbolic framework, this verse symbolizes the ongoing struggle between good and evil, and God’s promise to eventually overthrow all forms of earthly tyranny and oppression. Spiritual interpretations may see Babylon not as a single entity but as a representative of all systems and structures that defy God’s will.

Practical Applications

The teachings of Revelation 16:19 can encourage believers to reflect on the transient nature of worldly powers and the importance of aligning with the divine. It suggests that no matter how vast or seemingly invincible a corrupt system is, it remains susceptible to divine judgement. For individuals, this can serve as a reminder to practice humility, uphold just principles, and remain faithful to ethical and spiritual convictions in the face of societal pressures and moral corruption.

Cross-References

• Revelation 14:8: “And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
• Revelation 17:5: “And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”
• Jeremiah 51:7: “Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.”
• Revelation 18:21: “And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.”

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words include:

• “Divided” (διεμερίσθη, diemeristhē): to split or partition.
• “Great City” (πόλις μεγάλη, polis megalē): often a metaphor for centers of power or influence.
• “Babylon” (Βαβυλὼν, Babylōn): aside from the historical city, a symbol of opposition to God.
• “Cup” (ποτήριον, potērion): vessel for drinking but also metaphorically used for experiencing something, often God’s judgment.
• “Wrath” (θυμοῦ, thymou): fierce anger, especially divine anger.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Biblical Babylon is often compared to oppressive empires throughout history. Ancient myths from other cultures also describe the fall of great cities as divine punishment, such as the story of Atlantis in Greek lore or the Tower of Babel in the Genesis narrative. Religious interpretations may draw parallels with entities or systems in various traditions that symbolize moral decay and are destined to be overturned by spiritual or cosmic forces.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific thinking does not typically address prophetic language or symbolism like that found in Revelation. However, a scientific perspective can contribute insight into the natural events (earthquakes, meteorological phenomena, etc.) that ancient texts might attribute to divine intervention. Understanding the socio-psychological aspects of apocalyptic literature can also fall under the purview of science, particularly in the fields of psychology and anthropology.

Commentaries

Many biblical scholars see Revelation 16:19 as a continuation of the motifs of judgement and the fall of empires found throughout the book. Some interpret the division of the great city as symbolic of internal strife and the crumbling of the empire from within. The cups of wrath are a recurrent theme in other parts of Scripture and in Revelation, suggesting a consistent biblical narrative about the consequences of sin and the finality of divine justice. Commentary varies widely due to the rich symbolism in Revelation, with interpretations running the gamut from strictly historical to deeply allegorical.