What does Revelation 18:10 mean?

Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. Revelation 18:10

Explanation

Revelation 18:10 depicts a scene where the onlookers are witnessing the downfall of “Babylon,” a symbolic representation of a city embodying sin, excess, and godlessness. Those who have prospered through their association with this city, stand “afar off,” distancing themselves out of fear of sharing in its fate. They express both shock and sorrow, lamenting the destruction of such a powerful city that has been judged and condemned by God so swiftly—”in one hour.” The repetition of “alas, alas” emphasizes their deep sorrow. The passage conveys a theme of divine retribution, where a seemingly invincible entity falls under the righteous judgment of God.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation, the last book in the New Testament, was written by the Apostle John while in exile on the island of Patmos, traditionally dated towards the end of the first century A.D. The historical Babylon was an ancient and powerful city, notorious in Jewish history for the exile and captivity of the Israelites. In Revelation, “Babylon” is a code, often interpreted as a representation of the Roman Empire, known for persecution of Christians, or more broadly symbolizing any world system opposed to God.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse is understood in several ways. Preterists view it as a prophecy that was fulfilled in the past, specifically in the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 or the eventual decline of Rome. Futurists interpret Babylon as referring to a literal or symbolic entity that will be judged at the end of days, representing the culmination of human sin and rebellion against God. Historicists see it as reflective of various corrupt entities through history, while Spiritual or Idealist interpreters see Babylon as a metaphor for evil and its inevitable destruction.

Practical Applications

This verse serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of aligning oneself with entities or systems that are contrary to God’s will. It serves as a reminder that worldly power and wealth are fleeting and that God’s justice will ultimately prevail. The verse encourages believers to live lives of righteousness and to separate themselves from corrupt systems and practices. It is a call to reflect on what “Babylon” might represent in one’s own life and to prioritize eternal values over temporal gain.

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 16:19 – “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 17:5 – “And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”
• Jeremiah 50:46 – “At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.”

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek language of the New Testament include:

• “Alas” (οὐαί, ouai): A term expressing grief, denoting a cry of despair or lamentation.
• “Great city” (πόλις μεγάλη, polis megalē): Indicating not just the size but the significance and influence of a place.
• “Mighty” (ἰσχυρά, ischyra): Conveys strength, power, and dominance.
• “Hour” (ὥρα, hōra): While literal as sixty minutes, symbolically it represents a short period of time, emphasizing the suddenness of judgment.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient cultural and religious contexts, cities like Babylon were often centers of both political power and religious practices. Many ancient myths speak of the fall of great cities or civilizations, which served as warnings about hubris and the wrath of the gods. Comparable stories in other cultures might include the tales of Atlantis or Sodom and Gomorrah. The concept of divine judgment on a city or nation is a motif that appears across various religious traditions.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, the sudden fall of a city could be reasoned through natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or economic and political collapse. Modern archeology and history provide insights into how great civilizations can fall rapidly due to a combination of factors. However, the verse’s focus on divine judgment enters into the realm of faith and belief, which is not an area science explores or explains.

Commentaries

Commentators throughout history have offered various interpretations of this verse:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary points out the terror that falls upon the onlookers who grieve not out of any sense of righteousness but because their source of wealth and pleasure is gone.
• The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges suggests the expression of “Alas, alas” indicates that the merchants share in the sins of Babylon and thus in its plagues.
• John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible interprets the “great city” as the fall of the Papal Rome, aligning with a historicist view that sees this passage as a prediction of specific historical events.