Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, September 23rd, 2023
the Week of Proper 19 / Ordinary 24
the Week of Proper 19 / Ordinary 24
Bible Commentaries
Abbott's Illustrated New Testament Abbott's NT
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
These files are public domain.
Bibliographical Information
Abbott, John S. C. & Abbott, Jacob. "Commentary on Revelation 18". "Abbott's Illustrated New Testament". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ain/revelation-18.html. 1878.
Abbott, John S. C. & Abbott, Jacob. "Commentary on Revelation 18". "Abbott's Illustrated New Testament". https://www.studylight.org/
Whole Bible (51)New Testament (16)Individual Books (22)
Verse 1
Verse 1
And after these things, &c. The visions described in this and in the following chapter are evidently intended to represent, by vivid images, the certain and terrible destruction of the great anti-Christian power represented by Babylon.
Verse 2
Verse 2
The habitation of devils; of demons, which are often spoken of as dwelling in desert and desolate places. This an the subsequent clauses express desolation and abandonment, not mere moral corruption.
Verse 8
Verse 8
In one day; suddenly. This and similar expressions, in Revelation 18:10,Revelation 18:17,Revelation 18:21, indicate, in the opinion of some commentators, that Jerusalem was the city intended; as the destruction of that city was sudden and overwhelming.
Verse 9
Verse 9
Shall bewail her. The kings are represented in Revelation 17:16, as conspiring to effect the ruin of the woman, who seems to be the same as Babylon (Revelation 17:5.) We may suppose that some of them had turned against her, while others lamented her downfall,--or we may consider it as a change in the imagery, both representations denoting, in different ways, the certainty of her overthrow.
Verse 12
Verse 12
Thyine; a fragrant wood.
Verse 13
Verse 13
And souls of men; men having souls.
Verse 16
Verse 16
Here the writer returns to the image of the woman, by which the city was represented in the Revelation 17:1-18.
Verse 21
Verse 21
A mighty angel; that is, another angel, who comes forward to present, in still different language, a view of the greatness and the certainty of the impending destruction.
Verse 24
Verse 24
Was found the blood of prophets; that is, the guilt of shedding that blood.