A.T. Robertson Commentary Revelation 18

Coming down out of heaven (καταβαινοντα εκ του ουρανου). Present active predicate participle. Not the angel of 17:1,7,15 (John's guide), but one announcing the doom of Babylon (Rome). As in 10:1; 20:1.

Was lightened (εφωτισθη). First aorist passive of φωτιζω, old causative verb (from φως, light), common in N.T. as in Re 18:1; 21:23; 22:5.

With his glory (εκ της δοξης αυτου). "By reason of (εκ as in 8:13; 16:10) his glory." "So recently has he come from the Presence that in passing he flings a broad belt of light across the dark earth" (Swete).

Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great (επεσεν, επεσεν Βαβυλων η μεγαλη). The very words of 14:8: "Did fall, did fall Babylon the great." Prophetic aorists of πιπτω repeated like a solemn dirge of the damned.

Is become (εγενετο). Prophetic aorist middle.

A habitation of devils (κατοικητηριον). Late word (from κατοικεω, to dwell), in N.T. only here and Eph 2:22. Devils should be demons, of course. So Isaiah prophesied of Babylon (Isaiah 12:21f.) and also Jeremiah (Jeremiah 50:39) and Zephaniah of Nineveh (Zephaniah 2:14). Both Babylon and Nineveh are ruins.

A hold of every unclean spirit (φυλακη παντος πνευματος ακαθαρτου). Φυλακη is garrison or watch-tower as in Hab 2:1, rather than a prison (20:7).

A hold of every unclean and hateful bird (φυλακη παντος ορνεου ακαθαρτου κα μεμισημενου). Ορνεου is old word for bird, in N.T. only Re 18:2; 19:17,21. "The evil spirits, watching over fallen Rome like night-birds or harpies that wait for their prey, build their eyries in the broken towers which rise from the ashes of the city" (Swete). Long ago true of Babylon and Nineveh, some day to be true of Rome.

By (εκ). "As a result of." Some MSS. omit "of the wine" (του οινου). Cf. 14:10; 16:10.

Have fallen (πεπτωκαν). Perfect active third personal of πιπτω for usual πεπτωκασ. Some MSS. read πεπωκαν (have drunk), from πινω like the metaphor in 14:8,10; 16:19; 17:2. See 17:2 for the same charge about the kings of the earth.

The merchants of the earth (ο εμπορο της γης). Old word for one on a journey for trade (from εν, πορος), like drummers, in N.T. only Mt 13:45; Revelation 18:3,11,15,23. Like εμποριον (John 2:16) and εμπορευομα (James 4:13).

Waxed rich (επλουτησαν). First ingressive aorist active indicative of πλουτεω, to be rich (cf. 3:17). Here alone in the N.T. do we catch a glimpse of the vast traffic between east and west that made Rome rich.

Of her wantonness (του στρηνους αυτης). Late word for arrogance, luxury, here alone in N.T. See στρηνιαω in verses 7,9, to live wantonly.

Come forth, my people, out of her (εξελθατε, ο λαος μου, εξ αυτης). Second aorist (urgency) active imperative (-α form) of εξερχομα. Like Isa 48:20; 52:11; Jeremiah 50:8; 51:6, (about Babylon). See also the call of Abram (Genesis 12:1). the rescue of Lot (Genesis 19:12ff.). In the N.T. see Mr 13:4; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:11; 1 Timothy 5:11. Hο λαος is vocative with the form of the nominative.

That ye have no fellowship with her sins (ινα μη συνκοινωνησητε ταις αμαρταις αυτης). Purpose clause with ινα μη and the first aorist active subjunctive of συνκοινωνεω, old compound (συν, together, κοινωνος, partner), in N.T. only here, Php 4:14; Ephesians 5:11. With associative instrumental case αμαρτιαις.

And that ye receive not of her plagues (κα εκ των πληγων αυτης ινα μη λαβητε). Another purpose clause dependent on the preceding, with ινα μη and the second aorist active subjunctive of λαμβανω, and with proleptic emphatic position of εκ των πληγων αυτης before ινα μη.

Have reached (εκολληθησαν). First aorist passive (deponent) indicative of κολλαω, old verb (from κολλα, gluten, glue), to cleave to, to join one another in a mass "up to heaven" (αχρ του ουρανου). Cf. Jeremiah 51:9; Zechariah 14:5.

Hath remembered (εμνημονευσεν). First aorist (prophetic) active indicative of μνημονευω, here with the accusative (αδικηματα, iniquities) instead of the genitive (Colossians 4:18).