Revelation 18:1

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 18:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “After these things I saw another angel coming down out of heaven, having great authority; and the earth was lightened with his glory.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

After these things I saw another angel coming down out of heaven, having great authority; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
Revelation 18:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1After these things I saw another angel coming down out of heaven, having great authority; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And after these things, etc.] The vision of the woman on the scarlet coloured beast, and the interpretation of both by the angel: I saw another angel; not the Lord Jesus Christ, though the several things said of this angel agree with him; nor one of the ministering spirits, though the characters of him will also suit with one of them, but rather a minister of the Gospel, or a set of Gospel ministers, who will arise a little before the downfall of Babylon, in the spiritual reign of Christ; though not the same with the angel of fire, (<661418>Revelation 14:18) as some have thought, because of his illustrious appearance, and the loudness of his voice; but the same with the angel, or third…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“BABYLON'S FALL: GOD'S PEOPLE CALLED OUT OF HER: THE KINGS AND MERCHANTS OF THE EARTH MOURN, WHILE THE SAINTS REJOICE AT HER FALL. (Rev. 18:1-24) And--so Vulgate and ANDREAS. But A, B, Syriac, and Coptic omit "And." power--Greek, "authority." lightened--"illumined." with--Greek, "owing to."”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And after these things - After the vision referred to in the previous chapter. I saw another angel come down from heaven - Different from the one that had last appeared, and therefore coming to make a new communication to him. It is not unusual in this book that different communications should be entrusted to different angels. Compare Revelation 14:6, Revelation 14:8-9, Revelation 14:15, Revelation 14:17-18. Having great power - That is, he was one of the higher rank or order of angels. And the earth was lightened with his glory - The usual representation respecting the heavenly beings. Compare Exodus 24:16; Matthew 17:2; Luke 2:9; Acts 9:3. This would, of course, add greatly to the…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And I saw another angel coming down out of heaven - Termed another, with respect to him who "came down out of heaven," Rev 10:1. And the earth was enlightened with his glory - To make his coming more conspicuous. If such be the lustre of the servant, what images can display the majesty of the Lord, who has "thousand thousands" of those glorious attendants "ministering to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand standing before him?" Revelation 18:2”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“18:1-24 This chapter contains seven poetic responses to the fall of Babylon (or Rome; see study note on 17:5). 18:1-3 The angel’s powerful taunt song is the first poetic response. Ancient taunt songs derided a defeated enemy (see Isa 13:19-22; 34:10-17). In these taunts, the fall of Babylon (or Rome; see study note on Rev 14:8) is portrayed as a traumatic event for subservient kingdoms and especially for those who had profited from her luxury. The sacking of Rome by the Goths and Visigoths (AD 400s) brought the prosperous empire to an end. 18:1 This angel derived his splendor from heaven. The word splendor is normally used for the divine presence.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I saw: Rev 17:1 and the: Rev 21:23; Isa 60:1-3; Eze 43:2; Luk 17:24; Th2 2:8 Revelation 18:2”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification