Revelation 18:21

“And a mighty angel, etc.] Not Christ, nor one of the ministering spirits, but some man or set of men, perhaps the same with him in (<661801>Revelation 18:1) took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea; just as Jeremiah took a stone and bound it to his book after he had read it, and cast it into the river Euphrates, as a sign and token of the destruction of old Babylon, (<245106>Jeremiah 51:63,64 <021505>Exodus 15:5 <160911>Nehemiah 9:11) saying, thus with violence shall that great city be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all; which is expressive of the utter destruction of Rome, and of the violence, force, and power with which it will be destroyed, and of the…”

“a--Greek, "one." millstone--Compare the judgment on the Egyptian hosts at the Red Sea, Exo 15:5, Exo 15:10; Neh 9:11, and the foretold doom of Babylon, the world power, Jer 51:63-64. with violence--Greek, "with impetus." This verse shows that this prophecy is regarded as still to be fulfilled.”

“And a mighty angel - See the notes on Revelation 18:1. This seems, however, to have been a different angel from the one mentioned in Revelation 18:1, though, like that, he is described as having great power. Took up a stone like a great millstone - On the structure of mills among the ancients see the notes on Matthew 24:41. And cast it into the sea - As an emblem of the utter ruin of the city; an indication that the city would be as completely destroyed as that stone was covered by the waters. Saying, Thus with violence - With force, as the stone was thrown into the sea. The idea is, that it would not be by a gentle and natural decline, but by the application of foreign power. This accords…”

“And a mighty angel took up a stone, and threw it into the sea - By a like emblem Jeremiah fore - showed the fall of the Chaldean Babylon, Jer 51:63-64. Revelation 18:22”

“18:21-24 The songs responding to Babylon’s fall (18:1-24) conclude with a portrayal of the city’s doom. 18:21 a boulder the size of a huge millstone: Heavy millstones, shaped for grinding olives or grain, were used throughout the ancient world. Jesus also spoke of using such stones in judgment (see Matt 18:6). The dramatically thrown boulder signified that the power of Rome was forever thrown down.”

“a mighty: This was to represent the violence of her fall, and that she should never rise again; which is further illustrated by varied emphatic expressions taken from the ancient prophets. But Rome is still standing and flourishing, and honoured by many nations as the metropolis of the Christian world; she still resounds with singers and musicians; she still excels in arts, which serve for pomp and luxury; she still abounds with candles, and lamps, and torches, burning even by day, as well as by night; and consequently this prophecy has not been, but remains to fulfilled. Thus: Exo 15:5; Neh 9:11; Jer 51:63, Jer 51:64 and shall: Rev 18:22, Rev 12:8, Rev 16:20, Rev 20:11; Job 20:8; Psa 37:36;…”