Revelation 18:24

“And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, etc.] Such as before mentioned, in (<661820>Revelation 18:20) this is another reason of her destruction, besides her luxury and idolatry, namely, her shedding the blood of the saints, with which she is said to be drunk, and therefore blood is now given her to drink, (<661706>Revelation 17:6 16:6) for she will now be found guilty of slaying the witnesses, who are meant by the prophets and saints, that have been from the beginning of the apostasy: and of all that were slain upon the earth: not only of those that have been slain in the city of Rome, but of all those that have been slain throughout the empire; they being slain by her…”

“Applied by Christ (Mat 23:35) to apostate Jerusalem, which proves that not merely the literal city Rome, and the Church of Rome (though the chief representative of the apostasy), but the WHOLE of the faithless Church of both the Old and New Testament is meant by Babylon the harlot; just as the whole Church (Old and New Testament) is meant by "the woman" (Rev 12:1). As to literal city, ARINGHUS in BENGEL says, Pagan Rome was the "general shambles" for slaying the sheep of Jesus. FRED. SEYLER in BENGEL calculates that papal Rome, between A.D. 1540 and 1580, slew more than nine hundred thousand Protestants. Three reasons for the harlot's downfall are given: (1) The worldly greatness of her…”

“And in her - When she came to be destroyed, and her real character was seen. Was found the blood of prophets - Of the public teachers of the true religion. On the word “prophets” see the notes on Revelation 18:20. And of saints - Of the holy. See the notes on Revelation 18:20. And of all that were slain upon the earth - So numerous have been the slain, so constant and bloody have been the persecutions there, that it may be said that all the blood ever shed has been poured out there. Compare the notes on Matthew 23:35. No one can doubt the propriety of this representation with respect to pagan and papal Rome. In regard to the general meaning and application of this chapter the following…”

“And in her was found the blood of the prophets and saints - The same angel speaks still, yet he does not say "in thee," but in her, now so sunk as not to hear these last words. And of all that had been slain - Even before she was built. See Mat 23:35. There is no city under the sun which has so clear a title to catholic blood - guiltiness as Rome. The guilt of the blood shed under the heathen emperors has not been removed under the Popes, but hugely multiplied. Nor is Rome accountable only for that which hath been shed in the city, but for that shed in all the earth. For at Rome under the Pope, as well as under the heathen emperors, were the bloody orders and edicts given: and whereever the…”

“in her: Rev 11:7, Rev 16:6, Rev 17:6, Rev 19:2; Jer 2:34; Eze 22:9, Eze 22:12, Eze 22:27; Dan 7:21; Mat 23:27; Luk 11:47-51; Act 7:52; Th1 2:15 were: Jer 51:49 Next: Revelation Chapter 19”