Illustrated New TestamentRevelation 18

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.

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.

In one day; suddenly. This and similar expressions, in verses 10, 17, and 21, indicate, in the opinion of some commentators, that Jerusalem was the city intended; as the destruction of that city was sudden and overwhelming.

Shall bewail her. The kings are represented in 17:16, as conspiring to effect the ruin of the woman, who seems to be the same as Babylon (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.

Thyine; a fragrant wood.

And souls of men; men having souls.

Here the writer returns to the image of the woman, by which the city was represented in the preceding chapter.

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.

Was found the blood of prophets; that is, the guilt of shedding that blood.