18:1 And {1} after these things I saw another {2} angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
(1) The second passage (as I said before) see Geneva Re 17:1 of the history of Babylon, is of the woeful fall and ruin of that whore of Babylon. This historical prediction concerning her, is threefold. The first a plain and simple foretelling of her ruin, in three verses Re 18:2,3. The second a figurative prediction by the circumstances, from there to Re 18:4-20. The third, a confirmation of the same by sign or wonder, to the end of the chapter Re 18:21-24.
(2) Either Christ the eternal word of God the Father (as often elsewhere) or a created angel, and one deputed to this service, but thoroughly provided with greatness of power, and with light of glory, as the ensign of power.
18:1 The Doomed City
SUMMARY OF REVELATION 18:
The Fall of Babylon Decreed. The People of God Commanded to Come Out of Her. The Kings of the Earth Lament Over Her Fall. The Merchants and Traffickers Also Lament. The Millstone Cast into the Sea.
After these things. Those described in chapter 17.
Another angel. Some have urged that this is Christ. There is no proof of their correctness.
Having great power. There was assigned to him great authority.
And the earth was lightened with his glory. This was a proof of power proceeding from God.
18:1 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?
18:1-8 The downfal and destruction of the mystical Babylon are determined in the counsels of God. Another angel comes from heaven. This seems to be Christ himself, coming to destroy his enemies, and to shed abroad the light of his gospel through all nations. The wickedness of this Babylon was very great; she had forsaken the true God, and set up idols, and had drawn all sorts of men into spiritual adultery, and by her wealth and luxury kept them in her interest. The spiritual merchandise, by which multitudes have wickedly lived in wealth, by the sins and follies of mankind, seems principally intended. Fair warning is given to all that expect mercy from God, that they should not only come out of this Babylon, but assist in her destruction. God may have a people even in Babylon. But God's people shall be called out of Babylon, and called effectually, while those that partake with wicked men in their sins, must receive of their plagues.
