\\INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION 18\\

This chapter gives an account of the fall of Babylon, and of the
lamentation of many, and of the joy of others, by reason of it;
which account is published by several angels: the first that
declares her fall is described by his original, descending from
heaven; by the great power he had; by his resplendent glory, and by
his mighty cry in publishing her destruction; which is illustrated
by the desolate condition she will be in upon her fall; the reasons
of which are given, became the nations and kings of the earth had
committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth were
enriched by her luxury, \\#Re 18:1-3\\. Another voice is heard from
heaven, calling upon the people of God, first to come out of her,
lest partaking of her sins they should share in her plagues, seeing
her iniquities had reached to heaven, and were remembered before
God; and next to take full vengeance on her, because she had
glorified herself, lived deliciously, and in great security,
\\#Re 18:4-7\\. And then follows a continuation of the account of
her destruction, what her plagues would be, death, mourning, famine,
and fire; and which would be sudden, in one hour, and certain, from
the power and justice of God, \\#Re 18:8\\. Next follow the lamentations
of the kings, merchants, and masters of ships, because of her
greatness, riches, and merchandise, which are all come to nothing,
\\#Re 18:9-19\\. And then the church; the saints, apostles, and
prophets, are called upon to rejoice at the vengeance taken on her,
\\#Re 18:20\\ upon which a mighty angel appears, who by an action
signifies the manner of her destruction, and the irrecoverableness
of her state and condition, \\#Re 18:21\\ and declares her utter ruin,
by affirming that nothing that was either delightful or profitable,
or necessary or comfortable, should any more be found in her; giving
the reasons of it, because of her luxury, idolatry, and bloodshed,
\\#Re 18:22-24\\.