Revelation 18:20

Rejoice. Or, “keep on exulting.” The summary desolation of Babylon brings victory and joy to all righteous beings throughout the universe. The anthem of victory over Babylon is recorded in ch. 19:1–6, and the feast celebrating the deliverance of God’s people is alluded to in vs. 7–9.

Heaven. The inhabitants of heaven are first to rejoice in the triumph of Christ and His church.

Holy apostles. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading “saints and apostles.” The “apostles” would be the leaders of NT times, whereas “saints” would refer to the general church membership.

Prophets. Perhaps prophets generally, though here, more likely, those of OT times (see on Eph. 2:20).

Avenged you. Literally, “judged your judgment,” meaning “executed your sentence.” She had decreed the death of God’s people (see ch. 13:15; see on ch. 17:6), but now suffers the very fate to which she had consigned them. Compare the fate of Haman (Esther 7:10). For the means by which the divine sentence upon Babylon is to be executed see on Rev. 17:1, 16, 17. This event takes place under the seventh plague (ch. 16:19; cf. ch. 19:2).