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Revelation 18:6-8

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

6. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 7. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong [is] the Lord God who judgeth her.

Revelation 18:6-8 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Revelation 18:6

Theological / Devotional

Reward her. Literally, “give her to the limit.” The harlot, that is, the apostate organization “Babylon the great” (see on chs. 14:8; 17:5), is to be repaid in full for her evil deeds. In absolute justice, Heaven does not withhold any part of the payment due. The reward to be meted out to Babylon is briefly described in ch. 17:16, 17, and at greater length in ch. 18. Compare Jer. 51:6.

As she rewarded you. Literally, “according to her deeds.” Her reward will be paid in kind. The punishment will fit the crime, that is, be appropriate to it. Compare Isa. 47:3; Jer. 50:15, 29 ; 51:24.

Double unto her double. Literally, “double to her the double.” Mete to her a double measure (cf. Isa. 40:2; Jer. 16:18 ; 17:18).

Her works. Her treatment of others is to be the norm, or standard, by which God will deal with her.

The cup. See on chs. 14:10; 17:4.

Fill. Literally, “mix.” In the same cup in which she had mixed an evil potion for others to drink, God will now mix a terrible mixture and compel her to drink it (Rev. 14:8; 17:4; cf. Jer. 50:15, 29).

By SdaBc