Revelation 18:20
What does Revelation 18:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 18:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 18:20 means
Heaven is summoned to rejoice—along with saints, apostles, and prophets—because God has judged Babylon on their behalf. This is not gloating over misery, but celebration of justice and vindication. Babylon opposed and persecuted God’s messengers; now their cause is upheld in God’s court. The verse affirms that God’s judgments defend His people and right the wrongs they have suffered. It also reminds believers that their tears are seen and their witness matters. Heaven’s joy contrasts the earth’s grief, revealing two value systems: one laments the end of luxury; the other exults in the triumph of righteousness and the faithfulness of God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye saints, and ye apostles, and ye prophets; for God hath judged your judgment on her.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye saints, and ye apostles, and ye prophets; for God hath judged your judgment on her.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Be glad over her, heaven, and you saints, and Apostles, and prophets; because she has been judged by God on your account.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Be glad over her, O heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets, because God did judge your judgment of her!'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Rejoice over her, thou heaven and ye holy apostles and prophets. For God hath judged your judgment on her.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Rejoice over her, heaven, and [ye] saints and apostles and prophets; forGod has judged your judgment upon her.
Context
After three laments from the earth, the narrative turns to heaven’s perspective. The call to rejoice answers the preceding sorrows and prepares for the symbolic act that seals Babylon’s fate. Mentioning saints, apostles, and prophets ties the judgment to the long history of persecution. Next, a strong angel will enact a sign—casting a great millstone into the sea—to picture the finality of Babylon’s fall. This shift reframes the event theologically: this is not merely economic news; it is divine vindication.
v.19And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and mourning, saying, Woe, woe, the great city, wherein all that had their ships in the sea were made rich by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
v.20This passage
v.21And a strong angel took up a stone as it were a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with a mighty fall shall Babylon, the great city, be cast down, and shall be found no more at all.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 58:10
The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked;
- 2 Peter 3:2
that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles:
- Psalms 96:11
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof;
- Isaiah 26:21
For, behold, Jehovah cometh forth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
- Psalms 107:42
The upright shall see it, and be glad; And all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
- Luke 11:49
Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send unto them prophets and apostles; and some of them they shall kill and persecute;
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