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Rev_18:1-3. ἄλλον ἄγγ . καταβαίνοντα , κ . τ . λ . The ἄλλον distinguishes this angel—which can be neither Christ,[3914] nor the Holy Ghost,[3915] nor Luther[3916]—from the one mentioned last.[3917] Beng. improperly refers the ἌΛΛΟΝ also to ΚΑΤΑΒΑΊΝΟΝΤΑ , as though this angel, coming from heaven, were contrasted with the one mentioned in Rev_10:1; but there, as here, the ΚΑΤΑΒ . is an attributive determination to the idea of the subject ἌΛΛ . ἌΓΓ .
ἜΧΟΝΤΑ ἘΞΟΥΣΊΑΝ ΜΕΓΆΛΗΝ . The visible sign of this great plenitude of power is described immediately afterwards: Κ . Ἡ Γῆ ἘΦΩΤΊΣΘΗ ἘΚ Τῆς ΔΌΞΗς ΑὐΤΟῦ , without any more specific statement as to in what way this ΔΌΞΑ has come to manifestation.[3918] But for the exceedingly important proclamation which is announced in Rev_18:2 sqq., an exalted angel is prepared, who, with the brilliancy of his heavenly glory, shines forth over the whole earth (Rev_18:2 : ἜΚΡ . ἘΝ ἸΣΧΥΡᾷ ΦΩΝῇ ),[3919] and cries with such a mighty voice that his message resounds throughout the whole earth,[3920] as far as the dominion of the city that has incurred the judgment extends.
ἔπεσεν , cf. Rev_14:8.
ἐγένετο κατακοιτήριον δαιμόνων
μεμισημένου . In the sense of Isa_13:22; Isa_34:14 sqq., and Bar_4:35, it is rendered clear, that the stately city shall be entirely desolated. On the φυλ . παντ . ὀρνέου , κ . τ . λ ., cf. Jer_50:39; Zep_2:14; Psa_102:7. Even in respect to the description (Rev_18:2), the allegorical exposition has been attempted; even Ebrard understands the “birds” spiritually.
The expression φυλακὴ signifies that the desolated κατοικτήριον is one received involuntarily, a prison.[3921]
ὅτι , κ . τ . λ . Declaration of the guilt of sin as the foundation of the judgment.[3922]
καὶ οἱ ἔμποροι , κ . τ . λ . Not only is the sin of godless, gluttonous, and arrogant wantonness punished,[3923] but at the same time the contrast is marked between the complete desolation and the former wantonness which had within reach such means that the merchants of the whole earth were thereby enriched.[3924] The ἐκ τῆς δυνάμεως τ . στρήν . does not mean “because of the abundance of luxury,”[3925] also not “because of their great wantonness,”[3926] but refers to the wantonness exercised with respect to the vast resources of the state.[3927]
[3914] Calov., Hengstenb.
[3915] Coccejus, Vitr.
[3916] Nicolai, etc. Cf. Calov.
[3917] Rev_17:1; Rev_17:7; Rev_17:15.
[3918] Cf. Rev_10:1, Rev_1:14 sqq.
[3919] Cf. Rev_5:2.
[3920] Rev_18:2 : ἔκρ . ἐν ἰσχυρᾷ φωνῇ . Cf. Rev_5:2.
[3921] Rev_2:10, Rev_20:7; Beng., Hengstenb.
[3922] Cf. Rev_14:8, Rev_17:2.
[3923] Cf. Rev_18:7; Rev_18:9.
[3924] Cf. Rev_18:11; Rev_18:23.
[3925] Ewald.
[3926] De Wette, Hengstenb.
[3927] Cf. also Andr., Grot., Vitr.