And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
Parallel translations
- WEB After these things, I saw another angel coming down out of the sky, having great authority. The earth was illuminated with his glory.
- BSB After this I saw another angel descending from heaven with great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his glory.
- NKJV Afterthese things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory.
- NASB After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated from his glory.
- NLT After all this I saw another angel come down from heaven with great authority, and the earth grew bright with his splendor.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Another mighty angel descends, and the earth is lit by his glory as he proclaims Babylon's fall. Heaven's radiance heralds judgment on darkness.
Overview
The scene shifts to the announcement of Babylon's doom, delivered by an angel of such authority that his glory illuminates the earth. The brightness contrasts with the city's coming desolation and darkness. This heavenly herald assures the church that the corrupt world-system, however dazzling, is about to be exposed and overthrown.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Ezek 43:2And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.
- Luke 17:24For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.
- Rev 17:1And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
- Rev 21:23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
- 2 Th 2:8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
- Rev 10:1And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:
- Isa 60:1–3Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
- Rev 17:7And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Revelation ends the story with the slain-yet-standing Lamb who is worthy, the Lion of Judah, the Alpha and Omega, the returning King who makes all things new and dwells with his people forever.
How Revelation 18:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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