Afterthese things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated 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.
- KJV And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
- BSB After this I saw another angel descending from heaven with great authority, and the earth was illuminated by 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 43:2Behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shined with his glory.
- Luke 17:24for as the lightning, when it flashes out of the one part under the sky, shines to the other part under the sky; so will the Son of Man be in his day.
- Rev 17:1One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who sits on many waters,
- Rev 21:23The city has no need for the sun, neither of the moon, to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.
- 2 Th 2:8Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth, and destroy by the manifestation of his coming;
- Rev 10:1I saw a mighty angel coming down out of the sky, clothed with a cloud. A rainbow was on his head. His face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.
- Isa 60:1–3“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and Yahweh’s glory has risen on you.
- Rev 17:7The angel said to me, “Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the 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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