Revelation 19:2

for true and righteous are his judgments; for he hath judged the great harlot; her that corrupted the earth with her fornication, and he hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

True and righteous are his judgments ... It is appropriate for Christians to be reminded that the terrible judgments upon nations, cities, and individuals who spurn his mercies are "righteous." The holy and righteous God cannot, nor will he, accommodate to human wickedness. "The moral law can no more be broken than the law of gravity; it can only be illustrated."[4] "There is nothing flabby or colorless about these anthems; the ring with stern joy at the judgment executed upon Babylon."[5] It is plain that the first part of this praise passage still has in view the destruction of the harlot related in the previous chapter. See next verse.

For he hath judged the great harlot ... The ultimate overthrow of all evil will take place at the final judgment, an event here viewed as in the past, the rejoicing throng being depicted in the vision as looking back upon it. This harmonizes with the understanding of the last paragraph of chapter 18 as a prophecy of the final judgment.

[4] T. S. Kepler as quoted by Barclay, Ibid.

[5] Albertus Pieters, Studies in the Revelation of St. John (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1954), p. 262.