Revelation 18:8 - Exposition

Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine. This is the retribution for her boasting in Revelation 18:7 (cf. Isaiah 47:9 , "These two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day," etc.). Alford says, " death , for her scorn of the prospect of widowhood; mourning, for her inordinate revelling; famine , for her abundance" (cf. Revelation 18:3 ). The description is not to be taken literally, but is typical of a sudden and overwhelming reverse, viz. that which will occur at the last judgment day (cf. the words of our Lord in Matthew 24:37-42 ). Some writers see here an allusion to the second, third, and fourth seals (see Revelation 6:1-17 .). And she shall he utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. Who judged her; κρίνας is found in א , A, B, C, P, and others. This is the fulfilment of the predicted punishment of the harlot ( Revelation 17:16 ). The last clause replies, as it were, to the boast in Revelation 18:7 , "I sit as a queen," etc.