Revelation 18:20
Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just a call for the celestial realm to celebrate; it’s a specific, powerful declaration that God has judged their judgment against the enemy. This means the justice sought by God's faithful people, who suffered under Babylon's oppression, is finally being exacted.
This verse is part of a grand pronouncement following the destruction of a symbolic, oppressive city. The preceding chapters detail the city's corruption and the judgment that has now fallen upon it, evoking sorrow from the world's rulers and merchants. Now, a heavenly call goes out to God's faithful, both in heaven and on earth, to celebrate because divine justice has finally been served against their persecutor.
When a great evil is finally defeated, it's not just a time for relief, but for celebration. Who is invited to this ultimate party, and why?
This verse isn't just a statement; it's an invitation and a command. The call to 'rejoice' rings out to 'heaven' itself, and then specifically to 'saints and apostles and prophets.'
Who's Invited?
The message is clear: the fall of this great oppressive power is a cause for universal joy in the spiritual realm.
Why should heaven and God's people celebrate the downfall of a city? It's all about the nature of God's justice.
The core reason for this heavenly rejoicing is stated plainly: 'for God has given judgment for you against her!' This isn't about vindictiveness, but about divine retribution and the vindication of God's people.
Understanding 'Your Judgment'
Understand the original words
hagios · Greek Noun
Those set apart for God; the holy ones who belong to Him. In the context of Revelation, they are the faithful followers of the Lamb who have endured persecution.
apostolos · Greek Noun
The foundational messengers of the Gospel, commissioned by Christ. Their inclusion emphasizes that the judgment of the city is a vindication of the message and ministry of the New Covenant.
prophētēs · Greek Noun
Those who speak the word of God under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. They serve as witnesses for God’s truth, and their vindication is linked to the judgment of the enemies of the faith.
krisis · Greek Noun
The act of God in which He declares justice, settles accounts, and punishes wickedness. It is a righteous response to the wrongs committed against His people.
This verse calls for rejoicing over the judgment of a symbolic 'Babylon,' which represents a powerful, oppressive system that persecuted God's people. The timeline highlights the intense suffering endured by the early saints, apostles, and prophets, making their vindication and the fall of their oppressors a cause for divine celebration.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Jesus's death on the cross, a pivotal event that established the foundation for the early Christian church and its teachings.
c. 30-60 AD
Ministry of Apostles and Prophets
The early apostles and prophets, including figures like Paul and John, spread the gospel and established Christian communities, often facing persecution.
c. 64 AD
Great Fire of Rome
A devastating fire that led to Emperor Nero blaming Christians, initiating the first major state-sponsored persecution of the early church in Rome.
c. 67 AD
Martyrdom of Peter and Paul
Traditional accounts place the martyrdom of the apostles Peter and Paul in Rome during Nero's persecution, a significant loss for the early church.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment of Revelation 18:20 by showing the souls of martyrs crying out for justice, and God's promise to avenge their blood. It's the fulfillment of their prayers that the saints are called to rejoice over here.
Luke 10:20Jesus tells His disciples to rejoice not because demons submit to them, but because their names are written in heaven. This connects to the idea in Revelation 18:20 that the greatest cause for rejoicing is our secure, heavenly status with God, independent of earthly powers.
Philippians 3:20Paul reminds believers that their 'citizenship is in heaven,' from which they await a Savior. Revelation 18:20 calls heaven itself, along with its inhabitants (saints, apostles, prophets), to rejoice, highlighting the ultimate triumph of heavenly values over earthly empires.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17This passage describes the triumphant return of Christ with a heavenly shout, and believers being 'caught up' to meet Him. The great rejoicing over Babylon's fall in Revelation 18:20 parallels the ultimate gathering and rejoicing of God's people with Him in heaven.
ellicottRevelation 18:20: "Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her."
THE CALL TO THE HOLY TO REJOICE. (20) Rejoice over her. . . .—Better, Rejoice over her, O heaven, and the saints, and the apostles, and the prophets, because God has judged your judgment on (or, out of) her. The second portion of the chapter closes with this invitation to the saints to rejoice: they are summoned to rejoice because the law of retribution has worked on her. Your…
pulpitRevelation 18:20: "Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her."
Verse 20. - Rejoice over her, thou heaven. These words are best understood as being uttered by the writer, as in Revelation 12:12 (see on Revelation 12:10). And ye holy apostles and prophets; and ye saints, and ye apostles, and ye prophets, is read in א, A, B, P, etc., and adopted by the Revisers. The Authorized Version reading is found in C, 1, 17. Not only the heavenly inhabi…
This verse isn't just a call for the celestial realm to celebrate; it’s a specific, powerful declaration that God has judged their judgment against the enemy. This means the justice sought by God's faithful people, who suffered under Babylon's oppression, is finally being exacted.
This verse is part of a grand pronouncement following the destruction of a symbolic, oppressive city. The preceding chapters detail the city's corruption and the judgment that has now fallen upon it, evoking sorrow from the world's rulers and merchants. Now, a heavenly call goes out to God's faithful, both in heaven and on earth, to celebrate because divine justice has finally been served against their persecutor.
This verse is part of a grand pronouncement following the destruction of a symbolic, oppressive city. The preceding chapters detail the city's corruption and the judgment that has now fallen upon it, evoking sorrow from the world's rulers and merchants. Now, a heavenly call goes out to God's faithful, both in heaven and on earth, to celebrate because divine justice has finally been served against their persecutor.
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c. 95 AD— this verse
Exile of John on Patmos
The Apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos, likely due to persecution under Emperor Domitian, where he received the visions recorded in Revelation.
c. 96 AD
Publication of Revelation
The Book of Revelation, including the vision of Babylon's judgment, is believed to have been written and circulated shortly after John's release from exile.
"Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!”" — This verse isn't just a call for the celestial realm to celebrate; it’s a specific, powerful declaration that God has judged their judgment against the enemy. This means the justice sought by God's…
