Revelation 18:8
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The verse emphasizes the suddenness of Babylon's destruction, with death, mourning, and famine all striking "in one day." This isn't just a series of disasters, but a comprehensive and swift reversal of fortune, hitting her in her perceived security and abundance. It’s a stark reminder that God’s judgment, when it comes, is decisive and complete.
For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage describes the sudden and complete destruction of "Babylon," a symbolic representation of a corrupt and oppressive world system. The text immediately follows warnings for God's people to separate from her, emphasizing that her judgment is swift and comprehensive, encompassing death, mourning, and famine, culminating in utter destruction by fire. This divine retribution is presented as the direct consequence of her arrogance and the undeniable power of the Lord God who has decreed her fate.
Babylon, the great city, has lived in luxury and security. But her end is not a slow decline, but a sudden, devastating blow.
Revelation 18:8 declares, 'her plagues will come in a single day.' This highlights the swiftness and totality of God's judgment. Imagine a bustling city, full of life and commerce, suddenly struck by a cataclysmic event.
All at Once
This suddenness serves as a stark contrast to Babylon's perceived security and self-sufficiency. It's a divine intervention that catches the world off guard, proving that no power on earth can ultimately withstand God's judgment.
Who stands behind such overwhelming destruction? It's not chance or human might, but the sovereign power of God.
The verse concludes with a powerful declaration: 'for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.' This isn't just a statement of God's power, but a reminder of His righteous authority.
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Divine Authority
This phrase serves as the ultimate explanation for Babylon's fate. Her destruction is not an accident, but a consequence of God's righteous judgment against her sin and rebellion. It reassures believers that ultimately, God is in control and justice will prevail.
Understand the original words
plēgē · Greek Noun
Calamities or afflictions sent by God as an expression of His judicial wrath against sin, intended to bring about destruction or repentance. They demonstrate God's sovereign power over the physical and social order.
thanatos · Greek Noun
The cessation of life and the ultimate consequence of sin entering the world. It serves as a reminder of human mortality and, in a judicial context, the finality of God's separation from the wicked.
limos · Greek Noun
A lack of food resulting in extreme hunger and starvation. In biblical prophecy, it is often a sign of divine judgment indicating that the foundations of a society’s sustenance have been removed by God.
Revelation 18:8 speaks of a sudden, overwhelming destruction for 'Babylon,' a symbol of oppressive, idolatrous world powers. The language echoes the catastrophic fall of ancient cities, particularly Jerusalem, and anticipates a final, fiery judgment by God's immense power against all defiance.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Empire's dominance
The powerful Assyrian Empire exerted significant influence over the region, and many Israelite prophecies were directed against powerful, oppressive empires of their time. This sets a backdrop for understanding prophetic judgments against dominant world powers.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deported a group of Judean elites, including Daniel, to Babylon. This event marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile, a period of profound crisis and reflection for the Jewish people.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Babylonian forces destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, leading to a second, larger deportation. This was the ultimate catastrophe for Judah, symbolizing total judgment and the loss of their national and religious center.
c. 1st Century AD
Roman Empire's Height of Power
The Roman Empire was the dominant world power, known for its military might, extensive trade networks, and cultural influence. Its political and economic structures heavily influenced the context in which early Christians lived and wrote.
c. AD 60-70— this verse
Early Christian Persecution
Christians faced increasing hostility and persecution under Roman rule, leading to immense suffering. This period of struggle and divine judgment against oppressors is a key theme in Revelation.
c. AD 95
Writing of Revelation
The Book of Revelation was likely written by the Apostle John while in exile on the island of Patmos, during a time of intense persecution under the Roman Empire.
This passage directly parallels the suddenness of judgment, stating 'these two things shall come to you in a single day, loss of children and widowhood.'
Jeremiah 50:34This verse speaks of a 'strong redeemer' who will contend for Israel, echoing the mighty power of the Lord God who judges Babylon.
Luke 17:29Jesus uses the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by fire as an example of sudden, complete judgment, a theme mirrored in Revelation's depiction of Babylon's fiery end.
Revelation 17:16This verse describes the beast's ten horns hating the harlot and making her desolate and naked, consuming her with fire, directly foreshadowing the destruction described here.
ellicottRevelation 18:8: "Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her."
(8) Therefore shall her plagues come . . . —Read, For this cause in one day shall come her plagues, death and mourning . . . and with fire shall she be burnt, for strong is the Lord God who judged her. God, the mighty God, has passed sentence. She thought herself strong; she forgot the strength of the Almighty. He…
barnesRevelation 18:8: "Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her."
Therefore - In consequence of her pride, arrogance, and luxury, and of the calamities that she has brought upon others. Shall her plagues come in one day - They shall come in a time when she is living in ease and security; and they shall come at the same time - so that all these terrible judgments shall seem to be…
The verse emphasizes the suddenness of Babylon's destruction, with death, mourning, and famine all striking "in one day." This isn't just a series of disasters, but a comprehensive and swift reversal of fortune, hitting her in her perceived security and abundance. It’s a stark reminder that God’s judgment, when it comes, is decisive and complete.
This passage describes the sudden and complete destruction of "Babylon," a symbolic representation of a corrupt and oppressive world system. The text immediately follows warnings for God's people to separate from her, emphasizing that her judgment is swift and comprehensive, encompassing death, mourning, and famine, culminating in utter destruction by fire. This divine retribution is presented as the direct consequence of her arrogance and the undeniable power of the Lord God who has decreed her fate.
This passage describes the sudden and complete destruction of "Babylon," a symbolic representation of a corrupt and oppressive world system. The text immediately follows warnings for God's people to separate from her, emphasizing that her judgment is swift and comprehensive, encompassing death, mourning, and famine, culminating in utter destruction by fire. This divine retribution is presented as the direct consequence of her arrogance and the undeniable power of the Lord God who has decreed her fate.
"For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.”" — The verse emphasizes the suddenness of Babylon's destruction, with death, mourning, and famine all striking "in one day." This isn't just a series of disasters, but a comprehensive and swift revers…
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Last reviewed October 2026
