Revelation 18:1

After this I saw another angel descending from heaven with great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his glory.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The narrator records a vision addressed to a reading audience immediately following the preceding judgments. This vision occurs right before the proclamation of Babylon’s destruction in Revelation 18:2.

The words — The Greek καταβαίνοντα (katabainonta) means "descending," and ἄλλον (allon) translates to "another," identifying a distinct heavenly figure. These terms mark a transition from the prior vision to a new divine agent.

The thread — The descent of a heavenly being with illuminating glory parallels Ezekiel 43:2, where God’s glory comes from the east, and echoes the radiant appearance described in Luke 17:24. Isaiah 60:1 also associates rising glory with divine illumination.

Why it lands — The vision demands recognition of divine authority intervening in human history. It requires the reader to observe how heavenly power precedes and accompanies judgment.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

Cross-references

Ezekiel 43:2 and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of many waters, and the earth shone with His glory.
Luke 17:24 For just as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so will be the Son of Man in His day.
Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival.
Revelation 10:1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun, and his legs were like pillars of fire.
Revelation 17:1 Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.
Revelation 21:23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Revelation 17:7 “Why are you so amazed?” said the angel. “I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and ten horns.