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Revelation 18:2
ESV And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.
NIV With a mighty voice he shouted: ''Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!' She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.
NASB And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, 'Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird.
CSB He called out in a mighty voice: It has fallen, Babylon the Great has fallen! She has become a home for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, and a haunt for every unclean and despicable beast.
NLT He gave a mighty shout: 'Babylon is fallen — that great city is fallen! She has become a home for demons. She is a hideout for every foul spirit, a hideout for every foul vulture and every foul and dreadful animal.
KJV And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

What does Revelation 18:2 mean?

The angel's message is loud and clear. Twice he cries out that Babylon the great has fallen. Some Bible teachers view "Babylon" as a symbolic reference to the evil political, commercial, and economic world system. This is similar to using "Moscow" as a shorthand for the nation of Russia, or "Rome" for the religion of Catholicism. Others view Babylon as a very literal city on the Euphrates. Isaiah's prophecy that Babylon would not be rebuilt (Isaiah 13:19–20) may not rule out the rebuilding of another city, taking that same name, becoming the Babylon of the tribulation. Isaiah predicted what would happen in the day of the LORD (Isaiah 13:6). He mentioned that Babylon would become a habitat for wild animals (Isaiah 13:21–22)—a place never to be rebuilt or restored.

Taking a partially symbolic approach, some interpreters perceive Babylon as Rome. Others perceive Babylon as both a literal city and a symbol of the commercialism that characterizes the beast's empire. When God strikes down Babylon, it becomes a haunt for demons and unclean spirits and a habitat for every unclean bird and beast. The uncleanness of the birds and animals that occupy fallen Babylon is an appropriate match for the moral and spiritual uncleanness of the beast and his empire.
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