Chapter
Verse

Revelation 18:8

ESV 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."
NIV Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
NASB For this reason in one day her plagues will come, plague and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong.
CSB For this reason her plagues will come in just one day— death and grief and famine. She will be burned up with fire, because the Lord God who judges her is mighty.
NLT Therefore, these plagues will overtake her in a single day — death and mourning and famine. She will be completely consumed by fire, for the Lord God who judges her is mighty.'
KJV 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.
NKJV Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.

What does Revelation 18:8 mean?

According to this verse, Babylon—a corrupt and ungodly culture or political entity—will end abruptly. Her destruction will be sudden, not gradual. It will be decisive and terrifying.

In the end times, the demise of this symbolic Babylon will be as surprising and sudden as the death of King Belshazzar. He profaned the temple's sacred vessels, was opulent, immoral, and egotistical. However, while he and a thousand of his lords were partying, a hand appeared on the plaster of the palace wall. The terrifying sight caused him great alarm, and he sought someone to interpret the writing. After his wise men failed to interpret the writing, Daniel was fetched to do so. He announced that the writing spelled the end of Belshazzar's kingdom. That same night the party was over; Belshazzar was killed (Daniel 5).

In a moment, "the party" will end for Babylon as well. Her plagues will come in a single day. Death, mourning, and famine will strike her, and she will be consumed with fire. The Lord will show in His judgment that He is mighty and she is merely finite.
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