Revelation 18:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Heaven signifies the angels and the saints who dwell there. The apostles and prophets are commanded to rejoice with them, because vengeance has been taken on those who wronged and oppressed the preachers among the inhabitants of this city, either through their transgression of God's commandments or through the slaughter of the ministers of God's word by the rulers of the earth. Thus the prophets were slain by the Jews, and the apostles by the Gentiles, because of their preaching to them. They rejoice at the coming punishments, not maliciously, but from their burning desire that sin should cease. Thus those who serve it may, through these punishments, undergo lesser torments in the life to come.

That is, all the blood of the martyrs, which Babylon shed to its own destruction, condemned it. And they came to know the vengeance of the saints whom it had persecuted. To show that the blood of the saints has been avenged, and to show the manner of its fall, the phrase concerning the mighty angel follows here. The time of its destruction is represented by the stone hurled with force.

Does one city, Babylon, persecute, or has it persecuted, the servants of God throughout the whole world, so that by its destruction they all are avenged? For throughout the whole world Babylon is present in evil people, and throughout the whole world it persecutes the good.

The merchants, the kings of the earth, and all with whom the city had dealings while it stood and was governed will weep over it. But in heaven they will rejoice, meaning the angels and the souls of the righteous. The latter rejoice because God's punishment has come. The former rejoice together with those who have been avenged. Again, through the description of the way of life of the merchants and kings, the narrative emphasizes the passion of spiritual Babylon.

These penitents rejoiced in the justice of God and were glad, because, as it is said, God has executed your judgment upon it.

So also in the Gospel, when the Lord foretold the destruction of the world, He added: "When you see these things taking place, then look up and lift up your heads" (Lk 21:28), that is, rejoice in heart. "For God has executed your judgment upon it." This is the judgment sought by the souls of the saints, who cry with a loud voice: "How long, O holy and true Master, before You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" (Rev 6:10).

The inhabitants of heaven rejoice, not because the punishment of sinners is pleasing to them, but because there will no longer be temptations that corrupt the soul.

"Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets." This is an indirect indication of those who suffered in Rome.