Revelation 18:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Did the same city kill the apostles as killed the prophets and all the other saints? Rather, this is the city of all the proud. Cain founded it upon his brother's blood and called the city by the name of his son, Enoch (Gen 4:17).

That is, it is the city of his descendants. All the evil inherit themselves, and Babylon is present in them. Until the end of the world they persecute the Church of God.

Therefore, in the city of Cain all righteous blood is poured out, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah. This means in the city of the people and the priests.

"Between the temple and the altar" (Mt 23:35), that is, between the people and the priests. This is said because not only the people, but also the priests, conspired in the death of Zechariah.

This is the city that killed the prophets and stoned those sent to it. This is the city built upon blood, as it is written, "Woe to him who builds a city with blood and establishes fortresses by unrighteousness!" (Hab 2:12).

The millstone can also be understood as suffering and torment. For, as is told of blessed Ignatius, at the threshold of death he cried out, "I am God's wheat. Let me be ground by the teeth of beasts, that I may become pure bread."

This refers to Ignatius of Antioch, who was torn apart by beasts in the Roman circus; cf. Ignatius the God-bearer, Epistle to the Romans 4.

"And the sound of harpists and singers," and so forth. Of the five senses, hearing had not yet been mentioned. Now it too is said to be taken away, together with the other worldly things.

It is as though he said: whatever is beautiful to sight, melodious to hearing, soft to touch, and pleasant to smell and taste will vanish from this world.

Is this not why the Lord calls such people lukewarm, that is, wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, threatening them with complete rejection (cf. Rev 3:16; Isa 47; Jer 50 and 51; Ezek 27 and 28)?

Yet a royal reward is appointed for those who can see their true condition, do not reject the healing ointment offered to them, and repent: "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne" (Rev 3:21).