| Geneva Study Bible {26} And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations {27} fell: and great {28} Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (26) The seat or standing place of Antichrist. (27) Of all who cleave to Antichrist and fight against Christ. (28) That harlot, of whom in the next chapter following. Now this phrase to come into remembrance is from the Hebrew language, borrowed from men, and attributed to God. People's New Testament 16:19 And the great city. The great spiritual Babylon, the woman that sitteth on the beast (Re 17:3-5). Was divided into three parts. It was broken asunder, and shaken into pieces by the great upheaval. It is difficult to settle what is meant by three parts. Perhaps the three unclean spirits (Re 16:13), which represent the dragon, the beast and the false prophet, are henceforth parted from each other. If this should be signified, it would mean that worldly government would henceforth be rescued from Satan's influence, and that spiritual powers would never henceforth give homage to the world. Great Babylon came in remembrance before God. The wrath of God is poured out because of her sins. Wesley's Notes 16:19 And the great city - Namely, Jerusalem, here opposed to the heathen cities in general, and in particular to Rome. And the cities of the nations fell - Were utterly overthrown. And Babylon was remembered before God - He did not forget the vengeance which was due to her, though the execution of it was delayed. Scofield Reference Notes [1] Babylon Summary: The Times of the Gentiles is that long period beginning with the Babylonian captivity of Judah, under Nebuchadnezzar, and to be brought to an end by the destruction of Gentile world-power by the "stone cut out without hands" Dan 2:34,35,44 i.e., the coming of the Lord in glory Rev 19:11,21 until which time Jerusalem is politically subject to Gentile rule. Lk 21:24. Margin kings "Times of the Gentiles" Rev 16:19 Lk 21:24. Margin Babylon See Scofield Note: "Isa 13:1" Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 19. the great city-the capital and seat of the apostate Church, spiritual Babylon (of which Rome is the representative, if one literal city be meant). The city in Re 11:8 (see on [2728]Re 11:8), is probably distinct, namely, Jerusalem under Antichrist (the beast, who is distinct from the harlot or apostate Church). In Re 11:13 only a tenth of Jerusalem falls whereas here the city (Babylon) "became (Greek) into three parts" by the earthquake. cities of the nations-other great cities in league with spiritual Babylon. great . came in remembrance-Greek, "Babylon the great was remembered" (Re 18:5). It is now that the last call to escape from Babylon is given to God's people in her (Re 18:4). fierceness-the boiling over outburst of His wrath (Greek, "thumou orgees"), compare Note, see on [2729]Re 14:10. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 16:17-21 The seventh and last angel poured forth his vial, and the downfal of Babylon was finished. The church triumphant in heaven saw it and rejoiced; the church in conflict on earth saw it and became triumphant. God remembered the great and wicked city; though for some time he seemed to have forgotten her idolatry and cruelty. All that was most secure was carried away by the ruin. Men blasphemed: the greatest judgments that can befal men, will not bring to repentance without the grace of God. To be hardened against God, by his righteous judgments, is a certain token of sure and utter destruction. | 
