Revelation 19:3 kjv
And again they said, Alleluia And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
Revelation 19:3 nkjv
Again they said, "Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!"
Revelation 19:3 niv
And again they shouted: "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever."
Revelation 19:3 esv
Once more they cried out, "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever."
Revelation 19:3 nlt
And again their voices rang out: "Praise the LORD!
The smoke from that city ascends forever and ever!"
Revelation 19 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rev 18:2 | And he cried with a mighty voice, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!..." | Fall of Babylon proclaimed. |
| Rev 18:8 | "For this reason her plagues will come in a single day..." | Sudden and swift judgment on Babylon. |
| Rev 14:10b | "...he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb." | Eternal torment for those who worship the beast. |
| Rev 14:11 | "And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever..." | Direct parallel of eternal smoke of torment. |
| Is 34:9-10 | "Its streams shall be turned into pitch, and its soil into sulfur, and its land shall become burning pitch. It shall not be quenched night or day; its smoke shall go up forever." | Prophetic image of Edom's eternal judgment, foreshadowing Rev's imagery. |
| Jude 1:7 | "...Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire." | Past historical judgment by fire as an eternal example. |
| Mk 9:43 | "...to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire." | Unquenchable nature of hellish fire. |
| Ps 58:10 | The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked. | Righteous rejoice in God's just vengeance. |
| Ps 137:8-9 | O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction... Happy is the one who repays you... | Anticipation of God's vengeance on Babylon. |
| Rev 16:7 | And I heard the altar crying, "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments!" | God's judgments are true and just. |
| Rev 15:3-4 | "...great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God Almighty! Just and true are your ways..." | Praise to God for His just and true character. |
| Ex 19:18 | Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire... | Smoke signifying God's awesome presence and power. |
| Dt 29:23 | ...like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in his hot anger and wrath. | God's historical judgment driven by anger and wrath. |
| Rev 11:14 | The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to come. | The fall of Babylon is part of the final woes. |
| Jer 50:13 | Because of the Lord's wrath, it shall not be inhabited but shall be an utter desolation... | Jeremiah's prophecy of Babylon's permanent desolation. |
| Jer 51:26 | They shall not take from you a stone for a corner or a stone for a foundation, but you shall be an everlasting desolation... | Everlasting desolation on Babylon foreshadowed. |
| Dan 4:34 | "...his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation." | Contrast God's eternal dominion with earthly kingdoms' destruction. |
| Lk 21:28 | "Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." | Encouragement for believers during times of judgment. |
| 2 Thes 1:6 | "...since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you," | God's righteous repayment of affliction. |
| Rev 19:1 | After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God..." | The initial praise, context for "again they said". |
| Rev 19:4 | And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God...saying, "Amen. Hallelujah!" | Heavenly affirmation of praise. |
| Rev 19:6 | Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunderpeals, crying out, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns." | Final Hallelujah emphasizing God's reign after judgment. |
Revelation 19 verses
Revelation 19 3 Meaning
Revelation 19:3 describes the continuous and eternal nature of the divine judgment poured out upon "Babylon the Great," which symbolizes the great worldly system of rebellion against God, its power, and its corruption. The smoke rising forever signifies an irreversible, unending, and permanent state of devastation and punishment, serving as a testament to God's righteous and just retribution. The repetition of "Hallelujah" emphasizes the rejoicing of the heavenly hosts over the vindication of God's holy character and His just decrees.
Revelation 19 3 Context
Revelation 19 opens with a magnificent crescendo of heavenly praise, responding to the preceding chapters' unfolding of divine judgment. Chapters 17 and 18 detail the judgment and catastrophic fall of "Babylon the Great," described as a harlot riding the beast, symbolizing a powerful corrupt world system (likely representing imperial Rome to John's original audience) that persecutes the saints and leads nations into idolatry and immorality. The immediate context of verse 3 follows the initial outburst of "Hallelujah" (Rev 19:1-2) from a "great multitude" celebrating God's just judgment on Babylon for corrupting the earth and shedding the blood of His servants. Verse 3 reiterates this praise and specifically underscores the eternal nature of this destruction. Historically, Christians under Roman rule faced severe persecution, including emperor worship and moral degradation enforced by the state. This vision offers immense comfort and vindication, assuring them that God sees their suffering and will enact perfect justice, permanently overthrowing the oppressive powers.
Revelation 19 3 Word analysis
- Again (πάλιν, palin): This Greek adverb indicates repetition, signifying that the previous declaration of "Hallelujah" (Rev 19:1) is now reiterated, deepening the emphasis. It signals a new outburst of praise, reinforcing the point of eternal judgment.
- they said (εἶπαν, eipan): Refers back to the "great multitude" (ὄχλου πολλοῦ, ochlou pollou) mentioned in verse 1. This is not a new group but the same heavenly multitude continuing their joyous acclamation. It signifies unified assent and agreement to God's actions.
- Hallelujah (ἀλληλούϊα, allelouia): A transliterated Hebrew phrase (הַלְלוּ יָהּ, Hallelûyāh), meaning "Praise the Lord!" or "Praise Yahweh!" Its repeated use in Revelation 19 (v. 1, 3, 4, 6) emphasizes the ultimate focus of this heavenly rejoicing: not the suffering of the wicked, but the absolute righteousness and just power of God. It's a shout of victory and adoration.
- The smoke (ὁ καπνός, ho kapnos): Symbol of the residual effects of destructive fire. In the Old Testament, smoke often accompanies divine judgment and wrath (Gen 19:28, Ps 18:8, Is 34:10). Here, it specifically denotes the continuous, visible consequence of Babylon's burning and ruination, indicating a complete and devastating end.
- of her (αὐτῆς, autēs): Pronoun referring unequivocally to "Babylon the Great" mentioned repeatedly in Rev 17-18. It clearly states whose judgment is being proclaimed.
- rises up (ἀναβαίνει, anabainei): Present tense, indicating ongoing, continuous action. This is not a momentary blaze but a perpetual emission, further underscoring the unending nature of the judgment.
- forever and ever (εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων, eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn): Literally "unto the ages of the ages." This superlative expression is the strongest possible Greek idiom for eternity, signifying an unending duration without termination. It's used for God's eternal being and reign (Rev 4:9, 10), and here for the eternal judgment. It directly challenges any notion that Babylon or any earthly power might ever revive or escape.
Words-group analysis:
- Again they said, "Hallelujah!": This repetition signals the absolute certainty and settled nature of God's judgment, as well as the deep satisfaction of the heavenly host in God's vindication. The thrice-repeated "Hallelujah" (this is the second occurrence) reinforces its significance as a theme of ultimate praise.
- The smoke of her rises up forever and ever: This phrase encapsulates the irreversible and perpetual consequence of divine judgment. The "smoke" symbolizes an ongoing, visible reminder of Babylon's utter destruction, which is "forever and ever," demonstrating that her overthrow is eternal and final. It's not a temporary setback but a definitive, everlasting desolation, signaling that there is no recovery or end to her state of judgment. This perpetual smoke serves as a warning to all rebellious systems and as an eternal vindication of God's holiness and justice.
Revelation 19 3 Bonus section
- The use of "Hallelujah" here is a liturgical marker, suggesting that the praise of God's righteous judgments is a fundamental act of worship within the heavenly court, reflecting back to Old Testament psalms of praise.
- The specific mention of smoke as a continuous event serves a dual purpose: it indicates the totality of the destruction (no remaining physical structure or power to quench the fire) and the enduring memory of the judgment as a testament to God's eternal righteousness and power.
- This verse provides a powerful counter-narrative to the prevailing power and seemingly unending prosperity of Rome in John's time, promising a reversal where God's ultimate justice prevails over human empire. It gives hope for justice to the persecuted church, assuring them their oppressors face eternal consequences.
Revelation 19 3 Commentary
Revelation 19:3 is a profound statement on the eternal finality of God's righteous judgment against the epitome of earthly rebellion, "Babylon the Great." The repeated "Hallelujah" indicates overwhelming joy and agreement in heaven, not a sadistic pleasure in suffering, but profound relief and praise for the justice, holiness, and sovereignty of God. This joy stems from seeing the one who oppressed and corrupted the world receive her just deserts, signifying the triumph of truth and righteousness over evil. The imagery of smoke rising "forever and ever" is drawn from Old Testament prophecies of eternal destruction (e.g., Is 34:10) and reinforced within Revelation itself (14:11). It ensures there is no hope of restoration or reprieve for this evil system. It symbolizes a permanent desolation, an unending consequence, providing comfort and assurance to those who have endured suffering and injustice from worldly powers, that God's vindication of His people and His name is complete and without end. This verse underlines the severe and enduring consequences for those who persistently oppose God, contrasting their ultimate downfall with the everlasting reign of the Lamb.