In chapter 18, John describes a variety of responses, from heaven (18:1–8, 20) and on earth (18:9–19), to the shocking news of Babylon’s destruction. These responses constitute the climactic scene of the seventh trumpet-plague and the “third woe” that precede the inbreaking of God’s reign on earth. Drawing upon biblical “doom-songs” and laments that were written of other city-states (cf. Beasley-Murray, Revelation, p. 262), John composes a dirge about Babylon’s destruction which deepens the significance of his prior message about the evils of the secular order and God’s triumph over them. It is incorrect in our view to interpret Babylon’s fall as a “celebration,” an occasion for vengefulness of the oppressed against former oppressors; the tone is much too somber for this. Neither does this…