1. Revelation 18:2 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does “called out with a mighty voice” convey?

Revelation 18:2 (ESV)

2 And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.

To our understanding, the term translated as “called out” obviously carries within it the concept of volume; it does not suggest a whisper. It is striking to note that in other places of Revelation we read of “a loud voice” (e.g., Revelation 16:1) to describe abundant volume. Here, though, the word “mighty” is used to describe the voice. The point is not so much the volume of the voice as the effect of the sound. The nature of this sound is more akin to the effect that the roar of a lion has on a hearer as opposed to the effect that the sound of a waterfall has. This sound compels the hearer to sit up and take note. It cannot be otherwise since the speaker is God’s own messenger. (See also Psalm 29:1–11.)