1. Revelation 18:3 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What is meant by “all nations”?

Revelation 18:3 (ESV)

3 For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”

This phrase summarizes the more extensive list of Revelation 17:15: the “peoples and multitudes and nations and languages” upon which the “great prostitute” was “seated” (mistress over, Revelation 17:1). Being the “great prostitute” she was, she had enticed “all nations” to her bed and they had succumbed. Instead, then, of seeking and finding their sense of well being in God the Creator, peoples and multitudes and nations and languages sought their satisfaction away from God. That idolatry amounted to spiritual adultery (prostitution). That is dangerous (Proverbs 6:34).