Revelation 18:6; Reward Her Even as She Rewarded You

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Revelation 18:6  Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 

The call continues with words directed to the executioners of God’s judgment – Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 

The word “reward” and “rewarded” are forms of the verb “I give back”, a verb of requital. The is an echo of lex talionis of the Old Testament and the words of Christ.

Jeremiah 50:15  Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her. 

Jeremiah 50:29  Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel. 

Jeremiah 51:24  And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD. 

Jeremiah 51:56  Because the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite. 

Psalm 28:4  Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert. 

Psalm 137:8  O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. 

Matthew 7:2  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Galatians 6:7-8  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 

In contrast, a kindly disposition towards one’s enemies is a mark of the disciple of Christ. The Christian should bless his prosecutors (Matthew 5:43) and never repay evil for evil (Romans 12:14; 17; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 2 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 3:9).

Romans 12:14  Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 

Romans 12:17  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 

1 Thessalonians 5:15  See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 

2 Timothy 4:14  Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 

1 Peter 3:9  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 

Yet this does not cancel out God’s final vindication of Himself and His own (Romans 12:19).

Romans 12:19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 

He alone can judge human motives. It appears that particular reference in this case is to the persecutions and martyrdom of the saints by Babylon (Revelation 18:24; 19:2b) rather than her corruption of the nations. Otherwise the pay back notion in the verb would not be quite as appropriate.

[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – An Exegetical Commentary, Moody Press, 1995. 322]