Revelation 18:6; And Double Unto Her Double According to Her Works

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. 

So the best way is to identify the executioners as God’s enemies whom He uses to execute His vengeance (Moffatt). According to Revelation 17:16-17, it is the false Christ and his allies who will destroy Babylon in compliance with the overarching purpose of God.

Revelation 17:16-17  And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. 

The plea that the judgment of chapter 18 goes beyond that in chapter 17, connecting directly with the return of Christ (Scott, Seiss) is not without merit. Yet God puts into the hearts of these enemies to do what they do, so it appears wisest to connect the city’s burning in chapter 18 with that in chapter 17. The beast and his accomplices move suddenly and unexpectedly to destroy the city and its commercial (as well as religious) preeminence.

The phrase “and double unto her double…” highlights the command to the executioners “double the double things”. To requite in double measure meant to requite in full.

Exodus 22:4  If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double. 

Exodus 22:7  If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man’s house; if the thief be found, let him pay double. 

Exodus 22:9  For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour. 

Isaiah 40:2  Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins. 

Isaiah 61:7  For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. 

Jeremiah 16:18  And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things. 

Jeremiah 17:18  Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction. 

Zechariah 9:12  Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee; 

It does not mean retribution double in severity to the sin [Hailey].

“Double” has the sense that the punishment should be the exact equivalent of the offence in the same way that a person who looks exactly like someone else is called his “double”. The guideline in meting put the exact equivalent is “according to her works”. This is consistent the basis of God’s future judgment of mankind.

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 62:12  Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work. 

Proverbs 24:12  If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works? 

Isaiah 59:18  According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence. 

Jeremiah 17:10  I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. 

Romans 2:6  Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 

1 Corinthians 3:8  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 

2 Corinthians 11:15  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 

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

1 Peter 1:17  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 

Revelation 2:23  And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Revelation 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 

Revelation 20:13  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 

Revelation 22:12  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 An Exegetical Commentary, Moody Press, 1995, 323-324]