12/08/18 Revelation 18:9-19 “Those who trust in Babylon will be
likewise destroyed”
Revelation 18:9 – And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously (luxuriously) with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
This verse is a common theme running through this and the previous chapter.
Revelation 17:2 – With
whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of
the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
Revelation 18:3 – For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
bewail – mourn (as for the dead); lament; weeping as for pain and grief; bewail.
lament – to cut from; cut off; beat one’s breast for grief.
burning – purosis (the burning by which metals are roasted and reduced; the refiner’s fire; calamities that test the character; trial by fire) We get our word “pure”, “puritan” or “purify” from this word. Pure comes from the Latin purus, which derives from the Greek pyr/pur (fire, πύρ; gen: puros, πυρός), as initially fire was used for cleansing. (https://ewonago.wordpress.com/2009/03/07/etymology-of-pure/)
As we have already seen, satan and Babylon have had a symbiotic relationship since the beginning; satan set up Babylon to initiate and then build his kingdom on earth; Babylon is dependent upon satan and satan is dependent upon Babylon (until the day when he throws mystery Babylon off his back as per Revelation 17). And, likewise, mystery Babylon (that religion which worships satan) can only be successful if the world buys her wares (that she is merchandising). For only if the world buys those wares can the world come under the control of mystery Babylon (and consequently, satan). Thus, mystery Babylon and the trading Babylon are dependent upon each other, another symbiotic relationship; each needs the other to be successful. The merchants of the world who have grown rich because of their trading with Babylon (Revelation 18:3) have built Babylon into what she is today. Babylon needs its traders, and the traders need Babylon.
But what of the rulers of the world, the kings of the earth? How do they fit into this relationship? (For it is certain that both kings and Babylon also need each other.) They are those who permit Babylon to exist within their boundaries, in exchange for the luxuries and favours that Babylon shows to them. In the beginning, Babylon needed the permission of those kings to survive and grow, but once she became powerful throughout the world, she became the king-maker of the world, only permitting those she favoured to become “her” kings. Those “kings” (rulers, government leaders) have sold their souls to gain the world as per Matthew 16:26 – For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? They have literally sold their souls to live deliciously under the control of Babylon (and satan).
These kings have committed spiritual fornication with Babylon and have been rewarded with luxury. They will no longer be able to live in the manner to which they have become accustomed. When they see the destruction of Babylon, they will see that the life (for which they sold their souls) is now come to an end; their mourning is for their lives which are now dead, and they beat their breasts for the grief of that loss. Babylon is now burning (the word signifies a purifying or cleansing burning).
Genesis 19:28 – And he (Abraham) looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.
Revelation 18:10 – Standing afar off for the fear of
her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for
in (only) one hour is thy
judgment come.
torment – torture; a testing of the purity of gold or silver
These kings who lament the loss of Babylon stay well away from her purifying torment. They openly acknowledge their sorrow for Babylon which had provided their riches and luxuries, but they also admit that not only has judgment now fallen upon this mighty city, but that it has also come quickly (“in one hour”). This judgment was probably totally unexpected for such a great city as Babylon, and all those kings can do is bewail her destruction, yet making sure that they themselves are not also caught up in her “burning”. It’s a bit like the days when someone was burned at the stake for heresy; those who might have been associated with the heretic would watch with horror, yet keeping a low profile in case they might be next on the list.
You’d have to describe this as remorse, that feeling of sorrow for something that is likely to affect you personally. I am usually (quite understandably) cynical about those who get off proper court penalties because they are (allegedly) remorseful for their crimes, they are sorry, they regret having done it, etc. But remorse is always based upon a fear of consequences, with repentance being the more genuine feeling based upon the actual crime itself. These kings are feeling remorse because the consequences of Babylon burning will affect them badly, in fact, very, very badly indeed!
Revelation 18:11 – And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise (cargo) any more:
There are two classes of people who are particularly affected by the fall of Babylon (which is that great trading city of the world here). Both kings and rulers will be affected because they will lose everything for which they traded their souls. The merchants will also lose everything that their trading provided for them: riches and luxury. They have put their money on this trade and have counted upon it delivering much profit forever. (For who could have foreseen that such a great city should ever lose its ability to trade? Even companies such as BHP are considered above total crashes of the stock market, although the crash a few years ago did shake them!)
The problem for these merchants is that their merchandise
from Babylon has always been so much in demand. There have always been people
who will buy their goods, even in the bad times. Only a cataclysmic event like
the end of the world as they know it could cause such a total loss of trade.
And, yes, this is, in fact, the end of the world as they know it! No-one should
be buying their merchandise anymore because all those who remain on earth
(during the millennium) should be refusing to purchase such wickedness. The
millennial reign of Christ will bring in an age of righteousness where the
emporium of satan should no longer be able to make a profit in the trading of
sin.
Revelation 18:12 – The merchandise of gold, and silver,
and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and
scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of
ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron,
and marble,
thyine – the citrus, an odoriferous North African tree used as incense, prized by the ancient Greeks and Romans on account of the beauty of its wood for various ornamental purposes.
All of this appears to be innocent produce that might be found in many shops of that day, and indeed it was, for the merchandise was all highly sought-after by any who had the money to pay for it. Even the equivalent merchants of today are those who own or run the multi-national conglomerates, who not only sell what makes lots of money, but who also create needs for various merchandise among the world’s peoples so that they can fulfil those needs (at a price, of course). The main requirement here is that whatever the merchants sell must result in much profit to the merchant. Real need doesn’t come into the equation unless it makes money!
Revelation 18:13 – And cinnamon, and odours, and
ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and
beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
odours – an aromatic substance burnt, incense
beasts – a beast, especially a beast of burden; used for four legged animals as opposed to fishes and birds
chariots – a 4-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle much favoured by the rich of Rome.
While much of this is covered in the comments on the previous verse, the final 2 (slaves and souls of men) are noteworthy in that they deal with the suffering of people in order to make money. Slavery was a very lucrative business (as John Newton could well attest). The trade in the lives of men (and women) was wide-spread and brought much profit, including for those who arranged the sales, the traders themselves. The Khazars (from whom the Ashkenazi Jews descend) were such a trading nation, facilitating trade between east and west. The Phoenicians (Tyre, Carthage, Sidon, Phoenicia, etc) were also a nation of merchant traders. Slavery was often part of their merchandise.
Ezekiel 27:13 – Javan,
Tubal, and Meshech, they [were] thy (that is, of Tyre) merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of
brass in thy market.
As for souls of men, many suppose that this is a consequence
of slavery, yet then, why make it a separate category? Instead, I see it as the
trading of souls for the produce they use. This could in some way relate to the
what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? of Matthew 16:26. Many might literally
give up their hope of eternal life for the sake of getting that which the
traders offered for sale. But it could also relate to such as the drug trade
where addiction robs man of his soul, where he would trade anything to feed his
addiction. And, these merchants here would certainly be into the lucrative
trade of drugs, protected by Babylon itself, through the control of those kings
of earth who made and administered the laws of earth.
Revelation 18:14 – And the fruits that thy soul lusted
after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are
departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
fruits – or harvest
dainty – things which pertain to a sumptuous and delicate style of living
goodly – lampros (shining; brilliant; clear; transparent; splendid; magnificent; luxuries or elegancies in dress or style) That is, things that looked nice, trinkets, ornaments.
And the fruits (harvest; could include the profits of their merchandising) that your soul lusted after (craved; longed for) are now unobtainable. All the luxury and splendour of your lifestyle are likewise unobtainable. You will never have such things again. You have sold your souls to gain this world which you have desired, yet it is now gone like the soul you traded it for.
Revelation 18:15 – The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
These are not just the common shopkeepers or traders at the local market. They are the ones who control those common shopkeepers and traders: what they buy and sell, how much they exchange them for, how much they pay their merchants to partake in this trade. These merchants are like mafia: they decide who will sell and who will be forbidden from trading. This is largely based upon where they can make the greatest profit. These merchants control trade world-wide, and gain world-wide profits. Goods are not provided because people need them, but rather because they make money for those merchants who are made rich by trading in Babylon’s sin.
These merchants will see Babylon burning and will stay at a distance, not wanting to get involved in the market crash themselves, yet weeping and wailing because there will be no more future in such trade. Their easy money is gone; they see no good in a future without that great city Babylon. And yet they do not want to be identified with Babylon, for if Babylon can fall, then all those who rely upon such a great city could also fall if they get caught along with Babylon.
They weep and wail, yet do not want to get judged as well; it is clear that they are aware of just where this judgment is coming from.
Revelation 18:1-3 – 1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
They know they have committed sin against God, yet instead of bewailing their unholiness before holy God, they lament the loss of their lucrative merchandising.
Ezekiel 28:16a – By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God:
Revelation 18:16 – And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
The merchants can only lament all that “that great city “had meant to them: the fine materials, gold, precious stones and pearls. This appears to be the sum total of their regret, that what they had traded their souls for was now worthless. There is only remorse, not repentance.
2 Corinthians 7:10 – For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world (= remorse) worketh death.
Even when they fear judgment falling upon them, they still only lament that which they have lost of the world, not their eternal souls!
Revelation 18:17-18 – 17 For in (only) one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What [city is] like unto this great city!
For in just one hour so much riches have come to nothing; in only one hour so much has evaporated like fog when the sun comes out. Don’t make plans because you are assured of a tomorrow, for tomorrow may not be what you think it should be.
James 4:13-14 – 13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Not only the merchants are affected by the market crash, either. All those who are dependent in some way upon the viability of the merchants will also be brought down with the destruction of Babylon. If you rely upon the provision of Babylon, then you will fall with the best of them when Babylon falls. The merchants serve the interests of Babylon as much as Babylon serves the interests of the merchants. Even those who are merely the paid servants of the merchants who serve Babylon will cry out aloud (krazo – to croak like a raven; cry out with a loud voice) when they see the smoke billowing up from her burning (when they see the clear and indisputable signs of the destruction of that great city Babylon): “What city has ever been like this great city!” This group of servants, who receive their income from the trading of Babylon, includes those involved with transport, and those common traders and shopkeepers who were kept provided for by the merchants of Babylon.
Revelation 18:19 – And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in (only) one hour is she made desolate.
And they lamented (signified by scattering dust on their heads, note sackcloth and ashes) and cried (krazo), weeping and wailing, saying, “Woe! Woe! For that great city, which made rich (due to her costliness; what we could sell her produce for; great profits) all those who carried her trade by ships in the sea, for in only one hour (such a short time) she (Babylon) is made desolate (laid waste; ruined; despoiled; stripped of her treasures).”
made desolate – make desolate; lay waste; ruin;
despoil; strip of treasures) Used
for “is come to nought” in Revelation 18:17.
It is interesting
that mystery Babylon is to be made desolate by the 10 kings under the
antichrist rule.
Revelation 17:16-18 – 16 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. 17 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. 18 And
the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which
reigneth over the kings of the earth.
This still
comes back to just what Babylon represents. Is it a great city with two aspects
(religion and trading) that are dealt with at two separate points in time (that
is, 2 stages in the destruction of Babylon) or is it merely 2 aspects of the
same entity with each aspect destroyed differently, yet as one judgment in the
end?
Regardless of how this is interpreted, it cannot change the
description of the wickedness of Babylon and that it will be destroyed for its
wickedness in the end. But what is Babylon today? (That is, regardless whether
it is London, Rome or New York, or if it is religious or trading.) Where do we
see Babylon? Today we can see it in the godless trading of the multi-national
companies of today where the ultimate goal is profit, not service. And we can
see it in the proliferation of cults and false beliefs in today’s world, where
Christianity has become a minority in even those nations that claim to be
Christian. Of course, there are always those belief systems that no reasonable
Christian would even look at, such as JWs, Mormons, Scientologists, plus a
plethora of minor cults that come and go with the winds of change, although
many of the world are still gullible enough to believe anything because some snake-oil
salesman told them so. However,
it’s those cults and heresies that not only the world but many Christians also
declare to be Christian that shows we are in the grip of a great apostasy.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 – Let no man deceive
you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away (apostasia)
first, and that man of sin be revealed, the
son of perdition;
Not many
alleged Christians today actually believe in what the Bible really says. They
might say they do, but usually what they mean is that someone else has assured
them that a particular teaching is scriptural and they haven’t had the time nor
concern to check out for themselves whether what they have been told is true.
So, today, we get tongues-speaking without any challenging of the spirits to
see what spirit is actually causing the tongues, nor do we get much if any
interpretation of tongues as required by the Bible. Slaying in the spirit is
definitely not found in the Bible, nor is any guaranteed healing on demand. If
spiritual manifestations were a sign of being a Christian, then the girl who
demonstrated spiritual discernment of some kind in Acts 16:16-18 must have been
a Christian. And the suffering to which Christians are called has now become a
sin in so many churches! So many alleged Christians claim to be more scriptural
than others (Sola Scriptura), yet know so little of the Bible that many of
their doctrines are heresies. So many serve a God who is supposed to be more
sovereign, yet doesn’t care about the majority who are lost! How can we avoid
apostasy if we refuse to understand basic Biblical teachings?
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