Mourning for Babylon
"And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 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, 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. 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." (Revelation 18:9-14 - King James Version)
When God destroys this city, the rulers of the world will mourn. They will miss the pleasures and luxuries that they enjoyed there. Her destruction will make them sad.
However, they will mourn her from afar. They will not go to her aid. They will simply watch her burn. They do not want to suffer the fate of her residents. The destruction is so sudden that the rulers describe it as occurring in one hour.
The items listed in verses twelve and thirteen are all luxuries. During the last part of the Tribulation, most people will be struggling just to survive. Those connected to the government will be living well. With the destruction of the capital, no one else will be able to afford these things. There will be no market for them.
Babylon will have enjoyed fine jewelry, the latest fashions, expensive furniture and ornaments, spices, perfumes, strong drink and exotic foods. It will also attract those whom it can use for their pleasure: people so desperate that they will sell themselves to survive. The citizens of this city will use them like slaves, like animals, and think nothing of it.
This city will never again enjoy those things after which she lusted. Those who supplied this city's desires and became rich will also stand afar off and mourn. They will not try to help but be sad that no one will buy their goods any longer.
Both the rulers and the merchants will be sad because Babylon is destroyed. Not because they cared about the city. They will be sad because her destruction will be bad for them.
When God destroys this city, the rulers of the world will mourn. They will miss the pleasures and luxuries that they enjoyed there. Her destruction will make them sad.
However, they will mourn her from afar. They will not go to her aid. They will simply watch her burn. They do not want to suffer the fate of her residents. The destruction is so sudden that the rulers describe it as occurring in one hour.
The items listed in verses twelve and thirteen are all luxuries. During the last part of the Tribulation, most people will be struggling just to survive. Those connected to the government will be living well. With the destruction of the capital, no one else will be able to afford these things. There will be no market for them.
Babylon will have enjoyed fine jewelry, the latest fashions, expensive furniture and ornaments, spices, perfumes, strong drink and exotic foods. It will also attract those whom it can use for their pleasure: people so desperate that they will sell themselves to survive. The citizens of this city will use them like slaves, like animals, and think nothing of it.
This city will never again enjoy those things after which she lusted. Those who supplied this city's desires and became rich will also stand afar off and mourn. They will not try to help but be sad that no one will buy their goods any longer.
Both the rulers and the merchants will be sad because Babylon is destroyed. Not because they cared about the city. They will be sad because her destruction will be bad for them.
posted by David Frank Wilson | 7:50 PM
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