Rejoice, Babylon Has Fallen

"The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud, 'Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls! For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.' And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, 'What city was like the great city?' And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out, 'Alas, alas, for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been laid waste.' Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets,for God has given judgment for you against her!" (Revelation 18:15-20 - English Standard Version)

The third group who mourn for the city are those who made their living bringing the merchandise to the city: the sailors and ship owners. These mourn more than the others, even throwing dust on their heads. With her sudden destruction, their jobs are gone.


While those who profited from the wickedness of Babylon mourn, those who are godly are called upon to rejoice. God has avenged the blood of his servants. We are not to be glad because people suffer or die. We are to be glad that wickedness will be destroyed and that good will prevail. It is the end of their wicked deeds that cause us to rejoice.

God is not happy that the wicked are destroyed. He is happy when the wicked repent, turn their lives over to him and change their ways. He is happy when evil is no longer practiced. Unfortunately some will never turn to him, and their evil will not end until they are destroyed.