Revelation 18:9 – 19 “Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out:
“Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.” And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, because there is no one left to buy their cargo— cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; of all kinds of citron wood and every article of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; of cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; of cattle, sheep, horses, and chariots; of slaves and souls of men: “The fruit of your soul’s desire has departed from you; all your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be seen again.” The merchants who sold these things and grew their wealth from her will stand at a distance, in fear of her torment. They will weep and mourn, saying: “Woe, woe to the great city, clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! For in a single hour such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!” Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. ‘What city was ever like this great city?’ they will exclaim. Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been destroyed.”
“WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND!” “YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW!” The mighty city of Babylon/Rome that represents all the cities of the world, is being destroyed. God is punishing the pride. The Greeks had a term hubris, that is, overweening pride and arrogance that feels it has no need of God. Now God’s punishment has come, judgment for the immorality and the corruption of centuries. Kings, merchants, shipmasters, and sailors are all lamenting the fall of this great city that has made them all rich.
The detailed description of all the wealth that is being destroyed in an instant seems almost unbelievable; however, historians of the time have born out the fact that there was immense wealth in Rome, just as there is immense wealth in any of the big sites of the world today. We have just passed through Christmas, and many families have posted photos of their Christmas trees surrounded by mounds of presents. While most of these families would describe themselves as middle – class, the variety of gifts described in their Face Book posts is staggering. And these are only middle class people, not the very wealthy. Given that level of modern – day wealth, it is not difficult to understand why all these different groups involved in trading are grieving the loss of Babylon, their market and their supplier. Barclay comments: “There is something almost pathetic in these laments. In every case the lament is not for Rome but for themselves. It is one of the laws of life that, if a man places all his happiness in material things, he misses the greatest things of all–love and friendship with his fellowmen.”
v. 20 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, O saints and apostles and prophets, because for you God has pronounced His judgment against her.”
These are the cities that have persecuted the saints and apostles and prophets. Jesus himself grieved over the prophets who had been murdered in Jerusalem. The Apostle Paul was beheaded in Rome, and Peter was crucified there. Innumerable believers were torn apart by wild beasts or used as human torches in Nero’s gardens, or tortured to death in other ways by later rulers.
2 Peter 3:9-10 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.” God is patient; however, for thousands of years, His prophets have warned men that a day of judgment would eventually arrive. Peter continues: Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”
2 Peter 3:11-13
God has given John this vision for many reasons, not the least of which is to warn mankind of His provision and eventual punishment should they refuse that provision. Truly, God is patient, and He does not SEND anyone to hell; people choose to go there.
None of us knows the day or the hour of our death. The only time we have is now. The question before us remains: will we worship the One True Living God, or will we turn away from Him?
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for loving us. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for our sins. Lord, help each of us to realize that riches and power can be gone in an instant and that only YOUR salvation is sufficient. Let all who read this turn to you. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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