Revelation (Written)

Tuesday, 22 June 2021

and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’  Revelation 18:18

The shipmasters, sea travelers, sailors, and sea traders all cry out now, just as it is said that the kings of the earth and the merchants of the earth have cried out – mourning over the destruction of Babylon the great. As it says, “and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning.”

As noted, this will be an event seen around the world. This is certain because of the various categories of people that are said to lament over her as they witness her destruction. For all of them to see this, it means that they must have the ability to do so via TV/internet. This is unlike Tyre of Ezekiel’s prophecy that speaks in similar terms concerning her destruction, but nothing is said of these people being personal eyewitnesses of the events.

But with the coming of modern technology, the prophesied destruction of Rome will be – like the coming of the two witnesses to testify – a worldwide event. Of these people, and when they see her burning, they will say, “What is like this great city?” The words are reflective of the question concerning Tyre from Ezekiel –

“In their wailing for you
They will take up a lamentation,
And lament for you:
‘What city is like Tyre,
Destroyed in the midst of the sea?’” Ezekiel 27:32

Rome has been around for millennia. It has been the center of the world at times. The old saying, “all roads lead to Rome,” is based on that fact. It is an international hub of trade, and its wares include the apostate trade in Roman Catholicism. Babylon the great will be judged, and it will bring Rome to utter destruction.

Life application: The people of the world will look at the vast devastation of Babylon the great and cry out in horror. In other words, if this devastation can come upon her, then what hope is there at all? It is the feeling many Americans had in 2001 as they saw the twin towers fall.

There is an ocean that separates America from her enemies. There is the greatest military on earth to protect her from them. There is wealth and power, ease, and security… and yet sudden destruction came upon the very symbols of her power and wealth. And this was merely a few buildings, not an entire city and system. As incomprehensible as was the destruction on 9/11, it will be minuscule in comparison to the fall of Babylon the great.

In a similar cry of perceived power, we saw in Revelation 13:4 this question asked by the people of the earth, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” Suddenly, their marvel at the power of the great beast is turned into cries of “Alas!” What was thought incomparable has been leveled by something far greater. The question the people should have asked when all this started is the question asked by Moses and the children of Israel at the Exodus –

“Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11.

You see, there is only one God and there is only one ultimate power. Anything else is a part of what He has created. No matter how splendid, powerful, rich, or terrible, it is only a part of the creation, and it is therefore subject to His awesome hand of direction and judgment. Thus is the fall of Babylon in the eyes of those who look upon her in horror and dread.

For true safety and security that transcends this temporary and perishing world, look to what God offers. He promises eternal security and eternal life for all who come to Him through JESUS.

Yes Lord! There is none like You. You are above all the “gods” for they are not gods at all, but the deceptive lies of our imaginations and the boastings of those who do not perceive the truth. Help us, O God, to rightly look to You alone and to proclaim Your glory to those around us. Praises belong to You, O God. Amen.

Monday, 21 June 2021

For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance Revelation 18:17

The words now continue the cry of woe called out by the merchants. That continued cry says, “For in one hour.”

This phrase, like verses 17:12 and 18:10, is an idiom meaning, “In a very short time.” It does not necessarily signify the sixty minutes on a clock. We might say, “I’ll be there in ten seconds,” meaning “in a jiffy.” These are expressions signifying shortness of time.  This is certain because the term “in one day” is spoken of concerning the same event in verse 18:8. For Babylon the great, in this very short amount of time, “such great riches came to nothing.”

One can see the utter destruction of the city. It gives the hint of being completely overrun by the enemy, a great natural disaster, or even a nuclear blast. Whatever will come upon her, it will be sudden and cataclysmic. This will be so much the case that it next refers to, “Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea.”

The “kings of the earth” were mentioned in verse 18:9. The “merchants of the earth” were mentioned in verse 18:11. Now it is those who are on the sea, where each class is named. The “shipmaster” is a designation found only in Acts 27:11 and here. It signifies a steersman or a pilot. Those “who travel by ship” are passengers. The “sailors” are those who work as seamen on ships. The word is found twice in Acts and then again here. And finally, “as many as trade on the sea” refers to those who get their livelihood by the sea, such as dockworkers and so on.

The terminology here is a broad brushstroke of the state of the world at the destruction of Babylon, and – like the two other categories, meaning the kings and the merchants – it seems to presuppose television. The words here do not mean that Babylon the great is a port city. Rather, just as the “kings of the earth” reflect any king in any given kingdom – even one on the other side of the world – so those who trade or travel by sea could be anywhere in the world and watch the complete destruction of the city.

The event will be seen globally. Hence the final words of the verse, these people “stood at a distance.” It is the same basic words used in verses 18:10 and 18:15. It signifies that they have seen the event but have no power to intervene in what occurs. Again, if the words are to be taken as a true depiction of what occurs, television and/or the internet is presupposed.

Life application: This great city was functioning normally when sudden and cataclysmic upheaval ended it and brought it to nothing. Such is the futility of having one’s hopes in any physical commodity.

People who store up gold in hopes of being secure during an economic collapse are also setting themselves up for an added dose of sadness when the gold doesn’t help. This isn’t to say that saving for the future is unwise, but when one’s trust is in such savings, it is sure to disappoint at the time it is expected to provide the intended security.

This is the lesson that we fail to learn in generation after generation, and it will again be noted by those who watch the fall of Babylon the great. The world’s hope of complete security and stability will be dashed. Those who stand at a distance will realize this.

With the end of this wicked city will also be the end of their means of prosperity. There is only one place where hope meets up with surety. That is found in God. And as God has revealed Himself in and through His Son, we can have the absolute surety of His word will come true. What can man do to us? What can separate us from the love of God in Christ? In Him, we are safe, and in Him, we are secure. He is our Keeper. He is JESUS.

Lord Jesus, only in You will we ever have true riches. Help us to realize this and to never put our trust or hopes in anything which is a part of the creation. Instead, help us to keep our thoughts, hopes, and desires in You alone. Because You are the Source of all things, then in You is found true and complete satisfaction – even throughout all eternity! Amen.

Sunday, 20 June 2021

and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! Revelation 18:16

In verse 18:10, the kings of the earth were “standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon…” Now almost the same words are again said by the merchants of the earth. Beginning in the previous verse, it says that the merchants of the earth “will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, ¹⁶ and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city…’”

Like the kings of the earth, these merchants will mourn over Babylon the great. However, the kings called out an exclamation that was fitting of the office of a king, meaning judgment. They exclaimed, “For in one hour your judgment has come.” On the other hand, the merchants call out an exclamation that is fitting of their trade, noting its finery. They begin this by saying, “that great city that was clothed in fine linen.”

This was one of their cargoes as noted in 18:12. They mourn over the city as if she were a woman dressed in the linen which they had adorned her with through their sales. As noted, fine linen is used elsewhere in the Bible to indicate righteousness. For Babylon the great, it is only self-righteousness.

Along with that, they note, “purple.” As seen in 18:12, purple signifies power and/or wealth, even royal status. Proverbs 31:22 links this color with godliness in a woman. For Babylon the great, these were only earthly in nature, but they failed to reflect the true inner self.

The merchants next call out, “and scarlet.” As seen in 18:12, the color is used elsewhere to signify substitutionary atonement. However, Babylon the great failed to receive this, and the scarlet (red) will speak of the judgment of her own sins.

It next says, “and adorned with gold.” Verse 18:12 explained that gold is the royal metal. It is a symbol of wealth and purchasing power. But for Babylon the great, she will find that she cannot buy her way out of her sentence of judgment. Her royal states will be stripped from her, and she will be left abandoned.

The verse next says, “and precious stones.” The Greek is singular, “stone.” The jewel-encrusted items found in Babylon the great will have no value when her judgment comes. Men in her will reach out for them as if they can save, and they will die with these clasped in their hands.

Finally, the verse ends with, “and pearls!” As seen in 18:12, Jesus equates the precious teachings of the gospel to the pearl. For Babylon the great, there is only a false gospel, which is no gospel at all. The pearls of Babylon the great will perish with her. Like what happened to the fine things of Jerusalem when it was destroyed by Babylon, so will happen to the fine things of Babylon the great. This will come when it is judged by the Lord –

‘How the gold has become dim!
How changed the fine gold!
The stones of the sanctuary are scattered
At the head of every street.” Lamentations 4:1

Life application: The things of this world are all destined to pass away, but the beauty of the soul who loves and follows God is everlasting. Here is what Peter admonishes the women of God in order for them to have an everlasting remembrance –

“Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— ⁴ rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” 1 Peter 3:3, 4

God looks for the “hidden person of the heart” and the “incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,” not a woman as shallow as a saucer who is only externally beautiful. Again, Paul addresses the same concept in his first letter to Timothy –

“I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; ⁹ in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, ¹⁰ but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.” 1 Timothy 2:8-10

Some of the very things these apostles warned about are the things for which those in Babylon the great are noted for having been adorned with. If we look to Hollywood actresses or the wives of politicians, we generally see people that are beautiful, shallow, and have low morals. They are fawned over because of their physical beauty, but that will fade quickly as the years pass.

Babylon the great has all the outward appeal of false religion and spiritual enlightenment, but it has no substance. Only when faith is built upon the truth of God in Christ, is there anything of lasting value. Come to the firm Foundation, come to the Rock, come to JESUS!

Here we are Lord, Your creatures. But we reject You, and we go after every false spiritual teaching we can find. It is so much easier to listen to easy messages of false enlightenment than it is to pick up our Bible. How pleasing it is to listen to a sermon-lite by a fancy prosperity preacher than it is to read the Bible and be made aware of our sinful state and our need for Your redemption. Help us to just get it right. Help us to follow Jesus. Amen.

Saturday, 19 June 2021

The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, Revelation 18:15

Verse 11 said, “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore.” That was followed by three verses describing the things these merchants traded. Now, after that extended description of their goods, it again refers to the merchants themselves, saying, “The merchants of these things.”

It is referring to all the goods listed in the previous verses that they had sold in supplying the city. So great was their trade that it notes of them, “who became rich by her.” If a person has a product that costs him $5.00 and he sells it for $5.00, he cannot get rich. However, these merchants became rich through Babylon the great.

Thus, it speaks of wealth and luxury by purchasing things at a rate that enriched those who sold their goods. It was obviously a good deal for them, but that has come to an end. As it says, they “will stand at a distance for fear of her torment.”

It is the same as the kings of the earth. In verse 18:10, it said that they were “standing at a distance for fear of her torment.” The difference is that the verb there is a perfect participle, but here it is in the future tense. It makes the scene alive and active as the tenses change. These merchants “will stand” at a distance. It is coming, and when that time comes, they will be “weeping and wailing.”

For consistency, the Greek words, like in verse 18:11, should be translated as “weeping and mourning.” The destruction of Babylon will affect the state of things for these people. While heaven rejoices over her, they will weep and mourn.

Life application: These merchants were enriched by the great city, but their weeping and mourning will not be as one would mourn over a family member. Instead, they will mourn over their own loss.

All of their merchandise has been listed. It is very expensive stuff which they are invested in. However, they will now be unable to profit from its sale. But as the Bible shows elsewhere, even the greatest riches have no true value when society crumbles –

“How the gold has become dim!
How changed the fine gold!
The stones of the sanctuary are scattered
At the head of every street.
² The precious sons of Zion,
Valuable as fine gold,
How they are regarded as clay pots,
The work of the hands of the potter!” Lamentations 4:1, 2

We tend to look at the things around us and revel in them. Sometimes, we put our hope and trust in stuff that can be stolen from us, lost in a cataclysm, destroyed in an accident, or whatever. There is nothing that is enduring. And those things that may seem of great value can suddenly lose their value with the next technological advance, or with the next financial collapse.

Everything is temporary and fleeting except the Lord. If our trust is placed in Him, we will not face the sadness of the world. Instead, we will have a hope that transcends this earthly life. Let us seek His face and hope in Him. Let us look unto JESUS.

Lord God, please help each one of us to keep our eyes properly directed toward You. Help us to understand that stocks, IRAs, money markets, and even amassed accounts of precious metals cannot save. Instead, they only provide false security in this world. Give us the wisdom to trust in You alone and to direct the attention of those around us to You as well. Amen.

Friday, 18 June 2021

The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. Revelation 18:14

The mournful words concerning the destruction of Babylon the great continue here, saying, “The fruit that your soul longed for.” Here is a word found only in this one instance in the Bible, opóra, fruit. It signifies ripe fruit, coming from words that indicate “the end of the summer.” Albert Barnes says it “means, ‘late summer; dog-days,’ the time when Sirius, or the Dog-star, is predominant. In the East this is the season when the fruits ripen, and hence the word comes to denote fruit. The reference is to any kind of fruit that would be brought for traffic into a great city, and that would be regarded as an article of luxury.”

Of these things, it says this fruit “has gone from you.” Babylon is destroyed, and so these things will never be brought into her again. The cargo carriers with their precious ladings will be taken elsewhere, but they will not enter her anymore. The thought is then further expanded upon by saying, “and all the things which are rich and splendid.”

Again, another unique word is found here, liparos. It comes from the word meaning “grease” or “fat,” and thus it signifies rich and sumptuous. The next word of note is from the Greek lampros. It signifies bright, shining, splendid, or magnificent. One can see the connection to our word “lamp.” It is used several times in the New Testament to indicate rich, luxurious clothing.

The two words together may indicate soft, comfortable gilded furniture, or something like that. Such things as this, it is said, “have gone from you.” It is the same thought just stated, highlighting the notion of complete desolation. Nothing of value, pomp, or finery is to be seen. And more, the verse finishes with, “and you shall find them no more at all.”

The utterly complete destruction of Babylon the great is highlighted with this. Not only have all of these things been destroyed out of her, and not only will shipping into her cease, but it will be so forever. She has found her ruin, and she will remain a ruin from this point on.

Life application: The works of the flesh that Babylon the great sought after were like those explained by Paul in Galatians 5 –

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

These are the works of wickedness which have been the main diet of those in Babylon since the beginning. What they should have focused on is a right walk with the Lord. In this, they would have reaped of the fruit of the Spirit. This is explained by Paul in the next verses of Galatians 5 –

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ²⁴ And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:22-24

The unbridled lusts and passions of the people participating in Babylon’s wealth have caused them to squander their existence. The choice foods, the expensive clothes, the high living…  they are all gone, never to return.

The halls of Babylon will be desolate, and her riches will be turned to rubble, but Jerusalem shall be a praise in all the earth and the glory of the Lord will radiate from Zion. Babylon the great will not even come to remembrance when the Lord is exalted throughout the world. Man’s ways are fallen and will always lead to condemnation. But the Lord’s ways are right and in pursuing them, man finds salvation. The Door is open, and the path to glory is set. Let us come to God in the manner He has laid out for us. Let us come to Him through JESUS.

Heavenly Father, we long for the day when Christ our Lord will sit on the throne of His glory in Jerusalem and rule the nations! We long for the day when the wickedness of Babylon isn’t just gone from the world but gone from the memory of the people as well. Help us today to live in the Spirit and produce fruit acceptable and pleasing to You! Amen.