Chorus

Rev. 18

In this chapter we see several speakers; the angel, another voice from heaven, the kings of the earth, the merchants of the earth, the merchants of these wares, the shipmasters and seafaring men, and then ending with a mighty angel. In the form of a chorus each group either announces the judgment on Babylon or mourns the judgment of Babylon. 

The first angel calls out with a mighty voice that Babylon is fallen. And why? She has become a dwelling place for demons, unclean spirits, unclean birds, every unclean and detestable beast, and for the nations and kings who had eagerly drunk her wine, participated in her immorality, and had grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.  What a horrible summary of her life! Yet, it shows the quick and final judgment of God that Christians and martyrs had cried for continually. In God's time it is done! 

Another voice from heaven called for the people of God to separate themselves from her. If they don't, they will share in her judgment. And a severe judgment it is! Her sins were as high as the heavens, and she sat as a queen never believing she would never mourn or be dethroned. In her heady and arrogant way she believed there would be no price to pay. She thought that God was helpless in dealing with her great power. But not so! God paid her double for her deeds. Her plagues will come in a single day, death, mourning, and famine. She will be burned up! And God revealed His great power in judging sin. 

The kings of the earth will weep and wail. They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say, "Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come."

I can only imagine how they are fearing for their lives, or were they deceived in thinking they would be alright. But for certain they are not repenting. 

The merchants of the earth will weep because their cargo business [ranging from fine metals, woods, jewels, spices, wine, oil, wheat, animals, and slaves, that is human souls.]  will come to a swift and dismal end.

The fruit for which your soul longed has gone from you, and all your delicacies and your splendors are lost to you, never to be found again!  

The merchants of these wares stand a distance away fearing for their lives, but still weeping and mourning aloud and saying, "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." 

The shipmasters and seafaring men  stood away and cried out, What city was like the great city? Throwing dust on their heads, they will weep and mourn. Throwing dust on their heads they weep and mourn, 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!" For sure, this has been the most insightful realization so far. Even though they recognized the judgment was from God, and that it was recompense for the saints, apostles, and prophets. They still will not repent. Even though it is too light, they do not even make a vain attempt to plead for their lives. 

Then the mighty angels took a stone and threw it in the sea saying, "So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more; and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will be heard in you no more, and a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more, and the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more, and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery. And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth." 

What a just and horrible judgment! Without grace and mercy there is no hope only a swift and sudden judgment!

Father,

Even though this is a just picture, it is also gruesome. I am so thankful for the grace and mercy I have in Jesus. Give me greater urgency to share Jesus to those who are swept in this world system.

In Jesus name,

Amen