Title: Lamentations of Babylon/Revelation 18:9-24
Contents
(Explanation of Revelation 46)
Lamentations of Babylon/Revelation 18:9-24
We have already looked at the work of the angel who proclaimed the destruction of Babylon, symbolized by Satan's headquarters, in the past. Today's text is a scene where kings, merchants, captains and sailors mourn when they know that Babylon will be destroyed with the fall. It is a passage called ‘Lamentations of Babylon’. The judgment of the harlot and the destruction of Babylon the Great are almost simultaneous, and the harlot is judged by the beast and ten horns, but Babylon the Great is destroyed by fire with the seventh bowl judgment by God.
Up to (verse 20) is the record of the lamentations of those who belong to the three kinds of land, followed by Babylon, who sees the end completely. It suggests that the complete destruction of Babylonian civilization will grieve many kinds of people belonging to it. Of course, it is a joy for those who belong to God, but a sad event for those who belong to the earth and Satan.
kings' children
(Verse 9) “The kings of the earth who had committed sexual immorality with him and had luxury, wept and beat their breasts when they saw the smoke that was burning with him” We are sad to see that the rulers of the world who played with Babylon in the world of idolatry and sexual immorality fell together. . The ‘kings of the earth’ refer to the ruling class of the world. When Babylon of this world is judged by fire, they suffer together with fear and are beating their breasts and mourning. It is incomprehensible that the city of fornication, which had been so strong, collapsed in such an instant, so futilely, but it is true.
These are the powers that enjoyed power and glory in the world. He lived a life of enmity with God. Fornication and idolatry were everything in their lives. These are people who lived in luxury, mostly wearing purple and fine linen, and surrendering themselves to physical pleasures and pleasures. Their lamentations are desperate and grievous. I cry and beat my chest. This is what disloyal servants do when they are driven out. [Matthew 25:30] “Cast this useless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” That fear makes them cry out, 'Woe, woe, for Babylon the great has fallen in an hour.' Fear rules not only the mind, but also the mouth.
merchants' children
“The merchants of the earth weep and mourn for him, because no one buys them anymore” (11). Kings were not the only ones who lived on the earth. Merchants, that is, businessmen, belong to the earth, and they are fornicators with Babylon. They are left with only mourning and bitterness. Here, the names of the products they have earned through their business are recorded one by one. These are gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls. They are the most precious and good things in the world, but the fall of Babylon sweeps away all their good things into the abyss of destruction.
And not only gold and silver, but also fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet, cinnamon, spices, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, servants, and souls all fall into destruction. These were the luxury items that were considered the best in society at the time. At the end of the world, the luxury of the world apart from God will reach its peak, and at the moment of destruction, all the things that all human beings treasured will be destroyed. “Babylon, the coveted fruit of your soul has departed from you, and all delicious things and splendid things have passed away, and people will never see them again” (14).
Those who lived captivated by the golden almighty that dominated the world economy will lose all they have accumulated and valued most and will be saddened. Specifically, various jewelry, various clothing, building materials, perfumes, food, transportation, and even the souls of people were sold and used to make money, but all of them were destroyed. The destruction of those who replaced God with material things is natural.
lamentation of the captain and sailors
(Verse 17) The following deals with the mourning of the ships in which they traded and those who worked there. The sea is a transportation route that connects the whole world as one. Wealth could not be enjoyed without the sea. As they sang the lamentations, “They sprinkled dust on their heads, weeping and mourning, and crying out, ‘Woe, woe, woe, this great city! I'm sad. The kings, merchants, and sailors all believed in the world, believed in material things, and boasted of power. They tremble in fear and sing a song of sorrow when they see Babylon, their hometown, which will be destroyed at once.
The fall of Babylon is a history that divided the human world into two parts. (verse 20) says it. The saints, apostles, and prophets, that is, those who belong to heaven, rejoice. Babylon, that is, those who belong to the earth will perish, but to those who are in the heavens, their long-awaited longing will be fulfilled. The distinction between sheep and goats, heavenly people and hellish people, will only become clear in the last days.
Babylon's total destruction
(Verse 21) The following is a scene where the destruction of Babylon that was prophesied in (vs. 1-8) will actually take place. A mighty angel picks up a stone like a millstone and throws it into the sea, telling the story of the fall of Babylon. The large millstone sinking into the sea symbolizes the earth's being submerged in the sea as the seventh bowl judgment. All creatures on earth were cursed because of man's sin, so the millennium can never be established with such things. To say that this stone will never be seen again means the complete annihilation of this earth due to God's judgment.
Because of this destruction, things that will never be seen again are listed. You will never hear music again. The harp, trumpet, trumpet, and wind noise disappear. Professional lyre players and puppets disappear. It refers to the end of humanistic art culture. Music that glorified idols and was mobilized only for bodily pleasures will disappear. When music disappears from this world, what would it be if it wasn't hell?
Also, the craftsmen will never be seen again. It becomes a useless world for craftsmen with all skills. It refers to the end of machine civilization and the fall of instrumentalism that made humans comfortable. The sound of the millstone is never heard again. This means that all production plants are all-stop. Due to the destruction of the factories that produced perishable food, it means that the age of living with the word of God is unfolding.
It is said that the light of the lantern will not shine either. Light is the best product of human civilization. Lamps, candles, and lamps will disappear, and only the eternal light of God will shine. It is said that the voice of the bride and groom will never be heard again. It refers to the end of marriage and marriage. It means that the end of those who were passionate about getting married rather than the Lord's place is coming. We must not forget that there is a clear reason to be zealous at the feast of the house of God, not the feast of the world. Physical and sexual pleasures will come to an end.
Dear saints,