Revelation 18:9–13 (NKJV)
The world sees the fall of Babylon the Great due to her evil actions and God’s wrath, and then the people of the earth who knew her mourn for her fall.
9 “The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’
Revelation 18:9-10
This passage begins with Babylon’s allies, the kings of the earth, weeping and lamenting for her. They have joined in her sinfulness, committing fornication with her, and living lavishly in her luxurious ways. They see Babylon burning, and the smoke rising up from her ruins. However, they do not come to her aid, but stand at a distance for fear of being included in her torment. They cry out from that distance, saying “Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.” A few things come to mind here. Babylon’s judgment was swift and strong, completely destroying her. There was no reprieve, no second chance. When the time comes for the judgment of God, there is no turning back. God is just, and His judgment is certain. He will give multiple opportunities for repentance and restoration, but once He has called an end to sinful living, His judgment is quick and severe. Secondly, while the kings of the earth mourned the destruction of Babylon, they quickly distanced themselves from her and her pain. This is how evil people will behave. They will party with you, enjoy your luxuries, and take what you will give until you run out of resources. Then, they will mourn the loss of your gifts, but will not defend you from your attack. Make sure you have friends who will go with you to the end, not just until the party gifts are exhausted.
11 “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men.
Revelation 18:11-13
Not only did the kings of the earth forsake Babylon in her distress, but the merchants of the earth bemoan the fact that she will not longer buy their merchandise. They were able to sell her gold and silver, jewels and pearls, linen and dyes, silk, wood, ivory, bronze, iron, and marble. They sold her spices and incense, wine and oil, flour and wheat, livestock, armaments, and slaves. These merchants made their living from the treasuries of Babylon, and now they had no other customers. They, also, did not defend Babylon, but mourned over the loss of her business. They saw their financial future in jeopardy, and felt the loss. However, theirs was not an emotional loss, but rather a financial loss, a loss of commerce.
What this demonstrates is the fact that one cannot depend on the business of evil empires to be their supply. A business built on alliances with evil people will crumble. Business built on glorifying God will prosper and last. Do not depend solely on the ability to score a big contract with an evil entity. Rather, build your business and your future on the principles of the Bible and God’s will for your life. The kings and merchants of the world built their entire governments and businesses on the opulent wealth of Babylon, the harlot of the world, and when she fell, they fell. Build your life on Jesus Christ, the Solid Rock, and be stable in Him for your future.
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