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Revelation 18:16
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14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have1 gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all.  
15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
16 and saying, ‘Alas, alas, athat great city bthat was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls!  
17 aFor in one hour such great riches1 came to nothing.’ bEvery shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance  
18 aand cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, b‘What is like this great city?’  
19 a“They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! bFor in one hour she is made desolate.’  
20 a“Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you1 holy apostles and prophets, for bGod has avenged you on her!”  

Finality of Babylon’s Fall

21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, a“Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and bshall not be found anymore.  
22 aThe sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore.  
23 aThe light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, band the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For cyour merchants were the great men of the earth, dfor by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.  
24 And ain her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who bwere slain on the earth.” 
Commentaries:
Forerunner Commentary
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<< Revelation 18:15   Revelation 18:17 >>

What Does Revelation 18:16 Mean?



Revelation 18:16-19

Verses 16-19 show the political figures, merchants, and transportation industry figures weeping because, when the Harlot falls, no one is left to buy or, as we say today, consume, what they produce from afar. They weep because their power, too, has crumbled, and their hopes for even greater wealth have been dashed in her destruction.

John W. Ritenbaugh
The Beast and Babylon (Part Eight): God, Israel, and the Bible

Related Topics: Beast, Relationship with Woman | Harlot, Israel as | Harlot, Metaphor of | Israel as Great Whore | Israel as Harlot | Relationship of Woman and Beast



Revelation 18:15-18

Revelation 18 is not describing a church, but a city/nation involved in massive, worldwide merchandising, shipping, and manufacturing. It is a prophetic picture of globalism. What church has sufficient economic power that, when it ceases to exist, worldwide trade quickly comes to a grinding halt, throwing hardheaded businessmen into a panic? Except possibly as an investor, the Catholic Church has never been involved in manufacturing. Revelation 18 provides no information whatsoever tying the Woman riding the Beast to religion.

John W. Ritenbaugh
The Beast and Babylon (Part Five): The Great Harlot


 
<< Revelation 18:15   Revelation 18:17 >>

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