Revelation 18:14-18 (NKJV) 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. 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, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 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 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘ What is like this great city?’ 19 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! For in one hour she is made desolate.’
20 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!”
V14 “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.” The soul is the real person. It is also called the heart in the Bible. The soul is corrupt and the source of our own evil (Matthew 15:18-20). The longing desire for sinful pleasures is their addiction. Sin is an addiction that cannot be cured. It must be destroyed, which only belief and trust in Jesus Christ alone can accomplish (Acts 4:12 and Romans 6:6). Another thing they love is money, and its influence. All is gone. Praise the Lord, He has destroyed all this evil. Compare 1 John 3:8 and Colossians 2:15.
V15 “The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing…” Why are they mourning? It is because the source of the great income and riches is completely destroyed. Compare Philippians 3:18-19. The merchants left because of fear that their lives would be destroyed. Instead of trusting God, they trust money (1 Timothy 6:17).
V16 “…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!” There is weeping for our sins and asking forgiveness (Matthew 26:75). Here, though, they weep for their loss of money and sin.
V17 “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…” I understand “one hour” to be literal; it is 60 minutes from start to finish. It takes a while for everything to burn. The principle taught here is not to love money and riches. Money is not a good god; it can be destroyed in an instant.
V18 “…and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What is like this great city?” They know that no city will ever again exist. Fire is the test. The city with its lifestyle, etc., did not withstand the test of fire, for it was completely destroyed.
V19 “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! For in one hour she is made desolate.” Dust on their heads is signifying their extreme sorrow and emotional distress. Their voices were loud with weeping (tears) and wailing. Their hope, their love, their safety, and their success in life is totally destroyed. One hour means one hour.
V20 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!” Heaven is the home of God the King and all His subjects, whether angels or believing humans. The apostles and prophets are mentioned because to them the messages of the future tribulation and outcome were given. When evil weeps, righteousness rejoices. When righteousness weeps, evil rejoices.
We learn:
- People naturally love money and sinful pleasures.
- God naturally loves righteousness.
- God is the King and orders all evil to be destroyed.
Questions:
- How do we respond when evil things are destroyed?
- What is our greatest priority?
- What do we really love?