The Merchandise of Babylon Revelation 18:12

An “angel” from heaven showed John the apostle many things which will occur in the tribulation time on the earth, and he continued, “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she has filled fill to her double. How much she has glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she says in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judges her. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning. Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buys their merchandise any more: ” In chapter eighteen and verse twelve of Revelation the “kings” are “standing afar off for the fear of her torment” the city of Babylon where we read:

The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

The verse reads, “The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, ...” John began with the words, “the merchandise” which means “the lading or freight of a ship and it's cargo, wares and burdens” “of gold” or “precious things made of gold, golden coins or stamped gold”, “and silver” which means “things made of silver, silver coins or stamped silver”, “and precious stones” or “and honored, esteemed, held in honor and especially dear small or building stones”, “and of pearls” which means “and of pearls as from oysters”, “and fine linen” which refers to “delicate, soft, white and yellow colored linen made from byssus which is a species of Egyptian flax”. John saw all the valuable “merchandise” which was within the city of “Babylon”.

The verse continues, “... and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble.” John added the words “and purple” or “the purple fish which is a species of shall fish or mussel and a fabric colored with purple dye or a garment made from purple cloth”, “and silk” which refers to “fabric made of silk or silken garments”, “and scarlet” or “crimson colored and is derived from a kernel, grain or berry of the "ilex coccifera"; these berries are the clusters of the eggs of a female insect, the "kermes" (resembling the cochineal), and when collected and pulverized produces a red which was used in dyeing”, “and all thyine wood” which means “the citrus which is an odoriferous North African tree used as incense and prized by the ancient Greeks and Romans on account of the beauty of its wood for various ornamental purposes”, “and all manner vessels” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the household utensils and domestic gear, tackle and armament of vessels used specifically of sails and ropes” “of ivory” or “ivory from the elephant”, “and all manner of vessels” or “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the household utensils and domestic gear” “of most precious wood” which means “pertaining to a great price, held in honor, esteemed and especially dear logs or timbers” “and of brass” which means “and that which is made of brass such as money and coins”, “and iron” or “and things made with iron”, “and marble” which means “precious sparkling and glistening stone”. John saw more of the precious merchandise which was within the city of “Babylon”.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we see how abundantly wealthy the city of Babylon will be. All the luxurious wares of the world will be within it, and almost anything a person could desire will be there. We can imagine how horrified the kings and people of the world shall be as they “mourn and weep” over the loss of these things. That is why it is important to remember that all the valuables within Babylon are merely “temporary” and not “eternal”. God desires to give every person who believes and trusts in His Son Jesus “everlasting life” which cannot be destroyed by fire or any other means, and that makes living in a relationship with God more valuable than any other thing. May all who read these words submit themselves to the greatest treasure of all – a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Next time we learn more of “Babylon's” wares such as, “cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil ...” and more, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.