Alas, Alas that Great City Revelation 18:16

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 your judgment come. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buys their merchandise any more: 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. And cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. And the fruits that your soul lusted after are departed from you, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from you, and you shall find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,” In chapter eighteen and verse sixteen of Revelation we see the “merchants” wailing “alas, alas” over the city of “Babylon” where we read:

And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

The verse reads, “And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, ...” John began with the words, “and saying” which means “and uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “alas, alas” or “woe, woe” “that great city” which means “the massive, abundant and huge dwelling place and abode”, “that was clothed” or “which was arrayed and dressed” “in fine linen” which means “in garments made with fine linen cloth”, “and purple” or “bluish red dyed fabric”, “and scarlet” which refers to “crimson, scarlet colored. A kernel, the 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”. John heard the “merchants” of Babylon “wailing” “woe, woe” as they remembered how the city was arrayed in the best of clothing.

The verse goes on to say, “... and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!” John added the words “and decked” which means “and adorned and gilded” “with gold” or “with precious golden ornaments and things made of gold”, “and precious stones” or “and small stones of great price which were held in honor, esteemed and especially dear”, “and pearls” which means “and pearls as from oysters”!. John heard the “merchants” referred to the once valuable items of “gold, jewels and pearls” which were within “Babylon”.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we see how vain and empty were the “clothing and accessories” within the city of “Babylon”. The “merchants” looked upon this city dressed like royalty and found it to be in a “woeful” condition. These “valuable” items were “temporary”, and they could be destroyed within one hour, and those who put their “faith and trust” in them were greatly saddened by the loss of them. God desires to give people the “true riches” which last for all of eternity, and these come through a relationship with His Son Jesus. All the “money and treasures” a person accumulates upon the earth shall certainly stay on earth when they die, and only the “everlasting” treasures shall remain. God desires to give everyone “everlasting treasures”, and those who are wise shall submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and begin receiving them today.

Next time we learn how, “in one hour so great riches is come to nothing”, 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.