Harpers, Musicians, Pipers and Trumpeters Revelation 18:22

An “angel” from heaven showed John the apostle many things which will occur in the tribulation time on the earth, and John wrote about the wealth and riches within the commercial center of Babylon that would exist during that time. He watched as Babylon was destroyed, and he told how the people who looked upon the city wailed, “For in one hour so great riches is come to nothing. And every ship-master, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off. And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. Rejoice over her, you heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets; for God has avenged you on her. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.” In chapter eighteen and verse twenty-two of Revelation John discovers how “the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters” will no more “be heard” in Babylon where we read:

And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in you; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

The verse reads, “And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in you;” John began with the words, “and the voice” which refers to “and the sound or tone of uttered words” “of harpers” or “of ones who play the harp and accompany it with their voice”, “and musicians” which means “and those devoted to and skilled in the arts sacred to the muses specifically in music” “and of pipers” or “and of flute or minstrel players”, “and trumpeters” which means “and those who play the trumpet” “shall be heard” or “will be attended to, considered, understood or perceived” “no more in you” which means “never again and not at all within Babylon”. John shared how all the “vocals, instrument players and musicians” would never again be in “Babylon”.

The verse goes on to say, “and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in you; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in you;” John added the words, “and no craftsman” which means “no artificer, founder or builder”, “of whatsoever” or “of each, every, the whole, all and everyone of the” “craft he be” or “trade, skill, art or occupation”, “shall be found” which means “will be any more thought of, examined, scrutinized, observed, seen, recognized and present” “in you” or “within Babylon”; “and the sound” which means “and the tone or noise” “of a millstone” or “a large stone used to grind in a mill” “shall be heard” which means “will be attended to, considered, understood, perceived, comprehended or learned” “no more” or “no longer or further” “at all” which means “in any manner or fashion” “in you” or “within Babylon”. John saw how no one with “skills” will be discovered in Babylon nor would any “sound” from a “millstone” be heard.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we see how “silence” shall be within “Babylon”. Not one worker, craftsman, instrument player or singer will be found within the city. Everything and everyone will be gone, and everything will be silent. Things of the earth are temporary in nature. Even the earth itself is impermanent, and only a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ shall assure anyone of “everlasting and eternal life”. Those who invest themselves in passing treasures will know the silence of them one day even as this city of Babylon, and those who are wise will begin to invest in those things which are eternal. There is indeed, “only one life, so soon it shall pass, and only what's done for Christ will last”. Invest wisely.

Next time John sees how, “the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in” “Babylon”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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