Kings of the Earth Bewailing Revelation 18:9

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.” In chapter eighteen and verse nine of Revelation “the kings of the earth...shall bewail” the city of Babylon where we read:

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,

The verse reads, “And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, ...” John began with the words, “and the kings” which means “and the rulers, leaders, commanders, princes and lords” “of the earth” or “the arable land, territory, country and region”, “who have committed fornication” or “who have been given to idolatry to worship idols” “and lived deliciously” or “dwelled in wantonness and luxury” “with her” which refers to “Babylon”. The “voice from heaven” referenced the “rulers” on earth who have “idolized” Babylon and “dwelt” among her.

The verse goes on to say, “... shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,” John continued with the words, “shall bewail her” which means “will weep and mourn as a sign of pain and grief”, “and lament” or “cut, strike, smite and beat their chests in grief” “for her” or “because of Babylon”; “when” which means “at what time and moment” “they shall see” which means “the rulers of the earth perceive, notice, discover and discern” “the smoke” which means “the smoke as from a pile on fire” “of her burning” or “pertaining to Babylon's being roasted and reduced by smelting”. The “voice from heaven” told John the “kings of the earth” would “weep, mourn and beat their chests in grief” because of the burning of Babylon.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we see how all the material “idols” can vanish in such a short time. The “kings” or “rulers” of the earth will put their trust in uncertain riches, and they become as “idols” to them. “Babylon” will be the “commercial center” for all these”riches” and “idols”, and in one day “Babylon” shall be destroyed. God desires for people to put their faith and trust in Him and His Son Jesus because they are “eternal” and shall never “perish”. Jesus said, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). All other luxuries and dainties of this world are temporary, and they shall vanish away just like this city of “Babylon”. Those who are wise will think “eternally” and receive God's gift of “everlasting life” through His Son Jesus.

Next time the “kings” “standing afar off for the fear of her torment”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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