Revelation 18:9-10

“The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city!  For in one hour your judgment has come.’

·         The mourners:  those who had been bewitched by her fornication, and those who had been gainers by her wealth and trade – the kings and the merchants of the earth.  (MH)

·         Even Babylon’s friends will stand at a distance from her fall.  Though they had been partakers with her in her sinful pleasures and profits, they were not willing to bear a share in her plagues.  (MH)

Revelation 18:8

“Therefore her plagues will come in one day – death and mourning and famine.  And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.

·         The destruction of commercial Babylon will come suddenly, and with completeness (utterly burned with fire). (DG)

·         When destruction comes on a people suddenly, the surprise is a great aggravation of their misery (MH)

Revelation 18:7

“In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, “I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’

·         The ancient Greek word for render (apodidomi) means literally “to pay a debt” or “to give back that which is due.” God will give to commercial Babylon exactly what she deserves. (DG)

·         This passage presents a three-fold sin. First, self-indulgence (lived luxuriously). Second, pride (glorified herself . . . sits as a queen). Third, avoidance of suffering (am no widow, and will not see sorrow). All these things are characteristic of worldliness and materialism.   (DG)

Revelation 18:6

“Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her.

·         Though private revenge is forbidden, yet God will have His people act under Him, when called to it, in pulling down His and their implacable enemies (MH)

·         The ancient Greek word for render (apodidomi) means literally “to pay a debt” or “to give back that which is due.” God will give to commercial Babylon exactly what she deserves. (DG)

Revelation 18:5

“For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.

·         She had not only forsaken the true God herself, an set up idols, but had drawn all sorts of men into the spiritual adultery, and by her wealth and luxury had retained them in her interest (MH)

·         The sins of commercial Babylon have piled up like a tower - the tower of Babel. (DG)

Revelation 18:4

And I heard another voice form heaven saying, “Come out of her, My people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.

·         All that expect mercy God should not only come out of her, but be assisting in her destruction (MH)

·         God may have people even in Babylon (MH)

Revelation 18:3

For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”

·         Babylon’s sin is not only idolatry (referred to with the term fornication), but also pride, greed and selfishly held and wealth.  (DG)

·         Translate, "wanton luxury." The reference is not to earthly merchandise, but to spiritual wares, indulgences, idolatries, superstitions, worldly compromises, wherewith the harlot, that is, the apostate Church, has made merchandise of men. (JFB)