Revelation18:20

“Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!”

• ·        Should God’s people rejoice when judgment comes? Yes, but we don’t rejoice in the destruction in judgment. Rather, we rejoice in the righteous resolution God’s judgment brings.  (DG)

• ·        The joy and triumph there was both in heaven and earth at the irrecoverable fall of Babylon (MH)

Isaiah 44:23  Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it!......

Jeremiah 51:48  Then the heavens and the earth and all that is in them shall sing joyously over Babylon; for the plunderers shall come to her from the north, says the LORD.

Revelation 18:19

“They threw dust on their heads and cried, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth!  For in one hour she is made desolate.’

• ·        They made a grievous outcry (MH)

• ·        Those who have most indulged themselves in pride and pleasure are the least able to bear calamities.  (MH)

Joshua 7:6  Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and the put dust on their heads.

Job 2:12  And then the raised their eyes from afar, and did not recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven.

Revelation i8:17-18

“For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’  Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance and cried out when they say the smoke of her burning, saying, “What is like this great city?’

• ·        Even Babylon’s friends will stand at a distance from her fall. (MH)

• ·        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)

Isaiah 23;14  Wail, you ships of Tarshish!  For your strength is laid waste.

Ezekiel 27:29-31  All who handle the oar, the mariners, all the pilots of the sea will come down from their ships and stand on the shore.  They will make their voice heard because of you; they will cry bitterly and cast dust on their heads…….