A Look At Revelation Chapter 18
The word progress gets thrown around a lot. We must progress in technology, biology, science, energy, politics, transportation, and even our religion. Ever wonder to whose desired destination we are progressing? Well, that depends if you believe in the love, grace, and mercy of God towards His children or if you have faith in the idols of this world.
The Bible relays a message that there will come a time when “Babylon will fall,” and God will call His people out from the harlot. The great city became the dwelling place of devils (Greek word daimon; see Rev. 18:2). It refers to an inferior deity, a demon, but also means to distribute fortunes. The kings and merchants of the earth eagerly desire her delicacies. They’ve become partakers of her sins and they shall receive her plagues. In one day she will be burned with the fire of God’s judgment. The merchants will mourn over her because no man will go to market for their merchandise anymore. No buying. No selling. (See Rev. 18:3-19) They cried because what had made them rich was made desolate. Babylon desired to be filled with many possessions and influence, and the merchants reciprocated that desire, fornicating (Greek porneuo) with her. She was their idol.
However, those who do not seek her delicacies and would rather have a desire for the word of Truth should rejoice as they see the city smoking. God says, “Rejoice over her, heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her” (Rev. 18:20 KJV). The great city will be thrown down and found no more. The voice of harpers, musicians, pipers, trumpeters will be silenced. No more craftsman (Greek technites), nor will there be the sound (Greek phone) of a mill stone, a grinder of hardship, heard any more. The light of the candle will no longer shine and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will be removed.
Summing up this last part of Revelation 18:22-24, why are all these things being removed? Because the merchants (Greek emporos), the captains of industries, deceived the nations (Greek ethnos; human race) because they rested in Babylon’s sorceries (Greek pharmakeia).
Pharmakeia: medication, the use or administering of drugs, poisoning, sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it; as a metaphor, the deceptions and seductions of idolatry.
Greek word study and entomology
Deception requires a lie and the only way to overcome it is to seek the Truth. Forward progress does not mean all will end up at the same destination. Only the Truth will make you free. Selah.
Blessings and honor,
Angela Errett
Feature Image: Bigstock.com | Scripture quotations are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION of the Bible.
