Rev 18:19-24
In verse 19 we see a recap of the devastating effect this destruction has had on the merchants that sold their goods to the great city. Money has been an idol for most of mankind’s existence and it will be magnified during the Tribulation Period.
These merchants are weeping, wailing and mourning over the swift judgment on this great city and the loss of their idol (money) as a result. It is as if the bulk of their sales were to her, notice the statements; ‘they were made rich by her and the reference to her costliness.’
In verse 20 we see a different picture in Heaven. A celebration is called for, especially for those that suffered at the hands of the great city. Heaven is rejoicing that she can no longer continue in her great sin and those that she martyred are avenged.
In Verse 21 we see a demonstration by a mighty Angel who takes a large millstone and cast it into the sea. This is to represent the abasing of the great city and her destruction. It is also noted here that she will be found no more.
There is the possibility that she will not be found anymore in the spiritual sense, the location being purged of its iniquity or this could be in the literal sense, that the actual site will be destroyed. Such as Sodom and Gomorrah, they were destroyed and do not exist today and as in Isaiah’s prophecy of Damascus Syria being destroyed and no one able to inhabit it again.
Verse 22-23 lists out many different events that take place in everyday life. However, many of these things are foreign to westerners but many are done in third world countries even today.
Outside of the ruling class we can find people living not much different than they did in the days that John is writing about. In fact tourists generally enjoy the demonstrations of how simplistic life is in locations around the Middle East.
The point is, when this great city is destroyed, it will be uninhabitable. The fallout alone from a nuclear holocaust would be sufficient to keep people away from it.
Another reference is made of the merchants, stating that ‘they are great men of the earth.’ Trade has always been a big issue in government to generate income to support the over spending and ridiculous debt ceilings that are bankrupting nations.
Note that ‘by thy sorceries were all the nations deceived.’ The word sorceries in the Greek rendering is “pharmakeia.” It has been interpreted in the scriptures to reference legal and illegal drug use which is a major player in today’s economics, both legal and illegal.
However, we must pay attention to context and also the rest of the definition of pharmackeia, which is that of idolatry, deception and witchcraft. Most translations of this subscribe to this definition verses the reference of drugs.
In light of this understanding and the knowledge that Saudi Arabia is anti-drug trafficking, then how do we apply this word in this context?
In other translations they use witchcraft, magic spells or deception. This would better define the control that Saudi Arabia has had over many nations due to its oil wealth and the manipulation to cover up many of its secret sins. We have previously discussed some of these sins as terrorism and human slavery.
Verse 24 as stated previously in our study and in reference to Babylon falling, was noted that through terrorist activities as well as religious jihad, many have been martyred.
The foundation or underlying purpose of Islam is to eliminate the Jewish nation as well as Christians around the world.
Saudi Arabia is known for its secretive supportive action and leadership of terrorist organization as well as financing them with whatever it will take to accomplish the above goals to rid the world of the Jew and the Christian.
