Revelation 18:23 - The Doom of Babylon
The light of a lamp will never shine in you again
This phrase signifies the complete and utter desolation of Babylon, symbolizing a city or system opposed to God. In biblical times, lamps were essential for daily life, representing guidance, life, and presence. The absence of light indicates the removal of God's presence and blessing. This imagery echoes Jeremiah 25:10, where the cessation of light symbolizes judgment and desolation. The lamp's extinguishing signifies the end of prosperity and life, reflecting the finality of God's judgment.
and the voices of a bride and bridegroom will never call out in you again
The absence of the voices of a bride and bridegroom signifies the end of joy, celebration, and community life. Weddings were significant social events in ancient cultures, symbolizing joy and new beginnings. The cessation of these voices indicates a complete societal collapse and the end of normal life. This imagery is also found in Jeremiah 7:34, where the absence of wedding celebrations signifies divine judgment and desolation. It underscores the totality of Babylon's fall and the irreversible nature of God's judgment.
For your merchants were the great ones of the earth
This phrase highlights the economic power and influence of Babylon, whose merchants were renowned and influential globally. In the ancient world, merchants were often wealthy and held significant social status. Babylon's wealth and commerce are depicted as contributing to its pride and eventual downfall. This reflects the biblical theme of the dangers of wealth and materialism, as seen in Ezekiel 27, where Tyre's merchants are similarly described. The merchants' prominence underscores the global impact of Babylon's fall.
because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.
The term "sorcery" refers to practices that deceive and lead people away from God, often associated with idolatry and false religion. In the biblical context, sorcery is condemned as it represents rebellion against God and reliance on false powers. Babylon's use of sorcery symbolizes its spiritual corruption and the deceptive allure of its wealth and power. This deception is a recurring theme in Revelation, where false prophets and deceptive practices lead nations astray (Revelation 13:14). The phrase underscores the spiritual and moral corruption that led to Babylon's judgment.
Persons / Places / Events
1. Babylon
Symbolic of a corrupt and idolatrous system, often interpreted as representing a city, nation, or global system opposed to God.
2. Merchants
Represent the influential and wealthy individuals who profited from Babylon's corrupt practices.
3. Nations
The peoples and countries that were led astray by Babylon's influence and deception.
4. Bride and Groom
Symbolize joy, celebration, and the continuation of life, which will cease in Babylon.
5. Sorcery
Refers to the deceptive practices and false teachings that led nations away from God.
Teaching Points
The Finality of Judgment
The imagery of light and joy ceasing in Babylon underscores the totality and finality of God's judgment against sin and corruption.
The Deceptive Nature of Worldly Wealth
The merchants' influence highlights the danger of prioritizing material wealth and power over spiritual truth.
The Consequences of Deception
Babylon's use of sorcery to deceive nations serves as a warning against false teachings and the importance of discernment.
The Loss of Joy and Celebration
The absence of the bride and groom's voices signifies the loss of true joy and community when a society turns away from God.
The Call to Spiritual Vigilance
Believers are encouraged to remain vigilant and discerning, recognizing the deceptive nature of worldly systems opposed to God.
Lists and Questions
Top 10 Lessons from Revelation 18What role do magic arts play in Revelation?What does 'Pharmakeia' mean in the Bible?What does "Pharmakeia" mean in the Bible?What role do magic arts play in Revelation?
(23) For thy merchants were the great . . .--The judgment does not fall because the merchants were great: it is the sorcery of the next clause which is the true cause of her fall: the merchants are those who traded with her, as well as those who dwelt in her: by "her sorceries" we must understand her artful policy, her attractiveness, and the seductions by which she drew into the meshes of her worldliness and sin the nations around. "In thy sorcery were all the nations led astray" (Revelation 13:14).
Verse 23. - And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee; of a lamp (cf. Jeremiah 25:10, "I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle"). For thy merchants were the great men of the earth; were the princes. The cause of this overthrow is thus again stated. It is a repetition of the idea in vers. 7, 15, 19, "I sit a queen;" "The merchants which were made rich by her;" "That great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea" (cf. Isaiah 23:8, "Whose merchants were princes;" also Ezekiel 27:20-22). For by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. The judgment is the result of the non-repentance of Revelation 9:21. Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
[The] light
φῶς (phōs)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5457: Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.
of a lamp
λύχνου (lychnou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3088: A lamp. From the base of leukos; a portable lamp or other illuminator.
will never shine
φάνῃ (phanē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5316: Prolongation for the base of phos; to lighten, i.e. Show.
in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.
you
σοὶ (soi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.
again,
ἔτι (eti)
Adverb
Strong's 2089: (a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition. Perhaps akin to etos; 'yet, ' still.
and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.
[the] voices
φωνὴ (phōnē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5456: Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language.
of a bride
νύμφης (nymphēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3565: From a primary but obsolete verb nupto; a young married woman, including a betrothed girl; by implication, a son's wife.
and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.
bridegroom
νυμφίου (nymphiou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3566: A bridegroom. From numphe; a bride-groom.
will never call out
ἀκουσθῇ (akousthē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.
in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.
you
σοὶ (soi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.
again.
ἔτι (eti)
Adverb
Strong's 2089: (a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition. Perhaps akin to etos; 'yet, ' still.
For
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.
your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.
merchants
ἔμποροί (emporoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1713: A merchant, trader; one on a journey. From en and the base of poreuomai; a tradesman.
were
ἦσαν (ēsan)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.
the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
great ones
μεγιστᾶνες (megistanes)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3175: A great one, a lord; a courtier, satrap, nobleman. Plural from megistos; grandees.
of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
earth,
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.
because
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.
all
πάντα (panta)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.
the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
nations
ἔθνη (ethnē)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.
were deceived
ἐπλανήθησαν (eplanēthēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4105: To lead astray, deceive, cause to wander. From plane; to roam.
by
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.
your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.
sorcery.?
φαρμακείᾳ (pharmakeia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5331: Magic, sorcery, enchantment. From pharmakeus; medication, i.e. magic.
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