Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out: "Woe, woe to the great city, where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been destroyed." Then they will throw dust on their headsThis phrase reflects an ancient Near Eastern custom of expressing extreme grief and mourning. Throwing dust on one's head is a sign of lamentation and despair, seen in other biblical passages such as Job 2:12 and Joshua 7:6. It symbolizes the depth of sorrow and the recognition of calamity. as they weep and mourn and cry out:
The repetition of "weep and mourn and cry out" emphasizes the intensity of the lament. This reaction is not just personal but communal, indicating a widespread impact. The lamentation is reminiscent of the mourning over fallen cities in the Old Testament, such as the lament over Tyre in Ezekiel 27:30-32. “Woe, woe to the great city,
The double "woe" signifies a pronouncement of judgment and doom. The "great city" is often interpreted as Babylon, representing a system of worldly power and corruption. This echoes the prophetic language used in Isaiah 21:9 and Jeremiah 51:8, where Babylon's fall is lamented. where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth!
This highlights the city's economic influence and its role in global trade. The mention of ships and the sea suggests a maritime economy, similar to ancient cities like Tyre and Sidon. The wealth generated by this trade is a source of pride and reliance, now turned to loss. For in a single hour she has been destroyed.”
The suddenness of the destruction underscores the swiftness of divine judgment. This echoes the theme of unexpected calamity found in other scriptures, such as 1 Thessalonians 5:3, where destruction comes suddenly. The phrase "single hour" emphasizes the immediacy and totality of the city's fall, serving as a warning of the transient nature of earthly power and wealth. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Great CitySymbolizes Babylon, representing a system of worldly wealth and corruption. It is a metaphor for any society or entity that prioritizes material wealth over spiritual values. 2. Merchants of the SeaRepresents those who profited from the wealth and commerce of Babylon. They are symbolic of individuals or groups who benefit from corrupt systems. 3. Throwing Dust on Their HeadsAn ancient expression of mourning and despair, indicating profound grief and loss. 4. Destruction in a Single HourEmphasizes the sudden and complete nature of Babylon's downfall, highlighting the transient nature of worldly wealth. 5. Weeping and MourningReflects the deep sorrow and regret of those who placed their trust in Babylon's wealth, only to see it vanish. Teaching Points The Futility of Worldly WealthThe destruction of Babylon serves as a stark reminder that material wealth is temporary and unreliable. Believers are encouraged to focus on spiritual riches that endure. The Consequences of IdolatryBabylon's fall illustrates the dangers of idolatry, where wealth and commerce become objects of worship. Christians are called to worship God alone and avoid the idolization of material success. The Urgency of RepentanceThe suddenness of Babylon's destruction underscores the need for immediate repentance. Believers should live in readiness, aligning their lives with God's will. The Reality of Divine JudgmentGod's judgment is certain and just. The fall of Babylon is a forewarning of the ultimate judgment to come, urging believers to live righteously. The Call to Mourn with HopeWhile the merchants mourn without hope, Christians are called to mourn over sin and injustice with the hope of redemption and restoration through Christ. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of "throwing dust on their heads" deepen our understanding of the merchants' response to Babylon's fall? 2. In what ways does the sudden destruction of Babylon challenge our perspective on the security of worldly wealth? 3. How can we apply Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:19-21 to avoid the pitfalls of materialism depicted in Revelation 18:19? 4. What are some modern-day "Babylons" that tempt us to prioritize wealth over spiritual values, and how can we resist these temptations? 5. How does the theme of divine judgment in Revelation 18:19 encourage us to live with a sense of urgency and purpose in our Christian walk? Connections to Other Scriptures Jeremiah 51This chapter prophesies the fall of Babylon, drawing parallels to Revelation 18 in its depiction of judgment and destruction. Ezekiel 27Describes the lament over the fall of Tyre, another wealthy city, illustrating the theme of mourning over lost wealth and commerce. Matthew 6:19-21Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth, contrasting the temporary nature of earthly wealth with eternal spiritual riches. People JohnPlaces BabylonTopics Alas, Aloud, Cast, Costliness, Cried, Cry, Crying, Desolate, Dust, Enriched, Grew, Grieving, Grown, Heads, Hour, Increased, Laid, Mourned, Mourning, O, Opulence, Owners, Reason, Rich, Ruin, Sad, Saying, Ships, Short, Sorrow, Sorrowing, Stores, Threw, Town, Vast, Wailing, Waste, Wealth, Weeping, Wept, Wherein, Wo, WoeDictionary of Bible Themes Revelation 18:19 4050 dust
4948 hour
9250 woe Revelation 18:1-24 4215 Babylon Revelation 18:2-24 5407 merchants Revelation 18:9-19 5945 self-pity Revelation 18:9-24 5587 trade Revelation 18:14-20 8809 riches Revelation 18:16-19 5776 achievement Revelation 18:17-19 5245 captain Library Death Swallowed up in victory
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory! D eath, simply considered, is no more than the cessation of life --that which was once living, lives no longer. But it has been the general, perhaps the universal custom of mankind, to personify it. Imagination gives death a formidable appearance, arms it with a dart, sting or scythe, and represents it as an active, inexorable and invincible reality. In this view death is a great devourer; with his iron tongue …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2The Northern Iron and the Steel
That being the literal meaning, we shall draw from our text a general principle. It is a proverbial expression, no doubt, and applicable to many other matters besides that of the prophet and the Jews; it is clearly meant to show, that in order to achieve a purpose, there must be a sufficient force. The weaker cannot overcome the stronger. In a general clash the firmest will win. There must be sufficient firmness in the instrument or the work cannot be done. You cannot cut granite with a pen-knife, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871 War! War! War!
At the present crisis, the minds of men are exceedingly agitated with direful prospects of a terrible struggle. We know not whereunto this matter may grow. The signs of the times are dark and direful. We fear that the vials of God's wrath are about to be poured out, and that the earth will be deluged with blood. As long as there remains a hope, let us pray for peace, nay, even in the time of war let us still beseech the throne of God, crying, that he would "send us peace in our days." The war will …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859 "If So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ, He is None of His. "
Rom. viii. 9.--"If so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?" 2 Chron. vi. 18. It was the wonder of one of the wisest of men, and indeed, considering his infinite highness above the height of heavens, his immense and incomprehensible greatness, that the heaven of heavens cannot contain him, and then the baseness, emptiness, and worthlessness of man, it may be a wonder to the …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Seventh (And Last) vision "On Earth"
We must get a complete view of these in order to embrace them all and view them as a whole. The Structure shows their true sequence: E^7., xix. 17-- 15. The Seventh (and Last) Vision "on Earth." E^7 A^1 xix. 17-21. MEN. The Judgment of the Beast and the False Prophet. B^1 xx. 1-3. SATAN. The Judgment of Satan (Before the Millennium). A^2 xx. 4-6. MEN. The Judgment of the overcomers. The "rest of the dead" left for Judgment. B^2 xx. 7-10. …
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation The Sun Rising Upon a Dark World
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon then hath the light shined. C ontrasts are suited to illustrate and strengthen the impression of each other. The happiness of those, who by faith in MESSIAH, are brought into a state of peace, liberty, and comfort, is greatly enhanced and heightened by the consideration of that previous state of misery in which they once lived, and of the greater misery to which they were justly exposed. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
The law of God originates in his nature, but the attributes of his creatures are due to his sovereignty. The former is, accordingly, to be viewed as necessarily obligatory on the moral subjects of his government, and the latter--which are all consistent with the holiness of the Divine nature, are to be considered as called into exercise according to his appointment. Hence, also, the law of God is independent of his creatures, though made known on their account; but the operation of their attributes …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Links Revelation 18:19 NIVRevelation 18:19 NLTRevelation 18:19 ESVRevelation 18:19 NASBRevelation 18:19 KJV
Revelation 18:19 Commentaries
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