“The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, “standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come‘”

It is apparent that the subject of chapter 18 is one of politics and business. Here we have a lament of the politicians.

18:9

“The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning,”

Political rulers of the world will lament for Babylon when her political and economic structures crumble. These business people will not mourn the loss of Babylon as much as they grieve their own personal losses.

The “fornication” of the kings refers to their belief in the Babylonian system of international religion and government, a belief system of materialism and humanism. People will hear world-renowned business types crying aloud because their system of belief fell to the ground.

Their whole political world will enter great dissonance. Their international economic worldview will go up in smoke.

18:10

“standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come’”

The political rulers will stand back for fear of Babylon’s torment. Words of woe and wailing will be heard all over the world – “Alas, alas.” They have difficulty in believing that an international system such as Babylon could fall. That is why they repeat “Alas.”

In contrast to the mourning of politicians, businessmen, and sailors, heaven rejoices over her destruction because of the way she persecuted believers.

Principle:

Our true values demonstrate themselves in duress.

Application:

What we grieve often demonstrates our central value. If we go into great dissonance because we did not get that job or our business is not as successful as we think it should be, then that betrays what we believe in the most. The Christians who can accept loss as God’s sovereign will, are Christians who have their values straight.