In this week’s study, I continue in Chapter 18 with verses 14 to 19. Before I get into the study, I talk about House Speaker Mike Johnson and how he sold his soul to the devil. I inform the listeners who is political advisor Dan Ziegler is and his connections to the global elite through the lobbyist group of Williams and Jenson. Then I talk about the new 2024 Quarter with Dr. Pauli Murray’s inscription on the backside.
In our study this morning, The world’s traders express their sad feelings at the loss of Babylon, the greatest city. Their attention at this time is entirely on the objects that they themselves traded with the city. The desire to own such things was all that the traders considered worthwhile in life. After the loss of the city, only despair remains.
14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after = Literally, “the fruits of the desire of thy soul.” The word rendered “fruits” - ὀπώρα op-ō-rah - properly means, “late summer; dog-days,” the time when Sirius, or the Dog-star, is predominant.
Dainty = lip-ar-os' From λιπος lipos (grease); fat, that is, (figuratively) sumptuous: - dainty.
Goodly = lam-pros' ; radiant; by analogy limpid; figuratively magnificent or sumptuous (in appearance)
Departed = manuscripts read perished
The reaction of the traders to the loss of Babylon is very similar to the reaction of the kings (verses 9-10). John continues to describe the event as if it were the funeral of a great queen.
The world’s kings were like her lovers, who joined her in wrong sex acts. The world’s traders made themselves rich when they supplied the luxury of her palace. Now the queen is dead. Her greatness, the luxury of her life, and her evil acts have all ended. There can never be another queen like her. So the traders and the kings alike weep bitterly.
15 The merchants of these things = Who wheeled and dealed in these things, and who supplied the city with them, verse 11.
Which = who
Which were made rich by her = By wheeling and dealing with her.
Shall stand afar off = verse10
For fear of her torment = Struck with terror by her torment, so that they did not dare to approach her, verse 10.
Wailing = Greek ‘mourning’
I find it interesting here. The focus of their weeping and of their mourning is not over the millions who will perish in that city. It is not over even their own impending doom and the destiny of their souls. But it is over the loss of potential wealth. It is amazing, isn’t it? This is truly the character, the picture of an idolater.
Satan knows the foolishness of our hearts. He is the father of lies. He is the typical deceiver. Think about it. He is the one who could go to Adam and Eve and present a lie to them that is much unlikely, the idea that if you eat of the fruit, you shall be as gods. And yet they fell for it.
Now, these were not stupid people. How could they fall for it? Certainly not because it is believable, not because it is reasonable, and it is credible and it is compelling. No, they fell for it because it was appealing to their flesh. Remember, they thought, oh, it is good for food, pleasant to the eyes, to be desired to make one wise.
The third groups of people who express their sad feelings at the loss of Babylon are the seamen. They supplied Babylon with the rich and beautiful things that the traders sold. For the seamen, as for the traders, Babylon was therefore the source of great profits.
Join me as we go Chapter by Chapter, Verse by Verse, Unraveling the Words of Yahweh!
Have any questions? Feel free to email me at keitner@netzero.net
