Revelation 18:9-24 Do not believe everything you see or hear, but discern all things with a pure heart
Revelation 18:9-24
A
“And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of immorality and lived sensuously with her, will weep and lament over her when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’
B
“And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargoes any more— cargoes of gold and silver and precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet, and every kind of citron wood and every article of ivory and every article made from very costly wood and bronze and iron and marble, and cinnamon and spice and incense and perfume and frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle and sheep, and cargoes of horses and chariots and slaves and human lives. The fruit you long for has gone from you, and all things that were luxurious and splendid have passed away from you and men will no longer find them.
The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls; for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!’
And every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor, and as many as make their living by the sea, stood at a distance, and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What city is like the great city?’ And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea became rich by her wealth, for in one hour she has been laid waste!’
C
Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her.”Then a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer.
D
And the sound of harpists and musicians and flute-players and trumpeters will not be heard in you any longer; and no craftsman of any craft will be found in you any longer; and the sound of a mill will not be heard in you any longer; and the light of a lamp will not shine in you any longer; and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you any longer; for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery. And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth.”
Background
Babylon symbolizes a dominant, deceptive world power that seduced rulers, merchants, and nations through greed, fear, and false morality. Allied kings exploited others through colonialism, debt, and environmental degradation. Merchants grew rich from her insatiable consumption but mourned her sudden downfall when their profits ceased. Despite clear evidence of corruption, many remained deceived by her sorcery, which manipulated inner darkness—greed, pride, and fear. Babylon presented herself as a queen, a saint, and a mighty enforcer, masking evil with grandeur and false righteousness. Yet her judgment is certain. Today’s devotion teaches us not to believe everything we see or hear, but discern all things with a pure heart.
Observation
A
The kings of the earth refer to the rulers of nations that allied with Babylon. Their immoral actions comprises colonialism and the unethical pursuit of wealth and power. They practiced extensive environmental degradation, illegal resource extraction, and unfair trade agreements that perpetuate the indebtedness of poorer countries. They conspired with Babylon to obstruct the progress of developing nations that are emerging that challenged their dominance.
Babylon, once perceived as invincible, an untouchable exception suddenly found herself decimated and laid waste. The rest of the world were astonished by the abruptness of her collapse. That said, they referred to her downfall as a judgment. For they recognised the evil that she had perpetrated had gone too far. Yet, she persisted in her evil as if the law of consequences did not apply to her.
Why did these rulers weep and lament over the destruction of Babylon? It was because they could no longer gain from their collaboration with Babylon to subjugate others.
B
The merchants of the earth refer to all who traded with Babylon. Babylon was the largest consumer of the world who bought all kinds of goods from the merchants who manufactured them. And these merchants got very rich because of Babylon. At the same time, Babylon was also laden with much debt for she loved to consume even though she did not have the money to pay for the goods. Hence, these merchants extended huge loans to her in exchange for interest payments, enabling her to sustain her purchasing activities.
Why did the merchants weep and mourned over Babylon’s destruction? It was because their largest customer could no longer make purchases. Furthermore, the huge loans they made to Babylon can no longer be recovered.
Besides the merchants, all who made money by transporting the goods to Babylon also mourned at her demise. Like the merchants, their services were no longer needed.
C
Prior to the destruction of Babylon, the merchants of the earth rejoice as they reveled in the material wealth that came from Babylon. Following the fall of Babylon, the merchants mourned, for they could not continue to enjoy the riches that came from her. Conversely, before Babylon’s downfall, the saints were in mourning because of the evil and oppression that came from her. But after Babylon’s destruction, the saints rejoiced, for Babylon had been judged and could no longer do evil. The angel casting the stone into the sea symbolizes the permanent nature of Babylon’s destruction.
D
The musicians playing their instruments signifies people reveling in good times. The craftsman and the mill symbolises productivity and prosperity. And the voice of the bridegroom and the bride reflect a life lived as if everything will continue normally. But all these have gone away as Babylon had fallen.
The merchants of Babylon were singled out as deceivers of the nations. These merchants, who governed Babylon deceived not only their citizens, but also the nations. They utilized sorcery as the means of deception, portraying themselves as individuals sent by God to solve the people’s problems. Through deceit, these merchants appealed to those who harboured greed, resentment, those who were disillusioned with God and with the world. They actively targeted and persecuted those who dared to expose their hypocrisy. Even in the face of undeniable evidence of their immoral conduct, the populace continued to be ensnared by their sorcery.
Truth
Do not believe everything you see or hear, but discern all things with a pure heart.
Why do people of various nations continue to be deceived by Babylon, despite clear evidence of their immoral conduct? Sorcery exploits the darkness that resides within individuals. It utilizes the inner darkness; selfishness, greed, hubris, hatred, and unholiness to manipulate them. In the absence of darkness, sorcery is powerless. For example, one who possesses a strong desire for money is likely to fall victim to scammers especially if they appear affluent. Conversely, a person with a pure heart lacks the vulnerabilities that scammers can exploit. Such an individual is not enticed by dubious schemes that promise quick riches.
How does Babylon utilize sorcery? Firstly, by exalting herself as a queen while debasing other nations as destitute widows (see Revelation 18:7). She prides herself as the wealthiest nation in the world and attracts those who harbour greed. A greedy individual is more likely to trust someone who is adorned like a queen rather than one who looks like a homeless person. Consequently, this individual will be deceived, entrusting their wealth in her hands.
Secondly, by elevating herself as a saint, the enforcer of global order while branding other nations as evil. She boasted of being founded on Christian values and serving as the protector of Israel. Regrettably, many continued to vouch for her because they have grown to accept unrighteousness and bullying as the norm. These individuals harbour the darkness of religious fervour and hypocrisy and will vouch for Babylon as long as she holds the bible in her hand.
Thirdly, by positioning herself as the most powerful nation of the world capable of destroying any nation who opposes her will. Babylon’s tactics are effective against those who harbour the darkness of fear and timidity. These become powerless, yielding to whatever Babylon dictates, convinced that might is always right.
Unless we purify our hearts by the truth, we will always live under the sorcery of Babylon and be oppressed by her. What then is the truth? The truth is Babylon will ultimately be destroyed, for God has pronounced judgment against her. Therefore, let the saints arise and rule over her.
Application
- Purify yourself through self-reflection and repentance. Be contented with what you possess.
- Discern the fruit, not the appearance. Test all things by godly values, not by cultural or national narratives.
- Do not support leaders who use religion or morality as a justification for injustice, oppression and exploitation.
Prayer
Lord, purify my heart through self-reflection and repentance. Teach me contentment, discernment beyond appearances, and courage to reject false leaders who cloak injustice in religion. Guide me in the truth. In Jesus’s name. Amen.