Merchants Weep And Mourn

The kings of the earth are not the only ones to regret the passing of Babylon the Great. "Also, the traveling merchants of the earth are weeping and mourning over her, because there is no one to buy their full stock anymore, a full stock of gold and silver and precious stone and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet; and everything in scented wood and every sort of ivory object and every sort of object out of most precious wood and of copper and of iron and of marble; also cinnamon and Indian spice and incense and perfumed oil, frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle and sheep, and horses and coaches and slaves and human souls. Yes, the fine fruit that your soul desired has departed from you [Babylon the Great], and all the dainty things and the gorgeous things have perished from you, and never again will people find them." -Revelation 18:11-14.

Yes, Babylon the Great was a close friend and a good customer of wealthy merchants. For example, the monasteries, nunneries and churches in Christendom have over their centuries acquired huge amounts of gold, silver, precious stones, valuable woods, and other forms of material wealth. Further, religion's blessing has been bestowed on the lavish buying sprees and drunken orgies that accompany the celebration of the Christ-dishonoring Christmas and other so-called holy days. Christendom's missionaries have penetrated distant lands, opening up new markets for "the traveling merchants" of this world. In 17th-century Japan, Catholicism, which had come with the traders, even became involved in feudal warfare. Reporting on a decisive battle under the walls of Osaka Castle, The Encyclopedia Britannica states: "The Tokugawa troops found themselves fighting against a foe whose banners were emblazoned with the cross and with images of the Saviour and St. James, the patron saint of Spain.," The victorious faction persecuted and practically wiped out Catholicism in that land. The Church's participation in worldly affairs today will likewise bring her no blessing.

The voice out of heaven says further: "The traveling merchants of these thins, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of their fear of her torment and will weep and mourn, saying, 'too bad, too bad-the great city, clothed with fine linen and purple and scarlet, and richly adorned with gold ornament and precious stone and pearl, because in one hour such great riches have been devastated!' " (Revelation 18:15-17a ) With the destruction of Babylon the Great, the "merchants" mourn at the loss of that commercial partner. Truly, it is "too bad, too bad" for them. Notice, though, that their reasons for mourning are entirely selfish and that they- like the kings-"stand at a distance." They do not get close enough to be of any help to Babylon the Great.

The account goes on: "And every s hip captain and every man that voyages anywhere, and sailors and all those who make a living by the sea, stood at a distance and cried out as they looked at the smoke from the burning of her and said, 'What city is like the great city?' And they threw dust upon their heads and cried out, weeping and mourning, and said, 'Too bad, too bad - the great city, in which all those having boats at sea became rich by reason of her costliness, because in one hour she has been devastated!' " (Revelation 18:17b-19) Ancient Babylon was a commercial city and had a great fleet of ships. Similarly, Babylon the Great does much business by the "many waters" of her people. This provides employment for many of her religious subjects. What an economic blow the destruction of Babylon the Great will be for these! There will never be for these! There will never be another source of livelihood like her.

Next time: Rejoicing Over Her Annihilation.

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1988.