Chapter Thirty-Eight/Praise Jah for His Judgments!

 Babylon the Great has been set afire like conquered city, and the smoke from her "goes on ascending forever and ever." When a literal city is burned by conquering armies, the smoke keeps ascending as long as the ashes are hot. Anyone who tries to rebuild it while it is still smoking will simply get burned by smoldering ruins. Since the smoke from Babylon the Great will rise "forever and ever" in token of the finality of her judgment, no one will ever be able to restore that iniquitous city. False religion is one forever.  Hallelujah, indeed - Compare ISAIAH3:4, 5, 9, 10. 

In an earlier vision, John saw around the throne four living creatures together with the 24 elders that picture the Kingdom heirs in their glorious heavenly position. (Revelation 4:8-11) Now he sees them again as they thunder forth a third Hallelujah over the destruction of Babylon the Great: "And the 24 elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God seated upon his throne and said: 'Amen! Hallelujah! ' " (Revelation 19:4) This grand Hallelujah chorus is in addition, then, to the "new song" praise to the Lamb. (Revelation 5:8, 9) They sing now the magnificent victory refrain, ascribing all glory to the Sovereign Lord Jehovah because of his decisive victory over the great harlot, Babylon the Great. These Hallelujahs peal forth far more melodiously than any Hallelujah choruses sung in Christendom's churches, where Jehovah, or Jah, has been dishonored and despised. Such hypocritical singing that reproaches Jehovah's name is now silenced forever!

Next time: Chapter Thirty-Eight/Praise Jah for His Judgments 

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