Verse 8: “Therefore, in a moment, in one day, her plagues shall come to her: death, mourning, famine. And she shall be burnt with fire. For strong is the L-rd God, the One who judges her.”

God’s judgment comes in a moment; in a quick period of time.

Verse 9: “And the kings of the earth shall weep and lament her, who formicated and lived luxuriously with her, when they shall see the smoke of her fire.”

All the king’s fleshly desires came through their allegiance with her and that is why they weep. The gratification of the flesh is always temporary.

Verse 10: “From a distance they will stand. Because of the terror of her torment they shall say: ‘Woe, Woe to you Babylon, the great city. The strong city. For in one hour came your judgment.’”

At Mt Sinai the people also stood at a distance. (Exodus 20v18-21) Israel was fearful. They were not prepared for, and did not discern, what God had come to do. When we understand prophetic truth, we will have the ability to discern what God is up to, and where the enemy is functioning, so we can position ourselves as those being led by the Holy Spirit.


Verse 11: “And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, for now no man any longer can buy their merchandise.”

These words are all associated with death.

Verse 12: “Merchandise of gold, silver, precious stones, pearls and fine linen – purple, silk and scarlet – and all types of fragrant trees. And every vessel of ivory and every vessel of precious wood and vessels of copper, iron and marble.”

We cannot take all these ‘precious’ things with us. They are not going to be part of the Kingdom of God. All the things the world considers precious are, like wood, hay and stubble, going to be consumed in a moment (1 Corinthians 3v12-15).

Righteous deeds, or those things done as an outcome of the Word of God (statutes, commandments and laws), are going to be refined by fire. These will be used to worship God.

Verse 13: “cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls,”

Verse 14: “and the desired fruit that the soul lusted for. And every good thing perish from you – and will no longer be found.”

Verse 15: “And the merchants, who became wealthy from her, stood at a distance because of the terror of her torture; and they wept and mourned.”

‘Stood at a distance’ speaks of a people who are unprepared and who did not discern the purposes, plans and ways of God. God’s judgement is not here today and gone tomorrow. His wrath is eternal (Matthew 25v41). All are going to be resurrected. Some to eternal life and some to everlasting shame (Daniel 12v2)