And they will say: "The fruit of your soul's desire has departed from you; all your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be seen again." And they will say:This phrase introduces a lament or declaration, often seen in prophetic literature. It suggests a collective voice, possibly of those who have witnessed the fall of Babylon, symbolizing a great city or system opposed to God. This echoes the lamentations found in the Old Testament, such as in Ezekiel 27, where the fall of Tyre is mourned. The fruit of your soul’s desire has departed from you;
The "fruit" symbolizes the results or rewards of one's pursuits and desires. In biblical terms, fruit often represents the outcomes of one's actions, whether good or bad (Galatians 5:22-23). Here, it signifies the loss of what was once deeply desired, indicating a judgment on misplaced priorities. This reflects the transient nature of earthly desires, as seen in Ecclesiastes 2:11, where Solomon speaks of the vanity of worldly pursuits. all your luxury and splendor have vanished,
Luxury and splendor refer to wealth, opulence, and the outward signs of prosperity. The Bible frequently warns against the dangers of wealth and the false security it provides (1 Timothy 6:9-10). The vanishing of these indicates a divine judgment, reminiscent of the sudden destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-25), serving as a warning against pride and self-indulgence. never to be seen again.
This finality underscores the totality of the judgment. It suggests a complete and irreversible end, similar to the destruction of Babylon in the Old Testament (Isaiah 13:19-22). This phrase emphasizes the permanence of God's judgment and the futility of relying on temporal power and wealth. It also points to the ultimate victory of God's kingdom, where only what is eternal will remain (Hebrews 12:27-28). Persons / Places / Events 1. Babylon the GreatSymbolic of a powerful, corrupt system or city that embodies wealth, luxury, and moral decay. In Revelation, it represents the ultimate downfall of worldly pride and materialism. 2. Merchants of the EarthThose who profited from Babylon's wealth and luxury, representing the economic systems and individuals who prioritize material gain over spiritual values. 3. The Fall of BabylonA prophetic event symbolizing the judgment and destruction of corrupt systems that oppose God. It serves as a warning to those who place their trust in worldly wealth. Teaching Points The Transience of Earthly WealthEarthly riches and luxury are temporary and can vanish suddenly. Believers are encouraged to focus on eternal values rather than material possessions. The Deceptive Allure of MaterialismThe desire for luxury and splendor can lead to spiritual blindness. Christians should guard their hearts against the seductive pull of materialism. God's Sovereign JudgmentGod's judgment is inevitable for systems and individuals who prioritize wealth over righteousness. Believers should live in a way that reflects God's values, not the world's. The Call to Spiritual ReadinessThe fall of Babylon serves as a reminder to be spiritually prepared and to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing God's kingdom over earthly gains. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the description of Babylon in Revelation 18:14 challenge our current cultural values regarding wealth and success? 2. In what ways can Christians today be tempted by the "luxury and splendor" that Revelation 18:14 warns against? 3. How can the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 6:19-21 help us to apply the message of Revelation 18:14 in our daily lives? 4. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our desires align with God's eternal values rather than the temporary allure of materialism? 5. How does understanding the eventual fall of Babylon encourage us to live with an eternal perspective and prioritize spiritual readiness? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 13 and 47These chapters prophesy the fall of Babylon, emphasizing God's judgment against pride and idolatry. Jeremiah 51Describes the destruction of Babylon, highlighting the futility of trusting in wealth and power. Matthew 6:19-21Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth, aligning with the theme of Revelation 18:14 regarding the transient nature of earthly wealth. People JohnPlaces BabylonTopics Bright, Dainties, Dainty, Delicate, Departed, Desire, Elegance, Fair, Fruit, Fruits, Goodly, Longed, Longer, Lost, Lust, Lusted, Luxurious, Mayest, Passed, Perished, Recovered, Riches, Ripe, Shining, Soul, Soul's, Splendid, Splendor, Sumptuous, VanishedDictionary of Bible Themes Revelation 18:14 5413 money, attitudes
5591 treasure Revelation 18:1-24 4215 Babylon Revelation 18:2-24 5407 merchants Revelation 18:9-19 5945 self-pity Revelation 18:9-24 5587 trade Revelation 18:14-17 1194 glory, divine and human Revelation 18:14-20 8809 riches Library Death Swallowed up in victory
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory! D eath, simply considered, is no more than the cessation of life --that which was once living, lives no longer. But it has been the general, perhaps the universal custom of mankind, to personify it. Imagination gives death a formidable appearance, arms it with a dart, sting or scythe, and represents it as an active, inexorable and invincible reality. In this view death is a great devourer; with his iron tongue …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2The Northern Iron and the Steel
That being the literal meaning, we shall draw from our text a general principle. It is a proverbial expression, no doubt, and applicable to many other matters besides that of the prophet and the Jews; it is clearly meant to show, that in order to achieve a purpose, there must be a sufficient force. The weaker cannot overcome the stronger. In a general clash the firmest will win. There must be sufficient firmness in the instrument or the work cannot be done. You cannot cut granite with a pen-knife, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871 War! War! War!
At the present crisis, the minds of men are exceedingly agitated with direful prospects of a terrible struggle. We know not whereunto this matter may grow. The signs of the times are dark and direful. We fear that the vials of God's wrath are about to be poured out, and that the earth will be deluged with blood. As long as there remains a hope, let us pray for peace, nay, even in the time of war let us still beseech the throne of God, crying, that he would "send us peace in our days." The war will …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859 "If So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ, He is None of His. "
Rom. viii. 9.--"If so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?" 2 Chron. vi. 18. It was the wonder of one of the wisest of men, and indeed, considering his infinite highness above the height of heavens, his immense and incomprehensible greatness, that the heaven of heavens cannot contain him, and then the baseness, emptiness, and worthlessness of man, it may be a wonder to the …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Seventh (And Last) vision "On Earth"
We must get a complete view of these in order to embrace them all and view them as a whole. The Structure shows their true sequence: E^7., xix. 17-- 15. The Seventh (and Last) Vision "on Earth." E^7 A^1 xix. 17-21. MEN. The Judgment of the Beast and the False Prophet. B^1 xx. 1-3. SATAN. The Judgment of Satan (Before the Millennium). A^2 xx. 4-6. MEN. The Judgment of the overcomers. The "rest of the dead" left for Judgment. B^2 xx. 7-10. …
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation The Sun Rising Upon a Dark World
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon then hath the light shined. C ontrasts are suited to illustrate and strengthen the impression of each other. The happiness of those, who by faith in MESSIAH, are brought into a state of peace, liberty, and comfort, is greatly enhanced and heightened by the consideration of that previous state of misery in which they once lived, and of the greater misery to which they were justly exposed. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
The law of God originates in his nature, but the attributes of his creatures are due to his sovereignty. The former is, accordingly, to be viewed as necessarily obligatory on the moral subjects of his government, and the latter--which are all consistent with the holiness of the Divine nature, are to be considered as called into exercise according to his appointment. Hence, also, the law of God is independent of his creatures, though made known on their account; but the operation of their attributes …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Links Revelation 18:14 NIVRevelation 18:14 NLTRevelation 18:14 ESVRevelation 18:14 NASBRevelation 18:14 KJV
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