[:en] THE FALL OF BABYLON (vs. 1-24)
This chapter shows the complete destruction of Babylon, which represents the evil world power. Everything that is against God’s purpose will come to an end.
Merchants in the Roman Empire took advantage of an evil system to enrich themselves by exploiting the sinful pleasure of their society. They were greedy, power hungry and money seekers. Christians are warned to stay free from the lure of money and live according to the Christian values of truth, obedience, service and generosity.
The people of Babylon boasted of their wealth, luxury and pleasure. The wealth people of this wolrd are susceptible to this kind of attitude. They fee sure, powerful and no need of God. wE are to avoid being complacent and self-sufficient. Instead, we have to use our resources to help others and advance God;s kingdom.
When the world system collapses, all those who are tied to it will realize that everything they have worked for a lifetime have vanished. Material possession is worthless if a person dies. Only faith, Christian character and relationship with others are more imortant than any amount of money, power or pleasure.
When Babylon falls, the political leader will mourn because they can no longer enrich themselves. The merchants will mourn because they do not have customers to buy their goods. The sea captain, sea sailors and all who earn their living from the sea will weep because will will lost their livelihood. The fall of the evil world system will affect all those who enjoyed and depended upon it.
“The love of money is the root of all evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Tim. 6:10) Christians should be constantly on guard against greed for riches and splendor will vanish and become worthless in eternity.[:]