What does Revelation 18:15 mean?

The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, Revelation 18:15

Explanation

Revelation 18:15 presents a scene where the merchants who once prospered from their association with a metaphorical entity, often referred to as “Babylon,” are now witnessing her downfall and torment. Babylon, in the book of Revelation, is symbolically portrayed as a city of immense wealth, sin, and corruption. The merchants mentioned in the verse are described as keeping their distance for fear of sharing in Babylon’s punishment, yet they are deeply mourning their loss of wealth and the destruction of the city. It is important to understand that the weeping and wailing of the merchants are not due to the concern for Babylon’s wickedness but rather due to the loss of their profit and luxury that came from doing business with her.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation was written by John while he was exiled on the Island of Patmos, likely around the end of the first century. The Roman Empire, which ruled during that time, often persecuted Christians. Historically, “Babylon” was a powerful city-state known for its opulence and idolatry. The prophetic imagery used by John drew upon historical Babylon to symbolize Rome or any world system opposed to God. Within this context, the merchants’ lament over Babylon’s fall would have echoed the potential fear and economic impact that would encompass the Roman Empire’s “clients” following its hypothetical collapse.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints contribute to the interpretation of Revelation 18:15. The Preterist view suggests that this verse refers specifically to the impending doom of Jerusalem or Rome, representing the immediate fulfillment of the prophecy. The Futurist perspective argues for an end-times Babylon, a literal or a symbolic representation of global economic and political systems, that will fall just before Christ’s return. The Historicist sees Babylon’s demise as the fall of corrupt religious systems over time. The Idealist or Symbolic approach interprets Babylon as the embodiment of all evil institutions, and the verse illustrates God’s ultimate victory over sin and injustice.

Practical Applications

A practical application from Revelation 18:15 challenges individuals to consider where their loyalties lie. It serves as a reminder for believers to refrain from becoming too attached to worldly systems that are in opposition to God’s will. It encourages the faithful to seek eternal riches in God’s kingdom rather than temporal wealth, knowing that everything material can quickly fade away. Additionally, it warns against the idolatry of materialism and calls for a life of compassion over one driven by profit at the expense of morality.

Cross-References

• Revelation 18:10 – “Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.”
• Revelation 18:17 – “For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,”
• Ezekiel 27:27-36 – Describes the lamentation for Tyre, a city analogous to Babylon, where the fall of the city brings grief to those who profited from its wealth.
• James 5:1 – “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.”

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek can be analyzed as follows:

• “Merchants” (Greek: ἔμποροι, “emporoi”): traders or merchants who travel and trade goods.
• “Were made rich” (Greek: ἐπλουτήθησαν, “eploutēthēsan”): aorist tense indicating these merchants gained wealth or became rich at some point.
• “By her” (Greek: ἐκ τῆς δυνάμεως, “ek tēs dynameōs”): coming from her power or resources.
• “Torment” (Greek: βασάνου, “basanou”): trial or torture, often used for testing metals, but also a metaphor for extreme anguish or divine judgment.
• “Weeping and wailing” (Greek: κλαίοντες καὶ κόπτοντες, “klaiontes kai koptontes”): denotes crying and beating oneself in grief.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The lament over a fallen city is not exclusive to the Christian tradition. For example, the fall of great civilizations such as the lament over the destruction of Sumerian Ur or the Homeric tales of the fall of Troy reflects a common theme of the rise and fall of great powers and the ensuing despair. In a religious context, it can be compared to Buddhist teachings that warn against attachment to material possessions, as all things are impermanent and attachment leads to suffering.

Scientific Perspectives

The scientific community does not typically engage directly with prophetic literature. However, from a psychological perspective, the human response to loss, as described in Revelation 18:15, can be understood through the study of grief and mourning. The field of behavioral economics also discusses how the loss of wealth can impact individual and collective decision-making and wellbeing.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have offered various interpretations of Revelation 18:15:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary emphasizes the world’s sorrow at losing its comforts and conveniences, alongside an absence of concern for the sin that led to punishment.
• The MacArthur Study Bible notes that the “weeping and mourning” are solely because the merchants have lost their source of income, showing the depth of their materialism.
• The ESV Study Bible highlights the holistic collapse of commercial, economic, and material wealth, symbolizing God’s judgment against the empire of the beast in the end times.
• The New International Commentary on the New Testament suggests that John is contrasting the kingdom of God with the earthly kingdom represented by Babylon, warning readers to choose their allegiance wisely.