Revelation 18:10; That Great City Babylon
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.
The rulers of this world must stand far away from the heat of the burning city for fear that they too will be tormented. But when monetary systems collapse and riches vanish, poverty knocks even at the doors of those who give leadership. This is the picture: world economies in ruins, riots and robberies a plague, disease and death rampant, and leaders filled with fear. The end is at hand. The kings too face an angry God, whose judgment will come swiftly upon them.
A twofold woe is uttered by these kings, and by the merchants and sailors in successive verses (v16, 19; see the triple use in 8:13).
Revelation 18:16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
Revelation 18:19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
Revelation 8:13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
The repetition of the word indicates emphasis. The mournful sound of the word woe denotes both grief and denunciation. And even though these rulers utter it, they know that the hour of judgment is coming for them, too.
The kings, the merchants, and the seafarers all describe Babylon as “the great city” (v 10, 16, 19), but here the text is amplified by “Babylon the mighty city.”
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 18:16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
Revelation 18:19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
The two descriptive adjectives great and mighty pertain to her recent glory that now has faded and disappeared. And this change happened so swiftly, in one hour, that the merchants and sailors as well as the kings mention it (v17, 19). Babylon’s greatness and might suddenly end (compare v. 8).
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,
Revelation 18:8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 493). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.