Revelation 18:22; Heard No More

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Revelation 18:22 (KJV)  And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; 

Here is a picture of everyday life taken from the artistic, economic, and social realms. In Jeremiah 25:10 God says, “Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.” This is similar, except that the angel addresses Babylon with the singular pronoun thee.

What is life without the gift of music? Day by day we are surrounded by music played by a variety of musicians. John singles out those who play the harp, flute, and trumpet, for these were the players of musical instruments in ancient times. The word musicians undoubtedly means lyric-poets, that is, songwriters. In the city of Babylon the sound of music will forever be silenced.

Industry in John’s world consisted of people working with wood, leather, metal, bricks, stone, and glass. Others were spinning wool, weaving cloth, dyeing clothes, and sewing garments. Still others were scribes and translators. All these trades and professions will suddenly come to an end. The familiar sound of the millstone grinding grain will cease, which means that the baking of bread will stop and the daily staple of life become unavailable.

The oil supply dries up, lamps no longer burn, and life is cast into darkness. Without the benefit of light, all the riches, all the jewelry, and all the fine garments are useless. The rich live in darkness because the light of a candle or lamp will forever be removed from the citizens of Babylon.

Last, the joyful voices of a bride and bridegroom about to be married will forever be silent. No more weddings, festivities, and family gatherings will take place. The prophet Jeremiah repeatedly speaks of a cessation of weddings in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 7:34; 16:9; 25:10).

Jeremiah 7:34 (KJV)  Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate. 

Jeremiah 16:9 (KJV)  For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride. 

Jeremiah 25:10 (KJV)  Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. 

But then in Jeremiah 33:11 he predicts a renewal of the sounds of joy and gladness at the time of weddings.

Jeremiah 33:11 (KJV)  The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD. 

By contrast, Babylon will forever be void of nuptial cheer, delight, and fulfillment.

 Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 502). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.