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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>R E V E L A T I O N.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XVIII.</FONT>
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<P>
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We have here,
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I. An angel proclaiming the fall of Babylon,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>.
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II. Assigning the reasons of her fall,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:3">ver. 3</A>.
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III. Giving warning to all who belonged to God to come out of her
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:4,5">ver. 4, 5</A>),
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and to assist in her destruction,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:6-8">ver. 6-8</A>.
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IV. The great lamentation made for her by those who had been large
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sharers in her sinful pleasures and profits,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:9-19">ver. 9-19</A>.
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V. The great joy that there would be among others at the sight of her
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irrecoverable ruin,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:20-24">ver. 20</A>,
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&c.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Re18_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Fall of Babylon.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 95.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from
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heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his
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glory.
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2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon
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the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of
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devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every
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unclean and hateful bird.
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3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her
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fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed
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fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed
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rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
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4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of
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her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye
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receive not of her plagues.
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5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath
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remembered her iniquities.
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6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her
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double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled
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fill to her double.
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7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously,
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so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart,
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I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
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8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and
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mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire:
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for strong <I>is</I> the Lord God who judgeth her.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The downfall and destruction of Babylon form an event so fully
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determined in the counsels of God, and of such consequence to his
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interests and glory, that the visions and predictions concerning it are
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repeated.
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1. Here is another angel sent from heaven, attended with great power
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and lustre,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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He had not only light in himself, to discern the truth of his own
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prediction, but to inform and enlighten the world about that great
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event; and not only light to discern it, but power to accomplish it.
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2. This angel publishes the fall of Babylon, as a thing already come
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to pass; and this he does with a mighty strong voice, that all might
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hear the cry, and might see how well this angel was pleased to be the
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messenger of such tidings. Here seems to be an allusion to the
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prediction of the fall of pagan Babylon
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+21:9">Isa. xxi. 9</A>),
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where the word is repeated as it is here: <I>has fallen, has
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fallen.</I> Some have thought a double fall is hereby intended, first
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her apostasy, and then her ruin; and they think the words immediately
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following favour their opinion; <I>She has become the habitation of
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devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every
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unclean and hateful bird,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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But this is also borrowed from
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+21:9">Isa. xxi. 9</A>,
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and seems to describe not so much her sin of entertaining idols (which
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are truly called <I>devils</I>) as her punishment, it being a common
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notion that unclean spirits, as well as ominous and hateful birds, used
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to haunt a city or house that lay in its ruins.
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3. The reason of this ruin is declared
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>);
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for, though God is not obliged to give any account of his matters, yet
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he is pleased to do so, especially in those dispensations of providence
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that are most awful and tremendous. The wickedness of Babylon had been
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very great; for she had not only forsaken the true God herself, and set
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up idols, but had with great art and industry drawn all sorts of men
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into the spiritual adultery, and by her wealth and luxury had retained
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them in her interest.
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4. Fair warning is given to all that expect mercy from God, that they
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should not only <I>come out of her,</I> but be assisting in her
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destruction,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:4,5"><I>v.</I> 4, 5</A>.
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Here observe,
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(1.) God may have a people even in Babylon, some who belong to the
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election of grace.
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(2.) God's people shall be called out of Babylon, and called
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effectually.
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(3.) Those that are resolved to partake with wicked men in their sins
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must receive of their plagues.
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(4.) When the sins of a people reach up to heaven, the wrath of God
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will reach down to the earth.
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(5.) Though private revenge is forbidden, yet God will have his people
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act under him, when called to it, in pulling down his and their
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inveterate and implacable enemies,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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(6.) God will proportion the punishment of sinners to the measure of
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their wickedness, pride, and security,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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(7.) When destruction comes on a people suddenly, the surprise is a
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great aggravation of their misery,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.</P>
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<A NAME="Re18_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_22"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_23"> </A>
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<A NAME="Re18_24"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Fall of Babylon.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 95.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication
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and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for
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her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
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10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas,
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alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour
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is thy judgment come.
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11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over
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her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
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12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones,
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and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet,
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and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all
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manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and
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marble,
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13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense,
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and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and
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sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
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14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from
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thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed
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from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
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15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her,
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shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and
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wailing,
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16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in
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fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and
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precious stones, and pearls!
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17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every
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shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as
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many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
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18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying,
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What <I>city is</I> like unto this great city!
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19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and
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wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made
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rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness!
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for in one hour is she made desolate.
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20 Rejoice over her, <I>thou</I> heaven, and <I>ye</I> holy apostles and
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prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
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21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone,
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and cast <I>it</I> into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that
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great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at
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all.
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22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and
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trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no
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craftsman, of whatsoever craft <I>he be,</I> shall be found any more
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in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at
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all in thee;
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23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in
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thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be
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heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great
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men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
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24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints,
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and of all that were slain upon the earth.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here we have,</P>
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<P>
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I. A doleful lamentation made by Babylon's friends for her fall; and
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here observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. Who are the mourners, namely, those who had been bewitched by her
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fornication, those who had been sharers in her sensual pleasures, and
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those who had been gainers by her wealth and trade--the kings and the
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merchants of the earth: <I>the kings of the earth,</I> whom she had
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flattered into idolatry by allowing them to be arbitrary and tyrannical
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over their subjects, while they were obsequious to her; and <I>the
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merchants,</I> that is, those who trafficked with her for indulgences,
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pardons, dispensations, and preferments; these will mourn, because by
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<I>this craft they got their wealth.</I></P>
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<P>
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2. What was the manner of their mourning.
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(1.) They stood afar off, they durst not come nigh her. Even Babylon's
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friends will stand at a distance from her fall. Though they had been
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partakers with her in her sins, and in her sinful pleasures and
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profits, they were not willing to bear a share in her plagues.
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(2.) They made a grievous outcry: <I>Alas! alas! that great city,
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Babylon, that mighty city!</I>
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(3.) They wept, and <I>cast dust upon their heads,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
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The pleasures of sin are but for a season, and they will end in dismal
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sorrow. All those who rejoice in the success of the church's enemies
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will share with them in their downfall; and those who have most
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indulged themselves in pride and pleasure are the least able to bear
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calamities; their sorrows will be as excessive as their pleasure and
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jollity were before.</P>
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<P>
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3. What was the cause of their mourning; not their sin, but their
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punishment. They did not lament their fall into idolatry, and luxury,
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and persecution, but their fall into ruin--the loss of their traffic and
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of their wealth and power. The spirit of antichrist is a worldly
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spirit, and their sorrow is a mere worldly sorrow; they did not lament
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for the anger of God, that had now fallen upon them, but for the loss
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of their outward comfort. We have a large schedule and inventory of the
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wealth and merchandise of this city, all which was suddenly lost
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:12,13"><I>v.</I> 12, 13</A>),
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and lost irrecoverably
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
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<I>All things which were dainty and goodly have departed from thee, and
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thou shalt find them no more at all.</I> The church of God may fall for
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a time, but she shall rise again; but the fall of Babylon will be an
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utter overthrow, like that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Godly sorrow is some
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support under affliction, but mere worldly sorrow adds to the
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calamity.</P>
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<P>
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II. An account of the joy and triumph there was both in heaven and
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earth at the irrecoverable fall of Babylon: while her own people were
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bewailing her, the servants of God were called to <I>rejoice over
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her,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
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Here observe,
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1. How universal this joy would be: heaven and earth, angels and
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saints, would join in it; that which is matter of rejoicing to the
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servants of God in this world is matter of rejoicing to the angels in
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heaven.
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2. How just and reasonable; and that,
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(1.) Because the fall of Babylon was an act of God's vindictive
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justice. God was then avenging his people's cause. They had committed
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their cause to him <I>to whom vengeance belongs,</I> and now the year
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of recompence had come for the controversies of Zion; and, though they
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did not take pleasure in the miseries of any, yet they had reason to
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rejoice in the discoveries of the glorious justice of God.
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(2.) Because it was an irrecoverable ruin. This enemy should never
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molest them any more, and of this they were assured by a remarkable
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token
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>):
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An <I>angel</I> from heaven <I>took up a stone like a great millstone,
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and cast it into the sea, saying, "Thus shall Babylon be thrown down
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with violence, and be found no more at all;</I> the place shall be no
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longer habitable by man, no work shall be done there, no comfort
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enjoyed, no light seen there, but utter darkness and desolation, as the
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reward of her great wickedness, first in <I>deceiving the nations with
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her sorceries,</I> and secondly in destroying and murdering those whom
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she could not deceive,"
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+18:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
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Such abominable sins deserved so great a ruin.</P>
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<!-- (End Body) -->
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<HR>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
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<TR>
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<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC66017.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC66019.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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</TABLE>
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<HR>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
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<TR>
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<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM">
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