And the kings of the earth, &c.— In the very solemn manner described in the verses before us, by an angel, and by a voice from heaven, is declared the fall of Rome, and her destruction by fire; and then are set forth the consequences of her fall, the lamentations of some, and the rejoicings of others. The kings of her communion, who have committed fornication, and lived deliciously with her, bewail and lament her fall, (Revelation 18:9-10.) But what kings were they, who lived deliciously with old Rome, and had reason to lament her fall? The merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, (Revelation 18:11-17.) for there is an end of all traffic and commerce with her, whether spiritual or temporal; for it is intimated, Revelation 18:13 that they make merchandise of the souls as well as of the bodies of men. The ship-masters &c. weep and wail, (Revelation 18:17-19.) for they can no longer import or export commodities for her, or convey strangers to and fro; for there is an end of all her costliness. These lamentations are similar to the lamentations over Tyre in Ezekiel 26; Ezekiel 27 and are equal to the most mournful strains of the Greek poets over Thebes or Troy. In all, they stand afar off (Revelation 18:10; Revelation 18:15; Revelation 18:17.) as if they were unable or afraid to help and assist her. In all, they cry, alas! alas! (Revelation 18:10; Revelation 18:16; Revelation 18:19.) which is the third woe, or alas, mentioned, ch. Revelation 8:13 Revelation 11:14.; for as the fall of the Othman empire is the end of the second woe, so the fall of Rome is the completion of the third woe. In all, they lament the suddenness of her fall, (Revelation 18:10; Revelation 18:17; Revelation 18:19.) for in one hour is her destruction come. At the same time her destruction is matter of joy and triumph, Revelation 18:20 to the holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged them on her: but what reason had the Christians to rejoice over the calamities brought on Rome by Alaric or Totilas, in which theythemselves were the principal sufferers? And how were these calamities any vindication of their cause, or of the cause of true religion?
Revelation 18:9-20
9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
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.
11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyineb wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves,c and souls of men.
14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
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!
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,
18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
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.
20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.