This whole chapter weaves a tapestry of lament over the fall of Babylon. Rome, like Babylon of old, commanded allegiance from the kingdoms of the known world. Rich with plunder from its conquests and taxation of its subjects, Rome was an architectural wonder, an economic powerhouse, and a military juggernaut. Its culture, religions, and language were exported to every corner of the known world. But it was also drunk with the blood of the martyrs.
The lament experienced by the inhabitants of the earth in this chapter paints a vivid picture of the magnitude of Rome’s beauty and power, as well as the depth of its corruption by the Beast. The beleaguered Christians in Asia Minor felt powerless in the face of such a mighty kingdom.
The great lament in this chapter lets them know that the unstoppable Roman empire will fall. Even though it had not yet happened, the scene John experienced here presents it as past tense.
Like many great cities down through history, it came to an end. One need only visit Rome to document its demise and realize what a great city it was. One can stand in the ruins of the Coliseum in Rome where Christians were fed to lions and slaughtered by gladiators for the entertainment of the emperor and his doting subjects. It stands as a monument to the everlasting kingdom of heaven. Rome no longer rules the world, its language, Latin, the most structured language in history, is no more. It is still studied and used for rituals, but no peoples use it for commerce or conversation.
And so it will be for any nation or kingdom that sets itself up in opposition to God and aligns itself with the Great Dragon. Recent examples include Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Awash in the blood of martyrs, they were brought down quickly when God decided the time was right. The same will be true for China and any other nation that wars against the Body of Christ.
The lament experienced by the inhabitants of the earth in this chapter paints a vivid picture of the magnitude of Rome’s beauty and power, as well as the depth of its corruption by the Beast. The beleaguered Christians in Asia Minor felt powerless in the face of such a mighty kingdom.
The great lament in this chapter lets them know that the unstoppable Roman empire will fall. Even though it had not yet happened, the scene John experienced here presents it as past tense.
Like many great cities down through history, it came to an end. One need only visit Rome to document its demise and realize what a great city it was. One can stand in the ruins of the Coliseum in Rome where Christians were fed to lions and slaughtered by gladiators for the entertainment of the emperor and his doting subjects. It stands as a monument to the everlasting kingdom of heaven. Rome no longer rules the world, its language, Latin, the most structured language in history, is no more. It is still studied and used for rituals, but no peoples use it for commerce or conversation.
And so it will be for any nation or kingdom that sets itself up in opposition to God and aligns itself with the Great Dragon. Recent examples include Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Awash in the blood of martyrs, they were brought down quickly when God decided the time was right. The same will be true for China and any other nation that wars against the Body of Christ.
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