Arc of the Poem

 

I post this poem here for a reason: I sense the importance of having recognized the formation of the described “Great Cityscape” forming across the earth now happening. It is not in one place, only. It is a complete mindset spreading across the globe as a cloud of poisonous gas. Never in the history of this big blue marble, hanging in deep space has it been so clear and on so grand a scale to collectively affect the whole earth.

The poem presents the “Great City” in hindsight of its destruction. However, I’m now seeing its formation. I am not a “seer,” I’m an observer as it is coming together. There is form to the direction it is going. This form has been seen in history before. But not on the massive scale it is taking on now. There is power and intent behind it. It goes beyond natural human ability. Its lies are bigger and more forceful.

As a deduction, I present the arc of the poem. I see its collective inception as it increasingly rises and peaks at the fullness of evil depicted before being hurled down to the lowest pit at poem’s finale.

“‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’^[a]
    She has become a dwelling for demons
and a haunt for every impure spirit,
    a haunt for every unclean bird,
    a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.
³ For all the nations have drunk
    the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,
    and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”

Warning to Escape Babylon’s Judgment

⁴ Then I heard another voice from heaven say:

“‘Come out of her, my people,’^[b]
    so that you will not share in her sins,
    so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
⁵ for her sins are piled up to heaven,
    and God has remembered her crimes.
⁶ Give back to her as she has given;
    pay her back double for what she has done.
    Pour her a double portion from her own cup.
⁷ Give her as much torment and grief
    as the glory and luxury she gave herself.
In her heart she boasts,
    ‘I sit enthroned as queen.
I am not a widow;^[c]
    I will never mourn.’
⁸ Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her:
    death, mourning and famine.
She will be consumed by fire,
    for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.

Threefold Woe Over Babylon’s Fall

⁹ “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. ¹⁰ Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:

“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
    you mighty city of Babylon!
In one hour your doom has come!’

¹¹ “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— ¹² cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; ¹³ cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.

¹⁴ “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ ¹⁵ The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn ¹⁶ and cry out:

“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
    dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet,
    and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
¹⁷ In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’

“Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. ¹⁸ When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ ¹⁹ They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out:

“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
    where all who had ships on the sea
    became rich through her wealth!
In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’

²⁰ “Rejoice over her, you heavens!
    Rejoice, you people of God!
    Rejoice, apostles and prophets!
For God has judged her
    with the judgment she imposed on you.”

The Finality of Babylon’s Doom

²¹ Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said:

“With such violence
    the great city of Babylon will be thrown down,
    never to be found again.
²² The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters,
    will never be heard in you again.
No worker of any trade
    will ever be found in you again.
The sound of a millstone
    will never be heard in you again.
²³ The light of a lamp
    will never shine in you again.
The voice of bridegroom and bride
    will never be heard in you again.
Your merchants were the world’s important people.
    By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.
²⁴ In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people,
    of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.”

 

~  Revelation Chapter 18:1-24.

Author’s Note: I recognize some people do hope for a return to “normal.” I would like that, also. Because it gives me a feeling of being more at ease. However, God’s purpose has never been to put His people at ease – only to give His people the Peace of Christ under all circumstances.

I noticed a particular pattern to God’s words and conduct throughout the Bible. He always warns His people about an action He is about to bring. At the same time, He gives all many opportunities to repent. Be that as it may, once He rings that bell, nobody can un-ring it. Once that bell is heard and noticed, it can’t be unnoticed. So rather than being at ease, I will accept the peace of Christ by following Jesus through whatever may come. He alone has control over all events. ~G.W.

 

Footnotes

1. Revelation 18:2 Isaiah 21:9
2. Revelation 18:4 Jeremiah 51:45
3. Revelation 18:7 See Isaiah 47:7,8.