And the kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will cry and mourn over her when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying: “Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon the strong city, for in one hour your judgment has come.”

And the merchants of the earth cry and mourn over her, because nobody buys their merchandise any longer…the merchants of these things, who have become wealthy from her, stand at a distance saying: “Woe, woe, the great city…for in one hour such great wealth has been laid to waste.”

And every shipmaster…and sailors, and as many as make their living by sea, stood at a distance and cried, observing the smoke of her burning, saying: “What city is like the great city?” and they threw dust on their heads, and were crying and mourning, saying: “Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who have ships in the sea became rich through her wealth, for in one hour she became desolate.”

“Rejoice over her, heaven and saints…because God has executed judgment for you on her.” And a strong angel took a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying: “Thus will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence…because by your magic spell all the nations were deceived, and in her the blood of prophets and saints was found and of all those who have been slain on the earth.” Revelation 18: 9-24

The governing political powers of the world, in service to Babylon, mourn her sudden, speedy (figuratively “one hour”) and unexpected demise. So do the business people who profit from the sale of Babylonian merchandise, and those who, sharing in Babylon’s wealth and luxury, make their living from all trades attendant to the sea. The three groups weep, not because they feel sorry for Babylon, but because they feel sorry for themselves. They cry because Babylon’s destruction means for them a loss of political power and financial well-being.

They also grieve for allowing themselves to be deceived by Babylon’s promises of peace and security. For that, they declare that Babylon deserves the judgment that has come upon her. As she burns, they distance themselves from her, for they fear that their involvement with her will bring the same fate upon them. Of course, that concern becomes a reality.

That end-time Babylon is made desolate is good news. The destruction of this apostate religious system puts an end to the oppression and persecution of God’s people. Therefore, rejoicing and celebration of victory and deliverance is called for, and is depicted in Rev. 19: 1-9.

As the scene comes to its close, once again John gets to make the point that evil comes to an end and that goodness prevails. He sees an angel taking what looks like a great millstone and throwing it into the sea. It, the millstone is symbolic, for the statement is made that in the same way, Babylon is thrown down with great violence, never to be found anymore.

The scene ends with reasons for Babylon’s destruction. First, the greatness of the merchants was the result of their engaging in an illicit affair with the harlot. That led to their enrichment and high status that puffed up their heads and hearts, leading to self-exaltation and pride. Secondly, Babylon is indicted because of her magic arts, the sorceries of signs and wonders she used to seduce and deceive the nations. And finally Babylon is sentenced to death for her role as the responsible party for the deaths of all the Christian martyrs.