Month: October 2022

October 31, 2022

Woe to the great city! (Rev 18:16)

“They say,

‘Woe!

Woe!

The great city,

Clothed

In fine linen,

In purple

And scarlet,

Adorned

With gold,

With precious stones,

And pearls!’”

λέγοντες Οὐαὶ οὐαί, ἡ πόλις ἡ μεγάλη, ἡ περιβεβλημένη βύσσινον καὶ πορφυροῦν καὶ κόκκινον, καὶ κεχρυσωμένη ἐν χρυσίῳ καὶ λίθῳ τιμίῳ καὶ μαργαρίτῃ,

John said, “They say (λέγοντες), ‘Woe (Οὐαὶ)!  Woe (οὐαί)!  The great city (ἡ πόλις ἡ μεγάλη), clothed (ἡ περιβεβλημένη) in fine linen (βύσσινον), in purple (καὶ πορφυροῦν) and scarlet (καὶ κόκκινον), adorned (καὶ κεχρυσωμένη) with gold (ἐν χρυσίῳ), with precious stones (καὶ λίθῳ τιμίῳ), and pearls (καὶ μαργαρίτῃ)!’”  This is the only use of these Greek words that appear only in Revelation and not in any other canonical biblical NT writing, the word βύσσινον, that means fine linen or cotton, and the word κεχρυσωμένη, that means gilded, cover with gold or, adorned with gold.  Once again, John has a description of the great city of Babylon.  Woe or disaster was coming to her.  She had been clothed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, with gold, precious stones, and pearls.  She was dressed like the prostitute in chapter 17:4.  Now, it was all gone.  Have you ever lost any of your fine clothes?

October 31, 2022

These wealthy merchants will stand far away (Rev 18:15)

“These merchants

Who gained wealth

From her,

Will stand far off,

In fear of her torment,

Weeping

And mourning aloud.”

οἱ ἔμποροι τούτων, οἱ πλουτήσαντες ἀπ’ αὐτῆς, ἀπὸ μακρόθεν στήσονται διὰ τὸν φόβον τοῦ βασανισμοῦ αὐτῆς κλαίοντες καὶ πενθοῦντες,

John said, “These merchants (οἱ ἔμποροι τούτων), who gained wealth from her (οἱ πλουτήσαντες ἀπ’ αὐτῆς), will stand far off (ἀπὸ μακρόθεν στήσονται), in fear (διὰ τὸν φόβον) of her torment (τοῦ βασανισμοῦ αὐτῆς), weeping (κλαίοντες) and mourning aloud (καὶ πενθοῦντες).”  This is the only use of this Greek word that appears only in Revelation and not in any other canonical biblical NT writing, the word βασανισμοῦ, that means torture or torment.  John indicated that these merchants who had gained their wealth from trade with Babylon were now standing far away.  They were afraid that the torment that hit Babylon would hit them.  Instead, they merely wept and mourned for the demise of Babylon from a distance.  Have you ever been afraid when someone has had a disaster hit them?

October 31, 2022

Your splendor has gone (Rev 18:14)

“The ripe fruit

For which your soul

Longed for

Has gone from you.

All your sumptuous dainties

And your splendor

Are lost to you,

Never to be found again.”

καὶ ἡ ὀπώρα σου τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς ἀπῆλθεν ἀπὸ σοῦ, καὶ πάντα τὰ λιπαρὰ καὶ τὰ λαμπρὰ ἀπώλετο ἀπὸ σοῦ, καὶ οὐκέτι οὐ μὴ αὐτὰ εὑρήσουσιν.

John said, “The ripe fruit (καὶ ἡ ὀπώρα) for which your soul (τῆς ψυχῆς) longed for (σου τῆς ἐπιθυμίας) has gone from you (ἀπῆλθεν ἀπὸ σοῦ).  All your sumptuous dainties (καὶ πάντα τὰ λιπαρὰ) and your splendor (καὶ τὰ λαμπρὰ) are lost to you (ἀπώλετο ἀπὸ σοῦ), never (καὶ οὐκέτι) to be found again (οὐ μὴ αὐτὰ εὑρήσουσιν).”  This is the only use of these two Greek words that appear only in Revelation and not in any other canonical biblical NT writing, the word ὀπώρα, that means late summer, ripe fruits, or autumnal fruits, and the word λιπαρὰ, that means oily, fatty, rich, or sumptuous.  John indicated the special fruit that people of Babylon wanted were now gone.  All their sumptuous dainties and splendor was gone for good, never to be seen again.  Have you ever lost anything precious to you?

October 31, 2022

The merchant’s fine goods (Rev 18:13)

“The merchants had

Cinnamon,

Spice,

Incense,

Myrrh,

Frankincense,

Wine,

Olive oil,

Choice flour

And wheat,

Cattle,

Sheep,

Horses,

Chariots,

Slaves

And human lives.”

καὶ κιννάμωμον καὶ ἄμωμον καὶ θυμιάματα καὶ μύρον καὶ λίβανον καὶ οἶνον καὶ ἔλαιον καὶ σεμίδαλιν καὶ σῖτον καὶ κτήνη καὶ πρόβατα, καὶ ἵππων καὶ ῥεδῶν καὶ σωμάτων, καὶ ψυχὰς ἀνθρώπων.

John said, “The merchants had cinnamon (καὶ κιννάμωμον), spice (καὶ ἄμωμον), incense (καὶ θυμιάματα), myrrh (καὶ μύρον), frankincense (καὶ λίβανον), wine (καὶ οἶνον), olive oil (καὶ ἔλαιον), choice flour (καὶ σεμίδαλιν), and wheat (καὶ σῖτον), cattle (καὶ κτήνη), sheep (καὶ πρόβατα), horses (καὶ ἵππων), chariots (καὶ ῥεδῶν), slaves (καὶ σωμάτων) and human lives (καὶ ψυχὰς ἀνθρώπων).”  This is the only use of these three Greek words that appear only in Revelation and not in any other canonical biblical NT writing, the word κιννάμωμον, that means cinnamon, as well as the word σεμίδαλιν, that means fine wheat flour, and the word ῥεδῶν, that means a chariot.  Once again, this list is like the commodities mentioned in the prophet Ezekiel, chapter 27:12-22, as he talked about the demise of the great shipping port of Tyre.  Many of the same items are mentioned here like cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, olive oil, choice flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, chariots, slaves, and human lives.  However, Ezekiel had never mentioned chariots, slaves or trading human lives.  These merchants were upset about the loss of their trade.  Have you ever traded any merchandise?

October 31, 2022

The merchant’s cargo (Rev 18:12)

“The merchants

Had cargos

Of gold,

Silver,

Precious stones,

Pearls,

Fine linens,

Purple,

Silk,

And scarlet.

They had

All kinds of scented wood,

All articles of ivory,

All articles of costly wood,

Bronze,

Iron,

And marble.”

γόμον χρυσοῦ καὶ ἀργύρου καὶ λίθου τιμίου καὶ μαργαριτῶν καὶ βυσσίνου καὶ πορφύρας καὶ σιρικοῦ καὶ κοκκίνου, καὶ πᾶν ξύλον θύϊνον καὶ πᾶν σκεῦος ἐλεφάντινον καὶ πᾶν σκεῦος ἐκ ξύλου τιμιωτάτου καὶ χαλκοῦ καὶ σιδήρου καὶ μαρμάρου,

John said, “The merchants had cargos (γόμον) of gold (χρυσοῦ), silver (καὶ ἀργύρου), precious stones (καὶ λίθου τιμίου), pearls (καὶ μαργαριτῶν), fine linens (καὶ βυσσίνου), purple (καὶ πορφύρας), silk (καὶ σιρικοῦ), and scarlet (καὶ κοκκίνου).  They had all kinds of scented wood (καὶ πᾶν ξύλον θύϊνον), all articles of ivory (καὶ πᾶν σκεῦος ἐλεφάντινον), all articles of costly wood (καὶ πᾶν σκεῦος ἐκ ξύλου τιμιωτάτου), bronze (καὶ χαλκοῦ), iron (καὶ σιδήρου), and marble (καὶ μαρμάρου).”  This is the only use of these six Greek words that appear only in Revelation and not in any other canonical biblical NT writing, the word βυσσίνου, that means fine linen or cotton, and the word σιρικοῦ, that means silk or silken, and the word θύϊνον, that means thyine, citron, sandarach, or so-called citron tree, as well as the word ἐλεφάντινον, that means ivory, and the word σιδήρου, that means iron, and the word μαρμάρου, that means a crystalline stone or marble.  This list is like the commodities mentioned in the prophet Ezekiel, chapter 27:12-22, as he talked about the demise of the great shipping port of Tyre.  Many of the same items are mentioned here, like gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linens, purple, silk, scarlet, scented wood, ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron, and marble.  Do you know someone who is a merchant?

October 30, 2022

The merchants weep (Rev 18:11)

“The merchants

Of the earth

Weep

And mourn

For her,

Because no one

Buys

Their cargo anymore.”

καὶ οἱ ἔμποροι τῆς γῆς κλαίουσιν καὶ πενθοῦσιν ἐπ’ αὐτήν, ὅτι τὸν γόμον αὐτῶν οὐδεὶς ἀγοράζει οὐκέτι,

John said, “The merchants (καὶ οἱ ἔμποροι) of the earth (τῆς γῆς) weep (κλαίουσιν) and mourn (καὶ πενθοῦσιν) for her (ἐπ’ αὐτήν), because no one (οὐδεὶς) buys (ἀγοράζει) their cargo (τὸν γόμον αὐτῶν) anymore (οὐκέτι).”  The voice from heaven continued to tell John about the fate of Babylon.  The various merchants or business men of the earth were also weeping and mourning over Babylon.  They had no one who would buy their goods.  Babylon and its inhabitants were major sources of income for these various merchants, who now wept and wailed because they had lost their customers.  Are you a good customer?

October 30, 2022

Your judgment came in one hour (Rev 18:10)

“They will stand

Far off,

In fear

Of her torment.

They will say,

‘Woe!

Woe!

The great city!

Babylon!

The mighty city!

In one hour

Your judgment has come.”

ἀπὸ μακρόθεν ἑστηκότες διὰ τὸν φόβον τοῦ βασανισμοῦ αὐτῆς, λέγοντες Οὐαὶ οὐαί, ἡ πόλις ἡ μεγάλη, Βαβυλὼν ἡ πόλις ἡ ἰσχυρά, ὅτι μιᾷ ὥρᾳ ἦλθεν ἡ κρίσις σου.

John said, “They will stand (ἑστηκότες) far off (ἀπὸ μακρόθεν), in fear (διὰ τὸν φόβον) of her torment (βασανισμὸν).  They will say, ‘Woe (Οὐαὶ)!  Woe (οὐαί)!  The great city (ἡ πόλις ἡ μεγάλη)!  Babylon (Βαβυλὼν)!  The mighty city (ἡ πόλις ἡ ἰσχυρά)!  In one hour (ὅτι μιᾷ ὥρᾳ), your judgment (ἡ κρίσις σου) has come (ἦλθεν).”  This is the only use of this Greek word that appears only in Revelation and not in any other canonical biblical NT writing, the word βασανισμὸν, that means torture or torment.  This voice from heaven continued to tell John that the various kings would stay far away from Babylon because they were afraid of her great torment or torture.  They would say woe to her.  The mighty city of Babylon has been judged and fallen in just one hour.  Do you stay away from dangerous places?

October 30, 2022

They will weep and wail over her (Rev 18:9)

“The kings of the earth,

Who committed

Fornication

And lived

In luxury

With her,

Will weep and wail

Over her

When they see

The smoke

Of her burning body.”

καὶ κλαύσουσιν καὶ κόψονται ἐπ’ αὐτὴν οἱ βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς οἱ μετ’ αὐτῆς πορνεύσαντες καὶ στρηνιάσαντες, ὅταν βλέπωσιν τὸν καπνὸν τῆς πυρώσεως αὐτῆς,

John said, “The kings (οἱ βασιλεῖς) of the earth (τῆς γῆς), who committed fornication (πορνεύσαντες) and lived in luxury (καὶ στρηνιάσαντες) with her (μετ’ αὐτῆς), will weep (καὶ κλαύσουσιν) and wail (καὶ κόψονται) over her (ἐπ’ αὐτὴν) when they see (ὅταν βλέπωσιν) the smoke (τὸν καπνὸν) of her burning body (τῆς πυρώσεως αὐτῆς).”  This is the only use of this Greek word that appears only in Revelation and not in any other canonical biblical NT writing, the word στρηνιάσαντες, that means to run riotously, live luxuriously, revel, or riot.  This voice from heaven continued to tell John about the fate of Babylon.  The various kings of the earth who had sex with Babylon and lived in the lap of luxury with her were now weeping and wailing over her because they saw the smoke of her burning body.  Have you ever witnessed a burning fire destroying buildings and people?

October 30, 2022

Her plagues will come in a single day (Rev 18:8)

“Therefore,

Her plagues

Will come

In a single day,

Death,

Misery,

And famine.

She will be burned up

With fire.

Mighty

Is the Lord God

Who judges her.”

διὰ τοῦτο ἐν μιᾷ ἡμέρᾳ ἥξουσιν αἱ πληγαὶ αὐτῆς, θάνατος καὶ πένθος καὶ λιμός, καὶ ἐν πυρὶ κατακαυθήσεται· ὅτι ἰσχυρὸς Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὁ κρίνας αὐτήν.

John said, “Therefore (διὰ τοῦτο), her plagues (αἱ πληγαὶ αὐτῆς) will come (ἥξουσιν) in a single day (ἐν μιᾷ ἡμέρᾳ), death (θάνατος), misery (καὶ πένθος), and famine (καὶ λιμός).  She will be burned up (κατακαυθήσεται) with fire (καὶ ἐν πυρὶ).  Mighty (ὅτι ἰσχυρὸς) is the Lord God (Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς) who judges her (ὁ κρίνας αὐτήν).”  This voice from heaven told John that the plagues of Babylon would happen in a single day.  They would suffer death, misery, and famine.  God would burn them with fire.  The Lord God would bring his almighty judgment.  This is somewhat like the prophet Jeremiah, chapter 50:32, “I will kindle a fire in his cities.  It will devour everything around him.”  Yahweh proclaimed that the arrogant Babylonians would suffer defeat because he was going to set them on fire in their cities.  Everything would be devoured around them.  Bad times were coming to these proud Babylonians.  So too here, nothing good was going to happen to Babylon.  Have you ever been in a fire?

October 30, 2022

She says that she will never see grief (Rev 18:7)

“As she glorified herself

And lived luxuriously,

Thus,

Give her

A like measure

Of torment

And grief.

In her heart,

She says,

‘I rule

As a queen.

I am no widow.

I will never see grief.’”

ὅσα ἐδόξασεν αὑτὴν καὶ ἐστρηνίασεν, τοσοῦτον δότε αὐτῇ βασανισμὸν καὶ πένθος. ὅτι ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῆς λέγει ὅτι Κάθημαι βασίλισσα καὶ χήρα οὐκ εἰμί, καὶ πένθος οὐ μὴ ἴδω·

John said, “As she glorified herself (ὅσα ἐδόξασεν αὑτὴν) and lived luxuriously (καὶ ἐστρηνίασεν), give her (δότε αὐτῇ) a like measure (τοσοῦτον) of torment (βασανισμὸν) and grief (καὶ πένθος).  Because in her heart (ὅτι ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῆς), she says (λέγει), ‘I rule as a queen (ὅτι Κάθημαι βασίλισσα).  I am no widow (καὶ χήρα οὐκ εἰμί).  I will never see (οὐ μὴ ἴδω) grief (καὶ πένθος).’”  This is the only use of these Greek words that appear only in Revelation and not in any other canonical biblical NT writing, the word ἐστρηνίασεν, that means to run riotously, live luxuriously, revel, or riot, and the word βασανισμὸν, that means torture or torment.  This voice explained to John that Babylon had been a proud city.  She glorified herself and lived luxuriously.  Thus, she should receive an equal amount of torment and grief.  She thought that she was a queen that would never be a widow and never see or experience any kind of grief.  Babylon was proud, stubborn, luxurious, and immoral?  Are you a proud person?