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Daily Devotions

Revelation

Revelation 
Day 
Day 128

"God has avenged you"

Text: Revelation 18:20

WEEPING VERSUS REJOICING

Two contrasting attitudes are to be noted. On the one hand, there were those who wept over the fall of Babylon. On the other hand, there were those who were called to rejoice!

“They threw dust on their heads and cried out,
weeping and wailing, and saying,
‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which
all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth!
For in one hour she is made desolate.’
‘Rejoice over her, O heaven,
and you holy apostles and prophets,
for God has avenged you on her!'”
Revelation 18:19-20

1. Those who wept over the demise of Babylon.

a) They threw dust on their heads.

i) This was an expression of great sorrow.

ii) This was to express great grief.

b) This was accompanied by:

i) Weeping

ii) Wailing (called “ululation”)

iii) Shrieking cries would be heard.

2. The reasons for this deep lament.

a) The greatness of Babylon had come to an end.

b) The wealth that she offered her merchants was also gone.

c) That great city was now made “desolate”.

d) The sense of loss felt was very deep.

e) The sorrow felt was very real.

f) There was “international sorrow” felt.

3. Those who were called to rejoice.

a) Heaven was called to rejoice over the demise of Babylon.

b) “Holy apostles and prophets” were also called to rejoice.

4. Reason for rejoicing:

a) The apostles and prophets were slain by Babylon.

b) They had suffered terribly under Babylon’s rule.

c) They cried out to God for justice to be done on their behalf.

d) God had heard their cries.

e) They would see justice done.

f) They would be avenged.

g) The holy apostles and prophets had every reason to rejoice in the fall of Babylon.