18:14. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after.—Love of ease, money and praise of men.
Are departed from thee.—Replaced by the conditions affecting the common people. “Every valley [lowly and depressed one] shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill [highly exalted one] shall be made low: and the crooked [doctrines] shall be made straight, and the rough places [where the iron heel of oppression has made a hard path for the weary multitudes to follow] shall be made plain.”—Isa. 40:4.
And all things which were dainty and goodly.—Stained glass windows, soft carpets and upholstery, church suppers, etc.
[Are departed] PERISHED from thee, and [thou shalt] THEY SHALL find them no more at all.—The future of the clergy is that in the Millennial Age they will have to work for a living, like everybody else! Isn't it awful to contemplate? It means an expense of 65c for an alarm clock in every preacher's house in Christendom!
18:15. The merchants of these things.—The salesmen of these goods, the clergy.—Rev. 18:3, 11; Ezek. 27:36; Isa. 23:8; 47:15.
Which were made rich by her.—Who have hitherto made a good living in the profession of the ministry.
Shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing.—Over their lost jobs.
18:16. [And] saying, Alas, alas, that great city.—Babylon, mother and daughters.
That was clothed in fine linen.—Seemed to the worshipers of the beast and his image very righteous.
And purple.—Seemed to be already reigning on the earth.