18:18. And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning.—Her confusion and destruction by the Lord.
Saying, What city is like unto this great city.—With its millions of adherents, all professedly interested in mission work.
18:19. And they cast dust on their [heads] HEAD.—Did a certain amount of mud-slinging.—Ezek. 27:30; Lam. 2:10.
And cried, weeping and wailing.—And gnashing their teeth, too, no doubt.
Saying, Alas, [alas] that great city.—That wonderful religio-political combination.
Wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea.—All preachers who were strong enough and clever enough to manage people's churches, independent of the sects. Many such “independent” churches have large memberships.
By reason of her costliness.—By reason of the amount of money that can be raised in and for such institutions.
For in one hour is she made desolate.—“To them the fall of Babylon at first is astounding, a perplexity, but will work no real injury, because the reign of Babylon over the earth will be superseded by the reign of the New Jerusalem—the Kingdom of God's dear Son.”—Pastor Russell; Rev. 18:8; 3:14; 11:11.
18:20. Rejoice over her, thou Heaven.—New powers of spiritual control, Christ and His Bride, appointed to take her place.—Jer. 51:48; Phil. 3:20; Rev. 11:19.
And ye [holy] SAINTS AND Apostles.—You who have suffered at her hands.—Matt. 23:34, 35; Rev. 13:15; 18:24.