The kings of the earth, who committed fornication with her and lived luxuriously, will weep and mourn over her when they see the smoke of her fiery ordeal. They stand at a distance, for fear of her torment, saying, "Woe, woe is Babylon, the great city, the strong city, because in one hour your judgment has come." Rev. 18:9, 10.
The situation of end-time Babylon would have rung a bell with people in first-century Asia Minor. They probably would have seen the "kings of the earth" here as the client kings (such as Herod in Palestine) that ruled in Rome's behalf in the provinces. Such rulers would keep their distance from the destruction out of self-preservation. Both then and now, love of "Babylon" is a self-interested thing and not self-sacrificing love.
In the first century Rome was the engine that drove the prosperity of the empire. Rulers in the provinces profited greatly from Roman rule. Many would not have risen to power and status were it not for the emperor's patronage. Rome provided security and prosperity for its friends. And Asia, where John was located, was the richest of the provinces.
But one reason Rome was so prosperous was that its luxury came at the expense of many. Four hundred thousand tons of grain came annually to the capital from Egypt, North Africa, and the Black Sea region. While provincials paid inflated prices for grain and sometimes had none, 200,000 families in Rome received a regular dole of free grain from the government.
Rome's appetite for luxury and wealth lured many wealthy provincials to invest in products they could export to Italy rather than what the locals needed. Landowners in Asia Minor used so much land for export items such as wine that Asia's cities had to import grain from Egypt and other areas. So the landowners profited from their relationship with Rome, but the common people had to pay high prices for their basic food needs (see Rev. 6:5, 6).
Roman commercial interests also propagated its religion, so people who wanted to buy and sell to the empire had to worship in exchange for the privilege. John no doubt enjoyed the irony of this vision. It is no wonder that the merchants and rulers in the provinces lament. They had sold their soul to the system that pampered them, and now that system had collapsed!
Jews were exempt from the religion of Rome, so they were able to buy and sell around the system. But Christians of the first century who were kicked out of the synagogue would have to choose between participating in pagan worship or losing their access to income. In the last days, similar challenges will take place in the world.
Lord, help me to see the degree to which wealth and power, rather than faithfulness to You, motivate my actions.
The situation of end-time Babylon would have rung a bell with people in first-century Asia Minor. They probably would have seen the "kings of the earth" here as the client kings (such as Herod in Palestine) that ruled in Rome's behalf in the provinces. Such rulers would keep their distance from the destruction out of self-preservation. Both then and now, love of "Babylon" is a self-interested thing and not self-sacrificing love.
In the first century Rome was the engine that drove the prosperity of the empire. Rulers in the provinces profited greatly from Roman rule. Many would not have risen to power and status were it not for the emperor's patronage. Rome provided security and prosperity for its friends. And Asia, where John was located, was the richest of the provinces.
But one reason Rome was so prosperous was that its luxury came at the expense of many. Four hundred thousand tons of grain came annually to the capital from Egypt, North Africa, and the Black Sea region. While provincials paid inflated prices for grain and sometimes had none, 200,000 families in Rome received a regular dole of free grain from the government.
Rome's appetite for luxury and wealth lured many wealthy provincials to invest in products they could export to Italy rather than what the locals needed. Landowners in Asia Minor used so much land for export items such as wine that Asia's cities had to import grain from Egypt and other areas. So the landowners profited from their relationship with Rome, but the common people had to pay high prices for their basic food needs (see Rev. 6:5, 6).
Roman commercial interests also propagated its religion, so people who wanted to buy and sell to the empire had to worship in exchange for the privilege. John no doubt enjoyed the irony of this vision. It is no wonder that the merchants and rulers in the provinces lament. They had sold their soul to the system that pampered them, and now that system had collapsed!
Jews were exempt from the religion of Rome, so they were able to buy and sell around the system. But Christians of the first century who were kicked out of the synagogue would have to choose between participating in pagan worship or losing their access to income. In the last days, similar challenges will take place in the world.
Lord, help me to see the degree to which wealth and power, rather than faithfulness to You, motivate my actions.
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