December 29: MERCHANTS OF THE EARTH (part 1)

And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; Revelation 18:11-12

And now we shift to the perspective of the merchants of the earth. They comprise the second group of lamenters over Babylon’s fall. At first glance, this group may be perceived as the business developers and retailers of the world; the purveyors of merchandise from its source(s) to the consumer(s). In informal speech, a common term “middle-man” comes to mind. But this extensive list of costly merchandise, in keeping with Revelation’s symbology, is catalogued from Old Testament citings that have spiritual lessons attached. The merchandise being purveyed is spiritual in nature. As metaphors for good things from heaven, we must remember the very uncreative mind of the counterfeiter who co-opts the things of God into false symbols. And the figurative merchants are spiritual leaders who have led the masses astray in their purveyance of Babylon’s unbiblical doctrines. No doubt, many have profited financially (1 Timothy 6:10) as they spread the false messages among the people; for unconverted, nominal Christians are keen to hear such words. They are so well-versed in fables, that the truth actually seems strange to them: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

To be rescued from the throes of any one of the numerous and popular false doctrines floating around is to step onto a path of discovery of more truths hidden under the piles of rubbish that have been promoted. This change of direction — gaining true insights regarding God’s character — is crowned with incredible joy, for the truth taught in the word of God is deeply soul-satisfying. By contrast, each erroneous teaching casts shadows upon other truths, raising more questions, feeding doubt, and ultimately rendering large swaths of Scripture as unworthy of our attention; things to ignore, overlook, or disbelieve. Thus, the treachery of even one false doctrine, once exposed to the light of the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) is seen for what it is: a misrepresentation of God’s character meant to cause people to be lost. Therefore, have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them (Ephesians 5:11). When this happens, more and more spiritual eyes are opened, and they will not buy [the merchants’] merchandise anymore, for their desire will be only for the riches of the kingdom of heaven.

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! Romans 11:33a