December 31: MERCHANTS OF THE EARTH (part 3)
The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, “Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls!” Revelation 18:15-16
Like the world’s political leaders (the kings of the earth in vv.9-10), we now see the religious leaders (the merchants of the earth) stand at a distance for fear of [Babylon’s] torment. Remember that torment is translated from a Greek word that means the inevitable carrying out of the just sentence of a convicted criminal. It is unfortunate that today’s weakened linguistics equate torment and torture. The two are not the same, either in action or purpose.
Both the kings of the earth and the merchants of the earth received temporal benefits as a result of their unholy alliance with Babylon. Like the idiomatic expression “rats off a sinking ship” these two groups sense the impending disaster and are activated by the instinct for self-preservation to distance themselves from her.
The merchants’ description of her confirms one of the main methods she employs to lead people astray: dazzling outward appearances! Fine linen symbolizes the righteous acts of the saints (19:8). There is a great show of good deeds among Babylon’s adherents. Jesus pointed out that such a display brings only the reward of glory from men (Matthew 6:2). The rest of the description, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, is taken from God’s instructions for priestly garb (see Exodus 28:5-6, 13, 17-21) given to represent the ministry of our heavenly High Priest who advocates on behalf of His followers (Hebrews 8:1). Babylon has undertaken to create a counterfeit earthly priesthood (see Daniel 8:10-11) that intentionally obscures Christ in His heavenly role. The Babylonian church pretends to impart power to her priests to pronounce God’s forgiveness of sins (they decide who is forgiven and who is not); and adding to this pronouncement repetitious “penances” to pay for that forgiveness. “Indulgences” can be secured through certain ritualistic requirements. Though the church emphatically denies ever selling indulgences, the historical record proves otherwise. These sales have funded elaborate building projects and precious materials for their adornments.
The conspicuous absence of blue (see Numbers 15:38-41) from the priestly garb is a loud signal to the alert student of God’s word that the religious system of Babylon omits the doctrine of obedience to God’s law as spoken by His voice and written by His finger. Behind this omission is a counterfeit definition of grace that resembles license to break the law of God. In reality, God’s grace is His aid and empowerment imparted to those who love Him that they may indeed honor and keep the law of God. He wants to engrave it upon our hearts! Beware of the layers of tradition and manmade dogmas that Satan has laid out to obscure God’s message of salvation!
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19:7-8
For further study: Hebrews 2:16-18; Galatians 3:29; Mark 2:7; Luke 5:21; Matthew 6:7; Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19; John 14:15; Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10; 10:16; 1 John 2:4