Revelation 18:9-20

And the kings of the earth, &c.— In the very solemn manner described in the verses before us, by an angel, and by a voice from heaven, is declared the fall of Rome, and her destruction by fire; and then are set forth the consequences of her fall, the lamentations of some, and the rejoicings of others. The kings of her communion, who have committed fornication, and lived deliciously with her, bewail and lament her fall, (Revelation 18:9.) But what kings were they, who lived deliciously with old Rome, and had reason to lament her fall? The merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, (Revelation 18:11.) for there is an end of all traffic and commerce with her, whether spiritual or temporal; for it is intimated, Revelation 18:13 that they make merchandise of the souls as well as of the bodies of men. The ship-masters &c. weep and wail, (Revelation 18:17.) for they can no longer import or export commodities for her, or convey strangers to and fro; for there is an end of all her costliness. These lamentations are similar to the lamentations over Tyre in Ezekiel 26; Ezekiel 27 and are equal to the most mournful strains of the Greek poets over Thebes or Troy. In all, they stand afar off (Revelation 18:10; Revelation 18:15; Revelation 18:17.) as if they were unable or afraid to help and assist her. In all, they cry, alas! alas! (Revelation 18:10; Revelation 18:16; Revelation 18:19.) which is the third woe, or alas, mentioned, ch. Revelation 8:13 Revelation 11:14.; for as the fall of the Othman empire is the end of the second woe, so the fall of Rome is the completion of the third woe. In all, they lament the suddenness of her fall, (Revelation 18:10; Revelation 18:17; Revelation 18:19.) for in one hour is her destruction come. At the same time her destruction is matter of joy and triumph, Revelation 18:20 to the holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged them on her: but what reason had the Christians to rejoice over the calamities brought on Rome by Alaric or Totilas, in which theythemselves were the principal sufferers? And how were these calamities any vindication of their cause, or of the cause of true religion?