Revelation 18:23

And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

And {G2532} the light {G5457} of a candle {G3088} shall shine {G5316} no more {G3364} at all {G2089} in {G1722} thee {G4671}; and {G2532} the voice {G5456} of the bridegroom {G3566} and {G2532} of the bride {G3565} shall be heard {G191} no more {G3364} at all {G2089} in {G1722} thee {G4671}: for {G3754} thy {G4675} merchants {G1713} were {G2258} the great men {G3175} of the earth {G1093}; for {G3754} by {G1722} thy {G4675} sorceries {G5331} were {G4105} all {G3956} nations {G1484} deceived {G4105}.

the light of a lamp
will never again shine in you,
the voice of bridegroom and bride
will never again be heard in you.

“For your businessmen were the most powerful on earth,
all the nations were deceived by your magic spell.

The light of a lamp will never shine in you again, and the voices of a bride and bridegroom will never call out in you again. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.”

and the light of a lamp shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the princes of the earth; for with thy sorcery were all the nations deceived.

Context

Revelation 18:23 is part of a prophetic lament and declaration of judgment against "Babylon the Great," a symbolic entity representing a powerful, corrupt global system, city, or spiritual power that has amassed immense wealth and influence through unrighteous means. The preceding verses (Revelation 18:21-22) vividly describe the sudden and irreversible downfall of this entity, emphasizing its complete desolation. This verse specifically highlights the finality of its ruin by detailing the cessation of all signs of life, joy, and normal societal function, linking its destruction to its economic power and spiritual deception.

Key Themes

  • Utter Desolation and Loss of Joy: The absence of "the light of a candle" signifies the end of all joy, guidance, and prosperity. Similarly, the silence of "the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride" points to the cessation of celebration, new beginnings, and community life, indicating a complete and permanent ruin. This imagery powerfully conveys the finality of divine judgment.
  • Economic Corruption and Global Influence: The phrase "thy merchants were the great men of the earth" underscores the immense economic power and global reach of Babylon. This system's influence was not merely financial but extended to manipulating global commerce and, by extension, the world's leaders and economies, often for selfish gain and exploitation.
  • Spiritual Deception and Manipulation: The most severe charge is that "by thy sorceries were all nations deceived." This points to a profound spiritual dimension of Babylon's corruption, where nations were led astray not only by economic allure but also by spiritual falsehoods and manipulative practices.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated as "sorceries" is pharmakeia (φαρμακεία). While it can literally refer to the use of drugs, potions, or magic, in this context, it carries a broader meaning of spiritual enchantment, manipulation, and deception through deceptive practices often associated with idolatry and false religion. It implies a spiritual influence that deludes and ensnares, leading nations away from truth and righteousness.

Practical Application

Revelation 18:23 serves as a powerful warning against any system—whether economic, political, or spiritual—that builds its power on greed, exploitation, and deception. It reminds believers that worldly prosperity and influence, when divorced from God's righteousness, are ultimately fleeting and subject to divine judgment. This verse encourages discernment in identifying and resisting influences that promise gain but lead to spiritual compromise. It also reinforces the ultimate triumph of God's justice and the eternal nature of His kingdom over all corrupt earthly powers, echoing the marriage of the Lamb as the true and lasting celebration.

The judgment on Babylon highlights the importance of spiritual integrity and warns against the subtle ways in which material wealth and worldly power can become instruments of deception, leading nations and individuals astray, a theme also explored in 1 Timothy 6:10 regarding the love of money.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 18:3

    For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

  • Isaiah 23:8

    Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning [city], whose merchants [are] princes, whose traffickers [are] the honourable of the earth?

  • Nahum 3:4

    Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.

  • Jeremiah 7:34

    Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.

  • Revelation 22:15

    For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

  • Jeremiah 16:9

    For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.

  • Revelation 18:9

    ¶ And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back