V. 4.—­The phrase, “my people” indicates that the speaker is not a created angel whose warning is here given with a “voice from heaven.”  This call of the Lord Jesus has been addressed to his elect, ever since the revelation of the “man of sin.”  It has been obeyed but partially hitherto:  but upon the sounding of the seventh trumpet, his Holy Spirit will give the call unusual efficacy.

5.  For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

6.  Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double, according to her works:  in the cup which he hath filled, fill to her double.

7.  How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her:  for she saith in her heart.  I sit a queen; and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

8.  Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burnt with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

Vs. 5-8.—­“Her sins have reached unto heaven,” and now she is to be visited with condign punishment; although it seemed both to her and God’s own people long delayed.  “God hath remembered her iniquities.”  There is reference to ancient Babylon’s punishment, and the law of retaliation. (Jer. l. 15; Ps. cxxxvii. 8; Is. xlvii. 1-8.) Her punishment is destruction from the Almighty”:  “strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.”

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.

10.  Standing afar off, for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

11.  And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more.

12.  The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet and all thyine wood, and all manner of vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble.

13.  And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

14.  And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.

15.  The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off, for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

16.  And saying, Alas, alas! that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

17.  For in one hour so great riches is come to naught.  And every ship master, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,