Empires don't collapse overnight. The experts said so. The analysts repeated it. The investors built their entire worldview on that assumption.
Then the angel descended.
A strong angel. His voice like nothing that had ever been heard from a human throat.
Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen.
Past tense. Twice.
As if it had already happened in the realm that makes the announcements before they reach the ground.
And is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit.
Everything that had been housed under its glittering exterior was now visible. The devils. The foul spirits. The every unclean and hateful bird.
All the nations had drunk from her.
All the kings had known her.
All the merchants had become rich because of her.
And now they stood far off, watching the smoke of her burning, and they wept. They mourned.
Not for the people. For the cargo.
The cargoes of gold and silver and precious stones and pearls.
That's what the merchants cried over.
That's what they had loved all along.
The great city, in which all who had ships in the sea were made rich by her costliness.
In one hour she is made desolate.
And in heaven, there was a different sound.
Not mourning. Not weeping.
Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
Two responses to the same event. Two completely different worlds.
One weeping over merchandise. One rejoicing over justice.
Scripture — Revelation 18:2
"And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird."
Reflection
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Every human system built on corruption will fall. The only question is when.
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What you mourn on the day of Babylon's fall reveals what you truly love.