Revelation 18:11 –
The merchants of the world will weep and mourn for her, for there is no one left to buy their goods.
This chapter is a detail of the fall of Babylon and all the people that are affected by this event. Once again I start reading this and see eerie similarities with the United States and specifically New York City. The world’s economy is driven by our consumerism and if we fall many will be sad. Not only the merchants, but the countries they were from and the shippers that they used will be sad because of the loss. If you think about it, if our economy were to go away, that event would wreak havoc in the world economy.
You can raise the whole idea the “Babylon” is long gone and this is an analogy of what may come. The problem with reading “prophetic” writings is it’s natural to try to apply this to today’s world. People have been doing this since these were written. “The end is near” is a common theme for people who see the dark side of this world. But at the same time I don’t think we are close to what John has described here, so don’t drive yourself nuts over what may or may not happen.
So far there is 100% certainty that we will die sometime. The key is not to focus on when or how it may happen, but focus on the life you are living. Focus on how your life impacts others and what your relationship is with Jesus, before trying to see if John’s predictions are happening today. Honestly for all we know this has already happened but like Jonah and Nineveh, God has already spared the world of His judgment. Again who knows the right answer? I sure don’t!