[[@page.3.18.23]][[@bible.87.18.23]]3.18.23 - Revelation [[18:23|bible.87.18.23]] 
the voice of bridegroom and bride
The voice of bridegroom and bride attends normalcy and stability (Mtt. [[24:38|bible.61.24.38]]). There would be nothing approaching normalcy nor any future for Babylon.shall not shine, shall not be heard
In each of these phrases, the double negative, οὐ μὴ [ou mē] , appears emphasizing the permanence of the declarations.your merchants were the great men of the earth
See commentary on Revelation 18:3.for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived
Sorcery is φαρμακείᾳ [pharmakeia] . This term describes "sorcery, magic, . . . magic arts"1 and includes "the use of drugs of any kind for magical effect."2 Isaiah lists her sorceries: enchantments, astrology, star-gazing, and monthly prognostication (Isa. [[47:12-13|bible.23.47.12-23.47.13]]).3 It is because of the multitude of her sorceries that her destruction has come (Isa. [[47:9|bible.23.47.9]] cf. Nineveh, Nah. [[3:3|bible.34.3.3]]).4 Her magical arts were employed in the deception of the nations at the direction of the master deceiver, Satan (Rev. [[12:9|bible.87.12.9]]+). He empowered the beast upon which she rode (Rev. [[13:2|bible.87.13.2]]+; Rev. [[17:3|bible.87.17.3]]+). The city is like Jezebel: having known "the depths of Satan" (Rev. [[2:24|bible.87.2.24]]+ cf. 2K. [[9:22|bible.12.9.22]]).5 Those who practice sorcery "have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone" (Rev. [[21:8|bible.87.21.8]]+) and never enter the New Jerusalem (Rev. [[22:15|bible.87.22.15]]+).6 See commentary on Revelation 9:21.
Notes
1 Frederick William Danker, and Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 854.
2 Timothy Friberg, Barbara Friberg, and Neva F. Miller, Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 397.
3 Several of which are available at most supermarket checkout stands in our own country.
4 "We can be certain that, in the wicked and terrifying days of the tribulation, ungodly men will turn to intoxicants and drugs far more than ever in history. . . . The great demand for intoxicants and drugs in these coming days will surely be further stimulated by the ungodly and covetous merchants who profit so greatly from them." -- Henry Morris, The Revelation Record (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1983), Rev. 18:13.
5 This is one of many reasons why Satan will be confined during the Millennial Kingdom, so that he shall no longer deceive the nations (Rev. [[20:3|bible.87.20.3]]+).
6 Concerning prohibitions against witchcraft and sorcery: Ex. [[22:18|bible.2.22.18]]; Lev. [[19:26|bible.3.19.26]], [[31|bible.3.19.31]]; Deu. [[18:10|bible.5.18.10]]; 2Chr. [[33:6|bible.14.33.6]]; Isa. [[8:19|bible.23.8.19]]; [[19:3|bible.23.19.3]]; [[44:25|bible.23.44.25]]; Acts [[16:16|bible.65.16.16]]; Gal. [[5:20|bible.69.5.20]]; Rev. [[18:23|bible.87.18.23]]+; [[21:8|bible.87.21.8]]+; [[22:15|bible.87.22.15]]+.
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