Definition: And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Revelation 18:11. It's a pretty serious statement about the future! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it means that after the Antichrist rises and brings about a great deal of chaos and destruction, the merchants (people who trade and sell goods) will be deeply saddened and heartbroken. Let’s unpack it a bit more: “The merchants of the earth…” - This refers to all the people and businesses on Earth. “…shall weep and mourn…” - This is a strong word for sadness, grief, and despair. It's not just a little bit sad; they’ll be profoundly upset. “…over her” - "Her" is a tricky part. It refers to the Antichrist – a powerful figure who represents evil and deception. He's causing this widespread sadness. “for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:” This is the key part. It means that after this period of chaos and ruin, there will be no longer any trade or commerce happening on Earth. People won’t be buying anything because everything will be lost. In a nutshell, it's predicting a time of great hardship and loss for those who rely on trade and commerce. What does this have to do with the Bible as a whole? Revelation 18 is a prophecy about the end times – the final days of the world. It’s a warning about the coming of evil and the ultimate judgment. It suggests that the Antichrist will bring about a time of widespread suffering and ruin, and it's important to remember this verse as a sign that we should be ready for what's coming. Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to other biblical passages? Discuss the significance of the phrase "her"?