Definition: And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Revelation 18:23. It’s a pretty dramatic and somewhat unsettling verse, and it’s packed with symbolism. Here's an explanation in simpler terms: Overall Meaning: This verse speaks about the end times and a significant shift in how people live – especially concerning commerce and their reliance on deceptive practices. Essentially, it says that all worldly dealings will stop, and the spiritual connection to God will be lost. Let’s break it down word by word: “And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee…” - This refers to the shining of the sun – a symbol of God’s presence and truth. When the light fades, it means God's guidance and revealing is gone. “…and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee.” - This is a key part. "The bride" represents believers, those who are spiritually united with God. “The bridegroom” refers to Jesus Christ. “The bride” is often interpreted as representing the righteous people of God – those who have been transformed by faith. The verse says their voices (their spiritual communication and teachings) will be silenced. “For thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.” - This is where it gets really powerful. “Merchants” refers to the corrupt, worldly practices and economic systems of the era. "Sorceries" here means deception, trickery, or misleading practices – things that cloud judgment and lead people astray. The verse says that these deceptive practices have caused all nations to be deceived. So, what does it mean in a nutshell? It’s saying that humanity has become increasingly reliant on deceitful ways of making money and living. The spiritual connection has been weakened, and the true message of God is being obscured by false promises and deceptive systems. It's a warning about the dangers of prioritizing worldly gain over genuine faith and righteousness. Context & Interpretation: Revelation 18: This passage is part of a larger vision in Revelation describing the end times. Symbolic Language: The Bible often uses symbolism to represent events and truths. It's not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a symbolic representation of spiritual realities. In short, this verse warns against the dangers of materialism, deception, and a loss of faith – suggesting that true prosperity and understanding come from a relationship with God. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific theme or story in the Bible? Discuss what this verse might be saying about our current world?