Laments are songs of sorrow, grief and mourning. It may seem astonishing that John would express such feelings about the fate of Rome. But he was a Roman citizen himself and naturally shared some sense of its glory. This ambivalence comes to the fore in the second of the laments in 18:9-19.
The first lament (18:1-8) has two parts given voice by two angels from heaven. The first angel expressed prophetic grief that Babylon (i.e. Rome) has indeed come to such a sad end. This echoes similar words uttered about the fall of Babylon in Isaiah 21:9. The haunted scene inhabited by demons and wild animals in vs. 2 described the desolation well known to people of ancient times when great cities were overwhelmed by ruthless invaders.
In vs. 3 John gives the reason for Rome’s downfall. The empire had given peace and security to the Mediterranean world which enabled many of its subject peoples to share widespread prosperity. Idolatrous worship John likened to fornication seemed a small price for petty monarchs and merchants to pay for the privilege of luxurious trade with Rome.
A second angelic voice from heaven echoes Jeremiah’s summons to faithful Jews to leave Babylon because that city was about to fall to an invader. The seductive situation of Rome would receive double retribution for her arrogant lifestyle from which God’s people must dissociate themselves.
John believed that it was never too late for anyone to repent and turn back to God. To the bitter end, God’s grace remains open and God never ceases to welcome back prodigals. Jesus had shown this in his parables and actions. Long before that Hosea had also expressed this same everlasting mercy (Hosea 2:20-23).
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