xiii. 19. _And Babylon, the glory of the kingdoms, &c._
The anticipated destruction of Babylon is here compared to that of
Sodom and Gomorrah, because of its completeness, and because of the
hopelessness of any return to that city to its former glory (vers.
20-22). The fate of Sodom and Gomorrah should be pondered, not merely
because it is here used as a symbol of the fate of Babylon, but also
because of the solemn lessons it affords in relation to sin. That
memorable overthrow occurred--I. _As a Divine vengeance upon
long-continued and unmitigated wickedness_ (Gen. xviii. 20, 21).
II. _Notwithstanding the influence of a good man in their midst_
(2 Pet. ii. 7, 8). A man like Lot, even though he perhaps suffered
injury to his own character, could not live among people like the
Sodomites without being a witness for better things and a testimony
against their crimes. III. _Notwithstanding the fervent intercessions
on their behalf of an eminently godly man_ (Gen. xviii. 23, &c.).
IV. _The overthrow came at last without any suspicion on the part of
their guilty inhabitants that their doom was so near_ (Prov. xxix. 1).
But why dwell upon a fate so awful, and that occurred so long ago?
Because it is a solemn warning to men to-day. Listen to our Saviour's
teaching on this point (Matt. xi. 20-24). From this we learn that the
fate of those who reject Christ will be more severe even than that
which befell those guilty cities--1. Because of clearer light against
which they sinned. It cannot be in any way a trivial thing to possess
the Gospel (2 Cor. ii. 16). 2. Because of the more abundant
opportunities of salvation which were afforded them. 3. Because of
the more abundant and excellent examples set before them. 4. Because
of the multiplied examples of warning to which they should have given
heed.--_William Manning._