Measure for measure, the punishment will fit the crime. Her suffering and mourning will be in proportion to her former boasting and dissipation.

 The first part of v. 7 reads literally, “so many things have glorified her and made her wanton.” So many things have contributed to her pride and wantonness. Arrogant self-confidence has made her confident of the ultimate success of her plot to obliterate God’s remnant people and to reign supreme over the earth. She is proud of her wealth, popularity, and power. Compare Isa. 47:6-10; Eze. 28:2, 4, 5, 16.

 See on chs. 17:16; 18:4.

 Or, “mourning,” that is, as a result of the “plagues” (v. 4) that “torture” her. Compare the lamentation of the “kings” and “merchants” (vs. 9, 11).

 Or, “is saying in her mind,” that is, at the time the angel of v. 4 delivers his message of warning, prior to the close of probation, and later, during the sixth plague (see on ch. 17:1). Inordinate conceit has spawned utter confidence in her evil scheme to rule the world. The attempt to deceive others has resulted in absolute self-deception. Not only has she made others “drunk,” she herself is in a state of intoxication (see on ch. 17:2, 6).

 Note the present tense (see above on “saith in her heart”). The true church is represented in Scripture as a “chaste virgin” (see on 2 Cor. 11:2), Christ’s bride (see on Eph. 5:23-32; cf. on Rev. 12:1; 19:7, 8). The great harlot impersonates Christ’s bride before the inhabitants of earth, over whom she claims dominion in His name. But she is a counterfeit “queen” (cf. Isa. 47:6-10). She is a harlot who has never had a legal husband, yet is able to boast of her conquests. Do not the “kings” and “great men” of the earth wait upon her (Rev. 18:9, 23)? Are they not captive to her will and dedicated instruments of her nefarious schemes (see on ch. 17:2)?

 As a “widow” she would have no legal status, or claim upon the allegiance of the people of earth. Compare Isa. 47:8, 10.

 What she least expects is certain to come upon her (see on Isa. 47:11).