These merchants had been selfishly busy lining their own pockets (Revelation 18:3, Revelation 18:15) instead of caring about their neighbour’s poverty and struggles, contrary to God’s ordinances for all people (Exodus 22:21–22; Deuteronomy 16:11; Deuteronomy 24:17–18, Deuteronomy 24:21–22) and his example in Jesus Christ (John 3:16). That same lack of care for the poor was one of the causes of Israel’s exile from the land of promise (Isaiah 1:21–23; Jeremiah 5:28–29; Amos 8:4–6). It is consistent with God’s revelation from the beginning that God would reject and despise such a civilization/city.
23 and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.