17 For in an hour such great riches are made desolate.’ Every shipmaster, and everyone who sails anywhere, and mariners, and as many as gain their living by sea, stood far away,
in one hour laid to waste – see verse 10.
as many as make their money by the sea – the sea represents salvation throughout Revelation, especially in Rev 8:8; and Rev 15:2. These are those who made money by a false gospel.