When letters were more common than email or texting. I’d
often put a parenthesis in the telling of a story. I’d write, “Oh, that reminds me...” and then add a
section before going back to the story. This seems to be what Revelation 17 and
18 are doing. Chapter 17 tells of Babylon with indication that this is a
religious system identified as a woman. Her schemes have affected the entire
world and she is under the wrath of God just before Christ returns. At the end,
there is an introduction to the next chapter that indicates Babylon is a city as
well as a false belief system.
“And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:18)
The next chapter says more about this ‘city’ and its
influence over world leaders. Understanding is helped by remembering sexual
immorality is often used in the Bible as a euphemism for idolatry:
After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast. For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.” (Revelation 18:1–3)
Then John is given another revelation that says even
during this time there will be people of faith who have survived the horrors of
judgment. For Babylon this judgment is because this ‘city’ or person or system
has led people astray from God and murdered His prophets and His people.
Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities." (Revelation 18:4–5)
A few verses later tell how the world mourns the
destruction of Babylon yet the saints of God are told to rejoice:
"Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!” (Revelation 18:20)
These two chapters give additional insight into major
religious and political movements during the time of the end and set the stage
for the climax of the Book of Revelation — the second coming of Christ.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Lord Jesus, I didn’t plan this, but Your Spirit has led me
to read about this great event while we celebrate Your first coming to our
world. I’m excited about Christmas because it fulfills God’s promise to send
You and verifies to me that Your promise to return will also happen. I’m not
excited about the wrath that unbelievers will experience even though this is
the option many will choose, but I do rejoice that even now You are showing me
that in those days, You will still be calling people to Yourself. For that, I am
in awe and worship You.
Today’s thankful list . . .
- joy in God’s saving power and mercy.
- a lovely visit with our neighbor who is so easy to talk
with.
- the wild rabbit that lives under our window and totally
ignores our movements.
- raspberries and vanilla sauce.
- long conversations with family and friends.
- that Jesus is my best friend.
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