Come Out of Her

Daily Reading: Revelation 18

Scripture Focus: Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues. (Revelation 18.4)

Devotional Thought: From the island of Patmos, John saw a vision of Babylon - metaphorically Rome, the seat of power and the center of civilization.  How is the modern reader to interpret and apply the fall of Babylon?  The answer is found in verse 4: “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues.” 

The following sins of Babylon are warnings to the Church:

·       Demons of darkness (v. 2).  Ungodly values are evident in society.  Addictions, obsessions, prejudice, and ‘tolerance’ bring pressure on the Church to conform and consume.

·       Sexual immorality (v. 3).  The Bible is clear that sex outside marriage (the only marriage the Bible knows is heterosexual) is a sin.  This would include pre-marital sex, pornography, adultery, and lust.

·       Luxurious living (v. 3).  There is a great divide in the worldwide economy.  Should Christians live in luxury while children go hungry?

"My people," says God, must not "take part in her sins."

Those who do not denounce and avoid these sins are subject to the plagues of Babylon:

·       Death and mourning (v. 8).  Babylon thought she was immune from death, but was shocked to find it at her door.

·       Famine (v. 8).  A society that lives like Babylon will experience a famine of the Word of God.

·       Destruction (v. 8).  Babylon was burned up with fire.  There is an eternal fire that never goes out!

·       Poverty (v. 14).  May we be rich in mercy and rich toward God!

May God give the Church courage and strength to stand.

Prayer: Lord, help me to recognize and avoid "the sins of Babylon."  May my life be a reflection of your truth and love and generosity.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 104.24-35

24 O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

25 Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great.

26 There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.

27 These all look to you, to give them their food in due season.

28 When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.

29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.

30 When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.

31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works,

32 who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke!

33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

34 May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.

35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!