Come Out with a Shout!

Daily Reading:  Revelation 18

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." (Revelation 18.4)

Devotional Thought:  Babylon has fallen!  In Babylon, representing the ancient Romans, we see the demise of all oppressive powers.  In the moment of her fall, a voice from heaven shouts a warning to God's people: "Come out of her!"  As God’s people today, we need to “come out of Babylon.”  This counsel is both warning and promise. 

We must “come out of Babylon” in order that we do not share in her sins.  This is a warning.  In our day, great is the sin of Babylon, the oppressive powers: unjust warring, political deception, sexual immorality, corrupt entertainment, marriage infidelity, criminal violence, family ruin, pre-born genocide, rampant materialism, forgotten compassion...  The list goes on and on.  We must not share in these sins, either in practice or in support of the powers that approve them.

We also must “come out of Babylon” in order to be protected from the effects of sin.  This is a promise.  When we separate ourselves from sinful values and behaviors, we protect ourselves from their effects.  While we are never completely delivered from the effects of living in a sin-filled world – others’ sins can harm us and an environment of sin drags society down – we are promised that these effects will not “stick to us.”  Those who are God’s children have victory over sin.  And one day we will be completely called out to dwell in a pure and holy heaven where nothing harms or destroys.  Sin’s plague will not reach us there!

One day the voice will shout, and we shall come out!  Amen!

Prayer: Lord, I am surrounded by sin and its terrible consequences.  But one day, you will shout for me to come out.  Until that day, help me to live pure and holy, not sharing in the plague of sin.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 105:37-45

37 He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold, and from among their tribes no one faltered.

38 Egypt was glad when they left, because dread of Israel had fallen on them.

39 He spread out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night.

40 They asked, and he brought them quail; he fed them well with the bread of heaven.

41 He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert.

42 For he remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham.

43 He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy;

44 he gave them the lands of the nations, and they fell heir to what others had toiled for 45 that they might keep his precepts and observe his laws. Praise the LORD.