Revelation 18
Scripture
Revelation 18:8
“So in one day she will suffer great hunger, mourning, and death. She will be destroyed by fire, because the Lord God who judges her is powerful.”
Observation-What does it say?
The great city of Babylon, the home of one-world government and global trade, will think she is all powerful. Babylon will control powerful weapons and armies. But compared to the Lord God who will bring judgement upon her, Babylon doesn’t stand a chance!
What no earthly army can do, God accomplishes in just one day! From the angel of death passing over her, to this rich city running out of food, and finally the city being burned to the ground, this once proud city which boasted that they will never mourn, will grieve bitterly from its losses.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Will the things I stand for and value, hold up against God’s judgement?
Babylon believed itself to be almighty. They believed that they had the resources, the power, and the support from the other nations that made them invincible. They stood against God’s ways and His people. Babylon built great wealth and strength in armies and alliances. It gave them a false sense of security. Babylon was a city built on its sinfulness. And although God’s will allowed it, God was about to bring His swift and righteous judgment upon her. God would make an example of the city of Babylon. The message will be heard and seen around the world...just how great and awesome is God.
What is my life built on? What’s my underlying foundation? Is it built on material things, that like Babylon, give me a false sense of security? Or is my life built on the principles of God and His ways. If God put my life’s work and held it up against the fire, would it wither away, or would it be refined by it?
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.” -Matthew 6:19-20 NLT
Life Application
Focus on building His kingdom, not mine.
Something tangible I can do today to help me with my “life application” is to partner with DSC by being part of an ITC (In the City) group so that we could work together to “multiply Christ followers everywhere” here in our SCV community. Our first outreach is the “Give a Turkey” event. If you are not part of an ITC group, I highly encourage you to sign up here: https://www.desertstreams.com/itc
-Moses Gaddi