Today’s Reading:
Revelation 18:1-5, 9-13
“AFTER THESE things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, possessing great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his splendor and radiance (glory) [Ex 34:29-35; 1Tim 6:16]. 2And he shouted with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen [certainly to be destroyed] is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a dungeon haunted by every unclean spirit, and a prison for every, unclean and loathsome bird. 3For all the nations have drunk from the wine of the passion of her [sexual] immorality, and the kings and political leaders of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth and economic power of her sensuous luxury. [Jer. 25:15, 27]. 4And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her; my people, so that you will not be partner in her sins and receive her plagues; [Isa 48:20; Jer. 50:8] 5for her sins (crimes, transgressions) have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her wickedness and crimes [for judgement]. [Jer. 51:9]
9And the kings and political leaders of the earth, who committed immorality and lived luxuriously with her, will weep and beat their chests [in mourning] over her when they see the smoke of her burning; [Ezek. 26:16-17] 10 standing a long way off, in fear of her torment, saying: ‘Woe, woe, the great city; the strong city, Babylon! In a single hour your judgement has come.’ 11And merchants of the earth will weep and grieve over her, because no one buys their cargo (goods, merchandise) anymore – [Ezek.27:36] 12Cargoes of gold and silver and precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet, all kinds of citron (scented) wood and every article of ivory and every article of very costly and lavish wood and bronze and iron and marble. [Ezek. 27:12-13, 22] 13and cinnamon and spices and incense and perfume and frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat, of cattle and sheep, and cargoes of horses and chariots and carriages; and of slaves and human lives.” (Revelation 18:1-5, 9-13 AMPV)
Today’s Reading marks the apex and realisation of John’s prophecy about the fall of Babylon the Great; the symbolic metaphorical name for evil world system, power and all its representation. The angel that made the announcement came with great authority at a time when the earth was in darkness (Rev.16:10) but the brightness of the glory, the splendor, and the radiance of the angel was so strong that it illuminated the earth (v. 1) in order to draw the attention of the inhabitant to the announcer and the messenger of judgement on Babylon. Although Babylon is no more, our world like the ancient cities of Babylon has fallen into ruins, but the spirit of Babylon is still around with us. The spirit rules the world system and imposes a world view upon the people it conquers. It is brutal, proud, pride itself in adultery, in idolatrous worship, self- glorification, self -indulgence, excessive luxuries, (vv. 3; 7, 9; Ezek. 28:4-5, 16-18)) and self-sufficiency, all the vices that God frowns at. She would be repaid double for her sin. She mixed a bitter drink for the inhabitants of the world; and so, the angel would pour out plagues that mixed double for her (v. 16). Gains its wealth at the expense of others (vv. 5-6, 13). It prides in its great beauty, sophistication and splendour, with its arts, social life and technology. Though not a sin to flourish in all these, but it is a sin to flourish at the expense of other human beings, all are made in the image of God.
Today as always, this is a universal call to all Christians to come out of the world system, shun the charms and snares of prostituting system which is present where idolatry, prostitution, self-glorification, self-sufficiency, pride and complacency, reliance on unusual luxury, excessive lust for wealth and violence against humanity (vv. 4-8, 24) are. While still living and working in the world, Christians are to separate themselves from the world system. We are to distinctively create an identity and to develop living styles of resistance that will allow us to proclaim the Gospel of truth as it should wherever we find ourselves. Note that everything that exist to hinder the purpose of God for His world will surely come to a violent end. In the world, many businessmen and merchants get rich by exploiting the sinful pleasure of their society. Most businesses and government system are usually based on greed, excess money and power. Many so-called smart people take advantage of evil system to enrich themselves. Christians are warned to steer clear of the lure of excess money, status and the excessive good things of life. We are to live a life of self-service giving, self-sacrifice, obedience and truth.
Godliness with contentment is great gain (1Tim 6:6). This is key to spiritual growth and fulfilment. In the world’s state of dark, reckless, chaotic and confused situation, we should as much as possible honour God and concentrate our desire on godliness (Mtt. 6:33), and we should be content with what God is doing in our lives. Contrary to overwhelming evidences, many people still believe that excessive lust for money is an end to all things. If so, does it bring genuine happiness. The list of various merchandise stands for the extent of materialism in our society, the excessive luxury (vv. 12-13). The society have become self-indulgence in vices that people do not mind any means and length to get what they wanted, even destroying lives. People now indulge in commercialising human commodities – commercialising in human parts, bodies and souls of men for material riches.
A clarion call is coming out as usual today – Come out of them, repent ye of your sins, surrender your lives to Jesus Christ if you have not, so that you are able to walk with God in victory and liberty of body, soul and spirit.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
Prayer:
God Almighty, I acknowledge your supremacy, I worship You and adore You.
The Lord reigns, let the people tremble, He sits between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Your holy name we give glory, for Your mercy, and for your truth’s sake.
Thank You, Lord Jesus that You are Faithful and True, trustworthy, loyal, incorruptible, and steady.
Lord Jesus, I declare that You are King of kings and LORD of lords.
Lord, grant that I may love you more and more, see You more clearly, and be nearer to You, in Jesus name.
Lord, moments of decision, moments of temptation, let me clearly hear you speak, in Jesus name.
We commit our children, teenagers, youths and young adults to your fatherly care; they are in the world, be their Shepherd, teach them, guide them, in Jesus name.
Lord, enforce your will in the body of Christ; give us the love, the boldness to genuinely proclaim the of Gospel of truth, in Jesus name.
Father let your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven; let there be genuine love and peace, in Jesus name Amen.
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