The Everyday Prayer

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 17 – 18 (Day seven)

“You surely will not die”, said the snake. (Genesis 3:5)

It is a long strategy of our Enemy.  Time-tested.  He convinces men that there is no danger.  “You are a good person.”  “No one believes anymore in a God who sends people to Hell.” ” I have received Christ”.  Swallowing the bait, we ignore God’s word, God’s warning when it comes.  Never even consider it.

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”–Philippians 2:12.  What could that possibly mean if (as Satan whispers) there is nothing to fear?

“Do not be deceived ( seeing the pattern?) God is not mocked!  Whatever a man sows, this we he also reap.”–Galatians 6:7.

Today, we read Revelation 17 and 18.  As promised, Rome falls!  What else would we expect?  Immorality, cruelty, unbelief, self-glorification reaches beyond the mercy of God.

Lord, give us ears and urgency and the courage to act!  Our enemy has deceived many, saying that there is nothing to fear.

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 17 – 18 (Day five) 

Revelation 17:8 And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come.

Been thinking about these people a lot this week.  Those who “dwell” on the earth.  Another version used the word “belong” instead of dwell.

Scripture teaches this world is not “home” for believers.  Jesus says in John 18 John, “My kingdom is not of this world.  Those who have been saved through faith are citizens and members of God’s Kingdom.   I did some heart searching, asking the question, “How much do I dwell/belong to this world?”

Here’s where I checked:  Attention (What occupies my thoughts, dreams, perspective?), Affection (What activities, opportunities, and priorities capture my heart? Energy (Are activities and motivations more defined by work/productivity or ministry and service?) Passion (What is it that I want to be and do more than anything?) Longing (Are my values deeper, higher, and eternal?)

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 17 – 18 (Day four)

The great city of Babylon represents the spirit of worldliness…the spirit of wealth and power…merchants taking advantage of the greed and fear of buyers to enrich their own pockets…deception and fraud for the purpose of personal gain.  There will be great mourning on behalf of all who have partaken in this immorality and idolatry.  When God brings judgment, there will be great lament.

Do the conditions of the end times sound familiar today?  Have you witnessed a culture that gives hearty approval to this distortion of God’s provision?  Chapter 18 says that in a day, it will all end.  God’s judgment will come swiftly and finally.  Scripture says all the nations have been deceived…the great leaders of the world have fallen for the deception of Satan.  Those whose names are written in the book of life will stand apart…holy and separate for God.  Guard carefully against envious eyes…place your trust in God’s provision.

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 17 – 18 (Day three)

“Come out of her, my people.”  We read here a violent tempest of condemnation: “abomination”, “blasphemies”, “drunk with blood”, “impure spirit”, “excessive luxuries”, “God has remembered crimes”, “plagues will overtake”.  Right in the middle of that storm of wrath, there lies the tender call of God.  He calls those who count on him to make their way to safety under his sovereign care.  The juxtaposition of such tenderness and fury does not reveal favoritism of a petty God towards the “in” group.  It reveals love.  This is the God who has warned and shouted and divided seas and saved widows and sent prophets.  This is the God who has served and healed and fed and bled and died.  The. World. Is. Ending.  Only those who hear and heed will survive.  This is love.  Are you listening?

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 17 and 18 (Day Two) “For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality.” 18:3

Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought together out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom whose to whom in they Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

BCP 820

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 17 and 18 (Day one)

Revelation 17 and 18 serve as a parenthesis.  In Chapter 16, we hear that the wrath of God is finished.  In Chapter 19, we see the long-anticipated return of Christ in glory.  Between these two events, God pauses to say again, “Babylon has fallen”.

John describes her as a woman dressed in scarlet and purple.  Rich.  Arrogant.  A harlot. Her name is Babylon.  Who is she?  Scholars have long debated the answer.

Some mark her as the apostate Roman Catholic church.  For long periods, history confirms,  she rode the beast of Roman power.  Corrupted by wealth and power,  she “drank” the blood of the martyrs.  Others see her as a future “church” rising up in support of the Anti-Christ.

The angel tells John the answer.  “The woman. . .is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.”  (Revelation 17:18)  Those being persecuted needed this assurance. Someday, this powerful, wealthy, cruel city would be judged and destroyed.

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 15 and 16 (day seven)

“These are the last (plagues) because in them the wrath of God is FINISHED.”–15:1.

It is not like God to start something and not FINISH it.  Like me, maybe, but not like Him.  He is faithful.  To promises. . .to purposes.  If He is Alpha, then He will also be Omega.

For 2000 years the church has given testimony to this truth.  A universe with a supernatural beginning (God as creator) will have a supernatural end (God as judge).

The prophets predicted it speaking of”the day of the Lord”.  Jesus spoke of “the day of judgment”.  The Spirit bears witness to it.  Our task is to embrace and believe this powerful truth.

Christian faith causes a person to FINISH his own work because he serves a God of the same character.  Paul said , “I have finished the race.”  What do you need to do today to get God’s assignment for you closer to completion?

 

Re: Verse reading–Revelation 15 and 16 (day five)

Revelation 15:2-3 “those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God.  And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb,”

There is something remarkable about singing praise to God. It lifts eyes, perspective, and outlook. Regardless of past experiences or current circumstances, praising God creates opportunity for joy, peace, and determination.  The busyness and rhythms of our lives often place praising God secondary. The hymn writer points out that we are often distracted and disrupted (hearts are out of tune) from praising God. “Tune my heart to sing Thy grace, Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise.”

The descriptions given by John indicate that in heaven that won’t be an issue. We see in chapter 15, even those who have been persecuted, praise God for His character, sovereignty, and work.

How about you? Will you intentionally sing and praise God today?