Over the advent season, I took a break from writing devotionals from Revelation. As we start a new year and get back into Revelation (with only a few chapters left!) you might remember that we finished the seven angels with the seven bowls of God’s wrath. Then, one of the seven angels showed John the punishment of “Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes.” She delighted in the destruction of God’s people and lured the rest of the world into abominable acts. She represents centuries of evil powers in the world.
As we continue to see the destruction
of “Babylon the Great,” it’s worth noting that those who benefited from her lament
her destruction. They are distraught because of the misfortune it also brings to
them. They could repent and turn to the true and eternally lavish King of kings.
Instead, they wallow in their earthly losses.
Revelation 18:9-14 9 “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with
her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and
mourn over her. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:
“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
you mighty city of
Babylon!
In one hour your doom has come!’
11 “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her
because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious
stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of
citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze,
iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and
frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep;
horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.
14 “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from
you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’
The earthly successes of the world can change in an instant. Jesus’s eternal victory lasts forever. His kingdom is everlasting. Those watching the flaming Babylon had an opportunity to repent of their self-focus and turn to Jesus who offers true satisfaction.
John 10:9-10 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They
will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The
thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have
life, and have it to the full.
As we look back on 2025 and look ahead in 2026, what
priorities do you and I want to leave behind and which ones do we want to
continue? Knowing Jesus is the only One who offers life to full, how does that
change your and my goals for this year?
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