Tag: Revelation

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The Fifth Trumpet.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. They had what looked like gold crowns on their heads, and their faces looked like human faces. They had hair like women’s hair and teeth like the teeth of a lion. They wore armor made of iron, and their wings roared like an army of chariots rushing into battle. They had tails that stung like scorpions, and for five months they had the power to torment people. Their king is the angel from the bottomless pit; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon—the Destroyer.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭9‬:‭7‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Like a scene out of the series, Stranger Things, John sees a battle in the future. In the 70’s it was very popular to teach on the end times or the apocalypse. Films like A Thief in the Night and books like The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsay were all the rage. The church air was thick with sermons about the rapture, the 2nd coming of Christ. It was so real that many people made poor decisions, thinking Christ’s return was imminent. Plans were rushed to get married. Education plans were scrapped, plans were made to stop putting money into retirement. There was no sense of a future beyond a few years because we were convinced the church would be snatched away and these verses in Revelation would become a reality.

My own pastor, future father-in-law would preach through the books of Daniel and Revelation bringing a sci-fi like reality to our existence. It was wild! It was explained to me that John, or even Daniel for that matter, were ancient men who had no words to describe futuristic visions of modern day wars with highly sophisticated war machines. I clearly remember my pastor saying, “how would you describe a helicopter in ancient times?” And sure enough, out of these verses, I could see how John might have been describing a Black Hawk or an Apache helicopter, with decals of lion’s teeth on the front. I tried to imagine what kind of creatures John saw but it just made sense that he was seeing military machinery!

That was 45 years ago and preachers are still trying to define what the word, “soon” means. Because Jesus said he’d be coming soon. “Soon” for the early church meant within their lifetime. “Soon” still describes it this way. Many have believed it would be within their lifetime! Fact: we don’t know when Jesus will come and when these trumpets will sound. There are those that believe these scenes have already happened and tried to explain it within our own historical framework. Wouldn’t we know it if some angel opened the pits of hell, the abyss, the underworld? Wouldn’t it be obvious if an angelic destroyer led these battle locusts in torturing humans for five months without allowing them to die? I do believe there will be a brutal end to this world as we know it. And, I do believe Jesus is returning because he said he would. But when? I have no idea. These things described in the book of Revelation will take place. Personally, I do not want to be around for those moments. Yet, unbelievably and unfortunately, even with all this hideous chaos taking place, human hearts will still resist God and refuse to believe. But, I still agree with what John writes in 22:20, “Come Lord Jesus.”

Prayer

​Dad,
We ache, we wait, we watch. We watch for the signs and the seasons as you have told us to. But the seasons and cycles of global and human disasters seem to be endless. Watching 45 years pass as I learned more about the end times, I prefer to use wisdom and continue to “occupy” like Luke wrote. I hope you find me occupying until you come. I don’t wish to escape these culturally crazy times, I wish to engage and be a witness to bring people to your grace and forgiveness. Help us, Oh Lord, as we occupy and do your will!

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So BIG it leaves us confused and disturbed.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬-‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There were promises and there were warnings. Clearly ancient words were spoken and recorded, prophesying, predicting what was to come – but few in the future believed. Time ebbed and flowed, dynasties and massive people groups shifted over hundreds of years, burying the truth alive in plain site. Yet one day, perfectly timed with precision, God sent Gabriel to announce the day of all days had come! Did the other angels know? Was heaven notified ahead of time? The news was never a secret, but the moment must have been highly guarded – maybe just God and Gabriel!

All history and all future would be extraordinarily changed by this annunciation – Mary, “you will.”

You will conceive.
You will give birth.
You will name him.

Then, He will be great.
He will be called.
The Lord God will give him.
And He will reign – over Israel forever and His Kingdom will never end.

All of this spoken to a humble, virtually unknown, young woman. Understandably Luke tells us Mary was “diatarassó,” thoroughly disturbed and “dialogizomai,” debated within herself – what does this all mean? Mary was completely knocked off center simply by Gabriel visiting her and complimenting her as being “highly favored with grace.”

After hearing what would take place within her young womb and who would yet to be conceived, and who that yet to be born person would become, she asked, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” Gabriel simply explained this one time supernatural event that would take place within her. The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.” Mary’s famous words, “I am a female servant, a “doulé,” of the Lord. May it come into being, exactly as you have said.” From disturbed and debating to resolute with the will of Almighty God!

Even though this was a one-time, never to be repeated event, God is still fulfilling promises today. There are hundreds of yet to be announced prophecies that are scheduled to happen – maybe within our lifetime! For sure, we can give ourselves permission to question how or when, but being a believer or not – what God has said will become reality. Each one of the BIG, bizarre predictions and promises found in Revelation, will happen! Through who, or by when, or how it will all come to pass – we don’t know. But like Mary, anyone who is as wise and humble as this once young virgin, will say, “I am your “doulos,” your servant, may it come to be exactly as God has said.” Be aware. Believe and be ready! We may not have regular angelic visitors, but God is still dropping earth-shaking moves around the world. And, there some really BIG events yet to come.

Prayer

Dad,
I know you are still at work, still fulfilling prophetic promises all around us. It should not surprise us nor catch us unaware. Your word tells us that when the BIG events of wrapping up this life and the creation of a new earth, people will be having “normal” days when the events of Revelation take place. I don’t want to be confused or disturbed, I want to be excited to see the return of Jesus! Come quickly Lord Jesus, Amen.

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The reckoning.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“And they said, “We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign. The nations were filled with wrath, but now the time of your wrath has come. It is time to judge the dead and reward your servants the prophets, as well as your holy people, and all who fear your name, from the least to the greatest. It is time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭11‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Revelation, singular, as in the revelation of John, given to him by Jesus, while imprisoned on the island of Patmos. The year, mid-90s AD, very late in John’s life. The book has both fascinated and frustrated millions of people over these 2000 years. The book contains elaborate visions of angels and demons, battles and prophecies of things far into the future. Yet, this is not a book of fiction, but of facts.

Why is it in the Bible? It is believed that it was written to give hope! The world, as it has been since the fall, is in constant chaos. And, in the first century, persecution, torture and death were ubiquitous- most did not escape Rome’s fury to crush this religious sect, proving the power of its empire. Yes, it’s also the finality of this world and the warnings that come with choosing not to reconcile with God. But it’s also a picture of Christ’s supremacy over all things, not just death, hell and the grave, but of evil itself.

It is the final cosmic battle that takes place on this created sphere called Earth! Here in chapter 11, the dreaded seventh trumpet brings the third terror! The elders fall before God’s throne and speak. They conclude that the time has come to bring final justice and final judgment to the planet filled with “orgizó” intense anger. God would bring his own divine and perfect “orgé” wrath, putting an end to earthly reign of chaos and destruction. People actually crave justice, which is often attributed to a limited or bent sense of truth. But deep down inside, humanity believes that ultimate evil and wrongs against innocence should be judged and punished.

The elders final words are a chilling agreement with God’s holiness – “it is time.” The time will come when God will destroy the destroyers! God will judge the dead and reward those who fear His name. I believe that every human on the planet, down deep in their soul, knows they were created, knows right from wrong, and knows there will be a reckoning of all things! I believe God imprinted these truths into us as created beings.

Why do we pursue everything but God? We prefer to believe a lie. We prefer to chase anything and everything that would keep us away from the mirror of truth – that we are broken souls in need of salvation. This is why the book of Revelation is such a mystery to us. The truth has been revealed and written long ago, and even if one has not read God’s Word, there is still that beautiful ache and longing of truth seen in the physical, spiritual world around us. Every single American knows about the book of the end. Yet, we play games to avoid the pain and shame of truth. We believe that shame and truth are toxic? Wow. That’s really messed up! The final reckoning is coming. For those oppressed, vulnerable and marginalized- this is hope. For those living the lie of power to do whatever they want, apart from God – this is judgement.

Prayer

​Dad,
I can’t say that I am a fan of the world coming to an end, knowing there are many who have not yielded their heart to you. However, I am all for the finality and wrapping up of all the evil and injustice that has happened in the history of humanity. I completely understand the days of reckoning ahead and hold fast to your grace and mercy, knowing that my sins are covered by Jesus death and resurrection. I have seen a few cycles of the church believing that the rapture is any day now. I believe it will happen, I also believe we do not know when that will take place. My trust is wholeheartedly in you and you alone. Amen.

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The Seventh Seal

Reading Time: 3 minutes

When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour. I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets.‭‭ Revelation‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

John, seeing these unimaginable scenes of heaven and earth’s final moments as the end of all things temporal are finalized.

The seals. The seven seals are one of a series of end-times judgments from God. The seals are described in Revelation 6:1–17 and 8:1–5. In John’s vision, the seven seals hold closed a scroll in heaven, and, as each seal is broken, a new judgment is unleashed on the earth. Following the seal judgments are the trumpet judgments and the bowl or vial judgments. [Link]

I like the way Wikipedia [Link] describes the scrolls as an ancient “rolled out parchment,” with each segment having its own wax stop-lock which had to be broken to continue. “Important documents were sent written on a papyrus scroll sealed with several wax seals. Wax seals were typically placed across the opening of a scroll, so that it was known to be authored by the proper person, when the document was opened in the presence of witnesses. This type of “seal” is frequently used in a figurative sense, in the book of Revelation, and only the Lamb is worthy to break off these seals.”

What a powerful picture of end-times judgments and reckoning coming into view with THE only one holy and perfect, capable opening the seals of judgment – Jesus, the lamb of God. Secular and religious interpretations both seem to agree that there will be a finality of the end of the earth. Oddly enough, there are those that believe that the book of Revelation is not an end of days document, it is rather a roadmap of what has happened since the time of Christ on earth!

Contrarily, current followers of Jesus all agree that these events described in the seven seals has not happened yet – but will definitely happen. The bigger theological question is when? Will this happen? Before the parousia (catching away), the rapture of the Church or after? Will believers go through the judgments along with all others, or will they be spared to come back and fight in the final battle against Satan and his hoards of fallen angels? So suspenseful, right?

Every time world goes off its rocker with global wars and unprecedented levels of unchecked evil, our Christian “spidey-senses” start yearning to understand John’s revelation! John wrote the book of Revelation (just one big one, not many mini-revelations) because God told him to. God wanted us to know these things to take comfort in the fact that He knows what He is doing, that justice will prevail in the end, to warn those who do not know and receive His mercy, and give hope for those who believe!

Don’t get too hung up on all the ancient symbolism and mysterious timelines, trying to guess when, who and where it will happen. It’s pretty obvious that it is an epic finality for love to win over evil. But not this misinformed love pitched by our culture. This fake human love of doing whatever feels good, each person determining their own self-defined choices as right and then sticking a “love” label on it. No, this would be God’s love, as He defines it. Self sacrificing, recognizing truth from lies, love that comes only from Him and because of Jesus who displayed perfect love. These scrolls, these seals to yet be broken are coming and the wise will recognize it, repent and depend on the grace of God live in the final days of this earth.

Prayer

​Dad,
In my short time here on earth, I have watched several cycles of projections that turned out to be horrible attempts to figure it out! I have heard the fervent fevered warnings that this is it – the apocalypse is here or your return is eminent. We live in constant cycles, ebbs and flows of evil, yet the end has not come. I still believe it is both real and soon, but not yet. Until that day, may more come to your grace. May more experience your freedom and be wholly, truly loved. Come quickly Lord Jesus! Amen.

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Urgency of Jesus return.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. ‭‭James‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The “parousia” (a presence, a coming), the snatching, the “rapture,” as we know it today. It was 100%, absolutely expected within the first century of the New Testament Church! Why? Because all the signs were there – namely unprecedented persecution. The world as they knew it was ending. The powerful Roman regime was falling apart and global chaos was at an all time high.

Of course Jesus was returning – SOON. But he didn’t. One hundred years has turned into two thousand years, and the world cyclically got WORSE, not better. Think of the wars, conflicts, pestilence and disasters over the years. Who would read the words and warnings of Jesus himself and NOT think of the end, the apocalypse?

The hard news is this, the Lord’s return was intended to inspire HOPE not escapism! God was at work, so that NONE would die without believing and committing their life back to himself. God’s mercy is extremely long suffering! His grace is abundantly patient. After all these years, do I still believe in the return of Jesus Christ in His second coming? Unequivocally YES. However, am I weary of all those who secretly figure out some formula promising the date Jesus will come? Do I want him to return? Of course I do. The “parousia,” still gives me hope that there is a finality, an end, when, like childbirth, we see the beginnings, the Braxton Hicks of pain, when we know delivery is soon. The second coming is just the beginnings of the end.

However, I am not looking to get out of this world. I am looking for God’s presence to sweep over our globe bringing many to himself, a last effort of mercy to flood the planet like the water that covers 70% of the earth! I can be patient, as James encourages, because God knows what he’s doing. I trust in God, His timing and His will for all our lives. Sure, I can pray, “come quickly Lord Jesus,” as Revelation 22:20 says. But I am looking for signs of renewal, not rejection. For signs of a last revolution, not the great rebellion. My rapture glass is half full, not half empty!

Prayer

​Dad,
Ever since I learned of the rapture and its resurgence in the late seventies, it was terrifying and ominous for sure. But my life in You was just getting started! And, there were still a lot of people I wanted to see come to faith. I had no problem with the idea of delaying justice or judgment when I knew that you had saved me and called me out of my own sin. I wanted so many others to experience similar. Everyone was looking for “the antichrist,” while I was just getting to know THE Christ, your Son. I wouldn’t dare ignore any of the signs you have given us in Your word, but I would much rather look for the stirrings and signs of miracles, wonder and folks turning their hearts towards You! I agree with Peter, that none would perish, but that all should come to repentance! Amen.

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The search for answers.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. Gather the nations together! Assemble the peoples of the world! Which of their idols has ever foretold such things? Which can predict what will happen tomorrow? Where are the witnesses of such predictions? Who can verify that they spoke the truth? Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

People search with eyes that do not see and listen with ears that do not hear. Sounds like a riddle, right? When it comes to looking for answers though, it’s not a joke.

Is Isaiah’s point that we, as human beings, have physical eyes and ears, but what we lack is a solid spiritual perception? God confidently puts out the universal challenge. Get the world together and ask them about their “gods!” Which one predicts the future? Which one sticks around long enough to witness their future, let alone verify that they are true and came to pass? Lies get buried in a myriad of time. The more time, the less likely anyone was around or will be around to prove their “truth.”

Take the fake-god/religion of evolution. The lies just keep adding a few million or billion of years hoping that our limited understanding just believes that anything might be possible given enough time. Time doesn’t verify truth! There were no single cell organisms proclaiming truth or making promises of the future of humankind. Who was there? Were there witnesses to this impossible unscientific “fact?” Even with eyes to see and ears to hear, we are blind and deaf to truth.

What about all the other fake-gods peddling their “truth.” They demand obedience, sacrifices of time, money and belief. What do they promise? What do they really know or give back – NOTHING. Their hucksters promise knowledge, enlightenment and strange glories of an afterlife, but who can verify that it’s true? None of them can fulfill on their fake promises, because it’s all based on lie. Name one prophecy, one prediction that has come true. And, who was there to record such promises? And who will be the one to validate that those promises have come true?

God speaks to Isaiah who captures and records God’s words. The promises from the beginning of the earth and creation of human beings are well known. And the fulfillment of those promises have been verified to be true. The promises God had John write down and recorded in Revelation will be the same – it will all happen just as God said it would.

In all the searching for answers, I pray that people take a hard look at what God has promised. A hard look at what has already come true. And, a really hard look at how it all ends. God has and always will be trustworthy and true.

Prayer

Dad,
It’s all been written and recorded. It’s all there. The answers we seek as humans are all found in You through your Word. We’ve done some amazing mental gymnastics to avoid the truth. We’ve believed in fake gods, fantasy theories of our beginning, all while seeing and hearing what we want just to get answers that will never be true. Answers that will never satisfy, never fulfill, never save us. We are such an interesting bunch! Thank you for your enduring patience and mercy for those who look, but have yet to find You. Let your undeniable love penetrate our selfish theories and moral avoidance of truth. Amen.

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The End of the Personified City

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“He gave a mighty shout: “Babylon is fallen—that great city is fallen! She has become a home for demons. She is a hideout for every foul spirit, a hideout for every foul vulture and every foul and dreadful animal. For all the nations have fallen because of the wine of her passionate immorality. The kings of the world have committed adultery with her. Because of her desires for extravagant luxury, the merchants of the world have grown rich.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭18‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Babylon, the great city of antiquity. Bible Study Tools writes, “As Nimrod began his reign, he and his followers had one overriding goal for their new territory; they wanted to ensure the security of their community by building a prestigious landmark to make a name for themselves. “Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:4). And includes an interesting note, “The ancient historian Josephus states of Nimrod, ‘He also said he would be revenged on God if he should have a mind to drown the world again; for that he would build a tower too high for the waters to be able to reach and that he would avenge himself on God for destroying their forefathers (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 1, Chapter 4).”

It all seems so oddly paradoxical, that the Vegas of ancient days became more than just a city, Nimrod built an alternative to God’s way – thus an option to a different salvation for humanity. What other option? The option of doing things my way, saving myself. The underpinnings of that thought, that subtle lie is this: I CHOOSE sin over salvation. Translation: God, I can save myself, if you don’t mind!

Babel, then later Babylon became the personification of the great lie, along with the great liar – Satan. Satan is the governor of Babylon. The city, the way of life, the culture and self determined religion, doesn’t just survive – it thrives in pockets all over the globe. You can see it in every “ism” that is known. Not just communism, fascism, socialism and even capitalism. ISM, might as well stand for “I Save Myself!” America struggles with five dangerous “isms”: humanism, pragmatism, materialism, secularism and relativism. All of the “ism’s” are distinctive doctrines, systems, or theories, simply beliefs on how to do life.

Babylon spawned years of tower-building philosophies of how to “out-god” God! But John, the revelator, is shown the destruction of the evil city and the systems, a “home for demons.” And it won’t happen until the end. The spirit, the arrogance, the perpetual lie will continue until the final days. As believers, we have been warned throughout all history NOT to go there, visit there and absolutely not live there and believe in the city motto: “to thine own self be true.” Remember in Shakespeare’s play, Polonius, himself was a pompous, hypocritical, and empty man. Jesus, alternatively said this, “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it. But whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Mat 16:25. The antidote to sin isn’t self, it’s Jesus’ sacrifice and we will not find it in Babylon.

Prayer

Dad,
I’ve seen Babylon alive and well, living within my own soul. I do not intend to make it my permanent home. I will choose the New Jerusalem instead, the city of God. I will choose heaven as my final destination and to do so means daily dying to self and having you, and only you SAVE me. Thank you for your grace, mercy and enduring, endless, patience towards me. Amen.

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May your cause be true.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting, “Praise the Lord! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God. His judgments are true and just. He has punished the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the murder of his servants.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The voices of those who have seen, known, maybe experienced the bait, the traps, the allurement of this great prostitute are now shouting the praises of God for His judgements. Who, or what is this great prostitute? Interesting that the word, porné, for prostitute, is also the word used for an idolatrous community. That’s the true nature of porné, a person or thing that pulls us away from God. When we leave the covenant with God to turn to an idol. We find try to find fulfillment in ANOTHER. John says this porné, is the corrupter, the moral deterioration – i.e. decomposition (break-down), due to the corrupting influence of sin.

The cheer rising from the crowd is the great relief, the rejoicing of pure accountability for the one who lies, steals and kills the lives of those he has lured away. The shout is for justice and judgment to be served!

This generation aches for justice. This generation wants judgment so badly that it looks for any opportunity to rise, riot and celebrate what it deems to be worthy of violence to achieve justice. The passion is real, their hearts desire for wrongs to be made right. The difference between the many false causes that manufacture and manipulate the crowd and this gathering in heaven is God Himself.

God is the only one whose judgements are true and just. Crowds have always found their voice in violence throughout history. And crowds are easily swayed by salacious lies that appear to be based in truth, their truth, group-think, mob truth. In my mind, I can still hear the crowd screaming, begging for the death of an innocent man. The hate-filled rage that drove the lie that would lead to the torture, beating and horrendous death on a cross for Jesus. The crowd screamed, “crucify him,” and took a paradoxical pledge to prove their commitment, “may his blood be on us and our children!” Their just cause seemed real, seemed true, but it was all based on subterfuge and lies. It was but a plot from this same great prostitute to poison the truth and an attempt to silence the judge and justice over all humanity.

No wonder the crowd in heaven shouted and cheered, giving God glory. There will be no force great enough to silence these final moments of God’s judgment. It will be final and it will forever end the deceiver’s reign of terror. This will happen. The book of revelation is the book of truth of humanity’s future and the end of the war against our souls.

Prayer

Dad,
The greatest relief in knowing that you are in control and will judge rightly and rightfully are found in this book of endings. I know and I have settled the issues, questions and doubts of my youth. My course is set and I believe! You are always just, right and true. Your Word is truth, it is the light that illuminates my path. Your cause is the redemption of humans. Anything or anyone that detracts from that is of the lie, of the deceiver. I will join with that crowd that cheers for Your judgment. For all things to be laid out bare before you. Nothing hidden, nothing silenced or spun for further discussion. Even when my life, along with every life will be fully exposed and disclosed, we will all rejoice for the war to be over. Praise to You for your salvation, glory and power!

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Ghosts of an ancient city.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a huge millstone. He threw it into the ocean and shouted, “Just like this, the great city Babylon will be thrown down with violence and will never be found again.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭18‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This very old, ancient city, shows up early in the Old Testament in Genesis 11 as Babel, and has echoes of its infamy all the way to the end of all things, in Revelation. Its original name means confusion, because God disrupted human language. Moses wrote, “Look!” he [God] said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!” (Vs.6). The power of common language and unity meant they could accomplish anything they wanted. What did they want? They wanted to live, build and create everything without God! The physical rebellion, fueled by sin and Satan would be enormous. Yet, God let the city and the geopolitical object lesson stand throughout time.

Babylon had many of the most wicked, tyrannical leaders of all time. Even up to 1986 in modern Iraq, Saddam Hussein tried to rebuild Babylon by building the main palace and surrounding courtyard, he did so in honor of the ancient leaders 3000 years before him. He clearly wanted to resurrect the power and purpose of the city.

All of this has been fully known that John saw and wrote about Babylon’s final destruction at the end of all days. Revelation spends a WHOLE CHAPTER warning us of why God despised the city, the epitome of evil. John wrote about the city’s reputation and exactly what it represented: “She has become a home for demons. She is a hideout for every foul spirit, a hideout for every foul vulture and every foul and dreadful animal. For all the nations have fallen because of the wine of her passionate immorality. The kings of the world have committed adultery with her. Because of her desires for extravagant luxury, the merchants of the world have grown rich.” Revelation‬ ‭18‬:‭2‬b-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬. This unbridled, unbounded lust for everything humanity sets up as success. This ultimate sin city of achieving and receiving everything the heart desires. All of which is fed, fueled and fulfilled by Satan and our own human appetite for SELF.

No wonder Babylon is seen as the Satan’s playground! It’s not so much the physical location as it is the spiritual identity this city represents. God tells John, it’s all going down to the depths of the ocean. All the parties, the dancing and music. All the spoils of rich rewards – “She bought great quantities of gold, silver, jewels, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet cloth; things made of fragrant thyine wood, ivory goods, and objects made of expensive wood; and bronze, iron, and marble. She also bought cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, wagons, and bodies—that is, human slaves.” It will all be tossed. Why? Are these items evil? Is it the singing, dancing, celebration with music and laughter that is evil? Yes, the enslavement of humans is clearly evil, but what about all that’s listed as the stuff humans like? What is so wrong about a city that fulfills all your wants and desires?

The city represents all that is promised OUTSIDE of God himself. It represents the gluttonous, selfish consumption of “good” in deference to God’s provision, life and blessings. The city represents the same old promise of all that we crave, completely lacking the fulfillment of true love, real life and especially God himself. Babylon is the lie of all lies, promising to bring fulfillment to life itself – without God. No matter how good it sounds, looks, smells or feels – its end is putrid emptiness.

Our modern life, our cool high-tech, fast paced, every desire celebrated culture is a giant city of Babylon. And it’s a massive cache of bitcoin that will vanish because it’s all fake. Read Revelation 11, see what John saw. It’s a lie that will be flushed and forgotten! Is God a buzzkill, a party crusher, a downer on happiness? Absolutely not! God just knows us, loves us and wants us to have the real thing – real joy, real peace, real love. It’s only found IN Him, not without Him.

Prayer

Dad,
Oh, that we would know You. Oh, that we could see the difference between fake and real, the difference between the city of Jerusalem and Babylon! One, the city of God, the other the home of demons. I am so thankful that you have given me life and all that is good. I am thrilled that you have forgiven, even forgotten my sin, my shame. I want my life to be 100% hidden in Christ and Him alone! Thank you.

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The Exodus story lives on in us.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When one looks closely you can see the story of death, sacrifice and blood from Genesis to Revelation. God himself killed the first animal to clothe the couple in the garden, covering their nakedness (Gen 3:21). Some scholars disagree, but I believe it subtly showed up with Adam’s sons, Cain and Able. Able chose to give God the best of his flocks, the firstborn of his lambs. Cain just gave some of his crops (Gen 4:4). One was a blood sacrifice, one was not. God chose this object lesson about blood to span the eons of time for humans.

The Exodus is an eternal story of redemption and sacrifice that points to the Messiah, Jesus, and beyond. Yet, even after Jesus’ own innocent blood become the markings on a wooden cross for us, death did not pass over Christ. Jesus gave his life as the one and only perfect sacrifice for anyone who would believe and recognize his death, his blood, as payment for their sin. Remember, anyone who eats the fruit of the tree of knowledge will die! The couple ate and immediately, spiritually died and eventually physically died as well.

Every human being has also eaten of the forbidden fruit since! Every human being, ever born, has believed the lie, eaten the fruit, and disobeyed God. Thus, every human is destined to die both spiritually and physically. Jesus death, his blood becomes the “sign,” the covering, on the doorposts of our heart and our life. To believe means that through faith, we have applied that covering so the death angel will pass over us as well, because we are marked (the New Testament uses the phrase, sealed with the Holy Spirit).

In the final book, Revelation, the ending of all things, we see the same theme of the blood as an end-cap to God’s grand story of redemption, of exodus, of completion. A loud voice declares that believers in Jesus have conquered the slanderer by the blood of the lamb (Jesus) and the word of their testimony (they lived and spoke of – not their own truth, but of Christ’s truth). We actually “bear witness” through belief and telling of our own story of being rescued! The Exodus story still lives on, in and through our lives today. Once I was blind, but now I see. I was lost but now I am found. Amazing grace how sweet the sound.

Prayer

​Dad,
What a grand story we are living! I am so thankful to not just be alive today, but to be a part of Your very long story.

Bravo God 🙌🏼 🙌🏼 🙌🏼.

When I was young in faith and in understanding of who You are, I thought these themes of sin, death and blood were so dark and creepy. Now, as I have matured, I see them as marvelously mysterious! I am not a huge fan of blood, I get pretty queasy, but I am a huge fan of being rescued and restored to a full and amazing life. I see more clearly now than ever before. And, I am hundreds of times more grateful.