January 28, Revelation 18
If mystery Babylon is a false church and the ten kings are the godless governments that carry out God’s purpose by destroying her, this portion shows the irony of how their actions bring about their own ruin. Their unholy alliance finished, the world’s last vestiges of moral restraint go with the prostitute when she goes up in smoke. The economic impact of Babylon’s fall brings weeping and destruction to the kings,
merchants and laborers who profited from dealing with her. They cry, not because she is gone, but because their profit is lost. The consequences are swift and negative against themselves.
What Jesus predicted about the unnatural growth of the kingdom from mustard seed into a large plant where birds could lodge seems to be the point here. Many different birds were lodging in the branches. Does God have people among the apostate church? Yes, he does, as surely as he had people in wicked Nineveh in Jonah’s time and people in wicked Corinth in Paul’s time. He called his people out before the
destruction was carried out, just as he brought Lot out of Sodom, and Moses out from among the rebels. Judged by God, Babylon’s time is up, and God is just for destroying her. Her destruction is final and complete. All the normal sights, sounds and activities of civilization and commerce are no more.
Heaven and the saints, apostles and prophets are told to rejoice in the face of all the destruction. It is not because God’s people are happy to see others destroyed, but because they are assured that God is in control, his word is sure and his judgment is just. The Lamb’s people do not have to fear the day when God’s wrath comes. They are safe and secure with him.
From these words, we can have the same assurance and confidence that God’s people through the centuries have had as they faced ruthless persecution from ungodly enemies. Ultimately every enemy will fall, and God’s people and purpose will prevail. That’s powerful encouragement for persecuted disciples, in the first century or the twenty-first century.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—January 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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