"Fallen Is Babylon" December 26 Readings: Zechariah 7-8, Revelation 17, Psalm 147:8–14, Proverbs 31:17–18

 

 

Reading the Bible in 2023

Each day this year we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. In reading four portions of God's word in a day, one of them is bound to speak to your life!

NOTE: If you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!

Bible Readings: Zechariah 7-8, Revelation 17, Psalm 147:8–14, Proverbs 31:17–18

    Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version 

Daily Devotional:  

Find 20 commentaries on the book of Revelation and you might find 2 dozen different explanations for  the identity of "Babylon the Great." The Roman empire was a historical favorite and so was the Roman Catholic church (still is). Some point the finger at the revived Roman Empire of the Tribulation period. In my younger years, many tried to find a way to fit America into the prophecies of the end times and some managed to make Revelation 17 apply to the good ole USA. But perhaps the best thing to do in a short (well, for me anyway) devotional is to just let Babylon represent what it often represents in Scripture - the sinful world system that stands in rebellion against God. It is an economic system that values financial gain over the true wealth of God's glory. It is a political system that seeks to establish human power and authority instead of yielding to God's. It is a religious system that turns to human truth, human rules, human rituals, human endeavors, and human merit instead of relying on the grace of God and the righteousness of Christ. Babylon. Since the Tower was built so many years ago to reach to heaven, man has been seeking his own way, doing his own thing, and walking in opposition to the will and way of God.

And one day that will all come crashing down. "Fallen, fallen, is Babylon the Great." When the time is right, when Jesus is ready, he will bring this rebellious world system crashing to the ground so that he can establish his kingdom and authority over this earth.

I have strong views about Revelation, but I am afraid that we have missed the overall message, the great truths of Revelation because we've gotten so bogged down in the minutiae - arguing over the identity of the Antichrist, or the timing of the end. The ultimate truth is that God wins. This wicked world and all its evil men cannot and will not stand against the awesome power of the great God who created it all and sent his Son to redeem a people for himself. Jesus always has been Lord. He is Lord today. And one day the entire earth will know it. He rose from the dead and one day he will be physically and visibly enthroned on this earth.

This is the absurdity of our lives. If I saw a burning home, I would not gather all my valuables and run into that house and deposit my precious things. I would certainly not lead my family into that home. I'd get anything of value out! And yet that is exactly what we are doing in the spiritual realm. This world and the system that runs it is doomed to destruction. Babylon will fall. But so often I invest all of my time, energy, enthusiasm, and passion into the things that will burn. I sacrifice the eternal for the temporal.

It is hard to figure all the details out, but it appears that God works by his sovereign hand in the future to sow discord between the Antichrist and Babylon (whatever specifically that means). God brings down Babylon by creating hostility within itself.

Maybe that should be our prayer as one year ends and another year begins.

Father, as one day you will bring discord in Babylon, give us a heart that cares more about your kingdom than this world. Drive a wedge between us and this world. May we be so heavenly minded that we can be of some earthly good. 

Consider God's Word:

Did one of these passages speak strongly to you today? Which one? 

Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages? 

Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to? 

Are you investing your life in Babylon or in heaven?