Two sides, one choice

June 26, 2020 (Friday)

 

Revelation 18 splits humanity into two sides and a choice.

 

“He called out with a loud voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a home for demons and a lair for every unclean spirit. She is a lair for every unclean bird, and a lair for every unclean and disgusting beast.” [Revelation 18:2 CEB] Describes the nature of “Babylon.” It has become the home for demons and unclean (evil) spirits. It is also the home for unclean and disgusting birds and beasts.

 

Before we think that demons and unclean spirits are different things, don’t. The way Jewish poetry works, remember John was a Jew, is one line can expand (or contrast) the previous line. So it’s a rhyming of ideas not words. In other words, “unclean spirit” expands the image of “demon.” If that’s beyond what we can understand think of unclean and disgusting birds and animals.

 

Verse 3 describes “Babylon’s” seductions, “For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.” [Revelation 18:3 NIV] The idea of “maddening” includes “passion” and “lustful.” The verse go on to say “adultery.” Literally it reads “indulged in unlawful lusts.” Finally, there is mention of “excessive luxuries.” This reflects the idea of loose and extravagant ways and abundance of delicacies.

 

If you have been tracking the news in the USA, you know we live in dark days. However, this and worse is a reflection of history. Ezekiel 16:49 – 50 claims: “This is the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were proud, had plenty to eat, and enjoyed peace and prosperity; but she didn’t help the poor and the needy. They became haughty and did detestable things in front of me, and I turned away from them as soon as I saw it.”

Prosperity leads to pride. Pride leads to prejudice. Prejudice leads to preposterous behavior.

Pride: “a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.” (dictionary.com).

Prejudice: “an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason” (dictionary.com).

Preposterous: “completely contrary to nature, reason, or common sense; absurd; senseless; utterly foolish” (dictionary.com)

 

God calls His people out of the mess. We are in danger of participating in Babylon’s sins. Participating in those sins means suffering the consequences. Whether we like it or not God is just. “His judgments are true and just, because he judged the great prostitute, who ruined the earth by her whoring, and he exacted the penalty for the blood of his servants from her hand.” [Revelation 19:2 CEB]

 

About Babylon, “God remembered her unjust acts” [Revelation 18: 5 CEB] (KJV “iniquities,” NIV “crimes,” NLT “evil deeds,” Those who participate in Babylon’s sins are contrasted with the bride of Christ (the true church)… “She was given fine, pure white linen to wear, for the fine linen is the saints’ acts of justice” [Revelation 19:8 CEB].