Once upon a time, Babylon was the reigning empire over the people of the earth. No one could contest her military might without being punished. But Babylon became proud against the Lord, and the Lord brought her down.
“I have laid a snare for you; you have indeed been trapped, O Babylon, and you were not aware; you have been found and also caught, because you have contended against the Lord.” “…She has been proud against the Lord, against the Holy One of Israel.” [1]
The Lord declared a day of judgment upon Babylon: “I will send winnowers to Babylon, who shall winnow her and empty her land.” [2]
God had used the Babylon to bring about repentance among His people.
Previously, the people of Babylon could say of God’s people, “We have not offended, because they have sinned against the Lord, the habitation of justice, the Lord, the hope of their fathers.” [3] This was true. However, God is full of compassion and tender mercy. He forgives the sin of those who turn to Him in repentance.
“In those days and in that time, says the Lord, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together; with continual weeping they shall come, and seek the Lord their God. They shall ask the way to Zion, with their faces toward it, saying, ‘Come and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that will not be forgotten.’” [4]
Now, they wanted to be close to the Lord. They wanted to take refuge under His wings. They wanted to dwell under the shadow of the Almighty. Like a child under a father’s loving arm! Enjoying being with Him! They wanted to be close with Him always.
“In those days and in that time, says the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found; for I will pardon those whom I preserve.” [5]
God forgave their sins. Reconciliation happened!
As for Babylon, God said, “Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain [Babylon], who destroys all the earth, says the Lord. And I will stretch out My hand against you, roll you down from the rocks, and make you a burnt mountain.” [6]
Similar destruction will come to the ruling empire of the world in the last days before the Lord returns, “And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.” [7]
“The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one-hour your judgment has come.’” [8]
As deep love between God and His people flourished, Babylon perished.
[1] Jeremiah 50:24, 29
[2] Jeremiah 51:2
[3] Jeremiah 50:7
[4] Jeremiah 50:4-5
[5] Jeremiah 50:20
[6] Jeremiah 51:25
[7] Revelation 16:19-20
[8] Revelation 18:9-10
Bearing witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus!
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Friday, October 4, 2024
Prodigal or Prudent?
“A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So, he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.” [1]
How many are spending their earthly inheritance from God on pursuits that have no eternal value?
How different would the nations be if we lived in light of eternity? Instead of being so focused on pleasing ourselves, we looked for ways to express the love of Christ to others?
“God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His Name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” [2]
Be of good courage you who are living for Christ and others amidst those who think you are foolish. I like what Jim Elliot once said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
[1] Luke 15:11-13
[2] Hebrews 6:10-12
How many are spending their earthly inheritance from God on pursuits that have no eternal value?
How different would the nations be if we lived in light of eternity? Instead of being so focused on pleasing ourselves, we looked for ways to express the love of Christ to others?
“God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His Name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” [2]
Be of good courage you who are living for Christ and others amidst those who think you are foolish. I like what Jim Elliot once said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
[1] Luke 15:11-13
[2] Hebrews 6:10-12
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Faith and Love
“Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
Without faith that Jesus will be with me, I fail to do the loving thing, like reach out to someone who needs to be introduced to Jesus, but with Jesus, I am able to walk in love to those around me, even to the person that I have never met before.
God is love. To walk with Him is to walk in love.
Without faith that Jesus will be with me, I fail to do the loving thing, like reach out to someone who needs to be introduced to Jesus, but with Jesus, I am able to walk in love to those around me, even to the person that I have never met before.
God is love. To walk with Him is to walk in love.
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