Monday, April 29, 2024

Come Out

And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.  Revelation 18:4

Throughout the course of time there have been hundreds and even thousands of civilizations that have risen to power and then fell or taken by the next world superpower.  Superior military men lead their armies into great conquests and overtake heads of states and governments time after time after time.  In the day we live in, we have seen some countries rise up and try to take lands and territories away from other countries bordering them, but I can’t think of anyone in my lifetime that has tries to take over the world.  Still there is always some that have the secret desire to rule the entire earth, they probably just don’t have the resources or the guts to try to get it.

Thank goodness, there has been restraint of a one world leader and we have never had to live under the tyranny of a government that imposes all its beliefs and system on the entire earth.  However, in today’s reading we read that the world has fallen under one great city and leadership.  It is the city of Babylon.  Not the same Babylon that once ruled over the known world of its time, but a world system that covers the face of the planet.  This great city and government system will utterly crash and burn in one day.  It is a system of extravagant luxury and passion.  A world system based on pleasures and competing for the greatest wealth and comforts.

The apostle John heard a voice from heaven saying “Come out of that system and be separate my people and do not be a part of the sins of that city so you will not be punished with those who are.”  It is that same thing we have been called to since the beginning of time as God’s people.  He has called us to live differently than the rest of the world.  This is not to say that we cannot have nice things or comforts, but it is to say that we do not seek those things first and foremost in our lives.  He has called us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and then trust Him to add everything else we need to us.  God is not trying to keep goodness from us, but He knows how deadly it is to be caught in the trap of demonic oppression and the deception of loving the things that this world has to offer.

So today I want to encourage you to separate from the world’s way by seeking first God’s kingdom and righteousness.  Begin to view the world as the mission field you have been called to shine His light on.  Be a blessing to those around you and let them know that the God of heaven loves them and will provide whatever they are needing.  Share how the goodness of your Savior has shown up in your life and come out of the worlds ways so you don’t have to have a part of the plagues and results of the sin that the world does.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 18:1-8

1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 

2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 

3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”

4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 

5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 

6 Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. 

7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ 

8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.