The Daily Dose

Finally!

His judgments are true and just. He has punished the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the murder of his servants.” – Revelation 19:2

It has been some time since I wrote the Daily Dose blog.  Over two weeks now.  Although it was nice to have a break, I have to say that I miss writing each day and sharing with all of you the thoughts and encouraging words that come to my heart as I read the Word of God.  My husband and I had the great privilege to tour the travels of the apostle Paul through Greece and what a great treasure it was to see many of the places that I have written about over the past three years.  Included in our trip was a visit to the island of Patmos, which to me was one of the greatest highlights of the trip.  Now as I read and write out the final chapters of Revelation, my memories of the island come flooding back as I consider the place where the Lord Jesus revealed God’s plan for the end of this age to the apostle John.  After John wrote the words and images that were revealed to him, I am sure he had many questions and thoughts about the message he was given.  Probably one of the most frequent questions was: “How long before these things come to pass?” or “When would his suffering end?”

Maybe you have looked at the issues going on in the world today or the stresses that you face in life each day and asked similar questions.  “When will all the pressure end?” And “How long before all is made right?”

In today’s reading, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and that this time of great tribulation is finally wrapping up.  Chapter 19 starts out with a celebration in heaven.  The hosts of God’s kingdom are shouting and praising God with all that is within us!  Our praise is that judgement has come on the earth and punishment for the corruption and the murdering of His servants has finally been executed.  No longer will God’s people in the world wonder how long they must suffer and is it finally the end of the government of perverse men and women.  The end of this time is here and now we will return with our Lord to take it all back!

So today if you are wondering how long it will be until things are made right, remember the time is near.  Look up to the One who has it all planned out and is lining up all things on His scheduled timeline.  Seek out His part of the plan He has for you and begin to step into your calling to get the work done.  It is only natural to want to be free from the pressures of life that we face day to day, but when you are living life in your designed space and calling, you will enjoy the time you spend here because your mission will bring others into the Kingdom of heaven with you forever.

Today I want to encourage you to change your focus from asking “How long oh Lord?” to “What is my assignment today, my Lord?”  As you purpose in your heart to fulfill God’s plan, you will have a sense of satisfaction and desire to not only do your part, but connect with others and grow along the way.  Start today to daily get the plan and then receive His empowering grace to complete, down to the last detail every step God’s Spirit points you to.  You only get one chance to live a life of purpose so start walking out that purpose today.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 19:1-3

1 After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting, “Praise the Lord! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.

2 His judgments are true and just. He has punished the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the murder of his servants.”

3 And again their voices rang out: “Praise the Lord! The smoke from that city ascends forever and ever!”

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick note to let you all know that the Daily Dose will be off the grid for the next two weeks. I will give you a full update when we are back up on the week of May 19th. We will finish up the last four chapters of Revelation at that time.

Enjoy the beautiful weather of May!!

What now?

The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.  Revelation 18:23

I’ve heard stories about what the world was like during the time of the great depression.  The system of finance in the country hit an all-time low and many who had all their wealth tied up in it lost everything.  It was so bad that there were some that ended their lives because of the devastation and loss of hope for the future.

Since that time, things have changed some in that banks and financial institutes are now insured against such calamities to protect it’s investors.  So, once again, people trust in their wealth and resources to secure their future here in the world.  It is amazing to me that people are so caught up in their bank accounts and financial portfolios even though they know the day is coming when they will be gone from this world and in no way can take their funds with them.  Even today, people are truly blinded by the “security” of having great wealth.

This is truly what today’s reading was talking about the nations being deceived by the security of great riches.  The difference is that in the days of the great tribulation the deception will be far greater, and the collapse will be final.  There will be no getting back what was lost and the people will turn to their world leader to be their security in those final days.  Truly blinded by the darkness that has covered the entire planet.

It is sad and hopeless when we see this happening in our world today.  All around us and even those we love, have put their trust and security in the monies they accumulate.  It doesn’t matter how small or how great the amount, what a person has is what they ultimately depend on for their security.  Even though we all know that none of us are getting out of here alive and not one person gets to take any material thing with them when they go on to eternity, people still work an entire lifetime to accumulate things.  What we need to be doing is using every resource to reach souls.  Our security is in bringing people into eternity with us.  What we need to be striving for today and every day is rescuing those who are lost in the darkness of this time and walking them into the presence of a loving heavenly Father that has the greatest plan and mission for them to spend all their days working on.

Today I want to encourage you to examine your heart motive where your possessions are concerned.  Ask yourself if you truly trust in God or if your security is tied up in the things you own and the savings you add to.  Be honest with yourself and if you find that you are happy when your funds are high and depressed when they are low then chances are that your heart only finds security in what you put in the bank.  Surrender that over to your heavenly Father today and trust in Him.  He is the One that can protect you from the tragedies of the world and He is the One that will add all that you need to you when you seek Him first.  Make a shift in your heart posture today so that when you get to the end of your life you can hear from the Father “Well done, good and faithful servant!” instead of “Well, what have you done for the kingdom of heaven?”

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 18:21-24

21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. 

22 The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. 

23 The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. 

24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.”

What are you trusting in?

“They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour, she is made desolate.’  Revelation 18:19

I don’t spend a lot of time looking at current events and the news around the world, but I do try to keep up with what is going on.  Especially with countries that are at war like the Ukraine.  This nation has suffered attacks from Russia for years and the destruction on that region is devastation.  People have been driven from their homes and many cities and buildings now lay in ruins.  However, if we are not looking at it on the news or internet in this part of the world, we barely even notice what is happening.  Millions of people are suffering from the brute forces coming against them and we are pretty much oblivious.

It is sad really, that we don’t take a more proactive stance when we see countries around the world being wiped out.  I am as guilty as the next person of thinking there is little we can do to help.  But there is a big thing we can do and that is to pray. We can pray for God’s provision and salvation for those being oppressed and pushed from their homeland and we can pray for the peace of those regions.  I know that it is scriptural that in the last days there will be wars and rumors of war, but that doesn’t mean that we just stand by and watch.  These destructive forces coming against countries like the Ukraine and Israel are nothing more than demonic deceptions hardening the hearts of those who want to rule the world.  Our prayers in this time are the very thing that will make an impact to change the circumstances in a positive way.

Today we are reading about the fall of the great city Babylon to come.  The entire city falls in just one hour.  It is hard to imagine such devastation that can flatten an entire city in just a 60 minute time period.  People will stand and watch this catastrophic display from a distant. They will mourn and lament for the rich city that they love so much.  All the riches in the world are not enough to save the great Babylon from the desolation that will come on it in that day.  But this destruction will be for the apostles and prophets to rejoice over because they will be avenged at that time.  All the resources and wealth that have been gathered to build and support Babylon the great will also be destroyed with it.  There will be nothing salvageable at the end. The kings and merchants of the world trusted in the great wealth and riches of that city but at the end of that day, it will all be gone.

Today I want to encourage you not to put your trust in uncertain riches.  Don’t depend on your things and possessions to comfort and support you through this life.  Trust in God and hope in His provision and wisdom.  Let His Spirit guide your steps each day.  He will lead you to your place of purpose and fulfilment and if you lose some things, you will still have the security of His love and kindness to get you through to the next provision He has for you.  I also want to encourage you to pray for nations today that are being attacked by enemy countries like Ukraine and Israel.  Pray for resolution and the end of the aggression coming against them.  Pray for the people to have hope and be brought to salvation through this trying time.  Pray for aide and support to help them rebuild and reestablish their cities and that the attacking countries would pull back and take care of their own people.  We cannot control all the crisis of the world, but we can lift them up to our Father in heaven and trust in Him to bring resolve.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 18:9-20

9 “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, 

10 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.’

11 “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 

12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 

13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 

14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. 

15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 

16 and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 

17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 

18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’

19 “They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’

20 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!”

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.

How much more

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11

This verse compares our heavenly Father to how we love here in the world.  When you consider how much you love your own children, or if you do not have children yet, how much your parents love you, why would anyone think that God wants to harm or do anything but help us and show us how much He loves us.

It says that if we as fallen, imperfect people know how to do good for our own children, certainly God has so much more love for His children.  It actually says He gives good things when we ask for them.  Not just the good things that are in His heart to give. This message is reinforced throughout scripture.  Romans 8:32 says it this way: He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?  He didn’t even hold back the most precious and treasure, the blood of His only Son, Jesus.  Think about it, if He was going to keep something from us, wouldn’t it be the One thing that was most valuable to Him?  Or look at it the other way.  He made provision for us in Christ Jesus, the greatest, perfect gift.  Is that gift lacking in anything that we need in this world?  Our salvation includes forgiveness, but it also includes His Spirit, His love, goodness, power, blessing, strength, peace and well being.  There is nothing lacking because He is our good Father that has given us all things the pertain to this life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)

Jesus even goes a step further in the very next verse.  He said: so whatever good things you want people to do for you, do that for them.  I consider this in my own life.  Because I like to give, I am now asking myself are the gifts that I give the things that I want or like or are they things I want to get rid of and am finished using.  Are they things that don’t cost a lot so I can give the appearance of being a giver, but I don’t want to give what I want for myself first?  This is a tough question and one that deserves thorough examination, especially when it comes to loving those who are not children of God, yet.  Am I willing to be a generous giver to show people what God, my Father, is really like?

Today I would encourage you to do two things:  First, become more aware of how much God, your heavenly Father loves you and wants to give you the good things you need and desire in your life.  He is not holding back, and He is not hiding them from you.  Ask today for the things you require and the things you even want.  Then ask Him to show you the path to take to get in line with all the blessings He has stored up for your life.  Second, ask Him to strengthen and empower you to be a generous giver also.  Ask Him to show you when and what you can give when the opportunity is there.  Show the world around you the love and generosity of God by being a generous giver of all things like He is. And don’t forget about being thankful for all He has done for you and for showing you how to be more like Him.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 7:7-12

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 

8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 

9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 

10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 

11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 

12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Who’s your influencer?

For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.  Revelation 17:17

People are fickle.  In today’s culture, most people are interested in only one thing, “me”.  We live in a day when the first question people ask is “What’s in it for me?” or “How does what is going on affect my life?”  Hopefully, as believers, we recognize this mind set as ungodly and are intentional about not falling into it.  Still, it can be very easy to choose the “me” mentality.  Very few people are loyal to anyone or submitted to any authority other than #1.

As I read through today’s passage, I noticed that the demonic spirits seem to have the same mentality.  There is no loyalty among them.  I have to admit that I have always envisioned Satan and his forces all in agreement and that gave them strength to deceive and seduce people away from God.  These verses in Revelation talk about the people turning their allegiance over to the beast and away from the great harlot that had just been a dominant spirit in the world. That is when that spirit was made desolate and laid to waste as the kings of the world turn their power over to the beast.  This world system that was powered by an evil spirit of wealth and pleasures has grown to such a degree that the whole world is under its influence.  Then all at once, everyone shifts to the leadership of one world ruler, the beast.  AKA Satan in a human body.

We know that this is all part of the plan and are assured that it is true by the key verse today.  God put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose.  Satan will rise up and think that he has finally achieved the body and leadership that he has been seeking since his creation, but it is just another part of God’s plan to put him away forever.

What I take away from this passage is that demonic forces are not joining up to overpower me but rather they are in direct competition with each other to destroy my soul.  When I give into the temptations around me, their grip on my life tightens, but again I have the ability to resist one but at the same time can yield to another.  Each time I give in, that spirit’s grip on my life becomes greater and I am empowering it to direct and influence my daily attitude and activities.  It doesn’t even have to be things that we feel are totally evil like killing, lusting or coveting.  It can be something as simple as complacency or giving into the spirit of “I don’t feel like doing that right now.”

It is the same way with the Holy Spirit of God.  When we yield our lives to that spirit and begin to step into every opportunity that He puts in front of us, we are giving Him the power and influence over our lives that will strengthen our relationship with our Father in heaven and in return, we will be empowered to complete down to the last detail every assignment that He has designed up to fulfill.

God does not possess people, but He does put things in our heart so that He can get His plan accomplished in this world.  His plan is good, and His plan is for our benefit because He loves us.  He will direct our path and lead us, but we must decide that we are going to follow so we do not give the enemy an open door to get into our lives to take us out.

Today I want to encourage you to examine your life and identify any strongholds that the enemy may have you in.  He takes hold of us through addictive habits that are not building us up in our faith.  These habits may not even be evil things, they are simply something that dominates your life and takes your focus away from your calling.  As you admit these vices, surrender them to the Holy Spirit.  He will give you the discernment and show you if they are out of your control and if you need to purge it from your activities.  Don’t assume you already know.  It’s often the practices that we think we have a handle on that are really leading us down a path of complacency and distraction.  Turn every area of your life over to your heavenly Father today and begin to resists those demonic forces that are stunting your work for the kingdom of heaven. Only then will you accomplish every good work that He has designed you to achieve.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 17:15-18

15 Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 

16 And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 

17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 

18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

Chosen and Faithful

^{These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”  Revelation 17:14}

What is a day?  I heard this question come up on the inside of me.  I had been struggling with being motivated and really feeling a sense of complacency.  My appetite for what is important had been fading and my desire to love and encourage people was diminishing.  So I thought about the question for a bit.  What is a day really?  What does it mean to me?  Does every 24 hours just consists of the activities and appointments that I make to fill up that space so I can feel productive?  Was each day created for me just so that I can go work for an employer to make enough to pay my bills and help a company be successful?  No way!  Each day that we are given breath in our lungs in this world is an opportunity.  Yes, of course, we do the things that we are committed to and the responsibilities that we have been given.  We steward well the job and the resources that we are blessed with so that we are not left destitute.  But we have an opportunity each day to live our life on His purpose and get the plan from God’s Spirit that He has for us each day and for our life span here on this earth.

In today’s reading, there is an explanation by the angle that was showing John a scene in the spiritual realm.  A woman sitting on a beast with seven heads and ten horns.  The angel explained to John that the beast will come out of the bottomless pit, the seven heads are seven mountains where the woman sits.  There are seven kings, also and an eighth king is the final one before the end of this age.  The ten horns are ten kings who have not received a kingdom yet but give their power and authority to the beast to make war with the Lamb of God that will overcome them.  He is our Savior the King of kings and Lord of lords.

The last part of this section says that those who are with the Lamb in that day are called chosen and faithful.  That is all the believers that have gone on to heaven with Him but will come back with our Lord to set up His kingdom here in this world and establish His government.  We as believers today do not suddenly get this title of chosen and faithful when we get to heaven.  This is a position we establish while we are here in the world each day right now.  We decide that when we made Jesus the Lord of our lives that we will answer the call of His purpose and faithfully serve Him and others as we walk out that call day by day.

  As I read these verses, I have to ask myself, am I ready for this?  Am I ready for the day that will come when I will ride back to this world with my Lord to put to death His enemies and set up His kingdom here in this world?  Am I living each day right now as His ambassador representing the kingdom with every step I take. Am I walking in the opportunity I have each day to fulfill my calling faithfully or do I just fit it in when I feel motivated and inspired to?  He gave His life for me and now my desire is to give my life back to Him for anything He needs me to accomplish to make sure that His plan is carried out.  Here’s the thing, His plan only happens in this world by the people He has called to accomplish it. I will answer His call and be chosen and faithful.

Today I want to encourage you to ask yourself the question: “What is a day to me?”  Then honestly answer yourself by listing what you fill your day up with.  Are you filling it up with activities and busyness that seems productive but at the end of your days you will have nothing eternal to show?  Or are you setting your thoughts and ways on the things above and the plan He has designed for you to walk out each day.  You will still have your activities and agenda that you have right now, the difference will be the intent of your heart.  Is your heart set on your call to faithfully reach the people God brings into your life or is your heart set on being responsible only because it is expected by others?  Only you can decide and only your can choose for you.  Decide today that you are going to take the opportunity to answer His call and faithfully walk out the plan He has for your life.  Only then will it began to make sense what this life is all about.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 17:9-14

9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 

10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. 

11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.

12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 

13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 

14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

Don’t be Surprised

But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.  Revelation 17:7

I’ve seen a lot of things in my lifetime.  Some bad and some good. Some real and some produced from imagination.  I have a choice with whatever I look at, and the choice is to believe it or not believe, to follow or not to follow, to yield to or not give into.  Mostly, whatever I am looking at whether real or made up, I have the option to choose the emotion I will attach to it.  The things I let into my thoughts and my heart can produce happy or sad emotions.  I can feel inspired or stunted.  I can even experience faith for the future or fear of the unknown.  All of these emotions will determine what I will do next and how I will walk out the purpose of my life. 

What a person looks at in life is actually putting a lens over their vision.  Even though they may not even know it, they will process every decision through the lens of what they are taking in whether good or bad.  That is why we are warned in the Proverbs to guard your heart above all because everything flows out of what you have put into it.

In today’s reading, we pick at the vision that John saw of the spirit of Babylon.  There is an angel showing John this spirit and offers to give him an explanation of what he is looking at.  The angle asked John: “Why did you marvel?”  John was in utter shock as he saw a great beast carrying a seductive woman on it’s back.  The woman is spewing obscenities and drunk on the blood of God’s people.  John can see the power that this spirit has been given because of the people of the world yielding to the pleasures and desires that this spirit has lured them with.  This harlot spirit is boasting great blasphemies and riding around on a beast that is fierce and intimidating.  She is carrying on like a drunkard out of control with obnoxious words and gestures to the degree that John cannot believe what he is looking at.

The angel explained to John that the beast would come out of the bottomless pit and awe the people of the world with his appearance and extraordinary deeds.  Those who are in the world but not in the Book of Life will yield and surrender all to the beast and he will grow in power and dominion over the earth and cause great darkness, confusion and corruption to cover the entire planet. 

This reminds me of a warning that Paul gave to the Romans.  He said in Romans 6:16 that whomever you yield your ways to is who you are servant to.  If you are giving in to the temptations of the evil one, you are a slave to that evil.  If you surrender your will to the Holy Spirit of God, you are His servant fit for the service of the King of kings.  The bottom line is that whatever you are giving your time, attention and life to is who you are giving power to in your life.  If you are giving into temptations that lures you away from God, then you are giving power to the evil one to have more access to your life and to pull you deeper into his pit of darkness.  If you are giving your life to God and following the direction and leading of the holy Spirit, you are giving Him the power to direct your life and keep you from the attacks of the enemy.

This is the explanation for the drunk spirit in John’s vision.  This spirit has pushed it’s way into the lives and hearts of every person in the world that does not name Jesus as Lord and has great power because of the people that have let their lives be dominated by it.  They are not possessed, but they are oppressed.  This is happening in the world today on a great level, but not as it will be when that evil comes out of hell.  We have a choice each day and that is to yield to the One who saved us and loves us or give in to the bait of the enemy to lure us into his dark clutches.  Choose to make the Spirit of God your master and then follow His ways and will.  That is when you will be giving all your power to Him and that power will flow to influence the lives of those around you.

Today I want to encourage you to make a plan not to yield to your enemy.  Surrender your heart and your life to the God and Father of heaven that created you and loves you.  Ask Him to lead you in the ways of righteousness and receive His empowering grace to be able to follow His ways.  Turn over every area of your life to Him so that you will not be lured away by material things or pleasure that this world would offer.  Instead, fill up your life with the oil of gladness and the joy of the Lord by pressing into Him each day as soon as your feet hit the floor!

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 17:7-8

7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 

8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Spirit of Babylon

I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. Revelation 17:6

In the world we live in today, it is very evident that the realm of the spirit is in a battle.  The two sides of the battle are good and evil.  If we could actually see into that dimension, it would no doubt look like the evil side is winning.  Yet, we as believers continue to rise up with the authority that we have been given in the name of Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit that is living within us to push back the enemy from taking any more ground.  We are fighting from a place of victory, but the enemy is quite a bit pushier than we are and is relentlessly trying to keep us from our rescue mission so that we are always playing defense instead of getting back what has been stolen from the Kingdom of God once again.  Thank our heavenly Father that we can get back up and get back out there in that battle and take back what the enemy has stolen and rescue those who have been blinded by the darkness of this present age.

Lately, I have found myself in the mindset that things look bad in the world because these are the end times.  I am not surprised at the world events going on because we were told in the scripture that things will get worse and worse here in the world.  However, as I wrote last week, that doesn’t mean that we stop praying about what is going on and mostly that people would be saved out of the clutches of the evil spirits griping the earth.  Our interceding does make a difference and it is time to step out of the fights with people in this physical world and into the spirit realm where the real enemy lives.

In today’s world, the apostle John is actually given a glimpse into the spirit realm.  He can actually see a great and horrific spirit that has covered the face of the earth.  The spirit of Babylon. The passage says that John marveled with great amazement, but what that really means is that John was horrified at what he saw. The spirit of Babylon covered the whole earth with its riches and power and deceived the multitudes to follow with its pleasures and possessions.  All the kings of the earth join forces together and take part in the abominations and corruption of that world leader and because of that, the entire world is covered in the darkness of this evil economic spirit.  The spirit is after the people who worship the true King of heaven and slaughtered God’s people and is completely consumed and empowered by drinking the blood of the saints.

The description here in Revelation 17 is very graphic and it can be easy to step into thinking that: “I’m glad I am not going to be here for that terrible time to come.”  It is true that those who know the Lord in the time that we live in, will escape these terrible judgements on the earth and the darkness that is being judged, but today, we can do something about it.

We can be the light in the world right now.  We can be the ones who let others know about the One who loves them and made a way to escape the terrible times to come.  God’s judgement in Revelation is on the evil spirits of Satanic forces, but the people who follow him will also have their part of the judgements.  There is no stopping that time to come, but there is still time today to intercede for lives that are already caught in the traps of the enemy and don’t even know it.  Join me in taking a new battle stance and commit to pray for these souls right now while we still have time to break free from the hold that the enemy has.

Today I want to encourage you to pray the prayer that the apostle Paul prayed in Ephesians chapter 1 for people’s spiritual eyes to be open to the God of heaven.

  Pray: Heavenly Father, God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give to us and those who need to receive Your salvation the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of your Spirit and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Open the eyes of our understanding to be enlightened; So that all people know what is the hope of Your calling, what are the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in all the saints, Thank You for showing us the exceeding greatness of Your power toward all of us who believe, in agreement with the working of Your mighty power that You worked in Christ Jesus when You raised Him from the dead and seated Him at Your Own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all spiritual principality and powers and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.  Thank You that You have put all things under Your feet, and gave the Lord Jesus to be head over all things to the church, His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in everything.

Pray every day for the spiritual eyes of all people in this time to be open to the love and power of God to save them and make an impact in the battle of the spirit realm today and for all eternity.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 17:1-6

1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 

2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”

3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 

4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. 

5 And on her forehead a name was written: