READING: Job 28-30, Revelation 18
To be honest, sometimes it’s difficult not to think the devil’s winning the war on the earth. Just look around, and you see the reality and the depth of human sinfulness. Immorality and idolatry abound. Gaining power and prestige has become a primary goal of much of the world; in fact, we value our worth on the basis of how much “stuff” we have. The commitment of marriage seems to mean little. World systems and other global faiths alike stand in direct opposition to God and His Church, at times through persecution. The words, “The Bible says so” mean nothing to much of the world
It’s no wonder many believers have a tendence to huddle together and retreat from the world. It just feels safer to hide in our bubble than it is to stand publicly and proclaim the Word. To take that position, though, is to forget that evil will not ultimately win. That’s clear in today’s New Testament reading, where the city of Babylon—likely, as much a picture of all demonically-inspired systems as a reference to a particular city—falls under the judgment of God.
The words of judgment echo in this chapter: “Babylon the Great has fallen” (Rev 18:2); “God has remembered her crimes” (Rev 18:5); “she will be burned up with fire” (Rev 18:8); “in a single hour your judgment has come” (Rev 18:10). In just a short time, a city that dominated the world would fall, and those who profited from her existence would mourn their loss. The city had deceived the nations, but she would not deceive God. Evil will not win.
PRAYER: “I praise You, God, that the enemy will not be the victor—regardless of what it looks like today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Job 31-33, Psalm 102, Revelation 19
