Revelation - Week 32

Day 1 

In a Single Moment 

READ 

Revelation 18:9-10 

9 And the kings of the world who committed adultery with her and enjoyed her great luxury will mourn for her as they see the smoke rising from her charred remains. 10 They will stand at a distance, terrified by her great torment. They will cry out, “How terrible, how terrible for you, O Babylon, you great city! In a single moment God’s judgment came on you.” 

The voice from heaven continued with this announcement about Babylon. The commercial world has prospered from the city’s wickedness and now it is mourning her destruction. At least the people realize the judgment on the city is from God and not from natural circumstances. Secular humanism has no room for God but these kings and merchants know who is bringing judgment. 

REFLECT 

How do you think of circumstances around you? Do you realize God is in ultimate control and that these events could not occur unless He allowed them? 

RESPOND 

Meet with a friend to talk about difficult circumstances. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Romans 8:28. Notice that the instructions in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 are not to be thankful “for” everything but “in” everything. Realize from Romans 8:28 each circumstance may not be good but when worked together with others it will be for your ultimate good and God’s glory. 

Day 2 

No Buyers Left 

READ 

Revelation 18:11-12 

11 The merchants of the world will weep and mourn for her, for there is no one left to buy their goods. 12 She bought great quantities of gold, silver, jewels, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet cloth; things made of fragrant thyine wood, ivory goods, and objects made of expensive wood; and bronze, iron, and marble. 

Notice the merchants are mourning that there is no one left to buy their goods. There is no indication they are mourning over the wickedness of the city but only because of their monetary loss. Then a list is given of the many items that were bought by those in the city of Babylon. Remember, as the city is referred to it is referring to the people in it. 

REFLECT 

Just as when Babylon is mentioned it is referring to the people in it, do you realize when the “world” is mentioned in the Bible it is referring to the people?  

RESPOND 

Be reminded of the truth you are reflecting on by reading John 1:10-13; 3:16-17: 12:46-48.  

Day 3 

All Gone Forever 

READ 

Revelation 18:13-14 

13 She also bought cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, wagons, and bodies—that is, human slaves. 

14 “The fancy things you loved so much are gone,” they cry. “All your luxuries and splendor are gone forever, never to be yours again.” 

This passage continues a list of items those in Babylon bought and made the merchants rich. Notice they even bought human slaves. When wealth is the main concern, even people are treated as objects. The merchants are not grieving over the bad human conditions but over their loss of wealth. 

REFLECT 

How is it with you? Is your mind more on luxuries than on the needs of your fellow human beings? Some of the saddest slavery today is the sex trafficking done by criminals. 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about how the focus on material gain can be a detriment. See passages such as Matthew 6:24; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 and 1 Timothy 6:9-10. These passages will provide much food for thought as you wish to honor the Lord with your life and pocket book. 

Day 4 

The Wealth Is Gone 

READ 

Revelation 18:15-17 

15 The merchants who became wealthy by selling her these things will stand at a distance, terrified by her great torment. They will weep and cry out, 16 “How terrible, how terrible for that great city! She was clothed in finest purple and scarlet linens, decked out with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 In a single moment all the wealth of the city is gone!” And all the captains of the merchant ships and their passengers and sailors and crews will stand at a distance. 

The merchants who prospered from the wealth of the people of Babylon are terrified by the great torment of the city. Although the city had all the outward appearances of wealth and beauty, inwardly she was stricken with spiritual poverty and ungodliness. All that could now be done was for the captains of the merchant ships and passengers to stare from a distance.  

REFLECT 

Do you realize that outward beauty is not nearly as important to God as inner beauty? 

RESPOND 

Read about David being chosen to succeed King Saul. The passage is found in 1 Samuel 16:1-13. Although the outer appearance was not as important as the inner heart for God, David was a handsome young man.  

Day 5 

Mourning for the Wrong Reasons 

READ 

Revelation 18:18-20 

18 They will cry out as they watch the smoke ascend, and they will say, “Where is there another city as great as this?” 19 And they will weep and throw dust on their heads to show their grief. And they will cry out, “How terrible, how terrible for that great city! The shipowners became wealthy by transporting her great wealth on the seas. In a single moment it is all gone.” 20 Rejoice over her fate, O heaven and people of God and apostles and prophets! For at last God has judged her for your sakes. 

This passage reveals how heartbroken unbelievers are when the source of their earthly gains is gone. They “weep and throw dust on their heads to show their grief.” That is the actions of people who repent of their sins, but these are only feeling sorry for themselves because of the loss of their luxuries. There is no turning to God for help. 

REFLECT 

Do you also know of some who care more about their earthly life than their eternal life? All unbelievers need to change their thinking in this regard. 

RESPOND 

There are other examples in the book of Revelation of those who did not repent when things became more difficult for them. Read Revelation 9:20-21; 16:8-11. To “repent” is to change one’s mind in a way that brings a change of behavior. But repentance is not seen in these instances.