Surviving the last days chapter 18 part two
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Raise your hand if you have a hobby. I confess, I have many, but this chapter makes me think of my love for thrifting. I so enjoy the hunt of the fabulous treasure that I might find at any moment. Sometimes, I find many treasures. Other times, I find nothing. But, I always enjoy simply browsing the isles for unique discards. Every honest thrifter will admit they have “haunters.” That one item you saw and wanted but didn’t buy for whatever reason. You simply can’t forget it.
““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.’”
It is one thing to be disappointed and wish you had chosen to take a treasure home rather than leaving it behind, and it is something completely different to lament and despair over that lost item. After all, it was only a “thing.” Our souls and our walk with God are of much more value than any item that we cannot take with us when we go to be with the Lord.
““And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 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; 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. 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.”
"The kings of the earth..." I imagine these as the wealthy and elite lovers of pleasure and sin, ...will weep and mourn for the loss of their great city, their beloved religious system and all it’s vices. This description shows them not just sad but distraught over the destruction of all the luxuries they once had at their fingertips. Can you imagine your life coming to a halt after a disaster? Perhaps, fire or storm has destroyed your home. It makes sense to be sad and mourn that loss, but would you feel the same way if your favorite shopping center or theme park burned down? What if you knew that shopping center was selling human slaves and that theme park was a den of sinful and vile things. It's quite a different sinario but these "kings" will know those exact things about their city.
The trades mentioned in verses 11-14 are not only fine jewels and fabrics, expensive foods and spices, but also the bodies of men. Slave trading will be open and accepted and can you imagine these things having such a hold over you that you would literally weep at the loss of them? My friends, little sparrows, if you can, please think about that for a moment. If the pleasures of this world hold more importance than honoring of the Lord in your heart, than beware. The Lord chastens those whom He loves and that process could be a difficult one.
God’s judgement upon Babylon will be swift and complete. As believers we should seek His forgiveness rather than His judgement. The ways of the world and the pleasures of it are a road to destruction and they lead the lamb to the slaughter. No item, or person, or system, should hold such a place in our hearts that we would despair over the loss of it. While we are called to love others we should not put them on a pedestal and let them hold a place of worship. Though we may enjoy that great sweater we found at the thrift store it should not hold a place higher that that of God’s will. No amount of money, or jewels can accompany us to heaven or comfort those in hell. Be careful Little sparrows where your desire takes you.
““Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!””
The Lord answered the prayers of the saints and avenged them by the destruction of Babylon. I pray, we, as believers do not desire the things of the world in such a way that we would be saddened by their loss. Remember daily that you are blessed in knowing Christ Jesus as your Savior and shower His love on others that they may have joy in all their circumstances, no matter what worldly things they have lost.
-ScriptureSparrow
#Jesus #endtimes #revelation #revelation14 #encouragement #womensdevotions #Inspiration #Prayer #peace #Survivingtheendtimes #fear #pain #suffering #perserverance #nofear #preparingforbattle Chains of Sin Desire of Wealth
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