Do not receive any of her plagues
(Rev 18: 1ampsim8)
Revelation 1:3 in The Modern Korean Bible says, 'Happy are those who read these words and hear it and take to heart what is written in it.' As the verse says, Revelation is neither a book of heavenly schedule nor that of dreadful events. Its a manual for our happiness. It prophesies in detail that Babylon, the world of the great prostitute will fall in the midst of its abundance. Notice the repeated warning of the Holy Spirit, 'Dont receive any of the plagues.' How can we avoid the plagues?
1. Know that Satan occupies the world. The angel in chapter 18 is in charge of declaring Gods judgment. He had great authority because he carried Gods great message about the perfect destruction of Babylon. With desperation and urgency, I also delivered Gods message about crucifixion, resurrection, and destruction, thinking Today might be the last day. God noticed it and blessed my ministry with his great authority within a short time. The great splendor of the Word revealed the sinful reality of the great prostitute and the beast of Rome. It is a blessing to hear the message of Gods judgment, which lightens us, in these last days. Its a blessing for us to see our sinful nature in the light of the Word under all circumstances.
2. Know that the world is a dwelling place of unclean spirits. As in Isaiah 21:9, the enemies of believers have constantly fallen. Notice the repeated phrase 'fallen, fallen,' not might fall. It resonates with a confident mighty voice, called a prophetic aoristic tense. The city of Babylon seems great, but its a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird, a hellish place. People there like to get together with smiling faces in their fellowship gatherings, full of unclean spirits schemes, lies, greed, and lust. The people in the world constantly get together for recognition and success. They start with a club of same hobbies till they are addicted and end with adultery and alcoholism. The destination of idolatry without God is lust. Among all gatherings in the world, Wooridle small groups are the best reaching the highest level of spirituality. The best Sabbath comes from truthfulness. People in a gathering where they open their heart can enjoy true Sabbath.
3. Know that adultery and luxury lead to destruction. Chapter 18 is about the downfall of wealth. Adultery refers to worshipping the Roman emperor and luxury refers to mammonism, its worldly values, which will perish along with Rome. Babylon also enjoyed idolatry and luxury with its abundant wealth till it was destroyed by the allied forces of Cyrus of Persia and Darius of Medea in BC 539. We need to confront the persecution of our Babylon, whose sins are piled up to heaven with our prayers piled up higher. God hears his peoples prayer filling their golden bowl and remembers their enemies crimes. The supreme purpose of human beings is glorifying God and rejoicing in Him forever. Yet Babylon, the great prostitute glorified herself, proclaiming that she was a queen, not a widow, which calls for Gods plagues that will overtake her in a day. Death is her wages from ignoring widows and posing as a queen, mourning is wages of making widows mourn, backed up by the Antichrist, and famine is her wages of driving people into luxury and pride with wealth. It is a blessing for us to be judged by God on earth and be cleansed of our sins. When we proclaim 'I am a queen,' we become a slave to the world. But if we pose as a servant in our place, God will make us a queen who sings a new song of salvation.
4. We need to come out of the sins in the world. God says 'Come out of her, my people, ' This is another sentence in the aoristic tense, which reflects Gods urgent command. We think wealth and reputation bring us good but, according to a Harvard research team, its a good relationship that does. God told us that we should not receive any of the plagues of Babylon, which is beyond our power. Therefore, we need to put on the full armor of God, armed with the gospel and salvation, ready to fight with the sword of the Word. This is the way that leads us to greater joy not addiction. We need to make a decisive application of the Word, discerning where to go and where to come out from with patience, self-control, and faithfulness. God promised that he would remember all the crimes of Babylon while he wouldnt remember his peoples sins at all.
Here is a testimony from one of our members, whose life was changed, sealed by God, from judgment into salvation. Seven years after her marriage, she divorced her husband because he lived with another woman, borrowing some money from his wifes father. Even while working as a cleaner, a recipient of basic living, and a divorced woman for five years, she rejoiced in worship services three times a week, recognizing that her sins are heavier than her trials. Last April, she was employed as a full-time cleaner. Asked how she has worked as a cleaner in her job interview, she answered that she was encouraged by her daughter, who said that she decided not to throw away garbage thoughtlessly, thinking of her mom. From that time on, the deaconess began to work hard with self-esteem, considering her job as rewarding. Whenever she is exhausted, she thinks of Pastor Kim, whose mom was a cleaner, and a cleaner deacon, who was once a CEO. Thus God helped her make her best choice, and God provided her daily bread while she was sticking to her holy community. May God bless us to interpret our life with the Word and avoid the plagues that the world will receive!
Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues (Rev 18:4).
