Scripture:
Revelation 18:19–20
19 And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out,
“Alas, alas, the great city,
where all who had ships at sea
grew rich by her wealth!
For in one hour she has been laid waste.”
20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, you saints and apostles and prophets! For God has condemned her condemnation of you. (NRSVUE)
Observation:
This passage is discussing the destruction of Babylon, the city that is represented as the antithesis of the city of God. The people of the world loved Babylon and all that she represented. They mourned her destruction. People had grown rich through her overwhelming wealth, but in just one hour, she had been virtually destroyed.
Now comes the contrast, for heaven is rejoicing in her destruction. Why? Because Babylon had become a place of oppression and condemnation for the people of God. Her wealth and power had been built upon exploitation, and she had persecuted those who remained faithful to God. Now the tables have turned, and God has “condemned her condemnation of you.” God wins!
Application:
The world can be full of condemnation for the people of God. When we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, we end up living a life that may make others uncomfortable. Sometimes the easiest way to deal with this discomfort is to condemn.
A couple of years ago, I wrote a book called The Christian Life. That book, based on the Covenant of Christian Conduct of the Church of the Nazarene, talks about the lifestyle to which we are called and the things from which we are called away. I think that even followers of Jesus Christ might find portions of that book challenging. Here is an excerpt:
“As Christians, we are called to resist all forms of compulsive actions, from the most pernicious to those culturally acceptable. Recognizing these vary from nation to nation, they may include food, sporting or fitness life, legal stimulants, cosmetic surgery, internet, or shopping. We also encourage the church community to seek solutions for and understanding of those caught up in addictions. (Rom. 12:1–2; 1 Cor. 6:19–20) In a world that often celebrates instant gratification and unbridled indulgence, the Christian call to intentional living is both countercultural and essential. John Wesley and the early Methodist societies had regular class and band meetings. In those settings, they were intentionally accountable before one another, confessing where they had been tempted in the previous week and whether they had been attending to all the means of grace made available to them. This is our heritage, encouraging us to live lives that are transformed by the renewal of our minds so that we may honor God in our bodies and actions.” (The Christian Life, 106–107)
I’ve had people ask me about some of the things that are listed because we often want to justify our own behaviors. And maybe that’s part of the problem. We may be quick to condemn Babylon while still enjoying some of the things she has to offer. We like our comforts, our possessions, our entertainment, and our freedom to do whatever we want. We may even become defensive when someone suggests that these things have begun to take too much space in our lives.
The merchants in Revelation were mourning the destruction of Babylon because they had grown rich through her wealth. They were grieving the loss of something they loved. Could it be that we, too, have become attached to things that are shaping our desires and drawing us away from God? This is why the call to holiness can be so challenging, even for Christians. The Holy Spirit doesn’t simply call us to behave differently from the world, but to love differently. Our desires are to be transformed so that we no longer depend upon the things of Babylon for our satisfaction and security.
When we reach the end of Revelation, we discover that there are people who have remained faithful to Jesus Christ. They have not succumbed to Babylon or allowed its values to capture their hearts. Some have suffered terribly because of their faith. Ultimately, God will bring justice, and Babylon’s power will not endure.
Is it worth it to stand for what is right in the middle of such headwinds? Jesus Christ is our example. He was not influenced by the power players of His day. He wasn’t looking for popularity in the world’s eyes because He knew who He was and what He had come to do. He was condemned, even to the point of death, and yet His death and resurrection became the means by which God offers salvation to the very world that rejected Him. Judgment belongs to God, and our calling is to remain faithful to Christ.
Today, there are Christians around the world who are facing persecution every day because of their faith in Jesus Christ. In some world areas, even within our own church, we have lost those who were willing to stand up for Jesus.
Going against the flow is never easy, and it was never meant to be, but it is worth it. That’s why we are encouraged to stand firm in our faith, put on the full armor of God, and go out into the world as citizens of heaven.
Prayer:
Lord, there are so many who have gone before us who have paid the price for their faith. Help me not to listen to Babylon, but to hold fast to Your Word. Amen.
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