December 30th. Todays reading is Revelation chapters 15 through 18. Topics covered in chapter 15 include: The seven last plagues. In chapter 16: The angels pour out their vials. In chapter 17: The woman arrayed in purple and scarlet. In chapter 18: The fall of Babylon. Amen. We begin today with the preparation of matters for the pouring out of the seven vials which was committed to seven angels and how these angels appeared to the apostle. The judgments that were about to be executed were a fulfillment of prophecy, answer to prayers, avenging of Jesus, and opening the door of liberty for His people to worship Him without fear of enemies. Several of the vials reference the plagues of Egypt. Their sins were alike, so are the punishments. They are poured onto the earth, sea, rivers, sun and on the seat of the antichrisitian empire which at this literal time was Rome, drying up its riches. Before the seventh vial is opened the enemy makes one last effort at the last battle of Armageddon; a battle in which the church will be victorious. When Gods battles are to be fought, all His people should be ready to stand up for His interest. With the last vial, opened on the devil himself, came a thankful word of completion. From the antichristian side they were so far from repenting, they further blasphemed God. Remember it takes the work of grace in God to cause men to repent. By now you can recognize for yourself that the whore spoken of is an image of the assembly of those unfaithful to Christ. The beast which was the seat of idolatry has references to the pagan kings of Rome, the Christian king to come, and a later return to idolatry. We then have more on the downfall of Babylon, the war between the beast and his followers against the Lamb and His. The Lamb will overcome. Fair warning is given to all that expect mercy from God that they should not only leave Babylon but assist in her destruction. The friends of Babylon lament her fall; not the sin but the punishment, pathetically. Then we read of the joy and triumph in heaven and earth at her destruction. This enemy would never molest them anymore and they were given assurance by the token of the millstone. Hope youre not too disappointed to find that Revelation is actually a very good-news book. Have a blessed day.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 11:43:05 +0000