I have to admit that there are certain parts of the Bible I read less than others. Some Old Testament books full of lists of rules and regulations appear less relevant and dare I say boring to read. The one New Testament book I read least is Revelation, the vision given to John by God of the end times. A great deal of the imagery used can be very difficult to comprehend.  However, here in chapter 18 John’s vision shifts to describe the fall of Babylon. It contains a glorious angel’s pronouncement of doom on Babylon. In the previous chapter the leaders seemed unfazed by the destruction of the spiritual Babylon whereas the Babylon described here in chapter 18 is of a slightly different Babylon. In this context, Babylon is a political and economic entity.

An angel proclaims the destruction of Babylon specifically making mention of her pervasive wickedness; a mirror image of our world today.  John hears another voice (v.4) warning “My people: to flee the city paralleling the Old Testament warning given to Lot to evacuate Sodom in advance of God’s judgement (Genesis 19). Along with political leaders, economic leaders will grieve over the fall of Babylon. This passage lists many of the most precious commodities of the ancient world symbolising her far reaching and enormous wealth. In the end times Babylon will go from being outrageously wealthy and powerful to desolation faster than anyone would have thought possible. The same battle between the so called ‘wealth’ of today (you can make your own list of these) and the spiritual wealth only to be found in a relationship with our Creator God through Jesus still exists today. I am reminded of the New Testament passage in Matthew 6 - “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”.

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Question:

Where do your priorities lie today; consider where your wealth is stored - in earthly things or in heaven?

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord, that you provide for all our daily needs. Help us not to rely on the wealth of this world but to store our treasure in heaven that can never be destroyed. Amen.