Revelation Chapter 18
Be successful by GOD’S STANDARDS and not the WORLD’S STANDARDS!
An angel with great authority and splendor came down from heaven and declared the great evil of Babylon the Great. People are warned to depart from Babylon and it’s evil or else be judged with them. A voice from heaven declares God’s coming wrath and plagues.
Three groups of people (the Kings of Nations, and the Land and Sea Merchants) will be terrified and will all express such great sorrow over the destruction of Babylon. They will weep because their wealth will be brought to ruin. Babylon made them rich!
It will be declared by them, “Was there ever a city like this great city?”
I can see it now! Every news station on TV, around the world, will speak of this as a “sad day” because in the world’s eyes Babylon the Great brought much wealth and success to so many people. But now, it has been destroyed. News anchors will be live, on the scene, in such great disbelief.
I doubt that any of them will look at this as a time to rejoice. Yet God will call his followers to rejoice over Babylon’s destruction because God will judge them as Babylon judged against God’s people. Babylon will never be heard of again because of such great evil and for shedding the blood of God’s people.
What about today? Am I pursuing success from the world’s standards or am I pursuing success from God’s standards? God’s standards require from us:
1. A relationship with Christ,
2. A life of holiness and obedience, and
3. Pursuing his will and desires.
I John 2:15-17.
Perhaps we should all be challenged to evaluate our motive often.
