Revelation 18:9-20 – “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!’ 11 “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves. 14 “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out: “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! 17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’ “Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off.18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’ 20 “Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.”
“They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’” All that Babylon lived for is gone. Just as people strive to live in the most expensive houses, in the best neighborhoods, have the highest paying jobs, drive the most luxurious or exotic or fast cars, if they don’t have Jesus, it is all for nothing. They have sand in hands too feeble to keep it from falling through their fingers. Worse is when a Christian does this without perspective. It is beautiful to see the Lord bless a person with riches and the person remains humble, lives humble and uses the riches as the Lord directs. But when such people become proud of their, when they get “that” look in their eyes (Proverbs 6:16-17), when fellow believers just don’t interest them unless they are in their same status, then that believer better be careful. What is within them is beginning to look more like Babylon than Jesus. Does the believer who is poor not merit an invitation to their home and to have a meal, or a swim in the pool because they are embarrassing or because they have nothing in common (ouch)? Be very careful, that poor person is a precious child of God. Jesus said that he who rejects the Father’s Son shall find themselves rejected. How about those who reject, or just don’t love, these precious children of God (Matthew 25:31-46). Family, the riches of this world are like trying to clench water in a fist. After time, it is all gone. Such is what will happen to Babylon and such is what happens with all who think like her and defend her life view. God forbid that it would me any of us!
A note aside. Family, let’s not be guilty of economic prejudice and thereby sin ourselves. The poor are often very haughty and accusing when looking at the rich. They assume that those with money are not good Christians. I have heard this too many times. Family, that is not true. There are many wonderful Christians with great amounts of wealth who listen to God’s leading and use their blessings to bless God’s work and to bless others. Now, they aren’t looking for others “opinions” on how they should do that. They are being led by God. Let us assume the best about each other (1 Corinthians 13:7). If we have “concerns” about each other, than earnestly and persistently pray for each other. It is what we are called to do (Ephesians 6:18). Let us truthfully strive to live in peace with each other (Romans 12:14). Love each other! (John 15:12). When God’s children “get-a-long”, when they love each other, He is very pleased! Praise our God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.