DAY 826 - No Compromise with Babylon (請按此處收聼廣東話Cantonese podcast click here)

                         Today's Reading: Revelation 18:1-8

** If you would like to learn a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please read my “Count Down 5” from my Devotion on Fire blog:

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 .Subject Shifting Devotion.pdf

Please click this link to read Revelation 18:1-8

English(ESV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation 18&version=ESV

Chinese: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=启 示 录 18&version=CUV

Bible Study

     The fall of Babylon. What does it mean? What has the message to do with us? 

Let's take a look at what Bishop N.T. Wright says (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N._T._Wright ) :

    

      The command is therefore given that God's people should 'come out of her'.  That, clearly, echoes the summons of Isaiah 48.20 and 52.11-12, and particularly Jeremiah 51.45.  But how should John's hearers apply this message to themselves?  The faithful among them have not compromised with Babylon.  

N.T. Wright. Revelation for Everyone. Louisville,KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011, p.160.

     Do you think your lifestyle has already compromised with the lifestyle of Babylon? What is the lifestyle of Babylon?

Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe":  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmax47l2hLU

Spiritual Journal

    The title I heard from Jesus today is: No compromise with Babylon

    What I receive today is to remind me of seeing quite a number of times from TV requirements of terrorists when they captured some people. They asked for money or to release some of their leaders who were in jail. But, as often as we can see in the foreign policy of many nations, it is "No compromise with terrorists". They know that if they allow compromise then more innocent people would be captured and that will surely be an unending stories of the rise of more terrorists.

     Do you know that the image of Babylon is the worst terrorist on earth? As in this passage, we have the key of the lifestyle of Babylon "excessive luxuries  (verse 3), "glory and luxury she gave herself". (verse 7) And, we can see in previous chapters are "adulteries" (17:2, 5) "Armageddon" (16:16 about the kings fighting for power).

     Do you understand now. It is the most simple, original sins that Satan tempted Jesus as in Matthew 4: 1-11: Money, sex and power. Then, this passage shows us that it all starts with excessive luxuries. Are you being trapped by excessive luxuries already?

     Remember, no compromise with Babylon! 

Dear Lord Jesus,

Help us not to step into the trap of excessive luxuries that we make compromise with Babylon.  In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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You may choose to follow my other daily blog: 

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Emmanuel330 (40 weeks First Step Bible Study): 

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This blog:

Discipler 123 (Daily devotion using N.T. Wright's NT for Everyone as source)

http://discipler123.blogspot.ca/

Rev. Nicky Gumbel's daily devotion: Bible in One Year

http://www.htb.org.uk/bioy