Revelation Now :
Daily Devotional Bible Studies in Revelation
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God's People are Separated : Day 65 
Then I heard another voice from heaven say "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Mix her a double portion from her own cup. Give her as much torture and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, 'I sit as queen; I am not a widow, and I will never mourn.' Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her. (Revelation 18.4-8)
Merchants of the Roman Empire
Merchants in the Roman empire grew rich by exploiting the sinful pleasures of their society. Some business people today do the same thing. Businesses and governments are often based on greed, money, and power. Many bright individuals are tempted to take advantage of an evil system to enrich themselves. Christians are warned to stay free from the lure of money, status, and the good life. We are to live according to the values Christ exemplified, i.e. service, giving, self-sacrifice, obedience, and truth. It is a tough standard to achieve.
Babylon's Luxury
The people of Babylon had lived in luxury and pleasure. The city boasted, "I sit as queen; I am not a widow, and I will never mourn." The powerful, wealthy people of this world are prone to this same attitude. A person who is financially comfortable often feels secure, and in control, feeling no need for God or anyone else. This kind of attitude defies God. His judgment against it is harsh. We are told to avoid Babylon's sins. If you are financially secure, don't become complacent and deluded by the myth of self-sufficiency. Use your resources to help others and advance God's kingdom.
Living for Money
Those who are tied to the world's system will lose everything when it collapses. It is akin to a stock market collapse when everybody's saving in mutual funds or even blue chip stock take a dive. What they have worked for a lifetime to build up will be destroyed in one hour. Those who labor only for material rewards will have nothing when they die or when their possessions are destroyed.
God's people should not live for money, because wealth will be worthless in eternity. And they should keep on guard constantly against the temptation to be greedy, a sin that is always ready to take over our lives.
Separation from Sinners
The cry "Come out of her, my people" does not mean evacuation of the city but separation from sinners. In contrast to the prostitute, Christ's bride, the church, is pure and obedient. Throughout history, people have been killed for their faith. Over the last century, many Christians have been killed by oppressive governments. The woman's drunkenness shows her pleasure in her evil accomplishments and her false feeling of triumph over the church.But every martyr who has fallen before her sword has only served to strengthen the faith of the church. In this chapter, a scarlet beast similar to the beast and the dragon appears as an ally of the great prostitute.
Words to meditate on
How do people use their wealth to exploit others?
Words to pray
"Holy, holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty Merciful and mighty.
All thy works shall praise thy name, In earth and sky and sea." (1)
Notes
(1)
"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place."
