The Fruit Is Gone
Read This Week: Revelation 18
The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore—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; cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh, and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, refined flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as enslaved people. They will say, “The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.” The merchants who sold these things and gained wealth from her will stand far off. They will weep and mourn. – Revelation 18:11-15 NIV
Revelation 18 is the finality of what the previous chapter sets up – the fall of Babylon. As stated before, Babylon was a powerful empire. This section details the city’s economic, social, and political vitality and prowess. It tells of all the merchandise, clothing, food, spices, and jewelry sold and traded there. Babylon was, by all accounts, an epicenter of the ancient world. It was also a literal and figurative symbol of man’s rebellion against God and the ultimate representative of what it means to be secular. That is why the description of its fall and ultimate demise is so compelling and devastating to the beast’s mission and evil desires.
Because of Babylon’s immense status as a formidable city and as an emblem of the world and anti-God philosophy, John records the warning to followers of Jesus to get out of Babylon before its ultimate end. Verses 4-5 say: Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins or receive any of her plagues; her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
This warning is a physical and spiritual alert to the believers during Babylon’s fall and a warning for all Christians across generations. It is a reminder that there is nothing the world has to offer to match life with God. No money, wealth, possession, or affluence can provide the meaning and purpose of a relationship with Christ. No status or social standing can bring the value or worth that comes with knowing you are God’s child and made in His image. No position can give one eternal salvation that comes through the blood of the Lamb.
God cautions us to get out of Babylon because it offers nothing of eternal significance for our lives, just temporal, counterfeit pleasure that will not last and will lead to destruction. The Lord makes it clear through John that what Babylon offers will disappear and vanish just like the lies of the enemy and his overtures of a better future. The fruit the world tempts with will be gone. The opulence and comfort that it promises will go away. The glory and fulfillment the world advertises will soon vanish. Only a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and what is done for Him will last forever.
The words of verse 14 should always serve as a reminder of this: The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.
My focus was drawn to Revelation 18 verses 9-11.
9 “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—
What God said about this to me was:
“Imagine the sheer terror one must feel when they focus their efforts and thoughts on a singular thing of this world that does not matter at all in the end. To have that realization that you made the wrong choice is nothing short of devastating. I do not want you in that position. I want you to know where to lead your heart based on what is pure from Me. So that when your time comes you will have no regrets; only fulfillment of why you are here.”
Hard pills to swallow come in all shapes and sizes. Its like when there is a cavity that someone ignores in the hopes that if they don’t pay attention to it, it will simply go away. Then much to their chagrin they realize that the cavity is much, much worse and it would have been so easy to just deal with it when it was small. The same goes for us with following God’s path. We never want to be so far from the path that it feels like its up an unclimbable mountain. (fortunately even the ones that are the most strayed from the path have a way back because of God’s patience and mercy with us.)
When we follow God’s path and are “in-tune” with God we are able to stay on that path, albeit stumble a few times here and there as we are only human, but be on God’s path nonetheless. And when the time comes we realize we put our faith where it needs to rightfully be. God is so glorious!
This is what God was saying to me in this chapter. You are not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. If you are a true believer, I will not remember your sins. I will give Babylon exactly what she deserves. You should not be self indulgent or prideful. This shows worldliness and materialism. Rejoice in the righteous resolution My judgement brings. It is a terrible thing for you to sin yourself, but it is more terrible to lead others into sin. I take the persecution of My people as a personal offense. If you attack My people, you are really attacking Me. Do not get caught up in worldly things. This will bring destruction. Reflect on things above. Stay faithful and strong in your beliefs. and your actions. The battle is won through Jesus Christ.
What this said to me is I am not to be self sufficient, self indulgent, or prideful. This displeases God. I need to rely on God. I need to not get caught up in worldliness. I need to continue to spend time with God, in His word, in worship, and continue to serve others. I need to stay faithful. I need to focus on bringing others to Him, while we still have time.
This week in Revelation 18 I got a song
Praise
Let’s come together to worship our Lord let’s come together to worship our Lord singing hallelujah hallelujah we believe in you because of you we have heaven on earth because of you we have comfort joy your love we want to spread your good news with others so let’s join together spreading your good news being the light the light of our Lord bringing others to see his light to hear his voice to feel his love, joy, happiness let’s do it together, being strong in our faith lifting our hands, singing, glory, glory, glory, we praise you our Lord Amen
God is saying to me and you
Stay true to yourself never give up I am your healer teacher comforter the one who loves you so much. Thank you God
This Week in the Life: Revelation 18
For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and the second song.
1. Sunday Worship – First Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-0618-Worship1.wav
2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-0618-Message.wav
3. Sunday Worship – Second Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-0618-Worship2.wav
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