Truth Matters 12 23 21: The Visions of John, Babylon

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Daily devotion with Dr. Cheryl Davis. Truth Matters is a ministry of The Truth Project, whose mission is to empower men and women in the Christian faith to teach biblical truth in the culture and the marketplace of ideas, using the Bible as a sacred trust of truth in sharing the message of Jesus. Learn more about the ministry of The Truth Project at www.projecttruthmatters.com. Let's continue with the visions of John. Babylon.

Here's Dr. Davis. There's a tremendous amount of time about Babylon and the ancient city of Babylon, but when Babylon is mentioned in the Bible, it can refer to either the actual city or the pagan humanistic world system that characterized the city and emanated from it to influence others. But in this case, Babylon is God's name for the world system the Antichrist will institute during the tribulation, a system which he will destroy. Some believe that the actual ancient city of Babylon will be rebuilt and be the center of operations for the beast and the false prophet, but we will see how that happens later on in chapters 16 and 17.

Let's move on to the next vision. The next vision is in Revelation chapter 14 verses 9 through 11, and I'll read those. Then a third angel followed them, saying, with a loud voice, If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of his indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb, and the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever. And they shall have no rest, day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.

It is pretty clear that those who worship the beast will be doomed by God, but the opposite is also true that if you worship God, you'll be condemned by the beast. Literally, you'll have to sell your soul for a piece of bread. This reminds me of the verse in Joshua where it says, Choose you this day whom you are going to serve, as for me and my house are going to serve the Lord. And when this decision is made in the tribulation, the consequences of that will be dire as far as death.

Let's move on to the next vision, as this is the death of the saints. This is really one of the greatest passages of all scripture. It is a promise to those who endure the days of the tribulation on earth and are granted rest from their labors. We're going to read that in verses 12 through 13.

Here is the patience of the saints. Here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the spirit that they may rest from their labors and their works follow them. The word rest is often used in the New Testament to refer to those who have died in the Lord or who are asleep in the Lord, such as Lazarus in John chapter 11, verse 11.

But death for the Christian is rest as if he is sleeping from his labors, just waiting to be awakened by the coming of the Lord. You've been listening to Truth Matters with Dr. Cheryl Davis. Truth Matters is a ministry of The Truth Project, a North Carolina-based ministry dedicated to teaching biblical truth and sound theology to those inside and outside of the church. If you'd like to listen to these messages on demand, go to projecttruthmatters.com and click on the podcast link. Dr. Davis is also available to speak to your ministry group or church function. She can be reached by email at CherylDavis at projecttruthmatters.com. Or if you'd like to send a letter, the address is Project Truth Matters, Post Office Box 159, St. Paul's, North Carolina 28384. You can hear Truth Matters weekdays on this radio station at 8 20 a.m. and 5 20 p.m. for the full length teaching program on Saturday afternoon at 12 30. Until next time, let's all work together to teach a biblical truth to assist, equip, edify, and encourage one another and bring the gospel to the world because truth matters.