Come Out From Among Them {Revelations 18}

 Scripture passage: Revelations 18

Have you ever suffered because of your faith? Perhaps, you've been overlooked for a promotion, or lost friendships, or suffered strained relationships. The sad truth is, that even today, thousands of years since Christianity began, believers are being martyred for their faith everyday. If you have suffered any form of persecution, take heart, for it has not gone unnoticed. AND the good news is there is coming a day when the patience of God will reached its end. 

A day when God cannot bear to see His people suffer any longer, and the appointed number of martyrs is complete (Rev 6:11). And on that day a holy vengeance will come from heaven: 

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. (Revelations 18:8)

Most important to note however is that God’s vengeance on those who have afflicted His people will seem to us as “relief.” Our Lord considers it "just" to repay those who have afflicted us with affliction. 

 At her destruction, a great voice from heaven cries, “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!” (Revelation 18:20). Also in Revelations 19: 1-2, a great multitude is heard saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants”. 

But, those who shared in her luxuries and persecuted God's people will weep out loud and mourn for the city. They will look upon her and be terrified and cry out:

“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!’

What I still cannot get over is the thought that this could be only a few years away! In years past as I read through the book of Revelation, I always thought of these events happening far off in the distant future sometime, but if Jesus were to come for us today, that would mark the beginning of the seven years of tribulations that is outlined for us in this book. Which means those we know who do not know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior will be left here to experience this for themselves. 

And with this new revelation that has come to me concerning the timing of these events, comes a greater desire to pray and share the Gospel with those who still don't belong to Him, in the hopes I might take part in saving a few. 

Blessings, 

sue