The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Revelation 14-18
Act 3: God’s New Covenant People
Scene 4: Christ’s Church: God’s People Advance the Kingdom
Background Information: Revelation 14-18
The Battle Hymn of the Republic was written by an abolitionist early in the Civil War. The song links the Day of the Lord and his coming judgment with the Union cause to end slavery. The imagery of the Lord coming in glory and trampling the grapes of wrath comes from Isaiah and Revelation. Surely the carnage of the Civil War was a part of God’s judgment, though it was, of course, not the final Day. The “Day of the Lord” and “Babylon” are enduring biblical symbols. Babylon was an actual city that became a symbol of humanity in rebellion against God. It first appears in the place where the infamous tower was built to assert human independence. The Day of the Lord is both the time of salvation for his faithful people and of his judgment on rebellious people. The Passover rescue of Israel and judgment on Egypt was called “The Day.” Later, the prophet Amos said that Israel had become Babylon, and the Day of the Lord would bring judgment on them. That day of judgment arrived, and they were taken into a literal Babylonian captivity. In the New Testament, Peter called Rome Babylon (1 Peter 5:13). It was this Babylon that used its corrupt power to crucify Jesus, but Jesus was the victor, opening up the way for people to escape the corruption in this world and enter the eternal kingdom. He will return on the final Day of the Lord, and he will defeat, once for all, rebellious Babylon. Remember that Revelation was written to a persecuted church that was suffering under the oppression of a Babylon called Rome. The symbolism was as enduring as the suffering of God’s people through the ages. The purpose of the book of Revelation was not to inspire the church to sit around pondering headlines and making foolish predictions, but rather to live faithful and hopeful lives. That great Day will come when God brings final judgment on sin and final salvation to his people. We long for God’s justice as much as we long for his mercy. When we see others experience great injustice (or we do so ourselves), we are angry and sometimes horrified. This desire for justice is built into us, and yet it is corrupted by our own sin. We tend to want justice for others and mercy for ourselves. Jesus, the conquering King, who will forever be the Lamb who was slain, bore God’s justice for us that we may receive his mercy. As God’s people, we must refuse to join our current version of Babylon’s rebellion and instead live as God’s faithful people. This has always been what the Lord has called us to.
Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you:
to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:6-8
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for curiosity and soft hearts towards the gospel among Pashtuns. Pray that God would break down the deep-seated barriers of culture, religion, duty and honor.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.