
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; How would a verse like this apply to my everyday life? Keep reading and I will show you a few things that may affect your day to day thinking.</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I have some friends who delve deeply into understanding the Scriptures related to the time of the End. There are over 150 chapters in the Bible that deal with the Lord’s return to the earth at the end of this present age.* &nbsp;I have studied these chapters and stand amazed at the immense detail the Lord has provided. Honestly, an overwhelming undertaking.&nbsp; I certainly do not claim to be an expert.</p>
<p>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I am a practical guy. I enjoy taking Biblical ideas and translating them into language that we all can grasp.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; “Babylon” simplified is the “world-system.” Historically, it has been an actual place in the geography of the Middle East. The Israelite nation was literally deported <i>en masse</i> to Babylon in the fifth century BC. However, as time passed, the word “Babylon” became associated with the way of “the world.” This includes the governmental, economic, political and mercantile systems that dominate the globe. As a <i>system</i>, it is “corrupt” and “violent” (Rev 17:2). Babylon has a great power to allure people. It is described as a “great harlot” and is pictured as a woman sitting on a scarlet beast. This captivating woman is associated with immorality and blasphemy. She is strongly linked to materialism (Rev 17:4 &amp; Rev 18:11-18).</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jesus warned more about “deception” than He did any other subject.&nbsp; In the parable of the sower, He describes the seed (the Word) that falls in among the thorn bushes. The Word is not allowed to grow and become fruitful because it is choked out by <i>“the worry of the world </i>(“world-system”) <i>and the deceitfulness of wealth”</i> (Matthew 13:22). The Apostle John warns us: <i>“Do not love the world nor the things in the world”</i> (I John 2:15). The tragedy of the allurement of the world is that it cancels out our <i>“the love for the Father”</i> in us (I John 2:16). The elements of the world-system are <i>“all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life”</i> (I John 2:16).</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Here is the key: Babylon is an enemy to us; an enemy to all righteousness, peace and justice; an offensive affront to all that is Love and Holiness. The heart of Babylon is one of livid hostility toward the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.&nbsp; Babylon is at War with the Lamb (Rev 17:14) and is, therefore, <i>at war with us</i>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Our Response: 1) Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the true motives of our hearts so we may see ourselves rightly, as God sees us.&nbsp; 2) Repent of anything that is linked to a love of this present world; what our bodies crave, what our eyes lust for and the kind of self- absorption that keeps us focused on this present world. 3) Receive His full forgiveness and grace and thus experience freedom.</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Obviously, we must live and function in this world. God is not asking us to leave the world-system. We cannot, anyway, until He takes us in death. We must put the world in its right place. We must line up with God’s purpose during the brief time we live here – <i>first things first</i>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>*This is quite amazing when you consider that there are only 88 chapters that deal with Jesus’ first coming - the number of chapters in the 4 Gospels.</p>
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<p>John G. Elliott</p>
<p>Worship Hymn Ministries</p>
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