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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for August 2020
September 1, 2020
Revelation 17:2 – With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
Thought: When a dominate nation is evil, others are often forced to “get in bed” with her. If they do not, there are severe consequences. These lesser nations also become corrupt. They must play the same game the harlot plays. If the major power rebels against God, so must the less domination nations. Sometimes they forget that they have sold their soul. They enjoy the fellowship of evil. They become “drunk with the wine of her fornication.” Evil’s influence spreads quickly throughout the world.
Jeremiah 51:7
September 2, 2020
Revelation 17:3 – So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colour beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Thought: John is transported by a vision “into the wilderness.” There he sees a woman, “the great whore,” mentioned in verse one. She is sitting upon a scarlet colored beast. Scarlet was a symbol of sin and iniquity. The beast was also “full of names of blasphemy.” The beast opposed God, the Christ, the Word of God, and the church. This beast was Rome as indicated by the “seven heads and ten horns.” The woman was carried along by Rome. She bowed to his will and did his bidding.
John 19:15
September 3, 2020
Revelation 17:4 – And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication.
Thought: The woman that John sees is beautifully attired “and decked with gold, precious stones and pearls.” This is the manner of sin. It cloaks itself in that which is lovely and appealing. However, she has a golden cup in her hand. It is “full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication.” Yes, her appearance lures men. But, her character and her practices destroy them. This woman stands in bold distinction to the woman in chapter twelve who was adorned in heavenly clothing.
Proverbs 7:10-23
September 4, 2020
Revelation 17:5 – And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Thought: In Scripture, certain people and places become a standard for either good or evil. Babylon under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar was an evil city. It set the standard for others. John saw a woman, a harlot, and she had a name written in her forehead: “Mystery Babylon the Great.” She had followed in the steps of old Babylon. Her actions influenced others. Thus, she was the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth. For some reason it seems easier to model evil than good.
Isaiah 13:19-20
September 5, 2020
Revelation 17:6 – And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
Thought: When evil is allowed to take root, there is no end to its atrocities. The evil city which John saw caused him to wonder. He stood in awe because she was drunk on the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. Murdering good, innocent people did not bother her at all. She relished in their blood. She could not get enough of it. One death called for another. For those who believe that life is precious, it is hard to imagine that anyone can get pleasure by taking innocent life.
Acts 22:20
September 6, 2020
Revelation 17:7 – And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath seven heads and ten horns.
Thought: At times, the saints of God see the efforts of those who are evil and are astonished. John had seen the woman drunken with the blood of the saints and martyrs and “wondered with great admiration.” Even though man is awe struck, God still had plans for this woman. John was now about to be given additional revelation that would explain to him more about “the mystery of the woman, and of the beast.” Additional knowledge always helps one see more clearly the ways of God.
II Corinthians 11:13-15
September 7, 2020
Revelation 17:8 – The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Thought: Satan is constantly working his power and authority upon the earth through physical leaders and governments. When he raises one up, he ascends from the bottomless pit. His ultimate end, as well as those who follow him, is perdition. When his evil powers are overcome, those who names are not written in the book of life wonder. They have trusted in the beast. They have followed the beast. His demise means their demise. Regardless of how powerful evil is, it cannot prevail against God.
Revelation 20:15
September 8, 2020
Revelation 17:9 – And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
Thought: It is revealed to John that the mind of man can come to an understanding of the things which he is seeing. The one who understands possesses a mind full of wisdom. Anytime man comprehends the truth of God’s Word, he becomes a possessor of wisdom. John is then informed that the woman whom he had seen was sitting upon seven mountains. These mountains are kings, namely, the kings of the Roman Empire. The woman was upheld and born along by the authority the Roman government.
Hosea 14:9
September 9, 2020
Revelation 17:10 – And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
Thought: This verse in the Revelation helps us to date the book. When John refers to “seven kings,” he is referring to seven emperors of Rome. Some start counting the emperors from Julius Caesar. Others begin counting from Augustus. If we begin at Julius, the five emperors who have fallen are Julius, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius. The one, therefore, reigning at the time was Nero. The one “not yet come” would be Galba who reigned only ninety days.
Daniel 2:20-21
September 10, 2020
Revelation 17:11 – And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
Thought: During the existence of empires there are times when it appears the empire will fall. This seems to be the point of John’s words when he says, “And the beast that was, and is not…” However, after the seventh ruler, there is an eighth who is like unto the seven. He, too, would rise and be an enemy of God’s people. He would promote the same practices of the seven. However, he would not last. He, too, would go into perdition. Evil rulers come and go, but evil never disappears.
II Samuel 10:13-16
September 11, 2020
Revelation 17:12, 13 – And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
Thought: In his commentary on Revelation, D. Gene West writes: “Ten provinces made up the Roman Empire. They were: Italy, Achaia (Greece), Asia (Turkey), Syria, Egypt, Africa, Spain, Gaul, Britain, and Germany” (p. 624). Each province was ruled by a king, also called a procurator. These men ruled but were puppets to Rome. They did the emperor’s will when he called upon them. If they were needed to assist in wars against others, they came willfully. Evil always has her allies to assist in evil.
Daniel 7:23-27
September 12, 2020
Revelation 17:14 – These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Thought: The theme of Revelation is “Victory!” Revelation 7:14 could be the key verse. “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them.” That’s victory. Why does He win? Because He is Lord of lords, and King of kings. Inferiors do not overcome superiors. The powerful are not capable of victory over the all-powerful. If we want to be on the winning side, we must be among the called, and chosen, and faithful of Jesus. All Christians need to focus on that last word, faithful.
I Corinthians 4:2
September 13, 2020
Revelation 17:15 – And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are people, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
Thought: The harlot introduced to John “sat upon many waters.” John is now told that the waters are “people, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” We learn two things. First, evil powers are able to have an influence over galaxies of individuals. Sadly, the wickedness of ungodly rulers spreads to the citizens of the nation. Second, the word “waters” is an accurate description of evil people. They are like the restless waves of the ocean that constantly roll and churn committing their evil actions.
Isaiah 17:12-13
September 14, 2020
Revelation 17:16 – And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
Thought: The scarlet woman had been riding on the beast. Now, the beast turns upon her out of deep hatred. This is an intense, fearful hatred for the woman. This hatred would cause the ten horns to make the woman “desolate,” this is, turned into a wasteland. She would be made “naked,” parading her shame to the world. Her flesh would be eaten by the beast. The remains would be burned with fire. The woman would be brought to complete destruction. Many see this as the fall of Jerusalem.
Matthew 23:37-38
September 15, 2020
Revelation 17:17 – For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
Thought: God is actively involved human affairs. He has a will that must be accomplished. God willed the destruction of His enemies. The fact that the beast turned on the harlot was not a surprise to God. If the harlot was Jerusalem, Jesus foretold her demise. “For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together” (Matt. 24:28). God is faithful in what He promises. The ten horns would give their kingdom unto the beast, “until the words of God shall be fulfilled.”
Isaiah 46:10-11
September 16, 2020
Revelation 17:18 – And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Thought: The book of Revelation centers either upon the city of Jerusalem or Rome. This verse seems to rule out Jerusalem because she never reigned over the kings of the earth. In his commentary, D. Gene West sets forth arguments showing how this could pertain to Jerusalem, since the nation of Israel under the Old Covenant was the only nation that belonged to God. As such, she did reign over the kings of the earth. The city rejected God. She became a harlot. Now, she must be destroyed.
Psalm 87:1-3
September 17, 2020
Revelation 18:1, 2 – And after these things, I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fall, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
Thought: John now sees “another angel,” a messenger of God who doing His bidding. He had been delegated “great power” and he appeared in brilliant radiance. His announcement was simple: “Babylon the great is fallen.” This is a prophetic declaration, but it was so certain that it could be spoken of as having already happened. Instead of being the city of God, she was now the habitation of devils, foul spirits, and unclean things. Her wicked change brought her downfall.
Isaiah 13:19-21
September 18, 2020
Revelation 18:3 – For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
Thought: Nations are often more concerned about wealth and safety than righteousness. This causes their leaders to make alliances with powerful, evil nations. In the process, they “wax rich through the abundance of her delicacies.” Too, they commit fornication with the harlot. Fear of man instead of trust in God causes them to align with the ungodly nation. Those who associate with her will also drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. God will not hold them guiltless.
Jeremiah 51:7
September 19, 2020
Revelation 18:4, 5 – And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye received not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
Thought: God is about to destroy the ungodly city of Babylon. Some of His people were in the city. Before His wrath rained down upon the evil ones, God warned His people to “come out of her.” God is righteous and does not want to destroy the godly with the ungodly. He reminds His people as to why the destruction was coming. “For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” God does not act arbitrarily, but only punishes those who rebel against Him.
Matthew 24:15-22
September 20, 2020
Revelation 18:6 – Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled, fill to her double.
Thought: Those who oppose God often boast of their evil ways. They rejoice when God and His people are wounded and destroyed. They forget that God will one day pour out His wrath upon them. They will be rewarded in the same manner they rewarded God’s people. In fact, God will reward His enemies double. They will experience a double portion of God’s wrath. They will come to understand how evil their actions were. Too, they will learn that they cannot defeat God.
Jeremiah 17:18
September 21, 2020
Revelation 18:7 – How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
Thought: One of the characteristics of the enemies of God is pride. Their pride is often a product of their power and riches. They reach a point that they believe they are self-reliant and indestructible. The wicked city John saw said in her heart: “I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.” God’s reaction to pride is to bring the individual down. He will give them the torment and the sorrow they denied they would ever see. Yes, God will bring them down.
Obadiah 1:3-4
September 22, 2020
Revelation 18:8 – Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
Thought: Nations often take years to come to a place of strength within the world. Once there, their leaders believe they will stand forever. Yet, God can bring them down quickly. The evil city which John saw in the Revelation would see plagues come in one day. There would be death, and mourning, and famine. The city would be consumed with fire. Powerful nations often forget the words of John that end this verse: “…for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.”
Isaiah 47:8-9
September 23, 2020
Revelation 18:9, 10 – And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning. Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgment come.
Thought: This verse holds two interesting thoughts regarding “the kings of the earth” who had aligned with the great city of Babylon. First, they bewail her and lament for her. In other words, they are saddened that she is being destroyed. She has been their source of their living “deliciously.” Second, they stand “afar off for the fear of her torment.” They are not so closely aligned to her that they perish with her. No, they keep their distance. Unsavory allies are only loyal to a point.
Ezekiel 32:9-10
September 24, 2020
Revelation 18:11 – And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more.
Thought: Nations profit from nations. When revenue streams are cut off, the nations that lose some of their wealth weep and mourn. The weeping is even greater when the main revenue source is lost. The great Babylon had made many nations extremely rich. She had supplied them with many, many goods. When she fell, the supply chain for other cities and nations died. They could no longer buy her merchandise. Self-sufficiency has its problems, but it also has tremendous benefits in bad times.
Ezekiel 27:32-36
September 25, 2020
Revelation 18:12, 13, 14 – The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, and cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
Thought: We often do not understand the devastating impact of God’s judgments until they have been carried out. When the great Babylon fell, the merchants of the earth mourned. In the verses found in our devotional this morning, we see the extent of God’s judgment. The city had been the life support for all kinds of products and goods throughout the world. When listed, one comes to understand the impact upon the world because of the loss of this evil city. God’s judgments can be comprehensive.
Ezekiel 27:12-18
September 26, 2020
Revelation 18:15 – The merchants of those things, which where made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing.
Thought: Evil individuals usually have evil allies. While all is well, the relationships are profitable. However, when one of the evil individuals gets in trouble, his “friends” quickly depart from him. Deep within, they regret what has happened. However, their sorrow is really for themselves. The demise of their comrade has removed blessings from them. Rest assured, however, they will not come to his aid. They “shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing.”
Ezekiel 27:30-32
September 27, 2020
Revelation 18:16-17a – And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought.
Thought: We could shorten the words above to simply say: “Alas, that great city is come to nought.” History has proven over and over again that the greatest powers in the world can come to an end. The one who brings them down is God. It is He who ordains the powers that exist. When powerful and rich and influential nations reject God, He can quickly bring them down. “For in one hour so great riches is come to nought.” Nations should heed this lesson and honor God, but most will not.
Lamentations 4:6
September 28, 2020
Revelation 18:17b-18 – And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
Thought: The destruction of a powerful city seems unbelievable to many. Those who traveled to the great Babylon would see “the smoke of her burning,” and say: “What city is like unto this great city!” How can a great city be destroyed? How can a great city come to ruins? How can a great city be reduced to rubble? The answer is twofold. First, her sin is the cause of her destruction. Second, God’s wrath poured out on her sin is the cause of her demise. Great cities ought to heed the lesson.
Jeremiah 51:37
September 29, 2020
Revelation 18:19 – And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
Thought: We are again reminded of how quickly the ungodly can be destroyed by God. It takes hundreds of years to build great cities and powerful nations. God, however, can bring them down in minutes. “…for in one hour is she made desolate.” Man cannot fathom the power of God. Man boasts of his strength. He believes deep within that he can conquer the Almighty. His self-deception is turned on its head in a moment. God can bring man’s glory to rubble in a brief span of time.
Jeremiah 51:8-9
September 30, 2020
Revelation 18:20 – Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
Thought: When judgment falls upon the enemies of God’s people, it is time for them to rejoice. The mocking comes to an end. The persecution ceases. The ruthless murder of God’s people is over. Yes, it is time to rejoice. “For God hath avenged you.” God avenges the enemies of His people in His time, but vengeance finally comes. Victory, relief, and joy come to God’s elect as the result of God’s wrath. Those who used to rejoice are weeping. Those who were weeping can rejoice and praise God.
Hebrews 10:30-31
Read devotionals for October 2020