Archives

As promised, I’m going to try to post additional information and insights from the previous Sunday’s message. I might also link to other stuff that I find interesting and/or amusing.

Give me some time to figure out the technical aspects of this.

Your feedback is welcome.

Dwight

September 4, 2009

The idea of Babylon being paid back “double” for what she has inflicted on God’s people seems to be somewhat vindictive and over the top. But, there is some interesting OT background to the phrase.

“Pay her back double” is a metaphor for a call for complete retribution.

There is also a thread of thought in Scripture that some crimes required double punishment or restitution.   Exod. 22.4, 7, 9 mandates double restitution for stealing animals or the  illegal possession of an animal. Since Babylon is accused of theft, double punishment would fit the pattern of the Exodus passages above.


September 2, 2009

Yes, I missed yesterday. Not an auspicious beginning to this project. I have an excuse. Not a good one. But an excuse, none the less. I took a day of vacation and went to the magical kingdom of old plaster. As in tearing out two walls that got wet in our great toilet overflow disaster. Yes, it was more fun than humans are allowed to have.

Back to Revelation. In 18.4 the voice from heaven tells God’s people to flee Babylon. It is interesting to note how many other times people are told to flee:

Probably the best known story of someone fleeing is in Genesis 19–Lot and his family. One of the  things that strikes me in this story is that the Lots are reluctant to leave the city that is going to be destroyed. The angelic figures have to take Mr. Lot by the hand and drag him out of Sodom. Mrs. Lot had to take one last look at “home”. Unfortunately, she (or her salt encrusted body) got to look longingly at Sodom for a long time.

Let’s face it. We are comfortable in this world. It has a powerful hold on me. I like my stuff. I want more stuff. I like to think like my neighbors.

As I said Sunday, we all have to wrestle with where our own Babylon is. The key is to flee and not hang around when we see Babylon making her inroads into our life.

August 31, 2009

I love the imagery that John uses in Revelation 18.2. He makes it sound like a bombed out city or a stately mansion that is rotting from the inside out. You can find similar images in Isaiah 13.21-22, 34.11-14; Jer. 50.39; 51.37 and Zeph. 2.14-15.

The English translators have used some vivid words to convey what has happened to Babylon: garrison (The Message), hideout (New Living), jail (NASB).

The vultures are circling over Babylon. In 19.17-21 we see them feasting on the dead army of the beast.