Tags

, , ,

I have been studying Revelation in Bible Study Fellowship for the past seven months.  This is the first time I have taken such an in depth look at this intriguing book, and I am often struck by how much detail is given in the visions of judgment and destruction John records.  Take the fall of Babylon, which represents the unbelieving world outside of the Church, in Revelation 18.  The beginning of the chapter describes those who benefitted from her excessive, luxurious tastes mourning the loss of their livelihood.

Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying,

“So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence,
and will be found no more;
22 and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters,
will be heard in you no more,
and a craftsman of any craft
will be found in you no more,
and the sound of the mill
will be heard in you no more,
23 and the light of a lamp
will shine in you no more,
and the voice of bridegroom and bride
will be heard in you no more,
for your merchants were the great ones of the earth,
and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.
24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints,
and of all who have been slain on earth.” Revelation 18:21-24

This is the world suffering God’s just judgment for its abuses and misuses of God’s creation.  Do you notice that the first thing mentioned is music?  Why would music be noted first?  I thought back to creation, and how the birds were created before the other creatures.  As I listened to a dawn chorus this morning, I realized that Adam was created into a world that had that sound.  Music originates with God’s creation, and is for His glory.  The Bible is full of songs.

But the world misuses this gift.  Music is used to promote man rather than honor God in many of its genres.  How much of the music produced today promotes Satan’s agenda rather than uplifting God’s glory?  So music will be removed from those who suffer God’s judgment. For those of us who love music, it adds yet another dimension of horror to hell.

However, those who are covered by the Blood of Christ will be part of the multitude that sings heavenly music forever.

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,

“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2     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.” Revelation 19:1-2

As you read down the list of things that will be no more for those outside of Christ, you see a list of things the world corrupts from the origins God intended them for.  Art, food, light, marriage, commerce, and power are all held out as items removed.  It is not hard to look at our world and our own lives to see examples of each of these being twisted from God’s design for them.  We must never imagine that God does not see and care.  Revelation assures us that He does care and that He will avenge.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Diane