Permanent Residence

Daily Reading:  Revelation 18

Scripture Focus: Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more (Revelation 18.21b)

Devotional Thought: A few weeks ago I was riding through town with a friend.  We drove by an old, dilapidated house on her street.  The house had a bright orange 'X' on an outside wall.  She remarked, "I thought they were going to tear that house down."  I thought to myself, "If they leave it much longer, they won't need to.  It's going to fall down!"  That's kind of sad to think about, isn't it?  When that house was built many years ago it was a source of satisfaction and pride.  Today it is ready to be torn down to "be found no more."

I've had a hand in the construction of 4 new homes.  I've loved those homes - been proud of them - but I recognize that they will not be there forever.  Whether through the ravages of time or by an act of violence, everything is destined to destruction. 

John the Revelator saw that future for Babylon.  In chapter 16 of Revelation we saw Babylon as symbolic of this world's corrupt powers.  Today, I see in it another comparison: Babylon as the temporal city vs. The New Jerusalem as the eternal city.

The New Jerusalem is a city coming down from heaven (ch. 21).  It is destined to host the marriage supper of the Lamb, (ch. 19).  It is an eternal city where those who enter shall never go out (ch. 3).

Abraham sought a city with foundations whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11).  That is the new Jerusalem.  That is the house built on the Rock which is Jesus Christ.  It will remain strong through all the storms of life.

Are you building your life on Jesus?

Prayer: Lord, I am looking for a better city, an eternal city, the abode of God.  Help me to live in this world in such a way that I may dwell in your world forever.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day:  39 When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, 40 he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; 41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. 42 The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. 43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD. (Psalms 107:39-43)