the Third Week after Easter
Click here to join the effort!
Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 3 of 5
Isaiah 47:1-15
Babylon is now the theme under consideration. Even before its entrance into history, its downfall is recorded. Used by the LORD to discipline His people, Babylon showed no pity towards them at all, taking no warning to heart and not keeping in mind "the latter end of it" (v. 7; Deuteronomy 32:29). By the mouth of Daniel, God had already made known to her what her end would be (Daniel 2:45). In spite of this, the arrogant city proclaimed: "I shall be a lady for ever" (v. 7). And we know to what end she came, solemnly and suddenly in the tragic night of Belshazzar’s feast (Daniel 5:30).
In the New Testament, Babylon is a picture of nominal Christianity. The Church has wearied of being a stranger down here, and is tired of suffering. She has preferred the throne to the cross. She has forgotten how to show pity, rules over the souls in her charge, has neglected the claims of the Lord and has lost sight of His return. She has settled down with a multitude of idols and superstitions (vv. 12, 13). But the time of her ruin will come (Revelation 18:1-24). Then Christ will present His true Bride to all in heaven and on earth: the Church made up of all His dear redeemed ones, taken away even before these events to be at His side. Will you be part of that Church?
