ALLIANCES TODAY
From Life Application Bible
Government
We rely on government legislation to protect the moral decisions we want made, but legislation cannot change people’s hearts.
Science
We enjoy the benefits of science and technology. We look to specific predictions and analysis before we look to the Bible.
Education
We act as though education and degrees can guarantee our future and success without considering what God plans for our future.
Medical careo
We regard medicine as the way to prolong life and preserve its quality – quite apart from faith and moral living.
Financial systems
We place our faith in financial “security” – making as much money as we can for ourselves – forgetting that, while being wise with our money, we must trust God for our needs.
Isaiah warned Judah not to ally with Egypt {Isaiah 20:5; 30:1,2; 31:1 } He knew that trust in any nation or any military might was futile.
Judah’s only hope was to trust God. Although we don’t consciously put our hope for deliverance in political alliances in quite the same way, we often put our hope in other places.
Blessings inRevelations
Revelations 1:3“Blessed is the one who reads the words of this
prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take
to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”
Revelations 14:13
“Blessed are the dead in the Lord from now on… They will rest from their
labor, for their deeds will follow them.”
Revelations 16:15“Behold, I come like a
thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
Revelations 19:9
“Blessed are those who are invited to the
wedding supper of the Lamb.”
Revelations 20:6“Blessed are those who
have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over
them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for
a thousand years.”
Revelations 22:7“Behold, I am coming
soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this
book.”
Revelations 22:14“Blessed are those who
wash their robes, that they may have the right to the
tree of life and may go through the gates into the
city.”
Revelations 17:1 Interpretations
The destruction of Babylon mentioned in 16:17-21 is now described in greater
detail. The “great prostitute” called Babylon,
represents the early Roman empire
Revelations 17:1 Interpretations
with its many gods and the blood of Christian martyrs
on its hands. The water stands for either sea commerce or a well-
watered (well-provisioned) city.
Revelations 17:1 Interpretations
The great prostitute represents the
seductiveness of the governmental system that
uses immoral means to gain its own pleasure,
prosperity, advantage.
Revelations 17:1 Interpretations
In contrast to the prostitute, Christ’s bride, the church,
is pure and obedient. (19:6-9)
Revelations 17:1 Interpretations
The wicked city of Babylon contrasts with the
heavenly city of Jerusalem (21:10-22-5)
Revelations 17:1 Interpretations
The original readers probably rather quickly identified Babylon with Rome, but Babylon also symbolizes any system
that is hostile to God. (see 17:5)
Isaiah 30:1 “Woe to the obstinate children, declares the
LORD, to those who carry out plans
that are not mine, forming an alliance,
but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin.
Isaiah 30:1 “Woe to the obstinate children, declares the
LORD, to those who carry out plans
that are not mine, forming an alliance,
but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin.”
Psalm 90:10 “The length of our days is seventy years – or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for
their quickly pass, and we fly away.”
Psalm 90:17 “May the favor of the LORD
our God rest upon us; establish the work of our
hands for us –Yea, establish the work of
our hands.”
Psalm 91:1 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of
the Almighty.”