December 17: AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART
For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. Revelation 17:17
As we approach the end of chapter 17, let’s glance back to the angel’s declared purpose in verse 1. He came to show John the upcoming judgment that is to befall the unfaithful church. We saw yesterday that those who had been seduced by the harlot became instruments for part of God’s judgment against her. A principle given throughout Scripture is that sin brings its own reward. This priceless lesson, well understood by repentant ones, is akin to the law of gravity. The only escape from sin’s downward pull is the miracle of God’s love and grace. To live in the light of His truth places His faithful ones under the divine umbrella of hope for the eternal future.
Conversely, the unrepentant have often been unwitting instruments in the hand of God, to bring judgments upon those who should know better. The entire history of the nation of Israel is a series of circles that include gathering her under His grace and protection, followed by a willful chasing after worldliness and idols, followed by repentance and forgiveness, followed by more apostasy. Some of those living in apostasy believe and teach that God is somehow in collusion with Satan to orchestrate devices against people. Scripture condemns this false perception, for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone (James 1:13). The word translated put means allowed. God is sovereign over all, and those who reject any part of His word actively subject themselves to negative influences of godlessness — yet even those are under the divine Sovereign. In fact, He has graciously held back the winds of strife among men even as He seeks those who desire to serve Him (see Revelation 7:1; 2 Chronicles 16:9).
History proves that the process of allowing the natural consequences of sin to fall actually opens the door of repentance and redemption for many individuals. The life of David is a showcase for this precept. If you are suffering deeply from consequences of sin — your own or that of others who have heavily influenced you — take heart! God stands ready to freely give the gift of repentance. After all was said and done in David’s life, he became affectionately known to God as “a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.” (Acts 13:22). What a precious, joyful, and victorious description of someone who got back up after tripping and falling. This can be you, beloved!
The secular world powers who choose to give their kingdom to the beast will soon become God’s instruments for punishment of the great harlot, as shown in yesterday’s verse. Notice that the perpetrator of false worship is the focus of the punishment. Those who follow her become subject to her plagues (18:4). The central last-day issue is that of worship. The cosmic struggle between good and evil has only two sides. Do not allow yourself to be pushed or intimidated into choosing the side of darkness. You get to choose where you will be!
For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity. Proverbs 24:16