December 23: TOWER OF SAFETY
“For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:5
After the first worldwide judgment by flood, men again put their heads together to rebel against God. And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” (Genesis 11:4). This building project was called Babel (v.9) after the LORD helped them to spread out (see 9:1) by confusing their speech. Thus, man’s tendency to unite in apostasy against God is revealed. As Jeremiah pleaded with apostate Israel, he pointed out that Babylon’s judgment reaches to heaven and is lifted up to the skies (Jeremiah 51:9).
Man has never elevated himself to heaven, but the counterfeit church’s sins have reached to heaven like a tower. Daniel was allowed to foresee this. In the succession of empires that oppressed God’s people, there came an organizational office of religious leadership that started small: the little horn of Daniel 7:8. In a subsequent vision, the little horn appears again. And it grew up to the host of heaven…He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host (8:10a,11a). Such activity is backed by that serpent of old (Revelation 12:9) and the spirit of antichrist which leads worldwide Babylon. He will even promise to bring peace and safety to the world (1 Thessalonians 5:3), but the only One capable of accomplishing true peace and safety is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Today’s verse has two possible misunderstandings. One is the idea that sins committed on earth can infect or taint the realm of God and the unfallen angels. The other is the idea that God had somehow forgotten the ongoing iniquities on planet earth and then suddenly remembered them. Neither of these is the intended meaning. Today’s opening verse points to the patient and longsuffering nature of our God. However, there is a “tipping point” soon to be reached, beyond which He will no longer tolerate sin. His destruction of sin, and those who cling to it, will bring all iniquities to their decisive end. In mercy, He will put sinners out of their inevitable misery.
Right now is the best time to surrender your sins and yourself to the Savior – while the choice to do so is still available. At the cross, He did all that is needed to completely forgive and wipe out your past sins. And He has the power—by divine grace—to guide your walk in what is left of your earthly life. Don’t miss another day of the joy that is yours when you walk with the Lord in the light of the wonderful counsel of His word. Like Abraham, we may be counted righteous by fully believing what God says (see Acts 8:37; Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23).
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10