December 24: TWICE AS MUCH
“Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her.” Revelation 18:6
The most sinister of deceptions are those mixed with elements of truth. In the cup which [Babylon] has mixed, referring to her doctrines, there are deviations — additions and deletions — from foundational things in God’s Word that He has given the world. The inclusion of the name “Jesus” as these errors are spread can be likened to the kiss of Judas. It is a betrayal that leads those who are influenced by such teachings into a terrible misunderstanding of the character of God. For example, the teaching of an eternal life of endless torture for unrepentant sinners is so repugnant that countless souls have rejected the idea of God altogether – exactly what Satan intends. And those who accept this particular notion swallow along with it the idea that all souls are inherently immortal and therefore cannot die. Every false teaching leads to, or is derived from, another false teaching.
This voice from heaven (v.4) continues to support the fourth angel’s mighty and loud (v.2) pronouncement of the fallenness of Babylon, saying “repay her double according to her works… and mix double for her.” There is an Old Testament legal concept of double recompense for wrongdoing (Exodus 22:4,7,9; Jeremiah 16:18; 17:18). This idea was a well-known practice among God’s people even before it was codified in written form (see Genesis 43:12,15). We may also view Babylon’s punishment as simply reaping what she has sown (Galatians 6:7-8).
Jesus called out the religious leaders for their treacherous workings of imprinting man’s ideas over God’s when doctrines are taught: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.” (Matthew 23:15) His words are necessarily stern. The damage done when God’s people are living outside of His will is worse than that of unbelievers. In fact, when false doctrines are propagated by professed believers, the damage is often multiplied many times over, much more than double. Yet God still stands ready to deliver and save every individual who leaves the confusion of Babylon to come to Him in genuine repentance, regardless of background. In fact, such humility is so precious to Him that….
Instead of shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs. Isaiah 61:9 (see also Job 42:10; Zechariah 9:12)
God will not always strive with [sinful man] (Psalm 103:9). Even as the wrath of God is poured out upon the unrepentant, Jesus, the rightful King, will gain His everlasting inheritance (the redeemed!) in order to freely give us all things (Romans 8:32) fulfilling what is written regarding [God’s] Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things… (Hebrews 1:2)